Intoxicating Rivals

I packed the arrows carefully; they needed to lay flat under my dress.

Ugh, my horrid dress. Pale blue tulle with a bejeweled corset. I couldn’t wait to cover this graceful straight jacket with blood.

“Are you ready Verena?” My father called to me from our disheveled kitchen.

“I need more time, Father.” My voice carried across our small house. Dust fell from the rafters.

My hands worked quickly as I tied the sheath of arrows around my calf.

My bow was another situation entirely. It was too large to be hidden under my skirt or across my back.

“You need my help.” My mother stated as she strides into the room, kneeling down in front of me.

Without even explaining, she untied the string on my bow and wrapped it around my neck, tying it into a loose knot. “Pull these two strings to untie the knot.” She used her thumb and index fingers on either hand to show me the rope.

I nodded.

My mother mumbled something under her breath before leaving the room.

When she returned, the pelt of a white dear my father had killed was in her hands.

She positioned the bow around my back and in the crook of my arms. The pelt went over it. Creating the illusion of an elegant stole.

The juxtaposition of my appearance and my dusty old, withering house must have been jarring.

“You’re ready?” My father was against the doorway, his hand outstretched.

I lifted my skirt so as to avoid tripping and followed my father out of the house.

A carriage sat. A breath hitched in my throat as I laid eyes on it.

“How could we afford this?” The leather adorning the outer walls of the carriage was smooth and white. Clearly the work of an expert Lederer.

“I may have some people that are as committed to our cause as we are.” A sugarcoated answer from my father most definitely. Translation: Some people want the Royal family dead just as much as we do.

“Is the young lady ready to depart?” A wicker-like voice rang from atop the horses. It was a well-dressed man holding the reigns buckled into the horse’s heads and mouths.

“She is in fact.” I retorted, maybe too harshly.

The door to the carriage was easy enough to open. To my dismay however, I needed my father's help to hoist me up by the waist.

This awful dress really was going to cause me all the trouble in the world today. I hope it gets tattered and torn and destroyed beyond recognition.

As soon as the door closed, the carriage was moving. I fell into my seat.

“What is the plan?” an unfamiliar voice inquired.

I jumped.

“Who are you?” My words were quick and accusatory.

“I’m the one escorting you. They frown upon ladies without a man to accompany her at these sorts of functions. Especially ones of your demeanor.” The red headed mystery boy’s tone was smug, and he delivered his clearly rehearsed lines with a grin.

“Well then.” I adjusted myself on the seat crossing my legs, “I suppose your name would be appropriate information.” Stay calm and collected. Don’t be stupid.

The boy laughed. “My name is Sebastian.” He extended his pale hand out to me as an introduction the white sleeves of his coat didn’t help.

The close quarters had his hand almost touching my breasts. “It’s called a handshake for a reason you know.” I glared at his stupid remark. He took the hint. “Well, you know my name. How about you tell me more about the elusive ‘Verena Chapel’”

“I’d rather focus on the mission my father would like to complete.”

I watched the forest pass us by through the window on the door. The wind coming through it danced across my bare shoulders.

My body trembled.

“Are you in need of a gentleman’s coat?” Sebastian snickered at me and crossed his legs. “You know, if you keep up the silence, we won’t get too far past the front entryway to the palace.” His words hung for a few seconds.

“And how do you suppose that?” My frustration was showing through my tone.

“Well, the more comfortable we are with each other, the more we will pass for two people who have known each other a while longer than a carriage ride.”

“Are you suggesting we kiss or whatever else must go on in a young man’s head.”

“And how would you know what goes on in a head like mine?” Sebastian’s elbow rested on the carriage wall and his head on his hand.

“You boys are all the same when you see a girl dressed like I am now-” The stupid boy cut me off.

“Well, how would you know for sure young lady?”

“I’m young, yes, however I am not a fool,” I uncrossed my legs and leaned towards the boy across from me, “All a boy like you wants is to find yourself a pretty lady to kiss and forget.” He looked taken aback by my statement.

“Bold assumptions you make.” Sebastian leaned towards me now. I could feel his breath on my face. “Suppose I am how you said, if I were to do as you said, and kiss you right here, how would you feel?” The boy really did take me for a fool, and a weak one at that.

I channeled my anger with this boy in my words. “Why don’t you lean in and find out-” He did. And rather suddenly.

Time slowed.

I felt his lips, hot against mine.

When I tried to pull away, his hand went to my head to push me towards him.

As I tried to pull away once more, his other free hand wrapped around my waist and pressed my body to his.

My cheeks were hot with anger. But there was nothing I could do. Even If I tried punch him, we were too close together for It to have any effect.

I opened my mouth to protest but was met by his warm breath flooding my mouth, his teeth teased at my lower lip.

Sebastian took the opportunity to slip in his tongue for a second before I finally shoved him off once and for all.

My fury for him boiled over.

“Who do you think you are?” I screamed at him before my palm made a satisfying contact with his face.

His reaction was immediate. The boy practically lunged for me, pinning my shoulders to the wall with a flirtatious grin. “I thought you said it was alright.” He didn’t search my face for any aspect of enjoyment, he knew just what he was doing.

I tried to remain still so his hold on me wouldn’t tighten.

Sebastian leaned in again, this time past my face. “We’ve arrived, act like you enjoy my company please. I wouldn’t like to see your head on an executioner's block should we be caught.” He let go.

I let out a sigh and did my best to collect my memories of why exactly I was here.

I was here to kill a prince.

Sebastian, being the gentleman, he claims to portray, left the carriage first, held open the door and then his hand for me to take.

When he saw my inability to make the two-foot drop in my mother's fancy old shoes, He grabbed my waist with both his hands and spun me around to the ground.

His hand brushed a hair behind my ear as he reminded me, “We have an audience now, smile love.” Apparently an ekename was what he thought would make me play my part in this charade.

I forced my most natural looking smile as Sebastian hooked my arm in his.

As we walked in the halls of the palace, following the flow of the crowd, the two of us entered a ballroom, full of other guests.

Sebastian led me into the depths of the moving bodies, over to where it seemed the most people were dancing. “Follow my lead.” He shot me a lopsided smile before bowing his head and extending his hand.

Keep up appearances.

I took his hand and curtsied, for the next few minutes, we wove in and out of the crowd, all the while swaying and spinning. I was enjoying myself.

“Would it be all right with you if I could share a dance with your lady?” A voice addressing Sebastian came from my left.

I looked over to see a tall boy with dark brown hair and an intricate white and gold suit. He was the one we came to kill today.

My ‘partner’ took one look at the boy and nodded, “That would be just wonderful.” He smiled and handed me off.

The prince, Caligo, walked me through the crowd to the very center where there was a space likely just for him and whoever he danced with.

“Tell me your name dear.” We bowed to each other when the music started.

“Eldynne.” I answered as we started to waltz. I couldn’t tell him my real one.

“A pretty name. If only it wasn’t a lie.” I tripped over my feet. He held me up. “Tell me your real name.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Despite his assumptions, I’d almost never gotten caught with a lie, despite how much I tell them.

“Don’t be silly” He pulled me closer as we danced, “No one of your class would have such a name. Your dusty gown gave you away I’m afraid.” My old house was to blame. Of course.

“You caught me.” I let out a small laugh.

“Tell me.” We spun, “Why would you have a reason to hide your name.”

I had to be quick, “Well, my parents don’t know I’m here, they’re fast asleep at home, The boy I was talking to before was a friend who helped me steal away.” I hoped that story would do.

Caligo smiled, “Well dear, I’m glad you decided to deceive your parents in that way, I fear we wouldn’t have crossed paths otherwise.” His face was close to mine as the song started to slow to an end. “Perhaps a beauty like yourself would be more comfortable in a place like this.” What was he saying.

“W-what?” My voice was trilling with panic. What had I gotten myself into.

“Perhaps,” He held my waist as we swayed along to the slow medley starting to play. “If you would be willing to do so, I must select one woman to be my wife by the end of the night, you’re the only one so far worth considering.”

“Well, the night is young.” My lungs were failing me.

The last thing he did before I went on my hunt for either Sebastian or a good vantage point, was chuckle and hold my chin in his hand. “Go off to find your friend then dear.”

The first thing I saw was a balcony. It was high enough that I wouldn’t be seen and open enough to get a good shot.

As I walked up the stairs, I started to consider something; could I really be a princess if the prince did so choose that as my fate?

The thought of the long dresses and up-done hair for once, didn’t fill me with resentment or sickness.

Only a crazy thought though.

When I reached the top, I kicked off the horrible, pain inducing shoes my mother forced me to wear.

Sifting through the material of my dress, I finally reached the sheath of arrows and released them from my leg.

The string on my neck was simple enough to untie and after fumbling with the string for almost too long, I was ready.

Arrow drawn and back, I sifted through the sea of colorful dresses and suits, until I saw it, the white jacket.

I ensured my form was perfect as I narrowed all my thoughts to this alone. This was the only thing I could do or be. A killer. I was happy with it.

I took one last breath as I released my arrow.

It traveled for less than a second before hitting its target, followed by hysterics.

The body fell. Horror struck me. His hair glowed red in the candlelight as bodies moved further away from the growing pool of blood staining his jacket. No gold detailing in sight.

I ran down the stairs in my bare feet, leaving my weapon behind.

I had failed. I had killed the innocent boy kind enough to escort me here.

Sebastian’s body lay lifeless on the marble floor. His eyes rolled back into his head. and his expression pained.

I got my wish. When I knelt down, I knew my dress would be ruined. I didn’t care.

My arms were ripped away from his body as I was pulled to my feet.

I turned to face Caligo. His face admiring and hungry, “I’ve made up my mind. Princess.”