Flame of the Huntress

Fall of Grace

I began to dance, and he began to trip over his own drunken feet.

The High Lord sparred a few glances this way. Avoiding eye contact, I turned to the drunk fool in front of me. He was quite taller than me, about seven inches or so.

"Are you acquainted with the High Lord?" I asked innocently—a simple, unsuspecting question.

"Rhys? Oh ya, we go way, way back.." his obnoxiousness was aggravating, but I continued to listen, "Do you know him?"

"Not personally, no." A calculated answer, prompting his next response—

"Oh well! Let me introduce you," He offers with enthusiasm, "myself"—Probably knowing the High lord gives him some bonus points with the maidens. Ridiculous. 

Placing his hand on my back, guiding me, we made our way to my next victim. A small grin escapes my lips.

Rhysand was just finishing talking to a courtesan—giving me just enough time to inspect him from up close. The High Lord was dressed in a fine suit—black tuxedo with a dark blue button up beneath. Even from a distance you can see his strength. Strong, broad shoulder, toned legs and arms—a body of a warrior not just a King.

I can already feel his power. It silently challenged my own, asserting its dominance.

"Rhys, my man!" the High Lord's eyes flicker to his friend, "This is.." the drunk turns to me and-not so quietly- asks what my name is—what an absolute idiot, "Cillian!" He says my fake name a little too loud.

The High lord's unnervingly piercing violent eyes turn to me. A stare of dominance, a stare of a king. As badly as I wanted return his look, to never yield,  I had to play the innocent girl and look away with a subtle bow.

"Cassian" So that's the bastard's name, "Why don't you get us some wine" Rhysand's words poured out like velvet, a demand not a question.

The amethyst eyes never leave my own. I held his stare, releasing a spark of flame in my eyes. Cassian looked between the both of us, as if caught between a battle with his pants down. He then murmured something, but all I could hear was the fire burning bloodlust pounding in my ears. I will kill you, High Lord. As if reading my thoughts, challenge gleamed in his eyes.

"Care to dance," He purred, "Cillian".

His intentions was unreadable on his utterly still face. I gave a quick nod, not taking my eyes off of him. And so the hunt begins~

Every eye was on us. On the High Lord and his mysterious partner. So much for keeping a low profile. The High lord never took his eyes off me, as if he was trying to read me. Clever High Lord indeed. But not clever enough. I've spent years mastering my craft. Never broke character, never failed a mission. And I'm not planning on starting today.

Rhysand stopped our stride, extending a hand forward with a grin. I cannot wait to melt the grin off your face, and collect my handsome earnings. With my most charming and cool smile, I took his hand.

Silence filled the room. Placing his hand on my back, he pulled me close. Then the orchestra began its slow harmony~

I stared into his devilish eyes, mirroring my own. Seduce the High Lord, then kill. Shadows began encircling us, his power. The overwhelming strength beckoning me to yield. But I will not. With each step the music sang a faster melody. Are bodies moved with practiced grace and dangerously perfect rhymes. Rhysand's eyes, still fighting my own. We danced like a battle, two swords dueling in grace and precision. The music began moving faster, racing to the chorus. My dress flowing through the air like a flame moving with the wind. The orchestra rushed for the final climax. Are bodies one, a lion playing with her prey. Until-

I tripped at the final blow.

I remained on the floor, as if I had twisted an ankle. Rhysand was now looking down at me. Everyone around us began their conversations and dancing like before. Nothing to see here, just an embarrassingly clumsy maiden. 

Cassian came rushing over with two empty glasses joining the stare at the poor girl on the ground, "Ooo- Dam, that was embarrassing!"—Idiot, maybe after I'm done killing his high lord, I'll dismantle him for fun.

I rubbed my ankle, pretending to that I sprayed it. All the interest I saw in the High Lord's eyes moments ago were gone. They were now filled with utter boredom. Good, I want him as unsuspecting as possible.

Rhysand reached his hand down in pity. How I wish I could reach out and burn his pitiful hand, show him I don't need his help. But that's for later, right now I took. As he lifted me up, I winced as if in pain~