The Impish Heart

The Corpse Groom: Part 1.

Years ago Striker, a ruthless outlaw, takes the seven rings of hell by storm. In a tragic twist of fate, the gunslinger was struck down by a Goetic commander and nobleman. As the commander and chief stood over the dying cowboy, the imp spits up into his face: a look of defiance shines in his eyes.

A gruff voice rumbles like a thunderstorm through the stagnant air. "you may have everyone fooled beast, but you will never fool me" hisses the Serpent Cowboy. As The Goeita Prince stomps on his chest, causing the snake imp's body to bounce as he wheezes in pain.

Blood blooms spreading across the wrangler's chest, as Striker coughs up blood on his hands and knees.
His mouth stained red with blood, he snarls up at his killer. Striker could feel his consciousness slowly slipping away.
The taste of hot copper curdles at the back of his throat. With shaking arms, he levels his guns at the large Goeita.

A look of meaningless pity flashes in the prince's eyes. Hard ruby eyes pierce the cowboy with their chilling gaze. He couldn't have the resistance kindling again: sparks of a revolution. The cowboy needed to be made into an example.

The commander couldn't risk having word get out to the main house. Stolas sneers down at the pale-skinned imp watching as light fades from the gunslinger's eyes before smirking coldly down upon him. Raising up his sword, he buries it into the Outlaw's chest. The Owl Prince drags the imp down into the gully, and into the dead woods, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. Gripping the cowboy's shoulder, he snaps it back until he could hear a sickening pop. Stolas grips Striker by his jaw, lifting him up into the air as a long talon traces his eyes. Striker lets out a blood-curdling scream as the commander digs his long talons into his eyes, ripping them out before he places them into a velvet bag. The Owl prince smiles, licking the blood from the imp's face before dropping the corpse into a shallow grave underneath a hangman's noose. He buries the legendary cowboy face down in the dirt.
Leaving the Cowboy's body to rot.

_

As the years passed, and the revolution was forgotten, a family of grifters were trotting along in an old gothic style coach. Imps were sold into slavery and Blitzo was set to marry Stolas against his will. Bequeathed to an Overlord of greed upon his mother's deathbed. The crimson imp was at the mercy of the king of greed and his zany son, Fizzorolli.

Masters of mind bending illusions this crooked family had the audacity to hoodwink one of the most credible families within the lust Ring.

Strongly believing that they could bleed out the Goeita bloodline by weaseling in one of their own.
The wedding arrangements were going to be settled on, upon their arrival to the Goeita estate. Who better to marry the ditsy blueblood than their very own loveless Harlequin?

Blitzo stares gloomily out through the painted glass panes of the carriage. Watching as the rain poured down from the skies wearing a dour expression on his face, like he was going to a funeral rather than attending his own wedding.

The plan was a simple one, to get the feathered bird brained to fall for his whimsical charms. Then, upon the night of their honeymoon, while Stolas was distracted, he'd poison him with untraceable toxins. The plan was flawless.

Fizzorolli would help Blitzo rehearse for months on end: he'd crawl between Blitzo's legs, acting drunk, squeezing Blitzo's thigh. Fizz grips Blitzo's head. Sucking on his tongue. Fizz runs his hands down the harlequin's thighs. As Blitzo hums into the kiss.
"Let's take it from the top," Fizz says, taking off his clothes.
_

Lady Estella Everclaw was the pivotal lady-in-waiting. She was Stolas's childhood sweetheart. She let her jealousy rule her, turning her into a cantankerous, vexing harpy. A blight on the dreary town of Evermore. Estella was smart as a whip and devious, too. As her obsession with the young nobleman grew.
Her love for the grim prince would turn fatal.
_