A Tale of: The Widow and The Crown

Three: King's Council

Both men linked their arms with Anastasia's, even in the crowd of alike people one could never be too careful. Outside, the castle made up of white stone and a few white light orbs lit the area, but the inside is where the beauty of white marble, piano music, and over expensive art and decor began; dark fae were all smiles as they reconnected with their few friends, our breed never being able to put a night away to just talk or see each other - just another curse of always being needed to work, to make what some define as a 'life.' Anna was just thankful enough that she had ran into Lorcan and his older brother last night.

Servants tried to hide their fear that rolled off of their beings in waves as they stood at their posts, skin paled, eyes wide; funny how dark Fae were considered evil, yet it was the 'good' Fae that owned slaves. Excuse me, I mean servants.

Anastasia and her lifelong friends grabbed one of the few open tables, a black table cloth complemented by a single rose in a glass vase that stood in the middle of the table, porcelain dinnerware glittered underneath light orbs that were a tab too bright for the dark Fae; though most were focused on tonight's topic: Who gets to kill this unnamed target? And why is this mission so secretively?

"Lorcan!" A singsong voice cheerped, drawing Anastasia's grey eyes from the crowd and to the girl -who had to be the same age as Anna, 19- that hugged her best friend from behind. She had dazzling dark skin, coal colored eyes that matched her braided hair, and her gown made up of ruby; she smiled warmly at the stranger.

"Ignis," Delcan and Lorcan spoke at the same time as the stranger, now known as Ignis, took the empty seat next to Lorcan. "I thought you only dealt with higher status," Delcan commented, nodding in thanks to a servant who poured him wine.

"I do," Ignis smiled. "My boss is here tonight, it is his case after all,"

"Who's your boss?" I found myself asking without thinking; dark fae only shared what they wished, not what they were asked. Lorcan's head whipped my way, Delcan coughed on his wine, but Ignis just smiled brighter than any star I had ever seen and replied instantly.

"Do you happen to recognize the title of High King Valen-"

"Shadow of Death?" I finished for her, not knowing what came first fear or awe; both tangled their way through Anna as she thought of that High King or, what most rumours said, demon. High King Valen, the one who ruled Death itself -a power so rare, so dangerous, so ancient, it made us dark Fae look like jesters; Anna shuddered in her seat. "And it's his case?"

"Yes," Ignis chuckled, she seemed too happy to be both dark Fae or working for the Shadow of Death himself. Around them, dark Fae settled into their own seats still chatting with their lost friends and family. "I wish I could tell you more, but I'm afraid that this case is a very delicate and my boss wouldn't be too happy if-"

"Good evening Fae of Darkness," A loud voice boomed, interrupted Ignis' voice and, with an eye roll at the title of 'Fae of Darkness', we turned our attention to the front of the grand room; with walls of creme, gold detailing, and floor made up of white marble, it was no wonder King Aarush -gifted with fire and flame- was tremendously in debt.

Anastasia focused on the average height man, skin the color of burnt wood and hair of brick that kissed his waist, and how he stood in front of his throne crafted from gold; she stifled a small laugh when she saw the anger that flared in King Aarush's gold eyes when he realized that he would not be worshipped here among us. To us, he was just another snobby King.

"Tonight," King Aarush's voice turned sour, further showing the 'Fae of Darkness' how vain he really was; Anastasia shifted in her seat as a wave of an unfamiliar feeling kissed her aura. "After we enjoy a delicious dinner, my council will ask a mere three of you to join us on this mission of secreticey."

Murmurs of shadows minglined with one another, the dark mists conversing without the Fae -even though shadows were ours, they had a mind of their own- knowing what their shadows were up too. Lorcan's shadows always minglined with Anna's, even after they found no trace or potentiality of being his mate, something odd drew Fae shadows to her own...

Dinner, complete with roasted lamb, salad and soup made up of seasonal vegetables, and wine bottle after wine bottle, the evening was finished with a few dances. King Aarush remained in his golden throne, his matching eyes settling upon the Dark Fae with what one may confuse for as envy; his wood burnt colored fingers licked in flame underneath their hidden position. Delcan discussed, or bragged, about his business to the east with a few old friends as Ignis seemed to take quite a liking to poking Delcan in his newfound weakness areas playfully.

"This is such a fussy event," Anastasia grumbled; some irritation of fabric kept making her itchy in such an unladylike area.

"You like being fussed over," Lorcan smirked, blue eyes sparkling with a familiar humor; he found happiness like fire finds flame. Anna chuckled, grey eyes rolling as the couple moved together in sync, hand in hand, foot after foot; where either one of them learned this dance, they didn't know - maybe it was a part of training they both had blocked out.

"I suppose," Left foot, then right, and back to left. "I've just had such an odd feeling tonight,"

Lorcan eyed the petite beauty in front of him, knowing if something bothered her that it must be a sign of... Of what, he didn't know. "Like what, Widow?"

"I don't know..." Lorcan slowed the dance before leading Anastasia back to their unclaimed, claimed table and passing her a glass full of ice cubes and water; Anna greedly downed the glass as her head started to thump, heart beginning to race. "I just feel sorta out-of-the-sorts,"

"What all did you eat or drink?"

"Same as you," Anastasia sighed, wishing she could squirm out of this beautiful dress and into some sweatpants; minutes passed slowly until the music, chatter, and Fae settled down, people began finding their seats, and King Aarush stood.

Silence sat.

"Introducing my council," A group of about six Fae, each one representing a different skill set, walked into the ballroom and up to the throne; each one stoic as a women, skin of grey, wisps of white hair, and anyone could tell she was gifted with wind, stepped up. Her gown matched her hair, both seemingly never ending.

"Good evening," Even her voice sounded like soft air, so breathlessly perfect. "Tonight I am to announce which three of the Dark Fae will be trained for a task that only those three will know and even our history books will not carry..."

Anxiety shot through Anastasia.