Flames left behind

22{Murder, dare say}

   Our plan was simple. Hold a fancy dinner in celebration of marriage between Ronin the Seelie Queen, and we invited her and Caspian. Only a few close friends would be invited, I still had none, and then Ronin would start a fire to cause a distraction. I'd slip the poison into his drink, be careful not to draw attention to myself, and then put out the fire. I'd be deemed the hero, and we'd drink to my success. Fool proof, as long as nothing and no one messed it up.

   Emrick agreed to it, and it was to be hosted in the little ballroom opposite direction of the drawing room and kitchen. It was like a replica of the Beauty and the Beast ballroom, just smaller, smelling of polished marble floors with a hint of liquid wax. The walls were framed in gold, and it was a terribly dim lit room, the only brightness was cast off in the six places that were set. The guest list was short and sweet, consisting only of myself, Ronin, Emrick, Oscar, Caspian, and Her Majesty.

   I carried myself into the room, noticing that the only people missing were Emrick and Oscar. Of course, they'd be late. 

   I seated myself, ignoring the curious looks from my mother. I fidgeted with my napkin, and we all sat in unbearable silence.

  "Dare I say, princess, you look exquisite tonight," Caspian voiced, breaking the quiet.

     I looked up and offered him a timid smile.

"As beautiful as a sunset over the ocean. You look truly magnificent," he purred.

   I held up a hand.

"And you, Caspian, look as ugly as medusa on a bad hair day."

   "She doesn't even have hair princess."

"Exactly."

   He looked confused, and to be honest, I actually don't know where I was going with that.

"And I am as hungry as a newborn vamp, not that anybody seems to care," Ronin put forth, rolling his eyes.

  I averted my attention from Caspian and sent glares Ronin's way.

     "Well, Lord Ronin, we have to wait for Emrick."

"And Oscar."

   "I don't give a damn about Oscar."

He faked a stake to the heart, and from the corner I saw the Seelie Queen smirk. She was enjoying this a little too much for my taste. 

  Ronin sighed more dramatically than necessary. "If he's not here soon, I call dibs on his dessert."

   My breath caught, and I started to worry, but I was alert of Caspian and Aubriella's stares, so I only panicked in my head. 

    I twisted my napkin in my lap and shred it to pieces. Everything depended tonight on Emrick showing up. If he decided to cancel out, I'd never get another chance to poison him. 

  I looked around the room. 

   The brown dining table stretched across the room, from the door to the far wall, 20 mini candles hanging upside down on the ceiling. Gold vines wrapped around wooden pillars that were on opposite sides of the doors, six places set close to each other, the extra two being for Oscar and another guard for the Seelie Queen. 

    I looked away, my gaze getting caught with Ronin's stare. He was looking at me so intensely, that if it weren't for the fact he was in on his father's murder, I would've thought he figured me out. I nodded slightly, enough for him to see but no other, and looked down at the table. 

    The doors swung open, making me jump out of my seat a little, and in walked Emrick and Oscar. 

  I smiled with relief. "You came, Lord Emrick. I was afraid we would have to start eating without you."