Black and White

Chapter 2

             Leachlainn stood in one of the few shadows allowed to linger in Rioghnach's audience hall watching the courtly game of intrigue and politics. His mother stood a few feet away in earnest discussion with one of the lord-lings. Leachlainn watched her in action. He had no doubt that she knew he was there. He also had no doubt that she knew exactly where everyone in the room was. As General of the Seelie Queen's Armies Leolin was always vigilant to any threat to her Queen. 

             She was a beautiful woman. Of course being of the Daione Sidhe it was a given that she would be incredibly beautiful. But there was a strength to her golden form that was missing from other women of the Court. She was a gilded sun that warmed the white halls in the Winter night. Despite the currant fashion of white on white, her gown was a rich warm cream that complimented her bronze colored hair and glowing copper eyes.

            She ignored him, just like everyone else ignored him. In the glowing bright world of the Seelie Sidhe he was a mar on their perfection. He looked nothing like his mother. Though darker in appearance she was still obviously a part of the Light Fae. He, on the other hand had just a little too much brown in his bronze hair, just a little too much red in his copper penny eyes. What was like the warmth of a summer day in his dame, was a little too much like the dying of leaves making way for Winter, his eyes a little too close to the color of blood. No one quite said to his face that he didn't belong, they wouldn't dare, for he was after all, his mother's son, but they didn't have to. It was in every glance, every snub, and every veiled jibe.

            He could feel the walls between himself and the others more strongly on this night than any other. Tonight the Seelie Court celebrated the anniversary of their victory over the Unseelie. Tonight on what should have been the White Court's weakest time, was a revel and a strengthening of the bonds that held the Darkness imprisoned and had done so for the past several thousand years. Leachlainn hated this time of year. He knew the reason for the ceremony, and while he agreed wholeheartedly with the decision that had been made so long ago, he couldn't revel in the bondage of someone, to do so just struck him as wrong, as...evil. But he dared not voice that sentiment. He dared not even show a hint of sympathy for the Dark Court. He had a stain against him already, anymore and not even his Mother's name could shield him.

             "So solemn Leachlainn." a sultry voice whispered in his ear sending the conflicting emotions of desire and loathing down his spine. "Aebhel." He said, turning to look at the sidhe woman who stood there watching him with invitation in her deep emerald eyes. He gave her cold hard look, showing that he was not interested in a one night stand with a woman who would use him then pretend he didn't exist when she was finished. 

          "I know this is a night of revelry, and a indiscretion with me on this night will be forgiven by everyone else. But I am sober and I will not forgive myself for stooping so low." he said softly to her. Her face went blank for a moment in shock then transformed into rage. "How dare you?!" she shrieked at him. "I am Aebhel! I am Desire! You should be on your knees in gratitude that I would even lower myself to look your way!" He smirked and looked around him at the sidhe glancing their way.

         "Be careful Aebhel, someone might see you propositioning me." Her face went even whiter than usual and she turned away head held high in offended dignity. Leachlainn sighed and turned away again. He just knew the rumours of how he had dared to proposition the lovely Aebhel would soon circle the court. He was getting so tired of the games his people played. The sudden hush of the revelers signaled main event of the evening. The Sealing.

          Leachlainn turned to the center of the hall. The Seelie Queen stood in all of her splendor. Her hair as white as the frost that decorated the glass of the windows, and her eyes like flawless crystal. She was beautiful and pale in her white on white gown. The lack of color should have washed her out, but she was like some lovely sculpture caught in white marble. As the representative of the White Lady, she was perfect.