The Crabby Crawfish - A Book of One-shots

<HL> Blooming in Thorns [1]

Heartless oneshot requested by 12358227a . Enjoy!

(It's been forever since I read Heartless, so I honestly don't know the details. Sorry!)

Catherine Pinkerton couldn't find a scrap of emotion in her. She stood, staring at her reflection in the wall-length mirror in the dressing room. She wore a blood-red, floor-length gown, her lips painted the same striking color. Her hair curled onto her head, a ruby-set comb ornamenting the locks. On her chest rested a ruby pendant, like a drop of her own blood hanging around her neck.

With even strides, Catherine swiftly exited the dressing room and headed for the ballroom doors. The stone hallways sucked the warmth from her, but she had no warmth to give. She heard the click of her heels against the polished floor without really paying attention, without caring.

Reaching the double doors to the ballroom, Catherine glanced at her husband, the King of Hearts, and nodded curtly. "Good evening," was all that escaped her lips. He frowned at her, his expression worried and rejected, but he only turned his head to look away, murmuring a greeting Catherine didn't bother listening to.

Catherine reached over and linked her arm through his mechanically, not looking at his face. She felt him stiffen, but she didn't really take notice. A servant announced, "It is time, Your Majesties." Two more servants opened the doors to the ballroom, a grand crystal hall that sparkled in the evening. The floor was a design of black and white, a checkerboard of opposites.

The royal couple stepped forward, the hem of Catherine's skirt brushing against the crystal floor. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present the King and Queen of Hearts!" the announcer called. Catherine gazed out over the crowd, not noticing any of the faces. The guests applauded politely, but under their masks, Catherine knew they harbored grudges against her.

Down the balcony Catherine stepped, her shoes clicking quietly. The King looked uncomfortable, but Catherine didn't acknowledge it.

"Our first dance," a musician announced, "is dedicated to the King and Queen. May they always live in harmony, and may no harm come their way."

The dance started, and Catherine's gloved fingers found her husband's shoulder. She let the music guide her, stepping only when necessary. Meanwhile, the King studied her face yet again, and Catherine, yet again, met his eyes, no emotion evident in her features.

Without her aware of it, the song ended, its last note ringing in the air. Catherine released the King and stepped back, deadpanning, "It was nice dancing with you." She then turned, only to find a young man bowing to her.

"May I have this dance, Your Majesty?" he asked, leaning down to kiss her gloved knuckles.

Catherine stared at him, wondering why he was so keen to dance with her, of all the ladies in the ballroom. Nevertheless, she replied icily, "Certainly," though she curled her lip in obvious disapproval of him.

The young man smiled warmly at her despite that, making Catherine wonder why he did. He grasped her hands and led her onto the dance floor. About 30 seconds later, the song started, and the young man positioned his hand on Catherine's hip, guiding her through the steps.

Not wasting any time, Catherine asked, her voice steely and cold, "What brings you to dance with your queen?"

He didn't answer immediately. "I couldn't help but notice your unhealthy lack of smiles, My Queen, and I had the sudden urge to confront you about it."

Catherine narrowed her eyes. "I will believe that when pigs fly."

The man chuckled, spinning Catherine on the dance floor, making her dress expand and twirl. "Pigs do fly, My Queen, so you must believe me."

Narrowing her eyes more and twisting her lips in a snarl, the Queen of Hearts replied, "How dare you twist my words. Who are you who commits this crime?"

Smiling, amused, the man replied, "I only took your words as you spoke them, My Queen; I have committed no crime. My name, as you ask, is Alabaster Rayne."

With a humorless laugh, the Queen of Hearts asked, "Why have I never seen you in the court before?"

He thought for a minute before replying, "I'm an ambassador."

Catherine felt her suspicion rise. "Elaborate, if you will." Her stone-hard tone made it clear she didn't give him a choice.

"I come from afar, where the sky shines an impenetrable blue, the plants grow predictably, and no one speaks of nonsense, save for me." He winked.

"Don't speak in riddles," the Queen ordered.

Rayne inclined his head toward her. "I wouldn't dream of it, Your Majesty."

To Catherine's great surprise, they had entered the palace courtyard, where flowering hedges created a maze of multicolored blooms. The sun had set, leaving the pair in a dim twilight.

Rayne examined a red rose, fingering the petals delicately. He plucked it off the stem, careful to avoid the sharp thorns. Rayne spoke then: "I fear, despite your beauty, that you have more similarity to the thorns than the petals." He handed the rose to her gently, and, to her wonder, her slender fingers took the stem, accepting the unexpected gift.

Rayne smiled softly at her. He took her hand and led her further into the maze of hedges. She did not resist, her curiosity piqued by his intriguing words and nature.

Soon, the two had walked to the center of the labyrinth where a marble bench greeted them. "Would you care for a seat, My Queen?" Rayne asked.

Catherine stared at him for a second before responding, "I would."

The two of them lowered themselves onto the bench, and Rayne angled himself to face her. In a whisper, he said, "Why are you so unhappy, My Queen? It cannot be healthy for you, and I wish to offer my assistance."

Just as quietly, Catherine told him, "You think me unhappy? I must say, you're wrong."

"But you are obviously not happy, Your Majesty. I wonder if I might help you."

She inhaled, fingering her ruby necklace. "Nothing you might do could change the fact that all I care for has gone, my care with it. Your offer may seem helpful, but all you speak is an empty promise."

With a sigh, Rayne met Catherine's eyes meaningfully. "But it is still a promise, My Queen, one I shall not forget." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it, then said, "You should return to the party." He reached up and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

Catherine rose from the bench. "When shall I see you again?" she asked, trying to settle her confused thoughts. If he were anyone else, his head would not be still attached, but she needed answers and time to think of a proper punishment.

"Soon," he promised. Then, he stood and strolled to the other side of the clearing, waved, then disappeared.

Gazing at the rose in her hand, Catherine loosened her grip, letting the flower fall to the ground. It fell slowly, as if in a dream. Catherine raised her foot to step on it, to grind to dirt the remnants of a man who angered her, but she couldn't bring herself to.

Catherine stared after him, her anger rising to a boil. How dare he mess with her mind as he did. He did not deserve to still live, and soon that would be solved.

Soon, very soon, his head would ornament Catherine's collection.

To be continued...

If you enjoyed this (or even if you didn't), check out my sister's book Eyes Like Stars || A Heartless Marissa Meyer Story on the account GiGi_The_Author !