The Crabby Crawfish - A Book of One-shots

<HL> Thunderstorm [2]

Part two of the previous oneshot titled "Blooming in Thorns"! We're still in the Heartless fandom, BTW.

This two-shot was requested by 12358227a .

Check out GiGi_The_Author 's book Eyes Like Stars || A Heartless Marissa Meyer Story. You may see some crossover!

Catherine sat at her desk, staring off into space. She wore a simple cream-colored gown, having changed out of the ballroom dress. She didn't wear shoes, not having a need in her carpeted chambers. As the candle on her desk burned lower, she found herself daydreaming about Jest, her former lover, who had died eight years ago. Though she had known him many years ago, still remembered his smile, a crooked from that promised mischief.

Catherine felt no sadness, not even a tear, when she thought of him, only hate and anger. She knew she should remember how happy she felt with him, how exhilarated, but she never did. She only felt a burning rage. Over the years, the white-hot sting had turned more bareable, if only slightly. Justice has been served, the murderer executed, but nothing could heal the wounds she suffered from day after day.

A light knock interrupted her thoughts. Catherine sighed, pushing her way out of the chair. She wondered who would knock at this late hour. When she reached the door, however, and the knock sounded again, she noticed that the sound came not from the door but somewhere else. Immediately, Catherine glanced to the window, where a slightly smiling Rayne met her eyes. Her hands clenching into fists, Catherine marched to the window and threw it open.

Before Catherine could speak, Rayne held out her discarded rose and said, "You dropped this, Your Majesty."

Curling her lips in anger, Catherine responded coldly, "Perhaps I had a reason for that."

Crawling over the windowsill, Rayne asked, "I presume the reason still stands?"

"Kind of you to notice," Catherine answered dangerously.

Laughing, Rayne said, "I expected as much." He held the rose out the window and let it fall out of sight.

"Why are you here, Rayne?" the Queen snapped, thoroughly peeved at the whole affair.

Rayne winked. "I told you that we'd meet again soon, My Queen."

"You still have not answered my question, Rayne." Catherine's tone was harsh and unforgiving.

Rayne bowed with unnecessary vigor. "I was about to address that, My Queen. I am here because I wanted to see you again, to continue our conversation."

Catherine sighed. "I don't believe the conversation must continue."

With a fleeting smile, Rayne said, "Then I'll start a new one. But not here. Come with me, My Queen, and we shall talk of other topics."

He held out his hand, beckoning to her. Catherine was suspicious, of course, but her curiosity won. She pursed her lips. "As you wish, Rayne, but you better have a sufficient reason behind all this."

He smiled that crooked smile again. "Always, Your Majesty."

Catherine clenched her teeth but released them to say, "Just let me retrieve my hat." She made her way to the door, but when she touched the handle, she added, "Don't touch anything, and don't leave. I'll return."

She turned the doorknob and stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind her. She made the quick walk to the dressing room and let herself in.