Winterfall

As I returned to my room, I couldn't help but smile a bit. That was the first bit of fun we had all year. And I do not mean sex but just us being us, out with the guards, drinking and having a good time. But, of course, we had to get back to reality. I had to meet with Crimson soon, which would be awkward as hell. But if I had to pretend to be with the devil, I needed to pretend to be with his leading lady, as he called her.

I decided to take a bath and wash up, as I did not want her to pick up the stench of alcohol or sex. If she was anything like Theo, she might be just as observant. I also decided to wear a splash of perfume today to cover up any party aftermath.

I also opted to wear a blouse and a pair of well-fitted jeans today instead of the usual princess dress. Have you made it back yet?

I just got back. Give me about twenty minutes to clean up, and I'll meet you for breakfast.

I nodded, sat down at my desk, and brushed my hair. I was going above and beyond today to make myself seem more appealing. Normal? Not hiding anything. I just hoped I was not overdoing it.

I let ten minutes go by before I got too restless. Upon arriving in the kitchen, Roland was already mid-prepping breakfast. "Rumor has it that was a hell of a party last night."

I rolled my eyes, "Please, don't speak of it."

"Hey, just saying what some commoners saw at the tavern."

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Alrighty, I hope the breakfast will help with those hangovers you and the Captain will surely have."

My eyes widened a bit. "Just out of curiosity…what else was discussed?"

"You said you didn't want to talk about it, so my lips are sealed. Bacon?" he asked as he handed me a plate of bacon. Typically, I don't eat a lot of bacon, but perhaps the after-effects of the alcohol were still there as I grabbed a piece of bacon and started to munch on it. "It must have been some party," Roland laughed as he also handed me a plate of sweets. "Is the Captain well enough to come for breakfast?"

"Should be here in like five."

"I'll get more bacon ready then. The eggs just got done." He plated me a big spoonful of fluffy eggs and handed me some syrup, as I did like to top my eggs with syrup. Yeah, I am a little weird, but it added additional flavor. However, part of that was also due to my sweet tooth, as I even used it with bacon.

"You are ruining good bacon with that, you know," Theo said as he entered through the back door.

"Don't knock it until you try it."

"I think I'll just stick with extra crispy."

He took the rest of the eggs while Roland fried the rest of the bacon and eggs.

"Are you two going to be able to function today?"

"I'm sure we can manage. Magic helps with the effects, after all." I spoke up as I recalled Theo used a restoration spell to remove any remaining effects that the alcohol had in place. The rest and the additional spell use from the night before gave us a significant bump in the healing process.

"Cheat the process." Roland shook his head.

"Hey, it's either that or I would have been cranky."

"Cranky? I don't think cranky is the correct word to use when you are A. Drunk. And B. Hungover." Theo spoke up.

I glared at him, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't worry about it, dear," Theo said. "It's harmless."

"Sure it is."

We finished our breakfast, and Theo went off to guard duty while I waited in the grand hall for Crimson, a person I was not thrilled to meet.

Just stay calm, and you will be fine.

The bitch has infiltrated the kingdom for years and…

Calm Maria. We still need to utilize some of the ring's powers. I can take your emotion, but it does affect us both.

Fine. I'll look on the bright side of things.

There you go.

Yeah, yeah.

The sound of heels clicking against the stone soon filled the air. God, I so badly wanted to slap this bitch, but Theo was right. I needed to be calm.

Her red hair was the first I saw, vibrant and wicked. Her eyes were piercing orange like fire, and her skin was well-tanned and polished. She has changed her appearance since the last time I saw her. Something dragons could do often as they could change their forms between shifting forms. Theo had volunteered to do this, so why mess with perfection?

"Maria, it's lovely to see you again. I'm Sorry I couldn't talk with you more during Summer Crest's Festival." Crimson's face held a grin as she finished speaking. I hated every single one of her words.

"Nice to see you again, too." I held out my hand in solidarity to which she refused. I pulled it back, "Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot, so to speak. But if we are going to be in Marcel's life, we must get along for his sake."

She cocked her head, "Why do you care about his life? If you did, that dragon of yours would have been gone long ago."

I held my breath, "What dragon?"

"That guard you sleep with." She studied my behavior. "Don't act like you did not know he was a dragon. Or did the silver one lie?"

"First I have heard of it." I kept my responses short and sweet, trying to remain calm. I did not give any indication that I was lying—or at least I hoped.

I saw her eyes twitch. She was trying to read me. "If that is the lie you are telling yourself, then so be it. I know you know what I am. That's no secret. I have a better class than the silver."

"Whatever you say, Red." If she were going to refer to Theo as the silver, her new nickname would be red.

"Cute. Regardless if you knew or not. What Marcel has done and has done to you was well deserved. But that is water under the bridge now, right dear?"

"Right." Hell no. Fuck both of them. Maria. Easy love. I sighed. "Yes, I understand his actions. I can forgive. But it'll take me a bit to forget."

"Fair. Marcel had also talked briefly about something you wanted to ask?"

Great. He is making it seem like I want her at the wedding when he wants her there. "Yes. I want you to be one of my bridesmaids."

"Not your maid of honor?"

"I have someone else for that." I had forgotten to ask Quinn last night, but we were both pretty wasted as it was, and I wanted her to be sober for an answer.

"Ugh. Fine. Take that away from me like you are taking him away." Wait…was she jealous of mine and Marcel's impending wedding? Ha. There was nothing to be envious about. She can have him.

"Sorry Crimson. Be lucky I am letting you in the wedding party after all."

"Please tell me I will not get stuck walking down the aisle with the silver. Marcel said he agreed to let you have him at the wedding."

Now, that's an entertaining thought.

Maria, please. For the sake of my sanity, could you not make me walk down with her? Out of all the people here.

"I still need to figure out the walking order. I need to get with a few people first."

"Well, let me know because if I have to walk next to that dog, I'll need a barf bag."

When this fight happens, I am going to kill her first.

Maybe it is you that needs to be calm.

You are not the one getting insulted.

Fair enough.

"I will request that you do not insult those in the wedding party if you want to remain in the party."

"Really?"

"Really Crimson."

"Fine. Tell that silver, I am sorry. Oh, and one more thing, interesting, he still lets me stand in his territory."

We figured she could sense the layer. This testament just proved that.

"What are you…"

"Don't play dumb with me. A dragon can sense another's layer a mile away. I assume he got permission to do it. If not, I am surprised he would have gone rogue like that." Her voice carried spit. She hated the fact that Theo claimed the kingdom as his own.

I sighed, "He's lived here long enough. The kingdom is his home. Not yours. Get over it."

"I seemed to have finally poked a nerve." Her lips fell into a grin. "Wonderful!" She clapped as apparently her joy was picking fun at Theo and getting under my skin.

"Do you have anything else?" I asked her as I glared at her.

"Nope. I'll leave you be, as I don't want to push too many buttons and be in the way of lightning."

How did she…ugh, this fucking bitch. She turned and walked out before I had the chance to respond. The sound of her heels clicked against the stone floor as her hair bounced behind her.

Safe to say, she will be the first to fall?

As much as I like the sound of that idea, Theo, I think we need Marcel as our prime focus.

If she attacks me, she will drop first.

Fair enough.

I need to meet with Quinn. Is she still in?

She is out doing a round right now. I can have her stop by the castle before she returns to finish her report.

Thank you. She will be my Maid of Honor.