• Waltzing with Demons


    Metallic eyes stared dully into the mirror, a reflecting of what others thought to be pure beauty stared back. Corina glowered at the image. Her maid, and her best of friends, knew why she hated the primped look desired by almost every man on Terrania, especially her father. She didn't want t be wed. She wanted to be free.

    "Why even bother with this absurd ball in the first place? I'm only going to reject every man that comes within a glimpse of me," questioned the sable haired woman. Her friend sighed, lying the brush gently on the dresser. The young woman tore the tiara from her head, not wanting it's dazzling exterior on her any longer.

    "Your father wants you to be happy and wed," tried Dezerai. Corina looked back at her only friend and smiled, a very sorrowed smile. The white haired girl smiled sympathetically back at her and embraced her friend. "You shall be free tonight. I will not let you down my friend." This made Corina's eyes gleam.

    "You're the best friend anyone could ever have," murmured the princess. The two friend's savored the moment, knowing it would be their last together. As they fell from their embrace, Corina's name was announced by her father, the King of Terrania. The young woman took a deep breath and stepped into the crowded hall.

    A multitude of men and women 'ooh' and 'ahed.' The dress she wore was onyx silk and trailed against the floor. Feathers and jewels were threaded into the fabric that wrapped her body. A mask of black and white feathers looked as if her face were made of them, spreading out like butterfly wings.

    The king looked proudly at his daughter, whom was grimacing underneath her mask. Seated beside her father, she turned down every suitor and random peasant man that danced their way with shining eyes of hope towards her. True, she felt a twinge of guilt in her heart for every man she turned down, but she wanted no part in marriage to anyone.

    Her father saw this. He was worried. Most of the men had gone back to dancing, none of them interested in his beloved daughter. He had to take action. "Daughter, why don't you go and enjoy yourself. You look as if you need it," suggested her father. Corina glanced at the man, curious as to why he offered, but slipped into the crowd of people.

    As soon as she did, even more men came after her. They begged, pleaded, bribed to be with her. Some men gave her flowers, tugged at her dress. Animals. She wanted to scream. As quickly as she could, she escaped into the garden, behind the rosebushes and trees near the hedge.

    After the pack of wild boars rushed past her in hot pursuit, she gave a sigh of relief. She slid against the trunk of the tree till her body fell limp against the cool earth. Little did she know, a pair of bright green eyes were watching her.

    "Having some troubles, young human?" questioned a deep voice. Corina's head shot up, eyes alert for anything. "Now, now young one. There isn't a need to be afraid. I won't hurt you." The black haired woman gazed up at the young looking man. Messy black hair with streaks of white fell in his light emerald eyes. The man's pale skin was illuminated by the moonlight, as well was his lean figure. A smirk danced upon the man's lips.

    Corina grunted. "I suppose you want to wed me as well? I'm terribly sorry, but I must reject. I am in no state to marry anyone," she growled as she dusted herself off. The young man smiled, his eyes full of mischief. The princess glanced at him nervously.

    "Did I say I wanted your hand? No. I merely come here from curiosity. Heard there was quite a beautiful young thing romping about, making quite a bit of trouble if I might add. Instead, I find you. Not a pretty thing at all if you ask me. But you are causing a bit of difficulty for some of us," he said.

    Ugly? It was a first someone had called her ugly. She favored it. "Thank you," she murmured softly, moving a piece of hair behind her ears. She liked being called ugly. Never once had she thought of herself as a beautiful person, with such spoils as she had.

    The young man looked a bit taken back by her comment. She presented it so bluntly, with a smile even! He didn't really mean it. He meant, she was very beautiful. Why would even a thought like that cross her own mind? He wondered.

    He came close to her face, a look of hard concentration upon it. It was a bit awkward for Corina. "You humans are so peculiar." Humans? Corina looked at him confused.

    "What do you mean by 'humans?' Are you not a human yourself?" she asked. A devious smirk played across his lips.

    "Precisely my dear."