Demons Heart

Chapter 2

"What is this!? I scream as the green dress I was going to wear is shredded to pieces. Dina walks in upon my scream as she too looks at the dress with wide eyes. "Who did this?" She asks though I already know who did it. Who else would do it?

I walk out of my room, stomping through the hallways towards Benjamin's room. I saw him peek out of this room yesterday, which means it must be his. I reach his room as I push his door open and see him standing there, with a smile on his face as he holds up a black laced dress.

"I did enjoy making you stay up all night to create that horrid dress but sadly Aiden prefers to see you in this, so alas I give you your new dress." He throws it at me as he walks past me and out of the room. "Where are you going?" I ask him as he laughs.

He doesn't respond to me as I huff and walk back to my room. I look over the dress, if you can even call it that as it's very much revealing. Dina also observes it as she gives me a wary smile as she leaves me to get it on. I'm holding my breath as I slip it over my curves, both at the tightness and the anticipation on whether it will fit and look good.

It's only when it's on that I finally turn around, towards the mirror as I call for Dina. She walks in, gaping at my reflection. "Help me zip it up?" I ask her as she does so, while we both admire the way it fits me. It's a tight dress, yet it doesn't show my obvious rolls and accentuates my hips, my legs and overall figure.

Dina and I observe the dress together as she zips it up and I smooth out any wrinkles, yet there are none. "It's beautiful." "It is." I agree with her, yet question why Aiden would pick out such a dress and why Benjamin would give it to me.

"We're here for hair and make-up." I hear as a few women walk into my room, seeming very nervous as they do so. "Your highness, shall we begin?" They ask me as I smile. "Don't be nervous, you can relax as if I'm any other client." "We can't." I hear one of the beauticians whisper ad she appears to have a name tag that says Jacky.

"Jacky, you really can treat me like anyone else, plus I won't be sworn in as queen of Cleyan until I marry." "True." Jackie agrees as she starts working on my hair as the other woman starts to do my make-up.

"Do try to hurry this along." I hear from the doorway as Benjamin is standing there, looking at me with disgust. "Nothing can help the hideousness that is you." I stick my tongue out at him as the women laugh. "He's something else." Jacky says as I agree.

"You do know you're actually quite stunning, right?" "I do." I say with confidence as they finish up and I see a natural beauty to myself as I look in the mirror.

My skin is flawless now and my hair is in loose curls, with half of it up, with the hair clip that Dina made me. "They're arriving." Dina tells me as she looks out the window and sees them driving up the long driveway.

"I should greet them, shouldn't I?" I stand up as I realize Benjamin has returned. "You truly do know nothing." "You're meant to enter last." He shakes his head as he walks away as I sit back down and sulk, that is until I realize I'll get a great visual of them from the other wing as I get on my shoes and race down the hallway seeing everyone exiting their vehicles and walking inside.

They're all dressed up elegantly as I see many people, more then I've seen in my life walk inside. It isn't until the last car pulls up, that I make my way downstairs, towards the ball room.

"Your highness." The guards greet me as they both grab a hold of each of the doors and open them for me. All eyes are on me as I hear someone introducing me. "Emory Cronan, future queen of Cleyan." I walk inside as I see a few people whispering while I smile.

"Thank you everyone for coming, though it be in the wake of a tragic event." "I'm Emory Cornan, the first born of the king and queen." I introduce as none of these people may not know me. I hear whispers as they ask where I've been and why no one has heard of me. "I was away studying privately, that is all I'll say on this matter." "I do hope you enjoy tonight." I walk down the few steps as I make my way to the dance floor. I do remember something about how the king and queen must dance first at a royal ball, yet this time I'll be alone.

"May I have this dance?" I hear as I turn around and see a man with combed back blonde hair, a slim body and confidence in the way he presents himself. He reaches for my hand, kissing it before taking it and leading me to the dance floor.

I never did agree to this, yet everyone smiles and cheers as he wraps his arms around my waist as I reluctantly place mine on his shoulders. "You look great tonight." I feign a smile at him as I look down and back up at him. You did pick it out. I think to myself and continue to move my feet with his.

"You shouldn't worry too much about the other suitors, your king is right here." He whispers into my ear as he spins me around. I want to gag at his smug confidence. "You really think so?" I say as he narrows his eyes at me.

He roughly moves us around the dance floor as if to say he's in control and I'll do as he says, yet I'm the one choosing a king, especially once the suitor games begin. He must not know about this wrinkle in his plan and my cousin most likely didn't want him to find out.

I should ruin it for him, shouldn't I? "We'll see after the games." I say to him as he quirks an eyebrow at me. "What games?" "It seems my dear cousin didn't tell you." I smile at him brightly as he frowns.

The song ends as another suitor comes up to me. This one is older and has grey hair streaking through his beard, though he's kinder and waits for me to accept his invitation to dance before taking my hand.

Once I agree, he takes me to the floor as many other couples start dancing, yet I feel eyes on me as all the suitors here seem to be waiting for their turn to dance and to impress me.

The man swaying me to the music is soft and gentle. I won't discriminate against his age in the choice I'll make for a husband. That is until I see him looking over at Dina, she's ten years older than I at 35 and is closer to his age.

"You should ask her to dance." I tell him as his eyes snap back to mine. "Excuse me." "Her name is Dina and she is quite lovely." I tell him as I look over at her and I see a slight tint to his cheeks as he blushes.

"Was I that obvious?" "You may have been." I smile as the song ends and I walk him over to Dina. "You have a man who wants to dance with you." I say to Dina as she looks caught of guard.

"I can't." "You can and you shall." I take his hand and place it in hers before walking away. I see at least five other suitors walking my way as they all hurry to stand in front of me. "May I have this dance?" They say almost in unison.

I look at them all and pick Renade. The Irish man that I know will make me laugh as he seems excited at the prospect of dancing with me, plus I may have asked about a few of the suitors from our staff since most have been here before, only it was for my sisters, not for me.

I put my hand out for Renade as he gathers me into his arms affectionately. "Whoa." I say to him as he laughs. "Too much?" He asks as he separates us and I laugh with him. "I'm surprised there's anyone here who's relaxed and can be this affectionate."

"That I am." "Now lets dance." He starts to move quickly with me, faster than all the others. "Tell me this isn't the dullest party you've been to?" "It is, though I've never been to a party." "You haven't?" He asks as I realize I've given away too much.

"I mean I had responsibilities and I had my studies." "Right." "Well I'll show you a good time." He lifts me up, spinning me as a few people watches us and I'm finally laughing and enjoying myself before I see Benjamin walking towards us.

"What are you doing!?" He hisses at me, while looking at Renade, who's carrying me in his arms. "Having fun?" I say to him as he narrows his eyes. "Your focus should be Aiden, shouldn't it?"

"Did you forget about the suitor games?" I say to him back as he turns and walks away. "Who is that?" Renade asks me as I look at him. "My cousin didn't invite you?" "No, a woman named Dina did." I look over at Dina and the man I had danced with as they cheerfully dance together.

She was trying to look out for me, wasn't she? "Your highness." A man with messy, curly hair greets as I tell Renade to let me down. "I'm prince Wren of Drilina, may I have this dance?" He bows to me respectfully as I agree to the dance.

He takes my hand as I wave to Renade dramatically, as if Wren is taking me away forever. Renade laughs as Wren moves me cautiously to the music. I can see in the way he greeted himself and the way he's moving that he was raised in a proper and old fashioned way. I'd appreciate this if I were raised the same way.

"What are your prospects in a husband?" "What do you value most?" "How many kids are you planning on having?" His questions keep piling up as I think about what he's asked. "Love and understanding to the first two." "I do hope to have at least two children."

"I meant if your husband needs to be in the war, at home?" "What kind of husband do you want?" How am I suppose to answer any of these questions when I've never even dated? That's when the double doors open up, giving a much needed distraction from the questions this man has.

In the door way stands a man, cloaked in black, wearing what appears to be some sort of traditional robes. If that wasn't odd enough, there also appear to be a dark cloud like aura that surrounds him. I'd say this man is some other worldly creature, not for his aura but his beauty.

His long black hair and eyes are captivating, especially against his pale skin. I've never seen such a captivating man and it seems neither has anyone else as the whole room stares in awe. We all watch him walk down the steps, while looking directly at me.

He strides towards me, as if he's floating. He bows slightly as I stare at him. "May I have this dance?" "Who are you?" I say instead as he looks up at me. "Vornan, king of Eldon." "Eldon?" I question as it doesn't sound familiar. "You could say it's down south."

"What's going on!?" We hear as Benjamin walks towards us, pushing past people as he eyes up Vornan. "Do you have an invitation?" "I believe a Ms. Jenny delivered it." It hits me, the envelope and the name written on it. He is Vornan, the one who threatened Jenny's family to be invited.

"What is he talking about?" Benjamin asks as we have all eyes on us. "Remember me telling you that another suitor would be coming?" I smile as I try to ease my racing heart as it pounds in trepidation. "He was invited."

Benjamin looks at him wondering how he could be a suitor. Vornan doesn't give my cousin a chance to question it as he takes my waist in his hands, moving us to the dance floor. A black like fog starting to cover the ground and like magic jazz music starts to play.

The music is melodic, yet dark and mysterious as everyone seems to be in a trance as they too start to dance and suddenly the strange man entering the palace is forgotten. I'm now in his arms as I place my arms around his neck as he pulls me closer.

I feel the coldness of his skin as his cheek grazes my own. "You're cold." "Am I?" He spins me out as we lock eyes and he seems rather captivated by me. He spins me back in as I too am enraptured.

Vornan couldn't stop the feeling in his chest from spreading as something inside him warmed up. The hatred, rage and despair he feels as a demon is suddenly gone and in it's place is warmth and focus as he stares at the beautiful woman in his arms. He shouldn't feel this way, not about the woman he's using to take the crown and a kingdom.

"I may be warmer then you think." He says to me as he holds me closely in his arms. I can smell the scent of something dark, damp, it's the scent of a cool day as it rains. It's soothing as I think about how my garden loves those days.

Our position feels rather intimate as he moves us in circles in the middle of the ball room. I look around and realize no one is looking, no one is daring to tell us to separate or that it's inappropriate, even though most normally would, wouldn't they?

"Just dance with me." He leans down to whisper in my ear as my heart jumps. "Why should I?" "You threatened Jenny." "I had to, didn't I?" "Very few people get and invite without your cousins permission."

"Isn't that right Emory of the north wing." My eyes widen as I try to push him off me. We did well to cover up my past and anything to do with my isolation. Everyone thinks I was shipped off to study and that's why I haven't been in the public eye.

"I threatened Jenny, remember?" "Of course." She must have told him. "Now tell me what you desire." "Desire?" "I remember hearing another ask about your prospects for a husband." "How did you...?"

"I had to scope out the competition, that is if you allow me into the suitor games." "You think I'd let you take part?" "I don't know you, your title or of your nation." "I could show you sometime but it might give you a fright."

"You think I'm scared of you?" "Are you not or is it another heart I've been hearing pounding close to mine?" I turn my face away and huff as he closes the slight distance I created between us.

"I'm rather surprised that you seem not only afraid but nervous." "Are you as inexperienced as I am?" I gasp at the audacity. This time I really do shove him away.

Everyone else continues to dance as I stare at Vornan. His smug expression irritates me until I think about how to play him at his own game. I give him a small smile as I back towards the people, into the crowd as he starts searching, losing me with in the people.

"Don't play games princess, tell me what you desire." I see him from behind as I place my hands around him from behind, holding him, whispering near his ear.

"Bend down." He does as I say as I take his face in my hand, turning him my way, inching close to his lips as if I'm going to kiss him. I see him gulp as his eyes start to close. "Not you." I let him go as his eyes snap open and he looks at me in surprise.

"What was that?" He asks as he now seems nervous. "Two can play, can't they?" I pout at him as his lips almost reach for a smile until they're back into his original stern expression. "Tell me."

"Why do you wish to participate?" "Have you taken a liking to me?" "What if I have?" "I doubt that but in case my doubts are proven wrong, I'll give you a task." "You must get me the Tansia flower." "It's a very rare breed of flower and is said to shine in different colors depending on the time of day and the warmth it basks in."

"Is that all?" "You see this as an easy task?" I ask him as he seems confident. "If you cannot fulfill the task however, you must still show up in a few days time and tell me the real reason for why you want to be in the suitor games."

"If I do get your flower?" "You'll be in the games of course and will stay here with all the other suitors, fighting for my heart, the crown and the kingdom before you." He finally smiles as I now know he's after the crown and everything it comes with. This man is power hungry like many of the princes here.

"I'll be back with your flower." He waves his hand as the fog lifts and everyone stops dancing and looks around. He too is gone with the fog as I walk to the steps, near the door.

A spot light is drawn onto me as everyone seems a bit dazed until they see I'm about to give a speech. "I know many of you have already heard why this ball has been held, it's to find me a husband, a king for Cleyan." "This matter however isn't to be taken lightly as I have decided to hold the royal suitor games to determine which of you will be the next king and my husband."

"I don't expect all of you to volunteer and shouldn't do so unless your heart is set on both me and the crown." "Now the funeral is to be held in a few days, thus the games will wait until then." "I'll give each of you a card that I'll expect you to RSVP if interested."

"Do think it over as these games will reveal your true intentions." "I do hope you enjoyed tonight, while Dina here will hand out the cards." She hands out the red cards as all the men take one as everyone leaves.

The only ones who don't take them are those who are already married. When Aiden grabs for his card, he gives me a look as he writes down his name and hands it back to me. "Shouldn't you think about this?" "I don't have to, especially since I've already won amongst all these men." He says in a disgusting manner before leaving. "Don't be so sure." I whisper once he's gone.

I myself then take a card as Benjamin catches it in his hand. "What do you think you're doing?" He tries to snatch the card out of my hands.

"It's for someone." "Who?" "It can't be that man, can it?" "Vornan." I repeat to him as I don't like the way he's talking about him. "You don't know him, our family doesn't know him."

"His nation is unheard of." "All may be true but we made a deal and in case he follows through, this card is meant for him." I take it roughly away from him. "He better not come for it." He warns me. "The task I gave him is anything but easy." "I'm not even sure of he'll make it out alive." I smile as the last of the guests leave.

I walk back upstairs, with the card in hand as I wonder how he will fare in the most dangerous jungle known to man. The animals alone are known to kill, not to mention the plants that are deathly poisonous.

"What have you done?" Dina asks as she comes running after me. "I want to teach him a lesson." "I doubt he'll even enter the jungle at the first glance of it." "Are you sure?" "What if you've sent him to die?"

"He deserves it, no?" "He wants the crown, the power and has no interest in me." "Even if he were to get the flower and not die, the games will kill him for sure." "His intentions aren't for me."

"He was the most attractive man who attended though." I can't help but agree with her as I close the door, take off my dress before wearing something with flowers on it. I sigh as I finally feel like myself again.