Naveen

I sat awkwardly within the carriage my weapons leaning against my leg. I'd never been in one and it was almost with a look of wonder that I gazed around and out the window.

Rina:

I crumpled the fabric of the elven dress over my leg with my hand as I contemplated my new position. Frankly I was scared but I was doing my up most best to be calm and composed. I could show no weakness to these people.

"Breath Rina." I remarked without looking at her. But my eyes slowly were drawn her way and a faint smile curved my lips.

Rina:

I did as he instructed but looked him over with sharp eyes. “What in the Heavens do you have to smile about at a time like this?” I asked him dully.

"Not a damn thing." My hands trembled and my knuckles were white with the force and strength I was using while holding them together.

Rina:

The time in the carriage seemed to pass too quickly, and we were rolling over the cobblestone road to the castle. I watched out the window now. The last time I had been here I had been sick to my stomach, that paled in comparison to now.

I reached out to squeeze Talon's hand briefly as we rolled to a stop.

Her touch statled me out of my reprieve, and I looked up at her in almost fear at first before squeezing her hand back and relaxing visibly. So long as I could see her I knew I would be okay. But if we were to be separated? Nothing I did would help.

Rina:

I squeezed his hand one last time as the carriage lurched to a stop. “Let us hope we have luck on our side.” I murmured, then the doors were opened for us. I took the offered hand as I stepped out. There were only a few people standing in the courtyard, but the Queen was one of them. My blood pulsed quickly in my veins.

"Aye." I agreed softly with a faint smile. That smile died instantly the second we lurched to a stop. I gripped my hands together again as the door opened and I waited for her to be out of the way before I stepped out without assistance. My heart froze and I gazed about at the courtyard we were in before I focused ahead on the Queen. I knew about her through portraits and stories if nothing else during my time of slavery. My fingers began to inch towards my blades but I stopped them, instead resting a hand atop the pommel of one sword.

Rina:

I was guided toward the queen and the few ladies waiting with her. I gave a quick glance back to Talon as he followed me.

“My daughter,” The queen said as I was presented in front of her. I gave her a curtsy but said nothing. She took in my entire appearance from my expression to the dress I wore. I in turn looked her over. She was young for the mother of a twenty year old and still rather pretty, though I had inherited most of my looks from my father, including my gray eyes. She was blond with light blue eyes, a few inches shorter than I was. It surprised me how unemotional I was at this meeting. She could have been anyone. Her reaction was not the same. Tears brimmed in her eyes and she held her arms out to me. She had always been weak.

“My daughter,” She repeated when she embraced me tightly. All I could do was hug her back.

I stayed off to the side behind Rina, watching the exchange after inspecting the Queen. When the woman started tearing up I looked away for a moment, glancing about then focusing forward again on the pair before me now that they were hugging. I didn't feel slighted that I had been ignored, I preferred it actually. The less I was looked at the better to me at least.

Rina:

The rest of the ordeal went on. She promised that she would have many long talks with me over the next few days. She wanted to know everything about me, she claimed. My strongest emotion was discomfort. Then she told me that there were dresses being made for me as we spoke and they merely needed my measurements to be completed.

Maleen's charm seemed to be working perfectly. Few people noticed Talon, and even fewer noticed he was an elf but some how they weren't able to focus on their objections. That as least was a relief. Not only would it keep him safer, but it meant he would be able to stay by my side more often.

I was grateful for the charm more than ever. No one looked my way and if they did they simply looked away soon after. It was a great relief to me, to not be noticed. And I couldn't help but shoot a smile Rina's way.

Rina:

The day was non-stop. After I was shown to my living quarters, I was measured for dresses, and given many gifts from the queen. I was shown around the castle and told exactly where I would be spending most of my time. Towards evening the seamstress came back to fit me into a beautiful golden dress with many beads completely unlike the elven dress I wore. I was then told there would be a small gathering to celebrate my arrival that evening. The queen promised there would be a festival in a few weeks to present me, but it would take more time to plan.

The dress was more voluminous than anything I had ever worn and it was difficult to move around in, but I made do. I remained composed and polite during the gathering, being respectful to each person I was introduced to and trying to keep them all straight in my head. As much as I tried to keep a handle on everything, I was getting rather overwhelmed.

“I cant stand much more of this.” I whispered to Talon, meeting him in the shadows. It was near the end of the night and the guests had begun to thin.

"You are doing fine. Besides from what I've seen. The Baron of Tarson is having an affair with the married Dutches Demun while he is supposedly courting the fair lady Trissina." I replied in a soft but almost cheerful tone though I rolled my eyes expressively. "What I wouldn't do just to be rid of all of them and this place....you've got this and as soon as you are done and escorted to your rooms it will be just you and me."

Rina:

I looked up into his eyes trying to judge what he meant by his last statement. My body tingled at the thought of being alone with him, especially now when a distraction from the mess in my mind was well needed. “I'll excuse myself shortly.” I answered trying to keep my tine neutral in case I had misread him.

I nodded and flashed her a grin. "I'll be waiting for you." I brushed a hand over her arm tenderly. I hadn't meant anything by my words. Though I was feeling pent up and knew I would need some form of energy release. I couldn't imagine she'd be up for a roll in the sheets though. Not with the day she'd been having.

Rina:

Not long after I was able to excuse myself from the queen and company. I told her I would retire to my rooms, and assured her that I did not require maids to be sent to me, rather I would like an evening to myself.

A guard lead me back to my room with Talon following behind.

After the Guard let her into the rooms I slipped in first, brushing past them both. The charm was nice, but after a while it was beginning to wear on me.

Rina:

I went through the door and hurriedly closed it behind me. Leaning against it, I listened for sounds of the guard waiting outside my room, then after a silent couple of minutes, I turned my eyes on Talon.

I'd gone deeper into the room, exploring her chambers with brief cursory glances before eventually just returning to lean against the wall and observe her.

Rina:

I walked over to him slowly. “I'm so thankful that you are here with me.” I murmured and reached out to place a hand lightly on his chest.

I flicked my gaze to her hand then up to her face. "I don't know any place I'd rather be." I replied with a soft murmur as I searched her face. The words she'd said could have meant anything.

Rina:

I breathed slowly, watching his eyes. He was unreadable. I leaned in and kissed him softly. It was a test, to see where his mood was. If he refused me, I wouldn't press it again. I was not sure where our relationship stood in the current situation.

I was slow to kiss back, and slower to warm up. But once I warmed up my kiss began to lose the softness and turn into desire. Along with it came my hands and arms circling around her and pulling her as close as her puffy dress would allow.