Keep Your Enemies Closer

A City of Magic and Mayhem

After a long line and having her documents approved, Reyna entered the City. Most of the shops had been closed down for the night but plenty of taverns were open and the streets were still teeming with activity. The night had an almost eerie feel and she basked in it, hitching up her skirts as she made her way to the Palace. Agnes had said there was a back entrance - and Reyna was determined to find it. The Palace was huge and already Reyna could hear the bustle of the Party - wine glasses clinking, the sound of music and laughter. Her haste increased as she ran across the palace walls, hoping no guards were patrolling the area. Her heart quickened as she searched relentlessly. A few minutes had gone by but it felt like an eternity when she finally found some ivy. Reyna grinned at her find. She'd never scaled a wall ; now was as good time as any. With a grunt, she pushed herself up, clammy hands clinging to the vines. She was extremely grateful her dress was green and not a bolder colour such as red, where she'd stick out like a sore thumb. In this clothing, she blended in perfectly. 

She slipped a few times , but Reyna wouldn't be discouraged. The dress was making her work difficult as she attempted to put her foot in the right place and pray the vine wouldn't snap, taking her with it. Panting, she reached the top of the wall. From there, it was easy. She climbed down slowly and when she wasn't too far from the ground she promptly jumped. Shaking some dirt off her dress, Reyna tried to discover where she was. The gardens it seemed. They were polished perfectly, gorgeous hedges depicting murals of knights and famous scenes of history. She was in a little awe of them as she'd never seen anything like it. From further up ahead, she saw a couple laughing, clearly drunk. Reyna's eyes darted around, trying to find a way in. Her eyes latched onto an open door closer to the palace itself. It was around the back and seemed quite inconspicuous. She scurried towards it, almost tripping up on a rock and cursing. 

Her shoes crunched underneath the pebbles as she stepped through the doorway to a dimly lit corridor. She sighed in relief. Now her next course of action was just to find the ballroom and attract Donovan's attention-

"What are you doing in here?" A gruff voice growled from behind her. Reyna whirled in surprise, finding herself staring at a big man. A guard, in fact. Her insides turned to mush as she wondered what she should say to him-

"I'm a guest of Donovan's," she attempted, looking up at him from under her lashes. He didn't seem convinced and she almost cursed in frustration. "He usually gives one of his...mistresses an invitation to get in," the guard replied carefully.

"Of course." She said, voice more calm than she felt. "Pretty sure I left it in here." She mimed rifling in her dress. Should she knock him out? And with what? Make a run for it? Reyna realised she was out of time shortly and gave a confused gasp. "What? I was sure I had it." She tried to sound aggravated, annoyed. The guard rolled his eyes in response to her pathetic last ditch effort. "Yeah, yeah." He began to usher her out before he immediately stopped.

A hand had snaked its way around her waist, hugging her to him. She wasn't sure who it was or how she hadn't heard him but she supposed she had been so distressed with her situation she had blocked everything else out. "What are you doing with my guest?" His voice was soft, silky, dangerous. Clearly someone of importance. "Your guest?" The guard stammered, eyes darting from Reyna to her rescuer who had begun drawing lazy circles on her stomach. Despite herself, she felt a rush of desire at his simple movements. "Yes." He replied. "Donovan invited her for me." 

"I see." The guard said, bowing awkwardly to them both. "I apologise, Miss." With a last incline of his head, the guard shot off into the gardens. Reyna watched him leave, forgetting the man's hold on her. She blinked out of her stupor, releasing herself from him, the man emitting a chuckle in response. Reyna spun round to face the most beautiful man she had ever seen. His skin was ash brown, his hair black as the night that surrounded them, eyes the colour of flint. He almost stole her breath away. His eyes shone with amusement as he watched her. "Like what you see?" The man purred. He must only be a few years older, Reyna thought as she inspected him. "Like what you see?" She quipped in reply. 

His eyes dropped to her lips as he replied "I do very much." She felt a ripple of tension between them and she took a step back. "Relax." The man said, leaning against the wall. "I'm not going to do anything you don't want me to." 

"I'm not sure I believe you."

"Well, you should. My name's Fabian. Eighteen years old. Sergeant in the King's forces. And you?" Fabian raised a brow at her, awaiting her response.

"Reyna." He watched her hesitantly, for her to add more. She didn't plan to. 

"Just Reyna? Anything else?"

"Well-" she paused. "I would like to get into the Ball."

Fabian laughed. "I rescue you from being chucked into the cells and now you want my help for getting into the Ball? Well, you're asking a lot of me." He tutted. "Let me guess - you want to be chosen for the Prince's Hand?" He eyed her. 

The Prince's hand was the official name for where twelve eligible young ladies would prove themselves to marry the Prince. At the end of the month, one would be chosen. Reyna had to make sure it was her. 

"I do."

"What a shame. You're wasting your time, you know. What will you give me in return?" Fabian asked as he began to stride down the corridor. "I've had enough of deals lately." Reyna muttered in response, keeping up with him as he pushed the doors open, revealing a flurry of activity. There were so many people dressed in elaborate gowns, buffet tables stacked with glorious foods. In the centre of the floor people danced, their faces alight with youth and joy. She took a moment soaking it all in, looking to the corridor she had come from. She hadn't guessed the back entrance would lead directly to the ballroom. Smart Agnes. "Good luck," Fabian called as he disappeared into the throng. In a moment, Reyna would join him, prepared to search for her target.