Always Darkest (7 page)

“Okay, so you are courting me?”
 
She couldn’t help but grin at his use of the antiquated word.

“Yes, ma’am and Justin
is
here to protect your honor against any devious intentions I may have.”
 
He gave that predatory smile again and Tori
was
at a loss for words.

Willa had been showing Justin around the study and they had made their way back around to Tori and Mason.
 
They were laughing about one of the books they had been looking through and seemed to be getting along very well.
 
They stopped behind the couch where Tori and mason sat.
 
Willa saved Tori from anything she might have said that would have just ended up sounding stupid by saying, “If you got the girl all inked up, we better get to going Mason.”

The carriage ride was amazing.
 
The borrowed cart they had arrived in was exchanged for an elegant carriage complete with soft velvet seats and curtains.
 
Mason had a driver, so they all sat in back.
 
Justin and Willa sat on one side and Mason and Tori on the other.
 
All up and down the streets people could be seen milling about in their costumes.
 
There were witches, goblins, mummies, fairies and some things Tori didn’t recognize.
 
Everyone was in costume from the smallest children to the oldest men and women.
 
The streets were lit by great torches casting a red orange glow on everyone. The carriage moved on towards the castle which was seated on the highest part of the city.
 
There were candles lighting up every window of the spiraling towers, the tallest of which seemed to touch the sky. Even the road that wound itself up the hill to the entrance of the castle was lit on each side by flaming torches.
 

“It looks like a picture in a fairytale book.” Tori breathed.

Mason put his big hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear.
 
“Maybe the artist spent some time in Nathis.”

“Maybe,” she said.
 
His hand was so warm making her wonder what the rest of him would feel like.
 
She reprimanded herself for even wondering.
 
This was some crazy nightmare or dream.
 
Soon she would be back in
Kentucky
and this would just be a memory.

They pulled to a stop in front of the castle.
 
He offered her his arm and she refused, after the thoughts she had been having she thought she might explode in being that close to him.
 
He again leaned to whisper in her ear.
 
“Lady, when at court, certain things must be done a certain way.
 
You are safe with me, please take my arm, and I will release it as soon as is proper.”

With that Tori reluctantly slipped her arm through his.
 
Justin had copied Mason and offered Willa his arm which she accepted with a smile.
 
Mason smiled and nodded to both the guards at the door and they all passed through into the grand ballroom.
 
The ballroom was full of people in costumes just as elaborate as her costume.
 
Jack ‘o’ lanterns placed on pedestals all around the perimeter of the room casting their glow on the dancers and guests as they drifted past.
 
Three large ornate chandeliers hung majestically from the ceiling, each one boasting over two hundred candles.
  
The room was full of merriment, laughter and dancing.
 
He led her over to a chair by the wall and released her arm.
 

“Tori, I’m going to go find out where Thomas is tonight.
 
Do you mind staying here till I return?”

“Oh, that would be fine.”
 
She said while still staring in awe at the gathering.
 
Tori sat in the chair and looked out upon the crowd.
 
It was sensory overload.
 
There were not only vampires, ghosts, witches and were wolves, but Jedi, Shreks, and storm troopers.
 
It was like a huge Halloween party mixed with a science fiction fantasy convention all taking place in a medieval castle.
 
This was just too much.

Willa waved at someone she obviously knew and he came over to her.
 
He was an elderly man dressed as a wizard.
 
He had on the long white robes and carried a long wizard’s staff.
 
It was hard to tell if the long white beard was real or fake.
 
“Willa, I didn’t think you were coming this year.”
 
The old man said.

“I changed my mind at the last minute.”

“Well, I am certainly glad that you did. Would you care to dance?”
 
He said extending his hand.

“Only if you promise to keep your hands to yourself, Mel,” Willa said already taking his extended hand.

Tori watched them leave and wondered what had happened to Willa’s husband and for that matter to Mason’s parents.
 
Justin sat down next Tori.
 
He appeared to be in just as much amazement as she was.
 
She turned to Justin.

“Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”
 

“I sure am,” Justin replied.
 
“It’s like through the trash that ends up here they are sharing in our culture.”

Just then a waitress came around carrying a tray with champagne.
 
Her blonde hair was curled and she wore a white shirt.
 
Both Tori and Justin took a glass while looking at each other in a quizzical fashion.

“Is she dressed as…..”
 
Tori started.

“Yep,” Justin finished.

“Oh my god!”
 

“Love that show!”
 
He said.

“Me too!
 
I read the books.
 
Did you?”

“No, I don’t read all that much.”

The conversation continued as they discussed who was dressed as what.
 
And what costumes were inspired by Earth culture.
 
Justin seemed to be in a much better mood than he was this morning.
 
She did notice he only sipped a little of his champagne.

“I wonder what is taking Mason so long.”
 
Justin said.
 

As if on cue Mason emerged from the crowd before them.

“Speak of the devil,” Tori said, “and he shall appear.”

Justin laughed and so did Tori.

“What’s so amusing?”
 
Mason asked.

“Nothing,” they said in unison.

“Well it seems old Thomas has gotten himself into a bit of trouble and is currently being held in the kings dungeon.”
 

“Well can we go visit him during visiting hours?”
 
Tori asked.

“Not quite,” Mason said through a laugh.
 
“Prison here is not that way.
 
It is well guarded and no one but the king’s guards
are
permitted any contact with the prisoners.
 
It would be easier to get into the queen’s bed chamber than into the dungeon.”

“Well, shit!”
 
Tori cursed.

“Such a mouth for a lady,” Mason said in mock surprise.

“I never said I was a lady.”

“That’s what I’m counting on.”
 
Mason said cocking his left eyebrow in a way that Tori found irresistible.
 
“I have a plan.”

Chapter Ten

Mason insisted that they had to stay until the very end of the festivities or it may be noticed that he left early thus making him a person under suspicion when Thomas was missing from his cell.
 
So they all laughed and danced.
 
Justin watched as Mason effortlessly twirled Tori around the dance floor.
 
They seemed to be having a great time.
  

“Is this seat taken?” said a voice from his right. He said no and a beautiful mermaid who looked to be about his age sat down next to him. Everyone got very quiet and sat on the floor when all the chairs were taken.
 
In the center of the great ballroom was a raised stage that he could clearly see now.
 
The king, a man wearing flowing silver and gold robes, with long silver hair and a beard to match, stood on the stage next to a woman he assumed was the queen.
 
They both wore large silver crowns encrusted with multi colored jewels.
 
Beside the queen stood the prince and his wife, he could tell by the slightly smaller crowns. He watched as they each took a silver candle and lit it by taking the top of a jack ‘o’ lantern, using the flame inside to light the candle.
 
Then they each returned to the center of the stage.
 
Then the king stepped to the front of the stage.

“We have been blessed again by a year of good crops.”
 
The king began.

“Thank you!”
 
The crowd shouted in return.

“Thank you,” said the king.
 
“For without your hard work the crops would not grow.
 
Without strong backs the fields would not get tilled. Without careful hands the seeds would not get sown.
 
Without dedication the harvested wheat would not get milled.
 
Thank you kind subjects for another plentiful harvest.
 
And thank the Creator to which we all owe our lives.”

“Thank the Creator.”
 
The crowd responded.

While the king was speaking a large iron circle was being lowered.
 
Justin could just see the wicks coming down from the circle.
 

“Thank the Creator!”
 
The royal family exclaimed as they raised their candles in unison and lit the wicks.
 
A moment later the circle became a light show of silver, blue, green, red, orange and yellow.
 
Everyone rose from their seats on the floor and cheered as the band began to play.

Justin could see Mason, Tori and Willa heading his way through the crowd all holding hands to make their way through the crowd.
 
Mason came up to him and placed his hand on his shoulder.

Justin asked, “What happens now?”

Mason replied, “Now the party truly begins.”

Several more hours passed and the party raged on.
 
The crowd got drunker and the dancing and comments got lewder.
 
Justin did not see the mermaid again even though he looked for her every chance her got.
 
Soon people started leaving for their homes and some were passed out on the floor.
 
Mason led them all to the outside courtyard to hash out the plan.
 

Tori had just had the most amazing night.
 
She had danced for what felt like hours with Mason, his strong hands guiding her through the crowd on the dance floor.
  
She missed her sister, but this was the life.
 
She felt like a princess in a fairytale.

 
The night air was cool and made chill bumps appear on her bare arms as they stood out in the courtyard of the castle.
 
The moon was full, and looking through the naked limbs of the tree her little group was sitting beneath at the silver orb of the moon she could not help but think this would be and excellent painting. She had played with painting a little while she was in college, but really she never took it too seriously.
 
They are called starving artists for a reason ya know.
 
But here in this place, anything seemed possible.
 

“So is everyone ready?”
 
Mason said breaking her little dalliance with the moon and the nature of art.

“What exactly am I supposed to do again?” she asked.

“You, my lady will be charming to the guards in the dungeon.”

“And if they don’t want to be charmed?” she asked.

“Then distract them with your boobs.”
 
He said grinning.

Willa good naturedly hit him with the back of her hand.
 
“Mason Rey I did not teach you to talk to a lady like that!”

Tori’s jaw dropped and she brought her hand to her throat in mock indignation.
 
Mason chuckled.

“Don’t worry I’ll be right around the corner, if they take it too far, I’ll rescue you.”
 
He said giving her that smile of arrogance and assurance that she had already began to associate with him.

“And if my boobs aren’t enough to distract them?
 
Then what do I do?”

“They are men.
 
They will be distracted.
 
Your assets are quite, uh, considerable.
 
I’ve been distracted all night.” He stood up.
 
“Okay everyone, its show time!”

Willa placed her hand on Tori’s shoulder as they walked.
 
“I knew you would make a good angel.”
 
Willa laughed as softly as she could.
 
“Your name is
Victoria
, now you get to be a Secret Victoria Angel.
 
Ha! Get it?”