Cinderella vs. Prince Charming

Compilation (All chapters in one section)

Chapter 1: The Prince

Prince Darren wrinkled his nose at the smell of sweat, too much perfume and beer that filled the club. His nose was finding it much harder to adjust to this world than his eyes. Already he could see the faces of both of his companions in the semi-darkness. Lyel, his best friend, was frowning, the crease between his brows shouting his unhappiness. Standing behind him, Darren’s bodyguard Erramun looked uncomfortable where he stood guarding their corner couch.

“This is a waste of our time,” Lyel said. “You have not been able to find her beyond knowing she is in this town.”

Darren shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck, his blue gaze flicking about the room. “We have time. She will know me when she sees me just as I will know her when I see her. Besides, I am enjoying the freedom here.”

He glared. “I wish to return as soon as possible. Your godmother was less than pleased at your insistence on leaving early. And it is not as if you had no ‘freedom’ at home.”

“It was not this kind of freedom. Relax. We will find her soon enough. Now if you will excuse me, I believe I need a drink.”

Minutes later, Darren was trying not to smirk. This I could get used to, he thought, surrounded by a small cluster of pretty girls. He caught Lyel’s eye over the shoulders of the current girl who had herself pressed against him in a mockery of a dance. He made a gesture to indicate her body and how much of it could be seen due to her clothing. He glared again making Darren grin. Lyel was happily engaged and it was only because Darren was his best friend that it had been possible to pry him out of the arms of his fiancée. Something Lyel reminded him of. Often.

            Again, Darren scanned the dimly lit room. Flashing lights and sudden bursts of smoke made it hard to see much besides the mass of writhing bodies that was the dance floor. The ceiling, walls and floor were all covered in an unidentifiable sparkly material that caught the light and threw it back, causing the place to give off a sort of tacky glitter. The thudding beat of the music was more felt than heard, while the combined body heat of the dancers made sweat slide down everyone’s bodies. Sweeping the room one last time, Darren felt his neck tingle. At last! Time to begin, he thought before giving Erramun the nod.

            With a pained look, the blond disappeared into the crush. He eeled through the packed crowd with surprising ease, especially for someone of his size. It only took him a few moments to return with a microphone in one hand.

            Excusing himself from his “dance” partner, Darren took the mike and jumped up on the table, waiting for the current song to slow before he began. The DJ caught his wave and turned the music off causing the crowd to buzz angrily.

 “If I may have your attention for a few moments, I have an announcement to make. My name is Darren. I have travelled quite a way to be here. I am looking for the woman who will be my queen. She is here somewhere, I know. So princess, you know who you are; if you would please come to me, I would be most grateful. That is all.”

            A loud male voice broke the sudden silence to yell out “Who the hell are you?”

            Darren looked down his nose at the red-faced man. “I? I am Crown Prince Darren of Armith. Who might you be?”

            The man looked down and muttered something inaudible to anyone. The prince’s smile had a razor edge. “As I thought. You would do well to remember your place. Now princess, if you would do me the honor of introducing yourself?”