Flutter

Chapter Two: Unwanted Regency

I exit the chamber and make it far enough down the hall to be guaranteed that I am not seen, before ducking into an alcove and bracing a hand on the cool stone. I double over certain that I am about to be sick, oh good Gods what has just happened?! The King has surely lost his mind. No one will accept me as Regent even with Blacktine's help. The kingdom is going to riot. I curse and gulp down lungfuls of air before standing and wiping my clammy hands on my gown. 'Ok Ravenna. You can do this. Trystan wouldn't have gone to such drastic lengths if he didn't think you could handle this.' I roll my shoulders, stand straight and stride back out into the corridor heading to my chambers again, an hour or three with Quinn should help ease this tension.

I return to my rooms to find Quinn gone and Ninella going through my wardrobe. Swallowing my disappointment, I lay across the bed and take in his scent, a delightful mix of cedar and oranges. "He was summoned to the counsel chambers m'lady" Ninella seems to read my thoughts. I should be used to it but I'm not. Sitting back up I worry the braided gold and silver band on my finger. Everything is moving far too quickly, but I'll be damned if anyone will see my rattled.

"Ninella. I wish to stretch my wings." A few hours in the air should clear my head. Ninella nods as she digs through the chest at the foot of my bed, looking for the butter soft, leather trousers and tight bodice I keep specifically for flying. I change quickly, removing the majority of my jewels, braid my hair back and wrap myself in a floor length cloak, the one thing Trystan demanded I do when heading for a flight. The first time I went out dressed as I am, I almost gave the entire court collective heart failure. They are not used to seeing females in trousers and bodices with nothing underneath. Ninella and I head down the corridor, past the whispering courtiers, their faces turning to me, clutching the cloak closed tightly. They all know where I am headed and a few of them follow, eager to watch. We pass room after room until finally we reach the grand staircase where I descend to the main hall. The guards seeing me and my unwanted entourage open the doors and I stride through, turning left towards the gardens, gathering more onlookers as I go, before reaching my destination and coming to a halt. I take a deep breath, clearing my head as Ninella removes my cloak and I stretch out my wings testing the wind before launching myself into the air to the gasps of the gathered crowd. As if they haven't seen this before, but then again I suppose watching someone launch themselves into the air and fly around like a bird is something to behold. I rise fast before evening out and settling into a coast. I bank to the right and watch as the crowd far below tracks my movements. I flap lazily, welcoming the slight freedom my wings grant me but being careful to keep an eye on how close to my boundaries I am. I take the time sorting out the thoughts that are tumbling through my head as I enjoy the view. I bank left and began a slow spiral upwards, chasing the very boundary of the binding. Once I reach the top of the highest tower I land and just sit on the roof. What am I going to do? If I fail in this task what will the King have in store for me? I sigh and lay back, linking my fingers across my abdomen. I just want my freedom. I want to see what the world is like outside of these walls. I lay this way for a while, enjoying the sun on my face and being away from everyone, before I faintly hear Ninella summoning me back to the earth. Letting out a huff of breath I stand and launch myself off the roof folding my wings back and shooting for the ground, at the last moment I back flap and land carefully beside my maid as she bustles me into the cloak and back inside. The crowd long dispersed.

Returning back to my rooms, I order another bath and pace while I wait for it to be filled. Turning abruptly at the familiar tapping of Kakor's beak on the stone window ledge. "And where have you been?" I greet him with a gentle head rub, but he just stares at me through his ebony eyes and settles himself on the top of the wardrobe. Once my bath has been filled I slowly lower myself into the steaming waters, and sink as low as I can while trying to keep my wings as dry as possible. I close my eyes and listen to the gentle humming of Ninella as she works sorting out gowns for me to choose from for tonight's dinner. I open an eye at the sound of a man clearing his throat, only to be greeted by the back of Prince Emrys. "Your Grace" I greet him but do not get out, if he wants to talk to me he can do it on my terms. "Lady Ravenna" he begins, unaware that I can see him watching me in the reflection of the mirror. I bend a leg and make a show of washing it. Much to my amusement, he turns a lovely shade of pink, before clearing his throat and focusing on a spot on the ceiling until I have finished. "I'm sure you have been made aware of your sudden elevation and the circumstances surrounding it". "Yes, your father informed me this morning that I am to be regent while you are away." I bend and wash the other knee this time making sure to double over exposing my breasts, the water not leaving much to the imagination and am awarded with a visible swallow and the slight strangle of sound as he continues "y...yes." he clears his throat and tries again, "Your acceptance of this role is greatly appreciated, but be advised that you are ruler in name only. There will be no changes to the way things are run and this does not put you in the line of succession." "Yes your grace" I stand the sudden sound of splashing water causing him to stiffen slightly, in more ways than one I'm sure. "Was there anything else my lord?" I ask as I make my way towards him, reaching a wet arm around him to grab the towel Ninella has left me. Emrys catches me off guard by grabbing my wrist tightly, but not cruelly as he pulls me in front of him. No words are spoken, but I sense something simmering under the surface for a brief moment as his gaze roves over my nakedness before scowling and releasing me to stalk off. I shake my head, surely it was nothing. I am just too ramped up from having brought Quinn to my bed after so long without a playmate. Shrugging the strange moment off, I wrap myself in the towel and enter my bedchamber to be greeted by what seems like every gown I own laid out across every possible surface of the room. "Ninella, what are you doing?" I ask gesturing at all the finery. "I couldn't decide Ravenna" I suppress a chuckle and smile at my friend. "Alright, well lets try to narrow this mess down shall we? Tonight's dinner will most likely be formal so that eliminates those five" I say pointing to the five most casual ones that are laid out. Ninella quick to gather them up. "I am not in the mood for light colours today. Take those away." Gone are a light blue silk, a lavender velvet, and a gauzy pale green. I continue going around the room eliminating choices as I go "too short, too warm, not the right colour, that one has a stain."I finally settle on the perfect gown, a form fitting, off the shoulder, low cut, deep purple number with a pale blush silk under skirt and a sheer overlay. My curves will be accentuated by the delicate black lace, made to resemble vines, running up the gown to cover to my breasts. The gown flares out into a train at the back with more of the lacework running around the hem. Happy with my choice Ninella bustles the rest of the gowns away and sits my at my dressing table to dry and style my hair. While she does that I go through my jewels selecting the perfect ones for this evening. A simple pair of amethyst teardrop earrings, a pearl choker with a single diamond in the center and silver bracelets. Ninella has decided to leave my hair loose but secures it out of my face with a a matching diadem. Once I am dressed I stand and look into the mirror. The jewels I am wearing glittering in the candlelight. I make a slight adjustment to the diamond and amethyst diadem and smooth down the gown. "Well Ninella? What do we think?" "Gorgeous as always Ravenna. Much better than the outfit from last month." I chuckled slightly. "Last nights gown was meant to distract. This one is to make them notice." A knock sounds at the door and Ninella fusses with the train before opening it to reveal Lord Blacktine. "My Lord!" I exclaim, surprised to see him. I was not expecting an escort this evening. "Lady," He inclines his head and taking his time to raise it, no doubt picturing every naked inch of me. I shudder slightly in anticipation and wait for his gaze to travel back up. "I am to escort you this evening" he finally states. "And I am assuming you are aware of what this evening is about?" I nod with a slight frown "Yes, I am aware. Please know that I did not ask for this." He smiles that lazy, cocky smile of his and nods "Neither did I Ravenna, but I will do everything in my power to support you." I take his offered arm as we head out into the corridor towards the hall and the evenings announcement.