A blush creeped past his tentacles and he forced himself to look away. He didn't mean to get an eye full, but that's exactly what happened. Stuart examined the patterns painted on the ceiling as if they were the most interesting thing he had seen that night. His sister would have flayed him, head of clan or not, if she knew that he wasn't trying to take advantage of that. She was in firm belief that as a Merrow they should drag any and all humans into their realm for their pleasures. And that's where he disagreed with his eldest and a few of the others.

Stuart had always tried to be a gentleman where he could. Attempting to court women rather than just drag them home. But it never seemed to work in his favor, he was far better at doing things his sisters' way. He just didn't want to admit that.

"Aye, a magic sword ye say. An' he's yer faither? Ah've never mit a magic sword wi' a sool afair. Lost sools, aye. Loost swords, aye. Swords wi' sools... nae." his eyes remained fixed on the ceiling as the flushed color slowly disappeared from his face.

As he waited for an answer the fae prince turned to glance at Estella. Already he missed her refreshing personality, so unconcerned with the ways of speaking properly and other stifling courtly ways. A smile crossed his lips when Ignatius noticed she was speaking with their only merrow guest, though quickly enough it turned into a slightly enraged frown.

Ignatius could not very well go running off to speak with Estella now, despite the fact that he wanted to desperately. Noting how the merrow stared up at the ceiling, he sighed. At least the man was being polite about it all. If he hadn't the fae prince wouldn't have cared about propriety. He very nearly didn't right then!

((Lol XD it feels like he wants to kill the poor merrow XD and it's not even his fault lol. XD I actually had something like poore Estella happen once ...... You'd think a square neck would prevent it but my prom dress's square neck and shawl sure didn't sure didn't >.< and mine didn't have the corset stays to push my breasts up and into a vulnerable position. I was lucky enough ot be in a bathroom with just a couple other girls though so it wasn't nearly as embarrassing even though one laughed))

Estella flushed as he looked away, she must look terrible. She had chosen this dress specifically because she thought it would keep things like that from happening! the little semi-transparent inlay in the square neck should have blocked that she thought... She bit her lip and expected someone to laugh at her or something at least. What did happen was worse to her, Ignatius saw! Horror briefly crossed her face and it took all her will power not to run over and explain that wasn't what it looked like! Audrial had just managed to surprise her... Before she could do anything but give Ignatius an embarrassed, almost apologetic look she heard the Marrow speak.


"I...er... He's not actually my father, He just likes to act like he is. He's been trapped in the sword longer then I've been alive I think. I'm actually here to see if I can find a little information on my father but all I really know is he was a fae so...Well anyway enough about that. My name's Estella and you are?" She half rambled, speaking a little to much out of sheer nervousness. She had barely reigned herself in to give a polite introduction instead of continuing on. She was still flushed but now she was careful to stand so the dress covered everything again. She wasn't use to showing any cleavage so showing probably a good half of her breasts was not something she took lightly...

She still gave the merrow a warm smile, however, even though it was a little nervous. She was so embarrassed! Inwardly she was yelling at Audrial though he generally he didn't seem to hear her. He always said his sending was stronger then his receiving but his sheer silence at the moment made her wonder if he could. Either that or he was as embarrassed as she was and had forgot that while in a dress he needed to be a little more gentle with her. Even as she spoke to the merrow and inwardly cursed the sword she did glance at Ignatius, what if he thought something had happened? What if he thought she had done it on purpose and was just throwing herself at every man here? Shit... As if the fact that Audri had told her he was a prince when he approached didn't make her look bad enough!

Cyris grinned. "You look very good for your age." He shifted the steps of their dancing to follow the movements of the other dancers. "Well thats good to hear. I very much enjoy dancing, and you are a lovely partner." Cyris dipped Pandora in an over extravagant manner.
Hearing a noise, he looked over and noticed a fae standing politly near by. "Ignatius? A Pleasure to meet you." Gesturing first to himself, then Pandora, "Cyris, and this lovely lady is Pandora. I can only speak for myself, but I'm quite enjoying myself." He smiled.

"Miss Johara Shaheen"

Johara, better known to her close friends as Jo, stepped into the ballroom, taking in the entire room as she went. It was as mixed a group as she'd expected, though there were guests that she had no words for. Stepping quietly past the dancers, slippers making little noise, she headed for the refreshments. Flying from her home only to shift human and ride up to the castle had left her rather thirsty, and she hoped they had plain water in with the other drinks.

((It's short, but I'm stealing time.))

"I'm very glad to hear that." Glancing from one to the other Ignatius found a mischievous smile crossing his lips. He felt like shocking people a little. A very good, or miserable, idea floated trough his mind. It could go either of two ways, and it all depended on the tall blond man called Cyris. Though since it was more for play then anything else the fae prince asked, he hoped to be accepted.

Turning to the man, he offered a polite bow and extended a hand. "Would you please give me this dance then Cyris? Though I do hate to take you away from such lovely company, I do want to add a little ... Mischief to the masquerade." Offering such words as explanation, he found himself giving the other man an amused wink.

(OMG I love you Pap! *laughs*)

At first Cyris was shocked, then a large grin crossed his mouth and he laughed loudly. "Dear Pandora do you mind? I'm afraid I can not resist an offer such like this." He kissed the back of the Dark Elf's hand. "Please forgive me, and find some more fun." His eyes were soft as he made his apologies.

Turning towards Ignatius, Cyris grinned. "I would love to dance with you." he spoke in a terrible attempt at a feminine voice. He placed his hand in the fae's. "Mischief. Every ball needs some fun. "

Pandora blinked a few times, watching as Cyris kissed her hand before agreeing to dance with Ignatius. She simply nodded, staying silent as she turned on her heels and wandered off in another direction. She began to wonder if there was anyone she could dance with. Looking around, she noticed that most others had someone to talk to or were dancing with a partner. She sighed as she went back to the spot she was sitting at before, glad that her seat hadn't been taken. She would have loved to meet others, but she had trouble with being the one to randomly approach someone and introduce herself. The dark elf decided to just sit there and watch the others as they danced or talked, paying little to no attention as new arrivals showed up.

Removing his eyes from the ceiling and dipped into a shaky bow, "Ah'm Lord Stuart O'Cairne, head o'tha O'Cairne clan. Ah dinnae know much aboot lain fae, but Ah can try tae help wi' either problem. th' sool in a sword ur th' missin' faither. Ah maynnae look it, but Ah can remove a sool jist as guid as mah sisters. Tis in tha blood ah me clan." He assumed that trapped souls in an artifact were the same as those in bodies, and were just something he could free and trap for himself if needed. Stuart was kidding himself though if he though he was as good as his sisters, the only successful way he had separated soul from body was with his trident, and that was the messy way.

He smiled at her, unsure if he had overstepped a land custom. He had seen that most of the interactions were a complicated dance of words and actions, and we was used the beguiling and backhanded nature of the water. More straightforward if in a backwards way. He was trying to meet people and get them to like him, he didn't want to fall into the traditional way members of his clan had found mates.

~~~

Jacky narrowed her eyes on a dark elf whose dance partner had just switched on her. Twirling and bouncing through the dancing pairs she made her way gleefully over to the table where the other sat. Curtsying deeply and keeping her bright eyes on the other was a bit of a trick but it was something she was able to pull off deftly.

"Hello there, precious, did you get dumped on the dance floor like a bad batch of sweets? I'd be happy to pick you up and dance with you if you'd have it." She flirted shamelessly with the elf, even if her words did have a touch of bite to them. The raven offered a delicate hand out to show that her offer was real. "I'm Jacky by the way. Jacky Corvus. And I didn't catch your name sweet thing, but you caught my attention well enough." She had the audacity to wink after such a lousy line.

Estella smiled faintly as he returned his gaze to her though she still felt embarrassed. She couldn't help but smile a little more at his shaky bow. Apparently Ignatius was not just trying to make her feel better when he said there would be people who felt out of place. He lacked the confidence of one who had done so often and it was kinda cute as well as comforting. she wondered if her curtsy looked just as awkward? she dismissed the thought and focused on what he said. It was always difficult to decipher.

"It's nice to meet you, and thank you though...Well Audrial always says he's not ready to leave yet but maybe you can help with my father. The only thing I have of his is a ring he cave my mother when they realized she was pregnant with his child. Maybe you'd recognize it?" She responded thoughtfully with a small curtsy, though inwardly afraid he'd act like others had and cease talking to her. She reached into her bag and pulled out the ring. It was gold with intricate engraving and a blue stone that seemed to have a butterfly made out of light inside it. It was a beautiful thing and smelled faintly of old fae magic. She held it out towards him, curious.

Even as she held out the ring she felt her mind turn back to what he had said. Everyone here seemed to be someone important but her... Princes, lords, princesses... She was just a common traveler. She wondered why she had been let in inwardly. Had they just found her big lavender eyes hard to resist? Or did they think she'd make a good ally because of the power of her sword? Yes, probably that.

Returning the man's grin with one of his own, Ignatius guided Cyris onto the dance floor. Carefully placing his hands, he hesitated for a moment. Who would lead? Shrugging, Ignatius did so with a smile and a wink. "So tell me Cyris, have you come here of your own volition or did an overbearing mother force you to attend? And how did you come by your tricky nature, you are certainly no fae." Words leaped from his mouth, to fill the awkwardness he feared would settle in. That, more then anything else, was one of the reasons why he hated attending such masquerades. In a way the fae prince was trying to find out if his dance partner was perhaps partial to men, it was certainly not something one broached very easily with a stranger.

Heiro smiled as she stuttered out her response, her entire face flushed with color. It was strange hearing her call him by his actual name, as she had only ever known him by one of his aliases, but it almost gave a solid feel to her words, more meaning. He let out a slight sigh as he fought reaching out and pulling her into him, instead moving to lean on the rail next to her.

"The bitter irony is... now we have to act like friendly companions rather than lovers, at least for tonight. I made an oath to the Fae court to remain apart from the romance this ball is dependent on. An easy thing, I had thought...." He said looking to her with a small, wry smile. Ah, how fate loved to mock him.

"I can only hope the prince or any other of the court have not seen us already." He said, his dark eyes looking into ball room again, scanning the crowds for any familiar face. "The punishment for not holding your word to the Fae can be harsh, and my people are relying on me to keep the connection between our court and the Fae in good light." He explained, turning slightly to pick up his glass again.


Sadiya could not keep the smile off her face as she let Uriel lead her on the dance floor. She had picked up on the steps rather quickly, and while the frequent spinning was a bit dizzying, she was enjoying herself. She looked up at Uriel and was about to begin questioning him a bit when his feet paused in their elegant fluid movements and she saw his face fall. She followed his gaze through the mess of other dancers to a tall exotic man and a pale woman with feline ears. She frowned a little, and looked back to him. Was he jealous of the other man? Quite a rude thing to do while dancing with another lady!

However, when he turned back to her and fell back into pace with the music, she replaced her expression with a smile again. "Is everything alright, Sir Uriel?" she asked sweetly as they twirled again.

Cyris smiled and allowed Ignatius to lead him. "Actually I'm here because my older brother, who was supposed to attend, fell ill, and decided to place the responsiblity of representing our clan on me." It did feel a little awkward to be following in a dance, but Cyris shook it off as another of his off-the-wall nature. "I'm a Centaur mate. Of the Emerald Isle Centaurs." He grinned. "Tricky natures come with the territory. How about you? Pushy mother?" His features twisted into some mockery of sympathy.

Calder seemed a different person entirely until he passed a half-lidded glace over his brother. What could have been mistaken for confident egoism or even cool indifference read clearly to the older as that hidden panic. In the brief second that their eyes met, the two managed to exchange an entire conversation. It was Aden’s turn to pick up where he’d left off and retake control. Calder, although he hadn’t yet shown it, was ready to bury his face and hide. The elder had seen that look in the past, just before the younger would run to find their mother and hide beneath the large skirts she would wear during parties.

Before even waiting for a response from the ladies, Calder turned toward the table. He swayed with the same lack of concern his earlier smooth voice and sure laugh had just earlier conveyed, with a grace Aden had never known his brother to have. The younger busied himself with running his fingers over glasses, as though simply picking a drink was a decision he took quite seriously, only nodding in response to the continued conversation.

Again, Aden struggled to find ground to continue on. It was much to his relief when another joined the group, introducing herself as Rosellen. The set up was one he knew and could navigate, at least until caught off guard again. ”Hello, Miss Rosellen. Pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is Aden, and this is my brother, Calder. We were just speaking to…” After a well delivered start, Aden lost momentum as he found himself already struggling to keep up with names.

The younger couldn’t suppress the laugh that grew within him at hearing the uncertainty of his brother’s voice. Although he hadn’t yet turned from the table, his heaving shoulders made obvious the silent giggle he choked on.

Janu bit her lip as he spoke and felt a moment of uncertainty. So her being here endangered not only him but his people? It was not ironic to her, it was just cruel. She stepped slightly away from him to keep herself from show anything and simply turned her back towards the door. She said nothing for a moment and simply retrieved her mask from him to put it back on.

As she tied the mask back on she stared up at the moon and debated for a moment. Would it be better if she just walked away? Just left the dance and waited for him? Yet even then would she ever stop being a problem? Now that he was involved with politics was she just too dangerous for him? Most love stories played up the idea of running away together as so romantic, so wonderful, but right now it just killed her.

" We have done nothing and the music would be too loud to hear us i think...there is nothing bad in giving an old friend a hug is there? I'm dangerous for you aren't I? Not just tonight.... but even once this is over..." She asked quietly, even though her tone made it feel more like a statement. There was a touch of bitterness as she said old friend though she had not meant it...She was deep in thought a moment and seemed to just stare at the moon. No matter how much her body ached for him, no matter how her heart pined for him, she'd have walked away in a heart beat if she thought it would help him sound happiness. Still... he didn't seem to sound happy about leading his people either...

His mind was spinning along with the dance as he tried to concentrate. It was an impossible attempt though. Whether his actions appeared rash and horrible, so be it , he simply could not stand by when rules were being broken. That was what Uriel told himself as he halted his steps to bow politely to his dance partner.

"Please excuse me, but I have business to attend to." An excuse that would leave Sadiya asking questions he was sure, but it was the only one he could offer to her as well as himself. Seeing Heiro with that woman, it brought up an emotion that Uriel wanted to have nothing to do with.

He found himself moving quickly across the dance floor, pressing trough the crowd without a second thought. Unashamedly he moved upon the balcony with crossed arms and eyes full of anger with a hint of something else. Looking from one to the other, the white haired man let a sigh escape his lips. This was painful in a way. He'd never once seen Heiro act in such a way with anyone, and taking such a thing away from him seemed like a horrid thing to do.

"Heiro we need to discuss this, immediately. Alone." The fae royalty would not be pleased. There was a reason why oaths were sworn by those who served them, even for a short time. Uriel knew this all very well, having been raised with such things as a changeling. He'd never once wondered about his past, his parents, because the fae had so much more to offer then the mundane human world.

Rosellen tried to make an exquisite little bow, but found herself wobbling precariously. With a blush she righted herself. This was certainly going to be an interesting evening. Already she'd met a merrow, if she remembered right, and now she'd nearly embarrassed herself in front of these people.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Smiling a little, the blonde felt a frown crossing her face. Was the other man laughing, or crying? Tilting her head to the side she moved to stand beside him. Nudging Calder lightly, she turned her blue eyes to him with a grin. "Find any drinks you like? I'm really not sure about what to try."

Stories of addicting fae food suddenly came to mind. It wasn't really worth the risk. Then again everything looked so tempting!

Making a face, the fae shrugged. Noting the discomfort his leading cause, he shifted slightly to let Cyris take control of the dance. "My mother thinks that at my age I should have a companion. She is aging, and wants to make sure I have a consort at my side when she departs for the other place at last." Feeling a certain ease with the centaur, he grinned.

"I do hope your brother feels better, though I find myself delighted that you have decided to attend the ball in his stead." Ah yes, he was flirting once more. It was very amusing. Wanting to find a reaction from the other man, he leaned closer to him with a provocative smile.

With a flurry of flashy movements, Cyris gracefully took lead, paying no heed to the muttered 'show off' that seemed to spring up around the two men.

"Mothers, is there a creature in this world that worries and interferes more than they do?" he gave a theatrical sigh of exasperation and chuckled. "oh, my poor Mother. I've given her more heart attacks then, well, I'd care to admit. At least yours is looking out for your well being. My Mother wishes me to find a 'good girl' so she wont have to take care of me. It makes it very tempting not to bring home a girl." Cyris laughed.

"Well thank you Ignatius. I'm quite happy I was able to come. So far I've met a lovely dark elf, and a very intriguing fae. Though I have to admit I'm quite curious as to what type of Fae you are. At least I've been informed their are many kinds. I'm afraid this is a subject I lack proper knowledge." Cyris gave a sheepish smile.

Janu didn't have time to hear an answer when an angry youth dashed in. What heiro had said moments earlier rang in her head and fear clutched at her heart. She would not, she could not let her confession bring harm to him. She stepped away from the balcony and stepped between them in a desperate act. She had learned to hide her face behind a far less literal mask before over the past few years since Heiro had seen her and she would show it now. Her face was composed into mere ice, no sign of her earlier emotion or thought.

"This? what this? Him having a conversation with an old friend at a social event? Or comforting her as any friend would for that fiasco where i was startled by the nose and hit my toe? Or him being on a balcony when the moon's so pretty? We had not seen each other for years and simply want to catch up. While you may sit in on such a simple conversation I fail to see why it needs to be discussed or why you need to be alone to discuss it. Unless...you have something more...personal to discuss with him then his and my conversation?" She said casually. She only even looked interested on the last the question. It did not seem to be accusing him of anything, simply curious and confused just as she would be if what she had just said was true. To be fair there was no way anyone could prove she was lying...

***

Estella couldn't help but watch the two men dance a moment and felt a rise of jealousy. It was something she had never felt before and it confused her deeply. He... did he like men? She felt she may be foolish to have thought his attention meant anything special but also something else. this strange emotion... It was like a mix of anger with a tiny touch of sadness. Was she... Was she Jealous? She bit her lip slightly at the thought...

Catching on to the turn of phrase, he found himself chuckling. A twinkle of mischievous mirth winked into existence in Ignatius' amber eyes. "What would she say if you brought someone like myself home?" Teasing the other lightly, the fae shrugged his shoulders as he followed the dance with ease.

"I am one of the autumn fae, we bring in the season, painting the leaves and choosing when they fall. We chose the weather, or at least help keep everything in check." It was actually quite a bit of fun. Sometimes it could be tedious though, painting each leaf with magic and trying to make them look perfect. It was saddening as well, to see the decay that happened at times.

Her words made the young man clench his fists in anger, and fear. Taking a deep breath he tried to calm himself, but could find no way of doing so. Al the things the fae had taught him about manners and etiquette seemed to fly from his mind. "Leave. There are things going on at this masquerade that you do not yet now." Glancing at Heiro, Uriel felt his cheeks flush with shame. Shaking it away he turned his grey eyes to Janu once more.

"It is upon these matters that I must speak with your .. friend about." Fairly spitting out the word, Uriel emphasized the fact that he suspected they were much more. The niggling realization that he was jealous flitted trough his mind, but he hid it quickly enough beneath his anger. He was making a fool of himself, but the changeling was too infuriated to care. Besides he had every right, was even expected, to make sure that the rules the fae had set forth were upheld. No matter if it was simply as innocent as it seemed, it was best to be sure and remind the dhampir of his duty.

Pandora looked up when a young looking raven girl came over and asked her if she had been dumped on the dance floor. She shrugged her shoulders slightly. "I guess you could say that," she said. When the other had offered her a dance, she smiled slightly. If Cyris could go dancing off with someone of the same gender, then why not her as well?

She took the girls hand, soon standing up. "Pleasure to meet you Jacky Corvus," she said, "My name is Pandora... Pandora Night." She smiled at the girl, who seemed to be an inch or two shorter than her, but that didn't really matter. It might be due to the heels the was wearing, but she shrugged the thoughts away. She was going to enjoy herself.

Cyris spun the male out and pulled him back in. "I think that would be fabulous fun!" He smirked. "Men aren't usually... alright they've never really catched my fancy, but I think I could make an exception for you... and to worry my mother some more." Cyris dipped Ignatius. " I could very well see her falling over, her hands clutching at her heart. What do you say? Want to meet my mother?" The imagry was exceedingly tempting for Cyris to play out.

"Oh how perfect! Autumn is my favorite season. I love seeing the leaves change to gold, and when the air gets nice and crisp- mmm I love it."

Laughingly the fae looked up at Cyris. Oh this man certainly was amusing. "You flatter me." Fluttering his eyelashes flirtatiously, Ignatius burst into another round of laughter. Leaning against the centaur to catch his breath, he righted himself soon enough. "I would like that, if only to see her reaction. Perhaps you could return the favor some time though my mother would be more likely to find every fault in you possible. You wouldn't enjoy the experience."

Turning his thoughts from such unpleasant prospects, the dark haired fae's smile softened. "Yes, I know what you mean. I will try to make sure that the next autumn upon your Isle is breathtaking." It would be nice to be able to make someone happy with what seemed to be such a simple thing for the fae prince to accomplish.

"Oh stay near me, and I'll do more than flatter." Cyris promised. The Centaur felt a strange feeling in his body when Ignatius leaned against him. "I would love to see your mother try. And even if she did manage to find them, I have too much of an ego to listen to any of my faults. Oh how this is going to be incredible fun."

"Thank you Ignatius. If there is anything I can do for you, just say the word." Cyris took a step back and bowed low under the Fae's hand, before continuing their dance.

Sadiya's mouth fell open as the pale-haired man dropped her hands an excused himself. The nerve of this man! He had asked her for the dance only brush her aside for a cat woman across the room? Her hair started to flutter as her power created a slight heated wind around her, and her eyes shone a little more red than before. Blowing her cheeks in a huff, she stomped out of the dance floor and towards the refreshment tables. And here she was told the men of this country treated women nearly as equals!

Trying to calm her short temper, the dark-skinned Fae picked up a drink that smelled sweet but had the obvious scent of liquor. Taking a small sip, she reminded herself that he was just one man. Surely there were some here that were far more gentlemanly than Uriel, some that were much more worth her time.



Heiro was about to answer Janu when he felt the storm that was Uriel approaching. His eyes raised to watch the angry changeling with little emotion, though his mind was instantly sent into a whirl of thought. He was unable to respond though, before Janu suddenly spoke up, her words harsh despite the casual not in her tone. He looked to her with eyes a touch wider for a moment. She had never jumped into an argument like this when he had known her. Just how much had she changed?

His amazement quickly died when Uriel retorted. He turned to look back at the smaller man, dark eyes cold as he stared him down. "I hardly think urgency calls for complete lack of manners, Uriel, even if you were raised in the court." He said, deep voice eerily calm as he blatantly insulted the man. He then turned to Janu, his eyes a little softer, but still practically emotionless as he held up his "vampire noble" mask up. "If you would excuse us, Lady Janu, I do think this is something we should deal with on our own. I would be happy to dance with you once the ambassador has had his piece." He said, giving her a bow. When he rose, his eyes held a slight pleading look, as if to ask her not to press it.

Janu raised an eyebrow as he spoke, though her small mask hid the motion her perfect mask of indifference mixed with amusement would likely convey what it would have anyway. She made no move to obey him. The past few years of fighting off her father who wanted to use her as a sacrifice had made her strong. She would let the fae kill her before they hurt him. So she simply tilted her head to the side and continued her act of a mildly confused but largely amused feline. It was easy for her now...perhaps there was more of her father's blood in her then she desired to admit. the thought displeased her to put it mildly but the matter at hand was too important to think too hard on it.

She started to respond that he'd already referred to her as part of the reason he was so angry by saying 'this' and so it involved her. She had even parted her lips to shoot back her retort easily when she heard Heiro's voice. She turned towards him and there was a lion behind her eyes. She had made peace with the beast within her, ironically it was why she looked more human now, so could be the cat she was as well as the woman now. She would have ignored him but that pleading look caught her. Why did he always have to surprise her it seemed?

"Very well... and Ambassador? I see...You'll have to explain why speaking to an old friend is so terrible to me later Lord Heiro I suppose..." She responded as she continued to play the innocent for Heiro's sake. In the single word there was some amusement and some bite, as if to say he wasn't do a very good job representing anything right now. It was foolish but she was inwardly too panicked and frustrated with current events not to get a little angry. There was one thing that had not changed, she did not express herself through violence now anymore then she had then so it was her only weapon. She held Heiro's gaze, just a moment longer even as she let herself have a single dig at the changeling. Her fear threatened her self control and she inwardly thought that Heiro hadn't just awakened her love but her vulnerability... her once so open and honest heart.

She swept past Uriel and into the ballroom but stood to lean against the wall near the doors so her cat like hearing would pick up the words. No matter what Heiro said, no matter if he'd hate her, if anything happened she'd rush in. If Uriel so much laid a finger on her beloved he would taste her claws, even if that meant her death as it very well might. Outwardly she appeared bored and to be watching the dancers but inwardly she was shaking with fear.