The Duke's Bride

[Lance Roidmet]

"We can't have been that close. In truth I scarce remember you."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"Muriel and I were closer than you and I but we spent every summer together." I smile thinking of happier times. "We used to play In the garden. Croaky, cards, tag, even made up our own games. Remember? They used to call me nastia back then before I took my regal name...."

[Lance Roidmet]

"Scarcely. You were closer to Muriel's age than mine."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"True. It's for love of her that I am here. She made me promis we would be sister the same way she made you promis that. I will do what I can to keep it."

[Lance Roidmet]

"You cannot," he says roughly. "She is gone."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"But we are not.....lance I have promised you justice and I will keep it. I promised Muriel to be her sister and I will try to keep it if you will let me.... look you want me gone and I want the crown. Let's make a deal. We can be married in name in two weeks. We will live here in our separate world for three months ass is custom. The I will take my friends and leave you a small house hold to keep you in your solitude and go. We will be married in name and law. I will keep my promis to your sister and then I will go. I get what I want you get what you want and Muriel get what she wanted."

[Lance Roidmet]

"We will wed in two weeks. Then you will have three months to deliver justice and I'll leave you to your plotting in peace."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"Three months then" I smile softly "goodnight" I say headlong to the door

[Lance Roidmet]

Lance shuts the door, rests his forehead against it. "Goodnight," he whispers, before adjourning to his desk to try and get some writing done. 

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

The day passes quickly with only light teasing of Tova and wild. I spend the afternoon bathing and getting ready. As the sun sets and Sara goes to show Garret in I am ready for him. My chamber is set with candles and a small Ellie ant table with two matching chairs. I greet him my fire red curly piled elligrntly on my head and pinned with pearls. I am wearing a tight black gown with gold accents and an elligant pearl necklace. "It's good to see you again my king" I say curtsying lowly

[Marian Hawke]

Garrett, the Demon King, comes riding up to the house on a fine steed -- probably, no, definitely stolen. He comes alone, but he looks in high spirits as he approaches, letting Sera take the horse and swaggering his way into the castle. He wears his best outfit: a clean, green-and-brown tunic with tight leggings and his knee-high boots. 

"Good evening, lady," he says, with a low bow and a rakish grin. His brown hair obscures his face as he rises, until he flicks it back over his (rounded) ears casually.

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"Good to see you again. Please come sit." I smile leading him to the table

[Marian Hawke]

Garrett heads to the table, twirling the chair around backwards and sitting in it. "I like what you've done with the place."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"Thank you, shall we talk business before dinner arrives? I ask calmly

[Marian Hawke]

"We've decided to accept your offer-- most of us. Some of us split off and formed a secondary bandit group. So the deal is, we won't turn on our former members, but the rest of us are under your command. Deal?"