Masquerade

Excerpt:
Oscar looked out over the ice plains and smiled at the glittering mass that loomed before him. The triple moons of the Afterverse hung low in the air, the sky was a definite purple. Oscar, schooled in the knowledge of omens of his people took this as a good sign. So, things are going to return to normal eh? Balance again in the royal house? It’s about fucking time. He moved away from the window and grabbed a cloak and made his way down to the throne room, to see what perversity the bastard prince was up to. As a loyal friend of the true prince and a general of the realm, he felt it his duty to keep tabs on what Gabbe was doing to the kingdom at large. And now, it looks like I must be ever more watchful, because the times they are changing back to as they should be.
The hallways were quiet on his way to the throne room, not a single soul floated through. Nor any Conglacio, either of his acquaintance or not was seen. He reached the throne room to find a most peculiar sight. Milo, head of the third house was standing in the center, a beautiful girl at his side. At his entrance the girl turned and looked at him and he stopped cold. She’s Conglacio? Where the hell has she been hiding? I had thought I knew all the ladies of the realm. He bowed at her and smiled, then moved over to where Gabbe was standing. He bowed to Milo, and saluted.
“Milo, it has been a very long time. Who is this fetching creature standing beside you?”
Before Milo could answer Gabbe turned to him, all steely and cold. “This is Uriel. She’s Milo’s daughter. I have asked to take her to the ball at the Cento court, and was waiting on Milo’s answer.”
Oscar smiled and gave Milo a guarded warning look. He assessed the girl beside him, who was no more than Drake's age. If she was in that age group, why don’t I know her, and do the princes know such a perfect specimen of Conglacio beauty is around? He smiled at Gabbe. “Wonderful. I don’t think you will be able to make that ball prince, remember, you were off to the Celo Court to see Kayla?” Oscar made it a point to mention the princess that Gabbe was courting in front of Uriel and Milo so that Milo would get the hint to keep the girl away from the bastard prince. She was too beautiful to be wasted on such a whelp as he.
Milo understood and smiled. “Well highness, it seems that we are at an impasse. No doubt the princess will be sorely put out to not accompany her suitor to the ball but I will have to decline your request. However, as Uriel has her heart set on it, I shall have to squire her myself.”
Oscar stood at attention and smiled. “Milo, I would be honored to squire Uriel around the ball, as I am not attached to anyone, nor have I been since Daphne. It would be my unbridled pleasure.”
“Very well Oscar, you may take Uriel, as you’re a Demon of your word, and I can trust you with the one thing in the verse precious to me. We shall see you at moonrise tomorrow.” With that he left with the shy and stunning creature and Gabbe was seething like a spoiled child that did not get his way. Score one for the first house! Gabbe can’t have them all and Uriel is much too good for him. And yet she reminds me of someone, I can’t place whom.
“What’s wrong with you Gabbe? If Kayla finds out, your claim on both courts is over. Trust me highness, this way you can have your cake and eat it too.”
The bastard prince’s anger turned to confusion. “How do you figure Oscar? You’re taking the girl I wanted to take.”
“Pardon highness, but you’re not too bright are you? If you take Kayla and I take Uriel, you will have your chance to woo both women.” Right and if I let you near Uriel it will be a very hot day on the ice plains. He saw Gabbe realize what that meant and the bastard prince smiled.
“Excellent plan Oscar. It seems you’re always looking out for me.”
Oscar bowed as Gabbe left the throne room. Right, the only thing I’m looking out for is how best to kill you when the time is right. You don’t deserve the throne, and I'd love to do the princes the service of ridding you of your life.

***

Uriel stood in the throne room and couldn't help feeling as if she was a horse being bartered over. The now crown prince had recently taken an interest in her and had kindly invited her to the ball at the Cento court. Uriel, although she had heard many things about the court, had never visited it herself. She had thanked the prince for such a kind offer and had accepted; as anyone in her position would have done which is what had caused her to be standing in the throne room so late at night.
Her father had been enraged when she'd told him. Cursing and swearing, which was something she’d only ever seen him do once before. He was never like that around her, and for him to be like that to her she knew that she had somehow messed up. She still couldn't really understand it. Gabbe had always been more than nice to her, but her father strongly disagreed with even the thought and she loved her father dearly.
So, now she was standing in the throne room as her father politely tried to turn down the prince’s offer. They had been here for over an hour and Gabbe showed no sign of giving up his claim. She looked around the great room in awe, it was very pretty. Movement from the side door caught her eye and she turned just in time to see a man walk into the room. He was about her height, a little taller, and had the most amazing eyes she had ever seen, the most intense shade of blue. He bowed at her and smiled, then moved over to where Gabbe was standing. He bowed to her father and saluted. She watched the man curiously as he seemed to know her father.
The exchange had been brief and Gabbe had been waylaid, which looked to be much to her father’s delight, and she was going to be squired by the newcomer, Oscar. Her father ushered her out the door before Gabbe could say another word. He almost had them both out of the palace before she spoke up. She stopped and took her arm away from him and turned to face him.
"Father what is going on? Who was he? And why is he now taking me to the ball that you've been cursing about all evening?" She asked him, feeling slightly scared at the thought of spending the evening with the strange man.
"Uriel, that is Oscar. He’s the head of the first house of the Conglacio and he’s a much better match. I trust you, and your virtue, to him."
She raised an eyebrow, "And not the prince?"
Milo sighed. "Not a prince that's courting both you and a Princess. I would hate to have your heart broken because of the," he choked on his words "prince."
She nodded and smiled. "I know father, I trust you to know what's best. If it makes any difference I didn't really want to go with Gabbe. Thank you for having my best interests at heart, many wouldn't. I'm glad you see me as a daughter and not just a tool to barter off for the highest support.”
"Uriel, love, I will always have your best interest at heart. You’re my daughter. If the prince was worth it he'd be yours, you’re stunning."
"Thanks dad. We better get home since it’s an early start in the morning."
"Lord Milo?" She heard Oscar’s voice shout.
Oscar followed them down the reception hallway and caught up, smiling. "I was wondering if I might be able to escort Uriel home? I'm sure you’re busy, and she is your daughter, but..." He let his voice trail off and Milo nodded.
"Excellent idea Oscar. I do have a few things to attend to, so daughter? Would you mind terribly if Oscar here walked you home?"
She swallowed a few times then nodded, stunned. "Sure, well I… I, would be honored." Smooth Uriel, smooth. She ducked down and cursed her conversational skills.
"Uriel, believe me, the honor is all mine." He smiled and gazed into her eyes with his blue green ones.