Chapter Two (part 6)

(this is skipping back in time a bit just after Dymetri is cleaned and got his robes on)

Dymetri seathed as he flew down the castle steps to the main floor and to the cerimonial hall. He loathed, absolutly loathed, wearing his formal robes. "What's the point?" He snapped quietly under his breath as he felt them billow out behind him.

The robes were completely black except for the dark green silk undershirt. The fir and tassals hanging from his shoulders were the same color green as his shirt. To him, it was annoying as hell to wear the robes, especially so close to summer.

He let out a steady stream of oaths underneath his breath as he reached for the ornate handle on the huge oak doors leading into the cerimonial hall. But the door swung open before he managed to get a grip on the gold ring. Startlement flashed through him before it was quenched again by dull anger.

The room was more full than he was expecting. At the most he expected it to be his mother, father, and sister. He wasn't counting on the guests who paused to inspect him with their eyes.

'Damn!'

There were five other people in the room besides his parents and his sister. Dymetri analized the elves in the room. Two were young boys, twins, who were whispering quietly in a corner. It was obvious that they had no real reason to be here except the fact that they couldnt be without their parents at their own home.

The two oldest were a woman and a man. No doubt, the father and mother of the young twin elves. All four of them, the boys and parents, were wearing gold robes. The wife had straight light brown hair that reached her shoulders. Her hazel gaze scrutinized Dymetri where he stood. The father had shortly cropped hair, the color of rich charcol. His muddy brown eyes were doing just the same as his wife, judging the Prince's appearance.

Dymetri's eyes rested finally on a young girl, looking around the age of nineteen. Not that much younger than himself. She wore a vivid red satin, simple, evening dress with cream colored gloves reaching above her elbows. She had an array of roses and white daisys in her hair, intertwined in the tightly wrapped bun that was pinned just above the nape of her neck. Her glowing hazel eyes were wide as they searched for his gaze.

Quickly, Dymetri guarded his eyes and his posture became stiff, demanding, one that a king might wear in front of his subjects. He thought he knew what was going on.

The girl began to walk towards him in earnest, raising her and as she went. "I am Princess Danalia." Her voice was high and way too sugary, like she was attempting to impress him.

Dymetri took her hand in his, suddenly realizing that he wished it was Echo's he was holding. He bent over her hand and brushed his lips on the heal of her opened, gloved hand, welcoming her to his castle and lands. "Prince Dymetri. Pleased to meet you." His voice was even more guarded than his eyes, careful not to betray any of his emotions.

"Dymetri." His father, Jarel spoke. "Princess Danalia has come upon my request. It is about time that you took a bride." Dymetri's temper flared suddenly and he struggled desperatly to fight it back. He hated this topic that his father and brought up a lot recently in every conversation that was held between father and son, King and Prince.

"This is the woman we have chosen for you. She is to be your wife. If you do not accept, you have three weeks to find one of your own. There will be a wedding either way, in a fifty days." His father continued. Dymetri watched as his mother glided over to Jarel's side and placed a cautious hand on his shoulder.

The elvin Prince turned to look at Danalia again and instantly he ached for Echo to be in his arms.

"The ball is in the evening two days from now. You have till then to get to know Princess Danalia and make a decision. At the ball, if you are not with the Princess, then you will search for someone eligable at the dance. Do you understand?" His father scrutinized Dymetri's face.

Dymetri was losing it. He couldn't contain his anger much longer.

"Dymetri!?" His father snapped at him, impacient. And that broke it.

"How could you do this!" Dymetri roared. "You and Mother were never set up! Why me?!" Dymetri looked at Danalia, her expression shocked, a last time before striding furiously out of the hall. Calling over his shoulder as he did. "I will not do this. I will find someone in my own time. Understood?" He mocked his father's controling tone as he slammed the heavy door behind him.

Profanity streamed from his perfect lips as he attempted to rein in his rage. He could feel his eyes burning in earnest, the anger fueling the fire that was no doubt spitting sparks in the gold.
Dymetri took in a deep breath and counted to ten before releasing it. It didnt do much to help.

So he listened for Echo in her room. Using his keen hearing, he searched for her voice. There it was, a laugh mingled in with those of the ladies in waiting asigned to her for her stay. It was light and unknowing of what had gone on right below her feet. The trouble seemed gone from her tone, but he knew she was simply extremely good at hiding it.

Her laugh just made him more angry. She could remain oblivious to this all and when she was ready to leave, she could just run out whenever she please. He envied her and her ability, and then guilt filled him. He had promised that he wouldnt leave her, that she would never again be hurt; that he wouldnt hurt her. Anger flared even higher and he punched the stone wall, spliting a brick in the process.

Jarel opened the door and stared at his son angrily. In an attempt to control his own temper, the king spoked in a hushed tone but the fury still bubbled through. "What is wrong with you? Defying my orders. Have I taught you NOTHING!?"

"YOU CANT SET ME UP LIKE THIS! IT ISNT FAIR!" The prince didn't bother keeping his voice down.

Now Jarel was shouting. "LIFE ISN'T FAIR! YOU HAVE NO IDEA! YOU WATCH YOUR MOUTH OR I'LL HAVE YOU WHIPPED!"

Dymetri let out a feral snarl, his upper lip raising, showing his perfect teeth. "ID LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY!" He spun around and abruptly stopped short.

His gaze was stuck at the top of the staircase, horror filling him quickly, and the sight taking away his breath.

'Ahw. SHIT!'