Weight off the Shoulders

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

It was not merely the potential danger to Demeria that Selena considered, but the very real possibility that what they had would dissipate like smoke with the realization that her mind delved occasionally in sinister directions. Or the possibility as well that a marriage between Riordan and Anastasia might very well be proposed... and accepted. Sighing as he touched her cheek, she nodded against his fingers. "I pray I am wrong in this. If it is true, then... woe betide Nikolai, to say the very least."

Looking up as he sighed in turn, Selena studied his face. There was sympathy and compassion there, yet she did not detect anything beyond that for the Princess and her predicament. "It may be against some of the opinions, but that is why I suggested the truth be revealed before the council. Those are the minds that need changing."

She blinked at his additional comment. "And if they had?"


Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"Oh, yes, woe betide him, indeed." He shook his head in disgust with a faint sight. "But thank you, regardless. I appreciate the viewpoint that you brought." A smile formed, "Another reason that I am quite pleased that you are to be my queen. Keep at it. I want you to keep bringing these viewpoints to my attention. It is very possible that I will never even consider them.

And if the Dukes and Councilors had been against your appointment, I would have defied them regardless. It is through action that you prove to people your value. I know that know. I've learned it the hard way." He nodded firmly, "You would do the same. Through action, you would show these people that you are worthy of being queen of this nation." He then added a smile, trying to make the conversation more lighthearted, "And the crown will look pretty upon you."

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

The disgust on his face and in his voice was readily apparent to her, bringing a suffusion of relief augmented by his thanks for the voiced suspicion. He did not think less of her for such a mindset, and indeed seemed to respect it. A wry smile curved her lips as she confessed softly, "I hoped it did not put you off. I do not normally think in such terms, but occasionally, it pays to think worst case scenario. Most have said the behavior is largely out of character, so something must have happened. You, fortunately, do not think that way." Selena was grateful for it, her finger trailing along his cheek.

Her head bowed at his declaration of defiance, a nod indicating that he was correct. She would indeed do the same were the situation reversed. A laugh surprised her, thinking of the crown on her head. "On the rare occasion I wear it, you mean?"

Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

The finger trailing along his cheek felt rather nice, he had to admit. Unable to help himself, he took gentle hold of that hand and pressed kiss to the back of her knuckle. He had the strong temptation to press a kiss to her inner wrist, but he refrained for now. "You? Put me off? I cannot think of anything you could do to truly put me off." He reassured her. Well, he could, of course, but nothing that was truly in character for her. "But the behavior... hm. We shall have to wait and see what happens when he is captured."

A grin broke out on his face, "Oh, there will be occasion and I think it will look lovely on you. I actually rather enjoy wearing stately clothing. Not every day, mind you, but on occasion... it does feel very nice."

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Her fingers tightly curled around his, glad for the warm contact and the knowledge that she was relatively free to touch him. Selena was not normally given to thoughts of possessiveness or excessive romance, yet there was a sweetness to Riordan that drew her. A side of him that she suspected was rarely revealed and every bit as much a surprise to him too. "I am sure if I exerted myself, I could accomplish it, but why would I want to?" She had him where she wanted him and was unwilling to risk losing that. Sobering, Selena nodded in agreement. Much would be revealed when Nikolai was apprehended.

The grin restored her own laughter. "Why, Riordan... are you vain?"

Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"Oh, I'm sure if I exerted myself I could send you screaming for the hills," he chuckled somewhat darkly and shook his head. "But no. I will not do such a thing. I'd rather you run toward me than away from me." He paused, deciding to add some levity to their discussion, "Well, preferably without the screaming. That might make our encounter somewhat awkward." A sly wink followed the statement. He was starting to relax more in her presence.

"Me? Vain? No, no, of course, that is silly." He paused, "Well, perhaps a little. There is nothing wrong with a little healthy vanity if you ask me."

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Selena gazed at Riordan for a moment before a peal of laughter rang out. It was a slightly ridiculous statement, obvious in intention, and she shook her head. "I'm not one for screaming anyways, but should I add a pounce for good measure while I am running in your direction? Fall swooning into your arms, or something equally dramatic?" It would leave quite an impression on the court, she knew, but since their race, both had begun to relax their formality in each other's presence. "If I practice, I may be able to manage it with some grace."

She nodded to his comment on vanity, then smiled easily. "A little can go a long way, but don't get so vain I'm compelled to hide mirrors."


Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Hearing her laugh was a reward onto itself. "Oh, you're not? I will keep that in mind the next time that I manage to playfully startle you." As for her swooning into his arms, he couldn't help but smile broadly. "Now that is something I most certainly would not mind. Every time you did so, I would reward you with a breathtaking kiss, no matter where we are. You'll knees will have to buckle at least once."

The smile grew more, "Oh, but mirrors can be so useful. I can admire myself and potentially blind adversaries."

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

The conversation was proving most enlightening (and enticing) indeed; Selena knew, of course, of Riordan's much-vaunted reputation as a ladies' man and his skills in the arts of love but had little personal exposure to them. While she was not so possessed of a romantic bent that she believed that their marriage would be ideal, she was also woman enough to be intrigued by the notion of Riordan unleashing some of those skills on her personally. "All the more reason for me to do so. I will assuredly practice now!"

His clever response made her laugh again, "Or distract the truly vain, perhaps?"

Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"Excellent, because it is my understanding that practice makes perfect." It had been too long since he had last flirted and played with a woman. Several months ago, he would have been affronted by the notion of being tied to one woman in his life. Yet, when he truly thought about it, it was a refreshing concept. Having a deep relationship with a woman rather than a shallow one was proving to have benefits. It was still a little scary, especially since it could leave one vulnerable... but for reasons he couldn't explain, that vulnerability was very enticing.

He chuckled at her question, "Oh, now there is a good image. Me carrying a mirror through the castle and endlessly distracting the vain. Then, with the distraction in place, I can make my escape!"

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

"That is what they tell me," she let her eyes sparkle at him with merriment, enjoying the simple banter. "A good thing that I am not one to shirk practice, don't you agree?" The playful conversations were growing more frequent between them, a positive sign indeed. She was relaxed, he was more at ease, and the cares were not weighing so heavily upon him.

Selena laughed softly, shaking her head with the ease of picturing Riordan darting through the castle and brandishing a mirror with a flourish. "So long as you do not allow yourself to be distracted by your own image, it is brilliant."

Prince Riordan Carlisle

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

He chuckled at her, pleased that she was playing along with him. He suddenly wished he were on a sofa or a chaise so that he might draw her close to him. He leaned closer to her, "You know, I am working on our candlelight dinner that I promised as a reward. However, I've been meaning to ask just what kind of food you tend to enjoy?" Selena didn't strike him as a picky woman, but everyone had their personal tastes.

"Oh, that might be the challenge. Perhaps I should keep you close to me so that I do not become so distracted."

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

In the moment where he leaned closer, Selena was once again reminded of the rakish, dangerous seducer Riordan had been. It was all too easy to see why so many women succumbed to his charm, though she continued to play along and test her own powers of seduction. A hand reached to glide a finger along his jaw, her smile slow as she replied softly, "Seafood, of course... and I do like spice to my food. Something with some heat, perhaps?"

Who knew that the cool and correct Selena Lancaster could behave so? She privately conceded it was rather fun to test the waters, her eyes agleam with barely suppressed mirth. "If you keep me close, Your Highness, won't there be distraction anyways?"

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

The temptation to claim her then and in within the confines of the pavilion were strong. All he'd have to do is shrug her nightgown away and he'd see her in all her beautiful glory. But, no. He refrained. It was hard to do so, but he did. Though, her gentle hand was not making matters easy for him! "Seafood," he echoed, trying to think of some items. Alas, he was not a chef by any stretch of the word. Thus, he'd be speaking with the royal cook on such matters.

"Yes, but it'd be the most pleasant of distractions. Something infinitely more enjoyable than some courtier rambling on and on, I assure you." He smiled at her warmly, leaning in to press a light kiss to her lips. Her lips were a true pleasure, he had to admit.

Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Seduction was a dangerous game, particularly when one played it with an unmitigated expert. In that, Selena knew Riordan was a formidable opponent, one who could easily turn the tables on her if she pressed the boundaries too far. Lowering her hand, she smiled gently at him, allowing the kiss but drew back before it could turn truly passionate and sweep them both away beyond control. It was nearly time to urge him to go, yet she found herself increasingly reluctant to do so.

"Ah," she reminded him quietly, "but sometimes they do have something of interest or importance to reveal, so it would be the height of rude to brush them off or shoo them away, don't you agree?"

Prince Riordan Carlisle