Winterfall

It was just after midnight when the moon light hit the stained glass, causing a light show across my bedroom walls. Waking up to sites like this made a smile fall on my face.

That is until someone knocked on my door.

There goes my morning. I grumbled as I stretched and forced myself up out of bed. I could just ignore it and curl back up in bed.

Or you could just answer the damn door? Théoden questioned me. I could tell by the sound in his voice that I must have forced him up.

I sighed and closed my hand around the brass handle. Pants Maria. Théoden reminded me. I glanced down and quickly ran to my wardrobe and slipped on a pair and went back to the door.

Before I could unlock and open the door, I was able to pick up his scent. Damn it. What does he want now?

Who is it?

Marcel.

Remember to use caution.

Got it.

I unlocked and opened the door to Marcel standing patiently in the hallway. “Good morning darling.” He looked me over and smirked, “nice outfit choice.”

I knew I was wearing a black shirt from Theo’s collection that I took, but in my haste, I was unaware of what pants I grabbed. I dared to look as I had a feeling they could have been Theo’s.

“You didn’t give me much time to change.”

“Fair enough.”

“Is there a reason why you are here this late in the night? Or I guess early in the morning?”

“It’s late for me. I unfortunately need eight hours of sleep, unlike you.” He stretched up against the wall and yawned, “I was curious if you would accompany me on an early date?”

His words sent a wave of fear down my spine. Another date with the devil. I personally did not like the sound of that. Considering what he just managed to pull yesterday, a date with him was not what I desired right now.

“A--another date?” My voice trembled despite my best efforts to act normal around him.

He smiled, like he had enjoyed the sense of fear he caused. “Yes, a date with your fiancé?”

Now, I may have just woken up but did he say? Yes. Theo sighed through the bond, he is engaged to you. I could sense the disgust in his voice. He hated the fact that another man had my hand. His jealousy, I could tell, was building. To the point I wondered when he would lose control, even if it was brief.

“Please,” I groaned, “I will go on a date with you but I would prefer you to drop the fiancé part.”

Marcel almost looked hurt. Like he could not believe I had just said that. “We are engaged aren’t we?” He questioned me, to which I nodded not by choice, bastard. “Then I have the right to call you fiancé.”

I rolled my eyes, “fine.” No way out of that one I suppose. “When is this date?”

“Well, I need my beauty sleep, so lets say 8?”

“Great. I can't wait.” That was another lie. I hated the idea, but in order to trick a devil at his own games properly, I knew I needed something to feed him with.

“Fantastic!” Marcel said he walked up to me, stopping just a mere few feet away. My heart began to race. As I anticipated him to touch or kiss me. Both of which I did not want right now. However, to my surprise he just simply produced a red rose out of his pants pocket. “It made me think of you. A perfect girl, but an imperfect attitude.”

I took the rose from him. Honestly, that was kind of sweet. If not a little harsh. “Thanks?”

“See you around eight Maria.”

He left me there speechless for once. I regained a sense of awareness and walked back into my room a moment later. I closed the door behind me and laid the rose on my desk.

Maria? Are you alright?

Théoden could sense there was something off. I wasn’t sure if this was a spell's work or my own innate reaction to being given a rose. This behavior surprised me.

Yeah, I think so. Sorry.

It’s alright. A way to a girl's heart is his flowers, chocolates, and gifts. It’s a common tactic for men who are trying to woo a girl.

I grinned at his statement. He wasn’t wrong. I remember when he was trying to win my heart he would utilize his magic to create mesmerizing scenery for me. Or he would slip notes under my door in the middle of the night. You’re right, I still remember the things you did for me.

Please…don’t remind me. Some of those were embarrassing.

Oh like the one where…

Maria!

I laughed, fine, I won’t repeat it. I do need to get cleaned up if we are meeting for breakfast?

Of course, breakfast with you is a necessity.

One more question.

What is that love?

What color of dress suits a date with the devil?

Black.

The dress itself was a sheath dress with a fitted bodice. Like most of my clothing it fit and hugged my body just right. The dress had a slightly flared skirt that created the perfect balanced silhouette. The dress was truly stunning as it showed both elegance and a youthful glow.

The dress just fell below my knees as it wasn’t a typical floor length gown. The straps of the shoulders were nonexistent as my breasts were the only things holding up the dress. The color of the overall dress was black with a bit of sparkle to it.

It wasn’t overly exposing them by any means but it did enhance them a bit more. The dress, maybe not a typical attire but I couldn’t help it when Caroline showed me the sketch of the dress. It was stunning on paper just as it was on my body. Besides, Caroline always had her best interest in mind when it came to what clothing I had in my wardrobe.

I stared at myself in the mirror before I went downstairs. I knew the dress would turn some heads, as I typically wore dresses that had sleeves and covered more of my legs but it was warmer out and I thought it was appropriate attire. Even if it didn’t have any sleeves.