After I finished putting my earrings and heels on, I turned to ask the old woman for her name again but she was gone. I hadn't noticed her leaving at all. Her presence bothered me and yet, I wanted her near. I marched toward the door and opened it. Stylists—souls—stopped their movements as their eyes landed on me, then they lowered their gaze to the ground. 

I raised a brow but I didn't have the time to concern myself with their strange attitude. My mind was too busy thinking about the old woman. She was hiding something. If not, why didn't she tell me her name?

My eyes roamed until Beth appeared in my view, smiling brightly. "You look gorgeous. The King will not be able to take his eyes off you tonight. The King has arrived and is currently waiting for you downstairs." My heart slightly raced at the mention of Grimm's name but I did my best not to show his effect on me. I couldn't look like a hopeless crushing girl.

You look like a queen, the old woman said. I thought it was an awful joke but had she meant it? Who cares? I didn't care for her opinion of my appearance, I cared about where I had seen her. I definitely met her before, I just couldn't place her somewhere.

I straighten my posture and compliment Beth. "You deserve all the praise." She opens her mouth to protest, "Thank you. I don't like to look at myself often but you made it bearable." She blushes.

Before I leave I tell her, "Go rest and be reunited with your sister. You deserve that as well."

Beth nodded her head with glossy eyes, she looked as if she wanted to say more but I understood. She clears her throat, "Your friend is almost done. She is getting dressed." Her voice rasped.

I gave her a quick nod as I noticed that the old woman was no longer in this room either. She still had to be here. She couldn't leave without Grimm's permission. The souls were to be picked up after they performed their duties. By the looks of it, most were picking after themselves already.

"Tell her, I'll meet her downstairs." I needed to find that old woman quickly.

Beth sputtered out, "But—but the King has arrived. He is waiting for you!"

I gave her a dismissal wave as I headed out. "He can wait a little longer." As if he would leave without me.

The moment I stepped out of the room I found the rabbit my father gifted me waiting outside like an impatient man. He tapped his little soft paw on the hardwood floor. I still haven't decided what to name him. It will come to me one of these days.

I placed my hands on my hips. "Well, how do I look?" The rabbit hopped away as if he was unsatisfied with it. I never thought I could get annoyed with an animal.

I trailed after him. We both walked down the hall and checked each room for the old woman. She was nowhere to be found on the upper floor of the castle. She could be downstairs and if she was, I was interested in where I would find her. I didn't care if she was trying to deceive me but she looked to have a fair share of secrets and I wanted to know them. I kept going until I heard arguing coming from downstairs. I slowed my steps and tread carefully without making too much noise.

I peeked my head out slightly from the top corner before going down the spiraling stairs. They left a perfect opening view of the foyer. The rabbit pressed itself against my heel. From here I could see Grimm and Hans perfectly. They were both dressed in classic tuxedos, except Grimm wore an elegant white bow and vest. His thick silky hair was part in the middle yet, effortlessly pushed back. His sweet crimson lips stood out against the white and black. I've tasted those lips, I thought greedily. I'll taste them again tonight.

However, Grimm looked displeased. His eyes were narrow and his hands were inside the pockets of his pants, and his jaw tightened.

"How did this happen?" He said quietly, and yet there was an edge in voice.

I looked over at Hans, who appeared more irritated as he stood still like a carved ice sculpture. His blond hair was neatly swept, shining like gold. His hands were behind his back as he faced Grimm. "She escaped," Hans said as he stated an obvious answer.

Grimm was not amused. "How did she escape?" He tilted his head down at him, "She was under your supervision. She escaped under your eyes. Tell me, Hans, is this an act of betrayal?" Hans' blue eyes look ready to unleash a storm but he kept a leveled gaze.

"I gave you my oath," Hans answered.

Grimm looked unfazed by his commitment. "As did every demon and only after I lost my wings. I always gave you all the option to leave, to be free. Do you wish for life, Hans?" Suddenly the air became tense and engulfing. Silently they communicated a story they have lived before. Grimm was more guarded than ever, and Hans showed a hint of hurt. But he erased all emotion as he stood straighter. It seemed like a complicated friendship.

One look at Grimm and Hans and anyone could tell if they were ever parted it would be the result of death. It didn't matter if Grimm was the King and Hans was his loyal demon, the bond between them was deeper than friendship. Stronger than blood. Dilara and I could make fun of Hans all we want but Hans understood Grimm without having him speak. Although, I doubted either of them would admit what they were to themselves.

"I wish for nothing—"

"I expect nothing less from The Honorable Hans." A woman's voice reaches them like a sharp blade. Hans and Grimm swiftly turn their gaze toward the older woman with gray streaks in her hair. She walks lazily as if she were giving herself up but her eyes declare victory.

There she was, the same woman who helped me get dressed and gave me a bit of encouragement. You're The Vengeful Queen, not The Queen of Tears. She called Hans by his title but she seemed to know them more than by their titles. "He would choose death if he could." She turned her gaze to Grimm and bowed. "Your Majesty, forgive him. Demons are best known for torturing, they're direct and unforgiving. He is not well-acquainted with tricksters."

Malice curled around Grimm's mouth. "I know what demons are. I know what trickers are. There is no need to be formal. I know where your loyalties lie." Hans took a step but Grimm raised his hand, and he took a step back.

The old woman lifted her head and settled with a smile of her own, full of disdain. "Then I should give you my honesty today. You'll never have her. You can pretend all you want that she is yours but you must certainly feel every time she is in your arms or standing in front of you that she is unreachable. She'll leave you for another or maybe she'll disappear." She meets Death's stare. "She is the one thing you can't have."

Grimm's smirk became a snarl. "I don't wish to possess her."

She did not back down, she kept her head high. "What is the difference between possession and power? What do you know of the difference? Look at yourself, boy. The Fallen god. The Chained god. Barely a man." The blackened veins slowly began to show and pulse around Grimm's neck. She continued to taunt him, "You were not born, you were made. And Fate wields you like a puppet on a string. You know only how to make sense of what you are told and take action. You know nothing of love and grief. You—"

"I see you have been told half a story and full of lies." He swallows, painfully as he tries to regain control over his body.

She takes a step toward him, almost daring him. "Tell me, boy, did you not kill your brother? Did you not kill your mother's firstborn?" Grimm's body goes rigid and shock takes over my body. I wait for him to deny it but he is quiet, trapped quiet. "What a heartbreaking tragedy. Maybe the gods aren't different from us at all. The loss of a child is an infinite pain. Do you believe your mother would give you this opportunity after all you have committed?"

And there is a type of horror in Grimm's eyes, the kind of a little boy who knows their mother will never love him. He chokes on this vivid feeling as the darkness obscures his face. He shelters himself beneath his power, making himself look fearful and he achieves it.

The older woman takes a step back and so does Hans.

His voice comes out cold and distant. "Every time I think about my brother, the shadows like to remind me of what I am capable of. I'm sure you have heard the stories surrounding my brother's death. It intrigues all of the dead." 

He summoned a gulf of shadow in his palm, slithering like smoke. "Everything you heard is true. Except, most don't know that I used to call the light until the day my brother murdered my wings. He gave me this new power and died from it. Ceasing from existence. His soul purged. My siblings haven't visited me since that day. They're afraid I'll kill them." He shrugged. "I suppose one day I might. Maybe I'll be able to relish it this time."

The old woman looked appalled. "Fate let you out." It wasn't an accusation but a fact. "Next time my mother pays you a visit, tell her I'll kill her second favorite child." Grimm released a breath as the darkness removed itself from his face and left his palm. He looked over at Hans and commanded. "Get her out of my sight."

Hans advanced and just as he did, the door swung open revealing Ivy and the same demon who came by for my progress on Grimm's wings. With little talking, their eyes settled on Hans and the old woman. Ivy did not hesitate as she moved to the old woman and grabbed her by the arm.

"Hello, Poison." Ivy inhaled sharply. The old woman settled for a smile. "That's what she called you, remember? Do you remember her, Your Majesty?" Everyone froze. Who was she talking about? Triumph returned to the old woman's features.

"I wonder if when you look at her...do you see her?" He knew exactly who she was talking about, it was written all over his face. Did I look like someone he knew? Was it someone he cared about? Or someone he loved? I hope I didn't.

Grimm lifted his chin and did not break contact. "I only see Nora Del Luna. There is no one else but her. I know I could never have her. I'll stand by her side until she no longer needs me." He showed defiance despite the wretched truth. Rightfully so, my heart flutters.

The old woman closes her eyes as she says, "Another name. Another woman. The same cursed story." She opened her eyes, her opinion still the same. "End this suffering. If you keep being at her side you'll only hurt each other more. Fate will not give you what you want." Ivy turned her away and began to walk her but she had one more thing left to say to Death.

"Make her see through this world." She gave him a pleading look.

I want to step out of the dark but I can't because like most secrets they must stay in the dark. And I was not ready to uncover this one. "She'll be glorious," Grimm promised and the old woman looked ahead as if she was going into exile. She was a confusing and complicated woman. 

She had spoken for Grimm like a loyal demon in front of the souls when Maggie asked about the Restless in Dark Paradise. Maybe this was all an act. She did call herself a trickster. She had escaped the lands of the dead by Fate's hand. I didn't know if anything she said was the truth but why did my heart pang at her goodbye? Why does she care about me?

I felt a bit guilty for eavesdropping on their conversation but they were partially talking about me. But Grimm did reveal it was his brother who severed his wings and he killed him. Out of everything Grimm had said, I believed him he had done that. I recall him saying that they took his wings because he didn't want to give someone back. Exactly who did Grimm not want to give back? There was still much he was hiding and didn't want to say. 

After all this time, he kept himself a mystery. He no longer required my presence to deliver messages from the dead to the living. He stopped pursuing his wings and wasn't as persistent about them as before. The demon he sent was a ruse of interest. What was going on with him?

I looked at him from my hidden spot. Grimm tugged on his bow, stretching his neck and flexing his hands. "Should I ask Ivy to bring your gloves?" Hans asked him discreetly. I almost didn't catch it.

"No, I'm fine." Grimm lied.

He looked like he needed a breath of fresh air or a distraction. Perhaps, Grimm needed this night just as much as I did. To be anything but himself for one night. However, Hans does not let it go. "Your power is getting harder to control and it's gotten stronger ever since you met her." I knew something was going on with Grimm's power ever since the time I got kidnapped and called him, the way he unleashed his power onto those witches and warlocks. The aftermath of that accident had made it difficult for him to get rid of his shadows.

I thought he had control, but maybe he had no control since it was never his power to command. Did he summon light before? That one had to be a lie.

"Hans," Grimm warned.

"I don't wish for an accident to happen." The demon worried.

He soothed the temples of his forehead as he considered it but he made his decision. "No, I'll take care of it. Leave it alone." Grimm's whole demeanor changed into cool ease. "Now, what is taking them so long? All of the food will be gone by the time we get there." He slipped back into his smirk and nonchalant manner.

I looked down at the rabbit near my foot, he hopped away. I squared my shoulders and prepared myself. I made soft noises with my heels as if I had been walking down the hall this instant. I swiftly turned around the corner and began to descend from the staircase. Grimm, who sat on a lavishly large chair looking like an impatient king, had immediately turned his head and our gazes connected. He stood up and smoothed the lapels of his tux.

His eyes became starry and his lips widened like he was about to sin.

Yet, he appeared to be in disbelief. No words came out of his mouth. "Breathe, Grimm. Or else Hans will think I'm trying to kill you and I rather not be responsible for your death." I joked as my hand skimmed over the railing. While Hans became cautious, his piercing gaze followed every movement of my face and hands looking for any murderous signs.

Grimm caught himself and took a few strides. "You must've cast a spell on me, evil witch. At least let this poor dying man have one wish?" He stretched his hand out and I slid my hand into his cold palm. The shiver I felt came with familiarity.

He casually maneuvered his other hand on my back as he gently pulled me closer, whispering. "Kiss me before you kill me. I can forgive you if you do."

I raised a brow. "What if I don't want your forgiveness?"

"Well, lucky for you, I'm immune to death." I rolled my eyes. He sneaks a glance at my lips and goes on, "I will say you have put the stars and moon to shame. You're beautiful, raven." My gaze met his night sky eyes. How easy it is for him to be charming and handsome. So easy to believe any lie he would tell. I could kiss him, he was terribly close. His fingers were pressed into my waist and his cool breath fanned over my neck.

His nose brushes against mine. "You don't look so bad yourself." Surprisingly, my voice came out steadily.

"Mhm. We should work on your compliments. I have a couple of things in mind on how to help."

My heart continued to beat wildly. "And what do you have in mind?" Grimm lightly grazed his lips against mine—the sound of the vase shattering pulled us apart and moved our attention towards Hans stepping over broken glass. He looked out his place as his hands struggled to pick up the pieces. I frowned and looked over at the stairs and found the cause of Hans' distress. Dilara was standing at the top of the stairs in a red satin dress.

It was a sweetheart neckline with short sleeves. She wore deep rubies mixed in gold and her wavy hair was lusciously gleaming. She was a glowing ember. "Are you okay?" Dilara asked Hans.

He had picked up a few shards and snuck a glance at Dilara, he shook his head as a flush invaded his cheeks. He kept his head down as she walked down the stairs.

"I'm fine." He replied roughly.

I moved out of Grimm's grasp and met Dilara halfway but when I passed Hans, I let him know. "You're red and it's not coming from your eyes." He scowled further and I bit the inside of my cheek.

Dilara continued to be worried. "Is he alright?"

I waved it off. "He might break more glasses but I think it could be good for him." Dilara looked confused. "You're stunning. Let's enjoy ourselves tonight and see if Hans will show us another emotion."

The night has finally begun.