Swan Obsession

Note: This is a fairly long descriptive chapter, but I've always felt that describing places was my weaknesses, so I got really into it...


Gondolas glided effortlessly in the moat while upon the arched stone bridge above, glittering carriages pulled nobles and royalty alike up to the shining steps of Derek's palace. Twilight mingled with the glow of infinite lanterns so that the castle itself seemed to shine with magical light. The grey stone walls shone silver in the dark, flanked by thick flowering bushes. From the castle doors was a long crimson carpet that lined the glossy marble stairs, muffling the dainty steps of the lords and ladies that floated out from their carriages.

The sight was a confection for the sense; the air smelled of roses, spice and a gentle musk. All about were sprawling gowns of shining silks, satins, and sheer tulle, while the men wore dark shocks of velvet and crisp white linen. A gentle lilting of music caressed the ears of the guests, sounding soft over the quiet hum of conversation. Up the carpeted stairs and through the grand hall, there were hushed murmurs of awe at the exquisite gold-gilded walls, and paintings of mischievous cherubs on the domed ceiling. Intricate scenes began to appear upon the walls upon closer inspection, and the carved images were delicate, shining with an aura of golden light.

As the guests made their way through the grand hall, they passed through a pair of massive oak doors upon which a pattern of vines and flowers curled, gilded gold like the walls. Yet the sight that greeted them past the doors was beautiful beyond all they had seen thus far.

The chamberlain announced the names of the nobility and royalty that passed through the doors and into the massive ballroom. Years of control were the only things that kept the guests from entering the room with their mouths agape at the sight. Derek's mother had spared no small expense to ensure that this night would be on the minds of the guests for the rest of their lives. Taxing all the citizens of her kingdom up to their necks so that her dearest son could have this one night was surely worth it.

Walking into the royal ballroom was like walking into a rainbow to find the Garden of Eden on the other side. The tall clear windows had all been replaced with exquisite stained glass and draped with a deep dreen velvet damask. The marble floor was a stark white, veined with pale soft green, though partially covered in the crimson carpeting at the edges where guests stood to watch the dancing. Columns rounded the room, each carved to depict a lush array of flowers and birds. And most remarkable of all were the seven chandiliers that fell like fragile raindrops from the sky painted ceiling. Each were made entirely of precious gems, one for every colour of the rainbow, and the light danced off them so that the room seem to shimmer with faerie dust. The colourful nobles below appeared as flowers in the garden.

As guests walked down the curved staircase to the ballroom floor, they were greeted personally by Prince Derek, who never failed to maintain the demeanour of a gallent royal when his mother was watching. He found it easier to play the part today, knowing that Odette was coming. Her words continued to echo in his mind: "I must give myself to you freely..." Though he found that he couldn't remember the second part of what she said. A predatory grin appeared on his face, and he found himself looking up towards the oak doors, awaiting her entrance. Fewer and fewer guests were arriving, and finally the chamberlain closed the massive regal doors. Where was she, he wondered, suddenly filled with a sense of doubt, and disappointment. His mother gazed at him with hope and anticipation, as though mentally willing him to choose a bride. He smiled weakly at her, and gave a quick glance around the ballroom, as though trying to appease her.

Suddenly, there was a firm knock on the door, loud enough to send the ballroom into a surprised hush. The Queen gasped and with a quiet hiss at the chamberlain, asked "all who were invited were present, are they not?" It was a rhetorical question, and the chamberlain began to quail in fear, hoping he wouldn't lose his head over this. Derek's mother was known for demanding perfection. The knock came again, as sure as before, and Derek's mother cried "Open it!" her voice both brimming with anticipation, and dismay that her event was disrupted.

Gingerly, the chamberlain pulled the heavy doors open, and the most beautiful sight of the evening glided in. Draped in midnight black, the image of Odette entered, her hair crowning her like a golden aura. The dress hugged her curves so closely that her perfect hourglass silouette sent shockwaves of lust through all the men in the crowd. Yet her mysterious violet eyes rested upon only Prince Derek, and seemed to hold a secret promise. As she floated down the curved stair case, the guests parted to make way for her, helpless to the spell created by her beauty. The Queen could only murmur incoherent words of disbelief, recognizing and yet not recognizing the golden beauty.

Odette's exquisite double flowed towards Derek, and stopped before him, smiling mysteriously. The inviting look in her eyes, and the soft curves of her body set his loins afire, and he felt himself becoming hard. Reaching his hand out towards her, he pulled her in, holding her so close that she could feel the bulge of his shaft pressing against her abdomen. The smile upon her lips never faltered. He began to sway her gently to the waltz that he did not even hear, and her words drifted through his mind again. She would give herself freely.

It seemed like an infinite amount of time had passed, when Derek decided he had had enough. Ignoring his mother and everyone around him, he grasped Odette's lookalike by the hand and pulled her outside with him to the massive balcony adjoining the ballroom. The guests could only gape in awe and confusion, wondering at the erratic behaviour of the prince. The orchestra faltered momentarily, but the music returned, and everyone could only act as though nothing had happened.

Dashing down the stone balcony stairs with his prize still in tow, he entered the garden, past the rhododendrons and rose bushes and made his way towards the hedge maze. Odette's double glided along, light as air, easily keeping up with his frantic pace. They turned a sharp left, and then right, until she lost track of how many turns they had made. Derek then stopped suddenly and released her hand. There was only a split second of pause before he swept her off her feet, and she felt herself being laid down upon a large stone bench. It was cold to the touch, and hardly comfortable, but all Odette's copy noticed was the hungry look in Derek's eyes.

His rough and clumsy hands reached out and squeezed her breasts, groping and kneading them, before pulling the fabric down so he could feel her warm skin. A groan escaped his lips, and he bent down, eagerly suckling her breasts with noisy vigour. Odette's double could only gasp, as her chest rose and fell with anticipation. Though the maiden looked like Odette, and moved like Odette, Bridget's mind still remained within, and all Bridget could think was that she could not remember the last time she even had a man. Overcome with lust, Bridget ceased thinking and let her instincts take over.