Swan Obsession

Derek had returned to the ballroom with his Odette double, hoping that he looked as polished as he had when he departed. His guests eyes were upon him and the beautiful woman that lightly held on to his arm. Stopping at the heart of the ballroom, he cleared his throat.

"I want to make an announcement," he declared, his eyes sweeping across the room. "Kings and Queens; Ladies and Gentlemen; Mother." He smiled at the Queen whose eyes shone with joyous tears.

"Today, I have found my bride," he continued as the room went up in cheers and applause. "I present her to you as the future queen of our fair kingdom. And as proof of my love for her, I make a vow to break all vows." He smiled indulgently at the violet eyes that gazed at at him worshipfully.

"A vow stronger than all the powers of the earth!" Derek said, his voice growing stronger. "Before you, and before the whole world, I make a vow of everlasting love to Odette." The cries of the crowd were jubilant and merry, but their happiness was quickly cut short as the lanterns of the ballroom were suddenly extinguished.

With a thunderous clang, the stained glass windows shattered, and the doors flew open, admitting gales of sharp cold wind. Ladies fainted in fear and confusion, and there was a murmur of fear that swept through the room. The Odette lookalike was surrounded by a cloud of smoke, and as the crowd turned to look at her, bewildered by what was happening.

Bridget could feel her body change and shift, contorting in some places, whilst shrinking in others. She knew that her short moment of glory had passed. As the misty smoke around her began to drift away, she looked up sheepishly at the shocked face of Prince Derek. With an embarrassed shrug of her sholders, she said, "Well, you were fun at least." The compliment did nothing to ease his rage however, and Derek began to piece together the trick that had been played upon him.

"Odette!" He cried, looking out the doors and into the moonlit distance. Without a second thought, he dashed from the ballroom towards the castle stables. Grabbing the first horse from it's stall, he climbed upon it, and galloped off into the darkness.

Watching his silhouette disappear, Bridget could only wonder whether Derek really had feelings for Odette, or if, in his rage, he was out to seek revenge. A slow smile curled upon her lips as she thought back to his lusty young body, and she couldn't help but hope that she could have him again.

Remembering where she was, Bridget looked around to see that all eyes were still on her. Even the castle servants had not ventured out to begin cleaning the mess of broken glass, instruments and splattered hor d'ourves.

"Hmm..." she began nervously, "... Does anyone have a carriage I can borrow to get home?"