Chapter One

Paradox's eyes followed his wife's movements behind a pillar, every time she moved he moved further back, hiding behind the next pillar. Her deep-copper curled hair bounced with each spin she did in the hand of another. She hopped from one person to the next, anyone she bumped into next that would dance, even if the music hadn't changed. It felt like she had been dancing for hours now. He would have joined if his anxiety would quit creeping upon him. He glanced at the sky from the large windows for a hint of time with there not being a single clock in the room. Let alone a watch, well not one he owned. And he simply couldn't go up to someone and ask, that would pull himself into unnecessary conversation. Lost in his thoughts he had lost sight of his wife, again. This entire afternoon he always managed to lose sight of her if he was not practically chained up to her side. And when he didn't see her she would suddenly turn up at his side once more.

"You're acting strange, but I suppose you always are." Angelika stepped up behind him, trying to slither her arm around his.

He twirled the other way just in time. "Perhaps I need a drink- EYUK!"

She yanked him back by the collar of his garnet cloak. "You've had plenty of empty glasses, I need you with me tonight." She released him, rolling her eyes before doing a quick glance around at the guests. "You haven't even danced, let alone with me. Married for a week and already trying to run away." 

"Better now than later." He muttered, rubbing his neck as he took a peek at the sky, the bright pink-orange was beginning to murk into purple. 

She whipped around, her jade eyes boring down into his plum ones. He shrunk under her gaze giving a wavering smile.

"This is business."

So was this marriage.

"I understand." He nodded solemnly but she leaned in closer, her hands beginning to twist the sides of her hunter-green dress.

"I don't think you do. You couldn't even give me a proper honeymoon. Now you're trying to skip out on this gathering." 

She knew, it seemed the thought of him just having the lack of participation didn't cross her mind.

"Dear, I suggested we do it earlier but you won't lis-"

"Dottie dear," Her tone was sweetly sickening as she adjusted the ribbon around her upsweep bun. "I could care less of what your excuse is. I just want you to compromise for me. At least once. Just this-"

"I promise," He grabbed her hands and squeezed, she returned it with a flicker in her eyes. His eyes began to wander some from hers, from the corner of his eye he saw the sky swirling with more violet. "But not tonight." He breathed out before yanking away from her.

He made a run for it.

He knew she would have screamed after him if it weren't for the audience. Losing her patience with him would be a winning game for her if it weren't for these circumstances. 

If there was a storm he had to bear with from her it would have to be dealt with later. Better yet, maybe this could be the last straw for her. And he could be free, for some time until complications came again. He couldn't run away from his responsibilities forever, not like he was exactly trying to. But right now he had more urgent matters to attend to.

Every time he just had to hope that no one catches him. He could check around all he wanted but there was always a possibility he would not notice someone watching or nearby. Still, he tried to be cautious. Especially with him stripping to the complete nude.

His sprinting had shifted to him dragging his feet as he entered the forest, while his body shook and ached. It felt prickly everywhere and like nails were being hammered all over him until-

Release. 

For a moment. 

Cracking noises filled the air around him and making him lurch forward. He flung his clothes into the nearest tree as the pain increased, causing him to grip his own knees, digging his nails in and his teeth into his lip. Frankly, all horrible choices. His nails grew longer- sharper, shifting more into claws rather than nails. Some of his teeth wasted no time either to do the same. Thankfully the rest of his body was also following through with the process, otherwise, his lip and knees would have been done for. Still, the stretching and whole transition was just as agonizing as before it, possibly worse but lasted far less.

He fell forward onto the ground, howling out softly while spreading his wings some before curling them back in.

The cool nights started to heat up some, winter was coming to end and spring was near- practically here. Meaning the fur coat wasn't needed, but until it shed off he would just have to suck it up. 

Despite the shade, he was able to have with all the trees, it wasn't enough to fully cool him down. But he could deal with it until midnight, then he could lay in his queen-sized bed. That once was practically hidden by pillows until Angelika arrived and took up half the space. And got rid of any that wouldn't be going under or behind their heads. 

He closed his eyes with a sigh as he attempted to lay down comfortably on the grass. He still couldn't get over its thorny, cool feeling. Not to mention all the creatures crawling in it and possibly on him! They may have both been creatures but doesn't mean he wanted them all over him.

He extracted his wings and curved them around himself for some protection. There was not much he could do without running the risk of getting caught. Otherwise, he would keep moving forward to get further away from civilization. But the walk back as human would be dreadful. Not to mention worrying his parents, especially his mother. Angelika may worry or could care less about his safety but more of his presence for his title. Nonetheless, this would be over in some hours, until then he hoped to get some shut-eye. And maybe, when he woke up this would be the last time he would endure this? Though that wish was just that, a wish he's had since he was four.

And if this curse hadn't gone then, why would it go now?

He squeezed his eyes shut with a grunt. The negative thoughts needed to cease. Blowing off steam would help. Possibly even going to his parents. They were the only ones to know of this secret, so he didn't have to bear it completely alone. Still, he felt lonely. 

Lost.

All this thinking was tiring him out and his closed eyes relaxed along with the rest of his body. 

Perhaps a little faith couldn't hurt.