Chapter Text
As night fell Grian made his move. The carriage ride has been near silent, Mumbo across from him, his eyes nervously flicking back and forth. Grian understood why he was nervous. This was going to be their biggest job yet. Making a wealthy guy who ticked off the wrong people disappear was one thing. But making the king disappear? That was insane. Grian sighed softly praying to Them all the gods that tonight went well. Ever since joining the resistance, Grian and Mumbo’s lives got a lot harder. And now there was this. Grian hoped tonight would mean everything would end.
The carriages drew to a slow roll, before halting altogether. Mumbo exited first, offering a hand to Grian. He graciously accepted, for he would have probably struggled stepping down from the carriage in the large petticoat he was wearing. Grian silently wondered how all of the noblewoman did it. His dress was extravagant by his standards, and it had taken months of planning to make it. “You need to look the part, Grian.” Ren said with a hint of menace in his tone implying what would happen if he didn’t agree. It was an enormous red ball gown with gold embellishments. The back of the dress scooped down to his lower back, leaving his wings free. He tucked them trying to not take up too much space. Puffy tulle was layered on the skirt, and his fingerless gloves were also tulle, reaching up past his elbow. Fake roses were sewn in all over the gown, cascading beauty. Real roses were arranged in a crown in his short blond hair. Almost prepared to go inside, Grian held out his hand impatiently. Mumbo obliged silently handing Grian a gold masquerade mask that would cover the upper portion of his face. Mumbo had described Grian as unrecognizable the first time he had put everything on, including accesories. Now ready, Grian let Mumbo escort him inside.
“Remember the plan,” Mumbo muttered softly, quickly adjusting his tie before he continued, “Find the king, kill him, get the fuck out.” Grian hoped it would be that easy. And of course he knew the plan by now. It had been drilled into his head fifty times a day for the last four months. He could do this. Mumbo would be waiting outside with the carriage, ready for a quick getaway. “I’ll see you after the mission” Grian spoke softly, an unintentional air of sorrow in his voice. Mumbo nodded and turned away swiftly. Grian was now alone in a ballroom filled with people. He was scared, he didn’t belong here, with the rich and the nobles. Get in, kill him, get out. Grian repeated the mantra to himself as he crossed the room to a table filled with food and drinks. He glanced over the table for something alcoholic, before grabbing a glass of champagne. He was at least going to have some fun before making history.
It had been half an hour since Grian’s arrival to the castle. No sign of the king yet. Grian had gone back to the drink table more times than he could count. He was bored. But then Grian started to worry. Sure there were two more nights to the ball, but, Ren wouldn’t be happy with him. He had wanted the job done as soon as possible. Starting to feel anxiety creeping in about how bad failing this mission would be, Grian quickly made his way to a balcony. It made him sick. Or maybe he had just drunk too much. He hadn’t realized how cramped and stuffy it had been in that room. He let his wings hang looser on his back, with no one else on the balcony he had plenty of room. He sighed. And then suddenly there was somebody else on the balcony. Snapping his wings tightly against his back he turned his head to look at the newcomer. They were in a dashing green and gold suit. Their tan skin was beautiful and the scars that could be seen around their mask glowed in the moonlight. Green dazzling eyes reflected the stars. Fuck. Emerald eyes and scars? Sure Ren was a shit leader sometimes, but he did provide with a description of who he was going to kill. And even though Grian was drunk, he wasn’t a complete idiot. Grian’s breath hitched and the king noticed him staring.
“Oh how rude of me, I’m Scar” he said with a small smile. He seemed welcoming enough. But Grian knew the truth. And so he curtly nodded to the king. “I’m Xelqua” he introduced himself with an alias he occasionally used, just barely keeping his words from slurring. Grian then noticed the king…Scar, was offering Grian his hand. “May I have this dance?” Scar questioned. Grian hesitated, his two brain cells fighting each other. On the one hand this may be his ticket to getting close enough to kill the king. On the other he might get emotionally attached. That had only ever happened once and it was a long time ago, so he shook off that thought.
“Of course, my king”
And so Grian let Scar lead him back to the dance floor. There was slow music playing, a violin playing softly melding sweetly with the sounds of a piano. The violinist and pianist were in perfect sync and so were Scar and Grian. Grian let Scar lead, letting him twirl Grian around, making their way across the floor, careful not to run into other guests. He really hoped he wouldn’t puke. Grian hazily focused on the king’s face, his eyes were truly like emeralds, glittering. Grian could feel the king’s breath as they danced, peaceful and rushed at the same time. Swaying back and forth, it was intimate, and it was exhilarating. Each not knowing what the other truly looked like beneath their masks. Grian had never been close to a target like this before. And as all things that began, the dance ended. Fuck.
This wasn’t Grian’s first time with an extremely attractive target. There had been one named Taurtis. Seeing the life leave those sparkling eyes had drained Grian for weeks.
Grian was an idiot. He hadn’t gotten just a little tipsy, he’d gotten full on drunk. He stumbled a bit when Scar let go of him. Grian hoped the king didn’t notice. But of course he did. Because Grian was an idiot and now there were consequences. “Are you drunk?” Scar asked, most likely already knowing the answer. Grian mumbled trying to shake his head no. Scar’s eyes widened ever so slightly in concern. Grian went to turn and walk away but there was a hand grasping his wrist, pulling him back. “Letmeh go!” Grian seethed, trying to break free from the king’s grasp. On his second attempt he succeeded. Grian stumbled away quickly, praying that the king would not follow him. Scar did not.
Mumbo was waiting outside. “What happened?” he asked quietly, knowing Grian was upset.
“I got absolutely shitfaced, obviously”
“Y’know Ren is gonna be pissed right?”
Grian sighed. Mumbo was right. But there were still two more nights to make this right. The ride back to the hideout was quieter than the ride to the castle. When he got back everybody was immediately questioning him. After he made a few snappish comments, they realized he was drunk and left him alone. He went to his room to change before his eventual summons to discuss the mission with Ren. In the short time he had, Grian changed out of the extravagant dress, first taking of his mask and gloves. Gently he started to take the roses out if his hair. And then he grabbed a red sweater from his closet and some plain jeans.
Ren was not pleased to say the least. The fist sized hole in the wall was enough to prove that. Grian was just glad the punch hadn’t been directed his way. Grian had been informed by Martyn that Ren wanted to see him. And so Grian walked to Ren’s office. As soon as he has opened the door, he had mumbled some excuse. And that had made Ren punch a wall. And then, before Grian could react, Ren had lunged just in front of him. He grabbed the collar of Grian’s sweater and pulled the shorter man close, quietly growling.
“You are really fucking lucky there’s still two days left of the ball. I can’t say I’m surprised that you fucked up this badly.” Ren practically snarled, his wolf ears pressed flat, his eyes narrowed to slits. Grian could swear he saw a purple sheen to Ren’s blood red eyes.
“Mm sorry…”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it. You need to do better. Or do you want to be in debt for the rest of your life?”
He had fucked up horribly. He had needed the money to get out. But of course he stole from the most bloodthirsty person in this world.