I barely make it out of my dress before the transformation overtakes me in the courtyard. My monster was biting and scratching to be released, and I ignored it; now, I'm paying in full.

Stupid. I should have listened to Kalvar.

My bones break as I transform, and the pain sears through my back and into my legs. Tears spring from my eyes, and I grit my teeth. I imagine my cries of misery sound like a woman going through labor pains to anyone within hearing distance. Hopefully, the music is loud enough in the great hall, and I'm far enough away that no one can hear.

If I had given in earlier, this transformation wouldn't be painful. It would be quick and sweet, like slipping into clothes. I hate my Curse. It separates me from everyone else.

Finally, the transformation is complete. I shake my new body, rattling my wings and stretching my limbs. I take up most of the courtyard now, and I cautiously step over the fountain I'm so fond of as I slither over the wall and up onto the rooftops to get away from the party. I'm not as immense as my father is in Cursed form, but I'm told I'm still pretty darn scary.

While in beast form, my needs and desires are instinctual.

I'm hungry.

A transformation is exhausting to go through.

I evacuate the palace premises in flight before any of the guests see me.

I'll catch a deer and eat it, then I'll get back to the party.

I imagine I'm not going to be returning in time to dance with that handsome stranger, Rift. In all likelihood, he doesn't know about my special condition I'd hidden away from the view of others and that's why he'd asked me to dance.

Still... there is something about him I can't shake.

Perhaps it is that I'm attracted to him and wistfully thinking, but the way he gazed upon me was like I was the only woman in the room.

*

The deer is an easy catch and quick meal, I devour it down to its bones. Father had taught me not to think too much about this animalistic way of eating. Raw meat and bones don't hurt me like it would a regular human.

I lick my lips clean of blood and a deep purr settles in my throat. The beast is satisfied.

I've settled down on a hill overlooking the palace. The view is breathtaking, and a filmy mist has settled on the valley the palace in Underland City rests in.

I could paint a pretty picture from here, I muse, but first, I need to go back to the party and see if I can't have my first dance with a partner who isn't doing it out of obligation my title.

I spread my wings and return to the party, swooping back into the courtyard and shrinking into my human form as I do so. I pull up my underwear, and then pick up my dress, taking some time to smooth out the wrinkles from the hasty way I'd thrown it aside. I'd better hurry to get it on. It had been not very smart to have taken it off in such a public place.

"I was wondering where you'd wandered off to," a familiar voice says from behind me.

With a scream, I whirl around crossing my arms over my chest to cover my breasts. I know my eyes are glowing red from the scare, and likely my face is the same shade from embarrassment.

Here I am, naked, save the underwear I'd managed to pull on, and the handsome Rift is in the courtyard with me.

Great, one chance I get to dance with a guy, and fate deals me this hand.

"I like your wings," Rift says, "you shouldn't hide them under your clothes."

"You—you do?" my voice squeaks, and something inside me dances at those words

Rift turns around, "Go ahead and put your dress back on, I'm sorry for walking in on you."

"Thanks," I murmur, and hurriedly pull my dress up over my head and tuck my wings tight against my back so they don't show in the dress. "Okay, I'm decent now."

Rift turns around and smiles, he approaches me and squints at something on my face. "You've got blood on your chin."

Oh!

I gasp. I've never been more mortified.

Could this night get any more embarrassing?

My fingers go to my chin and rapidly swipe.

"Did I get it?" I ask, hopefully.

"I've got it," Rift says, his eyes flickering with playfulness. He licks his thumb and presses it over my chin, swiping over it a couple of times. The action feels more intimate than it should, and our eyes lock for a moment. His touch is gentle and I kick myself for being a little turned on by it.

"Do you always eat your meat raw?" Rift asks, having finished clearing my face of blood.

"Is that gross?" I ask, furrowing my brow in confused concern. I'm not sure if he's teasing me or disgusted.

"I still want to dance with you, does that answer your question?" Rift says with a nonchalant shrug, and extends a hand to me.

"We can't hear the music out here," I say.

"Do you want to go back into the great hall?" he asks.

"Who are you?" I ask, unable to help a giggle. Okay, this guy is handsome, charming, and non-judgmental. Is he even real?

"I told you already. My name is Rift," he says, cocking an eyebrow and grinning in mischievous challenge.

I resist the urge to give him a shove at his stubbornness. "I mean, where are you from, and why haven't I met you before?"

"I'm from Erlund, the son of a lord," Rift explains, "this is my first time in the southern lands. We were invited because your brother is marrying our princess."

"Ah," I say, "well, Lord Rift, shall we dance then?"

"Of course," Rift says, "It would be my pleasure."

I flush and take Rift's hand in my own, letting him lead me back inside the great hall. Once inside, we sneak in amidst the dancers. Rift settles a hand on my waist, and I rest my hand on his shoulder.

Good thing I've taken dancing lessons since forever, because I'm finally doing something right in front of this man! Rift appears to have had some schooling in the art of dance as well, because we swing and sway perfectly in rhythm to the lovely traditional Underland melody the musicians are playing.

As we dance I'm almost afraid to look up at my handsome dancing partner. It's unfortunate this is a one time thing. Rift will most likely need to return to the north after tonight, and all I'll have is this memory. A moment I had something romantic, albeit an embarrassing romantic something, with a handsome man.

"What are you thinking, Princess?" Rift asks me, his voice soft and thoughtful.

"I was thinking how much I wish you hadn't caught me half-naked in the courtyard. I'm embarrassed," I admit.

"Really? Because I was thinking how glad I am that I caught you half-naked in the courtyard," Rift whispers into my ear.

I laugh and gape a moment at him. "Sir, you make me question your morals!"

"Good," Rift says with a self-satisfied smile.

A shiver runs through me, this stranger intrigues me, and the act of flirting is a new things for me. I look up to study his features trying to decipher if he's serious or not.

Rift laughs, "Don't worry, Princess. I'm a gentleman. I shall take your secret to the grave."

"Well, that's good!" I say with a nervous laugh, "The last thing I need is rumors circulating of me naked in the courtyard while alone with a man."

The music ends and Rift takes me to the table with drinks and has a server pour us some wine. "Why aren't the men lining up to dance with you?" Rift asks. "They're a bunch of idiots."

"A bunch of cowards," I mutter, taking a sip of wine. "In case you didn't know, Rift, I'm a Cursed."

"Really? No!" Sarcasm oozes from his voice. "I'd have never guessed. I thought a pair of delightful dragon wings decorated all human women."

I give him a shove while also blushing. "You're messed up."

"You have no idea." Rift smiles another secret kind of smile and takes a sip of his wine. He gazes out at the partygoers, and his light-hearted face dissipates when something catches his eye. He turns to me and kisses my hand. "I'm sorry to leave you, Princess, but I'm sure we shall see one another again."

"Well, if that is the case, next time you can call me Kyla," I say, "All this 'princess' stuff is making me uncomfortable."

"I'll be sure to, Princess," Rift says, kissing my hand and giving me an impish grin. He bows to me and walks into the group.

I sigh as I watch him stride out of sight into the crowd, and my stomach is full of butterflies. I do hope I see him again.

I really do.

"Handsome devil, isn't he?" Elle interrupts my fanciful thoughts. "Who is he anyway?"

My sister-in-law stands next to me.

"Rift of Erlund. He's the son of a lord visiting because of Kal's marriage to Sylvia," I explain.

"That's weird," Elle says.

"What do you mean?"

"No one from Erlund is supposed to arrive until next week."