"Forever"

It was beautiful. A large ruby set in a golden nest, with the thinnest of gold chain. He had found it laying on the ground from one of his expeditions into a forgotten land. Beneath the dirt and mud it shined with torch light, in his face. It was perfect for her! The tavern girl with thick red hair and green eyes! He knew it was a gift that would show his love for the tavern girl. Such a large ruby so exquisitely cut there surely was no other equal to its craftsmanship in all the world. 

He rode back for the next few days and nights. Back to her, the one sole thought on his mind. At night he looked at its beauty, cleaning it, washing it, until it was perfect. Through the marsh and forest he rode, resting at night and riding through the countryside. The soft rolling hills and wheat fields until at last he saw the small village in the distance. Breaking into a hard gallop getting to the inn and dying in her arms holding the symbol of love to her. 

She looked down at him with tears. He looked like near death as she cradled him. Sunken eyes pale skin and he smelled like he didn't wash in weeks. Still she paid for the marker so that he may rest. His belongings now hers squirreled away in her small room above the tavern. Except the ruby necklace she wore around her neck tucked away in her ample cleavage. She never took it off for her love of the adventurer that loved her in turn. Days into weeks and weeks into months until she put on one of her dresses only to discover she no longer fit into them. The top was too small and the waist too large. She had them altered. To her surprise when more patrons started to notice the freckled girl as she worked. Her tips became greater and her patrons many! Soon it was as if the village had doubled in size and they all wanted to see her! The girl with the red hair. 

At first she smiled and was polite. Polite grew into flirting and flirting grew into fights over her. Not long after there was blood in the streets. Duels for her honor, and fights almost every night! And the gifts, gifts grew more an more lavish! Men willing to leave their wives and children. Some women wanting to help her wash or stay warm. They made a reputation for the most beautiful bar maiden in the kingdom and word quickly spread. The girl was soon asked to be married by the wealthy and powerful! She was to be a prize worth her weight in gold and jewels! Her lips full her eyes shined like the pale jade. They all wanted her favor.

The word reached the prince and he rode out to meet this common girl. A carriage and platoon of knights arrived in the village turned town in the middle of the country. Soon the prince walked into the tavern and looked for the girl. The owner said she slept and was not to be disturbed till her shift. The prince asked to have her brought down, The tavern master refused. The prince ordered the knights to fetch her. The tavern master was adamant. As the knights approached the burly man blocked them only to have the other patrons stand as well ready to assist. The prince laughed and ordered food for he and his men. They waited. 

As the sun set she walked down the stairs and the tavern became dead silent. As she lifted her hand to wave they all smiled at her. She wore her hair up and a simple corset with a tattered skirt ending at her knees. The knights stood as she came off the last step. Her face that of the love of the gods shining over them. The prince clapped and stood. "Truely you are a creature of beauty without equal. You shall ride with me to the heart of the kingdom and let me introduce you to the world." 

The towns people stood up ready to fight, ready to die. She with a simple gesture had them all seat without using a word. "My prince I can not. This is my home. How may I serve you something to eat?" 

He smirked. "My good woman this is a decree from the prince of these lands. You will get your things for travel and accompany me to the kingdom to be introduced to my father the king." The tavern patrons stood up from their seats. The knights looked at the prince. 

"You'll not be taking her anywhere without her consent." A man said from the crowd. "It'll be the day you rob us of the towns treasury." Said another. One man left out the door and there was a commotion outside. 

The lady slightly raised her fingers to gain the room and instantly the townspeople were silent. Looking at her like obedient animals. "I will go. I do not want bloodshed in this town. My patrons I shall return." A few of the serving girls followed her up and gathered a bag for her things. They left that evening with a town full of mourning spectators watching on. Tears in their eyes as the carriage rolled out of sight. More than a few of them ran to the edge of town trying to keep up.

A few days travel and she was within the kingdom walls. The stone castle the silent streets and the sound of wooden wheels on cobble stones. The closing of the portcullis behind her sealing all of them within. Exiting the carriage she looked around and sighed. The maidens were ready to attend to her needs as she was to dine with royalty. Dressed in a gown of gold she sat at the table. The knights aligning the walls all gave silent signals. She ate only the tenderest of pheasant. Drank the sweetest of wines as they barely talked in her presence. More looks from both king and queen at the town beauty. The prince smiling at his find. She would do for a night or two but then it would be back to the town for the next girl to find, or so he thought.

The red haired girl retired only after a few bites of food and a goblet of wine. The maids all a whispering hum of conversation to one another. They followed hr to the room and helped her to bed. In the morning the kingdom was a buzz with the sounds and smells of people and food. She was summoned to which the maiden relayed she was still tired from her journey and wanted to rest. The prince insistent that she come down was quickly over ruled by the king and queen. They waited half the day then almost near dusk she appeared. Her hair down in the most stylish of braids. A white corset top with pale vanilla skirt trailing behind her. A slight bow of her head as she stood there. Both king and queen now wore smiles of satisfaction. The prince a scowl of inpatients. "You summoned me my king, my queen."

"Yes, my only son is fond of you as is all who gaze upon the pale rose such as you." Said the king. "Truly the word of your beauty has only been understated. Though not of royal blood it would very much please the queen and I for to to stay an get to know my son."

"If it pleases my king then I shall do as you ask." 

The king smiled. and soon the word was among the street venders and people that the price had a commoner among them. Rumor spread and days went by to a fortnight. The prince was no closer to her than he started. He filled his bed with servents and hand maidens. Spending his time trying to order her to his side. The king would just smile and allow the girl with pale skin and red hair to do as she pleased. The prince grew ever tired of trying to catch her. Luring her to parts of the castle rarely used only to find a group of guards there almost waiting for them. 

One night the prince snuck to her chamber door. There was light inside and soft laughter. He looked through the key hole to see the king and queen sitting with the peasant girl talking. The young prince was furious! Had he been the fool?! The following day he demanded she be returned to the gutter. The king and queen smiled at each other then at him. "The lady will stay for as long as she desires." The king spoke in a calm tone. 

The prince impatient. "Are you mad?! She is a commoner! A commoner! She has not ties to this or any other kingdom. She can offer our kingdom nothing!" 

With a nod the king had two knights seize the prince. "You will not speak to her in such a disrespectful tone." The knights carried the young prince off to the lowest dungeon there was and locked him away. The two knights stood by the cell bars broke the key off inside the lock. before leaving with the only torch for light. In the cell there was no bed no window. Only a small flea infested thatch of straw for a bed. The prince screamed and cried as they left him in the dark.

Time passed. A light appeared in the darkness. A cloaked shadow came closer and closer. "Mother, I knew you would not abandon me. Free me and I'll give you everything. I...." The pale hands rose from her sides to remove the hood from her head.

"It is not your mother. She died from the fever. Then your father married me in his grief. However he to was struck by the sickness that took your mother. Now a widow, I rule alone. You my dear prince were not fond of by the people. They didn't require an explanation." She smiled. "You my dear prince are the last soul for my collection. Rejoice that you will bring much joy to me in the coming days as the sacrifice to power the rite of summoning." Slowly her body changed under the cloak. Her back became a twisted hump. Her teeth fangs as she hissed. "My dear prince. Too long has it been since I feed on so many." The cloak falling to the floor to reveal the horror within, and even with all the warnings and the tail whipping behind her naked form, she was beautiful beyond words! Between her perfect breasts was the ruby nestled in golden lace shining with a brilliance of a thousand damned souls.