Raife: An Aquadomina Novel (5 page)

Raife paced outside the doors to The Chosen’s bedroom. He had been called
to duty as soon as they had found her floating in the water. The retrieval team
had brought her to the medical unit, where he was to take charge of her
protection. It was the moment his team had been training for. He may not have
been born in the same Kingdom as Garritt, Ramsey, Willem and Connor but they
were bound by duty now. His friends Stefan and Thomas would be here tomorrow
and they were to watch The Chosen at night.

He stopped in his pacing to stare at the double doors again. This Chosen
was nothing like he expected. From all accounts the last Chosen was rigid,
disciplined and without any warmth or mercy. Sophie as she called herself was none
of those things. She had laughed openly at Arbiter Ri’Carn, that pompous prick.
Then shockingly she had thought to warn against punishment for not only his
men, but Ri’Carn’s men as well. Why had she done that? Ri’Carn was a mean
little bastard, and would have taken his anger out on his men without a
moment’s hesitation.

The Chosen was certainly proving far more interesting than he had thought
she would. She had spirit he would give her that. Every time someone saluted or
bowed to her, she would go a strange shade of red. When The Three had said
The Chosen Consort,
he thought her head
was going to start spinning.

Walking over to the glass, he stared out over the grounds of Castrum.

“I thought you would be in here.” Garritt moved toward the glass to stand
by him. “Do you need me to watch The Chosen while you get something to eat?”

“No. I am fine for the night.” Raife smiled at Garritt. “What do you
think of her?” He turned back to look outside.

“She isn’t what I was expecting at all.” Garritt laughed, “When you
knocked that arrogant prick across the room I thought you were heading straight
for a cell.” Raife turned to Garritt, “Why did she do that Raife? Why did she
warn against retaliation for both sets of guards?”

“I don’t know Garritt.” Raife said softly. “I wish I did.”

“I saw the way you looked at her when you thought nobody was looking. In
the medical unit and on the Aquavi.” Garritt warned him. “You have something
you want to tell me?”

Raife stiffened. How had Garritt seen him watching The Chosen? He hadn’t
even realized he had done it until they were on the Aquavi and he was showing
her the controls of her seat. He
had
felt a strange pull to her when he had been holding her hand against the
console for PAC. Again at her seat, when he had stopped describing the controls
and realized she had been watching his face and not the buttons, he had locked
eyes with her and then it had hit him. It was her damn emerald colored eyes
that reminded him so much of his beloved Kingdom Three. Every time he looked at
her, he was sucked into those eyes. Her beautiful strawberry colored hair and
lush figure didn’t hurt either. Even in the lounge wear they had clothed her in
at medical hadn’t hidden her curves. None of the women, in any Kingdom had a
figure like that. Realizing Garritt was waiting for an answer he just sighed.

“No. There isn’t anything to tell. She is just a surprise that is all.”
He insisted and worried that Garritt would pick up on the fact that he was
protesting too much. His friend must have decided against arguing because much
to his relief he just moved off the topic.

“Why is this Chosen not acting like we were trained to expect?” Garritt
asked. “She isn’t bossy or demanding. She didn’t get angry when we dove under
the wall without telling her. She didn’t throw a fit when she couldn’t get the
doors open.” Garritt put a hand through his hair, “She isn’t acting anything
like she is supposed to.”

“I know.” Raife agreed, “She could be tired from the ordeal and will show
her true colors when she is well rested. We have our duty to see to. The
protection
of The Chosen is our only
priority.”

“I know what our priority is.” His friend slapped him on the shoulder,
“Do you?” With those parting words, Garritt moved away, leaving him to pace in
solitude.

“Chosen.” Sophie heard the whispered word float around the room. “Chosen.
It is time to wake up.” Sophie struggled to focus on what the person was
saying.

“Go away.” She mumbled. “I’m sleeping.”

“Chosen, your staff is waiting to meet you and begin their work day.” The
voice insisted.

What was he talking about? She didn’t have a staff…then it hit her and
she remembered where she was. “PAC can you please turn on the lights.” Slowly
sitting up she let her eyes focus as the room started to lighten.

“Where can I find—what?!”” Her question ended on a yell as she saw
standing at the foot of her bed the bent over form of a female. Her hand flew
to her chest and she instinctively pulled the cover up to her chin. Realizing
the poor girl was going to stay in that position until she said otherwise, she
hurried to tell her to stand up.

“You can stand up.” Sophie thought to add, “You don’t have to do that.”

“Yes, she does.” A male voice insisted from the other side of her bed.

Startled again, Sophie’s gaze swung that way and she saw Raife standing
there. “What are you doing in my bedroom?”

“I am tasked with guarding you. When others are here,” his hand swept
around her room, “then that includes in your personal space.” He told her in
that imperious voice she was beginning to dread. “You are to have protection at
all times.”

Sophie looked back at the girl standing there and apologized, “I’m sorry.
I didn’t ask your name?”

The girl looked from Raife, to her and finally answered, “I am Allie.”

Sophie looked back to Raife and raised her eyebrow, “You have to protect
me from Allie? What is she going to do…hold on—” Turning back to the girl she
asked, “I’m sorry but what is it that you do?”

The girl smiled at her and with a flourish picked up something off the
chest. “I am your personal stylist. I am responsible for making sure that your
hair, clothing and when the occasions call for it make-up, are prepared and
suitable for your daily obligations.” She was holding what appeared to be a
dress in her hands.

Before Allie could continue, Sophie turned back to Raife. “What do you
think Allie is going to do?
Style
me
to death?” He had just opened his mouth to answer when PAC broke in.

“I am sorry to interrupt.” The voice of the computer went around the
room, “The other staff members are waiting for you. They will not eat breakfast
until you arrive.”

“For the love of—” Sophie was at a loss for words. She moved her hands to
rub her eyes as the blood started pounding in her head. “PAC, why does everyone
need to wait for me to eat?” She hurried off the bed and ignoring Raife on the
other side went towards the bathroom. She had gotten up during the middle of
the night and found what she hoped was the commode. It was remarkably similar
to a bidet, so she had to hope she was using it for the right purpose.

“It is the way it is done.” PAC informed her as she hurried into the
toilet.

Sophie was in too much of a hurry to argue with the computer or Raife for
that matter. She would work on figuring out the way things were done as she
went. She needed to prioritize what she wanted changed, and find a way to make
it happen. As she crossed into the bathroom, she looked over her shoulder. “You
don’t have to guard me in here do you?”

To his credit, he did have a blush go up his cheeks. “Yes. I will keep my
face turned to the door, but I insist on being in the room.”

Sophie just laughed and hurried into the enclosed room that held the
toilet. After she did her business, she moved to take a shower. She had to
force herself to ignore Allie standing by the vanity waiting for her, and Raife
by the doors. She wasn’t used to having company in her bathroom but she wanted
to pick her battles. Asking Allie to leave might be a fight she didn’t need to
have and she knew Raife wasn’t going anywhere. She might as well get used to
it. They had done something to make her more adaptable, and she was trying to
adjust to their customs. Having people in the room wouldn’t hurt her. “PAC I
would like to take a shower.”

“Please specify temperature, inner spray, outer spray or full spray.”

Sighing because she should have known it wouldn’t be so simple. “I don’t
know how hot. Turn on the full spray, at the temperature most Aquadomians find
comfortable. I will tell you if it is too hot or cold.” At those words the
water came on in the shower, she put her hand under the water and called out,
“Increase the temperature by five degrees.” She waited and the heat increased
to the point she had asked. “Another five degrees.” After the second increase,
it felt good to her so she stripped off her clothing and then climbed under the
water. “Remember this temperature of shower for me please PAC.”

“Request verified. Shower temperature set.” The computer confirmed for
her.

After a few minutes she wondered out loud, “PAC, where is the soap and
shampoo?”

“The bench opens to store supplies. You will find all necessary items
there.” The computer informed her.

“Thank you.” Sophie called and turned to look in the bench. She found
soap, shampoo and conditioner in the bench. The all smelled like a heavenly mix
of vanilla, some type of flower, the outdoors and a warm, salty breeze. She
took her time in the shower, even though she knew there were people waiting for
her. She just couldn’t bring herself to hurry. She was honest enough to know
she was nervous about what her future held.

Finally, with her hair in a towel and one of those fluffy robes wrapped
around her, she presented herself pink faced and clean for Allie to do what she
would. The girl took some lotion out of a drawer and started rubbing it in her
hands.

“It is part of my job to lotion you.” Allie went to grab her hand. Sophie
just smiled at her and held out her arm.

“Tell me about yourself Allie.” She was interested in learning about the
girl, When she remained silent Sophie looked up, “Is something wrong?”

“You wish to know about me?” Allie seemed scared and Sophie wondered at
that reaction.

“Well yes. You are going to be helping me as my stylist and I am curious
about you.” The girl had moved from working lotion into her leg to her foot.
Sophie hadn’t been paying attention and when she felt the light touch against
her foot her reaction was instant. With a shriek, her foot kicked out and she
almost landed on the floor but braced herself with one hand. Laughing over the
tingling feeling in her foot still, she hurried to right herself on the seat.
“I’m sorry Allie. I should have warned you. My feet are ticklish. You have to
hold them firmly…” she stuttered to a stop. Her eyes locked onto Raife. He must
have turned when she yelled and was storming over to her vanity but had stopped
in mid stride. She finally noticed that his gaze was locked on a point lower
than her eyes and when she looked down, she saw her robe was gaping open. One
rosy nipple was uncovered and puckered in the cold. Instead of hurrying to
cover herself like she normally would, something made Sophie pause and look at
Raife again.

Allie had continued in her duties oblivious to the tension in the room.
“There, all done with the lotion.”

“Thank you Allie.” Sophie whispered and shaking herself out of the
staring contest with Raife, she indicated her hair. “I’m ready for whatever you
want to do with this mop.” The towel had come off her head when she had been
tickled. Now it was flying around her shoulders and down her back in a wet
mess.

Trying to get back into a conversation with the girl, she persisted with
her previous question. “Are you comfortable telling me about yourself? I would
be interested in hearing about you.”

Allie took some type of comb and began pulling at her hair. “I am happy
to tell The Chosen about myself. I was born in Kingdom Three. My family is
privileged to serve The Chosen.” Allie was putting hair gels, pins and using
some type of tools to dry and curl her hair.

“Do you have brothers and sisters?” Sophie asked absently.

“I have one sister.” Allie answered as she moved around the chair to
reach some stray hairs.

“Is she here in Aquarian too?” Sophie turned in her chair to ask Allie.

“No. She isn’t.” Allie said this so matter of factly, and then a flash of
pain went across her face. When she smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. Sophie
decided to ask about this topic another time. There was something about Allie’s
reaction that made her wonder at the rest of the story.

Sophie turned back to watch as Allie fixed hair. It was half-up and
half-curling around her shoulders. Pinned, tucked and set in a perfect coif.
Looking for something to say she asked, “How old are you Allie?” She figured
her to be about sixteen, and she was very skilled with hair for someone so
young.

“I have seen seven thousand two hundred suns.” Allie answered.

“Holy crap!” Sophie’s started exclamation echoed around the room. “How
many years is that?”

Allie laughed, “Is that how you counted time before coming to
Aquadomina?”

“We had a few different ways to count time. There was a day, which I
think is what you would consider one sun. A month, which was about thirty days,
or thirty suns. A year which was three hundred sixty four suns.” Sophie held up
her fingers, “There was also the time in a day. Seconds were counted like
this…” Sophie counted to ten on her fingers, “That is about ten seconds. A
minute was sixty seconds, one hour was sixty minutes, twenty four hours was one
day, or sun.” Sophie smiled, “I think that about covers it. You now know Earth
time increments.”

“That is very interesting.” PAC had been listening and broke in, “Our
system is very similar and you have been adapted to pick it up without even
thinking.”

“I am finished with your hair.” Allie moved back and Sophie smiled at
her. “Thank you Allie it is a very pretty style. Where do we go now?”

“I have your clothing set out in the bedroom.” Allie informed her. “I
will make sure the outfit meets your approval and help you get dressed. If you
wake before me in the mornings, you can inform PAC of your color preference,
and I will bring appropriate choices to you. All of your clothing is on level
two and will only take me a few moments to bring you what you request.”

Sophie had moved into the bedroom and wasn’t surprised to see Raife move
toward the next set of doors and take up station there.

“This is the outfit I have selected for today. I have been working on
your clothing all night. PAC informed me that you were much taller than they
expected, so I have added length to some of your dresses and will get the
others done quickly.” Allie paused in her speech to hold up a mauve dress. The
material was very soft and feminine. The sleeves were long and there were
cutouts every few inches from the shoulder to the wrist. Allie turned her back
for a second to adjust something on the dress and Sophie hurried into her bra
and panties. She was ready when Allie turned around to hand her the dress.
Putting her arms into the opening at the bottom, she wiggled and squirmed
trying to get the material down her body. After a few minutes, she finally
admitted defeat and asked Allie for help. With a quick tug and turn, the girl
had her in the dress. Sophie chose to ignore the smug smile on Allies face.
Undoubtedly, her stylist was happy with the fact that she couldn’t get the
dress on by herself. Not that she blamed Allie, she must be very nervous about
all of this.

“This dress is gorgeous. It was a great choice.” Sophie did a little turn
and the material spun out and then floated back down to lie against her legs.
When she walked forward, she noticed a slit on the side up to her knee. “I
guess I’m ready to go eat.”

Allie held up her hand. “We have one last thing.”

Sophie looked at her feet, “Oh, shoes for my feet?” She just now realized
she had left the medical unit yesterday barefoot.

Allie paused with a smile, “Make that two things.” She held up what
Sophie could only describe as a corset. “This was what I was referring to.”

Sophie gave her stylist a look of horror, “I’m supposed to wear that too?
Why not just the dress?” Allie looked at the corset then back to her. Before
she could say anything Sophie sighed, “That’s just the way it’s done isn’t it?”
Allie nodded at her so she held out her arms to her side. “Go ahead.”

In a surprisingly quick amount of time, the corset was tied around her
middle. She had to admit that it wasn’t tight. It was made of a material that
was soft and flexible. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. It certainly wasn’t a
hardship on the comfort level, and if running her hands down her sides was any
indication, it was
very
figure
flattering.

After Allie handed her some sandals, she was ready to face meeting the
rest of her “staff” and then the she could get on with her day. Smiling as she
followed Allie, she felt like whistling a happy tune. She had a good feeling
about today.