The Arrival (Birthright Trilogy #1) (56 page)

The four of us made a point to flutter our fingers in farewell at Iggy as we left, and I winked at Rashid, who began to laugh.

It felt like we were being readied for the Oscars with all the preparation. I was grateful they didn’t appear to have anything like fake tan here and that being white (practically glow in the dark) was acceptable. We were scrubbed and oiled and massaged, it was all so good. The lovely assistants at the Beautens were miracle workers. Our aches and pains from the month's training disappeared and we shined. Even our hair was attended to. I didn’t know what it was they used, but my hair had never felt so silky, and they somehow encouraged it to stay in long tangled ringlets. It was gorgeous, and the look on Alek’s face when he saw me in the evening was very gratifying.

We caught up with Ada at the end of our beauty session and she had us try the gowns on. After hearing how much I liked green she had chosen a shade she thought matched my eyes, and I stood with my eyes wide while she adjusted it.

'Perfect! An exact match.'

Then she set to making sure the dress fitted.

When she moved on to Loi, I walked to a mirror to admire it. She was right. The color matched my eyes, an intense green. Ada had done an amazing job with the dress. It was strapless, with a fitted bodice that she’d reinforced, so I wouldn’t need any extra support. It twisted around my waist, making it look smaller and flared out into a fuller skirt. The fabric had a delicate sheen, like silk.

I carefully had a seat and watched as she fitted Loi’s dress.

She’d used a brilliant shade of red, with just enough depth to flatter Loi’s olive skin, and the style was perfect. It had small, off the shoulder sleeves and the bust was shaped, gathered and sculpted, which made her chest appear bigger without revealing too much. Then it glided over her figure from under the bust, just hinting at her waist and hips. It looked incredibly regal.

'Loi, you look like a Queen,' I said with a smile.

She flushed in pleasure.

'Thanks.'

We changed out of our dresses, and Ada took them away for safe keeping. It was Sian and Kassie’s turn now, and Loi joined me on the sofa to watch.

Sian’s dress was a blue halter-neck. The wide ribbon that held the dress up at her throat made her neck look longer, and then the fabric gently glided down and around to the back, so that the dress was fully backless. It was almost more daring than her dance dress and fit snug at the waist. The skirt of the dress was fitted tight at the top, like a mini skirt, then from mid thigh flared out. The back of the skirt hit the ground and the front rose up to mid calf.

Loi and I applauded with enthusiasm.

Sian laughed and spun in front of the mirror.

'Honestly, Ada, I don’t know what we did before we met you. Everything you make is dream like.'

It was Ada’s turn to flush, and she went quiet as she fussed over some fabric.

Kassie came out of the dressing room, taking the attention off Ada as we all oohed and ahhed over her dress.

The fabric was a beautiful antique gold. It had one shoulder and draped in a way that minimized her bust, stopping the top heavy look. The twisting around the waist was similar to mine, and then the dress finished on an angle, starting above her right knee and finishing mid calf on her left leg. It was ideal for Kass, flattering her figure and not emphasizing her height or chest.

'The inspiration was your dance dress, Cat,' Ada said. 'I’d never thought of finishing a garment on an angle before.'

'Ideas we’re good at,' Sian said with a laugh. 'It’s the actual sewing we find a little more difficult.'

The next day was spent with Elena at the training circle, and again, just practicing with our control.

How quickly we could summon energy, how long we could hold a position for—even doing maneuvers with our eyes closed. Tiring and time consuming work, but I could feel the improvements. It began to feel like second nature to bring forth our energies. This in turn, meant we could sense one another more, and we even began to anticipate each others intentions.

It was as I fell into bed that night, with Audi already snoring away beside my bed, that it hit me.

The ball was in three days.

We had weapons training tomorrow and then two days while the castle turned even more chaotic with preparations, and on the eve of the second day was the ball. After which, we would start our ‘normal’ life at the castle. And fulfill Elena’s expectations, as protectors of the Realm.

I could feel the beginning of a panic attack as images of what had happened in the last month bombarded me. I sat up, ripping the covers back.

Breathe. In out, in out.

I kept the chant up in my head, trying to be quiet so I didn’t disturb the others. Audrey sat upright a moment after I did and was cuddled against my leg, her head on my thigh as she studied me, concern in her eyes.

I smiled down at her and stroked her head.

'Beautiful girl,' I cooed, feeling the anxiety lift a little.

Her tail swished and she gave me little kisses on the nose then nibbled it, something she did on rare occasions, making me giggle. Feeling calmer, I climbed back into bed.

One day at a time Cat, just take it one day at a time.

At the same time he’d arrived in our last weapons training session, the page arrived again. Everyone froze for an instant.

'What?' Iggy growled loudly. 'Again? Come on this is ridiculous.'

Our men and the other Lieutenants gave him narrow looks. Sabyn went to open his mouth but the page interrupted him.

'No sir, it’s your turn. The fabricer, Ada, has requested the company of the Lieutenants for their fitting.'

There was a moment of silence and I exchanged amused glances with the girls.

Sian stepped forward and struck a tragic pose, the back of her wrist to her forehead and in a very bad French accent declared.

'Whaz? Whaz eez theeze? Argh. Non non, eet ezz impozeble—Ve moost practice.'

Kassie and I started laughing while all the men’s jaws dropped. Loi decided to join Sian and began to shake her finger at Iggy, her other hand on her hip.

'Ouw can ve ever beelef ouh are seriouz? Non, zez cannot do.'

Everyone laughed hard while Iggy gave us his best death stare and turned, marching off down the corridor. Hiccupping with laughter, the rest of them followed, along with the somewhat disturbed looking Page.

At dinner that evening, Rumal and Daron had the room in fits of laughter with their impersonation of the day’s performance.

The next day was a free day and I meant to sleep late, but thanks to my very accurate body clock, woke at dawn as usual. The others were still sound asleep when Audi and I crept out of the room. I would liked to have found Alek and gone for a run, but he’d already told me last night that all the guys would be busy for the next couple of days. So other than at dinner I wouldn’t get to see him. It didn’t improve the butterflies that’d taken up resident in my stomach, yet again. I sighed and Audi nudged my hand, I smiled down at her and gave her ears a good scratch.

'Even Nnelg is too busy to keep us company.'

Audi’s ears perked at the dragon’s name then drooped. Nnelg must have already explained to her. They seemed to communicate well now, though I’d no idea how.

As long as it works for them, I thought and clucked my tongue at her, indicating with my head which way we were going.

The run around the inner gate was pleasant at this time, and a variety of birds sung out their greetings. It gave me another pang of homesickness. I really missed the sound of the tui, kereru and fantails we heard in New Zealand. I’d never hear them again.

The butterflies in my stomach made me feel queasy and I stopped running, leaning against a tree for a breather. A crashing sound made me snap my head up, looking for Audrey. She was beside me and stayed tense and ready as the sound grew closer.

'Helloo.'

It was Yakov. I relaxed, relieved and pleased to see him.

'Yakov. I thought I was the only one crazy enough to be out here at this time.'

I grinned at the red faced man.

He laughed at me.

'Ha. This isn’t even early. Normally I run when the moon is still up. You’ve got nothing on me.'

'Mind if I join you?'

'Not at all,' he panted. 'Come on then.'

We raced off down the track, managing a brief conversation.

'Looking forward to the ball?' he gasped out.

'Yes,' pause. 'And no.'

'Why not?' Yakov asked in surprise.

'Because after the ball we begin with our real "roles".'

'Ahh.'

We both fell quiet as we started up the bit of a climb. At the top, having passed through the gate, Yakov turned to me.

'It will be a very interesting position.'

'Oh, I don’t doubt it. It might sound silly but I find it unnerving to only look at things from one way, and having it spread out in front of us, so… so cut and dry,' I paused. 'It just feels weird.'

Yakov considered this for a moment.

'You’re saying you’re nervous because it feels too easy?'

It did sound silly when he said it like that. I sighed.

'Don’t let it stress you, Cat. It is a position that will allow you to travel all over this world, and of course, you’ll be at Alek’s side all the time. I know this training period has been intense, but it has been necessary.'

I gave a curt nod, 'I do understand. It’s just all been such a rapid change that it’s left me feeling a bit… lost.'

Yakov continued to study me then suggested.

'Why don’t we spend the morning together after breakfast? I know Alek and the other men are busy and we can talk through your concerns.'

I agreed and headed off to shower and change. When I got in the others were still asleep, and I slipped back out the door with Audi. Breakfast was quiet and the majority of seats were empty. It felt very odd to sit at the end table without Alek and all the others. Even Elena wasn’t there. We ate quickly then Yakov decided to take me on a tour of the castle.

'Alek’s already taken me on a tour,' I objected.

Yakov laughed.

'You could walk this castle for a good month and still have not seen everything. I shall take you on the Royal Tour.'