Flight and Fantasy (4 page)

Getting out of the suit was harder than going in, but in five minutes, she was slithering back into her coveralls and sighing with relief.

The wings of her suit went back on the wagon, as did the pack. The bodysuit was rolled and tucked under one arm. “Okay, let’s get some grounder accommodation. You can wait out front. No sense in you sullying your wings with such a low association.” She snorted and led the way to the rest tents.

He trailed behind her without saying a word. He hung back when she entered the tent and paid her fee for a quiet cot in the depths of the long tent. She ordered a bath to be brought for later and used her thumbprint to pay for that as well. The tiny fabric cubicle was blessedly quiet, the noises of the exhibition were far away.

She snuggled down on the cot and tried not to think.

Her guard showed up as she was drying from her bath. A grudging respect was in his gaze as he handed her a stack of boxes. “Thank you for saving the queen and the others.”

“It was my pleasure.” She put the boxes down on her cot and smiled determinedly at him until he left her to get dressed.

The gown she was given was made of a multitude of layers of silk. It was beautiful and had matching shoes covered with delicate beadwork.

The corset that was provided was covered with gems and as she laced herself into it, Anna felt like a mouse in a treasure chest, surrounded by luxury but not part of it.

The final box had a note from Denaric.
Wear these. D.

The tiara fit to her head with combs and the necklace and bracelets made her glitter in the dimming light. Without a mirror, she could only guess at how she looked, but the guard snapped to attention as she emerged from the tent.

She was still clutching her suit. “I need this somewhere safe.”

“Carry it and there will be someone to guard it when we arrive.” He stepped toward her and a voice made him pause.

“Annanya, what the hell are you wearing?” Nasha’s strident tones cut across the space between them.

“I am wearing a gown provided by the royal family of Orion Rift.” She didn’t mention the gems she was covered in. Let her sister think what she wanted.

“Where are you going?” Her eagerness to approach made the guard shift nervously.

“I have a dinner invitation. Where is Father?”

“Enjoying his success. He won his category today. I see you didn’t.”

In all the fuss, Anna hadn’t given it any thought. “I suppose I didn’t, but I made some new friends. Now if you will excuse me, I have to meet someone for dinner.”

Her nod to the guard had her up in his arms and with a powerful shove, they were gliding away from her open-mouthed sister still on the ground.

“She is hungry for power.” The guard’s unsolicited words startled her.

“Yes. Power, position, family connections, she wants it all.” They were heading toward the aerie, a stone edifice that Anna had never imagined setting foot in.

Guards snapped to attention as they arrived and saluted her formally as she was set on her feet and walked in to the royal home. A guard spoke to one of the household servants, and the grey winged man extended his arms for the folded suit. “I will take good care of it, Princess.”

Anna sighed. “Thank you, but I am not a princess.”

The man grinned and simply took the suit from her. “We will see, welcome to the aerie, mistress.”

Unencumbered, she wove her fingers together and followed her guard through the halls. Paintings covered every available space and a few held wingless women with their winged men. That sight gave her a measure of hope.

Denaric greeted her in the entry of the formal dining room. Vorlar Fennor, her father, was waiting inside with a pensive look on his face.

“You are stunning, Annanya. You should dress like this every day.” He kissed her in front of all assembled, causing gasps and murmurs in the nobles waiting in the room.

She rose up on her toes to keep his lips on hers until he moved out of her reach. His eyes sparkled and he led her into the room where a very nervous looking King Drayson and Queen Tehshia stood next to Queen Amaraic.

Amaraic raised her hands and silence fell. “It is my distinct pleasure to announce the engagement of my son, Denaric, to Princess Annanya Melshia of the Orion Rift. With the joining of our two houses, may prosperity touch both our worlds.”

Anna froze and stared at the man she had known as father. He nodded and came to speak to her. “I love you, your mother loves you, but they loved you before I knew you. Let them learn about the amazing woman you have become and know that my pride is overflowing at everything you have accomplished.”

He kissed her on each cheek and pressed knuckles to her forehead. Normally he would have ruffled her hair, but with the tiara in place, it was inappropriate.

“You will always be my Papa. And my sisters will always be those of the Fennor family.” Tears pricked his eyes and he bowed to the prince before returning to the other side of the room.

The rulers of Orion Rift came toward her. Tehshia took her hands and smiled. “The test was positive, you are our daughter and we have decided to agree to Denaric’s proposal so that you will not have to leave your home.”

“Where did you get the sample? I don’t remember giving you one.”

While Drayson’s face darkened, Denaric whispered in her ear, “I gave them the sheet that we were on last night. It moved things along with satisfying speed.”

Anna paled and swayed as she almost fainted. The sheet stained with her virgin blood had provided the sample. No wonder she was engaged to him already. Wait.
Engaged?

“You proposed to me and I wasn’t even there?” Her whisper was more of a hiss.

“It is the way of royalty. I promise to make it up to you in strange and unusual ways.” His words were not whispered and while Drayson frowned, he was also amused. Tehshia covered her mouth with her hands and laughed.

Surrounded by family past, present and future, Annanya realised that, despite the strange start to her life, the rough portions of her memories, she was surrounded by those who accepted her for who she was.

She smiled and embraced her mother and father. The Fennors would never fade in her mind, but there was more than enough room in her life for those who birthed her.

Being wingless shifted in that moment into a mark of honour and with Denaric at her side, she had her own wings when she needed them.

Life was looking up.

About the Author

Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales.

Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.