The Arrival (Birthright Trilogy #1) (35 page)

Damn it.
He’d meant to mention it to her. A little voice in his head sang out "you’re lying".

Alek opened his eyes, Cat was still in her deep bow, and now the other three girls were too. He sighed and the four of them looked up, eyes alight with mischief, while his so called friends gave him "I told you so" looks as they stood back.

Alek stepped toward me so I straightened up and widened my eyes into a look of vacant idolization. Alek stopped short at the expression and his eyes narrowed, he snapped, 'Cat, I’m sorry. I should have told you.'

Matching his tone I replied.

'Yes, you should have,' and returned the annoyed look.

The others in the room drifted off with mumbled words, and we were left glaring at each other.

'Really, what did you think I would do,' I demanded, feeling more annoyed now. 'Fawn over you because of your title? I’m a Kiwi, Alek. Titles have little meaning to us.'

Alek looked confused.

Oops, he won’t have a clue what that means. Oh well, I’m sure the inference is the same.

I crossed my arms as I waited for his response. Those dark blue eyes stared down at me with little expression.

Alek continued to study Cat, while berating himself for acting like a child. Then he noticed her eyes looked red. Forgetting the silly argument in an instant, he stepped closer and caught her chin with his fingers, tipping her face up.

'Cat, have you been crying?'

Oh man, why did he have to say it like that?
I went to turn away but he kept a firm yet gentle hold on my chin.

'Cat.'

Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry. Dammit!

A tear escaped and slid down my cheek.

'No.' Gulp, 'A little.'

Alek pulled me into his arms.

'Why? What’s wrong?'

Tears began to pour down her cheeks and he hurriedly grabbed a seat with her cradled in his arms.

'Cat, tell me. What’s wrong?'

She gave a big sigh and shifted on his lap, her forehead pressed to his chest. In a choked quiet voice she replied, 'Elena told us we can’t go home. It’s not possible.'

Alek froze unsure of what to say.

Two conflicting feelings flooded through him; relief that she wouldn’t leave, but this was quickly followed by guilt. How could he be so selfish when she’d just lost her world, literally. Not wanting to put his foot in his mouth with the wrong response, he hugged her close pressing a kiss to her head.

'I’m sorry, Cat.' The words felt wholly incompetent.

It brought him back to losing his father and the useless comments people had made. Remembering what she’d said to him before he changed the subject.

'What’s a Kiwi?'

Cat blinked and looked up in surprise.

'Oh. Umm, a Kiwi is a little brown bird that can’t fly and has feathers that are long and hair like. And they lay enormous eggs in comparison to their body weight.'

Huh?
Whatever answer he’d expected it wasn’t that.

'Why did you say you’re a Kiwi?'

She grinned at him green eyes dancing in amusement at his confusion. He felt a thrill of delight at the smile.

'The Kiwi only lives in New Zealand which is the country, or realm, as you call it, that we come from on Earth. So I’m a New Zealander, but we are known as Kiwi’s for short,' she announced proudly.

Alek gave me a funny look after my explanation, so I just gave him a wide, cheesy smile. He chuckled and the sound pleased me. I threw my arms around his neck and pulled his head down to mine.

Might as well distract myself in the best way possible.

Alek was happy to oblige and pressed his lips to hers, felt her tiny sigh of pleasure and tightened his arms around her. Finally, with no one around to disturb them he was able to kiss her thoroughly.

My head did some serious spins by the time Alek pulled away, and I’m pretty sure I had one of those silly grins plastered over my face. He chuckled at the expression and stroked my cheek.

'I’ve been waiting for a good moment to do that.'

I laughed and felt my cheeks flush, 'Worth the wait.'

'What was it you came here for?' Alek asked.

'Oh. You’re supposed to give me the grand tour, and we only have two days 'cause then Elena is setting us to work,' I announced, feeling a twinge of nervousness at the idea of ‘work’.

Again though, it would be a distraction from reality. I swallowed hard as a feeling of despair threatened to loom, and gave my head a quick shake, forcing a smile as Alek stared at me with penetrating eyes.

Alek watched as she made herself smile and his own emotions swung back and forth. She was being so brave.

Distractions are a good idea at the moment.

'The grand tour,' he mused over that and lifted Cat, setting her on her feet. Grabbing his cloak off the table, he fastened it and turned to Cat who’d straightened her hair and clothes. The thought of mussing her clothes again was appealing.

Alek gave me a sexy, crooked smile and I couldn’t help but blush. Trying to get my thoughts to an appropriate place I pointed at his cloak.

'Why the cloak? I didn’t see the others wearing one.'

He turned to show me the back, his family shield was embroidered onto the heavy purple fabric in gold thread.

'It’s to show my rank. Elena effectively runs the kingdom for me, and this is the only thing she asks of me while I’m here, so I can’t complain.'

He shrugged, 'When I do succeed in my task to rid the world of the DeNaga’s and I’m crowned I’ll have a heap more responsibilities on my plate. Not that I mind but it’s nice to be able to come and go as I please. I’ll enjoy it while I can.'

'Where are we going first?'

I looked forward to seeing more of the castle.

Alek was about to answer when Audrey pelted into the room. Something had her excited. Her ears were up, her tail high, and she spun as though hunting for something. Nnelg blinked into the room and landed on the table, his wings half spread and he growled at Audi. My jaw dropped in astonishment and I went to leap between them, when Alek placed a restraining hand on my arm.

'Wait,' he murmured in my ear. 'Just watch.'

Audrey snarled fiercely at Nnelg but her tail and ears were still high. I just began to realize it was all play, when Nnelg launched himself at her. The two rolled past us, a blur of fur, wings and a wildly thrashing blue tail. Alek started to laugh at the sight of it. He stopped short when the two rioters crashed into a tall lamp and he had to lunge to steady it.

'ENOUGH!' he bellowed.

They both froze.

I started to giggle. It was such a comical and unexpected sight. Audrey had Nnelg’s long tail in her mouth while he appeared to be chewing on her ear.

'Nnelg, I’m glad you have a new friend but don’t you think you should take her outside?' Alek crossed his arms while giving the dragon a stern look.

'Elena sent me.'
Nnelg replied defensively,
'This dog creature is funny. Where is she from? I can’t understand her at all.'

'She’s not from this world Nnelg. What did Elena want?'

'To remind you to have the women back in time for tea, I’ve got to go tell the others too, bye.'

Nnelg vanished again. Audi yelped and shot out the room.

'What does Nnelg mean he can’t understand her?' Cat looked perplexed.

'Dragons usually can use their telepathy on other creatures too. Obviously he can’t with Audi.'

'Is Nnelg communicating with us by telepathy?' I was astonished, 'I thought he was just speaking. We can all hear him as though he is? It isn’t like with Loushka.'

Alek offered me his arm and explained as we wandered down the corridor.

'Loushka can’t be heard by creatures other than griffons and those she links with. Usually it’s just one creature. That’s why we were so impressed when you could hear her,' he winked at me. 'Dragons have different abilities and are able to link with most creatures minds. They’re born with the skill.'

Alek pointed out various rooms as we passed them and stopped to show me the ballroom that linked to the Great Hall. Like the throne room the floor was polished to a mirror finish; the gemstones embedded within sparkled. The walls were lined with ornate, silver framed mirrors. It was like a modern take on the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, very beautiful.

'This is where smaller formal events are held. For the ball we’ll open this room and the second ballroom that links with the throne room.' he explained as he led me through it.

'Do you like dancing?'

I nodded enthusiastically.

He arched an eyebrow.

'We have casual dancing in the Great Hall most evenings after dinner until late?'

I laughed then, and shook my head.

'I’m usually in bed early, so I can get up early for my run.'

'Of course. Do you go often?'

'Most mornings, if possible.'

'If you like, I can meet you at your room prior to breakfast and we can go for one. Unless the weather’s really awful.'

'Wouldn’t want to mess up that hair,' I teased.

As we turned down another corridor two women in richly embroidered clothes walked toward us at a stately pace. Stopping as soon as we were within a couple of feet, they both dipped into graceful curtsies. Alek greeted them while I stood back, observing.

I don’t know how to curtsy, I thought and considered the fluid looking move. Bowing was easier.

Maybe I’ll just stick to that.

Both women ignored me as they chatted to Alek and it dawned on me. This must be what the Guard was talking about. These had to be some of
those
women. They were making such an effort to avoid me. One, a tall slim brunette, wore a lovely dress in dark blue. Clinched tight at the waist to show off her cleavage, she leaned forward just enough to show it to better advantage. I chomped on the inside of my cheek to stop the laughter that bubbled up. These two just screamed high maintenance.