The Arrival (Birthright Trilogy #1) (57 page)

That sounded interesting. Audi and I stuck to Yakov’s side.

He led us up one of the turrets to the third floor and we wandered along the corridor.

'As you know, this floor only has one main corridor, unlike the second and first floor. It’s solely for those of Royal status or the advisors closest to them, like the Griffon Guard or the Elementals. You’ve seen both those quarters, so I will show you the Royal Quarters.'

We headed down the corridor, past our own quarters, and continued until we reached a door. Yakov produced a key and unlocked it, then ushered me in.

The furnishings on this side of the door were very elegant. Ornate lamps on beautiful side tables were dotted along the walls, and portraits of people in elegant costume hung above them.

I paused at one portrait. It was of a young boy with blue black hair and stunning blue eyes, an older man with lighter blue eyes and brown hair clasping his shoulder. Both wore formal wear but genuine smiles graced their faces. Yakov stood beside me and smiled at the portrait.

'Alek would have been eight when that was painted.'

I stared at it, feeling a twinge of pain at knowing only two years later, Alek lost his Dad. We continued down the corridor until we reached a set of elaborate doors. A guard was at either side and they bowed as we approached, pulling the doors open.

'This was the late Queen’s Quarters.'

We entered into the foyer and I was drawn to a beautiful portrait of a wooded area. The artist had done an incredible job, it looked so real.

'Do you like it?' Yakov stood beside me as I studied the picture.

'I love it. It’s so realistic.' I was sure I could count the leaves.

'It’s an area in the Scrodian Mountains, Queen Ariadwen loved that spot,' he said, a nostalgic look in his eyes. 'Which is why King Nikias commissioned this. Have you seen an enchanted frame before?' Yakov arched an eyebrow at me.

I shook my head.

'No, what do you mean?'

He pointed at the picture and I leaned closer. I gasped when I spotted the faerie flittering around a bush.

'What’s that?'

'That is faerie feeding on the nectar of that jurven bush. You’re able to see them because the frame is enchanted. King Nikias got it for his Queen when she was pregnant with Alek and couldn’t safely travel to her favorite holiday spot.'

I almost had my nose to it now.

'Are they expensive?'

'Yes, it is a difficult spell to cast, so they are quite rare.'

'Could Elena do it?'

Yakov frowned.

'Of course, but it wouldn’t be appropriate to ask the Archduchess for something so frivolous.'

I bit my lip.

Oops hadn’t meant to insult her.

'I’m sorry, I was curious. I’ve just been wondering how powerful Elena is.'

He gave me a sideways look.

'Very. Now let me show you the rest of the apartments.'

He led the way while I admired everything. I couldn’t get over how much space was set aside for just one person.

'And this is just the Queen’s Quarters? She wouldn’t share them?'

'No.' Yakov smiled at my surprise. 'The King has his own separate Quarters, and then there’s the Royal nursery and rooms for any Royal children.'

'Why do they need so much space?'

'They don’t, but this castle was built by the Thalian line and these rooms were set aside for the Queen, and so they have stayed since. It’s appropriate.' He shrugged. 'Other realms have even larger areas set aside for their royalty.'

My eyebrows shot up at that. We peeked into King Nikias’s Quarters and laughed when Audi thought she’d found something. She seemed rather disappointed to discover the dragon she’d been stalking was just a toy.

'It was one of Alek’s favorites,' Yakov explained as I examined the green and purple soft toy.

I placed it down in front of Audi who sniffed at it then shoved it over and ignored it. We chuckled, then he led us down an internal corridor and pointed out the nursery and the school room.

'And that is Alek’s room.' Yakov winked mischievously at me. 'Want to have a look?'

He laughed when I flushed red.

'No. Alek will show me when he wants me to see it.'

When I walked back into the room, I found all the girls awake and piled on Sian’s bed, chatting.

'Where’ve you been, Cat?' asked Loi.

'Yakov gave me a tour of the rest of this floor.'

I wandered over and climbed on the bed then told them about the beautiful picture. It inspired us to make a trip to the library, finally, and we spent the rest of the day there. It was a good distraction, we were nervous at the idea of starting our new,
official
life, and it gave me something else to think about as I fell into bed that night.

We were quiet when we woke and dealt with the usual morning stuff, then walked to breakfast together. The Great Hall buzzed with activity as we neared it, servants worked on opening the walls between the ballrooms and the throne room.

The castle had two ballrooms which were divided by the main corridor, and the walls on the corridor were bi-folding so that the two rooms could be linked for large events. The throne room linked to the outer most ballroom, which over looked the woodland area between the castle and inner gate. Stacks of the silver framed mirrors that we’d seen in one of the ballrooms leaned against the walls.

'Those must be going to line all the walls,' Loi said as we watched the frenetic activity in awe. 'Looks like it’ll be quite a night.'

The butterflies in my stomach seemed to be changing from nerves to excitement, and I smiled at the others.

'I think I’m looking forward to it.'

We made our way to our normal seats, and I was delighted to see Citaan and Gredel there.

'Hello. We wondered when we’d see you.'

Citaan looked amazing, as usual, and her baby bump was more pronounced. She smiled.

'We thought it would be easier to come over early on and get ready in the Griffon Guard Quarters. That way we can avoid the rush and dealing with security.'

We settled down to breakfast when Kassie glanced up and gave a tiny squeal. I looked up to see the men had walked in, and felt a huge grin break out on my face.

Alek felt the tension that had been bothering him dissolve at the sight of Cat’s delighted smile. She raced over and threw her arms around his neck, pulling his head down for a kiss. Loud clapping and cheering brought him back to his senses and he gave a sheepish smile to their audience when they parted.

'Happy Birthday,' she beamed up at him.

'Thanks,' He smiled. 'Are you excited about the ball?'

She wrinkled her nose, making him chuckle.

'I wasn’t, but I am now.'

'Awww, did you miss me?'

She threw him a coy sidelong glance.

'Maybe.'

Breakfast flew by, and afterward we headed to the Solar. Alek and I were last, following Gredel and Citaan up the turret. Poor Gredel stressed about everything it seemed, and he insisted on holding Citaan’s arm as she climbed the stairs. When we reached the top he rushed to get her a seat at the table, and she flicked a glance our way. It read both exasperation and love.

I wandered over to the window and looked out at the Anguem range. The mountains were huge. They really had situated the castle well. Spying a small door set in the window, I peered out. It led to a narrow balcony I hadn’t noticed before.

'What’s that for?' I glanced at Alek.

He looked at where I pointed.

'That’s for archers, in the event that the enemy makes it past the inner gate.'

I nodded and stepped closer to the window for a better look.

'It looks rather narrow.'

'Well it wasn’t a design feature, Cat. It’s for just in case. Do you want to have a look?'

He opened the little door and led the way out. The others edged along behind us, and we stood in a row.

If I thought the view was good inside, it didn’t compare to this. I clutched tight to the waist height railing and looked over the edge. The forest that grew in the space between the castle and inner gate didn’t seem so dense from up here, and I could just make out the guards on patrol.

A squeak from Sian and a shuffling motion from the guys announced Audi’s arrival as she squeezed past them. Reaching my side she carefully stood with her front paws clinging to the rail so she could see what we looked at. It started everyone chuckling, and Sabyn reached out to ruffle her ears.

'Nosey creature,' he scolded her. 'Nearly shove us off just to satisfy your curiosity.'

The morning went by fast and it seemed far too soon that they were all off to get ready. Kassie clung tight to Rumal for a moment when he bent to embrace her.

'Not long,' he said, his molten eyes creased in affection.

She nodded back, unable to speak due to the lump in her throat.

Not long.
It brought the jitters of nerves back on. They were whirled off to get ready. The Beautens bustled with people when the girls walked in.

I caught sight of the snooty Countess I’d met when we’d first arrived, and she pointedly ignored me.

Not a problem. I’d rather not have to talk to you anyway.
It wasn’t until they moved me to the hair-stylists seat that I realized Melanite was beside me.

'Melanite!' I was pleased to see her.

She laughed.

'I saw you all when you first came in, did you only just notice me?'

'Oh I’m sorry. I’m totally away with the fairies at the moment.'

Drat. I’d forgotten they exist here.
The confused look on her face was amusing; she shrugged away my weird comment. We chatted, and I noticed Loi and Sian talking to a couple of the girls we met in Gartoll.

'How big an event is this usually?'

'I would expect a couple thousand to attend. Dignitaries from all over Elion and even further will come.'

'Really. How will they travel here?' I asked.

She thought about it. 'I know that those coming from Delanta and Lanion arrived in Elion last week. They’ll be getting ready in the town, and there maybe a few who are brought in by the Griffon Guard, though not Alek of course.'

The stylist tapped my shoulder and I had to turn away.

Loi admired her hair in the mirror. The stylist had teased the top of her hair and smoothed it over then clipped the top half of her hair back. She preferred to have her hair loose, so this was a good compromise and meant she could have a pretty clip too. Now that she was done, the stylist ushered her over to a couch where Sian was, so she could move on to her next client. Sian’s hair had been teased like hers, and it was all drawn into a high pony tail, highlighting her cheekbones.

'You pleased?' Loi arched an eyebrow at her.