The Arrival (Birthright Trilogy #1) (60 page)

Now, the ball was fun. The dances were easy because all of them just required you to follow your partner. That was helpful, as my mind was stuck on my ring. I was quite happy to show it off when the girls finally caught up with us. Alek and I were both red as the men teased us, and Sian, Kass, and Loi exclaimed over the ring and gave me tight hugs.

'Happy Cat?' Sian gave me a firm look.

I nodded rapidly, feeling the tears prickle again.

'Yes, yes.'

We hugged again and Kass and Loi joined in, making onlookers chuckle as they did excited squeals.

'Soo happy for you, Cat.'

'Can’t believe it.'

Alek could see she was happy, everyone could. Rumal, Daron and Sabyn had given him knowing looks before they congratulated him. They were all in a similar place. When he finally got Cat back from the girls, more people pushed forward to congratulate them. It would be a long night, but a happy one. Cat caught his eye and giggled when he rolled his eyes up and he took the opportunity to pull her in for a kiss.

'Happy?' he whispered in her ear.

She laughed, 'Everyone keeps asking me that, surely you can see.'

He chuckled, that was true and she hadn’t stopped glowing since saying yes.

'Can I steal you away at the end of the night?'

She arched an eyebrow, 'Hmm?'

'I thought I might show you my room.'

Her eyes went from happy to sultry and she gave him a slow smile while her energy went a deeper red.

'Really?' she purred. 'Love to.'

'There they go again,' Sabyn commented in amusement to Loi. She turned her head to see what he talked about. Cat and Alek were wrapped in each others arms in a passionate embrace. Guests gave them a wide berth while looking on in amusement.

Oh well, they’re entitled, she thought, it couldn’t be any more out in the open than it was. One woman didn’t look impressed and glared at the couple.

Now where have I seen her before?
Oh that was right, at the Beautens. She and Cat pointedly ignored each other.

'Who’s that?' she asked Sabyn, indicating the scowling woman.

Sabyn looked over her head and then chuckled.

'That’s the Countess Stranson. She’s been very open in her quest to catch Alek.'

Loi laughed.

'Too late,' she glanced back the couple.

Cat glowed a soft red as she danced with Alek.

I know how she feels, Loi thought, and leaned her head against Sabyn’s chest as they danced, enjoying once again the sensation of feeling so small beside someone else. With Sabyn she felt delicate, petite, and absolutely beautiful.

A soft cough separated us and I looked down in surprise. Ada beamed at me.

'Hi, Cat,' she chirped. 'I brought Audi over to say hello and congratulations.'

Alek and I thanked her then laughed when we looked down to Audrey. My normally vivacious dog seemed to be making a rather good effort to hide behind Ada’s legs.

'Audrey,' I cooed. 'Come say hello to me.'

She crept out and I felt Alek squeeze my hand hard as he resisted the urge to laugh. Little Audi was decked out in a pretty pink gown that matched with Ada’s dress, and boy did she look miserable.

'She seemed to be really enjoying herself until we got here,' Ada said, anxious to assure me.

I smiled at her.

'I’m sure she was. Audi’s just rather sensitive about being laughed at.'

'But it’s all been good laughter.' Ada looked upset. 'Lieutenant Belsesus thought she looked great.'

I reassured her that Audi would be fine, and Ada ducked off to greet a few more people, before she headed back to her room.

Kassie and Rumal had had a chuckle at Audi; the poor dog seemed to be dying of embarrassment.

'It’s a pity that Nnelg couldn’t be here,' Kassie suggested but Rumal shook his head.

'Nnelg will be exhausted. He’s run himself ragged with keeping the fires going for this. With the requirements of the kitchen, and cleaning staff, and the sudden influx of guests, it might be time to hire another fire dragon to help him.'

Kassie turned to see if Audi was still there and gasped in surprise.

Was Alek glowing gold?
The couple spun with the music, and she realized it must have been something reflecting from one of the mirrors that lined the walls. It created a fantastic illusion and made the ballroom seem never ending. It also gave you a great opportunity to study what people wore, without appearing to stare at them, and Kassie made the most of it.

The Lieutenants of the Calvary wore formal blazers in a deep yellow with dark blue accents, and the General Guard Lieutenants wore the same, colors reversed. At first they were quite striking, but compared to what their wives and partners wore they soon looked dull.

Not the Griffon Guard though, thought Kassie and she looked Rumal up and down again.

I can understand Cat’s obsession with men in uniform now.

Rumal in particular, in the ebony uniform, it complimented his dark skin and liquid gold eyes. She admired him again, catching his eye and laughed when he gave her the same look back.

'Our place tonight then?' he murmured in her ear making her energy flush out.

'Mmm, but there’s so long to wait.'

He brought her hand to his mouth and gave a sucking kiss to the underside of her wrist smiling as her energy deepened in color.

'Worth it.'

Sian watched the centaur women, admiring their costumes. They wore tunic style tops that wrapped around their torsos and had long skirts that hung over their forefeet. Around each of their hooves were beautiful bracelets. Some wide and thick like an Egyptian inspired cuff, and others, thin delicate chains. They were very fond of gold. Their tails were braided and had a variety of pretty things woven into them.

Sian caught sight of Gredel and Citaan in one of the mirrors.

Citaan looked stunning and Gredel’s eyes were fixed on his beautiful wife’s face. The dress Ada had created for Citaan was exceptional, and highlighted her slender arms and white décolletage, while slipping over her baby bump. Not that it wasn’t noticeable, but this way it wasn’t the immediate focal point which would make Citaan happy. She’d been complaining to the girls last week that everyone greeted her belly first and then her.

Alek felt a tap on his back and turned to find Artama and his daughter Nikol smiling up at him.

'Happy Birthday, Your Highness, and our congratulations to you and the Lady Catherine.'

Artama chuckled when Cat rolled her eyes at the title.

'I think it becomes you well, my Lady.'

'Stop it, you’re taking the attention away from this lovely lady,' Cat smiled affectionately at Nikol.

The young woman beamed at her, adoration clear in her eyes. She’d been present at most of the training sessions they'd had had with the General Guard, and like so many in the castle, regarded the girls with awe.

I thought Nikol’s dress was very pretty. A lovely shade of ivory that made the hint of green in her skin a little stronger. The goblin and elvan blood she had, made her a very beautiful looking creature.

'Will you start to train with the Guard soon?' I teased her. 'You’re there so often.'

She shook her head.

'No. I’ll stick to archery, but I do like to watch your practices.'

'And you’re very welcome. I look forward to when you can teach me archery.'

That seemed to please her, and I waved goodbye as she and Artama headed off.

'They didn’t stay long,' I mentioned to Alek, he gave me an amused look.

'It’s getting close to midnight, Cat, I’m sure that’s late enough for Nikol.'

'Really? It’s that late already?'

I was a little surprised, after the long receiving line; the rest of the evening had flown by.

Daron led Sian to the refreshments table and as they stood chatting the others came over too. Sian glanced at Cat.

'How’s it going? Not too overwhelming?'

'Honestly it feels like a dream, I’m sure it’ll hit me tomorrow.'

Sian hugged her.

'It’ll hit us all tomorrow. A new beginning.'

Gredel and Citaan arrived at the table and Citaan smiled sleepily at them.

'We’re going to head upstairs,' Gredel said. 'Citaan’s had enough.'

Sian and the other girls hugged Citaan, and Kassie made Gredel blush when she insisted on kissing him on the cheek.

They watched as the couple made their way out of the ballroom. It was very clever how the rooms had been designed, Sian thought. With the mirrors lining the walls you couldn’t tell the room had been pieced together.

Loi felt a bit tired too, but Sabyn had told her they had a few more hours yet. At midnight there would be a cake and other food brought out, some speeches, and then fireworks in the courtyard. In the mean time, there was dancing and chatting. Gazing around the room at all the elegant guests, she caught sight of Elena and Yakov dancing.

They made a very handsome couple. In the room full of dancing pairs they stood out with their skill and grace, almost looking like they were on ice. Their body language was rather suggestive, and she wondered again if they were a couple. Elena looked beautiful, as always, in a one shoulder, wine colored gown.

It might sound silly, but she’d been rather relieved when she had learned that the Sorceress was so old. It made her feel less intimidated by how stunning she was. Maybe because it seemed more appropriate.

Loi shook her head, berating herself.

Of all the things to think, I must be tired.
Her eyes caught a glimpse of a woman watching her via one of the mirrors and she blinked in shock.

Feeling Loi start in surprise, Sabyn looked down.

'What’s wrong?'

She glanced up.

'What? Oh. I thought I saw someone, but I must be more tired than I realized. When I blinked they were gone.'

She laughed at herself and he smiled.

'Not to worry. The rest of the evening will go before you know it, and I can promise you, the fireworks will be spectacular. That’s why Nnelg isn’t here at the moment. He’s resting up before he gets to set them off.'

Rumal had introduced Kassie to the water sprite couple after he’d noticed her studying them yet again. It was fascinating to be able to look at them without feeling rude. The only embarrassing part was how impressed they were with Kassie herself. It was rather bizarre to be looked upon as a celebrity.

V’Merna and his wife Vn’Orli were delighted to meet her, and more than happy to answer the questions she had. She was surprised to see their faces looked quite human, with delicately shaped brows and high jutting cheek bones, slim lips and a wide smile. They had large, gold eyes and two sets of eyelids. Though the second set were transparent. Their lips had a touch of pink to them beneath the blue skin.