A knock at the door sounded just as she’d laid the entire ensemble out on the window seat. Selena frowned, wondering who could be coming to her room this late. She crossed to it anyway and swung it open, finding Wilhelm Grimm standing on the other side. His hair was windblown as if he’d just stepped off the deck of The Adrah, and his wrinkled, weathered face was split by a wide smile.
“Well, look at you. What a difference your time at home as made. Look at you, girl, you’re stunning!”
Selena smiled and opened the door wider, motioning him toward the sitting area of her cavernous room.
“I will admit that coming here has worked wonders,” she said as she took a seat across from him. “It has been interesting.”
“I am certain it has. Jake and I have just returned from seeing your grandmother and friend home. They’ve sent back letters for you expressing their love.”
Wil removed a few folded sheets of notebook paper from one of his many vest pockets. She clutched them close to her chest and closed her eyes, missing home more now than she ever had. She knew that Damu was her true home, the place where she would live out the rest of her life, and she truly wanted to be here. But the little house in Twin Oaks with the sweetest old lady in Texas and a cat named Freckles would always be home. She lowered the papers into her lap, deciding to read them when Wil had gone.
“Thank you,” she said, clearing her throat to rid it of the thick, emotional rasp. “I am surprised to see you,” she continued. “I would have thought you’d be out looking for the other girls.”
“And miss the Day of the Red Dawn? Not a chance! There’s nothing a Grimm brother likes more than an adventure. Well, really, there’s nothing Jake likes more than to write about said adventure, but you know what I mean.”
Selena nodded. “It’s nice to know there will be familiar faces there.”
“Are you ready?”
Selena shrugged. “As ready as I can be, I guess. I’ve been training a lot with my father and brother. I think I’ve done pretty well.”
Wil nodded, bracing his hands on the arms of his chair to stand. “I know you have, girl, I know you have. I’m going to get out of your hair now. Jake and I will be staying here until after the big day, so I’ll see you around. Good night, Princess.”
“Good night, old man.”
After he had gone, Selena walked over to the bed and spread out Rose and Zoe’s letters, deciding to read her grandmother’s first. Both letters put a smile on her face, reminded her of what she was fighting for. If staying in Damu and fighting kept the people she loved from being enslaved, then she would do it, even if it meant possibly never seeing them again. Selena dove beneath the blanket, clutching the letters to her chest. She fell asleep with them there.
~*~
The day of the celebration came and training passed quickly. Eldalwen decided to keep it light, just a few wind harnessing exercises and some sparring. Selena was relieved that he didn’t push her to try flying again. Today was supposed to be about celebration and she hated the thought of letting him down. After training, Axonia sent Selena to her room to dress. She sent one of the handmaidens along to style her hair as well. When Selena emerged from her room, she decided that Zoe had been wrong about redheads wearing red. Not that she was the conceited type, but she had to admit she looked pretty good. Her hairstyle, consisting of a mass of coiled and twisting braids adorned with the jeweled headband, was flattering as well.
She was surprised to find Titus waiting for her in the front steps of the palace. He was stunning in an all black get-up shot through with silver thread. His dark hair was gleaming in what was left of the waning sunlight, and his eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. He extended one hand to her and she took it, wondering how just a single touch could make her feel so many things at once. She smiled back as he kissed her forehead.
“You’re back,” she said.
“I wouldn’t miss this. Besides, tomorrow will be our last day together before the Dawn.”
“Where did you go?”
“To Goldun. My mother and sister are there, safe and sound.”
“That’s wonderful! Are they here?”
Titus shook his head. “I left them in Goldun. It is safer for them there. I did bring over a hundred Werewolf warriors and twice as many Elves and Fae. They are all here to celebrate with you, to fight with you.”
Selena eyed the convoy that was gathering within the palace’s courtyard. Three massive litters, complete with cushions and velvet curtains, were positioned at the center of the group. The twelve burly men who would carry the litters into the city were stationed at the four poles at the corners of each litter, ready to carry the royal family into the celebration. All around the litters, entertainers had gathered: dancers, musicians carrying flutes and cymbals, as well as jugglers, fire breathers, and acrobats. Selena couldn’t wait to watch them in action as they paraded through the streets of Damu.
At the back of the procession stood the Fae, dressed in their flowing white garments and shining silver, the Elves adorned in their brown and tan leather with leaves and flowers decorating their hair, the Centaurs with their tattooed bodies, feathered hair and gleaming gold armor and the Werewolf shifters, draped in their deer pelts, furs, and copper jewelry. The Damunians were all at the center of the city, lining the streets and waiting for the procession to come through. Selena knew there would be food, and could already smell the spicy aroma of cinnamon and other spices wafting through the air.
“All of this for little old me?” she joked. Really, her heart felt as if it were ready to burst inside her chest. While she had always hoped to be something—someone—important someday, she could never have imagined this.
“You deserve it. You are their Princess, their hero.”
Titus hooked her arm through his and led her toward the very first litter. Eldalwen and Axonia had already climbed into the first and were reclining against the cushions with smiles on their faces. Thaddeus was just climbing onto the last litter. Titus let her step on before him and then joined her, wrapping one arm around her as they both leaned back against the purple, red, and royal blue cushions.
“This is wild,” she said as the four burly men lifted her litter onto their shoulders. Selena gripped the front of Titus’ shirt and held on for dear life as the procession began to move, the musicians bringing up the front and the entertainers surrounding them on either side.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to this,” she said as they began to move. The music had started playing, first the hypnotic flutes and then the pounding drums and tinkling chimes. Guitars joined in, and the horns, with notes ranging from deep and low to very high. The dancers moved along beside them, twirling their sheer scarves around their heads and gyrating their hips, causing the coins dangling from their hips and ankles to tinkle.
Titus rested his chin on top of her head. “Whenever you need a break from being a princess, I’ll come and rescue you—take you back to Goldun and our little nook beneath the Pixie trees.”
Selena smiled up at him. “That sounds wonderful.”
“Did you miss me?”
Selena’s smile turned coy. “You tell me.”
Titus stared at her a moment, blue eyes flashing as he dove deep into her thoughts. His fingers entwined with hers as stars began dotting the darkening sky. The fire-breathers lit up the night with bursts of flame.
“You missed me almost as much as I missed you.”
“I did. I’m glad you’re back.”
“If I can help it, I won’t be leaving you ever again.”
Usually that sort of talk had Selena ready to run for the hills, but tonight it felt right. The whole evening was alive with a feeling of rightness and Selena knew that she was where she was supposed to be. She leaned against him and watched the dancers and acrobats as they led the way into the city, which was slowly coming alive as they neared its center. People lined the streets, shouting and waving to her wildly. Caught up in the moment, Sel
ena sat up and waved back. Flowers flew at her from people following the procession and Titus sat up to help her gather them all. By the time they reached the city center, he had placed a dozen of the fragrant blossoms in her braided hair.
A feast had been spread out right in the middle of the marketplace. Tents and wooden stalls had been replaced by long, wooden banquet tables that stretched on as far as the eye could see. Candle and torchlight kissed the night with a warm glow, and the musicians added to the atmosphere by continuing to play softly along the perimeter of the party area. Food and drink lined each table, so much that some of them seemed to bow in the middle from the weight of it all. Just like in the palace, tons of roasted meat, nuts, fruits, decadent sauces and desserts overflowed and wine and cider spilled from wooden casks.
The big, beefy men set their litters down and the second Selena’s feet hit the ground, she was surrounded by people. They called her name and reached for her hand. They shouted their welcome and their love. Selena tried her best to greet them all, to shake hands, smile, and accept another handful of flowers, but was grateful when the burly men created a ring around her, escorting her, Titus, her parents, and brother to the head table. The table had been erected onto a platform and was draped with silk red and gold tablecloths. Red candlesticks glistened and fine china gleamed. Eldalwen and Axonia took seats at the center, with Thaddeus on their left and Selena on their right. Titus sat beside her and the Grimm brothers took seats on the other side of Thaddeus. Everyone else took that as their cue to sit, and soon the tables were filled with people. All eyes were on the head table as Eldalwen stood, his arms raised.
“People of Damu,” he said, his voice carrying out over the circular center of the city. “Tonight, I am pleased and honored to present to you, my eldest daughter, Princess Eladria, returned to us from the world of men!”
The cheers and screams that went up were thunderous. Eldalwen waited until they had gone quiet before speaking again.
“In a few days’ time we will mark an occasion that I have only had the privilege of seeing four times within my life. The Red Dawn!”
More cheers. Eldawen chuckled and waved for silence.
“I know. It is an honor to be alive at such a time. Our people will be blessed with new power, a rejuvenation of our strength. The evil that comes upon us from Mollac will not stand in the face of our power!”
This time Eldalwen, encouraged the cheers, raising his hands and working the people into a frenzy as they howled, clapped, and stomped.
“But tonight is a happy occasion!” he yelled over the noise. “Tonight is in honor of my daughter and her return. Eat! Drink! Dance! Tomorrow we prepare to make war!”
Selena felt a chill running down her spine as the people raised their arms and cried out with joy and unity. Her father sure could get a crowd going. She had a feeling her warrior king father had roused many an army on the battlefield into a bloodthirsty fever. Selena only hoped such magnetism would manifest in her when she needed it.
All thought of anything but celebration faded as a large goblet filled with wine was set in front of her and she began heaping her plate with food. While there wasn’t a Dorito or Snickers bar in sight, Selena found the food in Damu to be the best she’d ever tasted. The meat was rich, the sauces spicy and flavorful, and the fruit sweet. She was sure she’d even drop a few pounds from her waistline without all the packaged and processed foods she used to indulge in on a regular basis. She eyed Titus out of the corner of her eye, wondering if he had noticed the difference—the glow that kissed her skin, the sinewy muscles popping out along her arms and shoulders, and the deep, red luster of her hair.
I notice everything about you, he said in her mind, smiling at her as he popped a roasted hazelnut into his mouth. He chewed and smiled. It’s taking everything I have not to scoop you up into my arms and run back to the palace so that I can have you to myself. Don’t even get me started on that getup you’re wearing.
Selena laughed and took a sip of her wine. Be good, Titus.
I’ll try, but no promises. I can’t tell you I won’t try to steal a kiss or two.
My father is sitting right on the other side of me.
All the better. Let him see how much I adore you. When the time comes, I want him to accept my proposal.
Hmph. Aren’t you supposed to ask me first?
Titus shrugged and reached for the fruit bowl across from them. He held up a deep purple clutzia fruit and grinned, putting a blush in Selena’s cheeks. He took a bite and licked his lips, leaning toward her with a devilish grin.
“I already know what you’re going to say.”
The fragrant sweetness of the clutzia reached out and grabbed her, drawing her toward him. All sound seemed to fade and the world around her was a blur as he leaned in to capture her lips. His kiss was quick, sweet and rated G for her dad’s sake. She could feel his eyes burning the back of her head as well as Thaddeus’. Barely one week as their daughter and sister and already they were overprotective. She pulled back and accepted the other half of the clutzia fruit, taking her time and savoring its sweetness in a way she hadn’t been able to savor Titus’ kiss.
Later, he promised, turning his attention back to his plate.
As soon as most everyone was finished eating, tables were pushed aside and the musicians and dancers took the floor. While people still nibbled on nuts and fruit, or sipped their wine here and there, everyone was focused on the acrobats and jugglers, who had taken the floor with their alarmingly entertaining spectacles. After them came the dancers, who filled the center of the circle of tables with their colorful, swishing scarves. After a while, everyone had joined in, from the oldest man to the youngest child, until the city center was a sea of twisting, jumping bodies. Selena couldn’t refuse Titus when he took her hand and pulled her toward them. She was grateful that they were quickly swallowed up in the crowd, as she’d never been the best dancer.
Dancing in Damu was nothing like dancing in a barn at the Twin Oaks County fair, though. It was way more fun. The movements were free and in no particular order, a series of turns, claps, spins, and jumps made it less threatening and Selena learned the steps quickly, performing them as if she’d been born to dance this way. Then came the belly dancers with their sheer scarves, circling Selena with joyous cries and wide smiles, jingling the coins on their hips and ankles. One of them came forward with a wrap skirt in hand, coins jingling from the hem. The gold material was beautifully etched with black markings much like her father’s and brother’s tattoos.
Wide smiles never leaving their faces, they wrapped the skirt around Selena’s hips and tied it, motioning for her to dance with them without skipping a beat. Selena laughed, hesitant at first. She shook her head at the dark-haired beauty, trying to demonstrate the proper hip and stomach movements.
“Try it!” Titus bellowed over the music, his face a mask of amusement. “Who knows, you might actually be good!”
Selena allowed the dancers to drag her to the center of the crowd, shooting Titus a glare as he followed, his laughter mingling with the rhythm of drum and guitar.
“Come, Princess!” the dark-haired dancer said, hers smile ever-present. “You are a natural, you’ll learn fast!”
Selena had her doubts, but decided to try anyway. Within ten minutes, she was amazed at the results. It was as if, like everything else she’d experienced in Damu, the dance was a part of her, leading her in a way that she could not control. She faintly registered the faces of Titus, her parents, and Wil and Jake Grimm as she fell in step with the other dancers, accepting a crimson scarf from one of them and twirling it over head in imitation of their movements. She threw herself into it, enjoying this more than she could have ever enjoyed the Senior Prom. Dancing in a hot gymnasium while wearing an itchy, sequined gown and being felt up by one of the McClendon brothers had nothing on this.
Titus watched her, his eyes hooded and glazed over as he followed the movements of her hips and the jingling coins. Selena s
miled at him smugly. That would teach him to laugh at her. He didn’t look like he found anything funny about her dancing as he watched her, lips parted, arms folded over his chest. When the music ended and applause rang out around them, Titus swept forward and pulled her up against him.
“You’re good at that,” he said with a smile, nuzzling her nose playfully with his.
“Yeah?” she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He nodded. “So good, that I want to drag you out of here and go someplace private so I can kiss you without having to stop.”
Selena glanced over her shoulder and found her parents dancing. Thaddeus was chatting up a hot Elf girl over by the wine and cider barrels. The perfect opportunity to slip away had just presented itself.
She grabbed Titus’ hand and pulled him through the crowd.
“Let’s get out of here, then.”
~*~
Chapter Sixteen
The moon was full and high in the cloudless sky. From their perch on the Eastern tower, Titus and Selena could still see the celebration taking place at the city center. Below them, racing across open desert, were the Centaurs, who had left the celebration early as well to engage in war games. Apparently the creatures loved to fight, lived for it in fact, and wouldn’t waste an ounce of time that could be spent sparring on a party. Titus and Selena leaned against the railing and watched the beautiful beasts, silently talking and sharing a few smooches here and there. The night air was getting cool, but she had her cape and hood and Titus’ arms around her to keep her warm.
“I think this might have been one of the best nights of my life,” Selena said as they watched the running Centaurs.
“Really?”
Selena nodded. “Mmm-hmm. I used to think that the highlight of my life would be high school graduation. The day after, I planned to empty my bank account, throw all my stuff in the back of whatever car I could afford, and put as much distance between Twin Oaks and myself as possible.”
Daughter of the Red Dawn (The Lost Kingdom of Fallada) Page 19