The Arrival

by Nicole MacDonald

  I TORE MY eyes away from the glittering stones in the case to find Alek regarding me. His expression read pride, hope and a teensy bit of doubt. I got all teary and laughed. 'Yes, yes. Alek,' I paused as I looked down at them again. 'They’re beautiful.'

  He laughed with obvious relief and delight. 'Oh good. I was sure you’d like them.' He reached out and lifted the necklace, draping it around my neck then fastened it. We both stared into the mirror, admiring the effect. I slipped the earrings on. I don’t think I'd ever seen anything like these pieces before and I’d certainly never owned anything like them. The most extravagant pieces of jewelry I owned were the beautiful gold leaf earrings I’d left on Earth and the amber ring Elena gave me. But these pieces I wore. Wow. They took my breath away.

  The necklace was crafted from what looked like blackened silver. It was made up of pieces that were shaped into twists, resembling leaves and at the mouth of each curved leaf sat a vibrant purple, faceted amethyst. The leaves gathered together to create an inch wide band. At the front, more leaves gathered so it widened into an inverted triangle. From the tip of the triangle a large teardrop cabochon amethyst hung. The entire necklace glittered with amethysts. The earrings were each a twisted leaf shape, with an amethyst dangling from it. I touched the necklace gently, feeling the edges of the leaves and the smooth, cool surfaces of the faceted stones. I really wanted to take it off so I could study it but knew we didn’t have time. Twisting around on the seat until I faced Alek, I knelt. Because he sat on the bench seat too it meant that my collar bone was at his eye level.

  'Do you like?' I purred, well aware that he’d be able to get a good view of my cleavage. Really, what's the point of having it if you never make use of it?

  ALEK SMOTHERED THE laughter he felt at Cat’s teasing. Instead, he placed a soft kiss on the white skin just above her breasts and smirked when she gasped. 'You know I do.' Before he could chicken out he pulled her back to sitting then spoke, 'Cat.'

  He swallowed and tried again. 'Catherine, when we enter the ball together, people will assume something about us. So I wanted to give you the option either way.'

  She nodded at him, an expression of concern in her eyes.

  'It’s just, well, you see, I’ve never entered an official reception with ah, a woman before and…'

  I STARED AT him, willing him to spit it out already. The nervous butterflies had returned tenfold and having Alek dither about whatever this issue was made me feel ill. 'Alek. Please, what’s the problem?'

  'They’ll assume we’re betrothed.'

  CAT’S EYES WENT wide. 'What? Who? And why?'

  'Everyone. If we enter the ball together, it will be taken as an official announcement.'

  She sat back, silently staring down at her hands.

  WHAT DOES THAT mean? I didn’t really know what to say, it felt like an awful lot to be confronted with.

  Or was it? Thoughts pinged around my mind as I considered that fateful night we cast the spell. Breaking the silence I asked quietly, 'Do you not want to be betrothed to me?'

  Alek gaped at me.

  'What? No. I mean.' He shook his head, then stood and looked down at me. 'I don’t want to force it on you, that’s why I’m explaining. If it isn’t a choice you can consider at the moment I’ll understand. Yakov would lead you into the ball. But, Cat.' he paused and then bent to one knee before me. Both the voices in my mind shrieked in unison while I stared at him in shock.

  'Catherine, I love you. I would be honored beyond measure if you’d agree to be my betrothed. I know I made you doubt me, but truly, Cat, I’ve known you were the one from the moment I met you. Even if you change your mind later, it’ll be worth it. Every moment with you is worth it.'

  THE SILENCE FELT startlingly loud while he waited for her response, heart pounding with nerves. Her eyes were wide and her face white as she stared at him. Then her energy flushed out around her, a rich and vibrant red. She squeezed his hand as a tear trickled down either cheek. 'Alek,' her voice sounded hoarse and she paused to clear her throat.

  I WASN’T SURE I could breathe and felt almost scared to, lest I burst into tears. His words sung through me and my energy flared brighter and brighter when I tried to speak again, my heart hammering away. 'I.'

  The tears started to slip down my cheeks in earnest as I choked the words out. 'I love you. I don’t want to lose you. You mean…' I took a deep breath. 'You mean everything to me. I’m terrified at the idea of being betrothed and at the same time so, so excited.' I gulped and nodded hard, making my ringlets bounce.

  'Yes. I’m saying yes.'

  THE SENSE OF relief and the accompanying surge of delight made Alek feel lightheaded. He beamed at Cat who glowed still, though a much softer shade of red now. They stared at each other shyly and he reached for a cloth on the dressing table and gently dabbed at her tears. She squeezed his hand, then moved toward him as he pulled her onto his knee. Their mouths met in a passionate kiss, her arms locked around his neck and hands buried in his hair. 'I love you,' he whispered in her ear when they parted, feeling a thrill of joy at saying those words to her. Her energy pulsed around them and they laughed. She stroked his face, gazing into his eyes with an expression of wonder.

  'Love you too.'

  Realizing he’d forgotten something important, he lifted her onto the seat. 'Wait a moment there’s something I need to give you.'

  I DIDN’T WANT to be on the seat; I wanted to be in his arms. I sat at the edge, watching while he fumbled through his pockets.

  'Aha!' he found whatever it was and grinned at me, that sexy, crooked grin I loved.

  I beamed and reached my arms out to him.

  'No, no.' He shook his finger at me teasingly when I pouted. 'We’ve got to do this right.' He knelt again and held out his hand. He looked amused when I stared at him in confusion.

  'GIVE ME YOUR hand, Cat.'

  She held out her left hand and he slipped it on the fourth finger, smiling at her. Her mouth dropped as she stared at the ring.

  'I knew it would match!' he said in satisfaction.

  'What?'

  'The tourmaline is the same color as your eyes.'

  Cat stared at the ring and he sat beside her on the seat, still holding her hand.

  'Do you like it?'

  DO I?!

  I just got used to the beautiful necklace and earrings and then he gives me this. It was absolutely stunning and a perfect fit. A large oval tourmaline, the same deep green as my eyes, surrounded by colorless diamonds that continued over the band; absolutely stunning—and enormous! I nodded, feeling more tears well and snatched the cloth, dabbing at them before they ruined my make-up. 'I love it. It’s so beautiful.' I held my hand up to admire it again.

  HER HAND SHOOK when she stared at the ring again then gave him a breathtakingly beautiful smile. He wrapped his arms around her, cradling her head under his. 'Shh,' he soothed, understanding how she felt. 'We don’t have to rush there, they’ll wait for us. It’s my ball.'

  She hiccupped and laughed. 'True.'

  YOU COULD HEAR the hum of the guests when we approached the ballroom. An assistant waited with the guards at the door. As soon as he spotted us he rushed up. 'Your Highness. We’re ready. The Archduchess would like to begin. Lady Catherine.' He nodded to me then turned to the guards.

  'Lady Catherine?' I looked at Alek in surprise.

  'I’ll explain later,' he hissed as the guards pulled the doors open. 'But yes, you and the other girls officially have the title Lady.'

  Okay. Another thing to add to tonight’s insane list of FYI’s. We both stood straight for our entrance. I slipped my hand into the crook of his arm, feeling self-conscious when the ring twinkled in the light; I can’t believe I’m betrothed!

  AS SOON AS she sighted Alek, Elena gave the signal to the musicians, who drummed out the Thalian anthem. The stunned look of delight on his face told her the answer she’d been waiting for, that and the sparkle from Cat’s ring. Queen Ariadwen’s ring looked stunnin
g on the girl, just as she knew it would. Yakov touched her arm lightly and they exchanged a quick look of delight, then she stepped forward to announce them. 'Presenting, His Royal Highness, Prince Alekander Nikias Dianto Thalian, heir to the Elion throne and, his newly betrothed, Lady Catherine, Elemental of Fire.'

  A loud gasp went through the room while everyone stared open-mouthed at the couple. Elena smothered a laugh when she caught sight of the other girls’ faces. She was pleased to see Cat handling the situation with poise. Elena had meant to have a word with the women prior to the ball but had run out of time. Also, she wasn’t entirely sure what answer Cat would give. She’d let the men know about the title change and told them to stick close to the women. They wouldn’t let them make any faux pas, at least she hoped not. Yakov stepped up to speak and she turned her attention to him.

  YAKOV STUDIED THE couple for a moment before he spoke. They are well matched, he thought, a sudden flashback of the late King and Queen coming to mind as Alek and Cat stood side by side. 'Welcome to all our guests, we thank you for coming to celebrate with us. I know many of you have traveled far and we are delighted to have you here.' He smiled at all those in the crowded room then lifted a glass from a tray offered to him. 'And so let us raise our glasses in toast for Prince Alek’s birthday and betrothal.'

  Everyone raised their glasses and echoed the toast, shock on more than one face.

  AT A NOD from Yakov the musicians began a different tune, a march, and I watched the Lieutenants of the Guards—Griffon, General and the Cavalry—make their way to either side of Alek. My left hand felt strange from the weight of the ring, it seemed even heavier now that everyone stared at it. Kass, Sian and Loi stared in astonishment and I could feel a tinge of annoyance from them. It looked like I had some explaining to do.

  Now that the Lieutenants stood in place the music changed again to a calmer, soothing tune. The next hour or two was spent greeting everyone in a receiving line that gathered before Alek. It was organized according to rank and everyone seemed to know their place. The faces began to blur toward the end, but I couldn’t stop smiling. Everyone insisted on looking at the ring and I couldn’t stop the happy glow of energy that flared out.

  LOI COULDN’T BELIEVE that Cat had kept that from them. She can’t have known, she thought. He must have sprung it on her, I know Cat’s awful at keeping secrets.

  'She can’t have known,' Kassie hissed.

  Sian and Loi nodded in agreement. There’s no way she knew, Loi thought. But she looks delighted, and stunned. Sabyn gave her hand a light tug and she straightened up to greet more people. Loi enjoyed meeting everyone but found herself captivated by the Lieutenants of the Centaur Cavalry, who stood a place higher than the General Guard Lieutenants but lower than those in the Griffon Guard. They looked formidable. The Aswaran Lieutenants were HUGE, they looked to be half draught horse and half WWF fighter. Next to them stood the Lieutenants of the Rodhite division, slender and elegant looking creatures, then the stockier, Medanga Lieutenants. Iggy had the same expression for the Cavalry Lieutenants that he reserved for them and it made Loi want to laugh. Especially when his nostrils flared as an Aswaran Lieutenant brushed him with his hindquarters.

  SIAN FELT GRATEFUL that Daron was just a member of the Griffon Guard and not royal. She ached to go and drag Cat out the back. It’s so exciting! I want to see her ring, she thought, and she bent forward a little to watch it sparkle under the lights. It appeared to suit Cat well and anyone could see she was happy; her energy glowed about her softly. I’m so happy for her, Sian thought, leaning against Daron with sigh of contentment. Sian made the most of the opportunity to study all the guests as the receiving line made its way past them. The centaurs had taken her breath away when she first saw them; huge, powerful and majestic looking. She’d gotten over her initial awe after being introduced when they’d just chatted away like any human men would. It was somewhat disconcerting, to hear such a normal voice from someone who made Daron look small, she had expected a booming voice.

  WATCHING IGGY WITH the centaurs made Kassie want to laugh, the General Guard Lieutenant clearly had little-man syndrome when it came to the cavalry. Kassie bit the insides of her cheeks to stop from smiling. It was almost as funny as everyone greeting her as Lady Kassandra. It sounded ridiculous, but then Cat was introduced as Alek’s betrothed and that sounds just as silly, Kassie thought. She couldn’t wait to talk to her after the receiving line finished. She turned her attention back to the guests, admiring some of the beautiful outfits.

  A water sprite couple were introduced to Alek, very curious looking creatures; humanoid figure but quite slender, with webbed hands and feet. Their silvery blue skin had a pattern that hinted at scales yet still looked soft and pliable. The female had longer hair, if you could call it that; it looked like long slender spines, plaited and hanging over her shoulder. Pearls and other glistening stones were woven into the plait. Kassie strained to hear their voices over the music, her eyes drawn to the guests dancing in the middle of the room. Giving a wistful sigh she watched the dancers.

  RUMAL GLANCED DOWN at hearing that little sigh. Kassie stared out at the dancers. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

  'Not long, Kass, then we can dance'.

  She looks stunning. He felt a twinge of annoyance at how long this took. He’d much rather be holding her in his arms on the dance floor. She looked beautiful, the fabricer had really out-done herself on the girls’ dresses. Shifting a little to relax his back, Rumal fixed a pleasant smile on his face while he kept what he’d said to Kassie running through his mind. Not long now.

  IT FELT EASY to smile genuinely at the last people in the receiving line and the sense of relief when Yakov gave the nod that we could go and dance was great. I beamed up at Alek while he led me to the floor and we joined the others dancing.

  Chapter Thirty Five

  NOW THE BALL was fun! The dances were easy because all of them just required you to follow your partner. It proved helpful with my mind stuck on my ring. I couldn’t wait to show it off when the girls finally caught up with us. Alek and I both turned red as the men teased us, while 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 with Kass and Loi joining in, making onlookers chuckle at their 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; true, 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 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 to, she thought, it couldn’t be any more out in the open than this. One woman didn’t look impressed and glared at the couple. Now where have I seen her before? Oh 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 l
ate.'

  She glanced back the couple. Cat glowed a soft red while 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 while 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 and Rumal shook his head.