The Arrival

by Nicole MacDonald

  'Nnelg will be exhausted. He’s run himself ragged keeping the fires going for this. With the requirements of the kitchen, 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. Is 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 Cavalry wore formal blazers of deep yellow with dark blue accents; the General Guard Lieutenants wore the same only with the colors reversed. At first they appeared 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 when 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 hung beautiful bracelets. Some wide and thick like an Egyptian inspired cuff and others, thin, delicate chains. They were very fond of gold. Their braided tails had a variety of pretty objects woven into them.

  Sian caught sight of Gredel and Citaan in one of the mirrors. Citaan looked stunning and Gredel’s eyes stayed fixed on his beautiful wife’s face. The dress Ada had created for Citaan was exceptional, highlighting 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 complained 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 very pretty, a lovely shade of ivory that made the hint of green in her skin a little stronger. The goblin and elven 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.'

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

  That seemed to please her and I waved goodbye when 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?' After the long receiving line the rest of the evening had flown by.

  DARON LED SIAN to the refreshments table and while 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 the couple make their way out of the ballroom. It’s very clever how the rooms are 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 meantime 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 seemed 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 Loi had been rather relieved when she had learned that the Sorceress was so old. It made her feel less intimidated by the woman’s beauty. 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 by 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 look at them without feeling rude. The only embarrassing part was how impressed they were with Kassie herself. It felt 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 translucent. Their lips had a touch of pink to them beneath the blue skin. Both were dressed in garments that flowed over their slim figures. The fabric appeared to change color when they moved, from a dove gray to a crisp white.

  'What is that fabric?' she demanded, staring.

  Vn’Orli smiled smugly. 'Do you like it? It’s a fabric created by an arachnid faerie.'

  Rumal looked at V’Merna in surprise. 'Where did you find the faerie? Citaan’s been hunting for them for months but had no success.'

  The elegant sprite gave Rumal a solemn wink then laughed. 'I’ll have a chat to her tomorrow then. But we’ll have to make sure she keeps it a secret. Otherwise there’ll be none left for us.'

  His wife nodded, her face earnest. 'You know how popular it is, Rumal.'

  I can see why, Kassie thought. She noticed another woman studying the costumes, a tall blonde with a fantastic figure. She looks like a supermodel, thought Kassie, though she couldn’t see her face, and went to move to get a better look when Rumal touched her shoulder.

  'Did you want another glass?'

  'Oh! Yes, thanks' She smiled at him then turned back. What? How’d she vanish so quickly? Kassie looked around trying to catch a glimpse of her. The woman had appeared quite tall, but she couldn’t catch sight of her at all. 'Weird.'

  'What’s weird?' Rumal chuckled when she jumped and handed her a glass of wine.

  'I thought I saw someone, but now she’s gone.'

  He shrugged. 'She’s probably just ducked to the bathroom, Kass. Not weird at all.'r />
  SIAN LEANED AGAINST Daron, resting a bit. Her feet ached a little from all the dancing but she still felt good and she tugged his hand. 'Let’s go back out.'

  The music had changed to a quicker tempo, making her want to dance. They merged with the crowd and Daron slipped his arms around her waist so he could spin her. Sian gave a tiny squeal and grinned when he chuckled.

  'What?' She gave him a coy look. 'It’s fun.'

  She broke of with a sharp gasp, staring in shock over Daron’s shoulder.

  DARON SPUN, LOOKING around. 'What? What is it?'

  The look on Sian’s face had frightened him. He turned back, staring anxiously down at her. She had a hand to her chest and a perplexed look on her face.

  'I’m sor-ry,' she half stammered, twisting her head this way and that, looking for something. 'I’d swear I just saw a blonde woman peering over your shoulder. She had the freakiest eyes.'

  Daron froze. 'What?'

  SIAN REPEATED HERSELF. As soon as the words left her mouth the second time Daron hauled her to the furthest corner of the room, close to a door. On the way he slapped both Sabyn and Rumal on the shoulder, giving them a look. Alek and a bewildered looking Cat joined them, followed by Elena and Yakov.

  'What?' snapped the Sorceress. It was the tensest Sian had seen her.

  'She. Is. Here,' Daron hissed the words out.

  Yakov’s eyes went flat. 'That’s not possible.'

  Elena gave a terse nod in agreement.

  'Tell them what you saw, Sian.' She’d never heard this tone from Daron before. The girls watched her, curious. Cat had her head cocked to the side with a look of concern.

  'Umm, I saw a blonde woman,' Sian began and then froze.

  Chapter Thirty Six

  SIAN STARED AT me in horror. Before I could ask why, a voice spoke in my ear. 'Hello, Princess.'

  The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood stiff. The voice, though pleasant, had an underlying tone of malice that made me react before I realized it. I thrust my arm out, pushing as hard as I could with my energy.

  CAT HURLED THE freaky eyed blonde away and she smashed into the mirrors at the end of the room. Kassie couldn’t believe it. The blonde woman now stood there, without a scratch on her, staring at them with her white eyes, black pupils in stark contrast. The guests hadn’t even had time to react, but now pressed themselves to either side of the ballroom. Alternating looks between the thing at the end of the ballroom and the Griffon Guard and Sorceress at the other.

  'NOW THAT WASN’T very nice,' the blonde tsked, as though scolding a child, her weird eyes watching me. I could see the Lieutenants of the Cavalry and General Guard move themselves in front of the guests, attempting to cover as many as possible. I kept my eyes fixed on her, staying tense, ready. Alek went to move in front of me and I reached out, gripping his arm. 'Don’t,' I hissed at him. 'This is our job, remember?'

  He looked at me in shock which dawned into realization and horror. The other men shoved Alek back behind them and I stepped forward with the girls, between the men. We faced the blonde.

  She let out a trill of laughter, the sound making most in the room shudder in disgust. 'Elena, I come to wish the last of the Thalian line a happy birthday and this is how I’m received? Really, have your manners diminished so since my last visit.' She smirked at Alek standing behind me. 'Happy Birthday, Your Highness. I believe congratulations are in order.' Her hands out on either side, I only heard a whisper of noise while she gathered energy.

  Loi threw her energy into a shield at the same time the blonde, who had to be Jenviet, began to scream.

  It happened so quickly. Our group, standing in the protective shield thrown up by Loi, watched in horror while it appeared to play out in slow motion. The scream pierced the air like a knife. Guests dropped to the floor, clutching their ears, then all the mirrors in the room shattered, the shards hurtling across to the opposite wall. The aftermath looked like a scene from a horror movie. People lay on the ground, screaming and moaning in pain while pools of blood began to appear. I’d never seen so much blood before, all those who weren’t under the shield were splattered with it.

  Laughter broke through the screams.

  ALEK STARED AGHAST at the appalling display before him and felt an intense fury when he lifted his eyes to glare at his father’s murderer.

  'Jenviet,' he snarled.

  She laughed again. 'Oh you do remember me then little prince? I thought you might have blocked the memory out.'

  He growled, incapable of speech.

  'Not to worry, I’m not here for you. I just want the Thalian Princess,' she looked pointedly at Cat, whose eyes bulged in shock.

  I GAPED AT the psycho blonde in astonishment. Really, how do you reply to that? Other than, you’re nuts? My rational voice took charge. Well, if she’s focused on you then she isn’t harming anyone else, I think it’s time to flee. Let’s get her as far away from here as possible. With as much of a plan as I could hope for in that moment, I turned and ran for the doorway, sprinting down the corridor.

  THE MOMENT CAT had Jenviet’s attention, Elena blasted the evil creature out of the ballroom feeling a sense of pleasure at the smacking sound when she hit the corridor wall. Alek took the opportunity to dart past her after Cat. Elena and the others ran to the corridor just in time to see Jenviet vanish from where Elena had thrown her and appear only meters behind Cat and Alek. She turned back to the group rushing down the corridor after her and chuckled. 'Catch.'

  KASSIE STARTED BACK-pedaling along with everyone else when Jenviet sent a thick black cloud of something their way. Rumal grabbed her by the waist, swung around and deposited her behind him. When she got her footing she saw Sian lunge through the gap between Daron and Sabyn, both arms outstretched. A torrent of water thundered down the corridor drowning the black cloud. Waiting to see if the water would wipe out the sadistic bitch, Kassie cursed to see her still standing there.

  'Clever.' Jenviet cocked her head at them. 'But what about…?' A rush of sound was heard from both Elena and Jenviet when they released bolts of energy down the corridor at each other. Kassie and Loi wrenched their shields up.

  MY DRESS HAMPERED my normal speed. I reached down, grabbing a fist full and yanked it up. I’d heard the others confront Jenviet but hadn’t turned back to check, knowing it was still in the best interests of all present if I could get her far away from everyone. I had an image of the little balcony Alek had shown us this morning. God that sounded funny—it felt like days ago. I heard feet pounding behind me and glanced back.

  HE’D ALMOST REACHED her when she gave a brief glance back, her eyes wide. He snatched her hand just when they hit the bottom of the turret staircase.

  'Balcony?' he gasped.

  She nodded, panting hard as they scrambled up the stairs.

  'THEY’VE MADE IT to the staircase!' Yakov sounded jubilant and Elena felt a surge of hope.

  'Sian, Kass, joint attack now!' she cried. Both girls drew their energy in. Hearing Jenviet gather hers again, Elena hastily flicked her fingers at the white eyed woman, turning the floor beneath her feet into liquid then back again—freezing her feet within it.

  'Oh, very clever,' the blonde snarled.

  Indeed, thought Elena. It has given the girls enough time to swell their energies. 'Release!'

  Sian sent out another torrent but this time of ice. Kassie blasted it with the strongest gale she could manage. A blizzard roared down the corridor while the group stood tense, waiting. Simultaneously Kassie and Sian both dropped their energies, groaning and cursing.

  'What?' demanded the men, while Elena gave them a look of sympathy.

  'Vanished?'

  They nodded.

  'Time to go then,' snapped Loi, and she took off down the corridor, heading for the turret that Cat and Alek had disappeared up.

  ROUND AND ROUND we went with the occasional stumble from me, thanks to my heels. My hair had tumbled down from its pins and bounced around my shoulders in long ringlets. I c
ould feel trickles of sweat running down between my shoulder blades. All I heard was our ragged breathing and my heart pounding. I had no idea if the others were okay and the fear felt awful.

  We burst through the doorway at the top, into the solar. Before I could even draw a breath something lifted us off our feet, smashing us into the wall opposite the windows. Yelping in pain when my head connected with the wall, I lay for a moment, dazed. Then I scrabbled onto my hands and knees looking for Alek. My heart made a horrible tight sensation when I spotted him just down from me, unconscious, with blood in his hair. Not thinking, I lunged for him, but got hurled back against the wall. This time my spine took the brunt of it. The pain made my head spin and I rolled onto my side, retching.

  That horrible laughter rang out.

  Managing to get myself up to a sitting position, I saw Jenviet perched on the table, her legs crossed. The long, deep pink dress she wore had splits to the top of her thighs, showcasing her legs. Bloody hell, I thought, she looks like a possessed doll. Psycho Barbie beamed at me, one hand twisting a long blonde ringlet around her finger. Glaring at the woman, I shuffled a little and hoped it looked like I was trying to get comfortable. It got me a couple of inches closer to Alek and I could see his chest rise and fall out the corner of my eye. At least he breathed. She ignored me and stood, shaking her hair back and smoothing down her dress.

  In a casual tone she said, 'So you’re the one Elena went to such great lengths to conceal. It did make me curious, but I knew in time you’d return and I’d find out why. And now here you are.' She turned to stare at me.

  I fought the urge to shudder, instead glaring at her. 'You really have your wires crossed, lady,' I sneered as insultingly as I could manage. 'All of them by the looks of it.'