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.
Both were dressed in garments that flowed over their slim figures.
The fabric appeared to change color as they moved, from a dove grey 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 faere.'
Rumal looked at V’Merna in surprise.
'Where did you find the faere? 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 be making 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 blond with a fantastic figure.
She looks like a supermodel, thought Kassie, though she couldn’t see her face, and went to move to see better 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.'
Sian leaned against Daron, resting a bit. Her feet were a little sore from all the dancing but she still felt good, she tugged his hand.
'Let’s go back out.'
The music had changed and the tempo was quicker, 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, as she started twisting her head this way and that, looking for something.
'I’d swear I just saw a blond 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 blond woman,' Sian began and then froze.
Sian stared at me in horror. Before I could ask what was wrong, a voice spoke in my ear.
'Hello, Princess.'
The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood stiff. The voice, though pleasant, had a 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 blond away and she smashed into the mirrors at the end of the room.
Kassie couldn’t believe it. The blond woman now stood there, without a scratch on her. Staring at them with her white eyes, her 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 blond tsked, as though scolding a child, her weird eyes watching me. I could see the Lieutenants of the Calvary and General Guard move themselves to the front of the guests, attempting to cover as many as possible. I kept my eyes fixed on her and stayed 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 blond.
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, and I believe congratulations are in order.'
Her hands out on either side, I only heard a whisper of noise as she gathered her energy.
Loi threw her energy into a shield at the same time the blond, 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 as it appeared to play out in slow motion. The scream pierced the air like a knife. Guests dropped to the floor, clutching their ears and then all the mirrors in the room shattered, the shards hurtling across to the opposite wall.
The aftermath was like a scene from a horror movie. People lay on the ground, screaming and moaning in pain, while pools of blood begun 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 as 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 blond 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 a plan as I could hope for at that moment, I turned and ran for the doorway, sprinting down the corridor.
As soon as Cat had Jenviet’s attention, Elena blasted the evil creature out of the ballroom and felt 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, as Jenviet sent a thick black cloud of something their way. Rumal grabbed her by the waist, swung around and deposited her behind him. As 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 as 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 if I could get her far away from everyone. I had the 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 as 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 blond 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, and 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, fed up with the half fight 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 could 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 was awful.
We burst through the doorway at the top, into the solar. Before I could even draw a breath we were lifted off our feet and smashed 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 was thrown back into 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, she looks like a possessed doll.
Psycho Barbie beamed at me, one hand twisting a long blond 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 was breathing.
She ignored me as she stood and shook her hair out
, 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 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.'
She continued as though I hadn’t spoken.
'A Thalian princess with the gift of fire, an Elemental no less. Just what the Mestarns have been waiting and hoping for.'
She laughed again, a nasty vindictive cackle.
'Well it’s only fair that I crush their hopes, as they did mine.'
Uh-oh, that didn’t sound pleasant.
Stop screwing around, snapped my rational voice. Don’t over think it. Just do it!
I lunged for Alek, and threw a shield of fire up around us. The heat was enough to make Jenviet leap backward. I hit the floor beside him and concentrated the energy through one hand so I could shake him.
'Alek. Wake up!'
The fear in my stomach pinged about. I had no idea what to do next. As soon as I weakened, and reduced the shield, Jenviet would kill us.
In the turret, the girls and Elena were aware of Cat using her gift. They urged everyone on harder, and Rumal swung Kassie on to his back while he took the stairs three at a time. Yakov was in the lead with Daron, Sabyn, Loi, and Sian right behind him. Elena and Rumal were just behind them. They raced up the last few stairs and screeched to a halt in the doorway. They gasped at the scene before them.
Cat shielded herself and Alek. Her energy was in its physical manifestation, the flames roaring, and Jenviet paced just out of reach, waiting for it to relent. When she saw them in the doorway she gave a nasty chuckle.
The Arrival (Birthright Trilogy #1) Page 35