“I do, I’m relaxing,” Tegan protested.
“What did you do today?” Salem asked curiously as he set the box on the floor.
“Trained, helped train the Sentinels from Zahra’s guard, sparred with Michael and ran laps with Jasper.”
“That’s not a day off,” Salem chided.
“That’s how I relax,” Tegan answered looking to Martha for help.
“It is true, she doesn’t know what leisure time is,” Martha laughed as she sat down in the chair beside Tegan.
Salem frowned but didn’t pursue it. Tegan was already uncomfortable, and he was about to make her worse. He leaned against the desk, glancing at the box before turning his attention to Tegan.
“The ball is tonight,” he began.
“I don’t have to go?” Tegan jumped in eagerly. Martha chuckled as Salem smiled at her.
“You have to go, your Uncle is holding this in your honour.”
“He doesn’t even know me,” Tegan muttered.
“I believe that is his point,” Salem’s reply was grim. “Anyway, Martha has helped me this afternoon with this box, I honestly forgot it was still here.” Salem’s eyes looked at the box again wistfully.
“What is it?”
“It’s some of your mother’s dresses,” Martha said taking Tegan’s hand. “I stored it in the attic when she was here the last time. She used to live here remember?” Martha squeezed Tegan’s hand gently.
Tegan glanced quickly at Salem, before turning back to Martha. “I know, I sometimes forget that she had things.” Tegan looked at the box, biting her lip as she felt a wave of emotion was over her. She had nothing of her mother’s, except the journals, Leonid had removed everything from the Silver Lake house. “Can I,” Tegan laughed nervously. “Can I see them?”
“Of course, they are yours now,” Salem’s gentle smile, soothed Tegan’s nerves. She rose from the seat and went over to the box.
“I don’t know why I am nervous,” she shook her head as she looked down at it.
“You can take them to your room if you want to do this in private?” Salem offered.
“No,” Tegan’s gaze flicked to him quickly, “I would like your opinion. I have never worn a dress – or been to a ball. I don’t know what’s expected of me.”
“Of course, I will be honoured to help.”
Tegan took her small knife from her inner sleeve out and opened the seal on the box, inside were clothes bags, folded atop one another. There were five in total. She pulled the bags out and laid them on the chair. Dried rose petals fell from the bags as they were lifted out, making it seem somehow more ethereal. “Will I open them one at a time, or do you want to help?” She looked between Martha and Salem uncertainly.
“Do it one at a time,” Martha answered with an excited twinkle. “You can take them in and see which one you like most.”
“Okay,” Tegan grinned suddenly. “This is sort of fun.”
Salem laughed as she eagerly picked up the first bag. Carefully unzipping it, Tegan pulled out a royal blue floor length gown. A one shouldered gown with a sweetheart neckline, gathering under the bust before falling in heavy folds to the floor.
“Oh my,” Tegan gasped. “It’s beautiful.”
“Oh Salem, remember,” Martha said to the Principal Elder, “Celeste wore this to Court when the Russian Headquarters came to Court, remember that horrid Elder, Valek?”
“I do, he was fixated on her the whole evening, until she reminded him, he was there with his spouse,” Salem smiled in remembrance. “The knife in her hand helped him on his way too.”
Tegan’s hands ran softly over the dress as she listened to the two Elders reminisce. She reached for the next bag. A deep red gown was uncovered, with capped sleeve, a square neck and a fuller skirt. A tiny crystal flower brooch sat on a thin belt.
“Cornelius’s betrothal to Delilah,” Salem murmured. “Matteo was furious remember that she wore the colour of neutrality to her brother’s betrothal.”
“My grandfather?” Tegan asked looking up questioningly.
“Yes,” Salem smiled at her.
Tegan nodded as she reached for the next bag. A white sequin halter-neck dress was unveiled, it was form fitting with a long split in the dress. “Wow, that’s some dress,” Tegan murmured.
“Cornelius’s final Trials celebration at Court,” Martha reached out and touched the slinky material. “Celeste was very popular that night, her dance card was full within minutes of arriving.”
“Yes, she turned heads that night,” Salem smiled in fondness.
Tegan reached for the fourth bag. When it was uncovered, she stood and looked at it in wonder. A rich black satin corset bodice, attached to a full ballgown skirt, a chiffon wrap accompanied it. “Wow.”
“Celeste’s presentation at Court after passing her final Trial,” Salem whispered, he reached out and stroked the material as if he could catch the essence of the female who once wore it. “Matteo wanted her to find an Akrhyn. She wore this to remind him and Court, she was a Sentinel as well as a single female Akryhn.”
“Open the last one,” Martha said eagerly, “this is so much fun.”
Laughing, Tegan pulled out a soft pink ballgown. There was no other words for it, her father had told her that humans told stories of princesses and this was what Tegan imagined a princess would wear. There was a full taffeta skirt with layers of chiffon over it, a tight-fitting bodice in a twisted sweetheart neckline, leading to chiffon half sleeves. Applique flowers, with tiny jewelled centres scattered across the dress added the finishing detail – it was simply stunning.
“It looks too pretty to touch.” Tegan whispered. “What did she wear this one to?”
She turned to see Salem close his eyes in pain and Martha dipped her head as she frowned. “I’m sorry Salem, I didn’t know this was in here. I didn’t know she kept it.”
“It’s okay, Martha.”
“What is it?” Tegan looked back at the dress. “It’s so beautiful, how could it cause bad memories?”
“Your mother wore this the night it was officially announced that I had been betrothed to Mikayla.”
“Oh,” Tegan looked at the dress. She could almost see it, her mother looking like a beautiful delicate flower, having her heart broken as she watched the male she loved, sworn to another. “Not that one then,” Tegan whispered as her hand fell from the dress.
“Wear whichever one you want to, Tegan,” Salem touched her elbow gently. “It’s time to make new memories.”
Tegan smiled but the last dress had dulled her excitement a little. “I will bag them all up again and bring them to my room,” she started putting them away, her hand stroking the pink chiffon one more time.
Salem cleared his throat and straightened. “Is there any you think you would want to wear tonight?” his forced jovial tone rang a little loud.
“I think maybe the red or the blue?” Tegan answered without thought.
“Good choices, you will look beautiful no matter what you pick.”
“Thank you,” Tegan stood looking at him awkwardly. “It would be easier if I could wear fatigues.”
Salem tilted his head back and laughed. “Yes, my dear it probably could, but members of the Great Council will be there, and we best make sure you are presentable to them.”
“I have met them all before,” Tegan reminded him as she looked at the box in consternation. “Why can’t I fit them all in when they all came out?”
“Well that explains the rose petals,” Martha muttered. “Spelled. Come on. We’ll need to carry them.”
As they walked to the door, Tegan stopped and looked back at Salem. “Thank you for these.”
“Of course, they’re yours,” Salem swallowed, trying to keep back his emotion. “Whichever one you chose you’ll look radiant in.”
Smiling hesitantly, Tegan turned and followed Martha out of the door.
“It’s a bold choice,” Sloane said as he appraised her.
�
�Too bold?” Tegan asked as she held the dress up for his thoughts.
“No, just… bold.”
“What are you not saying?” Tegan asked him curiously as she looked at her choice.
“Why was Kai in the room?”
Tegan turned and looked at Sloane. “I thought we discussed this?”
“We did,” Sloane ran his hand over his short hair. “You said he came in and had talked to you for a few minutes before Cord arrived.”
“Yes,” Tegan waited.
“Okay,” Sloane shrugged.
“But it isn’t okay? Is it?” Tegan’s head tilted as she looked at him. “What is it?”
“I don’t know why you would let him in when you weren’t dressed. He says…” Sloane stopped.
“He says what?”
“That he has seen you in more revealing clothing?” Sloane rubbed the back of his neck. “He mentioned your underwear.”
Tegan laughed, her laughter causing Sloane to glare at her. “He has!” She laughed at her cousin some more. “So have you! On my first day here, I wore my training clothes remember?”
Understanding dawned on Sloane. “Your sports bra,” he groaned. “I forgot about you in that bra and yoga pants.”
“He said the towel hid more than they did, I realised he was right,” Tegan turned back to the dress. “Actually, I should apologise to Michael, I never thought they were revealing, they were just practical.” Tegan looked at Sloane sheepishly. “Sorry, cousin.”
“No, you’re fine. I’m going to punch Kai though, for making it seem more than that.” Sloane sighed in relief. “If Cord doesn’t dismember him first,” he muttered.
“Hmm?” Tegan was rummaging in her closet. She looked out from behind the door. “What was that?”
“Nothing,” Sloane forced a smile. “Nothing,” he repeated. “So, nothing else?”
“This is getting tedious now,” Tegan came out of her closet properly. “He said he wanted to hold me, I didn’t understand, and he said, ‘just let me hold you,” she noticed Sloane’s frown reappearing, “so I realised he just wanted a hug. Like you do, all the time.” Tegan started unbraiding her hair. “I think he was scared of the upcoming battle.”
“You think he was scared?” Sloane watched her as she nodded emphatically.
“I do, of course, how were we to know – nothing would happen?” Tegan paused and looked at Sloane. “I bet he feels silly, do you think that’s why I haven’t seen him?”
Sloane shrugged instead of telling his cousin the reason she hadn’t seen Kai is because Kai was terrified Cord was going to turn him into a frog or worse, and if he wasn’t hiding from the Castor, he knew for definite that Michael was looking for him also. Tegan was so innocent, he realised. He debated about telling her, then thought she may be better off not knowing. As he watched her loosen her braids, her hair falling down her back, he realised if it wasn’t Kai, then Cord would surely kill her next admirer. Her beauty and complete innocence was a deadly combination.
“Tegan, I need to talk to you,” he blurted.
“What is it?”
“Come sit with me?”
“What is it?” Tegan sat beside him easily.
“How much do you know about… courting?” Sloane began.
“The Court,” Tegan frowned. “Not much. Father just said it was nonsense and I wouldn’t have to deal with it.” She gave a light laugh, “Wait until I see him again.” She nudged Sloane’s shoulder, her smile fading when he didn’t retaliate.
“No, not Court.” Why is this so awkward? Sloane thought as he shuffled in place. “Courting.” As Tegan remained silent. “Like a male and female Akrhyn getting together?”
“Oh,” Tegan gave a surprised laugh. “Martha explained the process to me when I was younger, and then Tove gave me the unedited version when I was sixteen.”
“Okay, good.” Sloane nodded.
“That may be the most random thing you ever asked me,” Tegan looked at him speculatively.
“Yeah, probably.” He looked away, before turning back. “Look, Kai likes you, he has made no secret about it.”
“Okay,” Tegan stood and went back to the closet. “You don’t want him to like me?”
“What? No. Wait, no, yes. I don’t know.” Sloane looked at her, flustered.
“You don’t like Kai?”
“What? Of course I like Kai,” Sloane stood in frustration. “This isn’t about whether I like him, we’re talking about you.”
“I don’t think we are?” Tegan looked at her cousin solemnly. “Maybe you like Kai. It’s okay, Tove told me about male Akrhyn who like male Akrhyn. Females too.”
“Tegan, for the love of Brindlelay, I am not attracted to male Akrhyn, but Kai is attracted to you.” Sloane took a deep breath. “He didn’t come in here for a hug because he was scared, he came in for courting.”
Understanding dawned on Tegan’s face and her mouth dropped open in surprise, “Oh.”
“Yes, that’s why Cord acted the way he did, that’s why Michael is going to punch Kai when he sees him next.”
“I didn’t understand that,” Tegan bit her lip as she looked at her cousin. “I… I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything,” Sloane smiled at her, relieved it was over. “You just need to be careful, you’re too innocent when it comes to this.” He pulled her in for a hug. “Your father did you no favours keeping you away from other Akrhyn.”
“I must be at fault too, I didn’t feel comfortable with him in here when I was in my towel. When there was a knock on the door, I was hoping it was Michael,” Tegan confessed. “It didn’t feel the same when he held me like it does when you do it.”
“Well, that’s because I’m not trying to get under your towel,” Sloane squeezed his cousin. “I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry? I am at fault.”
“No,” he stepped back from Tegan and held her eye. “He knows you’re green in these things, he pushed it, you have nothing to be sorry for.”
Sloane was so serious it made Tegan feel worse. “Okay.” She sighed, “Why am I green?”
“It means innocent.” Sloane laughed at her confusion. “Now, ask me again, if I like Kai.” Sloane squeezed her one more time. “Come on, you need to get into that dress and… I’ve turned into one of Zahra’s schoolmates,” he shook his head ruefully. “How are you styling your hair?”
“Um, I can make a bun?”
“Perfect,” Sloane kissed the top of her head. “You okay?”
“Yes, nervous. More so than before,” Tegan admitted eyeing the dress.
“The skirts full enough that you could conceal your knives,” Sloane said with a wink as he closed the adjoining door behind him.
“Knives,” Tegan beamed at the dress. “Yes, knives are definitely the accessory I am missing.”
“Tegan, are you ready?” Sloane asked as he knocked on their adjoining door. He popped his head around the door and let out a low whistle. “I’m going to have to hit so many Akrhyn tonight,” he teased.
“Why? Are you angry?” Tegan mock gasped.
“You look amazing. I can’t take you – I have to attend with Zahra,” Sloane’s shoulders slumped slightly before he forced a grin. “Best dress choice.”
Tegan smiled at him as his head disappeared again, she heard him call out a farewell moments later. Staring at herself in the mirror, she furtively scanned her dress choice again. It was right, it was a statement piece – that’s what Sloane had called it. She felt good in it. Glancing at her closet she still longed for her training clothes.
A soft knock on the door pulled Tegan away from the mirror and she crossed the room hesitantly, remembering the last time someone knocked on the door. Opening it, she was happy to see Michael. He was wearing formal clothing, a black three-piece suit, his waistcoat a deep purple which sat snugly over a white open necked dress shirt.
“You look handsome,” Tegan greeted him.
“You look bea
utiful, Tegan,” Michael’s warm smile gave her more confidence.
“Are you sure? It’s not too… revealing?”
Michael shook his head. “No, it is perfect for you.” He held his arm out. “I know I’m not Sloane, but would you accompany me to the ball?”
“I would be honoured,” Tegan smiled shyly at him. “I think I would like to go to my first ball with my brother,” her head dipped as she closed the door, a warm flush on her cheeks.
“Thank you, Tegan.” His hand squeezed her arm and both smiling they walked to the staircase. “You seem very steady for someone wearing heels?” Michael gave her a side look.
Tegan paused and glancing around quickly, lifted her dress to show him her safe, sturdy, flat combat boots. Tegan whispered, “I don’t need the heels for added height and I needed something that felt normal.”
“Good choice,” he squeezed her arm again and then grinned. “I can’t wait to see you stand on someone’s foot when dancing,” Michael laughed. “What a surprise they’re going to get!”
Tegan nudged him playfully as they started to descend the stairs. Salem and Marcus stood at the bottom waiting. Both in formal black, Salem wore a suit similar to Michael, his waistcoat the same black as his suit. Marcus favoured the old style of formal clothing, a brocaded emerald green tunic over black dress pants. A twisted cord of golden threads hung across the front of it, attached to shoulder lapels. The cord announced to others that Marcus was the Second of a Principal. A high honour amongst the Akrhyn.
Salem turned from his conversation with Marcus to see his son and daughter coming down the stairs, his face split into a wide smile. He bowed his head in greeting as they approached him. “My Heirs,” he said formally. Michael beamed with pride and Tegan felt her own smile widen. “Tegan, you have no idea how much it means that you wore this dress.”
“I think it suits the occasion,” she murmured shyly.
“It does, just as your mother reminded the Court all those years ago that she was more than an Akrhyn looking for a match.”
“This was your mom’s dress?” Michael asked in surprise.
“Yes, she wore it to her first official Court, after her final Trial,” Tegan ran a hand over the black satin. “Salem gave it to me this afternoon.”
Into Darkness: The Akrhyn Series (Book 1) Page 24
