The Chosen

by K. J. Nessly

  David was willing to bet that they’d never stopped and that Kathryn had simply become better at hiding them and recovering from them.

  Chapter 23

  Kathryn was speechless, and for the first time in her life felt a twinge of regret. She had been thinking the worst of David and all he’d done was protect her. Never in her entire life could she remember someone doing that for her...No one except Claude. “There’s nothing to forgive,” she said woodenly. “The whole affair caught me off guard and I assumed the worst.” There, an apology…well, sort of.

  He actually grinned at her. “So I gathered.” He sat down across from her. “Kathryn did you have a nightmare?”

  His question startled her. Frantically she sought speech. “What makes you think that?”

  “You came to the door with ragged breathing, damp hair, and a rumpled dress, all evidence of a nightmare.”

  She narrowed her eyes slightly. “You are incredibly observant.” Too observant. Why can’t you be like everyone else in the kingdom and leave me alone? The only thing I’ve ever desired is to be left alone, why can’t anyone understand that?

  “Occupational hazard,” he assured her. He paused and then asked, “Want to talk about it?”

  For the second time in five minutes he left her speechless. “Talk about it?” she echoed finally.

  He nodded seriously. “I’ve always been told that talking about something makes it easier to deal with, easier to move past.”

  The very idea of reliving the nightmare chilled her to the bone. She looked to the windows. “No.”

  “No?”

  She looked back at him. “Talking doesn’t make it easier to move past, to deal with.”

  He pierced her with a look. “How would you know? According to what I’ve been told, you’ve never discussed your past with anyone.”

  How dare you! Kathryn felt her anger surge like a rapidly rising tide. “So you’ve been spying on me?” She accused, her voice rising again.

  He shook his head. “Not spying, just trying to understand your distantness towards the rest of the family.” David looked at her for a long time. “We’ve been a family for almost a year, Kathryn. I understand your hesitancy to form relationships, but you are going to have to fully trust me and the rest of the Dragons someday and I would prefer it to be soon.”

  “Oh you would, would you?” she asked sarcastically. “What makes you think I’m going to trust you?”

  His gaze was steady as he replied. “Because I’m family.”

  Her angry retort died before she could vocalize it. His answer wasn’t the one she had expected. Then again, David just had to be the one person she had ever encountered that she couldn’t seem to predict with any accuracy.

  “Why you? Why not Amy or another Dragon?”

  “You had all the years at school to tell Amy, you didn’t. Besides, I’m our family leader.”

  “So that automatically makes you trustworthy?”

  David sighed. He did not want to have this conversation here, but her uncharacteristic anger and talkativeness convinced him that he needed to address a growing problem. “You are shattering, Kathryn.”

  “What do you mean by that?” She demanded, coming to her feet.

  He remained sitting. “Look at yourself,” he said, forcing himself to remain calm. “You’re distracted and jumpy. You can’t focus on assignments the way you used to. On the ride here you practically tore Amy’s head off when she asked you if you were hungry. You didn’t even notice I was standing before you today at the end of the tourney.”

  “I can focus just fine,” Kathryn replied through clenched teeth.

  David shook his head. “No, you can’t,” he argued. “You keep others away by your cold manner, refusing to react when someone takes a shot at you. That tactic kept Natalie frustrated for months, and yet here you are, ready to argue with me, something you hate to do.”

  “Only because it’s a waste of time, nobody believes me, they didn’t believe me.”

  David remained silent, forcing himself not to react, hoping against all hope that Kathryn would continue in her outburst and help him understand.

  It wasn’t to be. Kathryn, seeming to realize the importance of what she had just said, moved to the window and stared at the closed drapes. Mute.

  “Who’s they?” he asked quietly.

  “No one I care to discuss.” Her tone could have frozen the ocean.

  He took a gamble. “It has something to do with Blackwood Manor, doesn’t it?”

  She stiffened, asking in a tense tone, “Who told you about Blackwood Manor?” He could almost see her mind working, wondering, how much do you really know?

  “You did, weeks ago.”

  “I did not,” she protested. If anything she looked practically fearful at the prospect of having said the name. Did it hold that much power over her?

  “You mentioned it,” he reminded her cautiously.

  Skepticism crossed her features. “When?” she challenged.

  “When we were riding to Duke Sebastian’s castle I asked you where you had learned the technique of hidden movement. You told me it was one of the things you had learned, courtesy of Blackwood Manor.”

  She paused, obviously trying to recall the conversation. He pinpointed the moment she remembered, her face going pale and her shoulders stiffening. “You have a very detailed memory,” she said finally.

  “It was the first hint of your past, I assure you I wasn’t about to forget it.”

  “You should have.” She was quiet for a long moment before asking, “What do you know?”

  Her question surprised him. “I know that you were abused but nothing more,” he replied slowly.

  “Abused?” Kathryn asked incredulous as she turned to face him. “Is that what they’re saying?”

  David paused before answering, had Lord Jasse been wrong? “That’s what Lord Jasse believes, is he wrong?”

  For a brief moment, at the mention of Lord Jasse’s name, anger flashed across her features. Then it was gone, her expression coolly composed before returning her gaze to the window. “Calling what I went through abuse would be like calling a lethal dose of poison potentially dangerous,” she said coldly.

  David waited patiently, hoping that she would decide to finally trust him. She turned to look at him and he could tell that today wouldn’t be that day. Before she could speak he said quickly, “I’ll wait while you dress for the feast. Is there anyone you would like me to call to help?”

  She paused, and then shook her head. “No thank you, I’ll manage.”

  “You’re supposed to be a lady,” he reminded her. “It wouldn’t be acceptable for Dowager Princess Jasmine’s ward to arrive at the feast dressed like a common noble woman.”

  The familiar sight of her eyes narrowing at him caught his attention. “What?” he asked in confusion. “What did I say this time?”

  “A common noble woman,” she repeated slowly. “You are the second person today I’ve heard say that.”

  He shrugged. “It’s a regularly used phrase around the palace. I’ll try and find Amy to help you.”

  David left before she could protest. Sighing, Kathryn pulled herself away from the window and moved to her closet, she had a banquet to prepare for. Blasted nobles! Blasted chivalry, she thought bitterly. Blast the King’s summons! If only she could have been deathly ill or something, then she could have begged out of the celebration and wouldn’t have to deal with this whole ridiculous nonsense of being a lady.

  She snorted softly. Her? A courtly lady? She would rather be a milk maid or pig farmer than spend her life at court. All this pomp and ceremony reminded way too much of the Blackwoods and their parties and events—only this time she was one of the airheaded ladies whom Lady Blackwood surrounded herself with instead of a servant.

  Lady Blackwood.

  Court.

  Kathryn dropped the dress she had pulled out of the closet. What if the Blackwoods had been invited to attend the bi
rthday celebration? What if they were here now? What if she was forced to dance with Lord Blackwood?

  Stop it! She told herself sternly. After what they put me through, Jasmine would never allow them to return to court and even if they did, they wouldn’t recognize me, I was a mute the last time I saw them.

  As to dancing with Lord Blackwood, it was an easy problem to solve. She’d stomp on his foot and thrust a dagger in his eye.

  Now stop being such a weakling and pick out a dress! She turned to her closet and saw the purple dress hanging up front.

  There was nothing in the kingdom that could convince her to wear that purple dress again, time to see what she had left now that Jasmine and Madame had gone through her wardrobe.

  Madame must have worked overtime, Kathryn thought as she fingered through the six new dresses hanging in front. Even she had to admit they were beautiful. Reverently she brought out a pale blue creation and laid it on the bed.

  The workmanship was beyond anything Kathryn had seen. The silver embroidery alone should have taken weeks to complete, yet here it was, lying on her bed. The sleeves were long and split, the sheer fabric flowed like water over her hands. Blue ribbon that matched the color of the dress laced the back of the bodice. The skirt was simple, with only a single underskirt to give it definition and drape. The fabrics were heavy, but she guessed that it they would move like ocean currents every time she moved. It reminded Kathryn of the fashion popular at court a century ago, back when ostentatious displays of wealth had been limited more toward furnishings and architecture.

  Kathryn drew in a sharp breath and stepped away as if she’d been burnt. She now knew why the dress seemed so familiar. It was the dress from her dream all those weeks ago, before rescuing the princess, back at the meadow when she had fallen asleep near the waterfall. This was the dress from her dream.

  Before she could throw it away Amy burst in, excitement bubbling from her. “Oh, Kathryn!” she called as she rushed over. “Can you believe that Prince Derek asked me to be his Lady?”

  Tearing her gaze from the dress, Kathryn smiled at her friend. “Of course I can! He would have been a fool not to ask you.”

  Amy actually blushed. “Actually,” she admitted. “I thought he would choose you.” Her gaze fell to the bed and she practically jumped on the bed. “Is this what you’re wearing tonight?” she asked excitedly as she snatched the dress and held it up.

  “I don’t think so,” Kathryn said hurriedly, she did not want to wear that dress anywhere.

  Amy looked her in disbelief. “Why not? It’s a gorgeous dress!” Running her hand over the skirt, she studied it. “I’ve never seen a style like this before.”

  Kathryn jumped on the excuse. “Exactly, I don’t want to wear something that will stand out.”

  Her friend took on a determined look. “No.”

  “No?”

  “No. You can’t wear anything else. This is the perfect dress for tonight.”

  Kathryn panicked. “Amy I can’t wear that dress!”

  “Why not? It’s perfect for you?”

  Frantically Kathryn sought an excuse and came up empty. “Because I can’t,” she protested lamely.

  “Oh, nonsense! Let me send for my dress and we can dress together.” She walked hurriedly to the door, pulled it open and peered out while motioning at someone in the hall. She turned back to Kathryn, “how are you going to do your hair?”

  “I hadn’t really thought about it.”

  Amy cocked her head at her, grabbed her gently by the shoulders and turned her. “I think you should let it down,” she suggested.

  Kathryn looked at her, appalled. “Let it down?” Self-consciously she reached up to brush her hair, only to find it was still pulled back. I thought I let it down before I fell asleep…Oh right. She’d pulled it up when David had knocked on her door.

  “Well, at least part of the way,” Amy proposed as she finished talking to her servant who hurried off to retrieve her dress. “Come on, we can do you first.”

  Unable to talk her friend out of the blue dress, Kathryn unwillingly submitted to wearing it, although once it was on she had to admit to herself it felt like it belonged there, more than any of the other court dresses she’d ever worn, which only made her want to tear it off even more.

  “Wow,” Amy exclaimed as she stood back.

  “Wow what?” Kathryn turned to look in the mirror but Amy grabbed her hand and kept her from looking.

  “Nope, you can’t look till I’m done with you.”

  “Amy…”

  “Don’t Amy me, this is going to be so much fun.”

  “What is so great about the dress? Why did you say wow?” Kathryn demanded.

  Her friend grinned at her. “Let’s just say that the dress changes your appearance drastically.”

  “How?” Kathryn wasn’t in the mood for riddles. The servant arrived with Amy’s dress and laid it on the bed.

  “It makes you look…what’s the word? Exotic.” Amy jabbed her finger at Kathryn. “That’s the only hint you get so stop asking.” She sat Kathryn down on a stool and began to do her hair. “I never realized what perfect hair you have.”

  Kathryn was getting uncomfortable. “Would you stop with the compliments?”

  Amy looked up surprised. “Why?”

  Kathryn shifted on the stool. “They’re embarrassing.”

  Her friend tossed her a grin. “I guess we’ll have to work on that too.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “You’re a lady of the court,” Amy explained. “You have to know how to accept compliments from smitten young men.” She looked at Kathryn. “Honestly, how did you pass the etiquette courses?”

  “I only had one,” Kathryn reminded her.

  “There,” Amy said reaching for one last pin. “Done.”

  “So I can look?”

  “I said your hair was done, we still have make-up to do.”

  “No make-up,” Kathryn said firmly.

  Amy, who had been reaching for the cosmetics lying on the table, turned to look at her friend. “Why not?”

  “I’ve never worn the stuff and don’t intend on starting.”

  “Every other lady at court will be wearing some.”

  “No make-up.” Kathryn was adamant.

  “It will help hide your identity if you wear make-up.”

  Scowling Kathryn considered Amy’s argument. “Okay fine,” she groused. “But just a little!”

  Grinning like a little girl, Amy quickly applied the cosmetics. “Okay, now I’m done. Let’s do me.”

  Kathryn helped Amy into her stunning red and gold dress, “Prince Derek will appreciate this,” she commented as she laced her friend’s corset and tied on her sleeves.

  “That’s the idea,” Amy laughed.

  Amy wanted her hair up and curled and it took almost the entire rest of the time to finish the style she had imagined. Since Kathryn didn’t know how to apply make-up Amy did her own.

  Finally both girls were ready; they didn’t have time to look in the mirrors before they heard a knock at the door.

  “Our escorts?” Amy asked as she moved towards the door.

  Prince Derek and David were standing outside, both admittedly handsome in their fresh tunics. Kathryn felt herself become increasingly uncomfortable as both escorts stared at them for a few moments in shock.

  Finally Derek collected himself and offered Amy his arm. “Are you ready for tonight?”

  Amy rewarded him with a smile. “Of course.”

  Together they headed down the hall. Kathryn reluctantly turned to look at David.

  Chapter 24

  When Amy had first opened the door, David hadn’t noticed Kathryn in the background. He noticed her now. In fact it was getting to be exceedingly difficult not to stare at her.

  What had Amy done? Kathryn didn’t look like the Kathryn he knew. Her hair was styled so that most of it hung down, softening her facial features to such an extent he almost
didn’t recognize her. The dress she was wearing didn’t match any style he had ever seen before, but it enhanced Kathryn’s features and unlike the wider skirts that his sisters wore, hers was left to fall naturally, making her look taller.

  Earlier he hadn’t understood what Derek had seen in her that stood out to him. He did now. Kathryn was stunning.

  “Is everything alright?” she asked as she closed the door behind her.

  “Everything’s perfect,” he assured her as he offered her his arm. He could see her hesitation to accept it. “I don’t bite,” he joked. She took it gingerly.

  They met Arianna in the hall and the servant gave Kathryn a peculiar look, followed by one that Kathryn would have sworn was pride, and hurried off.

  “What was that about?” David asked curiously.

  Kathryn was just as confused as he was. “I have no idea.”

  When they reached the courtyard where the feast would take place, Kathryn was surprised at the décor. The Royal table was set at the far end of the courtyard. Behind the table a massive mural depicting the four seasons at the castle formed a colorful backdrop. Five long tables were spread out perpendicular to the head table and it was to the head of one of these tables that a servant showed Kathryn and David. Mercifully, across from them sat Natalie and Luke, which would make the dinner conversation easier. At least it would if Natalie remained civil. As it was, the older girl was eyeing her dress with a calculating gleam in her eye.

  The King signaled for the feast to begin and within minutes the servants were carrying platters from the kitchen and filling up the tables with delicious foods.

  Kathryn ate sparingly. The nightmare had robbed her of her appetite and even spending time with Amy hadn’t brought it fully back. To her annoyance, David noticed her lack of enthusiasm and kept urging her to try some new dish. Even Natalie began to notice, asking if she’d tried the smoked fish or jellied fruit.