Awakening (Birthright Trilogy #2) Page 2

  'What's wrong?' he asked, though he knew the answer.

  She glanced up in surprise, and then shrugged with that now familiar sad, resigned expression.

  'I don't know, it just feels like… like a long two months.'

  It was always this time of the evening that it seemed to dwell on her mind. Though he agreed, it did feel very long.

  Rumal rolled over the top of her, holding his weight with his elbows at either side of her head and brushed his nose against hers.

  'Soon, Kass.'

  Kassie watched Rumal's molten gold eyes swirl as he smiled and that unusual energy of his began to extend as he bent his head to hers. The kiss was soft and sweet, and then deepened as he pressed intimately against her. All her concerns flew out the window and Kassie wrapped her arms around his neck, relishing the pleasurable escape from the present.

  *****

  At the castle in her chambers, Elena smiled at her sister in the mirror.

  'How is the study going?'

  'Fine. I have some field research to do that, hopefully, will provide some insight into the carnivores habits. The diversity of the creatures here is astounding. I'm not surprised Jenviet was able to find suitable test subjects.'

  Elena drummed her fingers on the dresser surface and nodded, lips stretched thinly over her teeth as she grimly acknowledged that creature's ingenuity.

  'Desperation appears to be rather inspirational for her.'

  Her sister shrugged. 'As it is for many, Ellie. I have to go. I'll let you know if anything of interest pops up.'

  'Take care.'

  'Always.'

  Elena leaned back in the chair while the mirror shifted back to its normal, reflective surface. The utter silence from Jenviet made her nervous. Elena frowned at herself in the mirror.

  I will go ahead with the plans to protect the castle. I won't complain if she doesn't bother us before those two wake up.

  Elena felt another twinge of anxiety at that. It must be soon, though she wasn't looking forward to having that conversation with Cat. As Elena mulled over those somber thoughts there was a knock on the door, and Yakov entered with their morning pot of tea.

  'Here we go.' He flashed that charming smile and she resisted the urge to giggle. Sometimes he made her feel like a girl of two hundred again.

  Yakov set the tray on the dresser and pulled the other chair close. It was a while before either of them spoke, enjoying the peace and silence. The last two months had been very stressful, and he was impatient for Alek and Cat to wake. Trying to keep the calm, to be "diplomatic" as his role of adviser required, had been strenuous to say the least. Spreading the General Guard and Centaur Cavalry across the land hadn't improved the sense of fear so many had, but it was necessary. This stillness was intimidating.

  Surely, at some point, Jenviet will retaliate—but when, and how?

  It appeared that Elena was in the midst of similar considerations, he thought, as a frown marred her forehead.

  'Stop it, Ellie,' he gently chided. 'You know there's nothing more to be done until they wake.'

  Elena sighed and shook her head. Her hair, free from its customary plait, flowed around her.

  'I know, I just wish I knew what she was up to.'

  *****

  Outside in the courtyard, Loi settled beneath a favorite tree and tied her long hair back with a length of red ribbon. Getting comfortable, she pressed both hands lightly against the soft earth and exposed roots then extended her energy down, tracing the roots deep into the earth. Immediately, a dense, resonate hum arose from all the plants in the vicinity, audible only to those who were gifted.

  Far away on Delanta, Kassie tuned in with Loi, and then Sian tuned in too. In their various places, the three of them relaxed as their energy flowed throughout the earth, the water, and the air. Each one breathed a sigh of relief at being linked again.

  Since the attack, they couldn't manage much longer than a day without linking. The longer they held off, the worse they felt. Intense headaches, and a horribly weak sensation in all her limbs, had Loi worried she was severely ill until Elena had explained.

  Loi smiled as she saw some of the images of what Kassie had been up to, and felt Sian's laughter at the image of Zeynon leaping off the shed roof.

  From a second floor window, Sabyn watched as Loi sat beneath the tree. Eyes closed, she smiled and her lips moved while she conversed with the other girls. This was his favorite time of the day, when he got to see his beautiful, strong Loi again, not stressed nor worried. Leaning against the windowsill, Sabyn smiled as she laughed at something, his eyes focused on her lovely face. He chuckled as a variety of expressions flickered across it. She didn't know he watched her. This was the only window she was visible from. A cough made him turn, and he saw Yakov standing there.

  'Are they linking?'

  Sabyn nodded, and the adviser stepped closer to look out the window at Loi.

  'It's nice to see her smiling again.'

  'It is. She was up again last night. I think they might wake soon, she's been up three nights this week.'

  'Ellie is thinking the same thing. I hope they do, there are many things that need to be sorted, and it can't happen till they're conscious,' Yakov said.

  Outside the Royal Chamber, the guards shifted position and took a moment to fuss over Audrey. The dog had made it her duty to wait for her mistress, and the alternating guards all enjoyed Audrey's company. They played fetch with her down the long corridor. A couple of the guards took the time to teach her new tricks. It made the long shifts pass more quickly. As Audrey went to settle down between the two men, she suddenly froze. The guards exchanged a glance as the dog cocked her head at the closed door and stiffened.

  In the courtyard mid-conversation, Loi froze as a thought touched her mind.

  What was that? She thought via their link.

  The three were silent as they extended their energy, hesitant to say what they thought—hoped—it might be.

  Outside the Royal Chamber, Audrey let loose a joyful howl.

  Shock rang through me as I stared in confusion at a strange ceiling.

  Where the hell am I? Why can't I move right?

  All my limbs felt oddly heavy, and I wasn't sure if I had the strength to push up, to look around. A scrabbling noise somewhere beyond my feet distracted me, and a frantic feeling of panic began to swell in my chest as I struggled to move again.

  Why am I in bed? What's happened?

  The sound of a door swinging open and male voices made me freeze in terror at the unknown.

  'Hold on a moment!' a voice commanded, and a man's face appeared, staring down in astonishment. I recognized the uniform with a jolt. It was one of the guards from the Royal Chamber that Yakov had shown me.

  Yakov.

  Oh God, I'm not on Earth.

  The guard carefully eased me up to a sitting position. When someone reached to adjust the blankets I flinched as the movement was too close for my current state of mind. Words and images flashed through my mind, like a movie reel on fast forward, and my body shook with shock as I tried to process it all.

  Alek. The girls. Audrey. Gar'nyse.

  ALEK!

  As it began to hit me I jerked around, staring in alarm for the threat that I knew was there, but couldn't quite place. Both guards stood back with concerned expressions, hands raised in self-defense. It was then I realized my energy had flared out, flickering aggressively around the edges of the bed.

  'Calm down, Lady Catherine. All is well. The Sorceress will be here in a moment.'

  The guard's words were meant to soothe. The nervous voice, however, did not.

  'Where's Alek?'

  The rough, raspy voice was almost unrecognizable as my own, and I blinked in surprise. The guard that had spoken exchanged a look of concern with the other guard and then gestured across the room. My heart thumped loudly in my ears, and the men yelled in alarm and bolted. The room pulsed red as I pulled the covers back and took a tentative step, aiming for the bed on the other side of the room. The wooden floor was cold under foot. I took another step, intent on that bed. The edges of my vision grew unpleasantly blurry until the darkness engulfed me.

  Elena raced for the chamber and saw the two guards pressed against the wall opposite, staring in horror at the red energy pulsing from the open door. That energy sucked back in as she reached the doors and with a cry, Elena lunged in, catching Cat just before the girl hit the floor. Yakov was beside her a moment later and quickly gathered Cat into his arms, settling her back in bed as Sabyn and Loi burst into the room.

  'Did she wake?'

  'Is she okay?'

  'Should I call the others?'

  'Has Alek woken?'

  The questions came thick and fast, and Elena held a hand up for silence. A mumble from Cat caused everyone to gasp and move closer to the bed, faces alight with anticipation.

  The world appeared to spin when I tried to open my eyes, and a whimper at the sickening sensation slipped out. I would have blushed in shame at making such a sound, but didn't have the strength for it.

  'Cat?'

  Was that Loi? I tried to open my eyes again and squinted through slits, spotting my friend near the end of the bed, staring anxiously while giving my leg a gentle squeeze.

  'Loi,' I croaked. 'Where am I? Is Alek okay?'

  Those enormous topaz eyes of hers glittered with unshed tears, and I felt another twinge of panic as her face quivered with emotion.

  'Alek is fine, just resting,' she said and then lunged forward, grabbing me in a tight hug.

  'Oh God, Cat. I'm so glad you're awake. I've been so worried!'

  I feebly hugged her as she began to sob, feeling stunned.

  How long have I been out of it?

  'Cat?'

  I peered past Loi's shoulder at Elena, who regarded me with a serious expression.

  'Yes?'

  Wow, my voice was really rough.

  'How are you feeling?'

  Loi pulled back, and the four of them stared at me. I hadn't even noticed Yakov and Sabyn until then. Focusing on her question, I felt my mouth working as I attempted to comprehend the last few moments.

  'Sick. Confused. What's happened?'

  Yakov dragged a couple of seats over, gesturing to Elena and Loi to sit, and then turned to me.

  'Do you remember the ball?'

  At first my mind went blank. My breath caught as panic—at the blankness—constricted my chest. Then memories of the night slowly came to me. One memory caused me to jerk my left hand out and I stared, astonished, at the beautiful tourmaline and diamond engagement ring Alek had given me. The green, as he had said, so similar to my eyes. As I stared at the ring, more memories came up; the centaurs and their beautiful wives, all the shocked faces at Elena's announcement, and of course Alek in my bedroom, kneeling before me with the ring I wore. A smile tugged at my lips and tears threatened at that memory.

  Then another memory hit.

  Cat stared at her engagement ring. From her confused frown, Sabyn could tell she was trying to recall everything. Loi slipped her hand in his, her expression somber. Sabyn knew that whatever it was Elena would soon reveal to Cat, it wasn't going to be pleasant. The look of sorrow in Loi's eyes pained him.

  Cat gasped.

  'Jenviet! Is she dead? How many died.' she paused, a hand to her chest as her shoulders heaved from the exertion of speaking. Then in a quieter voice, a voice that almost sounded normal, she asked, 'How long have I been out of it? And where are Kass and Sian?'

  Cat's face was white. Yakov cleared his throat.

  'No, Jenviet is not dead. Injured, potentially, but not dead. What you saw that night was a projection of her, so though we weren't aware of it, she was impossible to kill. You have been unconscious for two months. As you see—' he waved a hand toward the prone figure on the other bed. 'Alek is still unconscious, but we expect him to wake soon. Kassie is with Rumal at his family's estate on Delanta, and Sian is with Daron at Gredel and Citaan's estate. Now that you've woken, I expect they'll be here shortly.'

  Everyone was quiet as Cat processed Yakov's words, her gaze locked on Alek. The adviser exchanged a glance with Elena. She made a small gesture at the others and he turned to Sabyn.

  'It's time to leave the girls be.'

  They left the chamber, closing the door behind them. The guards outside appeared bewildered at the day's sudden change of events. When they came to Sabyn's chamber down the corridor, Yakov went straight in and had a seat at the table in the lounge area. Sabyn shot him a curious look as he joined him.

  'Yes?'

  After a moments pause to gather his thoughts Yakov began.

  'What I'm about to tell you is to remain secret until Elena, herself, announces otherwise. Understand?'

  The blond man's face stiffened at his words, but Sabyn nodded and shifted a little closer.

  Once the men left, the first thing Loi and Elena did was to get Cat out of bed, washed, and fed before revealing anything else. Poor Cat seemed bewildered at her lack of strength, and Loi bit her lip hard to stop from crying. Finally she was awake, and suddenly, Loi wished she wasn't.

  I don't want her to suffer even more, she thought, and everything is going to change. The future, what needed to be done, would bear down on them rapidly now and whether her red-headed friend knew it or not, it was all due to her. Cat had no idea how much of a catalyst she was.

  Then Cat gave Loi one of those quirky grins, that was more like a grimace at the moment, but it was an attempt, and Loi beamed at her, hugging her tight again.

  Doesn't matter what happens, Loi thought, I'm so glad to have Cat back.

  The porridge sat solidly in my stomach, and I had to focus on keeping it there. The impromptu hugs Loi kept doling out, while lovely, didn't help the porridge at all. It felt like a very surreal out-of-body experience, getting bathed and dressed and fed. Every time I went to move, my limbs refused to move as I intended. They felt useless, as though they weren't really attached to me. My energy kept flaring all over the place and I was so, so worried about Alek, even if no one else was. I ached for his smile and his arms around me. When Loi hugged me, yet again, I tried harder to hug her back.

  'Missed you so much, Kitty Cat.'

  Loi's painful whisper caused my eyes to fill with tears. How many times had she checked on me in the past two months, desperately hoping I'd be awake?

  It was so brave of her to stay here.

  The swell in emotion made my energy flare out again, and Loi pulled back with a concerned glance at Elena. The Sorceress smiled reassuringly.

  'It will settle down soon, Cat. Now, we need to talk.'

  Weariness made me grouchy, and the irritation I felt caused my energy to flicker in response.

  'Do we really need to do this now, Elena? Surely it could wait till tomorrow.'

  The weariness was fast changing to intense tiredness. I knew it wouldn't be long before my eyes closed, and good luck to her then.

  The look she regarded me with was odd.

  'Not really, Cat. This is important.'

  Beside me, Loi sighed. Then she climbed onto the bed, wrapping both arms around me in comfort. Alarmed I stared at Elena.

  What is going on?

  Elena watched as Cat's complexion turned a hint green as the girl finally registered the importance of what she was about to say. With a quick move, Elena snatched a basin from the floor and thrust it into Cat's arms.

  'Here, in case you feel sick.'

  Cat clutched the bowl close while Elena took a breath. A scrabbling on the doors made them all pause and one was eased open. Audrey pelted into the room, yelping in excitement and sailed onto the bed beside Cat, who promptly dropped the bowl and hugged the dog tight. The guard who'd opened the door nodded to Elena then closed it again. The Sorceress smiled as Audi tried to smother Cat in kisses, and Loi smiled too. After giving them some time to reacquaint, she went to start again.

  It felt so good to be able to hug and pat Audi. I buried my hand deep in her fur, and she cuddled close as Elena began.

  'What I'm about to tell you nobody is aware of, except for the girls' and Yakov. The men will soon be told of it. Alek knows some of the details, but not all.'

  The dramatic statement puzzled me, but I nodded.

  'When Queen Ariadwen became pregnant, there were some unusual signs in the readings we did for the unborn child. My siblings and I investigated and the more we looked into them, the clearer it became. It appeared there was a very strong chance of the Queen's child being born an Elemental.'

  There was a long pause as I stared blankly at Elena.

  Was she talking about that strange energy I remember Alek throwing off the night of the ball?

  Seeing that I hadn't comprehended whatever it was she had hinted at, Elena continued.

  'Of course if these signs were correct, it would mean the child would be in grave danger from the moment it was born.'

  There was another silence as she stared at me meaningfully.

  'Okay?' It felt as though she expected a response. What exactly, I wasn't so sure.

  Elena sighed and looking tired said, 'I discussed this possibility with the King and Queen and Yakov. We came to the decision that if the child proved to, indeed, be an Elemental, I would need to take some drastic steps to protect it. Drastic steps which I'd already taken with a child born to a commoner two years earlier.'

  Thoroughly confused I asked, 'What, to the King and Queen? I thought they only had Alek. How many Elementals are there? I thought we were unique?'

  Elena stared at me.

  'You are unique.'

  There's something you're missing, my rational voice cautioned. I frowned at Elena.

  'What are you talking about?'

  Loi reached over to squeeze my hand as Elena gave me another long look before taking a breath and with a resigned expression said, 'Catherine, you are the daughter of King Nikias and Queen Ariadwen.'