Return of the Crown (32 page)

Ravyn tapped on Lareina’s door.

“Come in, love,” her mother said, a dreamy
tone in her voice.

Ravyn poked her head around the door. Her
mother was lying back on her pillows, still dressed in her
nightgown. Ravyn rushed to her side, running a hand across her
mother’s brow.

“Mother, you’re still in bed. You missed the
morning meal. Are you all right? You aren’t feeling ill, are
you?”

A lazy smile greeted Ravyn. “No love, I’m
just a bit tired, that’s all. Nothing to fret about.” Lareina
reached up to caress her daughter’s cheek.

Perched on the edge of the bed, Ravyn
blurted, “The past few weeks have been rather tiring. You’ve been
so busy getting the college started, overseeing the castle’s
refurbishment, and preparing for tomorrow’s celebration. You
deserve a day in bed. What can I do for you? Would you like me to
check with cook for tomorrow’s dinner, or check over the guest
list, or ask the musicians for their playlist? I know I’ve been
busy and haven’t helped as much as I should, but I’ll give this
whole day to you. I’m at your beck and call.”

“Ravyn, you’re so beautiful and thoughtful.
If you would like to check with cook that would be fine, though I
dare say he’s got everything under control. He likes to know we’re
interested in his preparations. Just look over everyone’s plans,
then tell them they’re perfect. One of the rules to governing a
large staff is not governing them but taking pride in their work.
They give their all for you, knowing you care about their ideas and
accomplishments. Praise goes a long way, but I’m sure you already
know that.” Lareina pushed herself up in bed, golden hair cascading
down her shoulders, blue eyes sparkling. “Ravyn, I’m making an
announcement at tomorrow’s celebration, but I’m dying to tell
someone my secret.”

“Secret, Mother?” Ravyn’s eyebrows
arched.

“Ravyn, you are everything a mother could ask
for. I only hope your little brother or sister is half as splendid
as you.”

It took a moment for it to sink in, but when
it did, Ravyn threw her arms around her mother laughing, “I’ve
always wanted a little brother.”

Morning dawned bright and cheery, the castle
bustling with activity in preparation for the evening’s
celebration. Guests were arriving from every corner of the Kingdom.
The efficient castle staff hustled them to their rooms, settling
them in.

Ravyn spent her morning hours with Magda at
the School of Light. Magda had returned from her exile near Land’s
End to be the school’s headmistress. So far, only a few children
from Veris were attending with Ravyn, but soon others from the
surrounding countryside would join. Because there were only a few
students, Magda worked them hard, drilling them over and over on
different techniques. By the time lunch rolled around, Ravyn was
famished.

She ate lunch with her mother. Both women ate
large portions, astounding the cook when they asked for
seconds.

“Why are you so hungry, Ravyn,” Lareina
asked.

“Magda had us working all morning without a
break. I was starving within an hour. She’s a real slave driver,”
she grumbled. “And, I forgot to bring a snack. I won’t forget to do
that again. Maybe we should send a cook over to the school. It
would be nice to have one on hand.” She grinned at Lareina. “I
suppose you’re eating more because you’re eating for…”

“Shhh,” Lareina smiled, nodding her head
toward the kitchens.

The afternoon slipped away from them as they
checked on the plans for the evening. Ravyn loved the time spent
with her mom, but it felt strange too. She had been a little girl
when she’d floated away in her rainbow globe to her island
sanctuary. Now she was a woman, and her mom seemed more like a
friend, someone her age.

Lareina smiled at Ravyn and reached out to
brush a strand of hair away from her daughter’s eyes. “Well, I
believe we’ve done all we can to prepare,” she chimed. “We’ll just
have to leave it to the staff now. You need to go get ready.”

“But, I have a couple more things to go over
with cook,” Ravyn mumbled, eyes still locked on the night’s
menu.

“Young lady, I said you need to go get ready.
Now!” Lareina’s tone changed garnering subtle authority. She slid
the menu from Ravyn’s hands.

Ravyn sighed and pushed herself back from her
mother’s desk. She stood, stretching out the kinks in her neck.
“Yes, mother,” she agreed with a pout. “I’m going.” She pecked her
mother’s cheek and turned for the door.

“And Ravyn,” Lareina said.

“Yes, mom?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.” Ravyn flew into her
mother’s arms for one more lingering hug.

As Ravyn stepped from her bath, her lady in
waiting, Angelique, entered her chambers. She was carrying a
magnificent gown the color of the twilight sky, edged in soft
lavender trim.

“You’ll help me get into this crazy thing,
won’t you? There’s so much fabric, I’m not sure how to get it on.”
Ravyn giggled.

“Of course, m’lady, it would be my pleasure.
If you’ll just lift your arms, I think I can drop it down over
you.”

Ravyn lifted her arms above her head, and
Angelique dropped the soft silk gown down over Ravyn’s arms and
head. Ravyn let the fabric slide across her skin. Angelique laced
the ties in the back, pulling the fabric taut. Ravyn spun about the
room, listening to the silk swish and rustle as she turned in
circles. “Oh, this is exquisite, don’t you think?”

“Yes, m’lady, it’s lovely. Please sit so I
can do your hair.”

Ravyn stopped twirling and took a seat on the
tiny stool placed before her vanity. She looked in the mirror at
the girl combing out her dark hair. “Angelique, what will you wear
tonight?”

“I have a dress that was my mother’s, m’lady.
It’s not nearly as fine as your gown, but it should do nicely.” She
twisted a lock of hair into a tight spiral pinning it in place.

Ravyn eyed the pretty redhead, a smile
spreading across her face, setting her eyes to sparkling. “We’re
about the same size, aren’t we?”

“Well, yes, m’lady. I guess we are.”

“I was wondering if you’d do me a favor?”
Ravyn said appraising Angelique in the mirror.

Angelique took a hesitant step back, wringing
her hands. “I would do anything for m’Lady,” she stammered so soft
that Ravyn could barely hear her.

Ravyn jumped off the stool, crossing the room
to reach into the wardrobe. She pulled out a velvet gown of deep
forest green, handing it to Angelique. “I would be highly honored
if you would wear this. I could never do this dress justice, but
the green matches your eyes and would set off your glorious
hair.”

“Oh,” she gasped, “m’lady, I couldn’t. It
wouldn’t be right.” Angelique looked like she’d been stung. Horror
filled her eyes, and her hands flew to cover her mouth.

“Angelique, it feels right to me that I offer
it to you. There will be many young men here tonight, and in this
gown you’re sure to catch some attention. My lady in waiting should
shine. So, please, put it on, for me,” Ravyn pleaded.

Angelique ran her fingers along the gold
brocade of the bodice and turned tear-filled eyes up to Ravyn’s
beaming face. Ravyn reached out to give Angelique a gentle nudge.
The girl sighed a happy “Yes” before disappearing behind the
privacy screen. When she emerged Ravyn squealed, “I knew I was
right. Oh, look in the mirror!”

Angelique stared at her reflection, the gown
amplifying all her feminine features. Her red hair shimmered
against the field of green. Her cheeks blushed pink, green eyes
brimming with tears. “Oh, I, oh my,” she murmured.

“Now, you sit while I do your hair, then you
can do mine,” Ravyn laughed. “This is fun. I’ve never done anything
like this before.”

The clock chimed the hour of six. Ravyn
stifled her giggles, wiping the tears from her eyes. She’d never
sat with a girl, gossiping and telling jokes. She hadn’t giggled so
hard in years. She took Angelique’s hand, and they stood in front
of the mirror, evaluating their handiwork.

Ravyn’s silky blue gown accentuated her
slender body, the skirts swelling in soft layers of silk billowing
about her. She looked like a soft cloud floating above the earth.
Angelique had swept Ravyn’s luxurious ebony locks up off her
shoulders leaving a curled strand to highlight her porcelain face.
Little pearls and sapphire ribbons twined throughout the silky
strands of hair crowning her in breathtaking glory. A delicate
tiara of diamonds, sapphire, and amethyst graced her brow. Rosy
cheeks and sparkling blue eyes smiled at her from the silvery
surface.

Angelique was radiant in the deep green
velvet gown trimmed in gold. The bodice drew attention to her
graceful form. Ravyn plaited Angelique’s hair, drawing it up in a
soft roll at the nape of her slender neck. A crown of white
gardenias brought the fiery glory of her red hair to life. Green
eyes bright with tears of joy, Angelique turned to face Ravyn.
“M’lady,” she whispered as the bells chimed announcing the start of
the celebration, “I don’t know how to thank you. I never would have
dreamed this possible a few short weeks ago. I never thought to
smile again.” Ravyn dabbed at Angelique’s tears with a lacy
handkerchief.

Wrapping her arms around the trembling lass,
Ravyn declared, “It is I who should thank you for being a friend. I
have had little opportunity for friends until now, and I loved
sharing this time with you. Thank me by having the time of your
life tonight. And, wish me luck.”

“Luck, m’lady?” Angelique asked, brows
knitting in confusion.

“Please, Angelique, call me Ravyn. Friends
don’t call each other by titles. And yes, luck. I need to get Major
Blade alone and tell him how much I love him before I burst. I
haven’t seen him much this past week. I know he’s been busy, and so
have I. It’s just that I have to let him know he’s the only one for
me.”

“M’lady, er, um, Ravyn, I do not think you
need luck. You look so beautiful tonight; he can’t help but be
drawn to you.”

They exited Ravyn’s chamber, picking up two
guards as escorts. They descended the stairs down to the ballroom
where the celebration was taking place. Laughter rang through the
halls as the gaiety of the event overcame the tragedy of the past.
Heads turned, jaws agape, as the herald announced the arrival of
Princess Ravyn and the Lady Angelique.

Angelique parted from Ravyn squeezing her
hand and joined a table of her friends. Ravyn proceeded alone to
the high table, searching the length of the table for Blade. Her
heart sank; the place next to hers sat vacant.

She sat down next to her mother, nodding
politely to the servant holding her chair. With a slight signal
from Lareina’s hands, servants bustled in carrying the first
course.

Ravyn attempted to smile, but she found it
difficult to get the corner’s of her lips to comply. She settled
for keeping a calm expression and not bursting into tears. She
placed her napkin in her lap and began fiddling with it, twisting
the fabric between her hands. She leaned forward, scanning left and
right, searching for that one face in the crowd that seemed
dismally absent.

“Oh, my sweet little bird, you look so
beautiful. Why the long face? This is a day of celebration.
Aigerach is safe once more because of you. The crown has been
returned to its rightful place.” Lareina patted Ravyn’s hands.

Ravyn cleared her throat and blinked back the
tears that threatened to pour. “I was hoping to see Blade. I
haven’t seen him today, not for the past several days, in fact. I
thought he would be here, today especially. I never would have made
it to Veris if not for him.”

“Your father sent him on urgent business.
Never fear, the night is yet young.” She placed a warm hand on
Ravyn’s. “He will be here soon,” she assured her. Lareina scanned
the assembled throng of people, “Why, isn’t that Blade, striding
toward us even now?”

Ravyn’s breath stalled as she followed her
mother’s gaze. Blade was indeed cutting across the long hall,
aiming straight as an arrow toward her. He wore a blue silk shirt
with a deep purple jacket. Blue trousers tucked into soft black
dress boots complemented his attire. His sword hung faithfully at
his hip. A broad smile lit his handsome face as he spied her, his
green eyes drawn to hers as he crossed the room.

He pulled out the chair next to Ravyn and sat
down. Turning to face her, his eyes drank her in, absorbing every
detail. “Ravyn, I never dreamed you could look more beautiful than
the day I first saw you on the cliffs.”

“Thank you,” she muttered unsure what else to
say. Sudden anger flared and she muttered through gritted teeth.
“Where have you been? I’ve missed you. You never told me you were
leaving.”

“Rav, I’m sorry I’ve been absent these past
few days. But, your father insisted that I…”

“Shhh, eat, son, before your food grows
cold,” Lareina interjected with a smile.

Ravyn sighed, glowing inside as the anger
slipped away. Out of the corner of her eye, she searched for
Blade’s aura, watching as two shades of violet and blue twined
together.

The courses passed slowly, an eternity it
seemed. Ravyn longed to go for a walk with Blade in the gardens,
somewhere quiet, where there weren’t so many eyes. She still wasn’t
used to being around so many people, and the laughter and chatter
felt intrusive to her. She longed for the tranquility of the moon
and stars, with only the wind whispering in her ear and a warm arm
around her shoulders. She shared a trencher with Blade, and their
hands brushed against one another often. It sent shivers up her
spine, delightful shivers. She felt a blush rise on her cheeks.

When at last she felt like she would scream
with impatience, a delicate dessert of custard and berries was
placed before her. The custard melted in her mouth, the sweet
berries popping with flavor. Blade’s spoon scraped the sides of his
empty dish. Ravyn dropped her spoon and leaned over to Blade, ready
to ask him to go for a walk, when her father stood.