Before The Worst
Chapter Thirty Seven
The heron flew lazily over the lake, eying the clear surface. With a swift swoop, it speared a fish in its beak and alighted on its favourite rock as it ate, looking around the whole time for potential danger. But nothing moved at this early hour, the first sun barely risen. The morning was cool but promised warmth with the rising of the second sun. A movement high on the mountains caught the heron's eye, but it was only an old wolf – they didn't approach the lake. More movement, this time by the house. The heron hesitated as a blonde-haired man appeared and decided not to risk it, taking to the air once more.
Cain threw some seed into the chicken run. He was pleased to see that the cleaning units had been looking after them. He collected the eggs into the small wooden bowl he'd brought with him before returning to the kitchen, kicking off his boots. DG, still in her pyjamas, was pouring coffee but he took the mugs from her hands and kissed her, leaning her back against the kitchen surface. She smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Good morning." She whispered, but he kissed the words away. DG's eyes half closed as his hand slid up into her hair. Reluctantly she opened her eyes again.
"Breakfast?" She reminded him and he sighed.
"I suppose. Hungry?"
"Starving. Besides," DG smirked, kissing him again, "We need to keep our energy up."
~*~
Azkadellia was desperately bored. It was a beautiful day, but Glitch was locked up in his laboratory finalising the repaired H.I.E. Raw and Ahamo were arranging for his return to the Viewer Homeland, with propositions for his people and Lavender was entertaining old friends in the sitting room. Azkadellia knew that she should be with her mother, but it was harder to face these people without DG by her side.
She decided to walk in the extensive gardens of the palace. There were several separate areas; the rose garden, the fountain walk, the sculpture lawn (complete with hedge sculptures). She chose the pond maze, one of the smallest gardens. Shoulder high hedges wound intricately around the small ponds and fountains, a small gazebo at its centre.
Azkadellia began to walk, her pace slow as she thought of her sister. She had confirmed their arrival but had had no contact since, not that Azkadellia expected any. She was on her honeymoon, after all. Azkadellia paused by one of the small ponds, watching the fish swimming lazily. The celebration ball was a fortnight away, DG and Cain would not be returning until the day before.
Azkadellia touched the Emerald, a small weight in her pocket. Taking it out, she examined the jewel.
"I wish I could hear you." She murmured as she walked slowly to the next fountain on the path. "I could use a little company."
The jewel glowed softly and Azkadellia felt strangely comforted as she slipped it back into her pocket. Taking a left hand turn she walked towards the gazebo. The air was warm, but the breeze was cool and she shivered slightly as she sat on the swing seat, watching a mermaid-shaped fountain spout water into the air. Rainbows sparkled over the floor of the gazebo and she watched the colours dance prettily. Idly she allowed a sphere of light to form before her and concentrated on it as the light changed colours, matching those that glittered on the wooden boards at her feet.
"Princess Azkadellia?"
The sphere vanished instantly as she stood, turning to face the speaker. To her surprise it was Rex Nikan, who bowed deeply, a smile gracing his handsome face.
"Baron Nikan." Azkadellia smiled. Lavender had recently presented Rex Nikan with his own land and title and he now flushed at its use.
"A pleasure to see you again, Highness." He said and she laughed slightly.
"And you, Baron. Your mother is here also?"
"And my sister, they are taking afternoon tea with some of the other visitors and the Queen."
Azkadellia stepped from the gazebo and they fell into step, walking along the winding pathways. Rex was smiling broadly.
"I was surprised to hear of your sister's wedding, Highness." He commented and Azkadellia laughed.
"Wasn't everyone?"
"The talk of the town!" Rex agreed, "Was it as swift as rumoured?"
"It was arranged and finished in twenty-four hours." Azkadellia confirmed. "It was perfect for them. They're away on their honeymoon until the day before the celebration ball. Are you staying in town until the coronation?"
"Yes, my father is actually looking to invest in a house here in the city. We've been staying with the Kaliko family."
He paused as they reached a fork in the maze and Azkadellia led them down the left hand pathway. She considered the information.
"Have you had opportunity to visit your new lands?" She asked and he smiled.
"Yes, I went three weeks ago. There is a house there, but it needs a good deal of repairs, so I arranged that before returning to the city. They should be finished by the summer and I'll move there from my parent's home."
"You must come and visit us in Finaqua." Azkadellia said, "It must have been years since you last saw it."
"Indeed, not since we were children." He agreed. They were nearing the edge of the maze now and Azkadellia saw that her mother and their guests had moved from the sitting room to the lawn, taking advantage of the early spring weather. Her mother signalled to them to join the main party and Azkadellia felt her heart sink. Rex seemed to sense her hesitance and offered her his arm.
"Shall we face them together?"
She took his arm gracefully and they stepped over the grass to where Lavender and her guests were sitting on wicker chairs, drinking tea and fruit juice. Several of them smiled at Azkadellia and she tensed, feeling their judgemental gazes. Rex smiled disarmingly at them.
"Ladies, enjoying the weather?" They began to chat mindlessly about this safest of subjects and Azkadellia sat beside her mother, shooting him a thankful look. He smiled back, taking the seat next to hers as he helped himself to tea.
The talk was senseless and bland, the gossip unnecessary and dull. Azkadellia sat silently, never invited to join in the conversation, not that she had any wish too. Rex continually murmured comments under his breath that she had to bite back laughter to, sipping her tea to disguise her amusement. The Emerald vibrated in the pocket of her dress and she started. Lavender looked at her in surprise.
"Is something wrong, Azkadellia?"
"No…" Azkadellia shook her head and took the Emerald out of her pocket, handing it to her mother. The company stared at in awe and Leticia Kaliko frowned as it glowed brightly.
"I thought that the Emerald was with Princess DorothiGale, Majesty?"
"She asked Azkadellia to take care of it for her until her return." Lavender explained and then smiled, gesturing to the doorway to the palace, "Perhaps that is why it is glowing, Azkadellia?"
Azkadellia twisted in her seat and saw Glitch approaching, Einstein on his arm and two envelopes in his hand. He bowed to the company, although his gaze became cooler as he saw Rex and his adjacency to Azkadellia.
"News from DorothiGale, Lord Ambrose?" Lavender asked and he nodded.
"Indeed, Majesty. A letter for yourself and the Consort. And a letter for Princess Azkadellia."
He smiled as Azkadellia's face lit up. He handed Lavender the letter and held out Azkadellia's. She took it, smiling brightly and opened it quickly, pouring over the familiar handwriting. Before she could get too engrossed, she looked at her mother.
"Would you excuse me?"
"Of course. Thank you, Lord Ambrose." Glitch nodded and automatically fell into step beside Azkadellia, noticing with a little pleasure that Rex Nikan seemed remarkably put out by her sudden departure.
~*~
Dear Az (and Glitch, because he'd bound to be nearby!),
Hope you're well! We're having a wonderful time here in Pacalisaqua. The weather is gorgeous, not that we've been out much. Now that Cain's the official owner of the place, he's been going over every inch of the house, deciding what needs changing etc. Very boring stuff.
Not much to write, to be honest! It's very relaxing, although Cain had a slight run in with some wolves he found wandering in the orchard. I don't see what the problem is, as long as they leave my chickens alone, but he's pretty insistent that we don't let them get too near the house, which seems sensible.
We've decided that in the summer, when we're all at Finaqua, we should all come back here and bring Raw, since he's never seen it. Just for a few days, like we were last year annual. I'll talk to you about it more when we get back, which isn't long now! Hope the plans for the celebration ball are going alright. OK, I'm lying – I don't really care! But I'm sure Mother is starting to stress out about it, you mustn't let her. And tell Deirdre not to make my dress too big, if you see her.
Cain sends his best. Give my love to Raw, Toto and Ozma. Well, maybe not love to Ozma – it might embarrass her, she's terribly proper. Give her my fond regards instead.
All our love,
DG, Cain and the chickens.
Azkadellia laughed, smiling happily at the letter as she perched on a stool in Glitch's laboratory. He was laughing too, having read it over her shoulder and turned to put Einstein in his cage so he could rest before flying back. Azkadellia read the letter through again and sighed, still smiling widely.
"That's made my day." She commented, laying it on the surface. Glitch faced her.
"I'm sorry I've been ignoring you all day."
"Don't be silly, the H.I.E. needs repairing." She said dismissively, "Besides, it was only a matter of time before Mother caught me and made me be sociable."
Glitch didn't reply, picking at the exposed wires of the machine in front of him. Azkadellia tilted her head, examining him.
"Glitch? Is everything alright?" She asked softly and he nodded, rolling his eyes.
"Yes, it is. I'm just… I wasn't expecting to see Rex Nikan." He muttered and she smiled.
"Neither did I."
"How is he?" Glitch asked.
"Do you really want to know?" Azkadellia shot back and Glitch couldn't help laughing.
"Not really."
She smiled and slipped off the stool, turning to the H.I.E.
"Show me how it's coming along?" She asked and he crossed to the machine, heart lifting in his chest.
~*~
"Say cheese!"
"Why?"
DG gave Cain a flat look as she held up the unwieldy camera Glitch had given to her take with them. It was shaped like a cube with a glass plate on one side and worked somewhat like a Polaroid, giving instant pictures. Cain was looking up from his position on the grass by the lake as she tried to take his picture.
"It's what you do to take a picture. Say cheese!"
He merely looked her and she tutted, taking the picture anyway. The camera whirred noisily and after a few moments a piece of paper poked out the slot at the bottom. She examined it with a smile.
"It's a good one."
"You've got half a dozen pictures of me looking grumpy and another dozen of the chickens." Cain pointed out and she laughed, lying down with her head in his lap. The sun shone warmly on her bare arms and she stretched like a cat. Cain stared out over the lake, watching the heron dive for its dinner. DG's hand reached out and laced their fingers.
"I don't want to go back." She said quietly, "This has been too perfect for words."
"I know." He said with a lazy smile. She sat up and leaned across to pick up her discarded jacket, glancing up as the heron dived again. As she looked down at it, Cain picked up the camera and snapped a picture. She looked at him in surprise.
"Hey, no surprise pictures!"
"I didn't trust you not to start going on about cheese again." He said with a smile and she laughed, leaning across to see the picture that had emerged.
It showed her half turned towards the camera, jacket in hands but eyes gazing out over the lake. Cain smiled.
"Beautiful, darling."
"You get soft in married life, mister. Before you would have said that I looked good." She teased as she got to her feet. Cain stood and caught her around the waist, kissing her deeply. She wound her arms around his waist pulling him closer. The first sun began to set.
~*~
Glitch paused on his way to Lavender's study. From somewhere nearby he could hear delicate piano music playing. After a moment of indecisiveness, he ventured down the corridor towards the unused music room. The door was slightly ajar and as he peered through the crack he saw Azkadellia's dark hair gleaming as her fingers flew across the keys. They stumbled over a difficult note and she muttered a rude word under her breath.
"Language, Azkadee!" He said and she started, smiling as she put her hands in her lap.
"It's been a long time since I played."
"It was lovely." Glitch said, leaning against the piano. Azkadellia smiled shyly, shrugging and shaking her head.
"I should practise more often, really."
"I don't think I've ever seen you in here before. Come to think of it, I've never seen anyone in here." Glitch commented, looking around the airy room. Azkadellia pressed a key lightly, letting the bright note ring clearly.
"No one really comes here."
"Is that why you're hiding away?" He said meaningfully and she flushed.
"Well… Mother has visitors and she asked me to come in once Deirdre had finished with my dress fitting for Saturday."
It was Wednesday and it was only three days until the Celebration Ball. Glitch tapped his fingers on the lid of the piano.
"Who's visiting today?" He asked and Azkadellia reeled off a list of names. He pulled a face.
"Very well, I won't give you away. There are some especially boring people today."
"Oh, and we're having guests for dinner as well." Azkadellia said miserably. "Andrew and Selena Amee, and the three Boqs. I can't remember their names."
"Aeron, Kaywinnet and their daughter… Tyree?" Glitch tried to remember as well. They'd had hundreds of visitors in the last week and he couldn't blame Azkadellia for struggling to remember names. Azkadellia nodded.
"I think so. Oh and… Marisa and Rex Nikan are coming as well."
"Oh. Excellent. Well, I'd better get these to your mother's study. I'll take you in to dinner at seven?" He asked and she smiled as he disappeared.
She'd never been escorted to dinner before.
~*~
Tyree Boq was twenty-four and bad tempered. Azkadellia had never met her before, but judging by Marisa's expression, she was quite often as irritating as was that evening. Azkadellia was placed, rather unfortunately between Rex Nikan and Andrew Amee, a Winkie Noble, and quite the most boring man she'd ever had the misfortune to meet. Glitch was directly opposite Azkadellia and beside Tyree who had been gossiping and complaining since she'd sat down. Lavender and Ahamo were deeply engaged in conversation with her parents and had failed to notice just how annoying she was being.
"Princess Azkadellia, have you met Nessa Denali?"
"No, I-"
"Terrible fashion sense." Tyree had interrupted before she could finish her sentence, "She's hoping to marry some Gillikin Earl, and it's a terrible match. She's nowhere near his status, she's an absolute climber."
Azkadellia was silent, staring at the woman in disbelief. Marisa spoke whilst Tyree drew breath.
"When is Princess DorothiGale due back?"
"Friday afternoon," Azkadellia said, relieved for the subject change. Rex smiled at her.
"Leaving it a little late, isn't it?"
"Oh, you can't rush my sister." Azkadellia explained with a smile, "She goes at her own pace, doesn't she, Lord Ambrose?"
Glitch gave a short laugh.
"Most definitely. She doesn't worry about little things, like balls." He confirmed and Azkadellia smiled. Tyree wrinkled her nose.
"Doesn't she want a celebration for her wedding? After that tiny, rushed affair, I would have thought a ball would be just the thing."
"DorothiGale doesn't much care for balls." Azkadellia said, recalling the last one. She smiled as she remembered DG's declaration that she would outlaw dancing forever. Glitch was obviously remembering the same event, because he was smiling slightly.
"And you?" Rex asked, pulling her attention away from the man opposite. Azkadellia shrugged slightly as she reached for her wineglass.
"I…" She shook her head, uncertain of herself as she spoke quietly, "I'm not particularly comfortable in crowds."
"I'm not surprised, after that Earl tried to have your sister shot." Tyree said, her tone indifferent, "It's a wonder nobody's tried to assassinate you yet."
A cold silence settled over the table as her voice carried to all the diners. Eyes flicked back and forth between Azkadellia and Tyree. Azkadellia was looking at the woman with a fixed expression. Kaywinnet, Tyree's mother cleared her throat awkwardly, but Azkadellia set her wineglass down, eyes downcast.
"May I be excused?" She asked quietly. Lavender nodded, but Azkadellia had already stood and was trying not to break into a run as she left.
~*~
Azkadellia made it as far as the stairs before her temper broke. With an angry cry she kicked the bottom step before sinking onto it, foot throbbing and breathing heavy.
How she hated them! Their painted masks, their giggling whispers, their poking, prodding fingers! She wanted to tear them to pieces, to rip the smug expressions from their faces and scream at the top of her voice.
"You shouldn't listen to her."
She looked up and saw Rex a few paces away, looking down at her with a sympathetic expression. Azkadellia gathered herself and then stood, trying to ignore the shooting pain in her toes.
"I apologise, it was rude of me to leave the table." She said calmly but he shook his head.
"Don't put that face on, Highness. It's alright to be upset. Although Tyree Boq is a petty creature and I would have thought that you were far too strong a person to let anything she says affect you."
Azkadellia stared at him for a moment and then turned her face away from his searching gaze.
"It's presumptuous of you to think that you know me, Baron." She said coolly but he moved forward and put a hand on her arm.
"Princess… not everyone is out to judge you. Not everyone wants to find out the gossip or try to get on your good side and hope you'll put them in good standing with your sister." He said quietly as she met his eyes, "Some people… some people would just like to get to know the woman they used to play with as children a little better."
For a moment they stared at each other, time coming to a halt as Azkadellia tried to take in what he was saying. His hand began to move from her arm to her shoulder and her heart began to beat faster.
A burst of laughter startled them into movement. Azkadellia stepped back and Rex recovered himself, obviously afraid that he'd overstepped his boundaries. She cleared her throat and looked him in the eyes.
"Please, go back to dinner."
"You won't join us?" He asked.
"No. Not tonight." She said quietly and then offered him a small smile, "It was kind of you to see if I was alright, Baron."
"I'll see you again soon?" He asked. Azkadellia hesitated, unsure of how to answer.
"I'm sure we'll see each other at the ball." She replied, turning to go upstairs but still feeling his eyes on her.
A/N: Aw, somebody likes Az! I hope this was a healthy mixture of fluff and awkwardness. I have now finished the final chapter, woo! Of course, it shouldn't be finished, seeing as I'm supposed to be revising for my exam next Tuesday. But never mind. If I post carefully, I'll put the final chapter up on Monday night, so when I get home after my exam there will be plenty of lovely reviews to cheer me up!
Thanks for the reviews, my darlings! Much appreciated!
Lots of Love
Katie