The Nexus

Chapter Eight

Arayna had to admit after the bath, she felt a lot better. Whoever had prepared it had put something in the water that made it smell like peaches and now the smell clung to her skin and hair. It made her feel so...girly. And when she reluctantly pulled on the ankle length blue sleeveless dress and a pair of impractical, girly sandals, she could have died! She hated anything she couldn't move quickly in, or would impede her ability to fight. Ugh, why did he want her to wear this of all things?

She stood in front of the full length mirror in the room, and scowled. Behind her, there was a soft knock on the door before it opened up and Kayda walked in. When she saw Arayna, she smiled.

"You look amazing, Lady Arayna. The Prince will be very much pleased."

"Is this some form of torture for you people?" Arayna demanded, propping her hand on her hip and glaring at the woman through the reflection in the mirror.

Kayda laughed.

"Of course not. Do women not wear dresses on your planet?" She curiously asked, seeming to genuinely wish to know.

"Well, yeah, they do." Arayna looked down at herself, picking at the blue fabric. "But I don't. I despise these things. They're so...constricting."

"Perhaps, however, you look beautiful and I believe Prince Xavier will think so too."

Arayna's brow wrinkled slightly at the strange comment, but more so at the odd tone in the woman's voice when she said it. Shrugging it off, Arayna sighed heavily and looked at herself in the mirror...and then scowled again.

"Come, sit," Kayda gestured to the chair she pulled out from away a desk with a mirror on it, "allow me to fix your hair."

"What's wrong with my hair?" Arayna demanded, self-consciously reaching up to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Nothing, it is very much beautiful. I love how long and silky it is, but I thought perhaps you would wish to have it up." Kayda explained patiently and Arayna was somewhat touched by the woman's thoughtful consideration.

Wasn't Kayda supposed to be a healer though? Why was she acting like she was Arayna's personal servant?

"I actually would prefer it if you would leave it down." An unexpected deep voice came from the opened door.

Arayna spun around, stunned to find Xavier standing there, his broad shoulder leaning against the door jamb, one ankle crossed idly over the other with a smirk on his sculpted lips. A rare glint of mischief sparkled in his white-blue eyes as he looked her up and down. She couldn't help but wish she had her rifle. 

"Prince Xavier," Kayda immediately curtsied to the man, head bowed in respect, finally drawing his gaze.

"Kayda, please, it is only us." Xavier chuckled with a dismissive shake of his head as he pushed off the door jamb and stepped into the room. "You need not be so formal, we have been friends for a long time."

"My apologies, it is habit. You look very nice" Kayda blushed with a shy smile as she gestured to the man.

Arayna glanced between the woman and the Prince, sensing an undercurrent of emotion. Not that it mattered to her any, though she had to admit that Xavier did appear quiet handsome in a white tunic with baggy sleeves, a black vest over it, and loosely woven leather pants with calf high leather boots. "I was about to show Lady Arayna to the dining room."

"That is alright, I shall escort her to the dining room." Xavier reassured the woman before looking back at Arayna, the corner of his lips tipped up in a half, teasing, grin that irked her.