Summer's Frost

Chapter 10

Remember to check Notices every once in a while, especially when you get the notification that it was updated. Kassie and Carmen are seventeen. Eric is eighteen.

Eric's POV

       I refrain from yawning as my father begins his speech. He starts by announcing that we are sharing "great news". I don't feel that Kassie is "news". I feel rather bad for Kassie. I brought her here, and she doesn't know why. She's been lead around the castle, told what to do, and never told anything. I meant to tell her about tonight, when she would be introduced, but I couldn't. I didn't want her getting scared and trying to avoid this. I hope she'll forgive me.

       Father finally finishes his rehearsed speech and says his concluding line. "I present to you, Kassandra Pine." A moment of silence. Everyone's eyes trail to the big wooden doors in the back of the room. The guards open the doors, revealing Kassie. She's beautiful. Her hair is up, her face is skillfully painted. Her dress is simple, yet excellent.

       But her eyes are wide, and I can see her struggle to control her breathing. I want to be able to walk with her, to help, but I have to be at my father's side. Another long moment passes as her eyes scan the room. They find my parents, and then find me. I can see the panic in her eyes, and the only comfort I can offer is a nod of encouragement. She doesn't take her gaze off of me as she takes a step into the room.  I get an unfamiliar feeling knowing that she's looking at me for comfort. Her steps are careful, and I realize she's probably wearing heeled shoes. It's clear she wants to speed down the aisle and get it over with, but is forcing herself to time her steps.

       The thing that draws my attention to her dress is not just how well it fits her, or how good she wears it, but its color. Her entire appearance is based on gray. There are many abilities in the families throughout the room, and many families wear colors based on their powers. Plant specialists wear green with hints of brown, my father's family wears a lot of red-orange, and my mother wears gray. Gray is the color of the clouds when they start a storm. Gray is the color I wear today, with some orange peeking out; the line down my shirt along the buttons, the trim of my cuffs and collar. Then there is the royal seal on my chest, a sun with heat waves radiating out. But she is wearing gray. She is wearing my color.

       I stop my thoughts. I doubt she knows the significance of the gray. Kassie is close to us now, and she looks as though she'll pass out from her nervousness. She steps up and takes her place next to me. I'm sure the walk only took a minute or less, but to her it probably felt like longer, judging by the look on her face. I listen to her uneven breathing as our audience applauds. My father silences it by announcing our movement to the dining hall. Father and Mother lead Kassie and I, and once we reach the large side door, the others follow. We migrate into the hall and into the larger room on the left. Kassie repeatedly looks over her shoulder, clearly uncomfortable with the closeness of those following us.

       I'm used to it, but I know that it's different for her. In an attempt to comfort her, I place my hand on her arm and lead her up beside me, angling myself between her and the crowd.

       "Thank you," she whispers under her breath. I give her a smile in reply. My parents, Kassie and I find our places at the long table in the front of the dining hall, and the rest of the tables are perpendicular to ours. Various families migrate together to different tables. Kassie moves to sit, but I stop her. She looks at me in confusion. I lean and whisper in her ear:

       "You'll know when to sit, which is not right now." She nods slightly in understanding. As everyone stands at their seats, my father announces that dinner is now started. And by "dinner", he means a time in which we all eat, but mostly everyone chatters and whispers about the girl to my right. All sit, including us. Servants bustle about, delivering food and drink as desired. I'd say the servants here are treated well; most sleep in the servants' quarters, separate from the castle. The beds are nice, they have food for themselves, they get paid. And none are here against their will.