Shift

Chapter 28

28

Lana ordered Vera to spin around. It was the day before the coronation and the gowns were complete.

“We know they fit, why do we have to do this again? We should be at the battle meeting.” Irene protested from under a froth of green.

“For once, I have to agree with Irene. This is the final discussion before the attack, and we’re trying on dresses.” Maya agreed, pinned down in a pastel blue dress. Lana squashed any further protests, however, and commanded them all to walk without tripping over the elaborate skirts.

“This is our coronation. It’s one of the biggest days of our lives. We can’t let it be overshadowed by Valdor. It’s like giving him another victory. And, we need to savour our happy moments.” She didn’t need to elaborate on the last point. The possibility of one or more of them being killed was more than remote, and no-one knew if there’d even been Houses to lead after this.

“Wow,” Erika breathed as she studied their combined reflection in the full-length mirror. Irene stood tall and magnificent at one end, despite her huffing, in a forest green dress that was simpler than the others, with a long cloak draped elegantly over one shoulder. The clasp was bronze, and fashioned in the shaped of two crossed swords. Maya stood next to her in a flowing pastel gown. It had small capped sleeves and an empire waistline that swooped down to a short train. The otherwise simple design was complicated by delicate pink embroidery on the bodice. Lana was the tallest, in the middle with a sea-green masterpiece. It was delicately embroidered in golden thread and had slit sleeves that draped attractively across her arms. The skirt had multiple layers which were gathered at the back, yet the gown didn’t look puffy. Erika wore a stunning crimson ball gown. The crimson was very dark, so it didn’t overwhelm her pale complexion. The skirt fluffed gently around her, seeming to float with her steps. The dress had no sleeves, instead transforming into a form-fitting tunic at the waistline, which stretched into a mandarin collar, accentuating Erika’s long neck. Raven was timidly sandwiched in, wearing a dark violet gown that highlighted her midnight black hair and flawless pale skin. The gown had one sleeve that hugged her arm. The other was an elaborate twist of fabric and thread woven into a branch-like pattern that showed off the skin beneath. The whole thing pooled on the ground in folds of velvet and silk. Finally Vera stood proudly at the end, dressed in a golden ball gown that matched her amber eyes. It had off-the-shoulder sleeves and the bodice was covered in fine pearl embroidery. The skirt swept down into a short train, somewhere between Irene’s dress’s sleekness and Erika’s floating ball gown.

“Well, aren’t you a sight.” Margret whistled, nodding in approval. “Not bad for rushed work.”

“These are amazing; I can’t believe you made them all in a few days!” Erika marvelled.

“Well, for one, I wasn’t the only one making them, and I had a bit more than days to make them.” Margret replied. They silently admired the coronation gowns. The looming attack on Valdor haunted all of their thoughts, constantly hovering in the background.

“I’m going to see if I can catch the end of the meeting.” Irene said abruptly.

“I’ll go too,” Maya agreed. The rest of them advocated staying a little longer.

***

No-one wanted to divulge their plans, but everyone admitted to engagements elsewhere, so the princesses went their separate ways for the afternoon. Vera agreed with Lana, she’d become so embroiled in this, and she might not get another chance to rest for a long time yet. She should take the opportunity to relax while she still had it.

She avoided walking through the village, instead cutting across the fields. She went straight to the brook and the cool and tranquil respite it promised. Reaching a mossy rock she collapsed onto it, breathing in the earthy scent.

Footsteps preceded a voice, “Are you alright?”

Vera recognised Drake’s low melodic voice.

“I’m fine, just worn out.” She answered, stretching across the rock and tilting her head back to look at him upside down. He took the opportunity to give her a chaste kiss.

“You must simply perform your role. That is all anyone can ask of you.” He reassured her.

“That’s not all I ask of myself.”

“Then you need remember to survive. Whatever happens, get yourself through the next few days alive.” Drake ordered her.

“It’s a coronation. I hardly think it’s a threat to my life!” Vera protested.

“You know that’s not what I was referring to,”

“Please, just not today,” Vera begged tiredly. Drake set his mouth in a firm line and nodded. Moving even faster than Vera’s reflexes, he scooped him in his arms and leapt into the brook.

“Drake!” She squealed, as the cool fresh water splashed across her skin and soaked into her skin. She wriggled out of his arms and landed in the brook with a smack, sending a wave of water cascading onto Drake. Grinning, he scooped his arm along the surface of the water and splashed Vera again. She cried out in happy annoyance and set about splashing him again. They parried back and forth until Vera caught Drake by surprise and pulled him over. He lost his balance and toppled into the brook, the water completely soaking him by the time he surfaced. They pulled themselves from the brook and sat on the bank, feet still trailing in the water, laughing. Vera knew without a doubt or care in that moment that she loved this man more than anyone else. Her love for Sofi was one of protective motherly instinct, but in Drake, she had found a soul mate. A man who understood her without either of them even realising it.

“Vera,” He said her name with a soft caress of the words.

“Yes?” She asked, smiling in contentment.

Drake took a deep breath and began. “I was never going to harm you. Not even when I pursued you through the forest. The way you carelessly threw yourself towards death rather than give in to your enemy fascinated me. I’d never known anything like it. Even knowing what I do now, that you knew you’d survive. Tracking you through the forest was the most exhilarating chase I’ve ever given, and I knew in the back of my mind I couldn’t kill you, even if Valdor ordered me to. I couldn’t end the chase. I pursued you to find out what lay at the end of the rainbow. You should know, the wards never failed, I did. I failed in my duty to Valdor. The attack that night was doomed from the beginning, even if I hadn’t warned you. The assassins that tried to pass the wards were already being struck down before your people attacked. And, Raven is one of your own. If Valdor tries to enter the wards in two days’ time, he won’t be able to. He will kill me, though, I betrayed him, and in doing so ensured my death. Whatever the outcome of this attack, you must keep yourself alive and protect those within the wards- including Sofi.”

Drake knew Vera wouldn’t put herself first if it came between her and her people, but by throwing Sofi and those helpless against Valdor at her, he’d ensured that she wouldn’t be reckless in the coming attack.

“You can’t tell me you are essentially preparing to die and then order me not to be reckless!” Vera cried, indignant.

“There is nothing I can do that will change Valdor’s mind,” He said.

“You don’t have to change his mind, you just have to fight!” Vera pleaded. “You have to kill him!”

“I can’t” Drake whispered, barely audible. Vera stood up, despair marring her face.

“Even now, you’re afraid of him. After all you’ve done, you still balk at him.” Vera’s words were low and deceptively clam. “You would still cower before striking a fatal blow.” Her anguish was palpable. Drake looked away, not meeting her eyes.

“I have lived under him my whole life. That sort of power isn’t just overcome able,” He defended himself.

“Of course it is!” Vera cried. She turned and fled, hastily scrubbing the tears out of her eyes.