6 Chapter 5: Quarters

A large king-sized grand poster bed dominated the centre of the room. Of to the left there was a seating area with a coffee table and lounge chairs. To the right there was a small kitchenette, in case I didn't feel like partaking in meals with the rest of the gathering guests. There was a large bathroom off to the side, with a large marble clawfoot tub, and an assortment of soaps and perfumes. Everything was gold and covered in silks. It was lavish and expensive. An official schedule of the events of the gathering lie on the table in the kitchen, my suitcases had already been brought in earlier.

I went into my bedroom, admired the large antique vanity sitting in the corner, and plopped myself ungracefully down on the seat. I stared at the face that looked back at me. The eyes, startling in their forest green, apparently are passed down through the Argyris line. That's my born name, I'm told – Lyra Wren Argyris. The vine tattoos are indicative of an affinity to the land. Apparently other symbols representing my various affinities will appear on my body as they show themselves. I have yet to experience any powers, but Mom said that my transition may not fully complete until the Summer Solstice ceremony, where the sorting would occur. The fiery hair had been a gift from my mother, who had been a High Fae from the Autumn court, before being mated to my father.

I stared at my hands, delicate limbs that had yet to show an ounce of power or aptitude. The royals were unable to be sorted into any court, as they were known to have mastery of the five elements, as well as individual affinities. I wiggled my fingers and wished for a breeze. Nothing happened. I frowned and sighed.

"No magic coming out?" A deep chuckle sounded behind me. I gasped and spun towards the intruder. A tall man, well over six feet in height, lounged against the doorframe to my bedroom. His auburn-brown hair fell in front of his eyes, when he looked up, I could see they were an icy blue. His arms crossed in front of his chest, one of his knees bent as he lounged against the doorway.

"What are you doing in here?" I questioned, my voice rising in confusion. He held his hands up in surrender and pointed out the door.

"You left the front door wide open. I was on my way from seeing someone when I smelled something...unfamiliar." He finished, his nose tilting up in the air as he took a big inhale. I blushed and sputtered.

"You just walk into my private rooms and you're smelling me?" My voice was getting higher in pitch the more outrage filled my veins. I shook. His strong jaw tilted in a smile, and he pushed himself from the wall. He circled me, like a jungle cat sizing up its prey. His eyes roamed my body in my flowy emerald dress. He circled closer, so he stood before me. I could feel the heat radiating off the hard planes of his body. His shirt stretched taught over his biceps and pectorals. The scent of cloves, honey and whiskey assailed my senses. I inhaled sharply. He finally stood so close our bodies were mere millimetres apart. He raised his hand to my hair, lifting it off my shoulder and tucking it behind my ear. He leaned in close to my neck, I shivered as I felt his nose graze along the column of my neck. I felt him release a breath.

"Intoxicating...Sweet cinnamon, lilac." He whispered. My heart rate sped up, he walked towards me, so I was forced to step backwards, he kept going forward until my back was against the wall, then he placed his arms on either side of me to cage me in. He stared deep into my eyes with his icy orbs.

"What are you doing?" I whispered; our faces were inches apart. He smirked and trailed a hand down my cheek.

"I can feel the power bursting to get out of you, little tiger." He said. He licked his lips, as if he was tasting the energy around me. I tried to ignore the way my body heated. I pulled back to take in his disheveled hair, his plump lips. I looked down to his shirt that was buttoned improperly, and half tucked into his pants. I smirked and laughed.

"You're coming from a woman's room!" I giggled and pushed him away from me. He had the decency to blush and rub the back of his neck awkwardly. I pointed him toward the front door and stared into his eyes.

"Out!" I barked. I was not going to put up with a drunken fool's antics. Whatever he had done last night was none of my business, but he was certainly out of it. He shrugged and strutted toward the door. He looked at me as he passed and looked like he wanted to say something for a moment but stopped himself.

"I have a feeling we'll be seeing more from you, little tiger." He mockingly bowed and exited my rooms. I made sure to shut the door behind him and slide the deadbolt in place. Lunatics. I sighed and pulled my suitcase out on to my bed; I unzipped it and examined the formal dresses Mom had helped me pack. It was time to get ready for the welcome feast.

For the evening I decided on a floor-length navy-blue gown. It had a plunging V neckline in the front and the back, so my entire back was on display, the empire waist let out to loosen falling fabric that hung on my frame like a Grecian goddess. I let my auburn curls fall loosely down to my waist. My eyes were rimmed with kohl, and my lips were painted a dark wine red. The sleeveless nature of the dress made visible the vines that twined up my arm, and across my chest. The only jewelry I wore was a thin silver intricately woven band on my right ring finger, a hand me down from my birth mother, so my mother told me.

A knock sounded at my door, and I tottered over on my heels to open it. My mother and Alan stood there, my mother a vision in a floor-length black gown, and Alan looking dapper in his fitted suit. My mother gasped and placed her hand on my arm.

"You look lovely, Wren." She smiled, and I swear I saw a glimmer of tears in her eyes. I almost rolled my eyes at the waterworks.

"Thank you, Mama. You look nice too. I'm just nervous." I fidgeted with my hands and my mother tsked and held my hand in hers.

"We'll be fine. It's just dinner. We'll be with you as much as we can." She smiled warmly. I looked at her questioningly.

"Why does as much as you can sound so ominous?" She laughed and patted my cheek.

"The new arrivals are given a lot of attention, there will be dancing and mingling etc. that you may be forced to partake in." She mumbled, I groaned inwardly and was almost ready to just retreat into my room. Alan grabbed my wrist and pulled me out into the hallway. I glared up at him and swallowed. Welp, into the lion's den we go.