Chapter 10 - Emilia

We've been flying for just over a week now and it has been exhausting, filled with nothing but flying and only occasional breaks to eat and stretch out legs. Kor would try and land within walking distance of a town or village when possible so that we had a bed to sleep in every night but there were two nights when we couldn't do that, so we slept outside instead. My mates apologised a lot every night that happened, but I didn't mind sleep outside, the weather is still warm, so we weren't cold and sleeping near Kor's dragon form is surprisingly comfortable.

Now though Kor is flying over the largest city I've ever seen, although as the only other city I've been to is Bellit that doesn't say much. But this city stretches out further than I'd imagined it would, there's a river running near the city with a port filled with ships while other ships are sailing along the river. The city has a large walled off area in the centre of the city which Kor begins to descend into, there is a garden in this area that is large enough for him to land in.

As soon as Kor begins to land people begin to gather around clearly waiting for him to finish landing and for the rest of us to get off his back. Like the last few days my legs are numb, and I struggle to stand on my own once Lilas and Bel help me down, so I just watch as Sliske immediately goes forward talking to some of the people gathered around us before walking away with them. Kor shifts and comes over to where the three of us were standing, taking me out of Bel's hold Kor lifts me effortlessly into his arms.

"My Lords, welcome back to Hadlau." A well-dressed man steps forward from the waiting group bowing to my mates, "The Council is waiting for you, if you'll follow me."

"No." Kor grunts glaring at the man. Next to us Lilas and Bel don't seem impressed either.

"We'll not be going anywhere until we see our mate settled down for a rest." Lilas informs the man who stares at me in shock as though he's only just seen me in Kor's arms, "Even then Kor will be staying with her while Bel and I speak with the Council."

"As you wish my Lords. I'll show you to your palace, some work has been done on it since your last visit." The man bows again before leading us through the gardens and past many large, impressive homes with their own gardens before we reach the largest house I've ever seen, I'd thought the castle was big but even from outside this is much bigger. It takes us a few minutes to walk through the front gardens before we're able to walk inside leaving the man who brought us here by the door, no doubt waiting for Lilas and Bel to return for their visit with the Council.

Even though they've told me that it's been over a decade since their last visit to Hadlau the three of them walk confidently through the palace to an elegant, expensive bedroom. I'd only just started to get used to the wealth of the castle, but this is something else entirely, the room is decorated with a beautiful white stone that I've never seen before. The whole room is decorated in white, gold and blue; the bed is already made and ready for us as Kor sets me down there. It's even softer than the one at the castle which I didn't think was possible.

"It's beautiful." I say looking around taking in the elegant decorations in the room as the others move around the room unpacking our belongings. On the opposite side of the room there is a small sitting area containing three small settees surrounding a fireplace, clearly meant for quiet nights together.

"We'll keep this room the same then but if there's anything you want to change just tell us. Like the castle this is your home now so you can do whatever you'd like here." Bel assures me, "Once you've rested a bit I'm sure Kor will give you a tour. It's the only palace in the capital, the Council insisted on giving it to us rather than another mansion, and there are better gardens here than at the castle." I can't wait to explore but at the moment I know I wouldn't be able to walk far.

With everything unpacked Lilas and Bel depart to meet with the Council promising to be back soon, Kor soon joins me on the bed letting me cuddle close to him something that I've been finding myself doing more often since the first time I woke up on his chest. I don't fall asleep but just simply rest against him for a while.

"I'm feeling better now, do you think we could have a look around?" I ask sitting up slightly to face Kor. He nods in response waiting for me to sit up completely before moving out of bed himself.

"Where first?"

"I don't mind where. Why don't we just wander around?" I suggest not really knowing where to start in a place this big. It'll probably take me ages to learn the layout of this place, so I guess it doesn't really matter where we start.

"Okay." He replies taking hold of my hand as he first shows me the rooms connected to the bedroom, a bathroom and what he calls a walk-in wardrobe before he leads me out of the bedroom entirely. Together we walk around the hallway we're in looking into each room so I can start to learn where everything is. Most of this hallway is bedrooms, like the castle they're our personal rooms Lilas's once again covered in books and mine is a blank slate. One of the last rooms though is a shared bathroom containing a massive stone bath.

Like back during the first tour they gave me Kor shows me where the kitchen is located, once again much bigger than the castle. While we're in there Kor explains that normally when they're here they have servants in to help and will likely do the same this time. He mentions that this will include cooks and maids among other servants, with the work for the Council and the expectations of the court he explains it make things easier. Having servants will be strange and I'll need time to adjust.

It's close to lunch but there is no food here for us to eat so Kor suggests a trip out to get something to eat. Before we leave though he writes a quick note for Lilas and Bel in case they come back while we're gone letting them know that we've gone out for food. He also writes another note which he takes outside with us as we leave. Once we're outside he calls over a young boy dressed the same as the man from earlier, likely a servant, and tells him to deliver the note to the address on the back.

We don't rush to find somewhere to eat instead we walk slowly Kor pointing out the various gardens in this area of the city. He explains to me that this part of the city is where most of the Council live in their mansions so that they can be close to the meeting hall, which is at the centre of this section, the empty rooms in the mansions are apparently used by ambassadors from the Council's respective races when needed. Foreign ambassadors from other countries either stay in the only empty mansion left here or in a lower part of the city. It's nice learning all of this and it's the most I've heard Kor talk since meeting him.

Eventually we walk through a large gate into the next part of the city where Kor says the nobles live or stay when visiting as well as some of the richer merchants. There are some people around us as well as carriages going by, many of the people walking around are couples walking arm in arm. Near to edge of this section we find an inn to eat at, positioned to be available for travelling nobles and merchants who don't have a place of their own to stay it's nicer than any inn we've been to while travelling.

"I'm sorry but you need to leave." A well-dressed man walks over to us as soon as we enter, he sneers as he takes in our travel worn appearances and clothes. "We're all full at the moment." He's lying there are several empty tables around, other people sat eating are turning to stare now.

"There." Kor grunts pointing to an empty table. He starts to lead me over to the table only for the man to step in front of us blocking the way.

"You clearly didn't hear me." The man barks at him face turning red in anger. He doesn't seem at all concerned that Kor is taller and is starting to glare down at the man. "There is no place for you here, leave now. I'm sure a tavern lower down is more within a guards pay so why don't you go back down there with your whore. She may be pretty, but she can't be good enough to waste your months' pay on." He stares at me in a way that makes me incredibly uncomfortable as he calls me a whore, the hatred he's spewing towards us reminds me of Stowu and the hatred I received there. It's making me panic; this can't be happening again.

Kor lets out a loud growl, his gold eyes seeming to glow brighter for a brief second, which gets the attention of the rest of the inn who weren't already staring. He grabs hold of the man's throat with one hand easily lifting him slightly off the ground. My panic is growing so I don't even realise that I'm backing away until my back hits the wall, sliding down I sit on the floor crying and struggling to take a proper breath. I just want to go back home to the castle.

"My mate is not a whore!" Kor roars in the mans face, he's almost shaking with rage his hand tightening slightly around the mans neck causing him to start turning red as he struggles to breathe. The rest of the inn is deathly silent, and everyone is staying still not wanting Kor's attention to turn to them except for one person though. Someone crouches down next to me taking hold of my hands, looking up I find that it's a richly dressed older human woman.

"Shh. It's okay, breathe. Nice and deep that's it." She coaches me calmly, helping me to slow my crying. "Well done." Calmer now I'm able to pay more attention to what's going on in the inn. An older man, richly dressed like the woman next to me, is slowly moving closer to where Kor is still growling and holding the man, looser now so he can still breathe.

"Lord Ruikor, welcome back to Hadlau." The older man, possibly a noble, bows to Kor. "I know this inn keeper has offended you and your new mate deeply but now isn't the time to deal with him, it can wait. Look at your mate my Lord she needs you now." Listening to the man for some reason Kor puts the inn keeper down but keeps a hold of his throat while he turns to look back at me. Seeing me crouched on the floor, tears drying on my face with the occasional one still falling, he lets go of the inn keeper and comes over to me.

"Kitten?" He asks, just that one word is him asking if I'm okay. Even though we've only been together just under two weeks I'm already beginning to understand his way of communicating better.

"Please, can we just go back?" I beg not even hungry anymore just wanting to get away from all the people staring at us. He nods and picks me up without another word.

"My thanks Lord and Lady Hess." With a quick nod to the older man and woman who had helped us he leaves. With Kor's long stride it's not long before we're back in the upper section of the city where I find myself able to relax a little bit more, the gate is guarded and only those that live here or with special permission form the Council can enter.

"Who were they?" I can't help asking quietly, my throat sore from crying. "Lord and Lady Hess?"

"Lord Willard and his wife Lady Maryam. They live here in the city and have been part of the court for a long time. Good people, we've found we can trust them." He explains, no wonder he listened to the man if he's someone he trusts.

We're quiet again as we arrive back at the palace, there are two elves a man and woman waiting at the door for us although they say nothing as we get closer. When they spot us they step aside just opening the door for Kor to enter through, so he doesn't have to put me down at all.

"I'll meet you in my study." Kor tells them as we walk past going back upstairs.

"Yes, my Lord." They say as the man bows and the woman curtsies in response. I wonder what they're here for.

Soon we're back in the bedroom and Kor puts me down on one of the settees in the sitting area. He also starts a fire even though it's warm outside and fetches me a glass of water. To my surprise the door opens revealing Bel and Lilas.

"What happened?" Lilas asks, taking in my pale face. They both move next to me checking to make sure I'm okay.

"Inn keeper was rude." Kor tells them scowling at the thought of what happened, "Called Emmy a whore." Much like Kor had Bel lets out a growl although his isn't as deep while Lilas just pulls me into a hug.

"We saw Tehlmar and Nuela on our way up. I take it you sent for them to organise the staff." Bel asks Kor who nods, "Okay. We should go speak to them then get things sorted."

"I'll stay here with Emilia then, say hello to them for me." Lilas requests taking a seat next to me, "Tehlmar is our butler and Nuela is the housekeeper, they keep this place clean and ready for when we visit. Now that we'll be here for a while they'll organise some more maids, cooks and other servants for us." He lets me know as Kor and Bel leave to go and talk to them.

"Could you read to me?" I ask after we've sat in silence for a while. Since the first time he read to me I've loved listening to Lilas read aloud and it's always been calming. Agreeing he leaves briefly to fetch a book before returning to sit with me again, letting me lean against his side as he reads.

I'm half asleep by the time Kor and Bel return to the bedroom taking seat on another settee, settling down themselves to listen to Lilas read. After a few more chapters Lilas stops reading, needing to take a drink after speaking for so long.

"Will Tehlmar and Nuela be able to sort out the household?" He asks Bel and Kor, his voice rasping slightly despite the drink.

"Yes. They think they should be able to get some basic staff to start this afternoon, so dinner will likely be taken care of. The rest of the staff they'll sort out hiring tomorrow, once we have a better idea of how long we'll be here and know the amount of staff we'll be needing." Bel answers him before turning his attention to me, "If you're up for it Nuela wants to meet you tomorrow Emmy. If we're here for a while you'll probably be spending the most time here, so she wants to make sure you're comfortable with the staff. You'll probably need a Ladies maid as well who you'll need to get along with."

"A Ladies maid?" I can't help questioning, not understanding why I'd need a maid.

"Yes, if we're here for a while it'll be expected and will make things easier." Lilas adds. "Even we'll have personal servants if we're here for a while, the Council and court will end up keeping us too busy to do everything we might need or want to." I nod sitting up from where I'd been leaning against Lilas, my body sore and stiff from not moving.

"Could we go for a walk?" I request hoping that a walk will help wake me up and give me a chance to stretch. They nod and lead me outside to one of the gardens that's part of the palace rather than one of the nearby public ones. It's beautiful in the garden and perfectly maintained.

"If you have any preferences on the flowers and plants here you can let Tehlmar know. He'll be able to get a gardener in to help redesign the garden in any way you want." Bel tells me, walking next to me looping our arms together placing my hand in the crook of his elbow. It's the same way I've seen many couples walking together while Kor and I were out in while searching for somewhere to eat earlier.

"Thank you but it's beautiful the way it is. I don't really know much about flowers anyway." I reply, grateful like always that they're trying to make me feel comfortable. The castle was a big change, but it was just us there, so it was easier than here where there are more people, and they all have expectations of the four of us. I'm the one most likely to fail to meet the expectations they have; I don't fit it in here. From clothes to my background, I can't even read and everyone around us seems so well educated even the servant boy Kor gave a note to earlier could read.

We stay out slowly walking around until the sun is starting to set and we're all hungry after missing out on lunch earlier. Tehlmar and Nuela are waiting for us once we get back inside.

"My Lords, my Lady." They greet together before Tehlmar continues, "We've assembled some staff, enough to get the kitchens running at least so they can start dinner now if you'd like."

"Yes please. Just something simple and light we haven't too much lately so best to take it easy. We'll be in the private dining room when it's ready." Lilas instructs as I follow them into another room, likely the dining room Lilas had mentioned. It's not a big room, nicely decorated like the rest of the house but the main feature is the table set for six people.

"So the Council?" Kor asks as we all sit down at the table waiting for whatever it is we're having for dinner.

"The human representative is ready to retire but without our input they are dragging their hells about electing another one. There is more but without all of us there they wouldn't tell us."

"Probably just a ploy to get us to stay longer. But we'll need to go there in the morning to find out what they want." Bel complains an annoyed look on his face before turning to me apologetically "Will you be okay here on your own tomorrow Emmy?" I give him a small nod.

"Yes I'll be fine. I'll probably just rest and maybe try some embroidery." I let them know trying to reassure them that it'll be okay to leave me alone for the first time since we first met. Servants enter the room then quickly serving dinner before disappearing again leaving us to eat in silence. At least until towards the end of dinner when Nuela enters the room coming to stand near my chair.

"Forgive the intrusion my Lady but I was just wondering if you'd like a bath prepared for after dinner. Also I was able to speak to a seamstress, Lord Belath requested me to, and one of the best in Hadlau is available to come in the morning for a fitting if that's acceptable to you my Lady I can return to the shop to let her know?" I can't help smiling at the idea of a bath after not being able to bathe for so long while travelling.

"A bath would be lovely thank you. And tomorrow is fine." I tell her giving her a small smile to try and hide my nerves. Being on my own would be fine but the idea of being here with strangers after what happened today is making me very nervous. What if this new seamstress is like the inn keeper from earlier and this time it'll be somewhere I'm meant to be safe. Not to mention I'm going to have to decide on clothes that will appropriate to wear at court, at some point I'll have to go.

"Perhaps I could be present in the morning for the fitting my Lady? We could use the time to get to know each other." Nuela offers giving me a kind smile suggesting that she's picked up on my nerves and is trying to give me an alternative.

"Yes please." I accept grateful for the company and the chance to get to know her better. She's known my mates for a long time and seems to one of the few people in Hadlau that they actually like. Nodding she curtsies and leaves again with a quick word about preparing my bath with Bel calling out that I've been using some of Kor's tunics to sleep in.

Not long after that we all head upstairs to the bedrooms where Nuela is waiting outside of the shared bathroom to inform me that the baths ready for me along with some towels and one of Kor's tunics to change into. Grateful I thank her heading inside to take a bath and finally be able to wash away the dirt from travelling.

The temperature of the water is perfect as I step into the bath, content to just sit and soak for a while thinking about today. It's not really been any worse than what I'd experienced in Stowu but somehow it feels worse, I'd always thought that people in cities would be kinder and more tolerant I was wrong though. Now the thought of staying here is even worse and I haven't even been here a full day or met anyone involved with the Council or court.

During the journey here they'd often discussed the state of the court with Sliske, unlike the Council it changes more often due to more turnover as many of the court members are human thus having a shorter lifespan so are often replaced by their children. Despite being home to the Council and many members of other races a large percentage of the population is human, so they make up more of the court. They wanted to try and be ahead of any changes to court members and alliances but according to Sliske many things have changed since their last visit so things will be tense as we adjust.

I get out of the bath eventually once it start turning cold drying myself off and pulling on the tunic Nuela had left out for me. Going into the shared bedroom I find that the others have all had a bath as well judging by their wet hair and they're all dressed for bed as well.

"Feeling better?" Bel asks walking over to pull me into a hug which I happily return nodding into his shoulder, I've missed him today and Lilas. I'm used to having them all around, but I know it won't be possible for us to stay together all the time, I need to get used to being on my own again. It used to be so easy being on my own but now knowing the alternative it's so much worse.

"Just ready to sleep now." I tell him pulling my head out of his shoulder. There are hums of agreement from around the room as we all pile into bed together.

Like all the other nights we've spent together I find myself in the centre of the pile, Bel behind me, Lilas next to me with Kor behind him on the outside of the bed. It's nice having Kor join us in human form again, his large protective arm over the top of us all, rather than his dragon form which he'd stayed in many nights while travelling. Even on the nights we were able to find an inn to stay at the beds were too small for all of us at the same time, so we'd have to split up making it harder to fall asleep despite how tired we were every night.

It's difficult at first to fall asleep despite how comfortable the bed is and the comfort of having my mates next to me again. Thoughts of tomorrow keep me awake for awhile my mind conjuring up ideas of how things might go, many of them not good after today's experience. Eventually though the exhaustion from the past week take over as I fall asleep to the feeling of my mates deep and even breathing next to me.