'And it already was a big step to allow Alek to go. The two heirs in one place…'
Ignatius let his head fall back and stared at the ceiling as he pondered the situation. Catherine's face kept coming to mind and the images of her fighting, using that strange style they were so good at. She'd brought him down each round at hand to hand combat.
A begrudging sense of admiration began to develop.
'A female heir who is a capable warrior. The last thing anyone expected.'
Rashid and Patel nodded.
'We'd better increase training.'
*****
My training began immediately. Yakov worked through the procedures he thought I might first have to face and began to teach me the absolute basics in Elion's politics. Most of the lessons were tedious, but at least they helped to keep the sense of guilt at bay. It wasn't until he left in the evenings that it crept back in, haunting my dreams. For the week after I woke from the coma I dreamed of my Earth parents. It seemed as if I was playing out my whole life with them in my dreams. When I woke in the mornings my face and pillow were wet with tears.
Throughout each of those dreams, the shadow of a boy with blue eyes and black hair silently watched. In every memory I saw him beside me. His face was indistinguishable, but I knew him. Each time my parents smiled at me, he stared at them, and a heavy sense of betrayal would often cause me to wake, fighting for breath. But at the same time, I rejoiced at seeing them again.
It made going to sleep both a blessing and a curse.
No one woke me this morning and it wasn't until Maeri, the pretty blond teen who'd been assigned my maid, entered with breakfast that I remembered it was the rest day.
Perhaps I won't see anyone today then?
Maeri put the food on the round, heavyset table between the beds and left some clothes on a seat for me. Yakov had explained, when he introduced Maeri to me the other day, that she was also my personal dresser. Initially, I thought that meant she set my clothes out for the day, or for an event I was attending, and it had been a shock to us both when she matter-of-factly went to strip my night shirt off the first day she attended me. Though still weak, I was entirely capable of defending myself and my energy had flared out instinctively, causing the girl to leap back. Now the clothes were placed on the bed or chair, which suited us both.
I was still stuck on an invalid's diet by Elena's orders. As I finished my food, there was a knock at the door.
'Come on in,' I called.
Audi trotted over to the door, nails clicking on the smooth wood floor, sat next to it and whined.
The door opened and Elena's black plait swung in as she popped her head around the door.
'Would you like some company?'
I pushed the bowl of milky porridge away, done with it. 'Sure, come in.'
She paused to greet Audi then came and had a seat at the table, and arched an eyebrow at the bowl.
'Not hungry?'
I shook my head at the concerned tone. 'No—just sick of porridge.'
'We will start you on real food tonight.'
'Ooo, steak?'
'Fish.'
Elena laughed as Cat wrinkled her nose and scowled, eyes creased with annoyance. In moments like these, Elena had sudden flash backs to King Nikias. The Thalian resemblance was evident in many of the things Cat did.
Audi nudged at Elena's hand and she fussed over the dog again, while watching Cat. The normal healthy flush was slowly returning to Cat's face, but her strength still needed to catch up. It wasn't that surprising. The power required from both her and Alek to create such an explosion was quite phenomenal; even more so if you considered that Alek had never used his gift before.
Without realizing it, Elena's gaze slid across to Alek's prone form. She only realized when Cat quietly asked.
'Why hasn't he woken yet?'
'It was the first time he had used his gift, Cat. You remember how exhausted you were the first time.'
Cat nodded and the red energy flicked out around her as she watched Alek.
'He will be okay though?'
'He will. He just needs a bit longer to rest.'
'How come you didn't know he was gifted?'
Elena glanced at the girl, wondering if the question was asked accusingly, but she simply looked curious.