centuries that no other castle would have endured. Pride, excitement, and anticipation built within him.
When we return, victorious, I'll finally be crowned, he thought. Cat and I will take our rightful places as the rulers of Elion.
The sound of the door caused him to turn. Cat stepped onto the balcony, her face pale, and walked to his side. With an arm, he drew her in front of him and nuzzled at the side of her neck. The corner of her mouth tugged, a hint, but no more.
'Kitten, what's wrong?'
I sighed and leaned back against him. It was strange to look out over the courtyard and castle and realize it was mine, or rather, my family's. Something which, if we survived, Alek and I would rule. Apprehension made my stomach churn. Truth be told, the thought of ruling was almost as scary as the thought of facing Jenviet.
'Cat?'
'Oh. Nothing new,' I lied and tipped my head back to look up at him.
The familiar tug of joy I felt was overwhelmed with a sudden sense of terror. I snapped my eyes closed, breathing hard through the nose. The panic attack swelled through my chest, making it hard to breathe and I leaned over, hands on knees.
'Cat!'
'Sorry,' I gasped out. 'Panic attack.'
Alek grabbed a seat and urged me to sit, while rubbing soothing circles on my back. A while later, the attack passed and I sat up, a hand still on my chest.
'Sorry,' I said again, shamefaced at the performance.
He gave a snort of derision and scooped me up, then sat on the chair. In his lap I turned around and tangled my arms around his neck.
'I'm scared, Al. I can't stand the thought of losing you. Of losing anyone.'
Alek, his arms around Cat, stroked her hair.
'I understand, love. Try not to over think it. Let's just take it one day at a time.'
She nodded and pulled back, her energy calmer now. They sat for a few moments and Alek watched as thoughts flashed across her face. He touched her nose, making her blink and look up.
'What's making you frown?'
'I need to sort Audi out, I can't bring her.'
'No, definitely not.'
They both pondered it, and then Alek suggested, 'Ada?'
'Yes!' Cat's eyes lit up. 'I'll be back.'
Alek followed her into the room.
'Meet me at the Griffons quarters after you're done. We're leaving as soon as we're packed.'
Cat paused at the door and met his eyes with a solemn look.
'Okay.'
Audrey waited on the other side of the door with Nnelg.
'Your Highness.' The dragon bowed, the blue of his scales shimmered in the afternoon light streaming through a window.
I stopped and looked at Nnelg, then knelt so I was at his level. The dragon's dark eyes widened.
'Majesty?'
'Nnelg.' I swallowed hard, forcing back the bile that threatened. 'You know we're going away for a bit. I need you to watch Lucky and Audi, okay?'
He nodded earnestly, his long tail swishing around him.
'Of course, Your Highness.'
I smiled stiffly.
'Good. Now. In the possibility that we're unable to return, for??ometime, would you look after them? I'm going to ask Ada as well, but I know how well you do this.
Nnelg nodded again.
'Yes, absolutely.'
'Good.' I stood. 'Now, let's go see Ada.'
We ran down the closest turret, all the way to the bottom floor. I paused at the bottom to give Audi a hug and ruffled the fur around her ears.
'How are you doing little miss?' I crooned.
The dog automatically turned coy, ducking her head then gave me a big kiss. I chuckled and clucked my tongue, indicating with my head which way. It was busier at this time of day.
With all the training I tended to forget that I was royalty. The fascination of courtiers and servants left me a tad disconcerted.
Did you ever really get used to such a thing? I practiced the regal nod that Yakov had taught me and walked briskly to Ada's quarters, all the way at the other end of this seemingly never ending corridor. Her door was closed when I arrived, and I rapped on it.
'I'm sorry, I'm busy,' came the loud response.
Eek. I chewed on my bottom lip for a second and stared at Audi and Nnelg. The dragon did his equivalent of a shrug.
'Just say who it is, Your Highness. Your needs come first.'
Wrinkling my nose at him I called, 'Ada, it's Catherine. I just need a moment.'
There was a scrambling noise, and the door knob rattled then opened. Ada stood in the doorway, face flushed, and apologizing.