Page 84 of Of Storm and Emerald
Queen Avyanna smiled a Cheshire smile, as mischief and acceptance twinkled in her cornflower blue eyes. “I had a feeling I would like you.”
A comforting silence fell over the group as they finished their lunch.
Auraelia and Piper tried all kinds of new fruits. The yellow one that Yvaine had eaten earlier was pineapple and was sweet and acidic. Then there was pink dragon fruit, which was sweet and reminded her of a pear. There were also bananas, papayas, and mangos. Even apples from the orchards in Topaz. All of which were delicious and paired beautifully with the assortment of cheeses.
When the ladies had finished their lunches, the queen’s gaze lit with excitement.
“It’s time.”
Both Queen Avyanna and Yvaine stood from their seats.
“Time for…what exactly?” Piper asked, her forehead wrinkling with confusion and worry before her face relaxed, and her eyes went vacant.
Auraelia watched as whatever vision Piper was having played out in her mind, and when she finally came to, her eyes were lined in silver as she looked at Auraelia.
Yvaine lifted a solitary eyebrow in question. “What just happened?”
Queen Avyanna smiled, “You are quite gifted, my dear.” Her voice was laced with awe.
Shock radiated out from Piper in waves.
“Would someone mind clueing me in, please?” Yvaine asked, as she put her hands on her hips.
Piper cleared her throat. “I um–I’m clairvoyant. I only came into my magic a few weeks ago so they’re still sporadic. But I can also project them. So far just to Rae–Auraelia. But it’s something.”
Yvaine’s eyes widened. “Gifted, indeed. It’s been years since there was a known clairvoyant in Ixora. And projection too? Marvelous.”
Piper nodded and turned towards Auraelia. “I don’t want to show you, because I don’t want to ruin the surprise, but Rae. The dress they brought for you? You’re going to be more beautiful than I have ever seen you. Daemon’s not going to know what hit him.”
A flush colored her cheeks as she turned her attention back to Queen Avyanna and Yvaine. “Well, let’s get to it then I guess. We have a party to get to and a prince to shock.”
Piper and Auraelia stood, exchanging conspiring smiles with the women from Daemon’s family, before leading the way into Auraelia’s chambers.
Piper wasn’t kidding when she said that she would look beautiful in the gown that Queen Avyanna had designed for her. It was stunning. The fabric was light and airy, and floated on any whisper of a breeze. A swarm of butterflies took flight in her stomach as she thought of Daemon’s reaction to seeing her there. To seeing her inthis.The fashion in Kalmeera was very different from Lyndaria, and she was embracing every aspect of it.
When they were finished getting ready, Queen Avyanna and Yvaine escorted them down to the ground floor of the castle where Xander stood waiting. His eyes widened when he saw them, and a small smile graced his usually stoic face.
“You look beautiful, sis,” he said when they reached the bottom of the staircase.
Piper cleared her throat and looked away nonchalantly.
A chuckle bubbled up from Xander’s throat, and he shook his head. “You look good too, Piper.”
Piper brought her hand up to her chest in mock shock. “Why, Xander. Thank you ever so much.” She waggled her eyebrows and threw him a wink–a broad smile lighting up her face.
Auraelia rolled her eyes at their interaction. “You’re both incorrigible, I swear.”
When both Piper and Xander shrugged their shoulders in response, she shook her head and took Xander’s proffered hand to help her down the final few steps.
With their party complete, they were then led to the far side of the castle, where a grand set of stone steps led out into a garden oasis. Even with it being the longest day of the year, the sun had started its downward progression in the sky, casting hues of orange on the garden.
Auraelia peered out through the columns that lined where the castle ended, and the garden began.
The party was in full swing.
Brightly colored flora surrounded the space, filling the air with a mixture of floral scents. There was a pond nestled in the middle of the garden that was surrounded by lit paper lanterns and there were tiny candles floating atop the water amongst the lily pads and lotus flowers.
She took in the space with wonder in her eyes. It was so beautiful, and so different from the celebrations that were held in Lyndaria.
