Home (Haven #7)

Chapter 3

“Eula, I just can’t believe this is going to be my home! I knew you’d mentioned a wing of the palace when we spoke last, but I don’t think I truly grasped all that it is. I figured we’d have a small apartment as our own on a different side of the palace so that your privacy would remain unaffected. I had no idea this was what you meant,” Vivi said, walking slowly through the entire suite, not sure which part to look at first. “It’s just, it’s overwhelming. It’s an entire home. With other homes for our people nearby, making it a neighborhood. Inside a much larger home. Which is actually a palace.”

Eula laughed. “You are family. And the only female strong enough in all ways to take my place and to support Quin when he assumes his role leading our people. You deserve this and so much more,” Eula said. She gestured toward a large sweeping staircase to the left of double doors that were the entrance to the residence that was Vivian and Quin’s new home. “You’ve two separate spaces for the moment actually. One upstairs and one down. Normally, the bedroom on the first floor would be for the nanny to be near to the youngling. The parents would sleep upstairs. But I know your thoughts on this, so I’ve adjusted your quarters. You and Quin will have a small version down here of your upstairs quarters. Rooms that are normally meant for visiting with and welcoming visitors to your home if you’d so choose have been turned into an optional royal suite of rooms so that you don’t have to go up and down the stairs until you’re ready. Three full bedrooms down here, the living room you’re standing in which is always a living room, a large office complete with all the technology needed for remote meetings, two cleansing chambers — one attached to the bedroom that is yours and Quin's, one for guests to use, and a small kitchen in case you’d like the opportunity to prepare something to eat without having to leave your home. You could always just call for a meal to be delivered from your East wing kitchen, but I remembered how much you liked to be able to cook for yourself from time to time as well. The nursery is beyond the bedroom meant for you and Quin. The other two are just off the living room. Au’revele’s quarters are next door and an adjoining door has been put in to allow her access to the nursery as needed from her private quarters. Upstairs there is quite a spacious private living area. Another living room, four more bedrooms that can be used when your youngling is older and doesn’t need a nanny throughout the night, a small sitting room, and a cleansing room attached to each bedroom. An additional office is up there, along with an exercise room, an entertainment suite, and a library, and a large personal kitchen. There is also a garden on the roof that is accessible off the sun room. There are balconies off the exterior windows upstairs. A large part of your upstairs suite extends over the corridor we just entered your suite from, and over the rooms across the corridor. There is a hidden stairwell upstairs to allow you unfettered access to the courtyard.

Vivian stood with a stunned expression on her face, looking at Eula.

“We have an upstairs, and a courtyard?” she finally managed.

Eula smiled at Vivian. “Both this wing, and ours, are built around their own courtyards. The courtyards are enclosed outdoor spaces with plants and flowers and trees that are beautifully maintained year round. In the past, it’s been a safe space for relaxation for the younglings and the females of the royal family, especially when the warriors were not as numerous at home because they were away at war. Now, they’re just really enjoyable places to have access to, and they beautify the palace. The courtyards are square, and the main corridors of the East wing are built around your courtyard, encircling it with the same square pattern. The quarters that back up to the courtyard do not have direct access to it, but there are two short little hallways that cross the main corridors between several of the quarters on that side to allow ground level access to the courtyard for those who would like to use it. As I said, your quarters extend over the tops of those across the hall from you, though. So you can access the courtyard from your private access.

If you follow any of the corridors, front and back, until their very ends, they will eventually lead you either to the East kitchen and dining hall which are at the back of your wing of the palace, or in the opposite direction to the front of the palace where another corridor will intersect to lead you to your own smaller great hall, where you’d receive any guests if they were here for you all in particular yet you didn’t want them in your private living areas. The corridor we just followed from the center of the palace joins that corridor and is how we got to this point. The servants assigned to the East wing have quarters near the kitchen in one of the service hallways. There are only six suites in addition to yours on this side of the courtyard, but there are more on the other side of the courtyard. Our wing is set up exactly the same way. The main structure of the palace sits between the two wings and has multiple great rooms, ball rooms, dining halls, offices, sitting rooms, conference rooms, and several luxury suites for visiting dignitaries. The kitchens are all connected through their own series of storage rooms and pantries. They do have service hallways for servants to use while serving in the dining halls. Guests wouldn’t normally have a need to access these service hallways. They are much smaller than those we usually use.

Vivi’s hand lifted and curved protectively around her swollen belly as she watched Zahn and Rel quietly investigating the suite of rooms that would be hers and Quin’s home, listening to the description of the palace Eula offered as though this kind of extravagance was normal for them. They communicated quietly with slight lifts of their chins and points here and there followed by a nod. As she watched, Rel jogged quickly up the steps to investigate for himself.

“I’ll be lucky if I’m not lost forever wandering around this place. This is so much more than is needed for Quin and me, Eula,” Vivian said .

“But it’s not. It’s a matter of safety. This is a fortress, disguised as a palace. It’s impressive, yes. But if you forget about the beauty that’s been built into its structure throughout its original erection, you see the stone walls that are eight feet thick, and unable to be scaled from outside. The entrances to the balconies are made to be sealed at will from the inside of the palace to prevent anyone entering that way. You notice the scars on its exterior where those less than happy with our past leaders tried to burn them out, but the building won’t burn. You’ll see the roof made of the same stone for its indestructible nature. There are hidden passages that provide more than one path to every area of the palace. There are safe spaces that I’ll show you that even if the palace was occupied, they’d never find, and we could survive in indefinitely because they’re always fully stocked. It’s a fortress, Vivi. And unfortunately, for those in our position, there will always be some who blame us for whatever it is they’re unhappy about. Fortresses are a good thing. You’ll come to love this one as we do. It’s safe. It’s strong. It’s home.”

“I am sure it is all those things,” Vivian said, looking around slowly, trying to see it through Eula’s eyes. “It’s just overwhelming.”

Eula laughed. “You’ll get over the overwhelming feeling. The important thing is we know we are safe here. Enjoy what you like about it, and avoid the parts of it you don’t feel comfortable in. There are rooms I haven’t been in in months because I don’t like the feeling they give me when I enter them.”

“But this is your home. I don’t want to invade your privacy.”

“We have our own wing, and there’s the main palace as well, which is the part the public usually sees, along with any dignitaries. We barely use five or six of the rooms regularly when it’s just the two of us. I welcome the change that’s coming. While Zha Tahl has a certain measure of privacy that is required because of his status as Sovereign, I will welcome the excitement of having those I love near.” Eula looked up at the vaulted, intricately carved and decorated ceilings, and the walls decorated in art that was representative of their culture. “I will welcome the softening of its edges. There is too much state and duty that seeps into our lives, I think. I’m really happy you’re here, my daughter.”

Vivian watched Eula assessing the suite that would be their home, listening to the surprising bit of sadness in her voice, and realized she was lonely. She walked over to Eula and hugged her. “I’m sure with myself and Kitty, and our youngling, you will be craving the staunchness of state and duty before you know it.”

Eula laughed. “I’m really thankful you’re here.”

“Me, too. It’s just different. I’ll adjust.”

Eula quickly hugged Vivian back. “Would you like to see the nursery? I especially had fun preparing the nurseries.”

Vivian nodded. “I’ll see the upstairs rooms later. Can you show me the downstairs ones now?” she asked, looping her arm through Eula’s as they walked into the nursery she’d yet to see.

Vivian was stunned the moment she stepped into the nursery. The thought put into it was clear to see. “It’s beautiful. Isn’t it, Au'revele?”

“It is, Sirena.”

Vivian’s head whipped her way. “I thought we talked about that.”

“Apologies. It’s been a way of life for all my life. I will adjust — Vivi,” Au'revele said.

“Thank you,” Vivian said. She turned back to the nursery and realized that Eula was looking at her questioningly. “I consider Au'revele a friend. She’s part of our family and we trust her to help us care for our youngling. I’ve been trying to convince her to call me Vivi, or at least Vivian instead of Sirena.”

“Ah, I understand. It is difficult for some to see you as a female rather than their Sirena, or Sovereigna. It does make you feel less formal, and more accepted when they do, though,” Eula said with a wink in Au'revele’s direction.

Au'revele nodded and smiled, understanding what the Sovereigna was trying to tell her.

The nursery was beautifully decorated with thick, luxurious carpeting underfoot, an over-sized bassinet against one wall and a larger baby bed for the youngling to transition to against the far wall. The walls were decorated in bright, vivid colors, and some of them had floor to ceiling shelves already filled with toys for both girls and boys since it was still a mystery which Vivian would be having. A day bed was waiting beside the bassinet, and inside a huge walk in closet were more clothes than the child could ever wear before he or she outgrew them. A dresser was set against one of the walls inside the closet, and a shelf displayed more than enough shoes for a child who wouldn’t be born needing any of them. An adjacent shelf displayed blankets and quilts and bedding for not only the bassinet and the baby bed, but for the day bed as well. A small area near one corner of the room was set up with comfortable chairs a small table with storage under it that was overflowing with children’s books. Several rocking chairs and a reclining chair were also placed here and there throughout the room.

“Now, if you go through this door,” Eula said, leading the way and opening the doors as she went, “you’ll find a small private bed chamber for Au'revele to rest while she’s on duty if she prefers rather than the day bed. Even a nanny on duty should have some privacy for herself while in a vulnerable position such as sleeping.”

Au'revele peeked into the small bedroom quickly and smiled. “It’s perfect,” she said, smiling at the soothing yet happy tones of pale butter yellow accented with white trim and bedding with tiny embroidered wildflowers on its edges. “And it’s very thoughtful of you, Sovereigna. Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome. And for when you’re off duty, this door leads to your assigned quarters. It’s the adjoining door that gives Au'revele direct access through her own suite to the nursery. That way if your youngling cries at night and you’re sleeping, she doesn’t have to enter the nursery from your main entrance. She can tend to the little one and not disturb you if she’s chosen to remain in her private quarters that night.”

“I’ll probably sleep in the day bed or the bedroom in the nursery until a routine is established so I won’t miss our new little one needing me,” Au'revele said.

Vivian smiled and nodded agreeably knowing that while it would be a nice thing to have Au'revele on standby if she needed her, she planned to care for her child or children if there was more than one, herself. Au'revele to help was wonderful, but Au'revele to do everything instead of herself was something that wouldn’t happen.

Almost as though reading her mind, Eula paused at the adjoining door she was leading them through and laid her long, graceful fingers on the door knob. “Of course, this door can be locked from either side to insure complete privacy if desired. But let me show you your quarters, Au'revele.”

They walked through Au’revele’s quarters, which consisted of only the ground level. It had a comfortable living and sitting room, two bedrooms with a walk in closet, an elegant cleansing room, and a small alcove and kitchen within which she could store and prepare her own food, if she so chose.

“Is it to your liking, Au’revele? Be honest now, dear. You can change anything that isn’t,” Eula said.

“It’s beautiful, Sovereigna. I’ve never had my own space, and this is so much more than I ever dreamed of having.”

“Oh, I’m so glad you like it,” Eula said. “Let’s go straight through to the corridor and I’ll show you the rest of the wing. Are you feeling up to it, daughter?”

Vivian nodded convincingly. “I am. I need to see the layout so I don’t get lost.”

“It’s not hard to navigate. It’s just as I explained. Everything is a square. All corridors are laid out in a square pattern around the courtyard. The main of which will lead you from your wing to the center of the palace. I’m assuming you will post guards at the arched entrance to the East wing. It is what we do for the West wing to be sure that no one enters the private living areas that shouldn’t.”

“Yes, I think that would be best,” Vivi said.

Zahn and Rel suddenly appeared to investigate Au’revele’s quarters, having finished their assessment of the rest of Vivian and Quin’s quarters.

Zahn in particular focused on Au’revele’s suite. Nodding to himself as he checked the windows, doors and entry points .

Eula walked over to the front door of the suite and led the way out into the corridor.

“Now, this is the royal corridor, where obviously, your living quarters are, hence its name,” Eula explained, looking at Vivian, “and as I said, because your quarters are so expansive, there are only six other suites in this same corridor. Ba Re’ and Elisha have been assigned a suite nearer the beginning or front of this same corridor. We passed it when we first stepped into this corridor at the other end. There’s a suite right next to theirs on the same side along the courtyard, and one across from it, next to yours, Vivi. There’s Au’revele’s, that one,” she said, indicating a door that was a little further up the hall, actually about halfway between the royal residence and those assigned to Au’revele. “Another further down on the same side as Au'revele, and one more across from that.”

“I’ll take the one halfway between the royal residence and Au’revele’s,” Zahn said, having stepped out into the corridor with them. “I’ll be able to watch over both your suite, Sirena, and Au’revele’s since my door is located across from and between the two. It is necessary to be near Au’revele as well as the royal residence, since her quarters have access to the nursery.”

“Of course,” Vivian said, trying not to smirk. She had long been aware of Zahn’s fascination with Au'revele, and knew that while he did consider hers and Quin’s safety paramount, so was the need to keep watch over Au’revele as well.

“I believe we’ll put Kail across from Ba Re’. Asl between myself and Ba Re’, and Li’Don at the end there, next to Au’revele, with Rel next to me.”

“It’s a sound placement of everyone most familiar with security for our Sirena,” Rel said, striding confidently away from them to take a look into the suite of rooms that would be his.

“Now, the one on the end there is closer to the intersecting corridor that leads to the East kitchen and servants quarters just beyond. Whoever takes that one may hear some coming and going because it’s in a more active area,” Eula warned.

“It works perfectly for Li’Don. He watches everyone. It’ll be easier for him to do if he’s in that one, Sovereigna,” Rel said on a grin as he returned to their group and briefly gave her a slight bow.

“This corridor will be well secured from one end to the other. We’ll fit the rest of our security forces in on the parallel corridor bordering the other side of the courtyard, and any who’d rather be in a different housing situation can speak to us and we’ll find alternative housing.”

“There is no short supply of additional quarters in that corridor for additional personnel. But if there are those who’d prefer, the barracks are available if they need them.”

“I’m telling you, I’m going to get lost,” Vivi said, shaking her head.

“You won’t get lost. It’s just so large it seems that you might,” Eula explained yet again, anxious to keep Vivian comfortable in her new home.

“With so many kitchens, and dining halls, and great rooms, do you stay to your wing for everyday living and needs?” Vivian asked. “I can’t imagine that all three kitchens are in use every day.”

“Actually, they usually are. We more often than not eat in the main dining room in the center space of the palace. But when it’s not time for a meal, I often wander into the West kitchen and forage, making myself what I want personally, rather than asking for a meal. And we feed the warriors and all who live on the grounds. If anyone is hungry and on duty here, when it is time for their break, they are welcome to eat in the main dining hall rather than going all the way back to the barracks. It wasn’t always like that, but I rather enjoyed the camaraderie of the crew all eating together on Command Warship 1, so we changed the rules to allow them to have access to the dining room. And we are usually hosting someone from some delegation, or meetings for one thing or another, and they take place in the main portion of the palace. So, there’s always sustenance available for them, too. It’s the area that is used when welcoming those who are not part of our inner circle. When we welcome dear friends or family, they are housed in our wing. The East wing was always meant for Quin. And remember that you are welcome to cook not only in your quarters, but in the East kitchen if you’d like to. Whichever chef is on duty will be busy baking or helping prepare dishes to be moved to the main kitchen and then to the main dining hall for the warriors or elsewhere as needed. He won’t mind at all whether you ask for a meal, or that you putter around preparing your own food. In fact, I’d venture to say that once they figure out what your particular favorite foods and snacks are, you’ll find they’re always on hand for you.”

“I’d like that, I think. Being able to make my own things if I want to, and finding things I really want to snack on available often,” Vivian said.

“And once your youngling is here, you will of course have things available for him or her there as well as in your own kitchen in your quarters,” Eula added.

“This is going to be a huge change, but one that I’m looking forward to,” Vivian said.

“Don’t let it intimidate you. It’s really nothing more than a huge building with three separate homes under one roof and military guards on constant duty, along with outbuildings for our warriors’ training and animals, and fields for produce and people who work it all.”

“It’s like its own small working city,” Vivian said.

“Indeed it is,” Eula agreed.

Then a thought suddenly hit Vivian. “You said that the East wing has always been meant for Quin, but what about Rokai? If he wanted to move home to the palace, where would he live?”

“Rokai has never been interested in living in the palace. Once he became of age to express his own opinions, he preferred the hunting lodges we have spread across the estate, or the training areas for our warriors. If he ever decides to move home, he’s welcome to our wing, and we’ll move into the main of the palace, or he can choose a hunting lodge — there are several.”

“He may decide to come home now that we’re here,” Vivi said.

Eula caught her eye and shared an unspoken smirk before they shook their heads and at the same time said, “No, he won’t.”