Chapter 32
I try on several other pieces of clothing. Rakel pins me here and there, but for the most part, everything fits beautifully. “These are for you but hide them from Kaldar until you’re ready for them.”
I look at the bag she’s holding. “What’s in there that I need to hide?”
She shrugs. “I mean you don’t have to hide them from him, but it’s much more fun to see them on.”
Curiosity has the best of me now, and I open the bag. It only takes me seconds to realize what’s in the bag. I quickly fold it over. “Thank you.” My voice is high-pitched, and I can’t look at Rakel.
“Just let me know if anything doesn’t fit right; though I’m not worried about it fitting too much. I figure you won’t be wearing any of it for too long.”
“Oh, I’m sure it will all fit fine. It’s great. Thank you so much.” I’m ready to die a silent death in humiliation, but I try to keep my composure.
We spend the next hour or so trying everything on. Most things are pretty good. She completely reworks one dress, having me try it on multiple times after each change. Finally, she finishes.
“Thank you so much, Rakel. You really are gifted.”
“You’re welcome.”
I open the door, and we walk back out to the main room.
I’m not surprised to see that Mae is no longer here.
She always seems to be on the go. Taren is gone as well, but I would guess that he’s keeping watch from somewhere close outside.
I hear the sound of raised voices coming through the open door, and I pause.
.. When I hear someone say, “Kaldar’s mate,” I can no longer ignore the conversation.
I push through the screen and step outside.
There are five men talking to Taren. Correction.
Four men and one woman. Taren’s back is to me, and the five adults in green robes are spread out in front of him.
The man in the center lifts his head and makes eye contact with me. “So, she does exist.”
Taren glances over his shoulder at me, eyes narrowed. He nods towards the house, but I don’t move. “What’s going on?” I ask instead.
The man in the center of the group is not the biggest, nor is he the tallest. Yet, I know he’s the one in charge.
I’m not sure how I know that, but I do. It’s probably the same way I know that he can’t stand me.
He hasn’t met me yet, and he already hates me.
I can practically feel the hatred coming off of him in waves.
He locks eyes with mine, and I shiver at the darkness there.
His eyes are darker than any I’ve ever seen before, and I fight the urge to take a step back.
But I know not to step away from something or someone that’s dangerous, and that’s exactly what this man is. “We came to talk to you.”
I eye the five of them again, while also taking in Taren’s stance. He hasn’t relaxed yet. His hands are not on his weapons, but they’re close. Whoever these people are, he doesn’t trust them. I walk over and stand next to Taren. “Okay. I’m here. What do you want to talk about?”
The man gives me an obvious once-over. “You are perfectly healthy.” Before I can say anything, he continues. “Sources tell me you were out and about yesterday in perfect health.” Not sure what he’s getting at, I don’t respond in any way. “So, are you rejecting King Kaldar as your mate?”
His words shock the answer from my lips. “No.”
He cocks his head to the side slowly, and it unnerves me. “Are you sure?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“And you’re perfectly healthy?”
“Yes, but I don’t see—”
“Good,” he says, cutting me off. “Then the Jade Ceremony will begin in one hour.” Shock ripples through me. The five of them start to walk away.
“Wait,” I call out. Taren steps closer to me, and I don’t miss it.
The creepy man who’s done all the talking turns back to me with a smile on his face.
I’ve never seen a smile quite like his; it makes a shiver run down my spine.
“The countdown has already begun. If I were you, I’d get ready.
” He turns away, and I watch him go, feeling sick to my stomach.
Only when they’re out of sight do I turn to Taren.
“What was that?”
He shakes his head and motions to the house. I step inside, and he follows. I’m surprised to see Rakel inside. “I thought you left.”
Her wide eyes meet mine. “I heard the Council. I’ll help you get ready.” Her face is pale, and I get a bad feeling about all this.
I turn to Taren and take a deep breath. “What was all that?”
He looks just as mad as he did when I first saw him talking to the five people in robes. “That was Vaelor, Kaldar’s uncle, and the other members on the council.”
Everything Kaldar has told me about his uncle comes rushing back. “Oh boy.” I walk over to the couch and sit down.
“Oh boy is right,” Taren says, sounding angry. He runs a hand over the top of his head. “The Jade Ceremony is in one hour, and Kal’s not here for it.”
“Is that a bad thing?” I can’t help but ask. When he doesn’t answer, I figure that’s my answer. “Can’t we just postpone it or something?”
“No. Kal already did when he told them you were injured. Once it’s set in motion, it can’t be stopped. The council is really particular in things like this.”
“Well, that’s kind of dumb. We don’t have to follow their rules, do we? Can’t I just not show up?”
I hear a little gasp from Rakel, reminding me she’s still here. “No.” Taren’s voice is firm. “These rituals are tied to old magic and are binding; you can’t mess with it.”
I stare at him, trying to understand. “So, if I didn’t go...”
“I don’t know exactly what would happen, and I don’t want to find out. Neither do you.”
“But,” I start.
“Kinsley, it’s old magic. If it didn’t kill you outright, it would certainly do some serious damage. It could take away your bond with your jaguar, or it could kill her.” My eyes widen in horror, but he’s not done. “Or it could strip you and Kaldar of the mate bond, or even—”
“Okay, I get it.” I’m already moving towards the bedroom. “I’ll prepare for the Jade Ceremony.”
“I’ll send someone after Kaldar,” he says in return.
Once I’m in the bedroom, I close the door and lean my forehead against it. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. A knock at the door startles me. I open it a crack and see Rakel standing there, looking nervous.
“It’s me. I thought maybe I could help you get ready.” I open the door all the way, allowing her access. “Thank you.”
“What do you—”
Five long blasts of an alarm of some kind sound, and I wait. “What was that?” Before she can answer, four short blasts sound.
Raquel meets my gaze. “Five blasts is always for an assembly of some kind. Today, it’s that your Jade Ceremony is taking place.
The four short blasts are for the time.” I can tell the moment she decides to take charge.
She pushes her shoulders back and rubs her hands together.
“Okay. It's your Jade Ceremony. You are going to pass easily. There is absolutely nothing to worry about. You are more than worthy for our king, and the ceremony will show our entire kingdom that. Now, let’s get you looking the part.”
I have so many questions I want to ask, but I don’t get a chance because Rakel keeps me moving.
“Put on the Jade outfit, and put these shoes on.” When I finish, she sits me in a chair and gets to work.
She pins my hair up, using the set of pins she found in one of the bathroom drawers.
I hadn’t even known they were there. She searches through a few more drawers and then finds lip stain, kohl for my eyes, and shade for my eyelids.
She works quickly and efficiently. There’s a knock on the bedroom door, but she doesn’t slow down.
“Yes?” I call out.
“We need to get going, or we’re going to be late,” Taren says through the closed door.
“Thirty seconds,” Rakel calls back. True to her word, Rakel steps back less than thirty seconds later “Let’s go.
” I don’t even get a chance to look in a mirror, but I wonder if that’s a good thing.
This way, I can just assume that I look.
..good? Put together? I don’t even know, but I don’t get a chance to worry about it.
Rakel ushers me out the door, and Taren all but pushes me down the hallway.
“We have to go fast.”
We leave Kaldar’s house behind, and I wonder if anybody thought to let Harper know what was happening. There was no time now. Taren keeps a quick pace, and I can’t help but notice there’s nobody around. “Where is everybody?”
Taren glances at me with a frown. “At the assembly.”
I come to a dead stop. “What?”
Taren and Rakel both turn back. Taren frowns at me. “We have to keep going, or we’re going to be late.”
But I can’t get past this thought. “Everybody’s going to be at the assembly?”
Taren blows out a breath, but it’s Rakel that answers. “Yes. Everyone in the kingdom attends the assemblies; it’s forbidden to miss.”
“I have to do the Jade Ceremony in front of the entire kingdom? Why didn’t anybody tell me?”
Rakel steps forwards and puts a hand on my shoulder.
“Take a breath.” I do. “And another one.” Then she gets right in my line of vision.
“The entire kingdom will be at your Jade Ceremony. There, now you know because we told you. Now, we have to get going. I don’t want those things to happen to you that Taren said will if we don’t go through with this.
So, let’s go.” I find myself moving forward quickly.
I don’t pay attention to where we’re walking; my mind is too busy conjuring up what it would be like to burn to death.
“Are you okay?” Rakel asks from right next to me. “Your face is really pale.”
“I’m just thinking of what it would feel like to burn to death from the inside out.”
She makes a terrible expression, but it’s Taren that responds. “Don’t. That’s not going to happen. You will pass just fine.”
We walk on the wooden walkway under the trees. We pass the Grove and keep walking. Eventually, I see a huge dome shaped building. “Is that it?” I ask, feeling a little sick.
They both nod, and I try to keep my breathing under control.
Now that we’re closer, there are more people heading in the same direction as us.
When we get close, Taren pulls me aside.
“Kinsley.” At the seriousness of his tone, I look up.
“Kaldar isn’t here right now to protect you.
I don’t know what’s all going to go down in there, but I won’t leave your side. ” He blows out a breath.
“You’re scaring me,” I tell him.
“I don’t mean to, but I just want to prepare you.
Whatever happens in there, keep your head held high and your shoulders back.
That makes you look confident, and that’s how you need to appear.
People need to know that you and Kaldar are a sure thing.
Be ready for anything and just keep a blank expression on your face the best you can.
I know you’re a super emotional person, but you can’t be in there. ”
I frown at his words but nod because I get it. I knew the consequences of failing this test. I also knew that they’d waited until Kaldar left to call this assembly, and that didn’t bode well for me.