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Chapter Thirty Three

Yakov considered this for a moment. 'You're saying you're nervous because it feels too easy?'

It did sound silly when he said it like that. I sighed.

'Don't let it stress you, Cat. It is a position that will allow you to travel all over the world and of course, you'll be at Alek's side all the time. I know this training period has been intense, but it's been necessary.'

I gave a curt nod. 'I do understand. It's just all been such a rapid change that it has left me feeling a bit... lost.'

Yakov continued to study me then suggested. 'Why don't we spend the morning together after breakfast? I know Alek and the other men are busy and we can talk through your concerns.'

I agreed and headed off to shower and change. When I got in the others still slept, not waking while I got ready then slipped back out the door with Audi. Few of us sat in the Great Hall, making breakfast unusually quiet. It felt odd to sit at the end table without Alek and all the others. Even Elena was absent. We ate quickly then Yakov decided to take me on a tour of the castle.

'Alek's already taken me on a tour,' I objected.

Yakov laughed. 'You could walk this castle for a good month and still have not seen everything. I shall take you on the Royal Tour.'

That sounded interesting. Audi and I stuck to Yakov's side. He led us up one of the turrets to the third floor and we wandered along the corridor. 'As you know, this floor only has one main corridor, unlike the second and first floors. It's solely for those of Royal status or the advisors closest to them, like the Griffon Guard or the Elementals. You've seen both those quarters, so I will show you the Royal quarters.'

We headed down the corridor past our own quarters and continued until we reached a door. Yakov produced a key, unlocked it and ushered me in.

The furnishings on this side of the door looked very elegant. Ornate lamps on beautiful side tables dotted the walls and portraits of people in elegant garb hung above them. I paused at a portrait of a young boy with blue black hair and stunning blue eyes, an older man with lighter blue eyes and brown hair clasping his shoulder. Both wore formal uniforms but genuine smiles graced their faces. Yakov stood beside me and smiled at the portrait. 'Alek would have been eight when that was painted.'

I stared at it feeling a twinge of pain at knowing that only two years later, Alek had lost his dad. We continued down the corridor until we reached a set of elaborate doors. A guard stood at either side and they bowed when we approached, pulling the doors open. 'This was the late Queen's quarters.'

We entered into a foyer and I spotted a beautiful portrait of a wooded area. The artist had done an incredible job, it looked so real.

'Do you like it?' Yakov stood beside me while I studied the picture.

'I love it. It's so realistic.' I'd swear I could count the leaves.

'It's an area in the ScrodianMountains, Queen Ariadwen loved that spot,' he said, a nostalgic look in his eyes. 'Which is why King Nikias commissioned this painting. Have you seen an enchanted frame before?' Yakov arched an eyebrow at me.

I shook my head. 'No, what do you mean?'

He pointed at the picture and I leaned closer. I gasped when I spotted the faerie flittering around a bush. 'What's that?'

'That is faerie feeding on the nectar of that jurven bush. You're able to see them because the frame is enchanted. King Nikias got it for his Queen when she was pregnant with Alek and couldn't safely travel to her favorite holiday spot.'