The Realm Protectors - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

"You eat cereal?" Faris asks me as I pour myself a bowl of Frosted Wheats for breakfast. He takes a startlingly large bite of his bagel while he waits for my reply.
"I am still a human, Faris." I raise the spoon to my mouth and chew the sugary cereal. "I enjoy sugary things."
"I just thought that moon witches would have some sort of weird breakfast routine." Faris shrugs. I tilt my head as I look at him.
"I burn incense before you all wake up to clear the residence of negativity, if that's what you are wondering." I reply. Faris stops chewing to sniff the air.
"Smells like cinnamon." He decides.
"And white sage," I nod. "You have a good nose." I take my bowl and sit down on the couch. Ciana is sitting in the window seat, looking back and forth between the clear blue sky and the television, which is playing the news channel. The reporter is talking about our return from Dunia and Tucker, our new Grandshield.
Tucker changes the channel.
"Morning," he says to me.
"Good morning," I reply. "How are you today, Tucker?"
He seems surprised that I replied. "I'm fine. You?"
"I am well." I take another bite of Frosted Wheats.
"Are all space elementals so airy?" I hear Faris whisper to Carter.
"Some of them talk like you," Carter replies. "Some talk like Lyra."
"All right, High Arches." Enya claps her hands, rubbing them together as she walks down the hallway, Nile close behind her. "Today we have our last official meeting to plan the Coronauguration, and then Jaq will be here to finish the final touches on our outfits."
"Who knew it would be so much work?" Avani groans, opening the refrigerator. "I'm glad it's almost here so we can be done with it."
"Let's get a move on, kids!" Enya calls as she walks towards the tunnel door. I finish my Frosted Wheats and put the bowl in the sink. Carter waits for me by the door, letting our friends go ahead of us.
"Hey," He smiles.
"Hello," I smile back.
We follow our friends through the tunnel and into Arch Hall, before walking to the meeting room. We sit in our chairs, less ornate versions of our High Arch seats, and prepare to sit through two hours of meetings. Tucker takes his place in the folding chair behind Enya and Nile. He doesn't contribute to the meetings much. He only listens when they talk about the actual crowning ceremony, which he has to administer, of course.
The Arch Council arrives shortly after, and we begin the meeting. Over the past four days of meetings we've covered everything for the entire day tomorrow: the pre-ceremony gathering, the ceremony, and the post-ceremony party. The planners have presented us with options for everything, from the flowers to the confetti. Jaq sits in on the meetings, mostly to lend her designer's eye to anything she feels the need to. I see her two carts with our outfits for tomorrow waiting in the corner. I feel a tap on my arm and turn to see Carter attempting to slip me a piece of paper. I take it and open it.
Are you okay?
I look at him and nod. He dips his chin towards the paper. I pick up my pen and write back,
Yes, why?
I pass him the note back and he scans it quickly. He scribbles a reply and hands it back to me.
You haven't talked much.
Neither have you, Carter.
Yeah well, ur a girl. I figured you'd like this party-planning stuff.
I thought you understood my interests better.
He chuckles at the words and writes back.
I know you like stars. And burning nice-smelling incense.
I also like those milkshakes you make. And listening to you attempt to sing.
I am a great singer. I'm offended you think otherwise, Lyr.
You are funny.
He starts to write something back, but then blushes and crosses it out.
"Lyra?" I hear Enya ask. I look up at her.
"Yes?"
"Are there any certain things that are considered bad luck or offensive to Space elementals that we need to watch out for?" Ciana leans forward to allow herself to view me.
"No, I do not think so." I reply. "Everything should be in order."
"Perfect," Enya nods. "I think that does it for the ceremony. How are we coming on food for the reception, Pierre?"
The tall man named Pierre clears his throat. He points to a poster board that he has set up on the table.
"The main course is Prosciutto-wrapped chicken breasts with herbed goat cheese," Pierre motions to the delicious-looking picture of chicken. "There will be a vegetable option as well, for those who choose to not eat meat."
"And that is?" Enya asks.
"Mushroom risotto with truffle oil, your Highness." Pierre replies. "There will be a soup course, featuring spicy mango ginger soup and a creamy shrimp and crab bisque. This is preceded by a salad course, featuring a cherry tomato couscous and a caprese."
"What's for dessert?" Faris asks. Avani nods excitedly.
"Strawberry semifreddo, cheesecake bites, and pavlova." Pierre replies with a smile.
"What is there to drink?" I speak up.
"Lemon fruit coolers, a cranberry limeade, iced honeydew mint tea, and water of course."
"What about for the adults?" Tucker raises his hand.
"There are specialty drinks available for those with a taste for alcohol, such as Boulevardier and Martinez." Pierre finishes.
"That all sounds excellent, Pierre." Enya grins. "Thank you for coordinating that." I feel another tap on my arm and I am greeted by another piece of paper.
I've never had anything half as fancy as what that sounds like.
It is just names, Carter. It is still just food.
Fancy food.
Carter and I pass notes back and forth throughout the rest of the meeting. We both participate when asked to, but we both mostly ignore the talk about flowers, guest placements, and other things like that.
Finally, Enya stands up. "Thank you everyone for being so helpful this week. I'm sure the festivities tomorrow will be excellent. Now we'll be heading back to get the finishing touches on our outfits."
Jaq grins happily and stands, grabbing her two carts of clothes. Tucker helps her wheel them out of the meeting room and back through the tunnels to the Arch Residence. When we get back, she hands each of us our garment bags and lets us go to our rooms to try them on. The stars and planets on my door glow purple when I open it. My room greets me with comfort: dark wood floors, a ceiling that looks like a piece of the Milky Way, and a large round bed covered in soft, deep purple blankets.
I hang the garment bag on my closet door and unzip it. Inside is the masterpiece that Jaq has been working on for the last week. The bodice is made of a purple so dark that it's nearly black, with a sweetheart neckline outlined in a sheath of rich fabric the color of the amethysts that sit on my bedside table. It looks to be form-fitting until it reaches my hips, where the skirt blossoms out in folds of that same dark purple. It fades through the violet spectrum as the fabric falls to the floor, the bottom an incredible royal purple. The best part is the smallest of details: all over the dress are tiny gemstones to resemble stars, making it look like I am clothed in a galaxy.
After admiring it for a few minutes, I loosen the ribbon laces in the back before undressing, taking off the silky purple dress I had on and stepping into the pile of fabric. I pull it up over my hips and hold the bodice in place while I wait for Jaq to come and help me lace it up. She arrives only a few minutes later, carrying a notepad and a measuring tape, with a pencil stuck in her mousy brown hair and a pincushion on her wrist.
"Oh Lyra, you look beautiful!" She grins, lacing her hands together. She scurries behind me and starts pulling the ribbons tight, lacing up the back of the gown. I admire my reflection in my trifold mirror. The bodice hugs my torso, accentuating my curves. The way the skirt blossoms makes my hips look much wider than they truly are. Jaq was correct – I do look quite beautiful.
"This is incredible, Jaq." I smile at her reflection in the mirror, standing behind mine. "You should be very proud."
Jaq blushes and flicks her wrist. "Oh stop it," She giggles. "I do my best."
"I think it is ready for the ceremony tomorrow." I turn around to face her.
"Perfect," Jaq releases her breath. "I'm glad one of them is ready. Ciana's has to be shortened an inch or two and Enya's bodice needed tightening."
"Do you need any assistance?" I ask her.
"No thanks, your Highness." She grins. "Here, I'll help you get out of this." I turn back around and she unlaces the ribbons, loosening the bodice. I let it fall to the floor before stepping out of it. Jaq makes quick work of the dress, hanging it back on the hanger and zipping up the garment bag. I am not exactly sure how the skirt fits inside of it so well, but it does.
"Good luck tomorrow," Jaq grins again before scurrying out the door. I slip back into my regular purple dress, feeling a little less ornate now in comparison to my gown. Someone knocks on my door. I hurry over to open it and see Carter standing there in a handsome azure blue suit.
"Hey," He flinches. His hair is tousled like he has been running his hands through it. "Have you seen Jaq?"
"She was just in here," I say. "What is wrong?"
"I accidentally ripped my suit," Carter admits, turning around and showing me a large hole underneath his arm. "I hope she's not upset."
"It seems like it can be fixed," I assure him. "It looks good on you."
"Thanks," Carter grins. "I can't wait to see your dress tomorrow."
"Oh, it is beautiful." I smile. "It is the most incredible gown I've ever seen. Jaq is very talented."
"She really is," Carter is staring at me. "Well, I better go find her so she can fix this."
He turns down the hallway. I check the time and sit down at my desk, preparing my smudge stick for tomorrow morning.