Part 25 enjoy !! not the best chapterr I've written but oh well

Chapter 24

I got up off of the bed and approached the wardrobe looking for replacement clothes. What? I was still in the King Arthur chic and there's no way I am going anywhere like this. Jeez, I'm unconscious for a week and they don't even bother to change my clothes or wash the dirt off? Lazy gits!!! I stopped when I noticed a door just to my left.

I opened the door next to the wardrobe and was in awe of the palatial bathroom in front of me, just one word, incredible. I didn't time to explore because of the meeting with Blake so I handed Izzy to Nate and then I headed back in the bathroom to wash away the reminders of battle.

I scrubbed away all of the dirt and when I re-entered the bedroom in a nothing but a warm black towel; I saw Nate laid on the bed his hair wet and now dressed in a black shirt and some matching black trousers cuddling Izzy to his chest and cooing at her with such adoration in his eyes. I always knew he would be a good father but seeing that look in his eyes was enough to confirm it. I just stood there and watched them for a few minutes more before I spoke.

"Did you pick me out any clothes?" I asked. I watched as his head snapped up and he smiled.

"No, but Holly came by with a bag. She said it had your clothes in it." He said with a smile before nodding his head towards a bag in the corner. Ooh I'd recognise that bag anywhere, it was my black shoulder bag with Mickey Mouse on the side, sad I know but the bag was just ...cute.

I scuttled hastily over to the bag and ripped open the top revealing the Holy Grail. Well not literally but my God ...a bra and of course matching French knickers. It's weird you never realise how much you appreciate something until it's gone and boy did I miss these, not that going commando isn't fun but I like to feel ...secure...yeah that's the word I'd use. I dropped the towel and got changed into them before searching through the bag for the rest of the outfit. There were a few pairs of skinnies and a couple of T-shirts so it was a matter of deciding what to wear and there at the bottom of the bag was heaven...my converse. I'm not emo or whatever but you have got to love skinnies and converse they are a god send.

I pulled out a pair of Black Skinny jeans and a white shirt with a belt, thought I'd go casual smart today so to finish off I pulled my bright pink converse from the bag. What? It's the only pair they brought and these happen to be my favourites. I turned towards Nate still in only my underwear and saw his eyes widen at me. Jeez he's my husband I thought he'd get over it by now.

"What on Antoria are you wearing?" He said in a high pitched voice. I bit my lip to stop me from chuckling.

"What you don't like?" I said mocking him. "And these are obviously not an invention of Antoria. They are from my home world, earth." I watched as he absently nodded his head still staring. Feeling self conscious under his watchful eye I dumped the clothes on the bed but kept the shirt in my hand. I slipped it on and then looked down. My god I look like a slut you can see my bra through this. Ah who cares you only live once. I left the belt undone whilst I went back into the bag and pulled out socks. Best put them on now cos sometimes putting socks on after the Skinny jeans can be a bitch and the socks were not just any sock s but my knee high stripy socks. They are awesome, can't get better than florescent pink and black stripes.

I pulled on the socks but then turned around to grab my jeans and saw Nate looking at me in amusement.

"What are those?" He said. "And how did you get such bright colours?"

"Umm dunno, I bought them...didn't make them." I replied grabbing the skinny jeans and pulling them on, next the converse. When I was all dressed, I did up the belt and sighed in contentment; now this was comfort. "Are you ready for the meeting then?" I asked as I sat down on the bed next to Nate and kissed Izzy on the forehead before giving his a peck on the lips moving his wet locks out of the way.

"As ready as I'll ever be. So is this what your people dress like where you're from." He asked as he moved towards the edge of the bed.

"umm some people. Like here people of different classes and lands wear different clothes so do the people where I'm from though most of the teens will be wearing these amazing shoes." I said lifting up the converse, sighing as I looked them over. They are heaven. I thought about the different fashions like emo, Goth, skater, slut *Cough* and anything else I could think of and watched as Nate's eyebrows rose into his hairline.

"Oh." Nate said finally meeting my eyes. "You really are from another world aren't you?"

I nodded.

"I should like to see it someday." He said wistfully. Don't get any ideas buddy, you're stuck with me. I'm not letting him anywhere near the skanks from earth; they'll be all over him trying to dry hump his leg.

"Maybe you will." I said with a smile before grabbing his arm and dragging him out of the door. I got to the end of a long hallway and looked around. Ok which way? "Umm maybe you should lead the way." I said turning to Nate who had a huge smirk on his face. Idiot.

"Just follow me Ari; I'll give you a tour or maybe a map later." He chuckled before dragging me down one of the many hallways. I tried to keep track of the many twists and turns he took but after the fifth turning I just gave up. I couldn't help but notice that the castle didn't seem as dark and ominous as it had been last night; it was somehow lighter, kinder.

We eventually arrived at a set of large oak doors that looked big enough for a giant to walk through them.

Nate let go of my hand and waved it in the air and automatically the doors opened. Nate looked back at me with a smile but faltered when he saw the nervous expression on my face.

"Ari don't worry. I'm sure everything will be fine." He said before tangling his hand with mine once more and tugging me into what can only be described and an overly large dining room. Seriously, who needs a table to seat 50 people? No one that's who.

Together Nate and I walked into the huge dining room and as I surveyed the grandeur of the room I couldn't help but be awed. The walls were lined with wood; probably oak to match the great big doors I just walked through. The gleam to the wood suggested it had recently been polished and the lingering smell of lemons suggested this room had recently been scrubbed clean. My line of sight followed along the great table in the centre of the room following the golden table cloth running down the centre before focusing on a huge silken emblem of a coat of arms hanging behind the head of the table.

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Nate staring at me so I snapped my head towards him. "Is that your coat of arms?" I asked nodding my head towards the silk sheet.

"No, it's ours or did you forget that you are now married to me. Well according to the God's...in the eyes of the people not so much but don't worry that will all be sorted out soon enough." He said smiling at me. I just nodded; I know I'm meant to be with Nate but seriously Queen, and what about my parents? I can't leave them and what about Holly? I have to go back. I shook my head. Luckily by the look on Nate's face he hadn't heard those thoughts.

I finally took notice of the people sitting at the end of the table. Aurelia, Holly, Blake, Sam, Ingrid and bunch of other people I've never seen before but look a whole lot like Nate sat at the table. They weren't talking instead they were just sitting there waiting. I sighed before turning to Nate and pecking him on the lips. Something makes me think I'm not going to like this. I took the Izzy into my arms and walked towards the group.

Nate rushed in front of me and pulled out the chair for me next to Holly and he took the one the other side of me. There was an underlying tension in the room but I ignored it and addressed Blake.

"Okay so what's going on?" I said raising a brow at him and the 'don't mess with me' face. He nodded and looked around at all those at the table before settling his eyes back on me.

"The portal was opened. I know it wasn't for long but ...things.." I watched as he shuddered. "...escaped. They can't remain loose for long. They've already caused enough damage. We need to trap them until we find a way to put them back where they came from. That's simple enough to do with the help of all of the sorcerers. Next is the matter of you my Queen and your sister. I understand you are conflicted as to what you should do. There is something you should know. Your bloodline is originally from Antoria, you true family name is La Chantrell. Nate, I am sure you have heard of them." I turned to look at Nate who was staring at me, his mouth gaping, great he's doing the fish impression. As I thought this his mouth abruptly shut, guess he was 'listening' again.

"Now you and Holly will both need to return to your world because there is a missing person report out on you. The cover story will be the TV show, the battle which will be aired in two days but we will leave for Earth tomorrow morning." He said in a calm voice. Nate however was panicking.

"What? No, she's my wife, the queen, she can't leave." He said getting up from the table.

"Calm down Nathaniel...you'll be coming too. We need to move the entire family to this realm so I'll need all the help I can get. The distant family members aren't needed just our queen's parents and grandparents and of course her big brother." He said but I was reeling. Big brother? What big brother, I never had one so how can I get something I never had. "Ari I know you didn't know about Maddox but that's for your parents to explain." With that he ended the discussion and moved onto other matters such as the coronation.

"Ari, Nate, the coronation will be held in a week. I've got Marcos De Beauvoir doing the preparations. I know this is a bit...conceited but I think you will have to renew your vows for the public image. You know how they love a royal wedding." As he said this, Blake rolled his eyes but I could understand how it would be important for the public perspective of royalty and after a crappy king and the demonic presences in the kingdom the town needs to see proof that they are not alone. Whoa that was way too deep for me.

"OK kids, get some food and rest. We'll meet at 6 am and I'll bring you some clothes Nate, because there is no way you can go like that. Sam, follow me to the drawing room after you've eaten, I need to go over what needs to be done while we're gone to round up the rest of the demons; should be simple enough as long as no one is alone. Right that's all I have to say you're dismissed." Ok now I really want to hit him. Sometimes Blake can be the guy to make your knees like jelly yet at other times he is a complete and utter idiot, come on we are not children yet he insists on talking to us like we are; Jackass.

None of us moved from our chairs except Blake who picked up a bag from beside his chair and swiftly left the room. I watched my sister eye him up as he left the room, this is not good.

© Katherine Pocock 2010