Page 11 of Home

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 thecourtyard 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 isyourhome. 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 andduty 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, andsome 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 neededher, 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.”

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