Chapter 8 - Emilia

I'm comfortable and warm when I wake up, my head gently going up and down in time with someone's breathing. Blinking to clear my eyes I can see that it's Ruikor's chest that I'm sleeping on during the night I'd turned around to face him cuddling into his side. Behind me I can hear Lilas and Bel talking quietly before slipping out of bed and leaving the room. Even though I've only been here a few days I know that Kor would have woken up if what they had left to do was important, maybe they've only gone to the kitchen for something to eat.

Not wanting to move yet I cuddle further into Kor's side closing my eyes, not sleeping but resting comfortably against him. And I was resting briefly before the gentle movement of his chest speeds up as he lets out a chuckle, opening my eyes I turn my head up slightly facing him. He smiles, a bigger one than I've seen before, and reaches a hand up starting to stroke my hair.

"Comfortable, kitten?"

"Yes." I admit blushing both at being caught cuddling up to him and at the nickname, "Kitten?" He shrugs slightly.

"You look like one when your sleeping."

"Well you purr like one though." I retort only to get another shrug from him.

"Dragon." He points at himself before pointing down at me, "Kitten. Both can purr but only one is cute." I guess it makes sense to him and I don't really mind the nickname.

"I think your beautiful in your dragon form. I'm sorry I didn't tell you yesterday, but it was really impressive." In return all he does is smirk, knowing how impressive he is in dragon form.

"Come on. We should head downstairs Lilas is starting breakfast."

"Oh." I sit up allowing him to do the same, "But they left a while ago. I thought they'd gone down for an early breakfast." He chuckles getting out of bed.

"Not quite. Belath was hungry for something else." A smirk, that I'd seen more often on Belath's face, grows on Kor's face. I tilt my head trying to figure out what he means hoping he'll explain it to me. Instead he just leans down and kisses my forehead, "So innocent."

Knowing I won't get an answer from him I climb out of the massive bed to get dressed. Maybe if I ask Lilas or Bel will tell me what Kor meant. Making sure that I still have my necklace on I start pulling on the dress from yesterday on only to encounter a familiar problem, I need help with the ties at the back.

"Kor could you help me wi-" Before I can even finish I feel one of his hands running down my bare back making me shiver. Ignoring my response and acting like nothing had happened Kor does up the ties.

"Breakfast." He tells me heading out the door. I'm still confused by how I responded to his touch, so it takes me a second to come to my senses and follow after him, running my finger through my hair trying to get some of the knots out yesterday's bath making it easier but it's still difficult. Luckily I'm getting used to the route from this floor down to the kitchen we'd spent most of our time between the two, other than the lunch outside and evening in the downstairs library. They'd told me yesterday during the tour that this is a relatively small castle especially due to the number of unused rooms but if this is small I hate to image what they'd consider a large castle.

Just as Kor said when we got down to the kitchen Lilas is cooking breakfast and Bel is sat at the table as usual. Yesterday Lilas had briefly mentioned that Bel is banned from ever trying to cook again after his first and last attempt had almost burnt the castle down. I didn't get the full story though Bel had nearly pounced on Lilas to cover his mouth before he could finish the story, telling me to forget it had ever been brought up. Whatever had happened must have really embarrassed him and I'd thought that Bel didn't feel embarrassment at all.

"Morning. About time you two joined us, breakfast is nearly ready. I've made bacon, sausages and eggs, there's toast as well." Lilas said in way of greeting as we took our seats at the table with Bel, me next to Bel and Kor on the opposite side. Feeling brave and hoping it will make him more likely to talk about what Kor mentioned upstairs, I lean over and kiss Bel's cheek. I blush as I sit back in my seat while he looks at me in shock and awe.

Serving out breakfast, pointing out what the bacon and sausages were when I asked, Lilas takes a seat next to Kor and we start eating quietly. I'd never tried bacon or sausages and could only rarely afford eggs so I'm slightly cautious as I start eating. Sticking to what I know I take a few bites of toast and eat some of the eggs before cutting up a bit of bacon to try. I quickly spit it back out though not liking the taste at all.

"Not a fan of bacon?" Bel asks chuckling at the look on my face. Silently Kor takes the bacon off my plate placing it on his own and giving me a couple of his sausages in return.

"Apparently not, I've never had any before." They nod in acknowledgment going back to eating quietly. After not liking the bacon I'm hesitant to try the sausages but end up liking them much more than the bacon. Having the smallest portion I end up finishing my plate first, still being hungry though I pick up another slice of toast to nibble on while the others finish.

"So, Emmy, what do you want to do today?" Bel asks.

"Could I have another reading lesson?" I face Lilas smiling when he nods. The first lesson had been difficult especially with the books content but trying again with a different book made it easier. I can learn with stories and then perhaps move onto other books to learn more about the world and its history. Not to mention more about the races of my mates, thinking of what I know about their races a problem entered my mind.

All of my mates are immortal but I'm not. They will stay the same while I age, I'll have a lifetime with them but what will happen to them when I die. I can't even imagine losing one of them. Without realising it my breathing has sped up and my heart is racing as I start worrying for them even though hopefully my death is years away.

"Emilia, what's wrong?" Even though he's only across the table from me Lilas's voice sounds far away. It's getting difficult to catch my breath, I can't breathe.

"Focus. Breathe with me, in and out. In. Out." Suddenly I'm spun around in my seat and Kor is crouched in front of me his hands on my cheeks. It helps me focus on him as I follow his instruction taking in deep even breaths with him until I find myself calmer. "Talk to us."

"You're all immortal. I'm only human, one day I'll die and leave you. Even though it's only been a few days I don't want to lose any of you, what will happen to you when I die?" Despite being calmer now its difficult to talk because I've started crying.

"Shh, Kitten." Kor takes a seat next to me now rubbing a hand up and down my back to comfort me, "It'll be fine."

"Kor's right." Lilas reassures me placing a cup of tea in front of me having gotten up to make one when I started panicking, "The Gods are not cruel. When they created the Soul Stones part of the magic they imbued them with gives soulmates the same lifespan so you will live as long as we will. In fact you won't physically age past this point since you chose your Stone, we've seen it before with friends who have human soulmates."

"Thank you." I whisper out sipping at my tea calmer now that I know I won't leave them alone by dying. "I'm sorry for freaking out, I was just worried."

"It's fine Emmy. Now how about we do something fun today, want to go to the town get what you need for embroidery?" Bel offers no doubt looking for a way to cheer me up. I nod, wiping the last of the tears from my face, excited about the idea. "Great! I'll go get some money and meet you outside, Kor you'll fly us there right?" Not really waiting for a response he rushes out the room, luckily Kor nods in agreement.

"I'll come too. I want to take a look in the bookshop." Lilas states causing Kor to give him a look I can't quite read, "What? It's been a while since I've to the shop in the town." Kor just shakes his head indulgently as though they've had this same interaction several times. Which judging by what I've been told, and seen in the libraries, they likely have.

We wait outside in the same garden as yesterday for Bel to come back. While we're waiting I continue trying to get the knots out of my hair but as usual I'm not getting very far maybe even making it worse. My hair has always been thick and curly, so it knots easily, I'd never been too bothered about the state of it before but now having new clothes it doesn't seem right for my hair to still be a mess.

"We could get you a brush today. Although it might be easier to brush out when it's wet." Lilas recommends. "I could help you braid it after."

"Yes, please." Having it braid back sounding like the best idea at least until I can get better at managing it now that I can keep it clean and brushed.

"I've got it!" Bel calls as he comes running into the garden a small bag in his hand. Nodding Kor heads further away from us needing the space to shift. Walking over to him Lilas climbs up onto his back holding out a hand towards me.

"Bel give Emmy a lift up and I'll pull her the rest of the way." Bending down slightly Bel cups his hands together instructing me to put my foot there so he can boost me up to Lilas. Complying I put my foot in his hands placing my hands on Kor's side for balance as Bel lifts me up I extend a hand up to Lilas who grabs it and pulls me to sit in front of him. "Flying on Kor's back can be frightening at first but we're perfectly safe and flying can be amazing. Just to be sure though I'll keep a hold of you, and you can hold onto Bel in front of you okay?" Nodding I do as he said wrapping my arms around Bel who has climbed up to sit in front of me.

"We're good to go." Bel shouts out to Kor who takes a few steps before launching into the sky. Lilas is right it's scary so much so that I shut my eyes burying my head into Bel's back. The fear only lasts a few minutes until Kor has evened out and I've gotten used to the sensation of his powerful wings beating beneath me. Removing my head from Bel's back I open my eyes and find myself surrounded by an endless sea of clouds.

"Didn't I tell you? It's beautiful up here isn't it?" Lilas asks from behind me, having to speak close to my ear so I could hear him. Knowing he won't be able to hear me I just nod in response, too amazed anyway to put what I was seeing into words. The endless sky and clouds around us are amazing and far beyond what I can describe.

It's a short flight though and soon we're landing in an open field just a short walk from the town. Bel climbs down first, waiting to catch me when he lands while Lilas helps me to get a leg over Kor's back to be able to slide down Kor's side into Bel's arms.

"We're going to head to the seamstress's, see you there." Bel calls over to Lilas and Kor as he takes my hand and starts heading into the village not waiting for their reply.

"Shouldn't we wait for them?" I ask nervous, this is the first time I'll be around people other than my mates since I claimed my Stone. What if the people here react to me the same way everyone in Stowu did?

"It'll be fine, they'll catch up quick. Even if they don't Kor will be able to track us down." Sure enough when I look back Kor and Lilas are not far behind us and are soon right behind us. Reassured by us all being together I let Bel lead me towards the town entrance where strangely two people are stood watching us approach.

"My Lords." The two men who were waiting by the gate bowed as we came to a stop in front of them. The older of the two steps forward, "Welcome back. It's been a while since you last all visited together, is something wrong? We'll do anything we can to help if there is?"

"Thank you for the welcome, Aiden." Lilas moves to the front of us nodding to the elder man before facing the younger, "It's good to see you again as well Declan. Nothing's wrong, we're just here to do some shopping. This lovely young lady here is our final mate, Emilia, we're here to get some items for her." Shocked they both turned their full attention on me, staring at me with wide eyes.

"My Lady." They say bowing towards me this time before continuing staring. Uncomfortable I moved slightly behind Kor easily able to hide behind his much taller and broader frame, he steps forward slightly making it easier for me to hide as he crosses his arms glaring at the men. "We're sorry, my Lady. We don't mean to stare but the Lords have visited this town for generations, so we've known them since we were children. Knowing that they've found you, their final mate, just makes us happy for them." Hearing Aiden's explanation I move slightly back out from behind Kor I give them a small smile.

"Well, we should get going there's a lot we want to get today." Bel states walking past Aiden and Declan straight into the town. They don't try and stop him though instead just stand aside giving a slight bow as he walks past them, doing the same as the rest of us follow him into the town.

It's smaller than Bellit, still bigger and nicer than Stowu though. The people seem friendlier as well many calling out greetings to my mates, clearly what Aiden had mentioned about the residents of the town having known them since childhood is true. They wave and call greetings back as we walk down the main street following after Bel who seems to have a destination in mind, the seamstress's shop no doubt.

"There's the book shop, I'll see you later." Lilas tells us separating from the rest of us towards the shop almost at a run, likely eager to get his hands on some new books.

"Looks like we won't be seeing Lilas until we leave." Bel says chuckling, walking backwards for a few steps to speak directly to me and Kor. It's probably true though at least from what I've seen over the last few days, Lilas has a very special love for books.

"Grab him for lunch." Kor grunts out making us both laugh. That still gives him several hours to shop for more books, who knows how many he'll come back with.

"Well, here we are." Bel announces to me holding his arms up to show off the shop in front of us. I can't help staring at the beautiful dresses displayed in the window but don't get to look for long before Bel is pulling me inside. "Madame Loni, I've got a surprise for you!"

A tall older woman walks into the front of the store from the back. Still being early there are no other customers so she'd likely been working on something else in the back. "Lord Bel! How good to see you!" She cries out rushing forward to pull Bel into a hug, the two are clearly close. "Now what's this about a surprise."

"This…" Bel pulls out of the hug moving a hand to the small of back gently pushing me forward slightly, "This is my final mate, Emilia. Emmy this is my good friend Madame Loni. We're here today for some dresses for her and she'd like to do some embroidery, so we need the supplies for that as well."

"Oooh." She squeals and suddenly she's pulling me into a hug. Releasing me she bounces up and down clapping before stopping taking her time to look me over, "So beautiful. Tiny, too tiny I'll need to leave a bit of room for when you've got her at a proper weight. And it'll be a full wardrobe everyday dresses, evening dresses and night dresses. Some of the dresses will need to be more elaborate, court appropriate dresses, as well for when the four of you have to go to Hadlau." Most of what she's said has made sense except for the last part, what does she mean going to the capital city?

"We're hoping to put off going for as long as possible. You know that we spend as little time there as possible." Bel tells her, "I made the dress she's got on at the moment yesterday but at the moment that's the only she's got. So while I've got plans for more I thought you could help with getting a proper wardrobe for her as soon as possible."

"Of course. It'll be nice to make such beautiful dresses again, no one here really has a need for them. Now, Emilia, why don't you hop up on the pedestal so I can take your measurements and I should be able to get at least one of my pre-made dresses to fit you before you all leave." Obeying I stand up on the pedestal letting her take my measurements. Just like when Bel did this yesterday it doesn't take long and at least this time she doesn't keep tickling me, so she actually finishes faster than Bel.

With the measurements all taken Bel and Madame Loni run around the shop discussing each dress I might need and how many of each. They are even joined by Madame Loni's apprentice Anna who she calls out from the back to help, she's tasked with taking down notes so that they have a record of what's been ordered. With the types of dresses chosen they move onto looking at fabric, Anna now relegated to moving the chosen fabrics to the back to be cut and made into dresses later.

While all of this is going on I stay up on the pedestal not wanting to get in the way as they move quickly occasionally holding fabric up next to me to determine if it suits me. Kor just watches the chaos from a chair in the corner, somehow pulling out a block of wood and a knife from somewhere I can't see he starts carving. This must happen a lot if he knows to bring something to do with him.

Once they've chosen fabrics for new dresses Bel and Madame Loni start trying some of the pre-made dresses on me that we should be able to leave with today after a few alterations. They have me in and out of dresses faster than I thought possible. Madame Loni pins many to the right size then removes them saying she'll work on them later, two though she thinks she can finish today with Anna's help while we're in town. Those two she puts on last telling me, "Another blue for every day, you look so lovely in blue. And the green just in case you need something nicer."

I still don't know why I'd need a dress as nice as the green one, according to Bel it's made of silk which I'd never even seen before. Maybe needing such fancy dresses is tied to the reason everyone keeps calling my mates Lords, they'd even called me a Lady when I'm definitely not. It's another thing to ask about along with what Lilas and Bel were doing this morning, just when things are starting to make more sense I'm given more questions.

"Lunch." Kor announces standing up putting his carving work away. I've just got changed back into my dress after finishing being fitted for the green dress which Madame Loni had taken the most time with, insisting on getting it just right. Bel and I nod agreeing and after many hugs from Madame Loni she all but pushes us out of the shop saying she wants to work in peace with Anna.

The three of us head back to the book shop, before we have lunch we need to try and remove Lilas from his quest for new books. I'm curious to see how Kor will manage it, he and Bel have been arguing about who has to get him out of the shop and Kor ended up losing because it was his idea to fetch Lilas for lunch.

Entering the shop there are shelves filled with books everywhere but nowhere near as many as in Lilas's smaller library at home. It's a small shop so it doesn't take us long to track Lilas down at the back of the shop, browsing through a shelf with a couple of books in his hand.

"Lilas, lunch." Kor says trying to get Lilas's attention the easy way.

"Nearly done, I swear." Lilas mutters back distracted and not paying much attention. They must have heard this many times before because Kor and Bel let out identical sighs at the answer.

"I'll take those." Bel swoops in taking the books Lilas is holding and heads to pay the owner. As Lilas looks up in shock at the books being taken, reaching out slightly trying to take them back, Kor moves forward bending slightly and lifting Lilas right over his shoulder. It's too practiced for them not to have done this exact manoeuvre before, giggling I follow them out of the shop.

"Kor, come on. I wasn't done." Lilas complains on the way out struggling on Kor's shoulder briefly before giving up and just hanging there in defeat. None of the residents who see them when we get outside so much as take a second look at the sight of them, so they've definitely done this before here. Bel meets us outside the shop, and they head off towards wherever we're having lunch with me sticking close to Bel, so I don't get lost.

"You're going to love where we're going for lunch." Bel tells me, "It's an inn that has been open for over 100 years now, the recipes are passed down in the family never changing. We try to go every time we're here, we are creatures of habit."

The inn is not far from the book shop just closer to the entrance, the perfect place for an inn. Kor lets Lilas down outside of the inn allowing him a chance to straighten out his clothes and hair before we enter. Bel immediately claims a table near the door waving us over when he feels that we're taking too long to sit down.

A serving girl comes over taking our order; three bowls of stew and water and some wine. Bel explains to me that he can drink wine but that he doesn't drink often because he gets drunk very easily. The only reason he ordered any apparently is so that he has something to do while we eat. Bowls are soon set down in front of us along with the water and Bel's wine, the stew smells beautiful.

"Lilas, don't take this the wrong way but this is the best thing I've eaten." After the first bite I can't help letting out a little moan. Looking up from my bowl I find them watching me, all sharing similar odd looks, for some reason. "Is something wrong?" They all seem to shake themselves awake, Lilas even letting out a small cough.

"I don't mind. They really have perfected this recipe; my stew is an attempt to recreate it." Lilas lets me know smiling as well all continue to eat, Kor quickly finishing his first bowl and requesting a second then a third before stopping. "Can I go back to the book shop now?" He asks once we're all done eating.

"Only for a bit." Kor allows.

"Yes, we shouldn't be much longer." Bel adds, "We've just got to get Emmy a hairbrush then pick up her dresses and embroidery supplies before we head home." Lilas nods in agreement mind already back in the book shop trying to figure out the fastest way to search for new books. Not wanting to waste anymore time he gets up heading back out for the book shop.

"Leaving with a lot of new books." Kor sighs rubbing his head slightly but making no attempt to curb Lilas's desire for more books. I can't help smiling at the action, as stern as he seems Kor is very indulgent of anything any of us want.

"Come on we should go and get Emmy a hairbrush before we head back to Loni's. Maybe even some ribbons to help tie it back when you want to." Bel says standing ready to leave, nodding I stand and join him. Kor as always joins us as a silent shadow.

We enter another store not far from the inn Bel quickly locating what he deemed an acceptable hairbrush before we start looking at the ribbons. We end purchasing nearly a dozen ribbons of varying colours mainly blue and green, Kor even picked out a beautiful golden yellow ribbon for me. Satisfied with what we had Bel pays the store owner taking my hand as we head back towards Madame Loni's store.

"Loni! We're back." Bel calls out as soon as we're in the door. She walks out from the back, Anna just behind her carrying a basket.

"Lord Bel perfect timing as always. We've just finished both dresses and have put together some embroidery supplies for Lady Emilia; it should be enough to get her started and for some practise. I'll keep some supplies set aside so just let me know when you need more, and they'll be ready for you." Madame Loni smiles hugging Bel and then me while Kor takes the basket containing the dresses and embroidery supplies from Anna. "It was good seeing you again and it's been lovely meeting you Lady Emilia."

"Thank you Madame Loni. It's been lovely meeting you too." With everything collected we go to the bookstore to try and collect Lilas again.

Like before we find Lilas among the rows of shelves holding several books and he's completely absorbed in his search for more. So much so that he doesn't even notice we're there at first not until Bel tries to take the books from him like last time. Anticipating the move though Lilas moves the books out of reach.

"Not done." He mutters trying to buy more time.

"Home time." Kor grunts handing me the basket before using his superior reach to take hold of Lilas who doesn't have time to move out the way. Once again Lilas finds himself over Kor's shoulder going out the door, he doesn't fight this time when Bel takes the books just hangs limply over Kor's shoulder pouting at being forced to leave.

Having collected Lilas we walk back out of town ready to head home. Kor puts Lilas down once we're outside the gates so that he can go further out to shift into his dragon form. It takes a bit longer for us to get onto his back having to juggle our purchases but eventually we manage to get on without dropping anything.

The flight isn't as scary this time now that I've experienced it before. In fact I'm able to enjoy it more watching as the town grows smaller as Kor flies higher and turning in the direction of home. Once we're high enough in the sky that we're surrounded by clouds my mind wanders to the questions that today has raised, first what Kor was talking about this morning but more importantly why does Madame Loni think we'd be going to the capital?

It feels like we're moving faster than during the first flight though so before long we're landing in the large garden at home. Climbing down we wait nearby for Kor to shift but just as we're about to head inside Lilas speaks.

"Is everything alright Emilia?" He asks looking at me in concern, "It seems like something is bothering you since the flight back."

"It's just something Madame Loni mentioned. She talked about me needing dresses for when we go to court at Hadlau and I just don't understand it. Or why everyone was calling you Lords and me a Lady."

"Well that's because your mates are very powerful and well respected, young lady. In fact they are often requested to stay in Hadlau but they always refuse only coming briefly when urgently needed and leaving as soon as possible." An unknown man answers me, standing watching us in the garden.