She could hear them talking, though not enough so that she could hear the topic and she found herself interrupted from the warmth and luxury by a gentle knock on the door to her suite.
Deciding she had been basking long enough, she got out and wrapped a towel around herself, heading for her clothes when a voice rang out.
"Who the fuck are you?"
Looking to the door, she frowned in confusion before heading for it, clothes forgotten.
"Nayishma," the response came, cold and resentful. "Who are you?"
"Kai," Kai responded and his eyes found her as she opened the door.
He moved towards her and she saw his tension easing slightly as he reached for her, taking her hand in both of his.
"Kai, is everything okay?" she asked gently, her fingers tracing his jaw.
Nayishma stood, glaring at him.
"Yes, everything is fine," he said, his hand releasing her and instead going around her waist, his eyes on Nayishma over her head as he hugged her against him gently.
The two seemed determined to stab each other through the face with their eyes and she frowned, the room tense and heavy.
"Didn't Epharis tell you not to visit?" she asked, her fingers finding his and interlocking with them. Nayishma looked like she was about to burst into flames at the intimate gesture.
For one fleeting moment, she thought Nayishma was jealous of her closeness to the vampire, but she dismissed it as ridiculous.
"Since when do we listen to him?" Kai asked and she laughed gently.
Kai was still staring at Nayishma, his cheek atop her head with spiteful glee.
Alaric cleared his throat gently and all eyes turned to him.
"Why did Epharis ask you not to visit?" he asked suspiciously.
"He is under the false impression that we are responsible for harm that comes to Etani," Kai said, speaking to the king but not taking his eyes off Nayishma.
Alaric grunted softly and crossed his arms, eyeing off their closeness.
"Do you not have a mission to prepare for? Or clothes to put on?" Alaric demanded.
She nodded, turning in Kai's arms and planting a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"Nayishma will be coming with me, I'll explain when I get back," she said to Kai, who finally forced his eyes from Nayishma to look down at her. He didn't look very happy.
"I'll come too, keep you safe," he said and she arched a brow.
"You need to stay here in case something goes wrong. I'm not here to keep him alive. Need someone to keep his arse above the grass," she motioned over her shoulder at Alaric, who she felt glaring at her back.
Hugging Kai, she gently untangled herself from his grip and headed for the bedroom, turning to see both he and Nayishma had followed her like ducklings and Nayishma jabbed her elbow into his arm when he tried to squeeze past her.
"What has gotten into you two? Stay out here with Alaric." She backed away and they followed, looking unhappy at her demand. "Stay."
Holding up her index finger, she opened the door with the other and slipped inside, closing it quickly behind her and locking them out.
"Everything was fine until you got here," Nayishma snapped.
"Everything was fine until you were reborn," Kai hissed back.
Turning her back on the door, she rubbed her temples and dressed herself in black pants and a relaxed tunic. She would change into her gear later.
Walking back out, she froze as she found the two standing on either side of her door, glaring. Jaia had come in and was staring at them in wonder, Alaric looking like he was holding back laughter.
"I didn't mean literally stay right there," she said and frowned when each of them took one of her hands tightly.
It was disturbing and she had no idea of how to deal with them, nor even what the problem was to start with.
They weren't looking at her, they were staring at each other, their grips tight on her hands.
"Okay Kai, let's go," Jaia said but Kai wasn't listening.
"Yeah Kai, you should go. We have plans to make," Nayishma said and all eyes turned to her, trying to piece together what the issue was.
Kai looked deeply upset but Jaia had moved to him, pulling him away.
"Don't worry, Kai. I'll only be gone a few days," she said gently but he was staring resentfully at her hand still clenched tightly in Nayishma's.
Forcing her hand free, Nayishma looked upset but it seemed Kai relaxed and then finally allowed himself to be pulled towards the door.
"Don't tell Epharis, we were just worried," Jaia said gently as he shoved his brother towards the door. Smiling slightly at Jaia, she shook her head as they left, closing the door. There was a brief scuffle and then the sound of someone being dragged off, whimpering sadly.
Turning on Nayishma, she glared at the woman who was looking a little sheepish but they both remained silent.
***
The remainder of the day and night passed without issue and the plan was set out. Nayishma would be provided a guard and a carriage, then she would be returned to Weorene. Etani would follow behind to act as a second guard and backup. Versalis was to join her up to the city, though Alaric didn't tell her why. She suspected it was because of the gem, but she didn't ask.
Instead, she started collecting her items and checking everything to ensure it was clean, in good condition and prepared.
Versalis arrived shortly before dawn, his eyes wary at the sight of them all sitting calmly together, his eyes lingering on Nayishma.
"Nayishma, Versalis the vampire king. Versalis, Nayishma the Princess of Weorene," Etani said, her eyes flicking up to him only briefly as she worked on polishing one of her knives.
They murmured a greeting as Versalis joined them, taking up a cloth and one of her knives.
They filled him in on the plan quickly and he nodded, glancing towards the sky out of the window to gauge the time.
"I'll get dressed," she said finally, heading into her room to gear up.
It took a good twenty minutes and once she was dressed, she padded back from her room with her boots under her arm, her hands working through her hair into a long braid, the leather tie between her teeth.
Grunting a thanks to Versalis as she noticed he had finished her weapons and was lounging back against the chair, he smiled at the sight of her. Nayishma looked around and gave a little squeak of shock. She had never seen the skin-tight black ensemble before and her eyes were wide.
Dropping her boots onto the chair, she frowned at her hair and began to unwind it again, realising she had twisted the braid and the second time she had a pull.
Sighing in frustration, she eyed off one of her knives, Versalis catching the intention.
Slapping her hand away from the knife, he moved behind her and bundled up her hair.
"You are not allowed to cut it off. Well, unless it stays the length it is when you go all death on us, but not like this."
His fingers made quick work on the length and she sat pouting, knowing better than to argue.
Taking the thong, he bound the end tight and then pulled the back of her shirt out and dropped the long rope down. Reaching down, he adjusted the braid and then let go of her shirt.
Tilting her head forward, she pulled it just enough to have freedom of movement and as he moved away, she caught his hand and kissed the palm gently.
He made a happy sound in the back of his throat before starting to bundle up the weapons.
Standing, she tugged on one boot and started sliding weapons into place, followed by the second boot and then the new straps around her thighs. Crouching down to feel the flex of the leather, she adjusted them and Versalis dug a new hole in the second strap.
Content with the tightness, she slipped her belt around her waist and buckled it in place.
Looking up, are found Nayishma and Alaric both staring at their quick work of her weaponry and the movements of her body in the tight outfit.
"Don't you have to get ready?" she asked dryly of Nayishma and the woman jumped, hurrying into the bedroom to get dressed.
Alaric was still watching her, but she chose to ignore him and tucked the lockpick up under get corset, then the last two knives.
She left her hood and mask down, not needing them for the time being and she stretched, feeling everything settle against her frame.
Versalis stared hard at her, searching for anything out of place and reached out to hitch the corset up and then pulling the strings to tighten it.
"Ow..." she complained and he looked over her shoulder. Without a word he reached down the front of her shirt to adjust her pinched breast and then nodded.
"Better?" he asked and she flung out her arms, twisting her torso and nodding.
Alaric seemed to be struggling and she lifted a brow at him.
"You just let them touch you like that?" he demanded and she shrugged.
"It's not like he hasn't seen me naked before. We've all seen each other naked. It's just a body."
Alaric was staring at her chest and she snorted.
"Don't even think about it."
Versalis was smirking when she turned to him, Alaric's jealous glare alerting her to his doing something he shouldn't be.
"Do you want to stay behind?" she threatened.
"No Ma'am," he said, but he was unrepentant in the face of her glare.
Lifting her hand, she gave his nose a gentle flick and his head jerked back, shocked at the tap.
She laughed gently and moved away from him, the gentle jingle making her look down.
"That is going to be a problem," she murmured, lifting her foot and even through the boot it tinkled.
"Have Epharis look into it," Alaric said, his brows furrowing as she flinched and dropped her eyes.
Versalis growled softly in response, his eyes dangerous but she calmed him with a touch on his arm before she swept from the room to check on Nayishma.
"Come on Yish, we have to be moving," she said and stopped at the sight of the woman struggling in an attempt to reach back for the strings of her corset. She was still only half dressed, her dress hanging around her waist limply.
Laughing, Etani moved forward and together they got her dressed in the soft black gown, her hair piled up on top of her head with long tendrils falling down around her face and shoulders.
She looked lovely, elegant and sophisticated.
"Perfect," she murmured as she selected a small emerald necklace and placed it around Nayishma's neck.
Slipping her arms around her friend's shoulders, she hugged her tightly. She was going to sorely miss the woman, but at least she was alive.
A gentle knock came at the door and the two turned as Versalis came in, his eyes straying to the bed for a moment before finding them at the vanity.
"It's time to go," he said.
Nayishma stood, her gown rustling as she swept from the room to a murmur of surprise from Alaric. Before she could leave, Versalis caught her arm, his lips brushing her ear.
"I will kill him if he abuses you again."
"Versalis, don't get involved. You don't want to have to deal with him."
"You deserve better," he growled.
She smiled, cupping his face between her hands and pulling his head down. Placing a gentle kiss on his forehead, she felt his sigh of resignation.
They both knew there was nothing that could be done and worrying about it would only make it worse.
"Don't worry about me," she said as she released him and smiled, heading out of the room.
Nayishma had waited, her face curious but when Etani shook her head, she smiled and they turned to leave. Nayishma curtsied to Alaric and Etani gave him a flippant two fingered half salute as she left, feeling his eyes lingering on her. Versalis gave him one finger in farewell and that earnt a soft chuckle.
***
Heading down the main stairs, she gave Nayishma a tight hug and watched as she was helped into the carriage by a helpful guard, his eyes lingering on her.
A voice called her name and she turned to see Uzo of all people.
Waving to Nayishma, she waited for the Fae to join her and he grinned, looking after the princess.
"Who was that lovely creature?" he asked, intent on the carriage.
"Nayishma, Weorene's Princess. We are taking her home."
"Didn't the princess die?" he asked, frowning after the carriage now.
"Yes, and so did Kai, but that's no longer an issue."
She looked to Uzo, his eyes had snapped to her. Meeting his intense gaze, she offered a quirk of her lips and watched as Versalis fidgeted, wanting to go.
"We have time, don't worry," she said to him and turned back to Uzo. "Will you keep an eye on the twins and Alaric, I don't want to come back to a burning city."
Uzo nodded, looking down over her form and scowling, but she wasn't about to tell him what she was up to.
"Hurry back, Etania. We haven't had a chance to talk yet. We need to discuss things."
"I might be gone a while," she said and smiled at his narrowed eyes.
Touching the side of her nose, she winked at him and then turned, sprinting suddenly at Versalis, who yelped and jumped backwards to avoid her swipe.
He was on her tail in an instant as they followed the carriage from a safe distance, have more fun trying to catch each other than anything and with an uneventful trip, they were just glad for the chance to burn off some energy.
***
Etani especially felt the need to move, still feeling overly full and energetic from Tatialia.
They never strayed far from the carriage and guards in case anything happened and sleeping in trees, huddled together for warmth and comfort while on the road.
They eventually reached Weorene and the city seemed to be rather subdued, the pair watching the precession as it passed through the forests and along newly built bridges to get to the castle.
The king was quickly informed and he came out to see what was going on, not expecting any visitors.
When he saw his daughter, he took a moment to try and process just who she was and then he bellowed and tackled her in his joy.
He almost dragged her into the castle and the two remaining outside breathed a sigh of relief and settled themselves in to wait. They would remain outside until the time came.
The king threw an enormous celebration in the light of his daughter's appearance, the palace filling up with people and creatures of all kinds.
It was exceptionally interesting to watch as they sat in their trees and kept an eye on things.
They were only a few minutes away and remained alert all through the night and then the next day, where drunk and hungover revellers finally began to pile back into their carriages and head home.
The guards from Ayathian had left, taking the carriage with them and everything settled into quiet once more.
It was that night that the pair began to move, slinking closer to the palace and setting themselves up.
Etani began to check her weapons again, ready in case things went wrong but there was no reason why anything should happen that they didn't expect. The bell was wrapped several times over, forming an uncomfortable wad of fabric against her ankle, but it silenced the thing, at least mostly.