Chapter 36: Social Niceties and New Cultures

The large man standing in the entryway has a strange presence about himself. He appears most regal, and yet there is an almost false friendliness in his aura that makes the hairs on the back of my neck rise up. He is not a man, or maybe a kelpie, I briefly consider, that I wish to be around. His smile is too sharp despite his easy manners and his eyes glint like the factor's used to as he aided the duke in collecting the farm rents. However, maybe it is merely that he is a stranger, because Mira seems quite at ease around him and I have not had the best luck with strangers this past year; anyone could make me feel understandably uncomfortable.

"Uncle," Mira greets with a broad smile. "This is a lovely surprise. What brings you this way, my aunt informed me you were out with father today?"

"Lady Mira, have you forgotten your manners so easily?" he responds, tilting his head in my direction.

"Oh, of course. Catherine forgive me. May I introduce mine and Caspian's Uncle. This is Lord Robert, the mate of my aunt; my father's sister. Lord Robert, this charming lady is my new sister through mating, Princess Catherine Innes, mate to Prince Caspian, the future Queen of our people."

I am missing something crucial, I can feel it.

They are both all smiles and friendliness, but I feel there is a hidden message to one another in all that they have said. I would frown over it, maybe give the simmering tension it more of my attention, but I am left floundering over the title of princess and then queen that Mira has just used in relation to myself and have suddenly gone quite light headed. All I can do is fall back on the formalities which Lord Sorrell instilled within me. Shuttering over my discomfort and focusing on etiquette instead.

"Lord Robert, I am very pleased to meet you." I answer, nodding my head out of respect which he seems to approve of.

Although, judging by Mira's frown she does not.

"Anyway, we were just heading back to await my father's heir's return, Uncle. He will be most eager to see his bride once more." Mira states, standing almost dominantly, as I follow her lead.

"Of course, mustn't keep your good mate waiting. He has waited more than long enough." Lord Robert adds with a clear sneer, in the poor disguise of a smile.

"It was pleasant to make your aquaintence, I'm sure?" I respond, deliberately leaving my tone in a questioning manner to show my dislike.

I follow Mira's lead as we exit the room, but I highly doubt we are out of Lord Robert's ear shot when Mira pauses, convulsions of laughter rippling through her.

"Oh, his face." She speaks on a breathy laugh. "Oh Catherine, I do believe you have just become my most favourite person in existence, questioning the mule's ass over his attitude like that, and in such a subtle and dismissive way."

"I'm not sure I know what you possibly mean?" I replied, allowing Mira to see the discreet smile upon my face.

As Mira straightens, and regains her composure I feel a familiar, yet uncomfortable sensation in my chest that makes me wince and I cannot help but rub at the spot as I try to miraculously dislodge my discomfort. It is to no avail.

Mira's brow creases as she takes me in before nodding seemingly to herself.

"My brother is looking for you I would presume." She speaks on a frustrated sigh, though I cannot tell why. "Come, let us retire back to your rooms and maybe he will not sink any cities in his annoyance. Petulant man child." She whispered the last under her breath, but I caught it, horrified at her whole easy countenance.

"He will what?" I demand staggering back from Mira and her proffered arm.

"I am sorry, Catherine. I forgot myself and that you do not know me well enough to judge my sharp tongue. I am a terribly sarcastic soul, and should not have uttered such a thoughtless joke." She dropped her head. "He is my brother, and I love him and he would never actually harm someone unduly. However, he would throw a tantrum like a toddling babe if he is worried for you." She added with a playful smirk, looking up at me from a most familiar set of grey eyes.

"Oh, I see..." I am at a loss of how to literally and figuratively navigate the waters I find myself in, but I am saved by further response by another sharp tug in my chest.

Mira is at my side supporting me with ease and guiding me steadfastly through the corridors.

"Crowned Prince or not, I shall box his ears if he pulls at your bond in his distress again." She muttered beside me.

"I do not think I understand, Mira." I offer, at least it is an easy and honest answer to give.

"The discomfort in your chest," Mira began as we rounded another familiar corner, "it is from Caspian as he tries to locate your whereabouts. It is painful because he is panicking. Like I would ever allow you to be hurt. He is an idiot, I swear. But, then most males are in some way or another."

"Oh," my response is singular and I internally chastise myself on the loss of my vocabulary.

"The closer you two become, the less he will tug..."

Mira is cut off as a large black horse barrels around the next corner almost trampling us both in the process. Everything is a blur as my shoulder crashes into the wall and then there are two horses, the intruder and the one I seem to be trapped behind as it rears in challenge against the incomer. The sight is both majestic and terrifying, as I am fully aware it is never wise to get betwixt two large offended animals. The sound of hooves clashing back down onto the polished floors echoes around my ears as I look around in panic for a means to find Mira and escape. However, before I can fully decide on a course of action the second horse is gone, and Mira stands naked and angry as she scowls up at the large black beast, who I finally recognise.

"Caspian, you blundering imbesile!" She screeches, unaffected by her sudden nudity in such an improper manner. "Catherine could have been hurt! What on earth were you thinking, galloping about the corridors in such a manner?"

Her eyes are blazing, as her chest heaves with her exasperated breaths. She is so full of fire, despite her lack of dress, that I cannot help but admire her. How in such a vulnerable state, it is me she defends.

Caspian snorts in derision, his frantic eyes turning to me at her words as he pins me with his assessing gaze. But, I cannot bring myself to care about that at this moment, all I wish to do is somehow help, Mira. So, ignoring his gaze I reach down and find myself deliberately yanking at the hem of my skirts intending to tear a section free to allow Mira some sense of self preservation in her current compromised position.

But the silk wont tear, as hard as I pull and yank and twist on it, it holds firm, far superior to any item of dress I have ever beheld before. I keep tugging, becoming more and more frustrated with my own weakness, being bested by fabric, when suddenly I notice the arguing around me has stopped.

"Catherine, are you well?" Mira asks gently, I look up as she is cautiously stepping towards me.

My eyes swell with tears, "I'm sorry, I don't, I can't..."

"Shhh, it's alright. Is there an issue with your dress?" She asks, and I am perplexed by her relaxed nature. "I thought you liked this one?"

"Oh, its lovely, but I wanted to help, you're exposed and I... I..." I stop talking, realising the only person worried over Mira's naked state is me.

All while Mira is merely concerned for me. I am so confused, I do not understand what is going on.

"Oh," Mira states, a gentle smile growing on her face. "I suppose I am. But, it's only a body we all have them and this is not a society where we shame those who have nothing to be ashamed of."

I have no words. I just stand silently looking between the large and rather wet horse and his sister as she tries to explain the unthinkable to me.

"I shifted in an effort to protect you, is that something I should feel guilt over? Should I allow someone harm when I have the power to prevent it because I will reveal there is skin below my clothes? That I have breasts or legs that extend beyond my ankles and lead to a backside, like every other being here? Of course not." She explains, and her logic despite my confusion penetrates my mind.

She is right, I realise. She has acted with honour, and on my behalf. But I still cannot let go altogether.

"But what of your vulnerability? A man could, could try to take advantage. See you as an easy target." I explain my concern, my eyes darting to Caspian as he suddenly shifts into his incredibly masculine form, and despite myself I really want to quench my suddenly dry mouth by licking up the water running over his naked form.

Mira looks genuinely shocked at my words, but the man who continues to steal the breath from my lungs looks horrified. Thankfully enough so that he cannot seem to sense the lust coursing through my body.

Caspian unexpectedly steps towards me and drops to his knees, his arms banding around me as his large hands sear the skin of my hips through the fabric of my dress where they rest.

"No male or female here would ever harm another in such a way, my love. We could never. It is not, has never been how we operate. We as a society treasure our mates above all else, Catherine, and we are loyal. Mira is right, absolutley no one cares about her nakedness." Caspian's eyes capture me as he stares deep into my eyes, pleading with me to understand, to accept that I am safe.

But even though I am enraptured by him, I cannot help but notice Mira's flinch. Or the way her shoulders slump at his words.

"I will leave you both now." She nods, and without another word turns and leaves me with the beast who drowned me, as he pleads for me to believe he is not a beast at all.