After about an hour of walking around the orphanage, we talk with Ms.Blanch about everything and anything she may need for her staff, the orphanage, and the kids. We call for Odett, who ran off to play with a few kids on the playground. Ms.Blanch, Jess, and I discuss adding more staff when we realize it is just her and two other ladies taking care of forty-seven kids. Zion asks Jess if she would be willing to take on the challenge of overseeing all business pertaining to the renovations of the orphanage. Overwhelmed by her excitement, Jess agrees to it before he can finish his question, making us all laugh.
We say goodbye to Ms.Blanch and the kids and head toward the apartments where the coven witches are currently staying. We walk into the lobby, and I find the notebook. I looked inside and found everything already checked off the list, and I'm overjoyed at their efficiency.
"They really do have everything handled," I say as I laugh while feeling relieved.
"Of course, my Queen," Sam says as he walks down the stairs, smiling from ear to ear. "Everything is completely under control."
"That's great, Sam. Thank you for everything you do." I say. A few minutes later, my mom joined us in the lobby.
"Everyone has settled in just fine. Some even want to join in on patrols with the warriors, while others are helping your organizers, Nikky and Kristy, set up for your ceremonies tomorrow." She says, and I'm overwhelmed by how these complete strangers are willing to help someone they don't know.
"Thank you, Lady Ezmerelda," Zion says, taking my hand, clearly aware of how overwhelmed I feel.
"No need to thank me. Rain is my daughter, and after tomorrow you will be my son. Not to mention she is their future Queen. We're all willing to do anything to help you both." She says as she reaches out for Odett, and Odett goes straight to her. "You can all call me Mom if you would like. And I do mean all of you."
Once we know everything is taken care of in the apartments, Zion sends us to the spa in town. He apparently called ahead to make appointments for everyone to get whatever we wanted. He also gave them his card information. Mrs.Clairs granddaughter, Stephanie, was already at the spa waiting for us. We started with a full body massage and facial for everyone, then got a manicure and pedicure. Everyone got royal blue while I got black. After everything, Odett was ready for her nap, so I asked Zion if he would send a guard to take Odett and Stephanie back to the suite, and a few minutes later, two guards showed up to escort them home.
Then it was time to get our hair done. My hair stylist and I decided on a high gloss treatment to brighten my red hair and define my curls. Jess decided to get the bottom half of her perfectly toned blond hair dyed royal blue, and my mom got two royal blue strips that framed her slender face and went well with her dark brown hair. They looked absolutely perfect. It was later than we expected by the time we had finished.
As we walk out of the spa, I decide to link Zion to let him know that we are done at the spa and on our way back to the castle when Orian pulls up in front of us, climbing out of the driver seat. He bows to me before walking up to Jess, kissing her passionately. "I guess that means he likes the hair," I say to myself, thinking of Jess. Then I hear Jess laugh in my head, and her voice, "I guess so." We both look at each other, and then we gasp when we realize we aren't talking out loud.
"What? What's wrong?" Orian asks while looking around for any threats. We explain what's going on, and he instantly relaxes. My mom explains it is probably a new hybrid ability like my speed. I tell her I can feel others' emotions as well. She says I'll probably have many abilities, but since I'm the first hybrid, we won't know for sure until I discover them.
Orian explains that he's here to drive us to the castle while Zion finishes his work. We nod and climb into his SUV. We talk about my new abilities on our ride to the castle. Orian parks his SUV in front, and as we get out, Orian says we should walk around the castle instead of walking through to the back. As we walk around the corner, I feel like I've just walked into a wonderland of flowers. There's a white stage where we'll be saying our vows, covered in beautiful flowers and ivy, and hundreds of chairs lined in rows with the same flowers and ivy wrapped around them.
"What do you think, my Queen?" Zion asks me as he walks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
"It's perfect," I say. "It's absolutely stunning."
"We're glad that you approve, your highness!" Nikky and Kristy say in unison.
"Y'all did a great job," I say while still looking at the detail they put into everything.
We continue to walk around as Nikky and Kristy point out all the small details like the embroidered insignias of our mark in the chair covers and the corners of the white carpeted isle that I'll be walking down, and the water lily ponds on both sides of the stage and beginning of the isle. We walk into the banquet hall, where we'll eat and socialize after the ceremonies. It's just as stunning as the courtyard. Nikky says that the colors will be switched for the crowning ceremony, but the design will be the same.
We talk with them for a while before we decide to let them get back to work. We head to our suite to check on Odett and Stephanie before deciding that we can finally go for our run. We make our way outside and to the trails, but as we get closer, I start to get nervous about shifting. When Zion notices my anxiety, he grabs my wrist, making me stop walking.
"What's wrong, my love?" He asks.
"I'm nervous about shifting," I answer honestly.
"Don't be nervous. I'll be with you the whole time." He says while rubbing circles on the back of my hand, calming me.