67. Annani

67

ANNANI

A nnani stood before the mirror and surveyed her reflection. The dark blue silk of her gown shimmered in the soft light of her bedroom, the rich color bringing out the vibrant red of her hip-length hair and the fluid fabric skimming over her figure.

It was just another day dress, but it was her favorite. She never wore anything constricting, and silk was her preferred fabric because it was gentle on her skin and breathable, so at first glance there was no difference in her appearance today compared to any other day. But she had taken extra care for the grand reveal.

Ell-rom had already met her, so this wouldn't be his first impression of her, but it would be the first time she would face him as his sister rather than the Clan Mother.

It was a big deal, as the young ones liked to say. She had spent so long without any family other than the one she had created herself, and thinking that she was all alone, the only one of her kind, had been difficult. Discovering that Areana lived had been a tremendous joy, but her sister was out of reach for all intents and purposes, imprisoned by Navuh. Then the Fates brought her childhood best friend, Wonder, as she preferred to be called, back to her. As if that was not enough of a boon, Toven returned to her as well, and Annani was immensely grateful for having her cousin in her life.

Now, the Fates had guided two more siblings to her.

She had also discovered that there were trillions of beings like her on a distant planet, and yet she was still one of a kind because she was the only legitimate heir to Anumati's throne.

Annani smiled at her reflection. "There was a good reason for all these years of acting like a diva after all."

She had assumed that her penchant for theatrics was just a way to amuse herself and her family. After all, she had never abused her status and had only used it to make things special. Ceremonies needed some pomp and grandeur to be entertaining and memorable.

Evidently it was part of her DNA, her unique genetics. She was born to be a queen.

The problem was that she preferred to be a ceremonial figure rather than engage in actual ruling. If she ever took over the Anumati throne, she would create a council that would be democratically elected and be the de facto governing body of the planet and, by extension, the galaxy.

Oh, well, she should not dwell on such heavy topics on the day she was going to welcome her brother into the family.

Sighing, Annani turned around and walked over to the jewelry section of her closet.

Most of the pieces stored in the velvet-covered drawers were modern acquisitions, some custom-made for her by renowned artists and others store-bought. But those seemed inappropriate for today.

Opening the one drawer with her most precious possessions, she pulled out a lapis lazuli bracelet. It was priceless not because the stones were precious or the silver binding was costly, but because it was an antique. For her, though, the value came from the memories attached to the item. It was the first gift Khiann had ever given her when he was still pretending to be her tutor.

Even now, so many centuries after his untimely death, the sight of it brought tears to her eyes and a bittersweet ache to her chest.

She slipped it onto her wrist, the cool metal warming quickly against her skin.

When the doorbell rang in the living room, she turned around and stepped out of the bedroom to greet her son.

"Hello, Mother." Kian dipped his head to kiss her cheek. "You look lovely today. That color suits you."

"Thank you." She kissed him back. "I am ready to see my brother again."

Kian winced. "Are you sure I cannot convince you to wait? At least until Morelle wakes up as well. Wouldn't it be better to tell them the good news together?"

Smiling, she patted his arm. "That was an excellent argument, but I do not wish to wait." She moved her hand to her chest. "I feel that I need to tell him now, and I trust my instincts."

Kian nodded. "I won't argue with that. Your gut feelings are rarely wrong."

She gave him an amused haughty look. "Almost? Were they ever wrong?"

"I can't recall right now, but I'm sure you've not always been right."

"If you cannot think of an example, I must have been right every time." She strode toward the front door. "Did you bring the golf cart?"

"Of course, Mother." He opened the door for her. "I'm thinking of buying one that has air conditioning." He helped her up and walked around to the other side to sit behind the wheel. "It usually doesn't get hot enough in the village, so it's not a necessity, but occasionally we get very hot days." He smiled as he pulled into the path. "Imagine it was one of those days, and you were sweating on the way to an important meeting. You would be annoyed."

Annani knew what he was trying to do, and she appreciated the effort, but it was unnecessary.

She was not apprehensive about revealing who she was to Ell-rom and did not need to be distracted. She was excited, yes, but not nervous.

"I would not sweat during the five minutes it takes to drive the golf cart from my house to the pavilion, even on the hottest days, but it might benefit someone, and it is not a great expense, so go ahead. You do not need my permission to get it."

Kian smiled. "I am not asking for your permission, just for your advice."

Annani adjusted the folds of her skirt. "You are a very good son, Kian, but you were never very obedient."

He arched a brow. "When was I ever disobedient?"

She laughed. "Unlike you, who cannot remember even one occasion of my gut steering me wrong, I remember each of your many acts of defiance."