The Chosen by K. J. Nessly Read Free Book Online Page B

unable to ignore the clenching pains in her stomach, which were just beginning to assert themselves, Kathryn nodded. She had eaten little in the days before her departure from Blackwood Manor and while she had survived on less she had learned long ago never to refuse food that was willingly offered.
    Arianna smiled. “Good, because breakfast will be here soon. Come and get dressed.” Going to the closet Arianna selected a blue dress and held it up for Kathryn to see, only Kathryn was no longer on the bed. Looking around she finally saw her kneeling next to the baby bird.
    Carrying the dress, Arianna knelt beside Kathryn. “This little one will be fine,” She promised. “Now let’s get you dressed.”
    The dress Arianna had chosen was too big for Kathryn’s frame. She frowned as she studied the other dresses in the armoire. Finally she shrugged. “Either we are just going to have to get new dresses made for you or we’re going to having to fatten you up a little,” she said as she helped Kathryn into the blue dress, spending a few minutes tucking and rearranging the fabric in several places to achieve a better fit. “It’s about thirty years out of date fashion-wise,” she said with a wry smile as she finished lacing up the back and turning the little girl around for a better look. “But it looks perfect on you.” She gave Kathryn another grin and began hunting around for stockings and shoes in the bottom of a chest next to the armoire. “Maybe,” she mused quietly, “we can ask the Queen if she has any of the princess’ old dresses that she would be willing to give you.”
    Unsure if she was expected to respond to the question, Kathryn kept her focus on the little bird and studying the dress she was currently wearing.
    By the time breakfast arrived Arianna had Kathryn dressed and her hair arranged in two braids coiled around her head. “There,” Arianna smiled, admiring her handiwork. “Now you look very pretty.”
    To her joy, the little girl gave the first ghost of a smile since she had arrived, it was only in her eyes, but it was there. She finished by reverently securing the chain with the flying eagle around Kathryn’s neck. Standing she crossed the room and accepted a breakfast tray from a servant who had just arrived. As she returned, Kathryn thought she saw tears in Arianna’s eyes again, but as the woman approached, she saw nothing.
    Princess Jasmine joined them as the two were just finishing breakfast, an older man accompanied her.
    “Good morning Milady,” Arianna greeted the princess with a curtsy. Kathryn also curtsied, keeping her gaze tied to the floor.
    “Good morning Arianna. Good morning Kathryn. I hope you slept well.”
    Without looking up Kathryn nodded, it was the best sleep she’d had since she could remember.
    “Good.” Jasmine smiled at her, then turned to the man standing next to her. “Kathryn this is Lord Mora, he’s a close friend of mine.”
    Lord Mora was a tall thin man with graying hair and a clean-shaven face. Smiling he knelt down and looked at Kathryn.
    The little girl still refused to raise her eyes from the floor.
    Arianna bent down and whispered softly in Kathryn’s ear. The little girl slowly raised her eyes and glanced at Mora’s face…without looking at his eyes.
    Mora smiled and held out his hand. “Hello Kathryn.”
    Kathryn looked at his hand curiously for a moment and then curtsied. Lord Mora looked at Princess Jasmine who was desperately searching for a way to get Kathryn to place her hand on Lord Mora’s. She needed to know if her suspicion about Kathryn’s gift was correct. Once again Arianna leaned over and whispered something in Kathryn’s ear.
    The little girl’s eyes widened fearfully but she tentatively reached out her small hand and placed it in Lord Mora’s large paw. Lord Mora smiled at her before turning his gaze toward Jasmine and nodding.  Jasmine turned to Kathryn who had already reclaimed her hand from Mora’s. “Would you