Chapter 17: Chapter 17
Later that evening on the plane, Ari caught herself nodding off, but the swivel club chair didn’t lend itself well to sleep.
“Would you like to try and get some rest?” Lillian asked, her eyes sympathetic. “We have several more hours to go and won’t arrive in Estrea until morning.”
“Yes, but these chairs make it nearly impossible,” Ari blurted out before thinking. The fallout with both her mother and sister, along with spending the afternoon shopping, had taken its toll on her, and she was about ready to drop.
Lillian smiled. “Come with me.” She stood and headed toward the back, obviously expecting her to follow.
Too tired to object, Ari rose from her seat, grabbed her purse, and followed. Lillian walked past a bar and the restrooms, but stopped at a door, blocking off the back of the plane. A broad smile spread across her lips, and then she opened the door.
Inside was a king-sized, round bed, covered with an inviting white silk comforter. On the small vanity was a white lady’s night mask and matching silk pajamas.
Ari breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
Lillian smirked. “Enjoy.” Then she closed the door behind her, leaving her to rest.
Ari sat on the edge of the bed and ran her hand along the smooth silk of the comforter, marveling that so much luxury and convenience was in an airplane. She kicked off her shoes and climbed underneath the blanket without bothering to change clothes. A few moments before, she had been ready to curl up in a corner on the floor, if it wouldn’t have been an embarrassment to Lillian and the Royals. But she had nearly gotten to the point where she didn’t care. She was in dire need of sleep. There wasn’t even a need for the sleeping mask. It was already dark outside, and with the lamp out, there wasn’t any light. But Ari was grateful for the time alone to fall apart. She thought of her mother and her sister, wondering when she would see them next... and if they would ever forgive her.
***
What seemed to be just a few minutes later, Ari woke to the deceleration of the thruster engines. As she came to, she wondered where she was at first, but then everything came back to her as the engines grew louder, causing her to wake with a start. Then everything came back to her. She looked out the window and it was daylight. She had no idea if it was daylight in America due to the time zone differences, but she was sure that the plane would soon be landing, anyway. She stretched, straightened her clothes the best she could, and then slipped on her shoes, knowing she had better hurry before the plane’s descent.
When Ari walked out, Lillian was waiting in the same swivel club seat as if she hadn’t moved all night. But Ari knew better.
“How do you feel?” Lillian asked, looking like she may have slept a bit herself, too.
Ari shrugged. “A bit better. At least I don’t feel like I’m going to drop.”
Lillian smiled. “Don’t worry. When we get to the hotel, you can sleep more then.”
Ari wanted to know when the wedding was but figured it would be within the next few days. She was grateful that she would have time to get caught up on her sleep. She didn’t want to be walking down the aisle yawning.
Walking down the aisle.
It seemed strange that she would soon be walking down the aisle and her mother and sister wouldn’t be there. It almost didn’t seem real. But like Lillian said, they could have a ceremony for family and friends later. Ari wondered if his family would be there, or if it would be just them. Either way, they would still be married. She tried not to think of it as a death sentence. She was about to marry royalty, after all. And he had said that he was an honorable man. She just hoped that he was true to his word.
“Strap in,” Lillian instructed, bringing her from her reverie. “We’ll be landing soon.”
Ari nodded, smiling. But as the plane began its descent, she found that she was excited to see Estrea, as well as her new husband. She wondered if Prince Grayson would greet her himself, or if he would wait until their wedding day. Either way, they would still be just as married.
Soon, the wheels of the plane touched down and the pilot threw the thrusters into reverse, slowing the plane and forcing her against the back of her seat.
One of the bodyguards brought her a long, beige coat. She recognized that it was one of the coats she had picked out at a shop on Fifth Avenue.
“You’ll need that,” Lillian said, slipping into her coat as another bodyguard held it for her. “It’s going to be cold out there.”
The bodyguard held it for her as she slipped it on and wrapped the belt around herself. She slung her purse over her shoulder and stepped to the door, ready to start her new life. As she waited, she glanced at her phone to see if there were any messages from Henley or her mother. But neither had texted. However, she had a message from Vickie, wanting to know if she was okay, and telling her to call or text when she had time. She smiled, grateful for Vickie. At least she still had her.
Soon, the door opened, and a rush of cool air entered the plane. Ari stood the lapels of her coat up against her neck to shield herself from the wind. She knew it would be cold, but it was much colder than New York. But she knew she would get used to it. She walked into the bright sunlight and stood at the top of the stairs, taking in the land, covered in white. At that moment, she knew that she was home.
“Shall we?” The bodyguard offered her his arm and she took it, letting him escort her down the stairs to a car waiting on the tarmac. For a split second, she wondered if Grayson was there, but knew that he wasn’t. She was one of his possessions. Love was too much to wish. But maybe someday. After all, she couldn’t expect their marriage to be based on love right away. Not when they didn’t even know each other.
“Ready?” Lillian asked beside her, looking into her eyes as if reading her mind.
Ari nodded, grateful that she would know at least one person in Estrea.
A bodyguard opened the car door for them and helped her inside, while Lillian slid in on the other side. Then the bodyguards slid into the seat behind them.
On the way to the hotel, she watched the countryside pass, feeling as if she had just entered a fairytale land, dotted with castles along with modern buildings and evergreens covered in snow, glistening in the bright sunlight. It was as if she had just stepped back in time. To a time of chivalry and knights. To a time when life was simpler.
Soon, they arrived at what looked to be another castle, when she realized it was a glamourous hotel made to look like a castle.
“We’re here,” Lillian announced, and then placed her hand over Ari’s, claiming her attention. “Your things will be in your hotel room, along with your wedding dress.”
“When is the wedding?” It seemed strange to be asking, when under normal circumstances, she would have planned the whole thing.
“Tomorrow.” Lillian pulled her in and gave her air kisses over both of her cheeks. “I’ll see you just before the wedding to help you dress.”
Ari nodded. “Thank you... for everything.”
“It was my pleasure.” Lillian replied, and then whispered. “Everything’s going to be all right. I promise. Just enjoy the ride.”
Ari smiled. “I will.”
Then she headed inside, but a gentleman greeted her before she reached the front desk. He gently took her elbow and led her away from the desk, out of earshot.
“My name is Declan Bates....” He lowered his voice. “Publicist for the crown.”
She nodded her understanding.
He handed her a key card. “I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of checking you in to your room.”
“Thank you.”
Declan nodded. “The bodyguards will show you to your room. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“Thank you for greeting me personally.” She thought for a moment, and then asked, “When will I meet... him?” She was careful not to say his name. The last thing she needed was for someone to overhear whom she was going to marry, and then have to face an army of paparazzi the next time she stepped out of her room.
Declan smiled, obviously grateful for her discretion. “Tomorrow.”
She held up her key card, hoping it was the only one. Even though this man was probably okay, she didn’t know him and didn’t want to take any chances.
Ari stepped into the elevator, and two bodyguards stepped in with her, both dressed in dark suits and wearing sunglasses. She felt as if she had just walked into a movie featuring the C.I.A., the F.B.I. or the mafia. She wasn’t sure which.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone