Free [05] Elite: Reclamation by Drew Wagar Page A

reflects your personality and standing, your dulcet tones and the close bond that has been forged between us over the years.’ Corine’s tone had a sharp and vindictive edge.
    ‘I look forward to seeing it,’ Kahina answered in a level tone.
    ‘And there’s no time like the present,’ Corine said brightly. ‘Marie, bring out Kahina’s dress for her inspection.’
    Marie glanced at Kahina with a brief self-satisfied look before moving to one of the huge wardrobes that lined Corine’s bedroom. She took a moment to locate the garment and then pulled it out. Kahina heard a number of stifled sniggers of amusement as the dress came into view.
    Taken in isolation it was a pleasant enough gown. It was simple and unadorned, in complete contrast to the ostentatious gowns being arranged for the honoured visitors and a world away from what Corine and Tala would be wearing. It was, however, completely at odds with current fashion. Where most modern gowns featured a plunging neckline, this was high necked; where sleeves were short and the overall length measured to the floor, this one was long in the arm and short to just below the knee. Kahina could see at a glance that it was at least one size too big.
    ‘Your disagreeable hair gave us the most enormous difficulty,’ Corine added, with a pained expression as if she’d spent hours agonising over the problem. ‘But in the end we found a shade that complements you to best effect.’
    The dress was a pale and light shade of mauve, again, not unpleasant in itself, but it was exactly the same shade as the functional dresses worn by the maids of the house. The snub was blatant, even by Imperial standards.
    Kahina absorbed this in a moment. Mindful of Dalk’s words she fixed her face in a demure smile, walked across and took the gown. Holding it against her and performing a small twirl as if to show how delighted she was with the choice.
    ‘Why sister, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude,’ Kahina said. ‘I will treasure it always. Is there anything else I can do for you?’
    Her smile was sickly sweet.
    Corine’s nose wrinkled and her lips pursed. ‘No, you’ve wasted quite enough of my time already.’
    Kahina curtseyed and withdrew, ensuring that she dragged her new gown carelessly across the floor.
     
    ***
     
    Kahina endured the surprised and haughty looks, the half-heard supercilious comments and the giggles of amusement at her attire. She played her part without complaint, curtseying and acknowledging the seemingly endless stream of guests as they arrived through the grand foyer. Many mistook her for a maid initially, which seemed to satisfy Corine greatly as Kahina was forced to acknowledge the confusion with a humiliating smile and demeaning shrug of acceptance.
    Her only saving grace was that she wore one of the Loren family’s ceremonial swords buckled at her hip, a weapon of some distinction. To one particularly obnoxious gentleman, she was able to demonstrate that she could not only draw it, but she knew how to use it as well. Nobody teased her after that.
    The wedding ceremony itself took place in the west wing of the palace, where a series of rooms had been opened up to form a big enough space to accommodate the guests, the Loren and Rebian family entourages. Senator Algreb and Lord Guntat performed the ritual exchange of weapons (another pair of swords) before Algreb began a long recital from the last of six impressive looking leather bound volumes that had been reverently placed on a series of baroque stands as a centre point to the ceremony. These were a series of books which every Imperial family were encouraged to own and venerate – the collective history of the Duval Dynasty. Needless to say, the copies owned by the Lorens were sumptuous, opulent and immensely valuable.
    ‘The strength and vitality of the Empire,’ Algreb continued in his customary monotone, ‘comes from the sweat and toil of our fathers, and their fathers and their fathers before