Jia smiled as her friends chatted excitedly in the ship about their dresses while Zoey thanked her again for the fifth time for inviting her to her party.
"I told you, it was the least I could do, you girls have been through too much with me this entire semester to let you guys off this weekend,"Jia exclaimed.
"Jia, did you know that your ship has an AI?" Mike said as he came around the girls' seats and informed the lightning sorceress.
"Yes, Papa mentioned it to me," Jia said with a grin. The ship they were all currently in was a late Christmas gift from her Papa. Mike grinned and went back to his seat. Jia let the girls carry on with their conversation as she took out her phone and went through the list of things she still needed to check before her birthday party.
This morning, she was sent numerous messages from her family wishing her a Happy Seventeenth Birthday. They had all RSVP'd to her birthday party plus a few others. Apparently, since this party was just for family, friends and important members of society, she was bound to see other people at the party. Something she was not looking forward to. Making conversation with people that didn`t talk to her on regular basis seemed too much torture for her but for her grandparents ,she had to suck it up.
"Everything okay?" Rose asked as she watched her friend tap her phone screen several times and nod.
"Yeah, just going over some last minute things," Jia muttered back as she rubbed her forehead and sighed.
"It was nice of your dad to invite us to stay over at your place for the party."
Jia shrugged,"It wasn`t a big deal. Although, I have to warn you all, family parties in my family can most of the time lead to fights."
"You`re joking?" Kyra asked. Jia looked up and smirked before she switched off her phone and leaned back in her seat.
"By the way, do you live, in the city or…" Fiona trailed off as she looked out the window and froze.
The others girls frowned at her and leaned over to the windows to see what had distracted her. They all froze as they took in the Elites Compound.
"Where are we?" Zoey whispered.
"This is the Elites Corps HQ," Fiona said in a daze as the girls turned to see their white haired friend rise from her seat and move to the other side of the cabin where Roy and the boys were seated. She was a bit amused to see the boys minus Roy having similar reactions like her teammates.
"Down boys," Jia joked and they all turned back to her.
"I think they still haven`t completely gotten over it," Roy commented with a sly grin.
"This place is still so awesome," Cole commented as he went back to his seat.
"Thank you, I`ll be sure to tell Papa that, "Jia replied with a grin," So, you all will be in the Guest Wing with the girls, and no Cole, "She said as she gave the charcoal-haired Knight a stern look," You cannot sneak off with Zoey until we leave tomorrow for the resort."
The other Knights snickered at their friend who looked slightly flustered.
"Papa and everyone is making sure security is tight tonight and only a few people know of my plans for the rest of the weekend so we shouldn`t have any more distractions."
"Thanks for inviting us here again," Chase thanked her.
"Yeah, I just wish Roy and told us earlier so we could have bought you presents," Mike apologized as he and Chase glared at their friend. Dylan snickered with Tristan as Cole bit his lip to keep himself from laughing out loud.
Roy had only told them of the party on Thursday night so they didn`t have time to go out and hunt for her presents.
The sorceress simply patted Mike`s head," No need. I`m just glad you all accept my invitation otherwise Roy would have been stuck with us girls the whole weekend."
"That wouldn`t be so bad, one guy six girls, a man can dream," Roy said with a happy sigh.
Jia playfully glared at her cousin before she heard the Ship`s pilot inform them that they were landing. Jia went to back to her seat as the ship began to descend before landing. She picked up her bag pack and strolled out of her ship as the door opened with a hiss.
Waiting for her was her Papa. She smiled and walked over to hug him. He kissed her forehead before wishing her Happy Birthday. She thanked him and turned as her friends and her cousin exited the ship and stood with their bags in front of her Papa," Papa, you`ve met the boys already so need for introductions. These are my friends," Jia said as she pointed them out one by one," We have Zoey, Clary, Kyra, Fiona and Rose."
Marcellus nodded at them politely as the girls minus Clary looked shocked.
"Welcome to Castle Paravel and thank you all for accepting our invitation."
"N-no p-problm, sir." Rose stuttered out.
"Anytime." Kyra added slowly.
"You're her dad?!" Fiona exclaimed before the girls hissed at her and she slapped her mouth closed with her mouth, looking utterly mortified. Jia and Marcellus exchanged amused grins while the boys snickered at the red head. She shot them death glares as Marcellus cleared his throat and chuckled," Yes, I am her dad. Sorry if she never mentioned me, we like our privacy. And please, call me Marcellus for now."
The girls nodded with awe. Their friend was the daughter of an Elite! And not just any ordinary Elite, the man who was in charge of them!
"Now if you`ll follow me, we`ll show you all to where you`ll be staying." Marcellus said as he turned around with Jia and led the way into their home.
Once Jia was sure that her friends were settled in, she made her way to the Main Castle where the party would take place. She was taken into a suite where her aunt Helena, who was already dressed up , was waiting to help her get ready. She spent an hour or two doing hair, make-up and shoe selection. Her dress was unveiled last and she smiled as she recognized the dress that her aunt had bought for her last week. It was violet colored and when she spun round, the butterflies on the skirt looked like they were flying. It was strapless and Helena charmed the butterfly amethyst necklace she was wearing to become a glamour charm that hid the scars on her shoulders.
Her hair hung down in waves and her head band gleamed bright as the butterfly amethyst earrings she wore. The jewelry was an early birthday present from her Aunt. Finally, she let put on a red sash and a pair of white elbow length gloves.
"There, you`re all ready," Helena announced as the other attendants stepped back from the young lady. Helena helped her niece to stand to admire herself in the floor length mirrors that she asked for earlier that evening.
The teenager turned to her aunt, "H-how do I look?"
"Like a princess, all we`re missing is a tiara," Helen replied truthfully and she felt a twinge of sadness. Jia looked so much like her mother today that she pressed a hand to her mouth to stop herself form crying. Marina should be here.
"Aunt?" Jia asked when she noticed the change in her aunt's facial expression.
"Just feeling emotional that`s all, beauty," Helena replied. Before Jia could say something else, the door to the room burst open to reveal her other aunts. Iris looked wonderful in a gorgeous yellow dress that emphasized how curvy she was and Jasmine looked stunning in her black dress. It outlined her baby bump beautifully reminding Jia how fast time was running for her family.
"Jia, you look wonderful!" Jasmine exclaimed as she came over and scanned her niece with a proud smile.
Iris nodded in agreement, "Absolutely stunning."
"Isn`t she?" Helena asked with a smile.
"Aunts, if you`re up here, who`s watching the girls?" Jai asked referring to the twins and June, uncle Nikolai`s two-year-old daughter.
Jasmine waved the thought away, "The men have them covered."
The teenager gulped," Oh boy,"
"Jia, mind your uncles. They may be crazy at times but they have their responsible moments," Iris chided her. One would think she was being serious and scolding her but the smile on her face said otherwise.
"I will."
Jasmine clapped her hands to get her attention, "So, we didn`t come here to just shower you with complements."
"Unfortunately their visit here have an ulterior motive behind it, "Helena informed her niece.
"You knew they were coming?"
"Absolutely," Helena confirmed as Iris dismissed the attendants. They bowed before leaving the four women alone in the room.
Jia sighed and folded her arms, "Okay, out with it? What is it you all need?"
"Jia, information," Jasmine answered as if the answer was obvious," Which one of Roy`s handsome friends are you going out with?"
Jia`s jaw dropped and she blinked rapidly as her arms fell loosely to her side. Helena grinned as Iris and Jasmine surrounded her.
"None of them, I don`t like any of them that way!"
Helena smirked at her,"Don`t lie beauty, it is unbecoming of a young lady."
"I-"
A knock came from the door interrupting them before they all heard Marcellus call out to his daughter that it was time.
"Foiled,"Iris hissed.
Helen shook her head, "What is it with men and their timing?"
Jia relaxed and nearly wept with relief, now was not the time to be discussing her chaotic emotions concerning her love life, or lack of it. Tonight was about the party and getting through it without any incidents.
Her aunts opened the door before instructing her to walk out five minutes after them. No one would be escorting her out and down the stairs. She would meet her Papa half way down the stairs after the Master of Ceremony announced her.
Finally, after making sure that five minutes had passed. She made her way out and down the stairs into the Hallway that would lead her to the ballroom. The sound of music and laughter could be distantly heard.
A slight breeze suddenly blew past her and she shivered before turning around. No one was behind her. Just statues and banners. The Hallway was well-lit so no one could sneak up behind her or hide from her sight.
She scanned the Hallway once more before continuing her walk. Finally, she reached the doors and nodded at the guards standing there, ready to open the door for her. One of them said something in his ear piece before looking at her," My Lady, they are ready for you."
"Thank you," she said with a smile before she heard a bunch of trumpets blowing. Finally, she could hear the Master of Ceremony announce, "Presenting, on the eve of her Seventeenth Birthday. Her Ladyship, the Jewel of House Norvel, Lady Jia Marina Norvel!"
Jia smiled as the doors were opened and she walked out before pausing to take in the ballroom. Everyone cheered and clapped for her so loudly that the sound was nearly deafening. She spotted her friends and family at the bottom of the stairs smiling up her.
The place was decorated in her family Crest, banners of purple, silver and yellow with beautiful violets everywhere. Up in the ceiling, different colored bubbles floated around, a special request that she had made to her Papa that he managed to arrange.
She began her descent down the stairs but she stopped to let her Papa take her arm and escort her further down, "Happy birthday, Jia!"
The white haired teenager smiled and nodded her thanks. Nothing could spoil this night for her.