The End of Innocence: Book 3 of the Kinstone series
Chapter 24: Onto the Estate

The sun is hotter than I thought it was going be as it bore down onto me. My arms are the first to feel it as they instantly warmed, a good sign that I might catch a tan while out. A warm breeze blew through my hair, catching some of it.

Summer afternoons were the best when walking about the Estate. As a dragon I could barely feel the heat or even be bothered by it, so as a human, it was lessened to some degree.

I rub my throat from where I was nearly strangled to death. The burns and scars have since faded away completely, but the sting lingers somewhat. I shake my head, pushing the unsavory thoughts of the attack from my mind. That was in the past and I have moved on.

I glance up at Diana, who was scanning the area. I smile, slowing my pace somewhat. It always felt good taking a walk through the Estate, a practice that always seems to clear my mind. There is also the fact that the Estate was so massive that I had plenty to go and explore. But I rarely went completely beyond where I couldn’t see the Manor, if I was on the ground at least.

I took her around the house, watching as the greenhouse came into view. The glass windows gleamed as they reflected the sun’s light. With there being hardly a cloud in the sky, this gave the plants inside ample amounts of light. If I didn’t have a guest with me, I’d happily walk in and crawl into my flower for a few hours. I’m sure Velhemina wouldn’t mind the company.

“So is that greenhouse for show?” asks Diana, pointing to it.

I smile, “Nope, it’s where we grow some of our vegetables and fruits. Plus my aunt does a lot of botanical research and also lives here. I tend to visit here a lot whenever I might have an issue that either my mom or sister can’t handle and just spend some time with her, helping her tend to the plants. It’s actually quite relaxing being in there.” She gives a slight nod.

I could hear Fenris as he softly padded along the trail, keeping a few steps behind us. I fold my arms behind my back, motioning him forward by rolling my fingers. A soft grin rose on my face as I feel his cold nose pressing into my palm, with me responding by stroking the edge of his muzzle.

While not exactly needing it, he still plays the role of sentry, given our mutual concern for my new friend. The one thing I found odd was that Diana never once tried to pet him, or even reach out to him. Normally anyone would see him as something big and fluffy to come and love on. But she didn’t even move towards him.

It wasn’t that he had done something to make her afraid of him, quite the opposite. He remained quiet and simply close by.

I press on his muzzle for him to go over to her. The wolf slows for a moment and steps beside her. She looks down at him, but reels back slightly. “Uhhh, your dog is close to me.”

I tilted my head, “He just wants to say hello.”

His eyes stare up at her, inviting her to pet him. Her hand trembles as she lowered it to his head, but pulls it back, “I’d rather not.”

An eyebrow curls, why are you afraid of him? He hadn’t made any aggressive gestures or actions towards her. If she had dogs, then having one so close to her shouldn’t be a problem. Her hand then coiled into a fist as she quickly holds onto it.

I continue to look on in confusion, “He won’t hurt you. Little kids love to climb all over him and tug on his ears and tail. So you really shouldn’t be afraid of him.”

She shot me a glare, “Just get him away from me…please.”

This feels like a shock to me, no one had any problems with him around, so why was she so averse to having him near her? I pat my left hip, watching as he hops over to me.

“Thank you,” she breathes out.

I rake my fingers through his soft dark fur, feeling the heat the fur had collected. Just what is your deal?

We come up onto the greenhouse and I grab the handle, twisting and pushing it open. Humid air pours out from within, causing me to sweat a little more.

We step in and walk a few paces before closing the door behind me. The air is thick with the aromas of soil, manure, and plant life. I guess Velhemina had just laid down a fresh layer of fertilizer today.

I step over to one of the rows of vegetables she was cultivating; tomatoes, okra, onions, and so much more. I smile, stroking a large, ripening tomato. All around me, I can hear the voices of the larger, stronger plants as they greet me. A soft smile rose on my face, knowing that they sensed one of their own had returned.

The plants then seem to be somewhat agitated, with their “words” becoming incoherent and jumbled. I pan around, listening as their voices grow louder and sharper.

I glance up at Diana, who was standing by a group of flowers, seemingly unaware of shrieking voices all around us. I didn’t want to show my growing discomfort, and it was beginning to become a bit difficult to not show it.

I kneel down and lightly tapped the soil, sending a calming pulse of magic into the ground. The plants quickly quiet down, and apologize to me. I feel the ringing cease, which if had continued, might have led to my ears staring to bleed. I roll my finger into my ear, feeling the pain subsiding but did leave a slight headache.

Fenris sits next to me, brushing his tail against me.

I smile, looking to him. “I’m okay, really.”

His eyes glow with worry, leaning his head close, and pressing it against my cheek. I close my eyes, reaching up and stroking his neck. I raise my chin and kiss the top of his head, “Thanks Papa Wolf,” whispering softly. He bumps my chin, which makes me smile.

I rise from where I was kneeling and pan over to the center on the greenhouse. Normally there would be two large flowers sitting there, one being mine and the other my aunt’s. Both have been retracted into the ground, leaving few visible signs that either were there.

I walk over to the very heart of the building and knelt down, stroking the stone tiles. The aroma of lavender gently swirls around me.

I let out a quiet giggle, “Hey auntie,” whispering. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I glance over to a small walled-off enclosure. It served as her office and storage for her notes. So yes, even a human-plant being has a place separate from the plants. I wasn’t lying when I said that she was our resident botanist.

A small grin rose on my lips, seeing the alraune peeking through a small crack in her door. I give a tiny wave to her, as she in turn holds her finger over her lips. The woman then eyes my guest, who is still wandering about the rows of plants.

“I’ll see you later,” I mouth.

She gives a slight nod, silently and slowly closes her door.

“These are dogwood trees,” exclaims Diana.

I rise and walked over to the rows of young trees. “My aunt’s been growing these for months. We planted a few of the older ones about a week ago.”

The girl rounds the trees, raking her hand across the trunk, “These have always been my favorite trees. I used to love watching them bloom in Chattanooga. I remember seeing them at the univer- I mean my school.”

I look to her, while inspecting one of the trees. Was she about to say “university”? The only major university in Chattanooga was the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, and it was where my birthmother worked at while I lived there. I didn’t know what her mother did for a living, so she could have also worked at the school. So why the quick-change of words?

I lightly pat the trunk of the tree and then head for the door, “You like horses don’t you?”

The girl looks to me, now baring a soft grin, “I do. Wait…you have horses here?”

I turned, planting my back to the door, “Yep, a full stable with dozens of horses that we breed.” I then tap my chin, “Which reminds me to ask when the next time Master Lucayan is leaving to take a few of the yearlings to market.”

Diana walked over to me, “Do you race them?”

I turn the door handle, “They’re not thoroughbreds, mostly labor and breeders.” I pull the door open and slip out, followed by her and then Fenris, finally closing the door behind us.

The stables quickly come into views after a short five-minute walk. Already I could hear the sounds of horses neighing loudly. I take in a deep breath, smelling the pungent odor of the stalls.

I’ve never found the aroma overbearing or as a turn off. Hell, I’m sometimes inside helping care for Ember and the mares.

We round the stables, catching a glimpse of a large, black form dashing out from the side of the building. A grin stretches across my lips as I quicken my pace, knowing that the stable master has let a few of the horses out into the corral.

I hurry over to the fence, observing a half dozen horses trotting about, with a couple feeding from a trough. Their tightly muscled bodies ripple with every step, proudly walking about the enclosure. A warm and bright smile stretched even wider as I saw two young foals nurse from their mothers.

I climb onto the fence, watching the younglings. They were still small and somewhat frail looking, but know that they were going to grow up big.

I hear the fence creak as Diana climbs up beside me. “They…they look so cute. When were they born?”

I reach over and grab the beam below me, “A couple months ago while I was away. I helped care for their mothers.”

The girl looks to me, “You were in the stalls with pregnant horses?”

I giggled, “Yep. I helped raise one of the mothers when it was only a nine months old.”

The one I helped out with is named Samara, a beautiful tan and white mare who was often seen around my horse. Wasn’t sure if she liked him or something else, but after she became pregnant a year ago, she sort of backed away from him.

A loud neigh echoes over the corral as a large crimson horse gallops over to me. Diana became scared, nearly jumping off. A broad grin rose on my face as it stopped just before the fence. The great animal happily bobs its head, snorting loudly.

I giggle, reaching out to him, “Hey you.”

The horse lowers his head, pressing it into my hand. My fingers stroke his warm and bristly muzzle, only for him to lean forward and pushing his massive head into me. I burst into laughter, “Okay, okay. I missed you too Ember.”

The horse’s deep brown eyes stare into my own as my hand strokes up and down his face. He was always excited to see me, and it gave him no greater pleasure than to have me ride on his back.

The girl climbs back up, “He’s…gorgeous.”

I grin, “Yep…and he’s mine.”

She looks to me in surprise, “Yours?”

I press my forehead into the top of his muzzle, “Yep. My mother gave him to me the first time I visited her home a couple years ago. To be honest, I was just as shocked as you are when she did. After a short riding lesson we rode out onto the Estate to explore it.”

That day will be something that I will never forget. I laugh to myself, remembering that she told me that I “had to explore my kingdom”. It was such a great day and where my love for horseback riding began.

“Wait back up, you told me your mother used to be your teacher. But this is far beyond what a student/teacher relationship should be.”

I gently scratch under Ember’s face, “I was attending a boarding school here in Austin while my family lived in Georgia. So naturally I was extremely lonely. My mother was an adjunct teacher, who quickly took me under her wing. We quickly grew close and after my family was killed, she adopted me.”

Rachel had dozens upon dozens of cover stories, all backed up with centuries of information that no one would stand a chance of uncovering the truth. She even did this for me shortly before she sent me the necklace, leaving little doubt that any story I gave would be true. But what was absolutely true was the fact that I was attending school away from my family.

The girl looks to me, “You really are something else aren’t you?”

My shoulders shrug, “I’ve been called worse.” My horse then looks to my guest, snorting loudly, almost disapprovingly. I look on slightly confused. When he met Jenn, he was rather accepting of her. But now…it was as if he sensed something in her that I couldn’t.

Animals, whether magical or not, know when something is off about a person. His hooves stomped on the ground, eyes bearing deeply into hers.

He lifts his head over my shoulder, snorting once more. This sounded more like a warning to her, telling her to back off. Most of the time horses would be startled by something abnormal, but Ember had been around Fenris a few too many times.

This meant that some of my bonded’s more “mature” sensibilities had rubbed off on him. He was also protective of me, very much the same way that my wolf is. I watch as my horse still gazes at my guest, before returning to facing me.

An apple soars through the air, only to be quickly snatched by hand.

“Well done, Young Miss. Perceptive as always.”

I grin feeding the apple to Ember, hearing the horse happily munch on the treat. I peer up, watching the stable master stroll towards the fence, “Afternoon Master Lucayan.”

The lycan bows his head, “And to you as well,” craning his head to the girl, “this must be your guest.”

I nod, feeling juices and saliva dripping onto my hand, “This is Diana.”

The man bows his head, “Welcome Miss, I do hope you are enjoying your visit.”

She gives him a short nod, “I am. Aria has been showing me around. I still find it hard to believe that this is all hers and was adopted into this place.”

He leans onto the fence, looking to me, “She has been a true treasure to us all since her first arrival. I will say that there are stranger stories out there than the one revolving around the Young Miss. Her Ladyship took great pride in watching over her, giving her a home while being separated from her family. We all mourned when news spread of the child’s family, only to rejoice when she took her place here with us.”

Diana stares at me. Her eyes still are full of disbelief, but hidden deep within her gaze bore a slight venomous hatred and resentment. It wasn’t jealousy, but something…else. There was no way of telling.

When the apple had been fully consumed, Lucayan hands me a towel to wipe off my hands. I open my water bottle and pour a little onto my hands, scrubbing and then drying them off. “Thanks.”

He smiles, “Of course Young Miss. I doubt you wish to go riding today.”

I nod, “Yeah, it’s not like when Jenn was here, even if the weather is perfect for it.”

The lycan gently takes the towel from me, “I understand Young Miss. He always longs for you to ride him.”

I smirk, stroking the horse’s face, “Maybe sometime soon,” then staring back into his eyes, “be good, ok Ember?”

The horse snorts then raises his head and starts playfully munch on my hair, feeling his lips as they passed over my scalp.

I burst out laughing, still holding onto his muzzle, “Ok, ok. I’ll see you soon.”

He then pulls back, staring deeply into my eyes. I grin, kissing the tip of his nose. The horse snorts once more, kicking his hooves on the ground. I giggle, hopping down from the fence. Diana follows suit, landing beside me.

I look back to the stable master, “I’ll see you later sir.”

He bows his head, “Until then Young Miss.”

I smile, and then start walking towards the forest, waving to my horse, who cranes his head as I pass him. Fenris gives the horse a nod, who returns the gesture.

Roughly thirty minutes of walking later we finally arrived near the mouth of the forest. I didn’t see my knights while on our approach. I guessed that our little detour to the stables bought me the necessary time for them to finish their training session.

I really do hope that they’ll stop being so stubborn and train with me. I’d love to see how I would stack up against a pair of Dewlouran knights. Plus there’s the fact that I’ve never sparred against an elf. That would really be a treat, given how kitsune are said to have agility that rivals theirs. I sighed, oh well.

I spin around, hearing the sounds of minor labored breathing, watching as Diana struggles to keep up. “How…how is it that you’re not tired from all this walking?”

I grin, “I run two miles through the forest at least two to three times a week, along with several training sessions with my mother, sister, and sword master. So walking a mile from the Manor really isn’t that big a deal for me.”

The girl pops opens her water bottle and takes a couple gulps. “I really was off about you.”

I smirk, not the first time someone’s been.

I stop shy of the forest, listening as the trees sway to the wind. A gust of cool wind rushes past me. The smell of pine, cedar, and oak filled my nose along with hints of moss and water. I glance over to my right, part in the direction of two significant places.

The first is Silvi’s cave. The other is my own secret hideaway, a small glen I discovered after my falling out with my family a couple years ago. Neither was on my destination list and would only raise too many questions.

Well…the glen not so much, but I still want to keep that place a secret. Ok it really wasn’t that much of a secret seeing how there were three other people who knew of its existence, the first two being my mother and Fenris.

The last is Titania, who could come and go as she pleased, despite my mother’s defenses. But ever since I saw the fairy queen while on my layover in England last November, I hadn’t really seen her at all. There would be absolutely no possible way I could explain away if one of the most powerful beings in the world were to suddenly appear in front of us. So even while I at home, I have to keep some wits about me.

I turn back to Diana, who finally caught up with me. Her breathing is a little more labored than just a few minutes ago, with sweat pouring down her face.

I smirk, leaning up against a tree. “Getting tired there city girl?”

She growls at me, “Shut up. I’m not used to all this exercise like you are.”

I grin as she finally arrives, resting an arm on tree. She stares into the forest, “Are we really going in there?”

I shrug, “Maybe, or we could walk down to the lake, which is another thirty minute walk.”

She rolls her eyes, “Fine, the forest it is.”

I grin as Fenris causally strolls past us, looking up at her, and then back me. I stand up and follow after him, with Diana taking up the rear.

The forest was cooler thanks to the tree cover. I take in several long deep breaths, filling my lungs with sweet earthy smells of nature. My hands are outstretched, feeling them brush up against trees and bushes. This is a place of peace for me, strolling amongst the trees, far and away from anything resembling civilization.

The only other place that could ever match this feeling was the forests near Ashogihaga. While I had always loved a balance between nature and civilization, in truth it was being surrounded by more nature that was preferable. Chattanooga and Madison fell into that category with Bryant being a close, if only just barely second.

I looked to my companion; it was strange for someone who used to live in my old neighborhood to be so winded. Yorktown Estates was connected to a large county park that I often visited. And it was huge, with hills, sports fields and a walking path that snaked through the park.

So if she was there, then she’d had definitely gone through it a few times. I don’t know. Maybe I was just judging her by how active I am in comparison and which was unfair of me.

We trekked deeper into the forest until we find ourselves on my running path. The graveled and well-traveled road stretches on in every direction. The sun’s light filters in softly through the hundreds if not thousands of tree branches from above.

Late afternoon was a good time to be here as even if the summer heat reached over a hundred. The middle of the forest was easily twenty degrees cooler, and with a soft cooling breeze. I pull my arms behind me, groaning as my shoulders pop. It had been a good walk, something I always love doing, no matter what the reason.

I look to see Fenris walking next to me, also feeling at home within the forest. Trailing behind us is Diana, who is constantly darting her head from side to side. I smirk, “There’s nothing here that is going to jump out and bite you. I promise.”

She looked to me, “I know but...I really don’t like being this far away from something that resembles being made by man. I’d even feel better seeing an outhouse if there was one. Not a big fan of camping.”

I spin around, walking backwards, and holding my arms behind my back, “I do all the time with my sister. It’s really a lot of fun.”

She rolls her eyes, “I’m just not cut out for that sort of thing. You live on this huge estate, so of course you get to do stuff like that.” Her gaze then turns towards my bonded, “I bet the two of you often go hunting together. You both seem like predators in some way. Always patrolling, wandering your forests in search of prey.”

I twirl back around, peering down at him. For a few months last year, Fenris and I experimented with how deep we could take our bond. He’d often go into the forest and I would see through him what he was doing.

At first it was merely that, just viewing the world through his eyes. Our link was extremely strong and so was the range. If I was at the lake and alone, I could summon him to me if he were at the Manor, which is a fair mile and a half away. It would only take him less than a minute or so, traveling by way of shadow hopping.

As time went on I began to delve deeper into it, desiring to see how far we could take it. I would watch him as he hunted, feeling every breath he took, every beat of his heart, even his claws as they dug into the soft moist soil, all of this as though I were the wolf himself.

However I grew arrogant with every experiment, even with Silvi keeping me in check. I began going on hunts without my sister present, diving deeper and further into the link. Each time I slowly started to lose myself to the bond, with only Fenris now holding me back.

This all came to a near disaster when I finally slipped too deeply into the bond and became feral. I roamed the forest for a few hours, hunting for prey until I became lost. If it weren’t for Rachel coming to find me, there’s no telling of what might have happened. I was punished for keeping it a secret, and we never again tried anymore experiments. So to say that I was a predator was an apt description of me. But I don’t go “patrolling”.

I pan up into the forest canopy, listening as the branches up above creak and moan as the trunks sway with the wind. My eyes then quickly catch something soaring in the air. It was too small to be Silvi, which only meant one other group.

A smirk runs over my face, Amira and her harpies. I hadn’t really seen them all that much, due to them acting as border security. This meant their patrols were often far and away from most of the Estate. They were often in the far background, never truly going past the forests.

While in a fight, heaven forbid there was one, they could pose a threat to any unruly flyers that might attempt to invade. If they were to come up against something bigger and more powerful, that’s where Silvi would step in.

But then again, I don’t think anyone would be that stupid. The Estate has more powerful defenders and defenses that would put Hogwarts to utter shame. Hell, Xiphos alone could end a fight before it started just by simply teleporting the invaders away to some distant corner of the world, hence why from Day One I never sought to piss off the old sphinx. That and his magical power dwarfed my own on so many levels.

Getting back to the harpies, I figured they were either on patrol or were gathering up materials to rebuild their “nests”, which really were more like treehouses. A branch then creaked as I see the matriarch of the harpies landing up above.

Amira was a good sixty feet off of the ground and hidden behind thinner tree limbs. I give her a soft smile, laying my hand onto Fenris’ back and signing to her, “Hey, she’s a normal person, so keep to the shadows please.”

Even through the dimly lit forest, I see a broad smile stretch across her face, giving a short bow with her head. I figure she might have seen Diana driving in, but didn’t quite know who she was.

The harpy then crouched behind the tree and fly off, causing my guest to jump. “What was that?” scanning the forest.”

I lean my head back over my shoulder, “Just a hawk taking off. The forest is full of them, along hundreds of other animals.”

In the corner of my eye I saw a small group of dryads hiding behind several trees. I roll my eyes, knowing they had to be the younger of the enclave that live here. Think of them as the teenagers of their group. They were equally as annoying as you might think any sort of teenagers would be, never abiding by what their elders would tell them. Huh…sort of like me.

More than likely they were there out of curiosity, it really was rare to have someone from the human world to come out to visit. They also are possibly the least likely to just jump out and greet the girl. I still didn’t want to take that chance.

I shoot the group a heated glare, which made them coil back and slowly melt into the forest. I knew the moment they arrived back to where the enclave lived they’d get a pretty nasty scolding from the elders. I let out a relieved sigh once their presence fades away.

I then hear a loud scream coming from behind me. Please don’t tell me someone snuck up on her.

I spin around to see Diana flicking at herself. My eyes train onto a couple of little caterpillars as they crawl up her arm, along with a large spider which straddles the top of her head.

I smirk in disbelief, walking over to her, “They won’t hurt you.”

She glares back, “Easy for you to say forest-girl, but I hate bugs.”

I roll my eyes, “Just hold still.” I gently begin to remove the caterpillars from her arm and setting them onto a bush.

Then moving onto the spider, which had now slipped down the back on her head, I cup my hand, allowing it walk onto it. I hold it gently, watching as its front legs softly tap the palm of my hand. I see my face reflected in its tiny black eyes. I smile, blowing slightly on it, seeing it skitter on my hand, making me laugh as it tickles the back of it.

“You…you look like you’re talking to it.”

I peer at her, as the spider returned to my palm, “She’s just a little lost and no, I can’t talk to spiders.” It bobbles slightly on my hand before leaping onto a tree. A smile curls on my lips as it disappears into the darkness.

“Then what were you doing?” she asks, walking next to me, appearing to still be shaking.

I pan to her, “Just having a little fun with her.”

The girl looks at me dumbfounded, “There is no way you are a normal girl.”

I shrug, heading back down the path, “What’s normal anyways?” I sure haven’t been in a long time. “Better hurry up girly-girl or more creepy crawlies might see as you as a meal,” I joke.

She quickly takes off, appearing beside me.

We finally exited the forest roughly fifty yards from the Manor. The sun was slowly making its way down towards the horizon, meaning we were in probably in there for a good hour or so.

I popped open my bottle and down some water. The temperature had definitely gone up while we were in the forest. Early July on the Estate wasn’t as bad as the rest of Texas, but is still something else.

I look up as we round to the front of the Manor and stepping onto the shaded driveway. I pan around, seeing the sky reflected in the windows, with clouds roaming above.

“I still am in awe of this place,” remarks Diana. “It’s almost like those big houses you see in Britain or something.”

I walk over to the left side of the front steps, taking a quick seat, “My mom’s family is of English nobility. So when they moved here, they built the Manor to match their old home.”

She then sits beside me, “So does that make you nobility too? That is if your mom still is of course.”

I pull my legs onto the step below me, resting my arms onto my knees, “You could say that. Well…my mom does hold the court rank of countess in England, which was inherited from her mother.”

How could I explain that my mother is five hundred years old and served in the royal court of Queen Elizabeth the first? That would be a really hard pill to swallow. Not to mention the fact that she met William Shakespeare.

And don’t get me started on the Court of Mele’vari’o. Although thinking about it did make me wonder how Master Titalos and Arcturus were doing. I haven’t spoken to either of them in a week and was hoping both are doing ok. Maybe antics within the Court are keeping them busy, who knows.

The air feels cooler than being out in the sun. I peer up into the sky, watching as the clouds roll past us. It was peaceful here, just a simple quiet.

My eyes then gaze onto the driveway itself. Hidden under hundreds of paving stones lie defensive pylons that I happened to quite literally, “stumble” across. Massive ten foot tall pillars made of obsidian or onyx, spaced about six feet apart from each other. Each pillar acted as a dampener against magic from an invader.

When I discovered them, I quickly devised a new training regimen that, if for whatever the reason, I could use to fight with. It’s how I came to love parkour, just leaping from pillar to pillar, using my tails to grab hold of one pillar and swing around to a different target. My finding of them also led to the construction of my training grounds.

I lay my head onto my knees, listening to the wind as it blew through in between the garage and the house. This really is nice. I gaze down the see Fenris lying curled up at the base of the stairs, resting soundly, watching his chest rise and fall with every breath.

My eyes slowly close, feeling the cool air swirl around me. As relaxed as I’m becoming, I have to maintain some level of control, lest I completely drift away and transform into a kitsune. My feet and calves ache and burn from all of the walking we had been doing today.

I roll my head, half opening an eye. I see Diana looking at me. A half-smile curls on my lips, “Sorry.”

She tilts her head, “For what? Being tired? You’re fine. By the way, who’s Jenn?”

I giggle softly, “She’s one of my best friends that I met a while back. She was there the day you came to the park.”

The girl gives a short nod, “I only ask because you mentioned her while at the stables.”

I sigh, gripping my arms, “She visited me back in December, and I’m planning to visit her in at the end of the month for her birthday.”

My trip to St. Louis is something I'm really looking forward to. The Bigsbys are an amazing family who I've grown close to. That and Jenn loves having me close by. I was thinking of making her visit me in the winter become a normal thing as well.

Plus there still was the chance that everyone was to come here in early August, in which Jenn and I would just fly here and wait for everyone to arrive. That…wasn’t a bad idea, definitely something to ask her the next time we talked to each other.

Diana leans over, with her arms crossed in her lap, only to hear something buzz loudly. The girl pulls out her phone from her pocket and examines it. Letting out an exasperated sigh she looks to me, “My mother just texted me saying that our plan to meet my father has been moved up, so I have to leave now.”

I nod, sitting up and grab the railing.

We head back up the stairs, watching as the doors open. Inside is Abigale and Lyra, each bowing to us, “Welcome back young ladies.”

I smile to them, still eyeing the valkyrie, who now bares a slight grin. I smirk, walking past her.

“Will your guest be dining with us tonight Young Miss?” asks the kikimora.

I pan over to her, “Not tonight Miss Abigale. She and her family have plans tonight. So we’re just gonna head back up to my room so she can grab her bag.”

The maid bows her head once more, “Understood Young Miss. Know that dinner will be served in a couple hours. Her Ladyship requests that you rest and freshen up prior to it.”

I glance towards the parlor, figuring that she was still going over reports. I turned back to the maids, nodding to them, “Could you have some coffee made for my mother, please? I think she might like to have some.”

They bow, closing the door behind us, “It shall be done Young Miss,” sounded Abigale.

I smile, “Thanks Miss Abigale.” She grins as Diana and I trot up the stairs.

When we finally arrive at my room, Diana quickly rushes in and grabs her bag from the couch, tossing me her water bottle.

I smirk, hurling it back at her, “Keep it. One can never have too many water bottles.”

She catches it, “Well…thanks.”

I lean against the doorframe, “No problem.” We then turn and head back down the hall.

Today was good, if not a little nerve-racking. I still was amazed that nothing happened. Of course in the back of my mind, I knew that anything really could’ve gone wrong.

I look up to her, seeing her growing a frustrated look on her face. I know how much it sucked to get called back early, just ask Marron and me. I look ahead and down the hall, wondering what to do for the coming week. I still had a book to read, models to build, and anime to watch. So there was something.

We exit out back into the foyer and hopped down the stairs, watching as Abigale once more opened the door. I smile to her as we step out onto the landing. Outside is her car, sitting in the driveway.

Another breeze blows against us, tossing my hair in it. I grumble holding it down. I look up into the sky, in the short span of time we were inside the sky had slowly turned darker as thick clouds begin to roll in over the horizon. We were in for some rain, which wouldn’t affect my morning session.

Diana turns to me, “Hey, why don’t you come over my place Saturday? I know it won’t be as grand as your home. Plus my mother has been wanting you over since we met.”

I tilt my head, “Don’t give me that. A lot of my friends’ homes aren’t this big.”

She smiles, stepping down the stairs. I lean onto the banister, watching her open her car door.

She then runs back up the stairs, “Here’s the address to my home. I’ll text you when to head over.”

I read the note, nodding, “Thanks, hope you weren’t too intimidated by my home.”

She leans in close on the steps, “Not at all. It’s nice to know that you aren’t some stuck-up princess who lives in her castle.”

I snort, “Hey, I’m not that bad.”

She grins, “I’ll see you later Aria.”

I shake my head, smiling to her, “See you this Saturday then.”

The girl pulls back and hops down the stairs, climbing into her car. A moment later I watch as it start to pull on down the driveway.

Behind me I heard footsteps walking towards me as a hand rests onto my shoulder. “Did you friend already leave?”

I look up at my mother, then back onto the road, seeing her car pulling onto the main road. “Yep. She invited me over to her home on Saturday. Would it be ok if I went?”

Rachel step beside me, hand resting onto mine, “I don’t see why not my love.” She then leans in closer, “I just had a wonderful idea my love. Since you are visiting her this Saturday, why not visit the farmers market? I still remember much you used to love attending it.”

I lean into her, thinking for a moment, “Not a bad idea. I haven’t been to one since that day at the shrine,” giggling, “hopefully nothing bad will happen to me while there.”

I feel a finger flicking the side of my head, “If you are that worried then take Fenris with you. I’m sure your knights will also wish to go along as well. Who knows, it might be a good experience for them.” I giggle.

Again…not a bad idea. Of course they would be in more casual attire than usual, although I do remember some people who went wore outfits that were nicer than others.

I rise from the banister, looking to her, “Maybe if I go another time, then you can come with.”

She smile, “I would certainly love do that sweetheart. Oh and one more thing, thank you for sending the coffee. It was kind of you.”

I smile, “You’re welcome. I’ll see you at dinner.” My mother nods and walks back to the parlor.

I resume heading back up to my room, quickly passing by the library. I figured that Xiphos would want to come out and talk to about Diana. But when he fails to appear, I take it that he might have been busy with something else. It did make me curious if he had scanned her mind while we visited the library.

Telepathy with me isn’t the best, and I was only truly able to do it with Fenris and Xiphos. Other than that, I of course had my mental defenses I learned from studying with the master librarian. I bow my head and head back down the hall to my room.

When I arrive, I open the door, and quickly plop onto my bed. I didn’t feel Fenris entering the room, thinking he might be downstairs with Rachel.

I bury my face into the covers, feeling the soft fabric against my face. It really had been a long day, and I was relieved that it was over. I curl up onto my bed, staring out the window.

It was nice having a friend over once more, and was going to be equally nice going to said friend’s house. A smile rose on my face, now I had something else to look forward to this weekend.

A few moments passed before I roll off the bed and step into my bathroom. My arms were pink from being out in the sun for so long and even smell of sunburn. I smirk as it was nothing new really, just another sign that it was a good day.

I turned on my faucet and began washing my hands and face, watching as the dirt and dust from the day drop into the sink. I felt refreshed as icy cold water runs down my cheek. I pick up a brush and run it through my hair.

After placing it back onto my sink I turn and head out the door and down for dinner. While on my way out, I failed to notice that something was missing from one of my desks.

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