We walked in no hurry to get back to the estate while I looked at the icicles dripping off the trees in wonder. Quill tells me about his childhood, talking about his relationship with his parents, and how his father was the one that carried the alpha gene. Apparently, the chances of getting the werewolf gene were determined by the father since there was no account of female werewolves until Cersei came along. The werewolf gene, though common from past ancestors passing it down from the father's side. The Alpha gene was a bit more complicated to explain though. "Cersei really was the first one born with it?" I asked, slipping my hand in his. "It's a bit more complicated than that." Quill said, and he sighed, running a hand through his hair, the curls sticking up a bit. "Yeah?" I asked, trying not to seem too invested. But I was. In all my years of being alive, I didn't know much of the werewolves. Having them treated of the norm was still kind of a new thing
I stand next to the lake, keeping an eye out just in case. The kelpies prance around in the waters, disappearing and reappearing in a different spot. My bracelet's chain sticks straight up, the clasp tickling my palm. I'd been on edge since Mason's arrival, and the fact that he had a truce with the Fae didn't help. So instead of cowering into fear, I'd practice summoning kelpies in any type of water, not just the lake. I asked Quill if he'd place a huge fountain in the common area of the castle just in case. He'd agreed, noticing that I was more strained than anything. "Do you want to go back home?" he asked, and I shook my head, sending out a message to my father to pull out all trade and businesses he had with Mason. And to send a servant out here with more of my clothes, and boots, because I was going to spend more days here. I knew Mason feared my father more than he feared me; my father could hold his own in Ovylian, but I was determined to keep Quill and hi
Quill looked at me as if I had asked him to behead a baby chick. His hands were placed on my cheek, and though I should have pulled away, I leaned into his caress, closing my eyes. I got my answer from that motion, and Quill kissed my temple as he pulled me along with him. "Where are we going?" I asked him, but he said nothing as we went back into his estate, and he pulled me along into our shared room. Slipping off his tunic and pants, he stood there half naked and pulled me to him. At first, I was stiff, not sure how far this was going to go. But Quill simply took off my dress carefully and undid my corset, letting it drop to the ground. The pins and ribbon in my hair were pulled along with the dress, my hair half loose, and half free. I was nude yet only wearing my underwear, and as Quill worked out my hair to be loose, I shielded my body from him, feeling shy. Quill made no move to pry my arms downward, walking to the closet and
After Quill's short tour, due to him being needed by someone he had called into his office, and then him going off to speak to them, I'm back next to the lake, concentrating hard on the way the kelpies dive down in the waters, then reappear. I use raw meat to entice them, the smell of blood catching their attention. More than once, the kelpie tries to take my bracelet. I don't scold them for their nature; they're tied to me because of the bridle I managed to catch. My reflexes from moving my hand away have also improved, and I take great care to ensure that the chain never slips off by accident. Someone behind me clears their throat, and when I turn, Cersei is there, a blank expression on her face. "Your betrothed wishes for you to clean up and have supper with him. It will just be the two of you in the great hall." she says, and I nod, wiping sweat off my brow. Today, Cersei has her hair pinned up in a small bun, wearing a long overcoat gray blue overc
I'm not bundled up like I first was when we leave New Puerto. I wear my favorite soft fleece gown that's a soft blue color with Ovylian's crest on the side of my chest. A deep purple shawl with a hood is placed over my shoulders, and the maids have made my hair into its usual braid, blue pins in my hair. Quill wears his classic black button up with a white tunic underneath, wearing blue pants, and black polished shoes. "You have a very subdued style." I comment on his attire. "I'd rather you be the one to outshine me." he replies, cupping my face as he places a kiss on my cheek. Of course, that tiny gesture sends my face in flames. At that moment, the maids walk in, letting us know the carriage is here to take us on our journey. Since the knights and squires arrived not too long ago, Quill thought it would be best to take Lip too. Just in case, of course. I don't want to take my kelpie's bridle with me as Ovylian is magicked to keep kelpies out of
I must have fallen asleep longer than I thought, because as Quill is gently shaking me awake, I feel even more tired than before. The carriage has stopped in front of my home, and Lip has already left, leaving the door opened for Quill and me. Quill gets out first, frowning a bit, but helps me out, nonetheless. "Strange, there's no greeter." he says, setting me down on the grass. I look to see that he's right; not only was there no greeter, but no anyone for that matter. The gardens were empty, the guards that usually were posted in the front missing. "How peculiar." I say, leaving my shawl in the carriage. Lip frowns as he pulls out aragonite, the crystal pulsing quickly. "There are people around, and they're inside." "Perhaps father has business to attend to, or more than likely, he's not expecting us." I say, trying to sound surer than I feel. Quill walks ahead of me, and I notice that Lip follows close behind me, both of them looking
I sit on the ground, still in shock, as Quill and Lip quietly discuss something to each other. I don't bother to listen in, my hands in my lap, the useless bracelet on my wrist a reminder that I'm just as worthless. My eyes ache from having wept so many tears. I'm pretty sure my maids would be chiding me if they saw what state I'm in. My father would try to cheer me up, and my brother would make me laugh until the tears of sorrow turned tears of laughter. I wonder where they are, I think to myself. I wonder if they're okay. Another tear drop lands on the top of my hand, a sudden glint catching my attention. Turning around, I realize that Lip and Quill have disappeared; Death stands there, his hands in his pockets, eyes curious. "How are you here?" I ask him, and he gives me a small smile, before sitting next to me. "You exhausted yourself from crying." was his answer, and then silence came over the both of us. "Why are you here then?" I ask, clasping my hands together on m
I'm walking out of my father's office, followed by Quill, as we head over to the training area. He's lost in thought, and so am I, as my brain continues to search for Isadora's whereabouts. I've sent word to one of my father's allies, a elderly wizard, and his apprentice that are very strong in magick. I have high hopes they'll make the trip to Ovylian, and be able to assist more with tracking down my father and brother. Since disappearing with my family, Mason hasn't made an appearance. Or the Fae, and I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing at this point. What is he doing to them?, I wonder, knots in my stomach. "You're going to split your nail if you continue to bite it like that." Quill says, pulling me out of my head. "Sorry." I respond on a reflex, chiding myself. "It's alright." he says, hugging me to his body. I feel stiff against him, but as he continues to hug me, my body relaxes, and my eyes are wanting to burn with tears again. Stop crying, I th