I woke up before the sun started to rise for the hunt with Ash and of course Gregory was no where to be seen. I had a bath ran for me as soon as I got out of bed after realizing I was coated in sweat. Last night I had crazy dreams and none of them made any sense. I was running through the woods with no destination. I wasnt scared or running from something but just running...

Before the hunt we were to go to the elves sacred grounds that still doesn't have a name, they're working on it... There we will see how they were faring off and to appoint a Lord and I had just the person in mind for Ash and I to choose.

Long ago elves were under the rule of King Marvis and his one passion and goal to rule over all of Valkri. He and his dark witch Meredith were behind the curse we were under for forty years, trapped behind iron walls fearing for our lives. We became warriors in that dark time, savages even but it brought humans and Fae together something none of us imagined would ever happen. We love alike, we dream alike and we see the same future but like all families we do have setbacks.

I couldn't wear pants and a tunic even if it was the proper way to hunt it was just too hot for heavy clothing. I dressed in a white knee length ruffled dress, paired with a brown waist corset to slim my waist. The sleeves draped off my sun kissed shoulders and puffed out slightly around my wrist. I grabbed my bow and arrows, strapped daggers in my boots, upper thigh and for extra measure I brought my sword. I braided my hair quickly wondering where my maids had went after drawing my bath they usually help me get ready every morning, not that I minded getting ready on my own. I sort of just missed their presence. Getting used to a different town with different rules was hard but I always had the girls to chat with.

I rushed out to the stables just in time Ash has already prepared my horse, his as well. I wondered how early he woke up. "Do you always wear such whimsical attire while hunting?" Ash tilted his head slightly. He looked youthful and even striking this morning as the sun kissed his face. He had a faint glow to him, his eyes light and warm maybe even inviting. I always had thought I was a rough one to get to know but Ash beat me in that department.

"Its too damn hot to wear a tunic. I dont know how you're even wearing those leather pants you are a fool to think this heat wont take you out," I scolded. "Make sure you bring water with you."

"Ive got water for both of us," he rolled his eyes, he did that a lot after hearing me speak. "Let's go we have lots to do today."

"Where's everyone else?" I asked.

"Just the two of us today."

"Is that safe?"

"You are ridding beside a dragon and I am ridding beside one of the creators, I think we'll be more then safe," he said sarcastically as he helped me mount my horse. His hands gently cupped my waist and with perfect ease he lifted me atop the towering brown horse, Blades horse. I'm sure he wasnt too happy about me stealing his horse.

"Thanks," I cleared my throat awkwardly.

He said nothing as he went to his horse and lifted himself atop. I was too busy watching  I forgot to get my reins so when he took off it took me a second. Once my horse caught up to Ashs, we took off through the mountains and to the forest. Day by day it has gotten thicker, barring fruits and the thick smell of water was heavy in the air. I could almost feel all of the springs, creeks and ponds surrounding us. "It feels good to be out here."

"I knew that would help, my people like the mountains the certainty of It. You like change and adventure, you like beauty and you're not afraid to find it. I guess thats one thing we would have in common." Suddenly Ash took off faster through the woods. Since a truce has been signed, for now there's a temporary line neither sides could cross till the truce becomes an alliance.

"Do you think animals have returned?" I asked once I caught up to him

"Of course, everything's returning I wont be surprised if pixies start flying around it seems this world is mending itself."

"Pixies?"

"They are little cunning creatures they tend to the land, they're basically harmless."

"Little?" I stifled a giggle.

"Little but cunning they can trick you into selling your soul if they wanted."

"That's impossible no one could have that power," I argued.

"You'd be surprised of all the dangerous creatures that lurk around, some even more dangerous then those things you call demons." Well thats amazing news.

"Do you think mermaids still live?"

"If they survived the ocean freezing then yes... either way I'm sure they'll return one way or another. Life has a funny way of working out." Our horses slowed to a trot so we could look around the woods, nothing stirred not even the wind. "We should probably find some water where there's water, there is food."

"Fishing with bows and swords? We don't even have a net."

"If you cant fish with an arrow then you surly cant be this almighty Creator," he scuffed, challenging me.

"I will catch ten times the amount that you catch,"I bristled, already hating myself for saying it I have never been a good fisher. The truth was I wasnt graceful when it came to water.

"Oh I'm sure of it," I could hear the amusement in his voice and it only enraged me even farther. "Look at those flowers, I think they're morning glories. They only bloom for the first sun rays In the morning."

There was an entire field of blue flowers opening up as the sun reached their petals, "Morning glories are said to be sacred they only come to root with the first tear of a child, a tear of sorrow."

"Well thats a bit morbid... are they poisoned?"

"No but you should also know that this forest has always run by its own rules. You pick a morning glory and your are damned to insanity, driven mad till you take your own life."

"Are you trying to scare me?" I rolled my eyes trying to ignore the shiver down my spine, "There is no way a flower could be that dangerous."

"Why do you think deer are sacred to fae?"

"I'm not sure, I wasn't really taught about our past I only heard whatever stories I could. Since I'm to live with you I trust you could fill me in?"

"Of course," he said lightly before commanding his horse to go faster. He was impossible to get to know, he held no emotion, no interests in anything but being a "Lord." And he couldn't hold a conversation... then it dawned on me. He loved Lorelei and I was the spitting image of her, I am her. Perhaps my face, my voice was all an annoyance for him but then why have me stay here till the truce was final? He made no sense.

Ash took me to a spring that flowed with warm water of blue, it smelled of peppermint. "This is where the nymphs would swim, they blessed these waters with healing properties. Thats why in the tales the nymphs would lead men away from these springs, lead them to the forest to be lost forever."

"They're just protecting their home."

"That's what everyone will be doing, we are blessed to have found each other and to want the same things. It might not be like that for everyone, it never was theres always an uproar, a greed for power. Which is why after the alliance is struck you should be guarded and protected, by a dragon."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I am the strongest oldest dragon alive, I am your insight on your past enemies."

"I already have Orion, he knows everything."

"He was your son, trust me he doesn't know everything. You protected him, lied to him for his own safety. Not to mention he will be busy watching over the elves, he will be a Lord soon."

"And you are the lord of Dragons Mountain. Who would take your place? Your people will need you."

"Blade," he said simply as if that was supposed to make me feel better. "He will lead our people just as I did."

"He is just a boy he cant rule over-"

"Age means nothing, he is the smartest most compassionate person I know. I raised him as he was my own to one day take over for me and he will."

"You love him," that was certain.

"He is the last person I have left," Ash said tying our horses on a stump. "I trust him as you should as well."

"Alright then. I dont think Rone would like you by my side," I clucked my tongue as I slipped my shoes off, spear in hand as I searched for fish. "He doesn't know you and the kingdom is weak as it is, allowing you in could cost us."

"Cost what? You could kill me with the snap of your fingers."

"Not before you slide an iron blade through my heart and take my power," I said looking at him over my shoulder. He stood still a look of fury and bewilderment crossed his smooth face.

"You really think that little of me?"

"I don't know what kind of man you are," I said, "Don't take it personally, what I do know is you love your people and you'd do anything to have them love you back, worship you, am I wrong?"

"Completely, I dont wish to be worshiped," he spat angrily. "I never wanted to lead these people but I did for you because I knew you would come back.  I didn't want you to come back to a complete mess," he tried to hide it again. Any feelings he held was swallowed back down.

"Ill keep you in mind." He wasn't wrong having a fire breathing dragon by your side was definitely useful. "Now I need to focus or I'll never catch a fish."

"You'll never get one standing like that you'll just slip as soon as you strike. You need to get all the way in the water fish don't swim near shore. Have you never fished?"

"Once again not often," I said gritting my teeth, maybe wearing a dress wasn't the brightest idea, I thought we were going hunting.

                                       .................................................................................

After hours went buy Ash and I finally gathered enough fish, it was time to appoint the elves their lord. I didn't know if Orion would be here or not but I found him hauling in wood. His green eyes met mine and a devilish smile formed on his lips. "Was wondering when I'd see you again." There had always been something with Orion I just couldn't shy away from. He was just too happy and it radiated all around him.

"It's only been a month," I rolled my eyes trying to suppress a smile, "Will you be at the ball tomorrow?"

"Of course, the King gave me this letter to give to you, updates and such on court."

"How is everything?" I frowned as Orion and Ash exchanged a hand shake.

"We found a group of humans living on the oceans tide but theres been uproar and disagreements to let them in."

"Rone is okay with them coming in?" That was not what we agreed apon, no one goes in or out of the iron walls that shielded the royal town. We've been through one too many shocks, betrayals. I had to pretend I wasn't upset with Rone for not telling me, after all I wasn't supposed to be leaving the mountain.

"He says it wouldn't be right to send them away," Orion began fumbling with his hands. His auro a usual tingy grey started turning almost orange, there was something he wasn't telling me.

"Orion." I said sweetly.

"Hm?"

"What else are you not telling me?" I eyed him.

"Berella and Josephine have been sneaking around together," he blurted.

"What do you mean?" I closed my eyes for a second then opened them, I must not have heard him correctly.

"There are rumors that they are romantically involved, that Rone actually gave them his blessing." I didnt even know what to say... why am I hearing this from Orion?

James death was still fresh she couldn't be thinking clearly, just a month ago the human she loved was killed. Our friend. Being close to Josephine put her in danger, "Thats not all," Orion continued, great. "The young women he let in are staying in the palace, their lady in charge often visits Rones chambers at night." That only meant two things, she was courting him, or he was courting her or Rone was a fucking idiot.

"Are you sure of this?"

"Ive seen her myself. The past two nights only for maybe an hour but it's enough to raise suspicion. The king doesn't listen to me, he thinks these women are harmless because they are human but he made the same mistake with Josephine. We all thought she was human, these woman could be just like her, or worse. I mean there is not one man living among them, it's just weird."

"I agree, looks like we need to talk some sense in to this young king," Ash rolled his eyes. "We'll ride there today I look froward to making alliances with the King but we cant do that if the King runs his Kingdom to the ground."

"Watch your mouth," I hissed feeling the need to protect Rones name, even if I was losing a bit of faith in him. "We dont know the full story, unlike most of us Rone is thoughtful and kind, after I talk to him he'll realize he needs to send them off."

"Let's hope," Ash said doubtfully. "Well be back in the afternoon tomorrow to appoint your lord," he announced to the the group of elves that lingered.

"I'm not coming," Orion said. "I think I'll be living here. After you left I wasn't much welcomed by anyone but Berella and Rone. Here is where I'm accepted."

I put my hand on Orions shoulder and smiled up at him, "This is your home," and I didn't know where I fit, where my home was. I wanted to tell him now, ask him to guide these people but I thought to wait on it.

I mounted my horse and raced off towards the only home I've ever known, not giving Ash a second to patronize me. I'm hoping Rone will see why he cant have those girls stay, I wondered why he wouldn't listen to his council? The Rone Orion was explaining sounded reckless... That wasn't Rone he was smart, he's kind but he puts his people first.

He didn't keep things from me.