now and always

Book 3

The sleepless hollow 

~ sleepless nights ~

‘she is my unread book, my unfinished poem. She is a story I wish to write at my own pace. she is a call so strong that it demands to be complete; yet I only wish to explore her every thought, to commit to memory every curve of her skin…’ he thinks to himself as he mulls over the past busy days he had. The sleeplessness from the dreams he had rolling slowly to the back of his mind as he tries to push them away. Instead, he thinks about his bride, his wife, sleeping soundly in their bed in the other room. The moonlight casting a soft light in the shadows of their room along her pale skin.

He had yet another dream and climbed silently from their bed as to not disrupt the slumber of his goddess. He sits on their balcony, playing with the glass of his drink of choice for the moment around in his hand, continuing to drive away his dreams. He glances up into the night sky, seeing the stars in the new light that was opened to him by his Sky so many nights ago.

He smiles to himself as he now sets the glass aside on the table near him, thinking on these twinkling lights. The magic behind them just like the magic that he discovered from his beloved Sky. He turns his head to the sound coming to his vampiric ears. Then the light touch upon his shoulder. She had woken up while he was caught up in his thoughts.

“star gazing without me, my heart?” she whispered in the darkness.

He slips his hand gently over hers, turning to wrap his arm around her waist and pull her close against him. Without a word, he closes his eyes as he breaths in the scent from her long tresses. The mixture of honeysuckle and lavender floating faintly along the air as he pressed his lips against her temple, a wave of peace washing over him suddenly. ‘how is this possible? This one creature can do so much in a so simple way?’

“Anything I might help with, my heart?” she whispers in his ear as she returns a soft kiss just under it.

The tenderness of it bringing him back to a sense of a new dream, their dream. “Just let me keep you here, my sweetheart. Why are you awake? Is anything wrong?” he returns back in a whisper.

“just that you were not there when I woke, is all.” She gently takes his hand into hers and leads him along back into their room. “Come and let your charm take care of you…” her voice trails behind her as she leads him back to their bed.

He follows her back to their warm bed, taking her into his arms as they lay back upon their pillows. She snuggles into his arms and sweet kisses his neck until he drifts back to sleep, closing his eyes to indulge in the tenderness of her touch. He listens to her heartbeats and that of their daughters sleeping in their room. The sound of the three lulling him back to his slumbers easily as he forgets all about his dream that had woken him up in the first place.

~chapter 3~

~the sweetest lips~

'I have tasted sweeter lips, but none that felt like they were made for me,' Elijah thinks to himself as he slowly sips his favorite bourbon while he sits in a quiet corner at Russo's in his beloved city of New Orleans. 'It is such lips I long for this night.'

He plays the glass along his fingertips a while longer, lost now in thoughts of his beloved wife back in Manosque. "Maybe..." he whispers, "maybe I can pause back home for a while and return in my business..." he places the glass lightly back to his lips, indulging the taste of a substitute to his wife's lips.

She leans against their bedroom balcony, her sheer dress flapping softly against the cooler autumn evening breeze. She looks up into the night sky, thinking on if he was gazing upon these very stars now also. She longs for nothing more than to feel his warm and inviting arms to be wrapped around her once again. She closes her eyes, breathing slow and deep, making a silent wish for her beloved Elijah's safe return back home; for this night of nights was peak night for the Draconid shower. The waxing gibbous moon, shining bright in the sky early as the showers slowly merge in the ever-growing evening sky.

Slowly, she opens her eyes to gaze upon the great Draco the dragon constellation smiling back at her. She whispers upon the air into nothing, hoping her words will travel from her lips to his ears, "I miss you, mí corazón, and I hope you return home soon. Safest travels till one is back in home's arms." She closes her eyes to remain alone in the cool quiet night a while longer before finally turning in to their bed for the remainder of the night.

~Ch. 4~

With her beloved Elijah off in New Orleans on his business affairs, only this time it has run a lot longer than the usual trips. He could not even dare to take a portal home for a night here or there. She missed him so, but she understood at the same time. Things can be tricky sometimes and it was always better to remain safe in the overall scheme of things. She climbed the stairs silently after tucking in their twins and headed up to the library and to the piles upon piles of books that awaited her. She slides her hand slowly along the wooden railing as she made her way up the stairs, pausing once she reached the landing. She tilts her head as she listens to the soft sounds of the ever-growing evening. These were the moments she wished her beloved was home. The quietness making it lonelier than usual on this night. She shrugs it off, pulling her robe back up on to her shoulder and adjusts the candle in her hand before continuing her way to the library.

She sets the candle down upon the large table in the middle of the room and looks around the room. Frowning slightly, she makes her way over to the fireplace to light it and make some heat in the large room. Once lit, she curls up with her legs under her leaning back on one hand as she becomes lost in her thoughts for a short while. She smiles softly as she thinks upon the little love letters Elijah would leave upon their pillows when he would silently leave to not wake her and head back to tend to his business. Closing her eyes, she allows the fire to crackle softly and warm her longer as she drifts off in these thoughts.

She finally decides to get up and move away from the warm fire to begin going through the stacks of books. She takes a deep breath in before she slides into a chair and pulls a book in front of her. She cracks the old spine open and coughs a little as dust kicks up into her face. Waving it away from her, she glances down to read the worn parchment, fragile from time. She slides her finger gently along the old pages, turning them carefully to make sure they did not crumble beneath her fingertips. She whispers the words as she reads them, translating the old Gaelic as she does like it was nothing to her. “Interesting…” she whispers as she continues along. “This appears to be protection charms and spells. This book will become very handy, indeed.” She trails off as she continues to read for the next hour, slowly taking notes in her head as she does.

Some hours later, and the fire burning low to almost dying, she slams the book closed, scoops up the candle in front of her and flies from the library and down the stairs. She scurries off to her crafting room in the secluded part of the cottage and quickly sets the book upon the middle of her work bench. The book flipping open automatically to the page she was last on. She turns to the pages and runs her index finger along the words as she reads out loud. A hushed whisper resonating in the silence of the house.

She spins around and gathers up the ingredients called for in this particular spell she found and sets them all on the table next to the book. She whispers as she picks up each ingredient and places them into her small cauldron, reciting each line as it called for. She places the last ingredient in the cauldron and then grabs the candle beside her. She sets it close to the cauldron and blows lightly upon the flame, making it jump from the wick and into the cauldron, setting the ingredients aflame.

She smirks as her eyes light up, watching the flame eat at the pile in the bowl. She whispers as called for from the spell and makes the colors change. She can’t help but giggle slightly as she watches it. She stares into it, turning silent as it burns and crackles, small flecks of fire popping before her. Shortly after it dies down, ashes of the ingredients remaining behind.

She grabs some cloth and pours the ashes carefully onto it, then grabbing up some lose ribbon to tie up the gathered cloth. She plops it in the palm of her hand smugly smiling to herself and then lets it bounce slightly as she looks over her handy work. “Now to test it out…” she says to herself, happy so far in the results. She sets it on a shelf for now as it was growing much too late by now to do anything further and then she hides the book with her other special items. She smooths out her skirts and then wipes off her hands before heading off to their bedroom to ready for bed for the night.

Ch. 5~caressing ivories at midnight

*she pours a glass of her beloved esposo's drink, missing his company as she strolls slowly across their cottage in the early evening. She heads over to the small room where his piano sat, silent and lonely. She gently sets the glass and bottle upon the small carved cherry side table and walks over to their piano, sliding her index finger slowly along the keys as she passes by it. The cool to the touch ivories allowing her finger to glide along as the soft tones resonated across the room faintly. She closed her eyes and sighed as the sound reached her ears. Pausing at the end of the piano, she placed her hand along the side of the wood. Her eyes still closed, she sends a mental image off to her beloved, hoping he will receive it this evening. Shared gentle sweetkisses through the mind...she waits for any form of a reply back.

She turns slightly to a soft patter of Runes paws scampering across the house after some mouse or invisible creature of the night. She slips her slender body upon the bench before the piano and gently laid her fingers along the keys...resting them there and closing her eyes, lost in her memories of the past.

the antique grandfather clock chimes softly in the hallway; 'one, two...' she silently counts the chimes of the bells in her mind... 'six, seven...' she takes a deep breath in and slowly releases it out... 'ten, eleven... midnight.' she slowly moves her fingers along the cool ivories, making the keys ring out now in response to the chimes of the clock. she slowly plays the ordinary chords, practicing as it had been some time since she had last played them. she wishes her beloved was sitting beside her, playing along like they did. she alternates sharps and flats mixed with regular notes...

she finally switches over to begin a song along the keys, first starting with {Christina Perri~ A thousand years} letting the music flow freely from her fingers. she hums along as she closes her eyes, allowing the music to flow through her veins. she barely whispers singing,* And all along I believed, I would find you Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years I'll love you for a thousand more. * she finishes the song, listening to the sounds of the house. Rune still chasing whatever it was off in some corner of the house, and the girls, breathing softly in their beds.

she decides to keep going, switching to another favorite of theirs, picturing them holding each other close in the moonlight... she sings softly along as she plays {To The Moon And Back~Savage Garden}* Somewhere in a private place/She packs her bags for outer space And now she's waiting for the right kind of pilot to come...I've got a ticket for a world where we belong... *transitioning smoothly into {Karliene~ Your Girl Demo}* ...The day you looked my way, it took me back You said something like "you're beautiful" And stopped me in my tracks...Tell me softly That you want me Tell me I'm your girl...

*she dares play more; a tiny bit louder. she figured the house was sleeping peacefully and the girls were definitely used to the piano playing at such an hour. she begins their wedding song {Karliene~ Kindle My Heart}, she swayed along as she played, the world around her disappearing as she almost felt her beloved Elijah's arms around her, keeping her close.* ...As the moon kindles the night as the wind kindles the fire As the rain fills every ocean And the sun, the earth Let your heart kindle my heart...Take my heart Take my heart Kindle it with your heart And my heart cannot be Kindled without you Let your heart kindle my heart... *she pauses to give her fingers rest, listening to the sounds of the house once again. she could not sleep well these past nights when her beloved was away for so long. restless nights always made her more restless in the days. she wondered on what she might be able to do to help him with the issue he has been having with Inadu as of lately. could any of the old grimoires he brought home to her from his mother's collection have any form of insight hidden within their many pages? maybe they will find answers while they have their stay in the mysterious and cultural rich Japan? only time and research will tell her these answers. she knew this all too well... she slowly plays again, this time just randomly starting new chords and then replaying in different variations of the songs she had already played, hoping he will be home soon before she tired herself out to slumber...*

Ch. 6~the masquerade ball of the year

Being the week of all Hallows eve, and Halloween and the ball right around the corner now, Sky took a pause from tasks around the cottage and other tasks at the castle to make sure that everything was going according to plan for the big night. Everyone was looking forward to this since last year’s ball, and she wanted to be certain nothing was going to mess it up this time. She exited the old grove portal and smoothed out her skirts as she darted up the path to the castle. She made her way to the grand ballroom and looked around.

the piano stood in the corner of the room, near the tall windows as was preferred. She strolled slowly over to it and ran her fingers happily along the ivories. Freshly tuned and polished. "perfect..."she whispered. She turned over to head beyond the other side of the room.

The chandeliers sparkled brightly as she made her way across the room. Small sections of spooky displays set around parts of the room made her smile. This was her favorite time of the year. She grew excited to see all the work the castle staff has already done. she smirks as she notices other charming scenes and placed her finger to her chin in thought.

"Everything ok, miss?" a small voice of a newer staff passing by with an armful of decorations hanging over her small arms.

sky turned around to the voice, "Oh, everything is perfect so far. I was just thinking where the games area was going to be. As well as maybe a haunted house out in the gardens? So many ideas rolling around for Thursday night!" she smirks and then makes to help her with her armful, "allow me to help..."

"oh, I have it..." she makes to bow slightly as she suddenly realized it was the queen before her as she had yet to meet her in person. She began to fluster suddenly, "not a trouble at all...I was going to set these at the small tables for the dining settings."

"these look splendid. They will be perfect. It's all perfect." she smiled to ease the tension that suddenly arouse.

"These settings are divine. Really."

she gave a sigh of relief and allowed her to help. Walking beside her as they finished setting all in place. "thank you, my queen," she started.

"Not a worry, really." she placed a gentle hand on hers and smiled.

"It appears you have it all under control here. Maybe I will look into other things for the night?"

she bows, "thank you again, my queen."

"And thank you..." Sky bows in return. she turns to head back to tend to other things. heading back towards one of the smaller ballrooms located off of the main ballroom; one of which will be used as the photography gallery for the night, a few tables lined the side of one wall with masques and props to be used in front of a few extra special mirrors. She stepped closer to one of them and smirked. A camera angled down towards the person standing before it and you tap the glass to begin. She touched the design saying, "touch here to begin" and it guided her through options and then snapped her photo. A printer nearby spit out the taken photo when she was done. She let out a giggle. "oh, they will all simply love this..."

she headed back to the other small ballroom to peek on the food and dining set up. passing the staircase that lead up and out towards the gardens, all decorated pretty and festive. It was all coming together nicely. And she grew more excited to see everyone happy for the fun to come. Once she entered the next ballroom, it was like a transformation into a new world. It was always like this with banquets and balls here. The room any other day stood by idle and alone until suddenly, an overnight transformation of splendor and awe. Decorations lined every corner, same as the other two rooms. The main side of the room had tables lined up for the feast. A banquet of food just waiting to be devoured. She slowly made her way along the tables here.

Running her index finger slowly along the tablecloth of black midnight, she smiled as she glanced over the delicious foods and desserts. She instructed to have everything made for all creatures from all over, as it was opened to all this time. The castle has not had a ball this large in so long, and the staff was extra excited to have all perfect.

Sweet treats of chocolates, and other treats, down to some edible’s unseen before around the castle.

after making sure all was set for the evening, she heads back to get ready for the ball, and all of their guests. She freshens up quickly and sits at the vanity to brush out her long blonde tresses. Then she slips into her gown and masque for the ball. She takes some moments before heading down to greet everyone. Waiting for the guest to arrive before making her entrance before all and being sure all was going well. she slips into her dress and adds a few final touches before she stands before the mirror to ensure all was set. finally, she gives herself a satisfied nod and turns to head on down to the main ballroom and greet everyone arriving. she knew most that were coming, but also expected a few new faces. pausing at the door and smirking mischievously, she flies back across the room and changes instead into the black lace one. 'make everyone wonder who it was for sure.' She thought as she giggles, quickly changing and then fixes her masque of beautiful butterflies her beloved Elijah had picked out for her during their stay in Venice. she then heads back to greet everyone.

She stands at the entryway to the ballroom, watching from the shadows of everyone gathering slowly into the rooms, enjoying the music and all the food. she wishes she could just hideaway and people watch them all evening. allowing them their time. finally, she steps into the middle of the entryway at the top of the stairs, pausing there before stepping forward more and slowly heading down the stairs. she smiles as she notices Jo standing near the refreshment table watching everyone. she gives a happy nod as she made eye contact with her before she turned her attention towards miss Alex standing off in a quiet corner. she decided to pass by the refreshment table first to see how Jo enjoyed the food and let her know Alex was alone in a corner. might be too crowded of faye folk and island creatures for Alex's liking, but all were friendly and maybe some of her bunker mates will all be able to meet new friends this evening.

she had caught an ear of Ember and Dean greeting each other in the hallway somewhere behind her. she smirked and gave a slight giggle as she tried not to overhear their conversation. she glanced around the room for miss Sassy and her date master Sebastyan. A raven flew before her, cawed once to announce to her they were on their way. she gave a slight bow. "Thank you, friend," as she now scanned the room for her beloved and hoping that he will be able to step away for the evening to join her on this blessed evening. "it will be fun to seek mi Rey with this crowd..." she gave a giggle wondering just what Elijah might wear if he was to appear this evening, and his response to her wearing the black lace rather than the emerald he wanted her to wear this evening. She unconsciously bit her bottom lip.

she notices a small group of guests visiting from dragon castle, happily giggling as they dance. Enjoying the songs floating along the air. "Well, it is nice to see them happy once again. The new overseer must be doing fine work over there after all. I shall have to pay a visit One of these days before we take off on our trip away..." she whispers, taking note to herself over the happy scene. Then she hears a cluster of bubbly giggles enter through the garden doors, as some young fayes that have newly joined the castle staffing to learn what they may in their stays before they are sent to their other fated ways. She thinks out loud. "At least they are carefree before they meet their destined fates by spring thaw..."

she notices an old friend off in the shadows in the other room, sitting alone with their choice of drink. She makes her way over to greet them, a small detour before stopping by Jo and the others. She approaches the table and bows low in greeting to her dear old friend. "Blessed Samhain, old friend. What brings one out from their realm on this night?" She gave a knowing Smile as she spoke, already knowing they knew her bad joke.

he let out a small chuckle, after sipping his drink slowly. A slight amount of blood dripping from the corner of his lips. He notices quickly and dabs it away with his handkerchief. "my queen," he makes to bow to her but she will not hear of it here of all nights nor places.

"No formalities this night. It is a night to celebrate." she smiles pleasantly. "how are we, old friend?"

"

All has been well and quiet since many things you have done recently. All is well." he gave a smile back, "and the item one seeked months ago? How has that worked for ones need?" he raised his glass to her to make his agreement to her words known.

"All has worked splendidly. I thank you in the assistance in that quest. I should now be set for some time."

"Splendid." they gave a nod, "I came because I heard of this ball. Have you heard of it?" his turn to smirk at his bad joke. Their childhood always consisting of such things.

shaking her head, "not a clue." she winks from under her masque and then nods towards those dancing "plenty of chances to see if any new students might be around..."

"I have been... observing from here...shall we say? "

she gave a nod, "then I shall let one in their, observations as one so put it." she gives another low bow and turns to make her way around the room, greeting those here and there as she made her way around the room, wishing her beloved might sneak in at any moment and "steal her away" from the crowd that slowly began to grow in the room as the evening went on. She loved the balls, and the dancing. But Samhain was special. She paused and debated if she wanted to make her way to the gardens for some air...

* * *

Instead, she makes her way around the room as she knows she must greet everyone in turn. It was only proper for the queen hosting such a gala to at least make sure her guests were happy so far before she disappeared altogether for a chunk of the night.

First was miss Alex, standing alone in a quiet corner, keeping to herself. Then, she would head to Jo as she was closest at the refreshment table. She could grab a small drink while she was greeting her before then heading across the way to Sam. The raven guards would inform her as the others arrived, as sure enough, on her way over from miss Alex to miss Jo. She had some time she felt before they finally made their way to the main entrance way from the gardens.

While she spent her time greeting the others, miss Ember and master Dean finally entered from the hallway after their own private little greeting of their own... she smirks as she turns from Miss Sassy and master Sebastyan. She loved seeing them very happy together as the night will surely be a bright one for the young couple. She watches Ember and Dean as he sets both of their glasses down upon the table near them and he makes to then guide her out upon the dance floor.

She smiles and twirls herself about the dance floor alone, weaving in and out through the dancers so as to avoid yet again of being bumped into. She thought to maybe hide off along her quiet corner of her own and watch them dance for a short while. She giggles as she twirls happily along in her own tune that now played from the DJ. She made it over to a nice shadowed corner, lit only by dim candlelight and settled quietly to watch her friends and guests dance. She slowly gets lost in her own thoughts, wondering if her beloved husband, Elijah would make it here this evening. She runs the palms of her hands slowly along her arms without thinking about it as she does, missing his arms around her. His recent trip being much too long this time for her liking. she wished to spin around the dance floor like the others, maybe with the occasional dip he would treat her to... she gets lost in her thoughts, a smile crossing her lips as she does...

{More to be added...}

Ch. 7~ Jan 19, 2020

*She heads off to the caves to check that things were still safe, secure and very much in the order that she had left them last in. It has been some time since she was last at her cave hidden in the mountains that overlooked out to her ancient weeping cherry tree. The tree which loomed over the cliffs to the pirate’s cove far down below. She lands in the mouth of the cave and listens carefully before she tiptoes in through the entry. Not a sound other than the soft breeze through the trees for once. All the shadow demons gone finally from this area from some time ago. She breathed a heavy sigh of relief and scurried in quickly, folding her wings back so she may go about her work.

She runs her hands quickly along her folded arms and whispers* very chilly this morning... *she heads first to the fireplace in the inner room and breathes softly her spell to make the fire light. Before long, the crackle and warmth of the fire heats the cave up nicely. She sets her clock over the sofa before the fire as she sets the kettle for water to fix some tea as she tends to her workbench.

Humming along as she goes about her ways, peeking in jars here and wooden chests there. She pulls her cauldron close and begins to toss some of her things together inside, humming softly still as she goes. She pauses and thinks on what else might be needed and lifts her finger in the air in an "ah-ha" moment. She pulls her stool over and climbs up to reach for the furthest jar on the highest shelf, making the stool teeter and sway as she does.* almost got. It... *she struggles as she reaches and catches herself as she almost falls over, still grabbing her prize in the process and smirking to herself as she lets out a quick "phew" as she does.

She jumps down from her still and sets back to work. Setting the old glass jar down once she opened it and grabbed the item in question. She closes her eyes briefly before tossing it into the cauldron. A few soft whispered words and then she breathes over to set the contents ablaze.

She whispers more over the fire in her old Avalon faye tongue, turning the flames to shades of bright blue and teals as it jumps and dances to her commanded words. Finally, she spells over the water left in a bowl beside the now boiling kettle and makes a mist to shower over the cauldron to put the flames out.

She gathers up the contents once the spell gas cooled and pours it into glass vials for travel.

Once she sets them into her travel bag, she pours some of the boiling water into a small mug and enjoys herself a quick cup of tea before she finishes the rest of her task at hand.

She sets her mug down beside the sofa upon finishing her tea and grabs up her bag before heading back to the mouth of the cave. She stands at the mouth looking out over the land.

The breeze softly playing with her hair as she watched the weeping cherry tree branches Amway along in time. She flies across the way toward the tree, keeping an eye out for any sign of any shadow demons and such.

Landing under the shade of the weeping cherry, she sets the bag down a moment and smiles as she lays back upon the soft grass surrounding it.

She closes her eyes as she listens to the soft sound of the breeze traveling through the branches. She breathes in deep the sweet aroma of the blossoms and then opens her eyes to watch the blossoms dance about to the wind.

She plays her index finger out above her to the dancing blossoms, causing them to form soft swirls around her. She giggles in her playful smirk as she lays there playing with the blossoms.

After some time of playing with the cherry blossoms, she rolls herself over and back to her knees, grabbing up her bag and slinging it over her shoulder once again. she pulls herself up to her feet and walks down to the edge of the cliffs where the veil passage lays. the wind whips at her hair as she stands over the cliffs edge, overlooking the cove below her. the waves from here silently crashing against its shores as the ships from the pirate’s fleet pass by just along the outer reaches of the entrance. Here, she stood unnoticed by all. unseen by them all. from here, she was as small as an ant, hundreds of yards away from their passing eyes.

she closes her eyes as she spreads out her arms wide to the inviting wind in her deep concentration. remaining as focused as she can, she leans into the wind and falls over the edge, down upon the wind as it carries her through her passage into the veil. she breathes evenly as she plummets down. soon to feel the soft, plush moss under her hands and face when she finally lands.

the mist cool and thick around her as it was when she last visited. so many months ago or was it a year or so by now? time has passed by so quickly she has plum forgotten just how long it was by now. she brings herself back to her feet once again, brushing off her skirts as she does and begins her way along the path hidden in the entrance of the woods.

With her bag still slung on her shoulder, she heads off to where she must get to. this delivery of a promised request by her old teacher from long ago. she steps through the frigid stream, holding up her skirts as she wades through the flowing waters.

this land was older than the times when Viking gods ruled, and men obeyed in fear of the old ways. A time when men feared the old ways and lived by them all at once. She went further down to where the stream became a pool of water. She stepped further in until she was always deep of the icy cold water. Holding her breath so as not to show just how cold she was.

upon reaching the edge of the pool finally, she carefully climbed up from the chilly waters and continued on her way. She stepped up and through the Grove of weeping candles. She made sure to stand in the middle of them and to not listen to their cries of pain and sorrow. Finally, she made it through and came up to the castle she remembered all too well.

The druids lived here. She had to be extra careful since she was unsure on if they have forgiven her from her episode back two Beltane’s ago...

she held her breath as she flew on silent wings over their bridge and past their gardens to where she needed to continue. she pauses at a faint voice behind her.

{where are we off to this morning, Moon Child? *they question soft spoken to her*}

she turns slowly around and smiles at the voice* blessings, my dear *she bows low and continues* just a simple requested errand to be fulfilled on this blessed day, tis all. I shall not be very long. merely passing through. I promise.

{not a fret, Moon Child. your travels shall be safe through our domain. as always, my queen*this time the old druid bowed to her with a small smirk to let her know all has been forgiven by now for her actions of the past*}

*she bows low once more* blessed, then. I shall be swift. good day, my friend *she turns back and hurries off once again.

she passes through where the sisters three resided and silently fluttered past. she dared not waste further time with them and their rhymed words of lore. she could always pay them a visit another time. Finally, she comes to the grove where her old teacher could be found. she stands in the middle, silently waiting for his appearance.

{my little faye queen, blessed day tis is for you to join me *he steps behind her from the shadows and bows low upon stepping before her*}

*she gives a soft smile and bows slightly in greeting* blessed day, my friend. I come with your request, as promised *she whispers as she slips her vials from her bag*

{most excellent. I thank you *he places his palm out to collect the vials from her* this will be most useful in what needs to be done...}

*she slips them into her teachers’ hand and pauses, knowing she should not ask, yet does so anyways. it was her kingdom after all* what are these for, may I ask? *she gives a curious, but regal look over him*

{*he bows low and then walks over to his seat near the largest grove tree * hearing rumors of future planned attacks, your teacher plans to make some special... protection charms ... shall we say? *he gives a small wink as he holds up one vial* I little surprise to those wishing to attack my little faye. *he smirks slyly her way as he then waves the next vial* and this... well, I think some other queens need a little something in return at their own castle, should they follow through with such a plan...*he now grins a larger smirk her way*}

*she gives a smirked nod* I see... well, then you do as you must do, my teacher... *she bows low in return* I shall leave you to your work...*she makes to turn and head back home*

{this other one, I thought to save. just in case it is needed. I had some eyes on possible new students. but you know how, particular... I can be over these new ones...}

*she lets out a small giggle and waves* then, you choose wisely as you always have, my friend. I shall hope to see this new student at the next gathering? blessed days. *she turns to be back home...

{you forget your little shortcut, my queen? *he whispers and reaches out his hand to her.*}

*she smirks and nods* appears that I have... *she takes his hand and then wakes once again beneath the weeping cherry tree. the blossoms dancing like they had when she left. as though no time had passed. she sits up and enjoys a little longer the soft breeze before she flies off back home to their cottage in Manosque*

Ch. 8~contemplating dreams

She slowly makes her way through the grand ballroom, heading for the large double doors that stand from ceiling to floor. She makes to turn around briefly, making sure she is not followed, before stepping through the door. She passes by their beloved willow, standing tall and silent in the middle of the gardens as she slowly strolls by and down the path not nearly as worn as the others before. She passes through the variety of roses, their eloquent thorns soft to the touch just for her as she whispers her sweet breath upon them. The honeysuckle smelling sweeter just because she happened to pass by them. Almost as though they seeked praises from their beloved little faye now their queen.

She breaths deeply in before letting out a heavy sigh, looking around the grounds. On this day, she is seeking sanctuary from her dreams. Her thoughts in the back of her mind pondering over on this Hollow creature that she feels troubles her beloved so. She sits upon the swing for two, and leans against the side to allow her legs up upon the seat. The wind takes control to gently sway the swing as she sits to contemplate on her mind. She shall not be spilling emotions this day; there was no time for such things. She will roll her mind on what she had dreamt. She went through the dream scape and was gifted clues, but how do they relate? She close her eyes as she indulges in the movements almost lulling her back to sleep. "Such a sweet feeling this place brings to one..." she whispers aloud to no one.

After her dream the other night, she could not get the item from her mind. It had been seared deep within so she could never forget. She saw it every time she closed her eyes. Yet, as well it had some how appeared in her altar chest the following morning. That teacher of hers certainly worked in mysterious ways... maybe that was how she learnt to be so in some ways? She smirked at the thought on how he always seemed to know what she needed when she needed it. Almost as though he was an extension of her own subconscious. Was he even real? She wondered when she was younger.

Maybe Japan will hold answers that she seeked. Maybe the teacher knew they will find answers upon their trip to come. The goblet coming none too soon. Maybe they can find a way together, her beloved Elijah and herself, to finally put this blasted creature to sleep once and for all.

She breathed in deep once again, the sweet aromas of the roses, honeysuckle and more carrying over by the gently breeze as it continues to push its faye lovingly upon the swing for too; lost in her thoughts, drifting off to slumber.

ch9~memories laid to rest

She lays awake staring at the wall. Silent is the land surrounding her as she thinks over and over things in her head. Memories of the past filling her mind as she ponders over things in the now. The hollow she fears is sending her beloved away from her. Her heart cannot bear such a thing, as she contemplates what she might be able to do to bring it to an end.

Slowly, her eyes finally begin to grow as heavy as lead, shutting tight finally in the end.

She mumbles and tosses in her slumber as her mind has been much more restless than before. She whispers beyond the hearing of any mortal creature, "secrets... none should be had..." she drifts deep into slumber, falling fast in her dreams, memories of the past.

She stands under the weeping cherry tree beyond the cave of her hidden treasures. The sanctuary she once lived in before she found her home. In the end, not that of the castle she grew up in, rather instead arms strong, safe, secure became the home she longed for. She lays down in her dream under the tree, staring now instead of that of the wall but through the flower blossoms of the sweet smelling cherry tree. The branches swaying and creaking from the wind swept up from the pirates cove depths below.

She closes her eyes in this dream scape she has fallen into, breathing deep she can almost smell the aromatic fragrance of these blossoms. Sweet and pure. So much danger has been near this ancient tree, yet it still held such sweet smells. She sighs heavily and opens her eyes once again. Slowly gathering herself up to her feet and raising her arms high above her head, centering herself and becoming one with all around her.

As she gathered herself, memories of all the attacks held against her in the past flooded through her mind. The shadow demons vile ways at her cave, the time when her new friend the Empty helped her snap the neck of the pirate king as she made his entire fleet explode in fire and allowed it to burn into the sea...

She smiled sinfully at the thought of that moment as her mind dwelled on being led to the dragon kingdom itself, now under her control. Slicing the head off so cleanly in one swift motion of her blade, then holding it up high for all to see.

Just before that, Beltane night... her eyes flashed red like fire embers of a flame. They dared attack her. They dared betray her.

She set the maiden house aflame. Ironically allowing it to also burn to ashes and ruin before she snapped necks of the oldest of druids of the lands... she smiled pure over such flames as they engulfed the building with a hunger so deep and snickered with delight over the ease of snapping such necks.

She throws her arms out with a force to rattle and shake the land beneath her very feet. Causing the ground to rumble in such a way that it had no other choice but to split beneath her. Large a fissure appeared before her as she split the land. Her eyes glowing red as she thought on how she was pushed from this very ledge. In her sleep, none the less. She was deemed to be protector of everyone who came here, yet she still could never save herself. Forever held prisoner here. She fought her way awake then. She should be able to do so now...

Yet, she stayed in dreamscape. She glared around the land before her. Scanning where she was. She stepped forward to the edge, where the veil passage lived. She opens her arms and allows the fall to take place. Remaining focused and calm as the fall takes place, she lands softly on the winter moss surrounded by the cool and think mist. Smirking to herself, knowing it worked as always.

She lays there a while, silently indulging herself in the thrill the mist always brought over her. Shaking her head as she thought just how crazy the full moon made her go some months.

She rolls over to her stomach and pushes herself up from the invitingly plush moss, brushing off her skirts as she does.

She whispers again in her sleep

"Such soft moss..."

She walks on her way like nothing happened, tilting her head as the ravens who protected her found her even in sleep. Silently one lands on her shoulder as she strolls along, the mist parting as she approaches. She smugly smiles in her little stroll through the veil, thinking on where she should be heading to at this point, allowing her feet to just lead the way.

She passes along through her way; the druids home she was denied in for her actions against their brethren. She dared not risk trying for entry with them this night. Anything could happen in sleep. She silently strolls along past the bridge before it, slipping through their gardens and down the stairs.

She sneaks past the sisters three in their forest temple. Pausing before her friend and teacher of younger years.

He sat in his chair, waiting and knowing she was on her way. She stood there, patiently waiting to see what words might behold for this night...

"Blessed moon night, my queen" his soft voice rolled through the mist that still followed her. "Come along..." he turns towards her and hands her a new goblet. "Maybe this will help in what one searches for this time around..." whispers travel to her ears.

She shifts her head in her sleep and mumbles again "goblet... why?..."She makes a muffled sound.

He fades away from her vision as he liked to do when he sent his little pupil away. She still had yet to learn such tricks to stand her ground to stay. She needed more answers to this puzzle he now bestowed upon her. "Wait!" She yells in her sleep and then sighs in a frown as all disappeared and the silence of the room brought her back to the now.

She opens her eyes and stares back at the same wall a moment, reaching out for her beloved husband as she does so this time...

ch10~memories of a goblet

she sits at their sofa in more comfy clothing for the night and pulls out her cross- stitch ornaments to make...

It was the first pattern she ever learnt from and she still has in her supplies. Having found parts to make her own little style to them...

after some time, she sets her work aside to head over to their bathroom and sneak in a refreshing bath. She sets the faucet on hot and then turns to ready some towels for when she steps out. She slowly allows her slender body to sink in, allowing the hot steamy water to envelop around her. She leans her head back as she closes her eyes to breath the steam vapors in deeply as she uses her foot to shut off the faucet...

after her relaxing bath, she pulls the chain from the tub to allow the water to drain out and then pulls herself out of the tub. She grabs the towel and wraps it around her slender body.

She stands there, carefully drying herself off before she slips her silk floral bathrobe her beloved Elijah had given her last year. The fabric cool against her skin as she placed it on. She went across their chambers to head over to their kitchen area to check on things. The meal she prepared the other night still spelled to remain warm and fresh in the warmer of their oven, she makes a mug of peppermint hot chocolate as her tummy was upset earlier in the day. With her mug finally in hand, she heads over to their dining table and smiles as all was still beautifully set as well. Satisfied with everything, she curls up on their sofa to enjoy the hot chocolate, gazing out the opened curtain to watch the cold full moon slowly rising in the night sky. Big, bright and extra chilly it rose, high in the sky...

Later on that evening, she strolls slowly around their chambers here at the castle of Faye this almost full moon night. The cold moon. Appropriate considering just how cold it really was this particular evening. "It is always coldest during a full moon..." She wraps herself in a heavy blanket with her half-dressed body underneath it, having recently tried taking a warm bath to relax her nerves. She can feel the pull of the blood lust that affects her this time of the month from time to time. This night of all nights, feeling a little stronger than other nights; strange as she has not had the need of such a finding in some time.

She thinks back in her memories as she pulls the soft fleece tighter around her body. Memories from a past summer month... or was it around this time last year? She tilts her head a brief moment in her question to herself. Doesn't really matter when it happened. she had gifted her goblet to miss Rebekah when she had stayed with them back at the bunker. Well, the first time Rebekah stayed with the group that is. She had hoped to help her with her own blood lust, but found that she really needed it herself as well. She had traveled off through the realms to her old friend, her teacher of a past time long ago.

Ages ago, it seemed now. She leans her head back slightly to look upon the ever slowly rising moon; bright and glowing. She had a lessened need lately of a use of her goblet during the time of the full moon since her beloved had been near. She could not explain why that was. Maybe it was some sort of a spell that she was under with it. She gave a small shake of her head as she turned away from the window. She walks over to the corner with her altar and opens the door to the bottom half. Sitting there where she left it, all alone for these past months, her little goblet for the blood lust. She picks it up in her hands, cupping it like an offering. She bows her head to it in prayer and brings it slowly to her lips, closing her eyes as she does. The cool feel of the metal against her lips surprisingly did not bring a chill to her as she had half expected it to. She takes a tiny sip from it and then pauses it there to savor the taste rolling upon her tongue.

After some time, she brings it slowly from her lips and sets it back in its home. Slowly licking her bottom lip with her tongue before closing the door to turn back to their living room to sit in the window seat once again, she wraps herself once again snugly in the blanket to wait on her beloved to return home to her.

Ch. 11 ~their beach house, the wee hours of the morning ~

Unable to sleep completely nestled in her beloved's arms in their home in Manosque, her mind wanders and projects herself unrealized to her in her half sleep state to their now private beach at what used to be the safe house, now to be called their beach home. Part of her restless sleep of late being now as part of her awakening that is occurring, and astral projection most likely her next gift advancement; she walks slowly along the sandy beach and then sits upon the shoreline. She doesn't bother the grab a blanket to sit on, nor to wrap herself in with the cool breeze coming up from the waters. Her mind thinking on anything coming up to the surface, but mad at herself for having fallen asleep and missing time with her Rey. One cannot control when the sleep God Morpheus wishes to play his game and snatch one up for slumber. But it still made her frown over it. She leans back on her hands a moment to allow the wind to play with her hair as she shook out her long blonde tresses some in the process. She sighed heavily over her thoughts. She then rocks her body back and wraps her arms around her knees to hug herself, resting her chin in her knees as she does, staring out upon the waves as they crash along the shores...*

*after some minutes, she "trouble bubble" and returns back to her body, her mind still not really tired but she needs to try before the sun rises once again. She leaves behind an imprint of only her feet and sitting in the middle of the sand, for anyone to scratch their heads over just how she had gotten there with leaving a trail from the paths down...*

*she opens her eyes briefly, staring at the walls in their bedroom before she realizes that she was back in their bedroom, and hugs her beloved tightly in her arms once she realizes she had her arms wrapped around him and no longer around her legs. She closes her eyes and releases a small sigh over herself. She nestles her head most snugly into her beloved esposo's neck, now burying her nose into the nook of his neck, breathing his scent in to prove her was real and she had not astral projected any where else. 'Home’ she thinks in her mind silently and tries once again to drift back to sleep before the sun rose on them*

Ch. 12~ restless beach walk

She walks slowly along the shores, lost in her thoughts. The sound of the waves crashing along the shores echoing beyond her ears this night. She makes it down to the pillows and blankets laid out for use to anyone that came. Now really only her and her beloved esposo... mostly herself these days. She sits down among them and hugs her legs, tucking her chin into her knees, staring out upon the waves. She feels alone these days. She is always there for everyone else. But then when she becomes silent, no one notices it. No one seems to be around then. Maybe that was why they didn’t notice. Lost in their own things, too...

Who really knows. She buries her face now into her knees suddenly feeling more alone than ever before.

She doesn’t even know if she even wants to release energies by going out into the waters this night or not. Her indecision getting the best of her now than ever before. Insomnia driving her thoughts even louder in her mind...

Alone is all she will ever be

Here in her mind

Alice lost once again in her topsy turvy land

Out of her control

Wishing to reach out

But always afraid to show such a thing

Her heart aches because she does not know and that makes her mind think thoughts

No one is ever around any more

She gets up, strips from her clothing and walks down to the waters...

The sound of the crashing waves echo more in her head as she approaches them now. She ignores the sharp sudden briskness of cold when she takes those first steps in the water, and continues on her way. Her mind made up by now. She wades out to her waist and stands trying to push against the waves as they push on her as well. She closes her eyes as she stands in the water as such. Trying to allow them to heal her if they can. If it was allowed...

She sighs heavily with her eyes still closed, fighting against the motion of the waves. She lifts her arms over the water, palms facing down as she draws upon energies asking for healing.

She keeps them like this for what feels like forever, unsure if it was actually helping. Then she lifts her arms up above her head, breathing deep and slow. She counts slowly and then quickly and sharply, throws her arms outwards; releasing energies from her body before she dared open her eyes again. She set her hands gently upon the top of the waves as they lapped at her once she was done. They played at her fingers like cold licks from a tongue. Finally, she heads back to the shore and lays upon the sand, to stare up at the dark, night sky. The stars making their shapes above her long ago in the earlier part of the night.

She stares at them wondering why she can never get to sleep easily any longer... already realizing the answer but not daring to breath it out loud. The cool air making goosebumps upon her bare skin yet she takes no notice of this in the listless of her thoughts as she escapes to staring upon stars...

She plays her arms slowly around her drawing unknown shapes in the sand while she remained this way...

Ch. 13 ~restless slumbers needing to be tired out~

Having fallen asleep earlier in the evening by falling under Morpheus' spell again. Stubborn as he is to make them fall under it so...

She heads out silently to walk slowly along the shores in her now restless sleep. She cannot help when she becomes restless, mind wandering when left alone to her thoughts. She tries to listen to the sound of the waves crashing along the sand to try and block out her thoughts for the time being. Sometimes the sound might be louder and make it harder to think, thus causing her to grow tired once again.

She stops by the area with the pillows, blankets and small fort type area for resting under and slips slowly from her clothes. Maybe a short swim will help her while she tried to get back to sleep.

She quietly spells the fire aflame before she makes her way down towards the shoreline and the waters before her. This way her naked body will not freeze at such a strange hour, having just past witching hours by now.

The beach, their private strip of land now, was silent other than the sounds of the waters crashing against the sand.

She gives a content little sigh as the fire grew hot then made her way down, leaving her clothes piled behind her upon the pillows.

She stood at the edge, allowing the water to lap at her toes before she stepped further in the deeper waters. Crisp and cold as it hit her bare skin, she shivers at first but forces herself to continue further still. She knew her body would adjust before too long, even if it was for a short while. Just long enough to hopefully tire herself out to go back to sleep soon.

Once she was deep enough in, the waves pushing against her as she waded deeper still, she swam a little bit out more then paused. Standing up now, just deep enough here to still stand, her body mostly covered by now with the water.

She breathed slowly and deeply in as she closed her eyes to focus her attention to her task at hand. The cool moisture air entering her nostrils slow as she breathed deeply in helped her to relax and the tension in her muscles ease some from the shock of the crisp waters just moments before. She slowly brought her arms out from her sides to raise them high above her head. Keeping her eyes closed, she clasps her palms tightly together and stays in place even with the waves trying to rock and sway her about in their playful way. She stays focused and continues to breath slow and steady. Never breaking her stride as she does.

Before long, she feels the waters energy well up through her veins. She opens her eyes, staring out in front of her; and with one swift motion and breath, she throws her arms out away from her sides, palms facing away as well. Energy expels from her and out to the cosmos. Releasing to the earth to be recycled into new energies elsewhere. Still staring before her, she stands like this, focused on her breathing. Slowly a smirk creeps in the corner of her lips as she sees the faint sight of a mist beginning to now roll in. She takes in a deep breath, feeling the moisture in the air now from said mist and makes her way back to the shore. Swimming quickly and then wading against the waves crashing now against the back of her legs as she stumbles over them to the sand. She smirks more at how funny it seemed to her as she went.

Thankful she thought to light the firepit before she headed in for her little swim, she shivered a little before the flames, reaching down for a towel draped over a nearby lounge chair and drying herself off quickly so she might at least slip on her shirt over her nakedness.

She puts her hands out to the fire, palms out to invite the warmth smiles to the welcomed feeling in contrast to the chilled waters just moments before.

She giggles over a thought of indulging in some s'mores before heading back home but decides otherwise at such a late or early hour, depending upon how one saw it by now.

Once she was satisfied in the warmth, she scooped up the rest of her clothes to patter silently back up the beach to head back to their home in Manosque. More than ready to hopefully fall into the arms of her beloved home, hoping he had returned home safely by now. She wanted nothing more than to rest peacefully against her beloved Elijah's chest, guarding his heart while she wrapped her arms around him in their slumbers.

She ducks through the old grove portal and disappears from the wee early morning hours, nothing but the mist she called up remaining as a reminder of her time there...

Ch. 14~ A special Night {Valentines Day}

*she heads off to the village of Manosque to gather a few things for the evening, but not before sending a raven off to the castle to check in on a few other little things she had requested sent over as well.

She wanted a small special quiet evening for her beloved Elijah and herself.*

“Make sure they are sending things over within the hour.”

*she tells the raven before nodding for him to be off. With a bird like bow and a loud caw, he flew out the open window after hopping to the sill.

She gives a please sigh and turns to grab up her bag to head out the door. She peeks in on their twins before taking off, kissing the tops of each blonde head and smiling over their little crafting of the day. Making little hearts and coloring them along with playing with paints for the day.

She strolls happily humming along to herself as she makes her way down the path of packed dirt and cobblestone road to the village, enjoying the unusually warm day. It felt more like spring than winter, making her even more happy in her task...*

*finally making it down to the local bakery, she steps softly into the door and smiles as she greets the owner of the shoppe. she peeks at the items they prepared for her and smiles excitedly and pleased in their work. she picks out a few more last minute items before she pays for everything, tipping for their troubles with her large order. slipping the packages in her basket she carried on her arm, she waves thank you and good day to the owner as she steps back outside to the cobblestone street. next was to make her way to the local vineyard and pick up the bottle of her beloved's favorite evening beverage. a brand new bottle was sure to surprise him on a night like this. she continues along her way, humming as she goes.

with a small bounce in her step, she pauses here and there to play with the branches of the trees as she passes by and smirks as she notices the tiny beginnings of crocus flowers peeking up from the ground. finally, she makes it to the shop of the vineyard and stops by the desk. her package already waiting for her in a beautiful basket they help slip on her arm.*

{on the house, good day, madam *they reply as they wave good bye to her*}

*smiling brightly she gives a curtsy* Merci et bonne journee *she waves and heads back out the door, now heading back to their cottage. their home. she hums along as she scurries back along the cobblestone to return to their path up to their cozy little cottage and get to work on her special evening planned...*

*she sets her baskets full of her packages from the trip into the village upon the island in their kitchen and grabs up her apron to tie easily around her slender waist. she picks up the couple of vases from the basket first, setting them beside the sink to be used to arrange the flowers her beloved Rey had already gifted her this week. humming along to the song in her head, she then carefully picks up the boxes of desserts from the bakery. she carefully slides the chocolate cake topped with an assortment of figs, strawberries and other berries on it to the cake plate; sitting it the middle of their table. next, she pulls the other small treats from their boxes to place into beautiful bowls to display near the cake. she sets the first empty basket near the door and then picks up the package from the vineyard, pulling the bottle carefully from it and setting it into the holder to chill in the afternoon hours. she peeks inside the package further to find another smaller bottle of another of her beloved's favorites and a note 'enjoy, sir' from the owner himself. smirking she scurries from their kitchen and sets the bottle gently upon her beloved Elijah's desk in his office for him to enjoy in private.

with a happy little nod, she returns to their kitchen and plays around with the roses from the week. some were already in pots or vases, so those she placed in the perfect homes to be enjoyed while a couple other ones she played with into new vases, setting these new arrangements to the table for them to enjoy later in the night.

noticing the time, she looks out the window just in time for the castle cook to knock on the door upon entering and carrying a basket of her own.*

{as you requested *she whispers and smiles, bowing low in greeting. she sets the basket on the counter and begins to pull items out one at a time.* only the finest from all the realms, as you wished *she winks at Sky and then grabs her basket back up.* will you be needing anything else before I go, miss?}

*with a smile and a shake to her head* you have done much more than expected, I thank you. blessed day. *she gives a bow and then a hug to her life long friend.*

{then I shall be off to finish other things. just send word if there is anything more I might help with. *she returns the hug after the bow and then takes off quickly through the door once again*}

*watching her duck out the door, she then turns quickly back to the counter. Smiling as she looks over everything brought over to her. She picks up the chicken and other meats, delicately wrapped in brown paper and carries them over to their stove/ oven and sets them beside the cutting board. She unwraps them each in turn, cutting carefully to size she wished for and sets them in their respective bowls to be prepared. She heads over to their pantry and looks over the spices and herbs she will need for the recipes she planned on making this evening.

She knew her beloved loved her chicken parmesan, but she also planned for a filet mignon as well in case he also wished for that as well.

She carries an armful of spices and sets them beside the bowls to start adding and mixing away. She dances a little in her steps as she hums along in her work and then places carefully the chicken and beef on their respective cooking sheets.

She peeks over to grab the finest parmesan cheese and other cheeses, mixing them all in a bowl to add to the chicken. She flips the oven on to preheat as she wipes her hands off and gathers the stock pot to place under the water and fill it for the penne pasta she wished to pair with the chicken parmesan.

Once the oven was ready, she slips the trays into the racks and sets the stock pot on top the stove, flipping the heat on and then pouring the olive oil in the water with the penne pasta to cook. The olive oil will leave the pasta with a buttery taste to it after it cooked.

While everything cooked, she peeked at the other items brought over and pulls another bowl over close to her to continue her task. She picks up the head of romaine lettuce and spinach, mixing them together in the bowl. She then carefully cuts up some grape tomatoes and adds a dash of dried cranberries. She finishes the salad and sets it into the refrigerator to keep chilled while everything else cooked. She cleaned up her mess as she waited.

The pasta finished cooking, she grabs the pot holder in one hand and a hand towel in the other to carry the stock pot over to the sink, carefully pouring the boiling water and penne into the strainer. She tosses the penne in the strainer and then flips it into a bowl. Setting it aside, she pours sauce and seasonings into a sauce pan to heat up and mix together; adding to the pasta and then setting it all into the warmer of their oven to keep warm until ready to be savored.

Breathing deep, she smiles at the aromas of the meat ready. She pulls the oven door open and pulls each sheet out. She sets them each on separate platters; doing the same with the pasta. She wipes her hands with the hand towel and smiles content in her work. She smirks as she smooths out the skirt of her dress, untying the apron shortly after. She quickly heads off to their bathroom to take a relaxing bath before she decides on an outfit for the evening and finish cleaning for the night.

Later that evening, upon Elijah's arrival, he takes his beloved wife and leads her through a portal back to his beloved city of new Orleans for a special surprise.

Upon Elijah's request, Ysabelle Dalliencourt, regent of the New Orleans Witch Community and an elder of the Garden District Coven, had cast a spell to the estate on Coliseum street known as the historic Grace King House (c.1849). He had made certain that no spells could be cast within its walls that may bring any form of harm to anyone residing within; making it a save haven, will you, for all supernatural factions. He whispered these words and more to her as he kissed her forehead and placed the old skeleton keys into her hands, showing her what he had been secretly working on acquiring for them. "A powerful magic will be cloaking us here...a perfect hideout in this city..." he whispered to her.

Whispered words and soft kisses to her temple as her beloved Elijah shared his surprise with her. She had wondered about these keys all day and now she was to finally see what they belonged to. A beautiful estate just for them right in his beloved New Orleans.

Excitement filled her as they stepped through the threshold of this beautiful estate. So many rooms to be explored together; many more memories for them to create. She wrapped her arms around him tightly and sweetkisses him deeply. "I love it, mi amor" she whispered into his ear were the words that escaped her.

A beautiful night of falling asleep in the arms of her home; the sound of their twins slumbering safely in the next room of their new home. A new adventure to be shared.

she woke up the following morning in their new master bedroom and strolled slowly in her satin floral bathrobe into the sitting room that sat next to their room. She paused as she took a sip from a cup of tea waiting for her at this early morning hour, the sunrise slowly creeping in through the windows and doors on this side of the house. She smirked to herself as she walked over and opened the iron doors leading to their balcony so that she may look over the land of their new estate.

Beautiful fruit trees welcomed her as she looked over everything; giving them a protective cover from any eyes that might be dwelling on the other side of their estate.

She smiled to herself as she placed her hands on the wrought iron railing and leaned on them to enjoy the solitude of the morning sunrise to their new home. Excited about the new adventures that will be awaiting them.

Ch. 15~ their first day in a new city

A wonderful surprise from her beloved Elijah, he had spent some of his time while away on his business in NOLA, to acquire a beautiful estate for them to share while his business has made him stay longer. It had gotten more dangerous for him to be allowed to hop one of her portals to get back to their cottage home in Manosque, so he thought to have a place in his beloved city of NOLA and keep his family closer this way. She loved this idea, being able to be with him even though he would be tending to business; at least he would be home more often. That was all that mattered to her, that her beloved heart was home every night with them.

She woke the following morning and set to figuring out just what she needed to do on this lovely morning.

having sent her ravens with messages on a list of items they would be needing around their new estate from their cottage back in Manosque, she busied herself with slipping into the shoppes of the Garden District they would now be residing in. she was careful to wear simple clothes so to not draw any attention to herself while she was out and about her task. she strolls along, taking in all the sights of this new city as she also enjoys the time of the day. the first shop she stops into is the "As you like it silver shop". she smiles to herself as she plays her fingers slowly along some of the beautiful silver pieces. after spending some time speaking with the shop keeper, she leaves happily on her purchases. some to be delivered later, but a silver set for tea as well as silverware setting in her arms to take home today.

next, she peeks in at La Belle Nouvelle Orleans, along with a few other antique shoppes, to pick out a few pieces of furniture and toys for their home and their girls. after some time with the shop keepers in each of the shoppes, she leaves happily with a few small select items to carry home and other chosen items to be delivered later the following morning. she ends her outing by stopping at DeVille Coffee House & Creperie for some sweet treats to bring home. she thanks the server and strolls slowly along her way, enjoying the warm sun on her face.

once back at their estate, she sets her packages on the counter in their beautiful kitchen and hums softly to herself as she carefully takes out their new silver teapot set and silverware, placing them in their new home. she then sets to prepare dinner for the evening after treating their twins to the special little items for them to enjoy. she thought to fix a simple chicken Alfredo for the night until she could gather some of the local recipes to try her hand at...

Ch. 16~ a small surprise

*she stretches upon wakening in the morning, the sunlight casting its light through the bay windows that went from floor to ceiling. Her beloved already about his business of the day, she began about hers. She padded softly across the new master bedroom of their suite, wrapping her satin floral robe against her body as she went. The sitting room hosting their powder room, she heads over to freshen herself for the day.

Next, she heads back towards their bedroom to venture within their walking closets and decide on what she will wear for the day. Her thoughts on collecting deliveries from the shopping the other day as well as the items requested from their Manosque home. She plays with a few ideas before finally settling on a simple outfit so that she could venture back out about the city again for some more items they would be needing.

Looking over her selection in the mirror and satisfied on her choice, she gives herself a small nod and heads on down to their kitchen where their twins were already up and about with their nanny.

Smiling as she was greeted with their bell like giggles and babbles, she kissed each one atop their blonde little heads and joined in their breakfast feast. Eggs, bacon and some New Orleans treats as well.

{Looks like items requested from the cottage have arrived, my queen. *she bowed as she entered the room and set a plate before her queen to join them in breakfast.*}

Very good. I shall go through those shortly. *she began to fill her plate and indulge in the delicious food before her. She smiled as she watched Sami and Solvi play with their food while they ate and then helped to wash and set them down to play once done.

She kissed and waved to them as their nanny brought them out to the garden to play in the morning sunlight and then headed off to go through her deliveries.

She headed to the family den behind the kitchen and set to work. The items being carefully gone through and brought up to their set rooms. She first carried their twin’s items up to the bedroom they would be sharing for the time. Setting toys into the corner until the toy chests arrived from the antique shoppes from the other day. Along with other small items the girls could not simply go without.

Next, she carried her small boxes for her special items up to the studio on the upper floor. She planned to turn this room into her crafting and library area. With the estate protected, she could still make her protective spells as they would pose safe and not harm to anyone but those they were to protect against. She did not plan on many spells being done around here at this time, but she could still get ingredients prepared for the future spells to be made.

She set the boxes in the empty room and stood in the middle of it. The sun shone bright against the yellow walls, making it a cheerful place to be in. Smiling to herself she twirls happily about the room, letting a giggle escape before she bounded back down the stairs. What remained were a few boxes from the study of her beloved husband. She was going to turn this family den room into his new office. It was perfect as it was set in the back of the house and had it's own entry to the outside. So any beings needing to do business with him, could come and go from that door only. She inspected the entry between the kitchen and the den.* a simple fix to this...*she spoke to herself out loud.* I can inquire with a local carpenter on adding a door to this threshold, being certain to keep with the antiquity of the building. Simple. *she smiled proudly to her thought as she nodded to the news of delivery at the front door. She scurried off to greet and direct to where the new items were to be placed. A pleased sigh escaped her as all the deliveries happened to time all at once.* that desk will look perfect in that room... *she smiled as they carried it through the house for her.*

I shall have to return to that shop and see if they still have the matching cases. I did not realize how large the room was. I can also set a seating area in there. *she smirked over how wonderful everything was coming together. She thanked and tipped handsomely the workers for their prompt service and headed off to gather her things to head out for more items.

She strolled through the streets once again and headed back to the beautiful antique shoppes to make her inquiries. The owner of the first shoppe calling over the other shoppe owners so they could all meet together with her to help her. They spent the remainder of the day going over thoughts an ideas so they might help her bring her plan to life for her beloved Elijah. She shook their hands as she departed and smiled brightly. Some items already in their shoppes would be delivered straight away; other items they would be working together to seek out for her. This would make it much easier for her end. The shoppe owners working together and doing the work for her, while all she had to do was make sure it all fit into place.

She paused along her way to one of the nearby restaurants and placed an order for their dinner to be catered and delivered to them later that evening. She thought she might have some actual new Orleans food waiting for when her beloved husband returned from his busy day, would be a wonderful surprise and treat for him.

Once back home, she readied the family den to make room for the new items to come, and make certain the already placed items were where she thought they would best suit the flow of the room...

Ch. 17~

she woke up early the following morning and headed down the stairs, smiling at the memory of her beloved Elijah carrying her up these very stairs just the night before. she could sense that he was happier now to have his family here with him in his city. she hoped that maybe she can find some information once she got them settled in their new home, on this Hollow. there had to be something here for sure, being this was where it seemed to have originated from.

after breakfast with their twins and seeing them off to the park across the street with their nanny, she headed off to scoot through a portal to Manosque for a few other items she did not trust anyone else to have brought over the other day. she ducked off to her crafting room and gathered a chestful of ingredients and items for a protection barrier spell to be performed well after the festivities of mardi gras. she would much rather stop by the smaller shops after the busy tourists were well gone to gather any missing items needed for such a spell. she hummed along as she went back through the portal to their new home, grabbing a basket of other special items from their bathroom and bedroom nightstand.

once back in New Orleans, the portals making it very easy to go between places quickly, she carefully carried the chest upstairs to the studio room where she will turn into her crafting area. she set the chest carefully in the corner and then brought the basket to their bedroom suite. glancing at the old grandfather clock in the hallway on her way, she nodded to herself making a mental note to hurry along in her current task. she set the basket down on the side table, she carefully picked up the various items and brought them into their powder room and then slipping other few items into the drawer of their nightstand beside their bed.

she quickly checked her reflection in the mirror and adjusted her dress of the day before heading back downstairs. she waited in the front parlor for the expected time of the next set of deliveries due in on this day. she sat on the wooden bench before the piano seated in the middle of the front parlor, bathed in the warm sunlight. she smiled to herself as she placed her fingers gently on the ivories, running them slowly along to test out the sound of the chords.

with a sharp knock of the door, she comes back from her thoughts and jumps suddenly, laughing at herself as she did. "play time later, I guess..." she whispered to the piano as she stood up from the bench and scurried off to the front door. she directed the delivery to where they needed to go. some tall antique bookcases to be brought into the family den {now to be Elijah's office} and the studio {to be her crafting room} along with a beautifully crafted table to be used as a work bench up in her studio. a surprise of finds to a gorgeous sofa with two complimentary wingback chairs were carried in for her approval. "oh, how lovely!" she exclaimed as she ran her fingers slowly along the beautiful fabric. "these are for the very back room, most certainly. He will be so excited for these pieces."

after the afternoon of being so busy with the new furnishings coming in and the new pieces to pass her approval, she finally bid good day to the delivery men, tipping them handsomely as she closed the door behind them. she gave a please yet exhausted sigh at an accomplished task, leaning against the door. she closed her eyes to enjoy the quiet of the estate before she heard giggles from Sami and Solvi. a bright smile crossing her face, she happily turned and swung the door open to greet them with opened arms.

"my little bugs, did we enjoy the park?" she kissed each one and then went with them to listen to their babbles of their adventures of the day...