Chapter 19

"I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says 'Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.'" —Lewis Carroll,

Morning sun flooded through the bedroom windows onto the floor. Seraphina stirred in her sleep and clung to her pillows and bed sheets for comfort and warmth. She was relieved to finally have a bed and a plush environment that surrounded her.

"Miss Seraphina," a soft knock and voice called from her. One of the castle's maids was calling for her to wake up. Seraphina let out a soft groan and sat up stretching, "I'm awake now."

"Oh! Good morning then! The King and Queen call for you. They request you meet them for breakfast in the dining room and talk with you on your night."

She knew they would want to know what happened during her time in the forest and how she survived really. Seraphina knew that.

"I'm coming!"

~~~

Everyone sat at the dining table with food placed in front of them. Silverware clacked against plates in the still silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, but the air seemed still rather edged from her three days away. Everyone must have been worried and relieved that she was alright.

"Did you have a good rest?" The Queen smiled at Seraphina.

"Yes, thank you. It's nice to be back after all that."

Dorian was the most relieved. He was quiet but the relaxed and bright expression on his face said it all for him. He was so easy to read, Seraphina thought.

The King placed his cup down and smiled, "May we begin to speak about your time in the forest then?"

Seraphina nodded, halting herself from the food so she could talk.

"Please, tell us how it went. We'll ask questions after."

Seraphina explained that on the first day nothing was too bad. She spent a long time finding shelter to sleep in and hunting for food. But the morning of that first day was when she encountered the Wendigo.

The King and Queen were surprised to hear that. Dorian even more so, all three of them gaining looks of how she even survived a creature of that state.

Seraphina went on to explain about the fox she was with. It was the same fox she's seen a couple of times before as well. She said that it had saved her from the Wendigo, a battle between them until the fox came out on top.

"The fox protected me for the rest of the time, teaching me how to hunt better for things that were safer to eat other than the fish from the river. It also taught me how to fight and defend myself as well. I trained with it for the last two days I was in the forest. Then it led me back to the entrance of the forest where we rested until it was time for me to come back."

The Queen smiled, rather impressed as well, "That's quite a lot that happened within the three-day trial."

"The fox you speak of," the King added. He gave a puzzled look like his thoughts were scattered around. "That was a fox-demi god. They've begun to show themselves again to us and other nations as well. Long before you came to us."

Fox-demi gods? That sounds familiar.

"They are planning to go to war if things do not change soon. Too many casualties and traitors."

"You aren't the only one who has seen the foxes as well, Seraphina." The Queen stated. "Many others like you as well have met or seen the foxes face to face as well."

"One of the Alpha's from the wolves has a mate we believe is connected to them." Dorian looked at his father surprised.

The King explained about a spy he sent out some time ago before Seraphina got here to gather information for them. That's how they learned about this mate of the Alpha's named Luna. Everyone believes she had connections to the fox-demi gods somehow. And it could be a way to help keep things at peace.

"We need the nations to be at peace. We do not want to go into war if we can help it."

Seraphina understood. She might not understand all of it really, but the talk of war is bad enough even for humans, she understood that much so it is no different for the fairies and the other nations as well.

"Father," Dorian's tone was curious, "Won't that get us in trouble if the spy is figured out?"

"It is alright. No need to fear. We just need to know what is going on in our neighbor nations."

Seraphina poked at her food some more, thoughts of the fox-demi gods filled her mind now.

What if it is true, that someone's mate is tied to those creatures? It could possibly be the best option to hopefully avoid war and maybe to stop whatever else is going that that makes the foxes when to attack.

She realized now how much she was getting into. Seraphina still kind of believed that this was just a very long dream and that it felt too real. But there was too much that was proving still that it wasn't a dream.

~~~

Once the King dismissed everyone from the dining room, Seraphina went and joined her friends outside. A large group hug between all of them and happy wails let out with dramatic tears.

"We're so glad you're safe!" Samuel cried out shaking Seraphina.

"Samuel! You'll make her dizzy stop!" Nova and Charlotte pulled Seraphina free from him.

"Give her a minute to also talk to us about what happened!"

"It's fine!" Seraphina laughed as she got her composer back. She gave a small rundown of what happened in the forest for them. All three of her friends were in shock, with expressions of disbelief, and impressed glances.

"I hope you know we aren't leaving," Charlotte declared. Her arms were crossed with a determined look.

"Oh yeah, we aren't." Samuel nodded in agreement with his friend on this. Seraphina smiled at them shaking her head.

She got lost and was gone for days, only for them to be brought to the place she was at only to fear she'd be found dead at the end of the trial period. Thankfully she wasn't!

Nova had a dark look though. She looked like she was ready to rip someone apart.

"Elvina, she was the girl that challenged you. We heard about the bet that you agreed to with her. Thankfully you came out the victor but," Nova went silent.

Seraphina had a feeling that Elvina would probably put up a fight now and find some way to bend the rules. But since the royal family was involved, they could butt in as well if need be. Seraphina would worry about that all later though, she smiled and hugged Nova.

"It's all going to be fine!"

"Of course it is, Elvina will have to keep up her side of the deal anyway, but you should still be careful, fairies can twist things around if they feel like it and want to find better ways to win."

Everyone looked up to see Dorian standing there with a soft smile. That same calm gaze toward Seraphina made her face heat up. His eyes looked nearly translucent with how clear the green hue was now.

"Do you mind if I steal her away for some time," Dorian asked the friend group. They smirked, giving Seraphina a few snickered winks," Oh yeah sure! Go ahead!"

"Just bring her back to us in a clear mindset, please? We need her to be functional now, not ditzy!" Nova and Charlotte laughed at their own stupid joke. Seraphina blushed more, the heat on her cheeks burning more intensely as she got up and walked away from her friends with Dorian.

~~~

Both of them wandered around the palace grounds. Enjoying each others company again after what felt like forever after just meeting.

"I'm glad you're safe," Dorian let out a soft sigh. He had Seraphina's hand in his, gripping it carefully. Seraphina could feel her face feel its burning limit from his actions.

"Thank you. I'm glad all of you came to see me at the end."

Dorian smiled at her, giving a nod.

Seraphina and Dorian sat under a tree together, small talk was made between each other. Dorian told her about his favorite things to study and find since he was little, Seraphina listened, giggling at the cute remarks and reminiscing moment with him.

"What about you? "Dorian was curious about Seraphina's life. There was a lot he wanted to know about her now that they'd have time together.

"It's not as interesting as yours. My life was rather bland. I went to school for medical before I came here. I came to Europe for it. But my parents tried to keep me from it."

"They did?"

Seraphina nodded. She really didn't want to tell Dorian since hers wasn't as glorious and exciting.

"My parents are very controlling. They tried to keep me from going to medical school as well. I had to sneak out of the house to even come here on this trip because of it."

Dorian listened to Seraphina as she spoke about it all. He felt bad that her life was as controlled as it was. Seraphina gave him a smile and laughed it all off.

"I believe you are a good person and it's great you kept pursuing to go to the schooling you did for what you wanted to learn. It takes a lot to go against authority. You did a good job doing something you wanted. Proud of you."

She gave a long stare at Dorian for what she said. Seraphina covered her face in embarrassment from his words, but happy to hear someone like him agreed that she did the right thing.

Hours had passed during this time it seemed. The sun was setting now, and both of them felt at ease and happy next to one another.