Old Promises, New Mysteries: Book 2 of The Kinstone series

Part III

The next couple of weeks drifted along slowly. It’s been nice being back home and each day was a reminder of that fact. Rachel often would come and check in on how I was doing. I’d smile to her. But in the back of my mind, my thoughts still dwelt on the news of my birthmother’s grave being robbed.

I know it had only been a short time since it happened, but I was hungry for information. But it would take time. I tended to push it even deeper into the back of my mind.

Rachel and I suspended our lessons for the time being. Well, with Christmas coming up, it was only natural to do so. But I still poured into the tomes and texts that Asha and Yukari had gifted me for my birthday. I had a lot of catching up to do. So my days were often spent sitting at “Study” and jotting down notes.

I would also practice the magic that was all of the books contained. With illusionary magic I was making great strides, finally breaking through some of the walls that I had been hitting into over the past year.

Water magic or at least the Ryujin style was a challenge still. Again, I was making progress, even combining it with mer-magic as a stabilizer. I giggled as the magic twisted and merged together. Well over half of the tomes were completely read, but I held several open.

Over the past fall I had been able to increase the number of books I was able to read simultaneously. So I tended to have up to three books open, with me being able to read each one at same time.

I didn’t do it that often because trying to draw in information from three different sources at the same time really can give you a massive headache. So I often just stuck to two.

My bookcases were now nearly completely full of notebooks, all containing notes on my readings and experiments. I still had plenty of room left for more.

I sent letters to Yukari and Asha, informing them of my progress. I told Yukari that I was still having trouble creating clones with magic, full-sized ones. She replied stating that it would come to me in time, just had to be patient.

Asha was overjoyed when I told her that I was able to control the flow of the stream. I still have to thank Tariel for giving me more detailed lessons on that front. Both daiyokai expressed their eagerness for my trip to Japan. It was approaching faster and faster with each passing day.

Jenn and I resumed our near-nightly phones calls. I say near-nightly due to her having to study for her upcoming finals. I really don’t miss those from high school. I wanted to see her badly. Hell, I want to see all of my friends. We’d vid-chat from time to time, at least being able to see each other’s faces.

One letter I received that surprised me was from Kerrigan Algernon. She wanted to know how I was doing. I was slightly nervous as to how she knew where I lived, but then realized that she must’ve gotten the address from her mother at some point. I replied with saying that I was doing fine and restated how much fun I had.

In her letter she also stated that she’d check in on me through her mother, and asked if she could send me letters as well. I wondered if she also possessed a message stone. Needless-to-say I agreed.

The weather definitely had begun to turn for the colder. It hadn’t started snowing yet, wishing it would soon. The dryads had all gone into hibernation while I was in Italy, so I didn’t get the chance to see them, which kinda sucked.

This also meant that Velhemina wasn’t long before she too closed herself off for the coming winter. But there was still some time before she did. So I wanted to go visit my aunt.

The day after I returned from Italy, Silvi immediately burst into my room and pulled me up into her arms. I blushed as my dragonic sister spun me around like a doll. She laughed, snuggling me tightly.

Fenris and I resumed our walks through the Estate, enjoying the cooling weather. I smiled as I started wearing warmer clothing while out. It was obvious the wolf missed being with me, seeing how he clung closer, eyes darting from side to side.

While there was no real danger, he still was wary of everything around him. My hands often clenched his fur, feeling the gentle cool from them, while at the same time feel the soft warmth.

When our walks became longer and the sky grew darker more quickly, Fenris would kneel down for me to ride on his back. I’d smiled as we rode through the Estate, feeling every step he took. It had become so natural for him to have me there. “His preferred place for me” he once told me. And he was right.

December 6th.

A knock rang on my door.

“Come in.”

My door slowly opened and in walked Rachel. I didn’t turn to look at her, staring solemnly out onto the Estate. The sky was a wash of blues and soft blacks. The clouds floated slowly above with the moon shining behind them casting a soft white upon them.

The stars twinkled in the night sky. Off in the distance, the lake glowed and shimmered against the moonlight.

I sat upon the banister of my balcony, with one leg against my chest and the other draped off of the edge. I held the drawn-in leg, resting the other beside it.

A cold wind brushed against my legs. My shorts and leggings offered little in terms of warmth, but it didn’t matter. Fenris sat on the floor behind me, ever watchful.

“Sweetheart, I wanted to talk to you about the solstice festival.” Rachel stepped closer to me, “Aria?"

I turned to face my mother, tears slowly streamed down my face. Behind me the moon sat above, casting its glow on me. One would think I was veiled in moonlight.

She looked at me, “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

The tears continued to stream down my cheeks, “It…it’s been a year.”

Rachel’s eyes grew wide at the realization. “Oh my God. Aria.”

She then rushed over to me, wrapping her arms around me, stroking my hair, “My sweet girl.”

My face rested onto her chest, tears now staining it. A lump formed in my throat as I started to cry, softly.

Rachel caressed my hair, “Shhh, there, there my love. Mommy’s here,” sounding as though she were choking up. The cold air wisped around us, blowing our hair into the breeze.

Despite everything about who I am, or was, I was now a child, first and foremost. My mother knows this undeniable truth all too well. A few quiet moments passed, allowing me to settle down. Hot tears still streamed down my cheeks.

A soft kiss landed on the top of my head, “I can’t believe it has been a full year since that night.” I nodded to her, my gaze venturing off in the distance.

She then gently looped her hands under me and picked up off of the banister and carried me inside, closing the doors behind us. She then carried me over to the couch and sat us both down onto it, cradling me.

“It truly has been a full year.” Rachel held my head to her chest, kissing it softly. A soft sigh left me.

Tonight marked one year since my family was killed. That day’s events were still clear to me now as the day they happened.

My mother rocked me gently, “I realize it hasn’t been easy since that night my love. I have been with you every moment since then.”

I nodded, “I know, does it ever get easier?”

She wiped away the streaming tears from my cheeks, peering gently into my eyes, “It will over time.”

I looked down, “Will…will I die and leave you before you do?”

Rachel stared into my face, eyes flaring a soft anger, “Don’t even dare to think of that Aria. You are of magic my beloved girl. You will live as long as the world. Plus you have my blood coursing through your veins.”

A soft smile ran over my lips, hands laid folded within my lap. My room was dark, only lit by the moon’s light.

That terrible night also held another meaning for the both of us. It was when one of the many barriers that had been placed between us had come crumbling down and I truly became her daughter. At least that’s what I believe. From then on, I had trouble of thinking any less of her other than my real mother.

Rachel’s hands glided up and down my back. The warmth of her body flowed around me, feeling as through it were a blanket. The tears had stopped, but the pain and sadness still lingered on.

I sniffed, wiping my nose, “Sorry.”

Rachel shook her head, “Don’t be my dear. While this year hasn’t been nearly as chaotic as last, of which I am grateful for. It has been one of healing.”

I nodded, “You became my mom. If you hadn’t been there, I don’t know if I would’ve ever gotten through that.”

She smiled, caressing my cheek, “I will forever be with you, my most precious girl.”

I smiled softly to her, hearing her heart beating against my ear. A large muzzle then landed into my lap. I looked over to see Fenris staring softly at me. My hand rested upon his head, stroking it gently.

Rachel had been there for me. She was the first pillar in my life, the one I leaned on the most after the news broke and afterwards.

And then there is Marron. She was there with me during that damn abysmal week in Georgia. Marron is the second pillar that I stand on, granting me the support I needed to push forward. When I saw her in my hotel room, I felt a great sense of peace wash over me. I needed her and she was there for me.

Fenris was the final pillar. The night he appeared, he helped me come to terms with the guilt that I had buried in my heart after the funeral. I had to let it out; otherwise it might’ve killed me.

There’s an old saying that comes to mind, “Guilt can kill the heart as easily as the sword.” With Fenris, I finally was able to break the grip of remorse and doubt which had covered me.

I had in my life, three people that I had relied on immensely to see me through that terrible tragedy. This all culminated with my adoption by Rachel. After that, anything else was just history.

Rachel held me tightly to her, still stroking my back. We sat on the couch for a few quiet minutes. I looked up to my mother, “Sorry for bringing up bad memories.”

She shook her head, kissing my forehead, “You have nothing to apologize for my love.”

I smiled to her, “You said you wanted to talk to me about the festival?”

She nodded, “Yes I did.”

The winter solstice festival is the yearly event in which the Coven celebrated the coming of the new year according the their calendar. Last year’s was held at the Manor after Miriam, one of the leaders, offered to let Rachel host it.

Nearly the entire Coven was in attendance. It also marked my formal introduction to everyone and where I met my best friends. It was a tremendous help to ease my pain, mostly being able to distract me. And I had an incredible time during it.

“I was wondering if you would like to attend it this year. It’s being held in St. Louis,” she continued.

I tilted my head, “Miss Miriam isn’t going to host it?”

Rachel shook her head, “After the success of last year, she decided that it would be voted on by the rest of the coven where to hold it. It wouldn’t be that difficult of a trip to make.” She was right, it really wouldn’t be.

I shook my head, “I…I don’t think so.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded, “I’m sure. As much as I’d love to see everyone again, and yes it’s incredibly close to home. I’m just…”

She smiled softly to me, “You’re exhausted from the constant traveling. And with the spring term fast approaching, you wish to rest before it starts.”

I nodded to her, “Am I being selfish for not wanting to go?”

A kiss pecked my cheek, “No my love. As I told you last year, not everyone attends. And it’s often understood when members are unable to. But there might be some broken hearts once news gets out.” I sighed.

Part of me wants to go badly. I thought if we did attend, that Rachel and I could volunteer to be among the advanced party to help with the preparations. That meant Jenn and I could go hang out with each other while our parents handled everything. But in the end, I just wanted to be home.

My mother nodded to me, “I will go and inform Miriam of our decision. We do have the summer gathering, of which you know we could never miss.”

I giggled, “Jenn and the others would never let it down if we did.”

She smiled to me, kissing my cheek, “And rightly so.”

She rose and placed me onto the couch. I still had always been amazed at how easily Rachel was able to pick me up. It made me feel like I was a small child…even long after she transformed me into one.

She leaned over, cupping my face, and kissed my forehead once more. I watched as she then rounded the couch and headed out the door.

My body then lied down onto the couch, pulling my legs up slightly. Fenris moved closer, lying beside me. My hand reached out to him, stroking the top of head, which his ears clearly were visible over the cushions. I grinned as the wolf’s ears flicked when I tickled them. Playing aside, I was happy he was there.

So yeah…once news came out that we weren’t attending, it sent everyone into a bit of a tizzy. I was hit with a barrage of texts and phone calls from everyone, asking me questions about not going, pleading with me to go. It wasn’t like it was the end of the world or anything. But I knew where they were coming from.

It took me the better part of a week to settle down all of my friends. Thankfully their parents were able to calm them down. “We still have summer to look forward to,” I kept telling everyone. They finally backed down and agreed.