Going Away

POV: Alexandra

I blinked at him a few times but bit my tongue due to my promise not to fly off the handle. I had not intention of being married, I just wanted to escape from Vellum. He chuckled, “You are trying so hard to not fly off the handle but I can see it on your face. I know what is in your mind sometimes remember.” I clenched my jaw, “I told you to stay out of my head!” He laughed harder, “I’m sorry I couldn’t help it with the faces you were making.” He calmed his laughter, cleared his throat, and gave a straight face, “I know you have no intention of being married but you know that you also have love for Cal. Right?” I sighed, “I cannot deny that. He’s sweet, kind, caring, and he was almost the first to comfort me. I don’t know if I can just accept his hand though.” He smiled, “How about this then, you have a standing invitation to visit Seely. Why don’t you spend some time there and make up your mind after spending some more time with the boy? It gives you a chance to escape. I know you know of the dark heart. That is where the dark heart resides, I’m told.” The revelation that the dark heart was in Seely felt like that was the choice I would need to make. I looked at him, “You are sending Jynx with me to keep me safe then.” He nodded, “I have gathered others actually. They are getting ready to leave tomorrow as we speak. I also took the liberty of telling King Renier that I had a feeling you would leave with them tomorrow.” I shot out of my seat with so much fury that it made him flinch, “YOU DID WHAT?!” He sighed, “Tell me, dear one, when would you have time to tell him that. You would have to go to the castle and I know you are trying to avoid that. I will give him your letter after you leave.” I plopped down in my seat and hung my mouth open, “How did you…you know what? Nevermind, you all irritate me with the brain invasions and readings of my future. I will be glad to leave.”

He laughed again, “You do know that I can talk to you from here. I was able to talk to you while I was in Terre and you were in Vellum. There is practically no realm I cannot reach you.” I smirked, “You can’t reach me in the Heavenly realm.” He sighed, “Yes, well, I don’t have the powers of a God. That would be impossible.” I smiled, “Perhaps that is where I should go then.” He sat up straight and widened his eyes, “You do know for you to visit any period of time longer than a few hours, you would need to die. Right?” I had not known that but it made sense, still I thought it would be fun to tease him. I nodded, “Yes, I know that. It is the only peace I will ever get from you, Grand Pretre, and your oracle.” He frowned, “That’s not funny and I know you are trying to poke at me. Your death should never be a laughing matter, dear one. Take it back, please.” I had never seen him be so sincere and that compelled me to hug him. I got up and wrapped my arms around him and apologized. I sat back down and he stared at me, “You are a wonder, dear one.” I smiled at him, “I know you think so. Anyhow, who is going with me then? I mean other than Jynx.” He smiled back, “You mean other than Jynx and Ny? I don’t think I will tell you right now but just know that they are some powerful friends to keep you safe.” I puffed my cheeks out in a pout, “You really know how to tease me. Are you my Uncle or some playful much older brother I never knew about?” His face turned a rosy color that I had found amusing enough to say, “A blush? You mean to tell me there’s something even the great Modred Le Fey gets embarrased about? Say it isn’t so.” He narrowed his eyes at me, “Hush, dear one.You must know that there are two weaknesses I have in this world at this point in my life. Both are strong young women who I am proud to call family.”

The rest of the trip to House of Dark was spent on me writing a letter to Lucien for Mordred to deliver when I left, saying goodbye to all of the wonderful witches that I got to know and a visit with Vanessa and my uncle. Mordred knew that I had more to take care of before I left for Seely so we only spent a few hours in House of Dark. He returned me home so that I could arrange for Lucy to go to Blakes home in Mesha. She was told that she would be visiting her uncle, the Duke of Mesha, while I went on a trip to Seely. She wanted to go with me but Nystasia explained to her that Seely was a dangerous place for a young child. I couldn’t have Renier meeting a source of weakness for me. It would have likely put us both in danger knowing his temper and actions when he didn’t get his way. I couldn’t put Lucy in that place. Blake had already consented to keeping her for me until she could be adopted. I spent some time with my grandfather and, because of their presence there, Teddy and Ashton. My brother’s engagement ceremony was set to be completed in a month’s time so he was telling us about the preparations. It was much like a wedding but with less flowers and fewer in attendance. The only ones who could attend are the two families and the royals. I promised him that I would return to Vellum to witness their engagement. My brother told me, “If you don’t think you can, sister, I would completely understand. Lucien will be there and so will Rayla.” I smiled at him and assured him that I will be okay.

I spent some time with my father talking about my mission in Seely and he asked me to keep eyes in the back of my head. I spent some time with Tyleesh, who didn’t understand, completely, why I would want to leave the safety of Vellum to go to Seely. I explained to him it was something I had to do in order for Vellum to be safe. I felt in my heart that the dark heart would somehow infect Vellum if I didn’t put a stop to it. I wasn’t quite sure if the dark heart was an object or a person though. Tyleesh lamented that he wouldn’t be able to see me for a long time but I promised to write to him. He was satisfied with that but, as for me, having to write so many people meant my time might be occupied with many letters. It was a brief moment of realization, followed by a brief lamentation from having to write so much, and finally the conclusion that it would be a comfort for me to have so many I loved send me news of home. I would hope that everyone would refrain from news about the royal wedding. I went to bed that night making sure that everyone knew where I was going and when it was happening. I had received a message from King Renier that they would pick me and my party up in the morning using House of Dark’s royal carriages since Mordred insisted that his niece ride in comfort. He assured me he had kept the secret of my leaving with them from Lucien since Mordred had insisted that Lucien would not be given the knowledge that I would be leaving. It seemed odd to me that Lucien had not even tried to contact me considering how he felt about me. I was left wondering what kept him from, at the very least, writing a letter letting me know of his feelings.

I didn’t sleep well at all that night thinking that I was going to be moving to a new realm in the morning to escape the haven I had found in this one. I was also fretting over whether or not I packed everything I needed for the move. This wasn’t just a small trip somewhere like I had last time. This was a full on who knows how long I was going to be gone type of move. I didn’t want to leave behind the important stuff. My mother heard me pacing late and assured me that if I left anything, that I could send word and they would deliver it to the Seely realm. I also was terrified of life maneuvering the Seely court since it was fully of backstabbing, spies, and Gods knows what else. All of this weighed heavily on my mind as I tried to sleep that night. I got so little sleep that I swear the next morning the bags under my eyes could’ve probably packed away some more of my stuff. I rolled out of bed, groomed myself to something at least slightly presentable, and got dressed in the outfit I laid out the night before.

I walked down to the foyer to find Nystasia, Jheelis, Jynx, Dorothea, and Garrett Chalshin. I looked at him with sympathy and realized I was doing to him what I didn’t want others to do to me. I asked him, “Did Mordred contact you?” He nodded, “He figured I needed an escape and we can’t really take the love birds away from Vellum when they have an engagement ceremony to plan. That wouldn’t do. I asked the General if I could be posted to protect you. Technically, you no longer need guarding so he said I couldn’t go. I was allowed to leave the Citadel though which does help your cause of leaving quietly. The General said he heard nothing from me but my resignation from my commission.” I gasped, “You didn’t have to do that to come with me. I don’t want you to have to quit your job here.” He smiled and shook his head, “It's fine, I’m using you just as much as you’re using me. I can’t stay here for the very reason you can’t. Trust me, it’s just as hard to watch her get married to another. She didn’t want this either.” I shook my head, “I thought he didn’t either but I haven’t heard from him since the ball.”

Garrett opened his mouth to say something but we heard a knock at the door. Dana scurried out of the dining room and opened the door. When I heard her say, “Your Majesty” my heart sunk. I turned to find King Renier standing in the doorway with his arms wide open, “My dear, come give us a hug. I cannot tell you how please I was to learn that you were going with us to Seely.” I obliged him and said, “It isn’t to accept the proposal, of course.” He chuckled, “That was my understanding, my dear. Besides according to the accords between our realms, in order for me to do so, I would have to oblige the traditions of Vellum where I would have to negotiate your dowry in the King’s presence. I don’t think that would be rather wise at the moment. No, no…I understand everything has a time. I think eventually we will get to the point that you may want to marry into Seely royalty. But for now, I am happy to host our living goddess. Shall we go?” I shook my head, “I have to wait for my family.”

My father walked out of his study looking just as forlorn as he had the day I left Terre for Vellum. My mother followed him and she wasn’t really in a great mood either. I had sent Lucy off to Mesha the day before so I wouldn’t have to deal with Renier seeing her. I bid my farewells to Tyleesh last night so he also wouldn’t have to worry about this man seeing him either. Grandfather got a goodbye last night as well since Teddy told me it would be best to let him rest and I was leaving really early. Derek and Jess were walking down the stairs hand in hand, they told me they were moving out of Blackwood in the next couple of days to a small manor on the Chalshin lands. The only one I was missing was my twin brother, Ashton. One thing Ashton had a problem with often was the ability to be on time. I was hugging everyone else and getting their well wishes. All the while I was wondering if I would see my darn brother before I was whisked away to Seely. I heard heavy footsteps and running. My mother shot a glare over her shoulder, “Ashton! Have some decorum! We have a royal visitor!” I heard Renier chuckle behind me, “It is not a problem, Your Grace. He is after all the living goddess’s twin brother. He would be seen as infallible amongst my people.” This caused me to snicker and whisper, “That dude is far from infallible.” Ashton decided to poke fun at my mother by striding daintily down the stairs and then bowing at her. It was nice to see my brother got the smart-ass gene from my father. He could carry on the time honored tradition of irritating my mother. I hugged him tightly and he whispered, “I have something to tell you.” I hummed in affirmation and he continued, “Grand Pretre gave me a letter for you to open when you get to your new home.”