Leaving Carna

Serenity was not at the palace for very long. King Tzvi explained to her what Lord Carter already had; Crown Prince Fallon was playing a careful game. He wanted to assess how dangerous Serenity was to his kingdom and he was using the trade route agreement as a guise to bring her there. Serenity didn't care what the Crowned Prince of the Falcons wanted with her. She knew she wasn't a threat, and if it eased his mind to know that as well, then she would go see him. She was nervous that the Prince may act rashly and see her as a threat even if she proved not to be. But, she was even more nervous about telling her brother Cevin that she agreed to travel to the Nest, alone without a chaperon.

"I really must protest that you travel alone," Lord Carter stepped forward interjecting into the King and Serenity's conversation.

Serenity gave him a sideways glare. She did not appreciate him undermining her voice in front of the King. She had learned very quickly that as a member of court and the King's advising staff, she had to hold her own. She could not let others speak for her, especially to the King.

The King, a large but well built young man, lounged on his throne. Serenity had never seen him in a private manner. She had only ever seen him officially at council meetings or in the throne room. He was younger than she had expected; with handsome face, dark chocolate brown skin, stunning red eyes and a full beard. Like, Lord Carter he had shaved his head though. His golden crown was tilted slightly to the right as he peered down between the two. There was a smirk on his face as if he enjoyed seeing Lord Carter challenge Serenity's own authority.

"It won't be safe in the Nest," he continued. "We already know that Fallon believes you're a threat."

"Then anyone who comes with me will surely die as well," Serenity retorted. "Why risk anyone else's life but my own?"

"You need protection."

"I'm not yours to protect," Serenity snapped rather ruthlessly.

She frowned and looked down instantly. She regretted snapping at Amon in that manner. She knew his desire to protect her came from the heart and snapping at him in such a personal manner was inappropriate in front of the King. She bit her bottom lip as she looked back up at him. He was not looking at her. He was staring straight forward at the King, his arms folded behind his back. He took the hit from her sharp words elegantly, like a gentleman.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

The King was still smirking. He sat up straight on his throne and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.

"Take whoever you wish," he said with a shrug. "But I agree with Serenity. She is more than capable of protecting herself. And why risk anyone else's life? Also, it may show good faith if she goes alone. Fallon may see it as more of a threat if she has an armed guard."

"As you wish," Amon said with a bow. He gave Serenity a glance before turning on his heel and leaving the throne room. Serenity frowned with a heavy sigh.

"Thank you, your Majesty."

"Be safe, Serenity," King Tzvi advised. "I do not wish to lose your counsel."

She bowed and thanked the King again before turning and dashing off quickly after Amon. By the time she caught up to him, he was already down the front steps of the palace, heading for his carriage.

"Amon!" she called after him.

He paused for a moment, turning to look back up at her as she lifted her skirt and moved down the steps. She stopped next to him, close enough, she almost collided with him.

"I said I was sorry."

Amon looked at her eyes deeply but said nothing to her second apology. She bit her bottom lip again waiting for him to say something, anything. She would keep talking, but she knew she would sound like a fool.

"You have made your feelings known," he said turning away. He opened the door to the carriage and looked back at her. "I trust you know your way home."

Serenity rolled her shoulders back and glared at him. "Yes, thank you," she spat then turned on her heel and began to march down the cobblestone toward the gates of the palace grounds. Amon's carriage took off and passed her as she walked. She sighed heavily, in surprise at Amon's behavior. She grumbled, not opposed to walking, just annoyed by how long it would take her to get home now.

Cevin was waiting for her when she arrived at her house. She entered the foyer, closing the door behind her, and looked up with surprise as he marched up to her out of the sitting room to the right of the front door.

"You've been awhile," he said with his arms crossed over his chest.

Serenity looked up at his pale blue eyes and long white blonde hair. He had it pulled back in a low ponytail at the nap of his neck. He was wearing black pants, that were pressed, and a white button shirt with a black vest over it. He looked very professional.

"Cevin," she said in greeting. "I asked Sonnie to tell you I was with the King."

"She did," he responded as they moved into the sitting room. Serenity collapsed into a puffy arm chair as a heavy sigh escaped her lips.

"Then why are you so worried?"

"Lord Carter stopped by awhile ago," he said quickly. "Said you refused to ride home with him—"

Serenity sat up straight and looked at Cevin sharply. "—he said what?"

Cevin looked at her with confusion. "He said you refused to ride with him."

"That man is intolerable," Serenity practically screamed. "He left me there because I insulted his affection for me in front of the King."

Cevin frowned and sat on the arm of Serenity's chair. "I chastised him for leaving you behind."

"Thank you," she sighed. "But you didn't know why he left me."

"What did the King want?"

"He's sending me to the Nest," she responded easily. "Crown Prince Fallon is demanding to see me before he moves forward with the trade route agreement."

Cevin scowled. "When do you leave?"

"Whenever I want," Serenity whispered. "I'll be going alone."

Cevin stood up from the arm of the chair abruptly as anger shot across his face.

"You can't go alone, Serenity!" Now he was practically screaming. "The last time our kind was at the Nest we were slaughtered or enslaved."

"Yes, thank you for that reminder."

"Why are you going alone!?"

"The King and I feel that this is a very dangerous mission. The less people who go the less chance there is of someone dying unnecessarily. The King also thought that an armed guard would antagonize the Prince."

"You are a rare dove," Cevin hissed. "You can't go parading around with no security, no protection. Is the King mad? He normally would not risk your exposure—"

"I can protect myself," Serenity said as she looked up at Cevin with hurt eyes. She knew that he believed in her ability to protect herself. And she knew that he was being an overprotective older brother, but she was trying not to lose her patients with him. What he said struck a cord with her though. Why was the King so eager to send her on her way? Cevin was right; since her arrival in Carna, King Tzvi had always been very protective of Serenity is a possessive manner. He normally did not want her going about risking exposure to anything or anyone that would cause her harm and cost him to lose the rare dove on his council.

"The Prince will view you as more of a threat without a guard. A guard suggests that you can't take care of yourself and would make it more difficult for someone to hurt you. The more people that have to be killed in order to get to you may offer more protection."

Serenity frowned and looked away to the front window. She could see a woman walking by on the street with her children. Serenity frowned even more deeply. There were always two sides to any plan. She did see Cevin's point, but she didn't want to travel with anyone. It was just something she wanted to do on her own.

"I know you see very little value to your life and you think it's worth risking, but you cannot keep putting yourself in dangerous situations—"

"Please stop talking so you don't embarrass yourself," Serenity said shortly as she glared up at her brother.

His comments hurt her, deeper than he may ever know. She was not reckless with her life or had a death wish. She knew what he was getting at. He thought in some way she wanted to die. If she died, she'd join Theron on the eternal plan and their souls could be together again. She frowned and looked back out the window. If she truly believed that, she would have taken her own life a long time ago. But, she knew that Theron did not want that for her. He wanted her to be free and to live. It is the only thing he had ever truly wanted for her. She could not take her life and selfishly return to him without living freely.

"I will ask Mason to come with me," she whispered to appease her brother.

"I'll tell him to go with you," Cevin said hotly before leaving the sitting room. Serenity looked up to see him leaving. She frowned heavily. Even in her own home, she was not the master. She looked back out the window. The mother with her children were gone from sight. Serenity felt tears in her eyes. She didn't feel free so much right now.

"Serenity?"

Serenity wiped her cheeks quickly, so her tears weren't seen. She lifted her head to see Mason, her personal body guard standing in the doorframe of the sitting room. She gave him a weak smile as he crossed the room to her.

He was an elegant looking grey wolf, with long black hair that fell to his shoulders, pale white skin and stone gray eyes, that in the sunlight appeared to have a tint of blue to them. His face was chiseled, with a well defined jaw line and perfect bone structure covered in facial stubble. Serenity could see the thin white scar that stretched down from his left eyebrow to his jaw. She had often asked him where it had come from, but he wouldn't tell her.

"Are you alright?" he asked delicately as he crotched down next to her.

She gave him a weak smile. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm assuming Cevin has told you?"

Mason nodded his head. "When do we leave?"

"As soon as we are ready," she responded.

Mason touched her cheek delicately. She looked at him with surprise. "Stop crying," he whispered as he wiped a tear from her flesh. "You can't show weakness to the Prince."

He stood up to his full height and took her hand, pulling her out of the chair. She stared at the ground for a moment, gaining her composure.

"I'm not before the Prince yet," she said.

Mason released her hand as he smiled at her. "How would you like to travel?"

"I'd like to fly," she responded. Mason bowed his head.

"I'll prepare everything. We'll leave within the hour."

Serenity thanked him softly as he moved away from her. She watched as he exited the sitting room. His brown trousers clung to his buttocks, revealing the curve of his muscles. Serenity bit her bottom lip and turned away, blushing that she had stared at Mason beautifully shaped buttocks. She bit her finger and sighed heavily.

When she and Cevin had first arrived in Carna, Lord Carter had helped Serenity gain access to the Pantharian court. That is how she began to make money, as counselor to the King, and establish herself. Lord Carter assisted Cevin in starting a security business. They owned the business together, providing private security for nobles and members of court. Serenity knew, despite what Lord Carter and Cevin told her, that occasionally their contractors performed odd jobs that had questionable motives. Within a year, Cevin was able to buy out Lord Carter's share of the business. He was the sole owner now and contractor of most private security in Carna and the surrounding areas.

Mason had started working for Cevin when Lord Carter still owned part of the business. He was a grey wolf that was disowned by his pack. Like most shapeshifters in Carna, he was a nomad; someone who had no home within their own species and made their home in the welcoming Pantharian capitol. Serenity believed that Mason had received his scar from a former pack leader, though he never told her.

Cevin assigned Mason to Serenity for his first job. Serenity didn't believe she needed security, but there was no talking Cevin out of it. After a few months of being in her service, Cevin wanted to reassign Mason to a different job, but Mason refused. He wished to stay in Serenity's service.

Serenity trusted Mason with everything, from her deepest secrets to her life. He was steady and confident, something she had always appreciated in a man. He listened to her, gave advice and never asked about her past life. He always showed affection to her, but in a caring brotherly way. He was never overtly sexual or demonstrated physical attraction to her. But Serenity couldn't help but wonder sometimes if Mason was so well disciplined that he was able to control how much affection for her he demonstrated.

With her mind still on Mason's gorgeous physic, Serenity wandered upstairs to her bedroom. Sonnie was in the large room, packing an overnight bag for her. She frowned slightly. She wasn't sure how long she'd be at the Nest. Perhaps flying wasn't the best option.

"You're sure you don't want me to go with you?" Sonnie asked as she looked Serenity over.

Serenity blinked. "No, Sonnie. Thank you, though. It's going to be dangerous."

"You need to look like a queen, Serenity," Sonnie said easily. "Will you be able to manage that on your own?"

Serenity smirked. Yes, she thought. She'd manage that on her own. She had always managed to look her best on her own. She just wasn't sure how she'd bring her clothes with her.

"Yes," she replied once she thought. "Pack the thinnest dresses and nightgowns I have. Roll them up tightly. I'll take two bags. I'm sure that Mason will only take what he can carry on his back."

Sonnie nodded. "If you're sure."

"Yes," Serenity said sternly. She disappeared into the closet to change into her traveling clothes: cotton blue pants that fit her curvaceous waist, butt and thighs like a glove, brown leather riding boots, a white peasant top that tied just over her cleavage, and a worn tan leather cloak. She tied her blonde hair up on her head in a tight bun then exited the room without another word to Sonnie who was still packing by the bed.

As she descended the stairs into the foyer, she was not surprised to see Cevin and Mason speaking quietly to each other. Cevin was doing most of the talking, no doubt giving Mason a lecture of how to do his job and keep Serenity safe. Mason glanced up the stairs as she descended, causing Cevin to turn to see her. When she arrived at the bottom of the steps she gave both men an all knowing look.

"Mason has always been very good at his job, Cevin," Serenity said easily.

"I'm aware," he said stepping forward and extending a brown leather belt to her. Serenity took the belt, but didn't say anything as she wrapped it tightly around her waist. Once she had the belt with the sheath for a sword on, Cevin handed her a thigh holster.

"I'll carry your sword and dagger," Mason said. "You'll meet me before reaching falcon territory so that you can put your weapons on. You'll ride and I'll walk next to you the rest of the way."

Serenity frowned but nodded her head. She knew better than to argue with Mason or Cevin when it came to plans for security.

"We'll keep in each other's sight the entire time," Mason added.

"Fine," Serenity muttered. She heard footsteps behind her and assumed it was Sonnie with the bags.

"How many bags did she pack you?" Cevin asked.

"I asked for two," Serenity replied.

Mason nodded without saying much. Serenity watched as he tightened his belt around his waist. He was now wearing his own leather jacket that stopped at his waist and zipped up across his chest. She noticed how bulky the jacket appeared. No doubt, he was wearing chest plate underneath it. She was surprised that Cevin didn't make her wear one.

"Does the Prince know you're coming?" Cevin asked.

Serenity nodded. "King Tzvi said he sent word three days ago agreeing to send me to meet with the Prince."

"Best not keep him waiting," Cevin said softly.

Serenity frowned but nodded. She moved to the back of the house and through the kitchen, Sonnie and the two men followed her. Once through the kitchen, she stepped down a few steps into the pantry that connected to the mud room. This room was used for servants to enter the household, but also for deliveries, and was the quickest way to the private stables. As Serenity lived in the city, there was not much space for a full barn. She had two horses that were taken care of by a young stable boy, by the name of Ali. He was a robin that Serenity had found in Carna; an orphan with no home and no one to take care of him. Serenity offered him a place to stay and food to eat. Sonnie and the rest of her staff ensured that the boy stayed busy and he seemed quite taken by the horses. He ensured they were cared for properly and took care of the very small stable they lived in.

Ali had already escorted one of the horses out for Mason, who frowned slightly. Serenity smirked as she watched him stare at the large animal for a moment.

"Saffron, really?" he questioned.

The horse was already saddled.

"Remember, you ride the horse," Ali teased as he came forward. "Not the other way around."

He took the bags from Sonnie and secured them on either side of Saffron's dark brown saddle. Serenity glanced at Mason.

"Would you prefer Dixon?" she asked trying not to giggle. Mason was a good rider, but he and Saffron seemed to fight for who was in control when they rode.

"Dixon is not built for a long journey," Ali advised. "I think Saffron is better for the job, despite your relationship."

Ali stood in front of Saffron, who was a beautiful black horse, standing taller than the boy. He stroked Saffron's nose and smiled while peering into his dark brown eyes.

"He'll be a good boy," Ali said. "I've explained how important this journey is."

Mason rolled his eyes but stepped forward and mounted Saffron easily. Serenity smiled as she nodded to Mason who stared at her with intense grey eyes.

"At the edge of falcon territory there is a large stone statue of King Phineas. I'll meet you there."

"Better get a head start," Serenity smiled and nodded her head towards the cobblestone street ahead of them. Mason bowed his head to everyone and pressed his heels into Saffron's side without a word of good bye. Serenity watched as he rode away for only a moment, then she looked to her brother and her staff that was standing around her to say good bye.

"Write as soon as you arrive," Cevin said.

Serenity nodded. "Of course. Will you please check on my staff from time to time?"

Cevin smiled and nodded his head. "Of course."

"And Lord Carter," she said carefully. "I know I've rejected him before, but he seemed particularly bothered by my insult today."

Cevin shook his head. "I'm not getting involved in that. Unless you want me to tell him off and to leave you be."

"No," Serenity shook her head with a weak smile. "I don't need you to protect me like that."

Cevin nodded before pulling Serenity into a tight embrace. He kissed her forehead as he clung to her. "Promise me you'll be safe and that you'll come back."

Serenity sighed against her brother's chest. Why was he making this so difficult?

"I promise I'll be safe."

She pulled out of his arms with a reassuring smile. "I love you, brother."

Before Cevin could say anything else, Serenity stepped back and transformed effortlessly into a beautiful pure white dove. She flapped her wings with eagerness and took off into the sky, heading straight into the clouds.