Six

The next day Ash woke up to the sounds of movement in her room. She sat up and looked around as two women in dark blue and white maid’s uniforms were bustling around. One of the maids approached the bed holding a tray.

“Good morning Miss Black, I hope you slept well.” The woman had gray hair, wrinkled brown skin and kind brown eyes. She placed the platter on Ash’s lap. “My name is Clara and I’ll be one of your attending maids.” The woman said with a polite bow.

“Maids?”

“’Fraid so, as a guest of His Royal Highness, we are obligated to attend to your every need.”

Ash looked up to see the other maid approach the bed. She had deep blue eyes, tan skin and purple colored hair put into a bun. Unlike Clara who had a sweet demeanor the younger maid seemed more…sarcastic. That was fine with Ash, it wouldn’t be much different from hanging out with Caleb.

“My name’s Romi, and I am also one of your maids. Is there anything you need?”

“No, I just need to go to the bathroom real quick.” Ash said while getting out of bed, but a sharp sting of pain went through her.

Clara noticed her discomfort. “What’s wrong dear?”

“It’s, just my back, I get stiff sometimes.” Ash said rubbing the pained region.

Romi walked over. “Let me see.”

Before Ash could protest Romi placed her hand on Ash’s back. Ash let out a sigh of relief as her muscles relaxed and warmth spread through her.

“How did you do that?”

“I’m a Hybrid, I can heal others, but because of the nature of your injuries the pain will come back. Is there a type of medicine we can get you?” Romi asked.

“I use cannabis, but my prescription ran out last week.”

“Inhaler, smoking or edbiles?” Romi asked.

“Inhaler, but smoking works too.”

“I’ll see what we have available, if we don’t have anything I’ll put in an order.” Romi said before leaving the room.

“After you eat and get some medicine Prince Charles wants to give you a tour of the castle. Is it really your first time here?” Clara gushed.

“As far as I can remember.” Ash said.

“Well then you’re in for a treat.” Clara said as she followed Romi out of the room.

Once out in the hall Clara and Romi conversed.

“Should we tell the Queen what we saw? Or Charlie? Luca?” Romi whispered.

“No, not yet, this one’s been through a lot.”

“There wasn’t anything in the notes about her being a mage.” Romi said worried.

“Exactly why we shouldn’t be the ones to bring it up. I’ll go get her medicine, you check on Charlie.”

“Fine.”

“Thanks Love.” Clara said turning to leave.

Romi walked towards Charlie’s room. She knocked on the door with the prince’s initials painted on it. She entered seeing Charlie standing at his mirror in his boxers.

“Well, one question answered.”

“I have no idea what to wear.”

“Will you be down for breakfast?”

“Yes, and will Ash be there?”

“No. I think she needs time.”

“Oh, okay.” Charlie said failing to hide his disappointment.

Romi rolled her eyes. “You’ll have plenty of time to hang out with her on this grand tour I’m sure you meticulously planned.”

“For your information, I’m winging it today. Now leave so I can get dressed.”

“Yeah, because this,” she gestured towards him, ”is a completely new sight to me.” Romi joked.

“Get out! Geez, you’re like the sister I never wanted, go.”

“Whatever.” Romi said with a smug smile as she closed the door behind her.

~**~~**~

Ash stood out on her balcony and looked up at the sky. It was overcast, a slight chill was in the air. “Yep, now it’s Autumn.” She said taking a deep breath.

She looked out to the horizon where she could see the colorful city further down the coast. She looked out to where the town square would be, that was where all the shops and restaurants were. Tourist season was over so the islands wouldn’t be as crowded, and the ‘Local’s Discount’ would be put into effect.

“How long has it been since I went to the boardwalk?” she asked herself.

She looked over to where Rand Village was hiding behind the thick forest. Alonia only had two major cities since the country as so small. Centruna on Alonia Island, the small metropolis with plant covered skyscrapers, exclusive shops and restaurants and the perfect beach for relaxing. Alonia Island was mid-sized compared to the other two islands. The largest island was Relupi Baia where Alonia City homed the resorts and amusement parks. Then there was Gloriana, the forbidden island, once home to all of Alonia’s temples and churches.

A knock at the door disturbed Ash’s thoughts and she went to open it finding Charlie standing on the other side.

“Ready for the grand tour?” he asked.

Ash nodded with a small smile and Charlie offered his arm.

She took it. “Such a gentleman, if you hadn’t nearly trampled me with your horse I’d consider this a date.”

“I’m never gonna live that down huh?”

“Neee-ver.” Ash sang.

Charlie led Ash through the rest of the residential wing showing her the Family Room and movie theatre. He walked them into the large movie theatre where an animated movie was playing on a large projection screen.

“I love this movie.” Ash said with smile.

“Ellis, you here?” Charlie called.

An arm waved at them in the dark room. “Come here real quick, I want you to meet someone.”

Ash watched as the figure of a kid came towards them. Prince Ellis De Lupa was an eleven-year-old with short, brown, coiled hair, dark brown eyes and light tan skin. He steadily walked over using silver and blue striped crutches to keep him upright.

“Was that supposed to be some kind of joke?” he said feigning annoyance.

“You know that’s not what I meant.” Charlie said. “This is my little brother, Ellis.”

“Hello Ellis, my name’s Aislinn, but most people call me Ash.”

“What do less people call you?” Ellis asked with a smirk.

“My family in Mersabel call me Linn, my school nickname is Sparkles.”

“Sparkles?”

“I’m an heiress to a gemstone empire.” Ash said with a shrug.

“Nice to meet you, Sparkles.” Ellis said reaching out his hand. “How long will you be staying with us?”

Ash shook his hand. “I’m not sure.” Ash said turning to Charlie.

“She has to wait for her dad to come get her.”

Ellis just nodded. “Cool, hope to see you at dinner.”

Ellis went back to his movie and Charlie continued with the tour. He showed her the expansive library. The large and bustling kitchen, where they got a small snack. Then to the grand ballroom where Ash marveled at the crystal chandelier. Charlie then brought her to the throne room, where Queen Anabelle was currently sitting in her tall gold and blue chair reading over a thick folder surrounded by servants.

“She’s probably setting it up for court.” Charlie said dismissively.

“So the castle doesn’t have its own court room?”

“We have a dungeon.” Charlie offered.

“Oh great.” Ash said with a laugh.

He showed her the gym which had everything from equipment to a boxing ring. Along the walls were racks of various sparring weapons.

Ash looked at the boxing ring intrigued, and Charlie smiled shyly.

“You don’t seem like a fighter. Although…” she squeezed his muscles playfully.

“It’s important to know how to defend yourself. I don’t really use weapons, just mixed martial arts. What about you?”

“I specialized in Acrobatic Avoidance and staff weapons. I’m probably rusty though.”

“I see. Are you a hunting major at the academy?”

“I quit after intermediate school, it wasn’t what I wanted to do.” Ash said.

Charlie led them out of the room. “What do you want to do?”

“I used to want to do lots of things, I wanted to be a pro gymnast, then take those skills to Madame Arachne’s Aerial Spectacular. I keep saying that I’m prepping to take over the family business, but I’m not even third in line for that position. I’ve thought about being a socialite, but…ew.”

Charlie laughed as he led her to a large room filled with instruments. The floor was split in half with dark tile and what looked like a wooden stage area. The room had a high ceiling that provided perfect acoustics.

Ash walked in going towards the black grand piano.

“You play?” she asked.

“Piano, guitar, I can sing a little, but Vincent has more talent in that department.” He said noncommittally. “You?”

“I sing from time to time…” Ash said making a point to not look at the wall of string instruments.

“And?” Charlie asked with a grin.

She sighed. “And I can play the fiddle.”

Charlie gasped. “The demon’s instrument!”

“Shut up! It’s a family thing.” She laughed.

“Please show me sometime.”

“Sure, we’ll do a duet.” Ash said rolling her eyes. “So, do you really have a dungeon? There’s a jail in town, but I always thought it strange we didn’t have a formal prison.”

“Yes, we do have a dungeon, but it doesn’t get much use.” Charlie explained.

“Will you show me?” she asked.

“That area is off limits. My mother doesn’t want anyone who isn’t a highly trained guard to go down there. It’s not that impressive.”

Ash looked at him puzzled but decided not to pry. “So where to next?” she asked instead.

“Well there’s the courtyard, observatory, where Vincent’s room is, or the indoor pool.” Charlie said.

“You have a pool!” Ash exclaimed.

“And a private beach.”

“Big enough for parties?” she asked excitedly.

“Of course.” He answered.

“I will be keeping that in mind.” She said.

“Oh great.” Charlie laughed.

He took her out to the beautiful and expansive courtyard garden complete with a small hedge maze, a pond, and a large rotunda that housed a small dining table surrounded by chairs.

“This is gorgeous.” Ash said in awe.

“I’m glad you like it, it’s one of my favorite spots too.” Charlie said walking toward the pond and examining the small ducklings and swans that paddled themselves in the water.

He turned to look at Ash to see that she was looking around in concentration. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

She snapped her attention back to him and shook her head. “No, I just had this weird feeling like I’ve been here before.” She shook her head. “Anyway, where to next?”

“Well there’s the observatory, the stables or -”

“Let’s go to the stables.” Ash said.

“Sure.” Charlie agreed.

“Do you use the observatory often?” Ash asked as they walked to the castle stables.

“No Lucinda Khoury and a few meteorologists do. I have used it before, but honestly it’s up in a tower and we have yet to install an elevator, and the stairs, ugh!”

Ash laughed. “Oh, so while I’m here I can still leave the castle and go anywhere at any time, right?” Ash asked.

“Of course.”

“Could I invite my friends here?”

“If you wish.”

“Fantastic, we’ll need two horses.” She decided.

“You want them here now?” Charlie asked amused.

“Hell yeah! They’ll need to know what’s going on anyway, they’re going to flip. We need the most ceremonial looking horse gear you have.” Ash said excitedly.

Charlie sighed. “Me and my big mouth.”