Cassie

I walked up to an elaborate silver, wrought iron gate, with two Sentinel guards standing watch on either side and the guard tower off to the right with a bookkeeper sitting inside.

Fae are very particular about who has access to the royal thrown and there are only two entry points into the Fae realm.

One entrance is for lower ranking Fae and traders to use for daily access and any other personal uses, like visits to relatives.

The second entrance is reserved for high ranking members and officials only.

Since my father is an advisor to the King, I am lucky to be considered a high ranking member and allowed to access the more direct and secluded area of the kingdom.

Fae have many rules and procedures that you must follow, for example... Sentinel Beings pass souls to rejuvenate the earth, which is vital to nature and the continuation of the Earth Realm from each soul it passes.

Obviously... There are no humans in the 2nd Realm and I cannot do my part in the healing process if I'm away visiting Fae, so as a result, the king imparted time limits.

All Sentinel Beings, from either Realm are only permitted a 48 hour stay every 15 years, until the day they find their soulmate, at which point, restrictions would be lifted and they would be free to come and go anytime they want.

I strode right up to the little window and tapped on it, "State your name and affiliation" the older man said, not looking up from his task and I assessed his figure as time here slows, so it takes twice as long to reach maturity then it would on earth.

If I were really counting my age, then I would be a hundred a seventeen years old and that is but a baby to The Fae.

I lived in the Fae realm at the high court as an honored resident all my life, so... With all the grace my trainings have afforded me or at least that I could muster in black slacks and a blue blouse, I curtsey.

"Cassandra Alexandria Diarmuid, daughter of Freya and Borak Diarmuid advisor to the King of Fae, " I announced and the man startled as I say my name

"Ms. Diarmuid!" he said exclaimed brightly, hopping up "I have not seen you in ages, how long has it been?" He asked and I looked at the man as recognition sets in,

"Oh! Mr. Layke, I did not recognize you. It has been ages, at least 25 years," I exclaimed and he beamed.

"You are as beautiful as every, your mother and father are in house and will be ecstatic of your arrival." He said and I smiled, "as am I, I've missed them very much," I concurred as he opened the gates, waiving me through.

I walk in and instantly teleported into the main castle grounds where I was announced, "Cassandra Alexandria Diarmuid, daughter of Freya and Borak Diarmuid advisor to the King of Fae," the guard said and I was instantly bombarded.

"My Lady, It is so good to see you again," multiple people said and I just smiled as I walked towards the castle entrance, with a lot of " hello" and "nice to see you again," as I am greeted along the way, but as soon as I am in the castle, I race up to my mother and father's rooms.

First things first, make myself presentable to my station and announce myself to the King and Queen.

'I can talk to mom about my dilemma after,' I thought as I knocked on my mother's door and hearing her sweet-sounding voice, I was almost brought to tears, "Yes… come Meila I've been waiting," my mom said and I opened the door with my own surprise,

"Well... If it's Meila you've been waiting for, best I go back where I've came," I said in mock jealousy and my mother jumped clear out of her chair shocked and excited to see me.

"Oh! My baby girl" she said rushing to me and wrapped me up in a big hug, kissing my face.

Taking my hands, touching them to her face, "You're here… I've missed you," She said excitedly with tears and we laughed and cried and hugged each other, not realizing how long it's actually been,

"I love you mama, I missed you so much" I said and I had.

There was another knock on the door and startled me, "Meila! Come... Change of plans. We must present my daughter to the King and Queen, pull a grown from the closet," she instructed, unfazed at my reaction and looked at my silk baby blue blouse.

"Look for one in this color, it suits her very well," she said in admiration and I rolled my eyes, "you can have it mother," I said and My mother's hazel eyes lit up in appreciation.

The human world affords me many things and clothes are not lacking in designs or colors, it's the least I can do.

"Oh... I love it," she beamed at me, feeling the fabric, "Thank You Daughter" she said and dragged me to her closet, an hour later I was poked and prodded into a lady afforded my station.

My mother went away to announce my arrival to my father and prepare the King and Queen.

There are a lot of formalities, but once I get through this then I will be free to roam during my visit, not that I don't want to, but I am here for a purpose I thought as my mom walked into the room with my father in tow,

"father," I beamed and ran to him in as much lady like way I can,

"Peanut! I'm so glad you're home," his voice boomed and I curtsied,

"My Lord," I said with a smile and he gave me a gentleman bow.

My dad always called me peanut, everyone in my family is taller than me, 'even my mom at five-ten' I thought and jumped in his arms, completely improper, giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"I have missed you father, still handsome as ever," I appraised and he chuckled at my words.

"I have missed you too peanut and your brother's will be glad to see you as well, however, you have come at an unusual time," he stated and I gave a confused look.

"unusual time" I thought out loud and my father smiled.

"Well... Tonight is to be a ball and all the high ranking members are to attend for Prince Leif's coming of age party," he stated and that was unusual, 'Oh my that is a special event to be sure' I thought to myself and makes this even more important visit.

Fae reaches maturity at 250 years and of course nobody is immortal, but Fae are as close as any species can get.

I am not sure if it is because they live in the 2nd Realm or if it's because of an alternate universe, but Fae were one of the first species to inhibit earth before the transition.

Fae used to live on earth, but the Gods had a fatal flaw when creating humans as their life force was supposed to energize the earth, but they weren't rejuvenating and it caused more problems.

So... The Gods created the 2nd Realm and flooded the earth to start anew and heal the earth, Fae we're chosen by the gods maintain the 2nd Realm that connects to the Earth Realm in which the energy flows and Sentinel Beings are the bridge between the worlds that coexist at the same time.

The 2nd Realm is like a two-way mirror, except you cannot see what is on the other side and no man or beast can go, unless you are Fae or a Sentinel Being.

Humans talk about Fae and they write about the supernatural, but they can never touch it or breech it and vice versa with the Fae.

This is the reason Fae honor their Sentinel

Beings as we are their link to the human world, we go where they themselves cannot go and all Fae Sentinel Beings have an open bridge, forever into the 2nd Realm, even after we find our soulmate, unless… your soulmate is Fae.

My mom lost that bridge when she found my dad, why does it work that way? Nobody knows, the universe work's in strange ways and I am sure there is even more we don't know.

The universe is vast and infinite, 'so... just go with it right?' I thought and put on a bright smile, "what a wondrous event indeed, I am so lucky to arrive for such rare occasion." I said cheerily and my father returned my smile.

Holding his elbow out to escort me, "indeed it is" he concurred.

"The King and Queen are aware of your arrival and waiting to greet you," he informed me as I grasp his elbow and he led me back down the stairs to the receiving hall.

We reached the doors and my father and I turned at the same time, "Cassandra Alexandria Diarmuid, daughter of Freya and Borak Diarmuid advisor to the King of Fae," the guard announced and we walked forward, cordially, to the end of the isle.

I pulled away from my father and stepped a little to his front and curtsied before the King and Queen of Fae, with my eyes cast down.

"Cassandra my child rise…." the queen said cheerily and I stood looking up at the King and Queen,

"It is so wonderful that you have chosen to visit, it is such a blessing that you are here to celebrate Prince Leif coming of age." She said brightly, hands clasped to her breasts.

"Blessing indeed and we look forward to your attendance," the King added with his own smile and curtsied again.

"I look forward to it, your majesties. I was just telling my father how wondrous for such a rare occasion and I'm honored to take part," I agreed.

"Indeed... So lovely to see you dear," The Queen said with a wave and I curtsied, slowly walking backwards till reached my father's side and taking his arm.

"Borak, I'm sure you and your family would like some time with Cassandra, knowing her stay is so limited," The King stated and my father bowed, The King instructing my father to find relief for my brother's duties, while I was here and we thanked them for their generosity as we backed away.

After a few steps, we turned and walked out the door heading towards the stairs, "I'm glad your home peanut, I'll go find your brothers," he said and kissed my cheek.

I miss my family, this is the hardest part about being a Sentinel Being 'but hopefully that will change soon' I thought as I walked into my mother's room.

"Mother!" I called out and I heard her call out,

"I'm in here," she replied and I walked towards her voice, 'now for the important matters,' I thought walking into her room.

In the closet, my mom was in the middle of a million clothes and I could not help but laugh, "What are you doing?" I asked and she looked at me with dread.

"I am looking for a dress for you, but I am badly outdated in here," she resigned and I laughed again, walking over to her sitting in the pile of clothes, I reached out my arms around her waist with my ear to her chest and I closed my eyes as I hugged her, listening to her breath for a moment.

Maybe longer than I thought and my mom's hand caressed my head, "what is wrong my love? Is it the dresses?" she asked not understanding,

"I'm sorry we will go into the market and buy a new one," she said as if to cheer me up and I smiled against her chest, "A new dress? Shopping... Sounds fun," I exclaimed and squeezing a little tighter, but my mom knows me, regardless how long I've been away.

"Is there something else, my love?" she inquired and I sighed , getting to the point.

"I dreamt of my soulmate," I said quietly and she stiffened briefly, "Oh... How wonderful for you my love! You have passed your soul!" she exclaimed wrapping her arms around me, "who might this lucky man be?" she asked excitedly and I smiled thinking of my wolf.

"He is the most beautiful black wolf, long sleek fur coat with smoky midnight eyes." I said lovingly, thinking of us laying by the pool and my mother looked at me, "A wolf?" she said with surprise in her eyes and I sat up, tears in my eyes.

"You are torn?" she asked and palmed my face, "I feel your pain," she said wiping a stray tear,

"How will I know when I meet him -What will it feel like?" I asked all at once and she squeezed me a little tighter, "Oh, my love… You will know, it will be like nothing you have ever felt before," she explained with such wonder in her voice, rocking me lovingly and I turned and looked at my mom.

"How did you and father meet?" I asked and I felt her smile.

"I knew your father before my transition," she said dreamily, caressing my hair and my eyes went wide at her confession, "My dreams were of your father as a young boy, before I met him and so I wasn't sure" she confessed and my mouth dropped.

"You didn't even know it was dad?" I asked shocked as I looked at her.

"I returned for a visit during the King and Queen's betrothal as it is a great blessing to have a Sentinel Being in attendance for such events- I brought all my finest clothes and just knew I would find him." She informed me and mom, lost in her thought for a moment, just caressing my hair as I looked at my mom in wonder, 'that's how I felt about the wedding' I thought as I watched my mom,

"When I was presented to the King and Queen, you father was there and it was like tingling all over, just in his proximity and contact made it more intense as he stole all my breath," She reminisced in awe, looking at me and I hope I'm just in love after 500 years.

"Your father spent every minute he could steal away with me and The King himself determined he was my soulmate and told him not to be a fool" she said giggling and I smiled at my mother's story of love.

"You'll know here, when you find him…" she said, pointing to my chest and at that moment I knew Daniel is my soulmate. My mother's descriptions are similar things I am feeling around Daniel and now I have no doubts as I looked at my mom with happy tears.

"I think I already have," I said softly with a smile, "I just didn't know yet," I confessed and mother cupped my cheek, kissing my head.