Strange

The conversation flow is natural, though Cersei partakes in little of it. Lip now and then shoves her arm with his book in an attempt to get her to say something.

She says naught, rolling her eyes at him, then going back to eating her food, and drinking her orange juice. Luckily, Quill is busy talking to Elex, Eryx, and Xolo, and I try to listen in, though most of it is just about the problem with the trade in.

In a more hushed tone, I can hear him ask Elex, and Eryx about Mason. I lean in to hear better when-

"Oh! My lady, forgive me, I almost forgot if you settled your ownership of the kelpie yet." Lip asked, making my turn to him in surprise.

"I haven't yet-"

"I forgot! Lady Cece managed to take the bridle of a kelpie! That sounds so amazing." Xolo exclaimed, stopping the conversation between the twins and Quill.

Quill smiles, but I can see the worry in his eyes, and how he pushes the remainder of his food away. I want to know what exactly is going on, but I don't think Quill is going to be telling me at this time soon.

"I don't know much about kelpies, Lip, just some tidbits from cautionary tales my mother use to tell me. Ovylian doesn't really have those creatures there." I reply, feeling a slight blush on my cheeks.

Cersei mumbles something, that causes Lip to reach out and pinch her arm.

This time, though, Quill hears her, and a growl that forms deep in his chest sounds, rumbling up to his mouth, teeth exposed as they're now very sharp. He snaps in Cersei's direction, which causes her to flinch, and then sit up straight.

"Do I really have to tell you to behave? You're seventeen, almost eighteen, Cersei. And this is my wife, and she's going to be the one to stay. You cannot behave in this way, especially when I'm around." he snapped again, Cersei standing up in from her chair, and causing it to fall back.

"I will not accept this human into our home, our lifestyle. She should have stayed with that disgusting stray Mason." and with that, she stomps away, Lip going after her.

"Perhaps I should go, there's been a lot of trouble because of me." I say, as I wipe my lips with the napkin, and stand.

Quill catches my hand though, looking at me softly, as he kisses my hand.

"Stay. Please. I'll even help you with your new kelpie." he says, chuckling a bit.

It's a tempting offer, and I bite back a smile, taking a seat next to my betrothed.

The mood is soured after Cersei's outburst, and we eat quickly then, soon going our separate ways. The twins and Xolo are eagerly talking about techniques in sword fights, Quill looking amused as we head outside.

Cool air greets me, and I pull out my mittens from mu pockets, slipping them on. Quill is alerts, eyes raking over the villages, the children playing along the sidewalks, and the carriages that are passing by. At some point, his stare looks wistful as he glances at the young children playing together.

"Darling?" I say, catching his attention. He snaps to my face, and give me another smile.

"Shall I lead the way?" he asks, and I nod, not really remembering the steps it took to go to the lake.

Though the snow has mostly melted, there's still that crunch noise it makes when stepped on, and I hold on to Quill in case I were to slip. He pulls me towards him, as if wanting to carry me, but I put my hand up.

"I can walk my love." I tell him firmly, and he sighs, in disappointment.

We continue on through our journey, when my bracelet suddenly lifts up, the chain pulling my arm upwards.

"Wai-" I try to say, before I'm tugged in a different direction from the pathway. Quill tightens his grip on my hand, and strangely he gets pulled by me.

We're both being dragged away, the trees thinning to the point where the sound of a small waterfall is heard.

Sweat breaks out on my forehead, my heart picking up speed as the memory of being almost drowned comes over me. I'm scared, and I squeeze Quill's hand a little tighter just as my boots splash into the lake.

At this point, at let go of Quill; I have the bridle, and I'm not taking any chances in case the thing tries to attack him because he has no source of protection like I do.

The water raises viciously, going up and up, until a horse shadow splashes out of the water, the eyes glowing faintly. I feel like such a fool thinking this was a real baby horse that needed help. It shakes its head, waiting, eyes locked on my bracelet.

"What do I do? What do I say?" I ask Quill, and he walks towards me, only stopping at the edge of the lake. I turn to see why, seeing other kelpies join in the masses, letting out warning neighs.

"Don't harm him!" I say sharply to the kelpie in front of me. Instantly, the water calms, the other kelpies disappearing.

"That's how you do it, Cece." Quill says, taking a step into the water. The lake moves a bit agitated, but other than that, leaves him unharmed.

I try to think what I want most from the kelpie, how to have it serve me. So, I look into its glowing eyes and tell it everything I want it to do.

After a few seconds, the kelpie sees me finished, then drops the water back down, disappearing with the others. The lake is safe enough that Quill steps in, water sloshing around his legs and boots.

He wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me up.

"What did you have it do?" he asks.

"Nothing too strange, darling. Now come on, let's get warm and get to know one another properly."

What Cece commanded the kelpie(s) to do;

"Protect the waters and the land from the dangers not known. If the person isn't from here, nor calls it home, track it down. Do not let any harm come unto the people of New Puerto, from the oldest of the old, to the youngest of the young. These are the orders from your master."