Away From The Grey

Chapter 4: Deja Vu

Dallas was struggling to keep up as Hunter nearly ran home to his castle, it’s as if he hadn’t been home in a long time.                

                “How long has he been kept away from home because he was trying to protect me?” She asked herself.

                At last they had reached the gates of the magnificent castle. Dallas was shocked at how detailed everything was. The gate alone had intricate vines and roses made of metal decorating the front. On one side of the gate they were alive, on the other they were dead. They made it to the front entrance and the large wooden doors swung open. The smell coming from inside was intoxicating. A mix of fresh flowers and something was possibly being baked. Dallas inhaled the scent as if it were her last breath. They walked through the corridor towards the grand ballroom. The details inside the castle were just as detailed. Paintings on the wall of women who all resembled her mother. She began to realize maybe this wasn’t a dream after all.

                In true fairy tale fashion, the grand ballroom was exquisite. There was only 1 throne though and a top it sat a beautiful lady who didn’t look any older than Dallas’ mother. They looked a lot alike. She had dark ashy brown hair, piercing green eyes and full lips. The only difference between the woman on the throne and her mother was the color of the eyes. Her mother had hazel eyes. Dallas had always wondered how she had ended up with her deep emerald eyes that nobody in her father’s family had.

                “Oh Dallas, you have grown up so beautifully.” The queen said as they approached her throne. Hunter beamed at his mother.

                “My name is Queen Amelia, But you can call me Amelia if you’d like. Your mother Arianna is my sister. I miss her dearly. How is she? And Jonas?”       

                “Well your highness…..uh Aunt Amelia, my mother is doing well. She just got a promotion at our job so she has been quite busy and Jonas is still an annoying but really awesome brother.” At this Amelia smiled.

                “Aunt Amelia. I like that,” The queen begins to cough. “I am so glad everyone is well. I am so glad you are here. How have you been? Hunter tells me you went into the grey and almost got lost.”

                “Yeah I guess I did…I thought it was just a really odd dream. Or maybe that the world had ended or something. But I’m really glad Hunter found me.” At this point Hunter had joined his mother by her side and looked happier than Dallas had seen him.

                “Well now that Hunter is home, I hope you don’t mind if he can stay. I have a wonderful body guard to continue on Hunter’s duty but he will also teach you self defense while you are still strengthening your powers. Please meet Killian. He has helped protect our family for the past 3 years after he had turned 18. I hope that you both being near the same age will help you feel more comfortable around him. For now, he will take you to your room you’ll be in while you train. We will see you tomorrow morning for breakfast. If you don’t mind, I would love to spend some time with Hunter now. I haven’t seen him in almost 5 years.” Dallas gasped. 5 years was so long. Dallas turned to face the man who had entered the room behind her. Killian. Just like everything else in this world he was breathtaking. His dark brown hair fell in soft curtains around his face, not longer than his chin. His eyes a tantalizing crystal blue. His skin tan and he was tall. Even for Dallas who herself was 5’10. She felt as if her feet were in cement and couldn’t move. She realized that she had been staring for so long when he began to smirk.

                “If you’d like a picture with my autograph, I think I can make that happen,” He joked. Dallas felt her face flush. He walked over to her and as he did, he almost seemed to grow taller as he did. Her head was barely at his shoulders. She finally took a breath not realizing that she had been holding her breath. She didn’t enjoy feeling like this, it was new to her.

                “Actually yeah, that would be great. Thanks.” She laughed, attempting to regain some control over the situation.

                “Well then Dallas, Let me give you a tour of the castle and the grounds. I’m sure you must be curious.” He placed his hand on her shoulder and she thought she would melt right there. She was getting frustrated with these mushy feelings. She wasn’t in the mood and shrugged his hand off of her. He seemed amused. As they begin to leave the ballroom a delightful laugh fills the air and Dallas realized just how happy Amelia was to have Hunter back home with her. She wondered when she would be able to see her mother again.