Enchantress And The Guardian

Worry

"You are leaving again so soon?" Tresa sounded less than thrilled by the idea that her son, who had only returned not so long ago, was going to be headed back over to India. And for who knows how long?

"Grandmother has expressed that things have escalated with the witches," Dev tried to explain to his mother, but he could see that no amount of explaining was going to reassure her that his next stay was not for an extended length of time. Unfortunately, he did not know that either.

"You have only just begun your training with Lochlan," Edmond commented. Dev would not have his full powers for some time either. If he went back over now, he only had what Lochlan had taught him so far, which could not have been much.

"What would you do, father?" Dev asked Edmond. Edmond thought for a few moments before answering.

"I would write back to your grandmother and tell her that you need to continue training for at least another month before you can make the journey back. Then let Lochlan know what has transpired and see if there is any way to escalate your training. If he can teach you anything that will benefit you now," Edmond said. It was sound advice. Dev agreed that he had only just begun to learn how to use his powers. They would be essential to assist his grandparents in their struggle against the witches.

Dev slowly nodded his head in agreement, "I will write to her and hope that it will suffice for now," Dev looked to his mother. Concern clearly written on her brows. Dev walked over and gently cupped her hands in his own. Tresa looked up and Dev could see unshed tears glistening in her eyes. It broke his heart to hurt his mother even in the slightest.

"I am sorry to cause you any pain, mother, but I cannot stand by and watch while defenseless people are tormented. Especially when I know that I will be able to make a difference," Dev said gently. Tresa only nodded her head once. She pulled her hands from her sons and wiped the corners of her eyes.

"Did your grandmother say anything else in her letter?" Tresa asked. Dev shook his head in response. He knew that she was trying to change the subject in order to gain control of her feelings once more.

Tresa looked at Edmond. Edmond shrugged slightly. The action went unnoticed by Dev, "Should there have been more in the letter?" he asked his parents. He could feel that something important was not being said. But it clearly concerned him, and possible Quinn. Dev had decided to wait to tell his parents that Quinn had agreed on a courtship, and possibly a lengthy one at that.

Tresa looked back at Dev and let out a sigh. "When you were little, your grandparents came to see us and told us about the feud between the WereTigers and the witches. They said that the feud was going to reach new heights by the time you were in your adulthood, and they said that they wanted your help to defeat them once and for all," Tresa said. She squared her shoulders and regarded her son. She already knew the man that he had become and knew that if he were to be asked to fight, he would.

"We agreed that when you were older and ready, you would make the decision for yourself. You were so young," Edmond explained further.

"They did not ask for your help? You are a WereTiger as well," Dev asked his father. Edmond had explained his WereTiger half and knew that he went by the name of Kato. Although for some reason he had never met that side to his father.

"They wanted your powers. The amount that you are about to come into, would be enough to tip the scales, or so they believe," Edmond said. Dev sat silent for a moment.

"He still has a year before he gets his full powers as well as his WereTiger," Tresa pointed out. She did not like the idea of Dev returning to India at a disadvantage. Her irritation at Edmond's parents grew.

"But I do have some," Dev pointed out. Edmond was silent once more in thought. He did not understand his parents' actions either.

"Write to your grandmother first and see if she sends back any more information," Edmond said. Dev nodded in agreement. He bid his parents goodnight before retiring to his bedchamber.

Once inside, his thoughts turned to a beautiful red head rather than the situation with his grandparents in India. He had been overjoyed when Quinn had agreed to the courtship. He could not believe that she had also agreed to wait for him to return from India. It spoke volumes to her affection towards him. Most ladies would not want to wait. Most would jump t the chance to marry and settle down. But not his Quinny. A smile touched Dev's lips as he thought about her. She was the last thing that his mind saw before drifting to sleep in his large feathered bed.

"What are they thinking?" Tresa asked Edmond after they had closed the door to their own bedchamber. Edmond still could not understand it either.

"We will all have to wait for a letter back," Edmond said. He did not have any answers, the same as she.

"And if one does not come?" Tresa asked. "Will Dev be obligated to board a ship and travel blindly onto a battlefield? I do not like this Edmond," Tresa said. She sat on the stool in front of her vanity. Edmond walked over to the corner of their bed and sat down. His elbows on his knees as he grasped her hands. They shook slightly and Edmond knew that Tresa was trying to hold back. The fear of sending their son back over was beginning to be too much for her to handle. Edmond was not sure what he could say to alleviate her worry.

"I will go with Dev when he leaves for India," Edmond finally said. Tresa's eyes widened at his response.

"What did you say?" she asked. She must have heard him wrong. Edmond had never gone to India.

"Dev will not have his WereTiger in a month. He is going to need someone to have his back. Kato is in agreement as well," Tresa's eyes traveled over Edmond's face. She hated the idea of being left at home and worrying over her husband and son, but she was not foolish enough to go along and potentially be a liability instead of any actual help. She was merely human compared to the two of them.

"Are you sure?" Tresa asked.

"Yes," Edmond answered. His mind had been made up. He was not a young lad anymore, but he could defend himself and his own well enough. He had enough faith in himself and Kato.

"You mean I will finally be able to show what I can do after all this time?" Kato asked. Edmond inwardly rolled his eyes at his WereTiger half.

"You have done so before," Edmond responded to Kato. Kato had an unintelligent sound.

"Taking care of a couple of highway men is hardly showing my skill," Kato said. Edmond chuckled.

"What is going on?" Tresa asked.

"Kato said that he is excited about the idea of him being able to show his true strength. I then brought up the scene that had happened many years ago," Tresa chuckled at the recall of the highway men as well.

"It was many years ago," Tresa agreed with Kato. Edmond leaned forward and kissed his wife gently on the lips.

"All will be well," Edmond whispered to his wife. Tresa silently prayed that it would be.