Chapter Two
1141 Words
Dinner was all of my favorites- pork tenderloin, roasted veggies, creamy potatoes, and more- but I couldn't bring myself to take more than a couple bites. I stared idly at my plate as I drug my fork through my food. Something was wrong, I could feel it deep within myself. The hair on my body stood on end and my skin prickled with unease.
"Ruby?" my mother's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
"I'm sorry, what was that?"
She gave me a look of concern. "Uncle Von was asking how your studies are going."
I turned to face my uncle. His hair was long, brown waves peppered with grey that he kept tied back in a braid. His ocean eyes looked worried and he rubbed his stubbled chin. I pretended to be hungry and took a bite of potatoes before answering him.
"They're... well they're going," I managed to get out. I lowered my eyes to my plate, ashamed to tell him anymore.
"Ruby skipped today. Again," my father supplied.
"Ah," Uncle Von responded. "Out training again were you?"
My face flushed. "Yeah."
Maddox snorted beside me and I sent a glare his way. "If she paid as much attention to her lessons as she did to her bow, she'd probably be the smartest person in the kingdom by now."
"Maybe you should try training some more some time. You're looking kind of skinny there," I retorted, poking him in the side.
"Stop it," he growled and reached over for me.
"Children, enough," my mother scolded.
Juliette coughed back a laugh and her mother, Aunt Artemis, sent a look her way.
"He's got a point though, Ruby," Artemis said. Her honey colored eyes locked onto me and she brushed a stray curl from her face. "You have amazing potential. Maybe you could come study at The Moonlight Kingdom for a while?"
My face broke into a wide grin and I looked between her and Juliette, who's smile mirrored my own.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course I am. What do you think Indigo?"
My mother glanced at my father and nodded her head. "I think it would be a great opportunity for Ruby. What do you think, Valen?"
He was silent for a moment, chewing his food while he thought about it.
"I don't like the idea of her being where I can't keep an eye on her."
I groaned. "Dad, I'll be fine. Aunt Artemis and Uncle Von will be watching me."
"That we will," Von chimed in. "We will see to it that she attends her classes with Juliette. That way she'll be back on track before the ceremony next month."
I held my breath as he thought it over a little more. Finally, with a defeated sigh, he agreed.
"But I want daily check ins, Ruby. If you so much as miss a day I will come down there and get you myself."
I sprung from my chair and wrapped my arms around my dad.
"Thank you so much! I won't disappoint you!" I kissed him on the cheek then repeated the action with my mother.
"That settles it," Aunt Artemis proclaimed. "We'll leave in the morning. Why don't you kids go for a walk while we discuss the details?"
I knew we were being dismissed so they could have "adult talk" and usually that would bother me, but I was too elated to care. I wrapped my arm around Juliette and nearly yanked her from the chair.
"Wait for your brother!" my mom called after me.
I slowed our pace slightly so he could catch up. When he did, he stuck his hands in the pockets of his trousers and stared at the ground. We managed to make it outside before Juliette ans I squealed like little girls. We'd been best friends since we were babies, and with all of us approaching twenty years old, our bond ran deep.
"I can't believe they agreed. You should have seen my dad earlier, he was so angry at me."
"I know, but you know my parents. They know how to work it all out."
Juliette grinned and skipped ahead as we reached the edge of the forest.
"You guys wanna race like we did when we were kids?"
"Of course!" I shouted in delight. I looked back at Maddox, realizing he hadn't said a word since dinner.
"Why are you so quiet?" I asked as I nudged his side. He glanced up at me, his bright violet eyes filled with worry.
"I don't think it's a good idea for you to go."
My skin prickled again. Were we having some weird twin telepathy?
"It's only a few hours away. Plus, I'll have Juliette and Aunt Artemis and Uncle Von. I'll be safe," I tried to reassure him.
He looked down again and nodded. "I know that. I just feel like something is... off."
I reached out and took his hand in mine. "Don't worry, Maddox. I'll check in with you every day, too. If anything, and I mean anything, sets you off, tell me and I'll come right home."
"Thanks Ruby," he replied as he gripped my hand tighter. "Bet I can beat you to the creek and back." He smiled widely at me and took off running, with Juliette following behind and laughing.
"Hey! No fair!" I screamed as I ran to catch up to them.
***
Goodbyes the next morning were harder than I expected. My mother had a hard time letting me go, and even Maddox clung to me for longer than usual.
"Remember what I promised?" I whispered in his ear. He nodded his head and took a step away from me. He tried to smile, but it came out more like a grimace. I made a mental note to call him later and pry for more details.
Finally, it was time to say goodbye to my father. I approached him, standing tall and proud.
"I'll see you soon, dad. And I promise I won't disappoint you."
His eyes softened and he threw his arms around me.
"You couldn't disappoint me even if you tried."
Stunned, I hugged him back and felt tears well up in my eyes.
"I love you, daddy."
"I love you too, gem."
When he finally released me I joined Juliette and her parents by the waiting car.
"Ready?" she asked with a smile.
"You bet!"
We hopped into the back and drove off, and I watched as my home faded from view.
The pit of unease I had been feeling grew as we passed territory lines and I could have sworn I saw a flash of grey fur running through the trees. I shook my head, chalking it up to my imagination and settled in for the drive.
My family was strong. They would be okay no matter what.
Wouldn't they?
- Writer
