The Soulmate Mark

C H A P T E R 5

As they traveled through, Athena could see it was darker and even fewer plants in the village.The minute the carriage got to the village all eyes were on her.Athena felt like she wanted to shrink but she couldn't.Xander saw she was uncomfortable, and he chuckled. "Xander, make her feel comfortable". His mom said."Fine but you have to admit it is funny".Athena nudged him.The carriage made it to the middle of village.The family was announced when they got out except for Athena.She looked over at the announcer and he just shrugged his shoulders.There was a crowd surrounding the carriage and girls screaming Xander's name, but the guards held everyone back. "Wow I feel like a celebrity I don't know if I can get used to this".Xander looked over at her and facepalmed.She didn't want to laugh but she couldn't help but giggle.Xander slightly smiled but he became serious again.

His parents went to deal with city hall while Xander showed Athena the village.It was nothing like Asterin with their tall sky scrapers and slightly polluted air.But the village was tiny and the buildings were not new.Her city and this village was very different.As they walked through everyone looked at Athena.Girls giving her dirty looks with being next to Xander and older people looking at her outfit in disgust."Xander...why doesn't anyone wear bright colors here?" "To be honest, I'm not sure it has also been that way, but I'm thinking it has to do with one affair with my ancestors".The rest of the walk was in silence ,until they got to the carriage. "How was the village Athena ,did you like it". The king said eagerly."Yes, I did it's quite different from what I'm used to". "Well, it would be like your world, but our ancestors did not want us to be anything like Ast...Aste...Aster...Asterin.Sorry about that we don't talk about that world here". The king said. "It's fine I don't blame you ,we don't talk about Gantrick either." "Oh...I mean as they should".The rest of the ride was in silence.

"Oh um how did City hall go".Xander said to break up the silence. "Well-". The queen started to say but got interrupted. "It was terrible." "No it wasn't honey you just argued with them the whole time.I sorted everything out but I don't want to get into it".The queen said.The king mumbled something under his breath."Oh Xander did you tell Athena about the ball". "No mum,she just got here and plus your stupid ball is in six months". "It is not stupid but still I would like her to know so she can plan ahead".When they got to the castle they all parted ways.Before the queen fully left she said "Athena do wash up before supper later and maybe find something to do". "Ok I'll just go to the library". The queen stopped in her tracks "The library are you serious darling don't you want to do something fun". "Well not to be rude but I do enjoy books and plus I'll be staying here for a year until the curse is gone so I have time to have fun". "Fine I mean there is nothing wrong with books I like them too it's just Gantrick has so many fun things to do and you just want to read.I guess have fun, supper is at six but come at five thirty we do something before supper as a family." "Mum do really have to". "Fine we will do it another time just come on time we like to be punctual".She said before walking away.