The Realm Protectors

Chapter 20 - Lyra

"You eat cereal?" Faris asks me as I pour myself a bowl of Frosted Wheats for breakfast. He takes a startlingly large bite of his bagel while he waits for my reply.

"I am still a human, Faris." I raise the spoon to my mouth and chew the sugary cereal. "I enjoy sugary things."

"I just thought that moon witches would have some sort of weird breakfast routine." Faris shrugs. I tilt my head as I look at him.

"I burn incense before you all wake up to clear the residence of negativity, if that's what you are wondering." I reply. Faris stops chewing to sniff the air.

"Smells like cinnamon." He decides.

"And white sage," I nod. "You have a good nose." I take my bowl and sit down on the couch. Ciana is sitting in the window seat, looking back and forth between the clear blue sky and the television, which is playing the news channel. The reporter is talking about our return from Dunia and Tucker, our new Grandshield.

Tucker changes the channel.

"Morning," he says to me.

"Good morning," I reply. "How are you today, Tucker?"

He seems surprised that I replied. "I'm fine. You?"

"I am well." I take another bite of Frosted Wheats.

"Are all space elementals so airy?" I hear Faris whisper to Carter.

"Some of them talk like you," Carter replies. "Some talk like Lyra."

"All right, High Arches." Enya claps her hands, rubbing them together as she walks down the hallway, Nile close behind her. "Today we have our last official meeting to plan the Coronauguration, and then Jaq will be here to finish the final touches on our outfits."

"Who knew it would be so much work?" Avani groans, opening the refrigerator. "I'm glad it's almost here so we can be done with it."

"Let's get a move on, kids!" Enya calls as she walks towards the tunnel door. I finish my Frosted Wheats and put the bowl in the sink. Carter waits for me by the door, letting our friends go ahead of us.

"Hey," He smiles.

"Hello," I smile back.

We follow our friends through the tunnel and into Arch Hall, before walking to the meeting room. We sit in our chairs, less ornate versions of our High Arch seats, and prepare to sit through two hours of meetings. Tucker takes his place in the folding chair behind Enya and Nile. He doesn't contribute to the meetings much. He only listens when they talk about the actual crowning ceremony, which he has to administer, of course.

The Arch Council arrives shortly after, and we begin the meeting. Over the past four days of meetings we've covered everything for the entire day tomorrow: the pre-ceremony gathering, the ceremony, and the post-ceremony party. The planners have presented us with options for everything, from the flowers to the confetti. Jaq sits in on the meetings, mostly to lend her designer's eye to anything she feels the need to. I see her two carts with our outfits for tomorrow waiting in the corner. I feel a tap on my arm and turn to see Carter attempting to slip me a piece of paper. I take it and open it.

Are you okay?

I look at him and nod. He dips his chin towards the paper. I pick up my pen and write back,

Yes, why?

I pass him the note back and he scans it quickly. He scribbles a reply and hands it back to me.

You haven't talked much.

Neither have you, Carter.

Yeah well, ur a girl. I figured you'd like this party-planning stuff.