Under the Moon - Book 1 in the Bewitching Moon Series

Chapter 20

"Well done Mr. Williams," The queen said to me in a pleased tone. She had had the guards take Marabella to a room prepared for her.

Queen Anastasia swam down from her throne, a tall scepter in hand. She motioned me to kneel down, and I excitedly did.

"Aiden William, I hereby dub you Sir Aiden of the official royal guard." I felt the cold of the scepter touch each of my shoulders.

Slowly I rose to face the Queen, bowing my head.

"It is my honor, your majesty."

***

I swam home, a surge of proudness in me. I was a knight, just like my father was, just like my grandfather had been. I had completed my mission, it had taken three long months, but it was less than a year which was an accomplishment. I couldn't wait to see my family again, I couldn't wait to see my father's proud face when I tell him the news.

I slowly opened the door, planning to sneak up on my family. Chelsey was playing around with her magic when I came in. Chelsey was able to create life, a lot stronger power than my healing abilities. She could also bring inanimate objects to life, so she was always talking to a few blocks or stones.

She had turned her head to see who had come in, and her eyes widened when she saw me.

"AIDEN!" she shouted, swimming over to me at top speed. She had me crashing into the wall with the force of her hug.

My mom quickly came around the corner and when she saw me, her eyes also widened.

"Mark! Get over here! Our son has returned!" she had also swum fairly quickly towards me, grasping me in a tight hug. Dad came just as fast.

"Aiden my boy! Your home! We had missed you so much." He joined in on the hug. I could barely breathe.

"M-Mom, Dad, I c-can't breathe" I managed to squeeze out. Finally, they let go and I took in a long breath, my lungs burning.

"Did you do it? Did you complete your mission?" My dad questioned eagerly.

"Y-Yeah I did! I'm part of the royal guard now!" I said.

Dad grasped me in a tight hug once again and was swinging me around like I was a little child again. I was laughing uncontrollably.

"I'm so proud of you Aiden! I knew you could do it! You're my son after all!"

Warmth spread through my body as my dad kept saying so many more things about how he was proud of me. The last time he was this proud of me was when I first mastered my sword-fighting class, at the top of the class. That was quite a few years ago. My dad was a happy person and was always there for us, but it was very rare to see him give a compliment unless he really meant it, which is why I was so happy to hear them directed towards me.

Finally, Dad let me go, I was really dizzy and almost crashed right back into the wall.

"I am so proud of you Aiden," my mom said, her eyes were welled up as if she was crying, and maybe she was, but I couldn't tell, you can't when you're underwater, you just have to be able to recognize facial expressions.

Mom hugged me again, this time, not as tight.

"As much as I'm happy to see you, you must be exhausted, why don't you get some rest? When you wake up you can tell us all about your mission."

"Ok mom, yeah I haven't slept in like a day, the past few days have been nerve-racking."

"Have a good rest son," Mom said as I left the room, Dad patting my shoulder as I passed by him.

When I open my bedroom door I felt an overwhelming sense of home. It feels like ages since I have been in my own room. I spent a few moments just standing in the middle of the room, taking it all in. I closed my eyes and sighed. Slowly I opened my eyes, heading to my bed to get so well deserved sleep.

I slowly drifted down onto my bed, I closed my eyes ready for a peaceful sleep.

Instead, I jolted up. As soon as I started drifting off to sleep, I could see a picture of Marabella forming in my head. I guess I was starting to miss her company. But I shouldn't think too much of it. I only got close to her so that I could succeed in my mission, bring her to Queen Anastasia.

So why did I feel an overwhelming sense of loss?