Spring And Death (EDITING)

1. kiss of lilies

THE FEELING OF THE MORNING sun caressing my skin brought warmth throughout my body, and I basked in the blissful heat.  Gently, I ran my fingers along the raindrop stained grass, making sure I didn't accidentally pull out any of the plants. The sound of the birds melodious chirps rang in my ears, bringing me peace and serenity.

          Opening my eyes, my gaze fell upon the hickory tree in the front of the Aradia Estate. A raven was perched on a branch, observing the landscape with a hawk-like stare. The creature's blue eyes seemed to be searching for something, and when it found what it was looking for it released a brief croaking sound before taking off, spreading its onyx wings and gliding through the air. A thoughtful expression formed on my face as I wondered where it was going.

           "Katarina, why are you sitting here all alone?" a warbling voice chuckled, and I flinched in surprise. Turning my head I eyed my all too familiar ash brown haired companion, and using my free hand I gingerly swatted him on the leg for startling me.

           "Escaping my family. Where have you been, Mathieu?" I asked, staring into his light grey eyes, and he gave me an apologetic expression.

          "I'm sorry, Charisse was keeping me busy. I had to help the men move a few of your grandfather's things out of the main house so his room could be used as a guest room," he explained, and I rolled my eyes at hearing the name of my step mother. She hated me with a passion. My father had cheated on her with my biological mother and she gave birth to me, dropped me off on my father's doorsteps, and never looked back. Or at least that's how Charisse likes to tell the story. My father would never talk with me about who my real mother was and why she abandoned me. That was the only topic that was off limits when it came to speaking with him.

          "Also everyone's preparing for the spring equinox tomorrow and want all hands on deck," he continued, and I released a sigh. Standing up, I brushed the dirt off my jeans and moved the curly black hair strands in front of my face.

          "Well I don't want to speak with them that's why I'm out here," I said and he laughed, placing his hands into his pockets.

           "You should, they are your family," Mathieu stated and I shrugged.

          "Everyone treats me differently because I'm a bastard child and not a blood witch. I don't see why I'm even here, I'm not a part of the coven," I stated, and he released a sigh of exasperation.

          "Because you're family, they want you here. If they love you as much as I think they do I know they won't care if you have magic or not and just want your support," he reassured me. "Besides, you're smart and know a lot about the supernatural world. Where would your family be without you?"

          I wanted to tell him that it wasn't true. That the Aradia family had a strong lineage of blood witches and had one of the most powerful covens in the world and high expectations for everyone, but he already knew that from the many times I had babbled on about why as my best friend he had to accompany me on this trip.

          "You're always right, I hate it," I pouted, and he chuckled.

          "It's what I'm here for Kat," he said, throwing an arm around my shoulder and bringing me closer to him. The woody scent of his cologne hit my nose as I laid my head on his shoulder, and I smiled.

          "You always smell like nature," I stated and a laugh reverberated in his throat.

          "I hope that's a good thing," he mumbled.