Halfblood Bennett

Chapter 17

Fredrik didn't know what to do. Kore was moping. And he hated to see the frown on her face. They waited in the private airfield in Charlottesville for his plane to be cleared for takeoff. He sat down next to her and cupped her face, tuning her to him. Her eyes were glassy. "Do you regret helping me?"

"Oh no, my love. When my father told me Aphrodite had whispered my name. I didn't think I would be so blessed as to have you," she touched his face lightly. 

"It is you that is the blessing, my love. But it saddens me to see you this way. Any person is bound to make mistakes when parenting. That's just life. But you have to make up for it. And you can. It's not as if you're as horrible as my family."

"You don't have any good memories with them?"

"I have good memories with all of them. Except for Mikael. That man hated me from the moment I was presented to him with Niklaus. It wasn't just about the affair. The time didn't match up. My mother had to have gotten pregnant after my father left to raid. Two months to be exact."

"Huh, yeah. No pretending with that," she said as she held his hand. They were finally cleared for take off and the plane began to accelerate. "So where are we headed?"

"I want to share something with you. Something no one else in the world knows."

"And where is this surprise?"

"Napa Valley."

"Oh, wine, that sounds lovely." Fredrik chuckled and kissed her temple.

"No. We can get wine but your surprise isn't wine."

"Well as long as it's on the agenda."

They arrived to Napa County airport some hours later and Kore was glad she'd gotten a nap on the plane. It was very bright outside and she put on her sunglasses. Fredrik was handed their bags and grabbed Kore's hand as he led her to the rental car place. They got an SUV and Fredrik took off like he knew exactly where they were going. Kore enjoyed the scenery. The rows of nature and lush green. She was technically Persephone's daughter. Earth magic called out to her quite strongly. Almost as strong as her death magic. He pulled into one of the vineyards. One of the only ones with no sign.

"I thought this didn't originally involve wine?"

"It doesn't. We're popping up on someone. Then we'll go to where I've stayed each time I've come for the last hundred or so years."

"You've been coming here for a hundred years? That is some surprise," she said as they headed down a dirt road and ended up at a beautiful three stories farmhouse. There were other smaller cottages set up. People were walking around. Kore observed as they pulled up and parked in a random spot. Fredrik got out.

"I would like to have a chat with your leader. He doesn't know I'm coming but tell him Rik is here," he said to the first person he saw. They nodded and ran off as Kore got out the car. It was summer so she was wearing a midnight blue sundress. He walked up to her and offered her his hand.

They held hands as they walked towards the farmhouse. A man came out. Tall and dark haired with a nice peaceful smile. "Brother," Fredrik said and the two embraced. Kore walked up slowly. Fredrik looked back at her then back to his brother, "Finn, I'd like you to meet my soulmate, Kore. Kore, this is my eldest brother, Finn." Kore shook his hand.

"Hello. It's lovely to meet you," the man said then looked at his brother, "You've got yourself a powerful witch."

"I know. And we've broken our curse, brother," his eyes flashed gold to prove it.

"I am happy for you. It has been a long time."

"Ten years or so," he said, "How have you been?"

"Just fine. You know this place basically runs itself. Would you like to join us for dinner?"