Reckless Abandon - The Secrets of Avelina Chronicles 2

10: Ellis

While two days had passed in Avelina, it was still the same day both on the Island. Time moved different when traveling between the two world and the Island never seemed to have the same amount of hours in one day as the next. At least, so Ellis had been informed. It was a new development that intrigued him, since it had only occurred since Walter had taken over Edward's body. Nevertheless, the tricky transformation from his cave on the Island to the world where his family lived, was finally over.

Lyra was stunned to find herself standing in the middle of a large room, in a Victorian house. It was the master bedroom, complete with a King sized four poster bed and en-suite bathroom, the large sash windows covered up by the heavy drapes. Of course, not that Lyra knew what any of those things were. She had a bed at home, but the four poster fascinated her. There were crude toileting facilities on the Island, but they were nothing compared to what was within that house. For a moment, Lyra stood speechless, trying to take it all in. She was so enchanted by everything she saw that she had completely forgotten she was standing naked, in front of Ellis.

"Take this while I find you some clothes." Ellis smiled to himself as he moved away from her. She really was quite adorable, with that speechless, astounded look on her face. He grabbed the dressing gown on the end of the bed and wrapped it around Lyra's shoulder, removing the blanket she was ignoring. The house was a second home the clan kept for traveling Elders of other clans. It was currently empty, so he had sent a letter ahead to his parents, not only telling them that he had arrived safely, but asking for sole use of the house for the next few months. The privacy would come in handy.

Ellis walked across to the double, freestanding wardrobe in the back corner of the room. He pulled out a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and some underwear for himself and busies himself by getting dressed. He wanted to make Lyra feel more comfortable. Next came a dress of the sort she had never seen before and as he laid out all the clothes for her, on the end of the bed, complete with shoes in her size and lingerie. He could see that it would take her a while to adjust. Everything was so new and different.

"I'll send the maid up to help you get dressed and show you how things work. These are the kind of clothes that woman of your age wear here. They will help you fit in." He explained gently, hoping that it would work. He couldn't have her walking around in the twenty-first century wearing Medieval style clothes. "This is my house, go where you please. Look around. I will be downstairs waiting on you when you are ready. We cannot go anywhere until tomorrow, but we'll have time to talk before we head out." He continued, hoping that she would like everything he had prepared for her.

Ever since he had known his task, he made sure to prepare himself for the undertaking. He had arranged for the house, the maid and the clothes to be fitted to exactly what he thought Lyra would love. It seemed he'd done well. Much to her surprise, Ellis stepped up to her, kissed her lips lightly and smiled, before leaving her alone in the room. She had never been treated with such care and love before, by anyone. She couldn't explain what it did to her feelings.

A minute later the door opened again and the maid entered. For the next hour, Lyra was full of questions. The maid, Selma had a hard time keeping up. But since she had been to the Island as a little girl and knew their ways, she tried her hardest to give good answers. She showed Lyra the lingerie she had bought for her, on Ellis' orders.

"Miss Lyra you need to wear this beneath your dress to keep you warm and to keep you looking pretty." Selma answered gently, unsure of what else to say that she would understand.

"Why is this dress unfinished?" Lyra asked, her voice a mixture of wonder and disapproval. Selma couldn't help but giggle to herself.

"That is the fashion, Miss Lyra."