Seek (Book 2 of the Hide and Seek Duet - Completed)

2. Pressure

Once again we had gathered around the table, River and Blaze cuddled up either side of me as we all looked at Chase in horror. He looked tired and frustrated and worst of all worried, why was he so worried?
"Tell me again, what you found out", not quite sure I heard him correctly the first time.

"Two of the prince consorts have been seen at the council, according to the Queens they have no current business there, they were seeing Underhill, so I can only assume the worst. The Queens have requested their presence in court but at the moment they are missing, your uncles are also being obstructive about their whereabouts and asking what the Queens want?"

Blaze leaned forward his eyes intent on Chase "How do we find them, before they find us?"

"You don't! You need to stay here and focus on building all your powers, I will find them" he instructs.

I could see the boys were not happy with Chase's reply "Why?" I ask softly, bringing all eyes my way and stopping the potential argument.

"I am your guardian, its my job to protect you, all of you" his eyes scan the boys who don't look impressed, but he continues "I have the authority to take whatever measures necessary to protect you all, I am Fey, I can travel much quicker and discreetly than any of you can, their powers will not work on me, but may affect you, they shouldn't but I'm not ready to risk Octavia by testing it, not till you are all stronger".

I can hear the boys grumbling away in my head but recognise they have no argument against Chase's words.

"What about tracking down the prophecy and her missing grandfather?" Talon asks and Chase shakes his head.

"Too risky to just get out there" he pauses and looks at me, "but I think there may be clues at either Tiana's cottage or the St Croix estate, both are protected areas now, no-one meaning you harm can go there, you would be able to portal in together, but stay aware, the enchantments work well in this realm but a powerful Fey might be able to breach them"

My heart both jumped and tightened at the thought of going 'home' and I know they could feel my nerves. River squeezed my hand and I leant into his side "There is no rush, only if you are ready" he whispers and I smile up at him, knowing they would do anything to keep me safe and happy.

Chase stood and swayed slightly on his feet, Stone reaching out to steady him as I watch.

"You need to rest before doing anything, if you go back out like that, you'll end up getting hurt, please rest" I say and the boys murmur their agreements, making Chase grin slightly.

"Thank you, I will take a few hours of sleep" he nods my way and I smile back as he heads for the room he has been using.

River pulls me up onto his lap, wrapping his arms tighter around me "Well?" he asks his brothers.

Blaze looks at me "I can't believe i'm saying this but Chase is right, we need to train more, get stronger and more confident with what we can do, then and only if we are all ready, we will go to Tiana's"

I hear the humour in the groans that follow his words, Chase had given us a training schedule and a list of things to work through, some were fun, some were not and some were just painful but we kept to it, knowing that this would make us better, knowing we would need it.

Stone stood up and stretched gracefully before causally saying "Last one to the training room is the target" and fades.

We laugh and scramble to fade together, River cursing as he is the last one there.