Hope

Chapter Thirty

Training with Nick has gone really well in the past three weeks. Granted, I've noticed a change in my own movements. I move with grace and my eyes are more alert- more like Melissa. I took a few lessons from her. She is extremely flexible and I watched in awe as she moved so fast that she resembled a cat- she would pounce where you least expected. Her bubbly personality had vanished when she dueled with Nick. It was replaced by a graceful warrior that I couldn't help but envy. They had dueled twice with Marg who has incredible aim and could shoot something from a mile away and not miss. She was also fast and extremely graceful. They all were.

I won three duels with Nick. He was pretty impressed at how fast I'd learned everything. Two of those battles I fought with the Earth sword. I nearly cut of his hand on both occasions. But he nearly cut off my head so we're even.

Magnolia decided to keep Harry on our premises, insisting that he was more dangerous out there than he was in here. Rob and I were the only ones who agreed with her. She had called us all into her office two weeks ago- Nick, Harry, Marg, Melissa, Peter, Rob and I- and didn't waste time informing us.

“I've come to the conclusion that Harold will remain in this mansion for now,” she had said. “That would be all.”

There was mixed emotions in the room. Relief from me and Rob. Anger from Nick. Annoyance from Marg. Unfathomable giddiness from Melissa- although I suspect the champagne. Peter looked confused and I thought that confusion had a lot to do with his sister's uncanny emotions. And Harry looked shocked.

“Thank you,” he had said to me as we left Magnolia's office.

I had attempted a smile. I didn't know why he was thanking me. I didn't do anything, just hoped that Magnolia will keep him while, at the same time, hoping she wouldn't. “Sure.” That was the last time I'd spoken to him. Nick has been keeping me extremely busy to the point where it felt intentional. I didn't question him on it, though. I was grateful for the distraction.

To my relief Nick never mentioned the kiss and neither did I. It almost felt like nothing had changed between us. Almost.

I try to ignore what today is as I take a quick shower. The day brings a lot of memories that I'd rather forget. It's my eighteenth birthday and I don't remember anyone asking about my birthday so hopefully no one knows I'm one year older today, though emotionally and mentally it . I know Jeff wouldn't have forgotten and the that makes my heart contract painfully.

I step out of the shower to find a note placed on my bed. “Happy Birthday” it read in familiar cursive handwriting, though I can't point out the writer. I crumble it up and throw it away.

So much for hoping no one acknowledges this day.

I pull on warm clothes quickly- the weather has been getting worse- and I head over to the kitchen to get myself some breakfast.

“Good morning,” I say to Peter. He nods, still chewing his cereal. “Those are nice, huh?”

He smiles. “Mhmm.”

I chuckle. He's like the little brother I never had. His green eyes hold warmth that can only be given by a child. My smile grows as I take my own bowl.

“Great. You're up,” I hear Nick say behind me. “Maybe I can call Rioleo to help today?”

I quickly whip around. “No,” I say. I still remember the last time I spoke to her. I'd rather not include her in the circle of people who are in danger because of me and who can potentially lose their life. I'm a danger magnet and everyone around me tends to get hurt.

Nick frowns. “Why not?”

I lightly punch his arm. “Because you're the best trainer there is.”

He raises an eyebrow and, as if suddenly aware of Peter, he says, “Can I have some of that, kid?”

Peter scowls. “I'm not a kid.”

Nick rolls his eyes. “Peter, can I have some of that, please?”

Peter shrugs and passes him the box of Cheerios. “Thanks, little man.”

Peter scowls again. “One day you'll eat those words. I'll show you how much of a man I am.” He walks out.

-

I throw myself on my bed, face down and arms out. Nick, once again, wasn't kind during training but at least he didn't call Rioleo. I stay in this position for a while until I hear a light knock on my door.

I groan, sitting up. “Come in.”

Harry's head pokes in, followed by his long body as he opens the door wider. My heart skips a beat. He's wearing Rob's clothes that don't quiet fit him well but he still looks incredibly beautiful.

“Hey.” He smiles. His left hand is behind his back, as if he's hiding something.

“Hi.” I try not to grin too widely.

He hesitates for a minute by the door before strides and sits next to me all the while not revealing what's behind his back. We aren't even touching yet I can feel the electricity that courses between us. I take a deep breath, trying to calm down my heart that has suddenly gone haywire.

He clears his throat. “Happy birthday,” he says slowly. “I know I missed it last year and I'm sorry. I vowed not to make that mistake again if I ever had the chance to see you again.” He finally draws his hand away from his back, revealing beautiful violet flowers. “Remember these?” he asks, grinning.

I let out a little laugh. “Of course.” These are the flowers that grew by in the meadow. They changed color every season. I take one from his hand and twirl it around between my fingers. “No way. How did you get these?”

“Remember how you would collect a bunch of them and place them on the river? The river flows to Prasinis and one day, I was in the woods, I found a bunch flowing on the river. They reminded me of you so I took them. I've kept them with me ever since.”

I'm smiling so much my cheeks hurt. “Wow.” A giggle bubbles within my chest and makes its way out of my mouth. This makes his grin grow wider.

Without thinking, I throw my hands around his neck. “Thank you,” I whisper at the crook of his neck. His familiar scent causes tears to well up in my eyes.

I feel his hands wrap around my waist. “You're welcome,” he whispers back.

Even though it's been a year, my body still responds to his the way it usually did. It fits perfectly in his, as though it was built for his arms. He plants a lingering kiss on my forehead, causing my already wild heart to beat faster.

Suddenly my skin crawls and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. He stiffens the same time I do so I know he feels it too. As I jerk away my window shatters and something metallic lands audibly next to our feet, a red light blinking at us.

Harry reacts faster than I do and he grabs my arm and pulls me to the door. We near the stairs before I skid to a halt. “Peter!” I yell, turning around.

“Kathryn-!”

“Peter!” I see his dark hair and green eyes full of confusion and fear as he comes out of his room.

I open my mouth to call him to me when it explodes and I'm blasted off my feet.