SLAVE OF THE HEART

Epilogue

Sixteen year old Naimah laughed at Mulan's spirited attempt to ride a horse. Vasheronne rolled down the small grassy hill while Victor gave chase behind her.

Timothy, Naimah's younger brother stood by the lake. He had tried to paint like Rajab who had started painting an image on the canvas with bold and brisk strokes.

"What are you painting?" Timothy asked.

"Not a woman... or girl."

"What about French girls? I heard they are..."

"Timothy?" Rajab called without looking at the young boy.

"Yes Raj?"

"Go bother somebody else, okay?"

Vasheronne stopped rolling down the hill just as her brother ran by. She was near the lake's pier when he fell in. She giggled as he rolled his eyes at her before he dragged her in. She tried to protest but she was already under water.

"I hate you Vic!" she yelled as she bobbed in the water. Mulan let out a battle cry as she charged into the water. Her toes curled as she dashed out soon after gasping for air. However, Naimah pushed her back in, resulting in a scream and a fit of giggles.

"Is it cold?" Timothy asked worriedly. He had followed Rajab's order and was now seated on the small pier. He was curious about everything.

"Yeah... but bearable."

Vasheronne pulled herself out onto the wooden pier. She wrung the water out of her hair as she smiled at Timothy. For some reason she adored Naimah's little brother. Probably because she was the younger twin.

"How's the time kiddo?" she giggled as Naimah and Victor got into a fight. It made them both giggle. It was never going to tire them. For some reason, those two never stopped baffling everyone.

Vasheronne was convinced that if they were not that closely related, they would be married. Timothy thought they were stupid because they both fought over the stupidest things ever. Like pancakes and nuts... and at that moment, water.

Timothy and Vasheronne finally stopped.

"Aunt Annabelle comes tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah... with Luke and Veronica and Uncle Baron. Why?"

"I'd like Veronica to teach me how to ride horses."

*&*&*&*&

"Have you seen her?" Rajab asked Rita who smirked.

"No, but she looks good."

"Who?"

"Veronica of course! Who else?"

"So, you're on Team Vera?" Rajab asked hopefully.

"Aren't you promised to..."

"I love Baron. She is lovely. Please let it go! Please?"

Rita shrugged her shoulders. It did not matter who Vasheronne ended up with, she was still a child anyway. Naimah was so much more mature though and she had been spending a lot of time with Prince Harry. She loved Brits and he was perfect for her.

Victor and Devonne were always together. It was obvious they were in love.

Mulan was still quite confused about everything so she spent her time during banquets with Vasheronne. At 17, Mulan had been introduced to a number of noblemen but she still hadn't found one who held her heart.

"Rajab... I don't understand why you don't like Vasheronne..." Rita began but he interrupted quickly.

" I just don't fancy her. I love her like a friend or sister... but never more than that."