Nineteen
CHAPTER
My hair was tied back in two neat braids thanks to Akira doing my hair for me again this morning.
I wished I knew how to do hair. In my time in the Mortal Realm, I never had time to do my own hair.
While I was able to do intricate hairstyles for Gelia, I could never figure out how to do my own.
I was thankful for her. Having my hair done every morning made me feel better about myself. It was the little things, really.
All this morning, I had been reading in the book nook located on the first floor of Zathrian’s Estate.
He was busy with meetings, and everyone seemed to have a long list of things to get done before dinner.
Not wanting to burden them with my boredom, I chose to spend the afternoon indulging in the history of the Realm of Stars.
I found the only book missing from the set I read in the Realm of Clouds, the one that Neil did not have.
I enjoyed every page, learning about Zathrian’s origin, and the important past events of the Realm.
I felt closer to him, reading about such big moments in his life prior to me entering it.
I turned my head toward the knock at the door.
Slowly closing the book in my hand Zathrian had given me to read just this morning, I sat up properly.
Nevan half opened the moonstone door, peering around the hinges to look at me.
His stubble looked longer, brown curls frizzy and disheveled.
His eyebrows pinched, his expression almost fatigued, in a way.
His shirt was half tucked into his pants. He smiled sheepishly. “Hey, Aerilyn.”
“Hey, Nevan,” I replied, keeping my fingers wedged between the pages of my book to make sure I didn’t lose my place. “Everything alright?”
Nevan nodded. “Mhm, it is. Actually, I was wondering if you would like to come to the barn. Mateo and I wanted to show you something that we thought you would enjoy.”
“Oh, really?” I tilted my head. I reached for my bookmark, placing it where my fingers were before laying the book on the empty walnut stand beside me.
I rose from my seat. “I would love to see. I could use some fresh air.” Approaching him, my dress skirt dragged across the moonstone flooring with each step I took.
I followed Nevan down the path to the barn.
He was quieter than the rest of the Court.
Nevan was always so respectful. Kind, quiet, mysterious; an enigma.
I didn’t know him the way I knew the rest of the Court of Stars, but I knew that we both had similar interests.
Learning was one of those things. Animals and the outdoors were another.
Tromping down the path, he turned to me, raising a brow.
My eyes met his, and I smiled; an unspoken understanding that we were both enjoying the silence, apart from the soft sounds of nature that surrounded us—the distant sounds of seagulls squawking and woodland critters rustling in the bushes.
I admired my surroundings. It was early afternoon, early enough that the stars hadn’t come out yet. The evening bioluminescent glow of the foliage and greenery would start soon. I let out a soft breath, enjoying the cool breeze against my skin, and the last bit of sun that illuminated the sky.
The walk was less than ten minutes. An easy, flat path. I walked next with Nevan as he took smaller strides, accommodating the difference in height between us. I was appreciative of his kindness.
We stopped when we reached the walnut doors of the barn. Nevan turned to me with a smile, speaking softly. “We must stay quiet, so we don’t scare them, okay?”
I nodded, holding up my pointer finger to my lips.
Nevan slowly opened the door. I quietly peered inside, not sure what I was going to find.
It was dark, the only light coming from the candles lit on the wooden pillars that held the wooden structure together.
I squinted, the dim lighting limited my visibility.
Nevan’s hand went to the middle of my back, gently urging me to keep walking forward. Hay and loose grain crunched beneath my boots as I went further into the barn. In the far corner of the room, I could see Mateo leaning over the wooden railing of one of the paddocks. I turned to Nevan.
He whispered, “Go on.”
I smiled bigger.
Mateo turned and reached his hand out to me.
Gently grabbing my arm, he pulled me closer to the paddock.
I stood beside him, peering over the wooden railing.
Nevan stood on the other side of me. Inside the paddock was a fluffy white fox with nine tails.
She lay there with seven babies suckling at her teats.
The babies made little sounds while they fed.
Each little one had nine tails, the same as their mom.
Eyes wide, I looked at them with awe and adoration.
“They’re adorable,” I whispered.
Mateo nodded. “They are.”
Nevan silently leaned over the railing, leaning in closer to me. “I found them during my patrol today.”
“Are they healthy?” I questioned.
“They seem to be. They’re rare. It’s why I caught them with Mateo’s help. To make sure the babies could grow big and strong, without having to worry about predators.”
One of the kits pulled away from the mother. Lifting his head, he crawled toward us. I knelt down, watching him close the distance. “Hi there, little guy,” I cooed.
“Careful,” Nevan advised.
“The mothers are very protective over their kits,” Mateo whispered with concern.
I looked toward the mother, who was already looking at me, but she did not seem threatened. Carefully, I scooped the little kit into my hands. “Aww,” I whispered. Gently petting the fluff of his fur. His nine little tails wagged.
“I think he likes you.” Nevan smiled.
Mateo quietly watched.
“I think so, too,” I whispered.
The kit lifted his head, bumping his nose against mine.
I giggled. “Go back to your mama, little one,” I cooed.
Gently, I reached past the wooden fence, placing him down not too far from the mother.
He made a noise and crawled back to her.
Nuzzling his siblings, he wedged himself between them again to feed.
I stood up. Nevan reached out, placing his hand on my shoulder. Quietly, the three of us admired the nine-tailed fox and her kits from the other side of the fence. What a pleasant surprise, indeed.