Alastar and Lael stood outside Serenah's room talking quietly. Not that there were many people in the Princess's wing. Another fact that made both gnash their teeth in anger. Serenah was an amazing person but so many just didn't see it thanks to the King's and Crown Princess's actions and words against her.
Alastar hated the way she was treated but was powerless to change it. So, he did the next best thing, created opportunities to relieve his lady's situation by getting her outside and away from the castle whenever possible. Today was one of those days. It had taken several weeks of subtle prodding before the King finally agreed to let Serenah visit the nearby town of Norton. Lael was excited when he told her the plan and they both looked forward to Serenah's reaction to the visit.
He felt it was well deserved because Lord Hulight couldn't stop singing Serenah's praises. The former Marquis was impressed by her intellect and creativity. He also marveled at her quick wit and good personality. Alastar hoped that the man's opinion of his lady would start to filter down to the other nobles.
He came out of his thoughts when Lael knocked on the door and they entered the Princess's room.
She was out on the balcony, leaning on the rail, her expression serene. Her long silver hair with violet tints blew lightly in the gentle breeze. He felt a pang in his chest as he looked at her. He remembered Serenah's mother, Queen Ciela. She, too, had that beautiful silver hair. He missed the queen. When she was alive, Serenah was treated better. He sighed. He couldn't change the past. He needed to make the present and future the best he could for Serenah.
"What's the matter, Alastar?"
He blinked and looked at Serenah who had turned to face them. He laughed. She was so intuitive and empathetic. It came from being a healer and were qualities he admired about her.
"Nothing, My Lady."
She waved her hand in the air. "No formalities right now, please."
"Of course." And he bowed, just to tease her.
She frowned but then laughed along with him and Lael. This was a side of the Princess that others didn't get to see. It warmed his heart.
Lael poked him and he collected himself. They needed to get going if they were to enjoy the outing.
"My Lady, we are going outside."
"Outside? I don't want to walk in the gardens again. They are beautiful but I've seen enough of them these past few weeks."
"I know. That's not what I meant."
She frowned. "I don't understand."
"I got permission from the King to take you to one of the nearby towns."
She gasped, her violet eyes lighting with excitement. "Truly?"
"Yes. Lael and I shall accompany you. It's time you saw our new world."
"What price did you have to pay?" Her voice had grown quiet.
"Price?" He shook his head. "None, My Lady. I made sure to secure the permission in front of nobles so that your father couldn't extort anything from me, Lael, or you later."
She gasped and he smirked. He was great at palace politics. It was something his father had taught him well. After all, he was a Maquis's son. He wasn't set to inherit and that was fine with him. Serenah hated politics, though she did understand them. He made sure of that. He wanted his Lady to be knowledgeable to protect herself in times when he or Lael couldn't help her.
Serenah didn't seem convinced and that was okay. He had made sure they could safely go to town. "Come on, let's go."
She frowned but then took his hand. The three of them left and headed for the car garage. Alastar grinned at Serenah's reaction. She had not seen the vehicles of this world and he was looking forward to showing her.
"This is?"
"It's called a car or a vehicle. It is the mode of transportation in this world."
"They are faster than horses, My Lady," Lael chimed in and opened the back passenger door so Serenah could look inside.
"Is it safe?"
"Yes, My Lady it is. You must wear a seat belt for added protection," explained Lael.
Alastar waited until Serenah got in and was belted before going to the driver's side. Lael got in the back with Serenah and Alastar started the car and headed toward Norton. He glanced in the rearview mirror to check on Serenah's reactions.
The look of wonder on her face was priceless. He had a feeling that she would do well in this world. Perhaps even become free of being part of the royal family. He and Lael had already decided to follow her no matter what she chose to do.
He returned his focus to driving, listening as Lael quietly explained things to Serenah. They drove in a comfortable silence until they arrived at the local Wal-Mart. It was busy, but not enough that it would overwhelm Serenah.
"Where are we?"
"This is this world's marketplace."
Serenah gasped. Back home, she had not been allowed out but that hadn't stopped Alastar from sneaking her out to the town to mingle with the people. He had felt it was necessary for the Princess to understand the world and those who lived in it. He didn't want her to become like her father and sister.
"Shall we?" He laughed at her vigorous head shake.
Lael got out and gestured for Serenah to come out. She came out, her gaze flitting about in astonishment.
"My Lady, before we go in, I must explain something."
Serenah focused on him, and Alastar held out his cell phone to her. He saw her baffled look. "This is a cell phone. It is this world's communication device. It does many things and has a mirror function called a "camera."
She nodded, intrigued by the device. He held it up so she could see. "Look."
Serenah glanced down and froze. "What magic is this?" she whispered.
"This is how you appear to the humans here. We all look different to them. We don't know if it is something Autem did so that we could survive but when we are away from our lands this is what happens to us."
"I see," she murmured. "Can I see how you and Lael look to others?"
"Yes." He moved closer so his image would show. Instead of his normal red hair and green eyes, his hazel eyes stared at his light brown hair.
Lael moved closer so she could show the Princess her new look. The only thing that changed for Lael was her eyes. Her golden eyes were gray in this new world. Her dirty blonde hair had stayed the same. The biggest change was Serenah. Her silver locks with their violet tints had changed to black hair and red tints. Surprisingly, her violet eyes remained. It made her even more beautiful in his opinion.
"This is amazing!"
"Yes, it is. One more thing, My Lady. Here they do not use nobility titles, we go by first and last names."
"So, you can call me Al and Lael is still the same. We shall, with your permission, call you Sera."
"That's fine, Al."
He grinned. His Lady was a quick study. It made guarding her easy. "Shall we go in now?"
"Yes, please."
Lael hooked her arm through Serenah's, and they headed inside.
After visiting the Walmart and the other shops in the plaza, Alastar took them to the nearby park. Serenah was having fun. Being around humans and their energy was cleansing her soul. She would never be able to repay Alastar and Lael enough for taking her outside like this.
"Al, this place is amazing!"
"It is, isn't it? They also have beautiful landscapes here in Wise County."
"Will I get to see more?" She knew her voice sounded hopeful and any other time she would have been embarrassed for sounding like a child. But not today. Nothing could bring down her joy.
"We'll see. I'll certainly try my best to make it happen.
"Thank you!" She hugged him and laughed when he blushed.
The park was crowded with people and Serenah glanced about taking in the diversity of the crowd. There was no tension here and people were getting along. So different from their homeland. She frowned.
"Something wrong?"
"No, Lael. I was just thinking about how different it is from what I knew."
"It is, but different can be good, Sera."
"True." She lapsed into silence.
Alastar poked her gently and pointed to a swing. "Let's go."
"Wait, what? I'm not a child!"
"So? You can still have fun. Let's go," he took her hand and led her over to the swing.
She sat and he went behind her and pushed her. It took a moment to get used to the motion but then as she started going higher she giggled. This was fun!
She swung for several minutes before getting off. She was thirsty and headed toward the water fountain. When she was about a foot away from it, her right wrist suddenly began to burn. She gasped and grabbed at it. Her fated mark was glowing.
Serenah jerked her head up and looked around but all she saw were humans everywhere. Could her fated be a human? Was that even possible? As abruptly as it started, the glow faded, and she stared at her wrist.
"Sera?"
She flinched and turned to her escorts. Alastar and Lael both had worried expressions. She smiled, wanting to reassure them.
"I'm alright. My wrist cramped for a moment. It's okay now."
Alastar opened his mouth to say something and then closed it. He nodded. "We should head back."
"That sounds like a good idea."
She followed them back to the car and was silent on the way home. Her thoughts were on her day and her mystery-fated mate.