“Do you need help putting it on, Princess?” Dad leaned forward on the couch.

  I handed it to him. Mom took a step back. Dad carefully unfastened it and tried to clasp it around my neck. He fumbled a few times.

  “I don't think I have the right fingers for this.” He glanced at my mother.

  “Here, I'll help.” Mom took the chain from him and clasped it around my neck on the first try.

  Dad sat down across from me. “So, you're a Storyteller.” he winked. “As you know blah blah blah Angeline. Blah blah blah Angeline.” He laughed like he told a great joke.

  Mom rolled her eyes and sat down beside of me. “Since you were born in Angeline, I don't think we really need to give you the spiel.”

  “No, I think I got it.” I laughed.

  “Seriously Princess, are there any questions you have for us?” My father's laughter came to a halt.

  “No.” I shook my head no. “I don't think so.”

  “We do have a couple of requests.” Mom's tone was matter-of-fact.

  “Like?”

  “Well, for one... we want to meet your Storyteller potential husband, before you go to Angeline at least once.” Dad's hazel eyes were piercing.

  “I'm not even...”

  Mom put a hand on my shoulder to stop me. “Your Dad has a point. He's not saying anything about today or tomorrow.”

  “Princess, we think it's better to meet your man before you go to Angeline. It's less awkward to meet the husband and kids in two different sittings than together. It's solid advice that I was given by my father and I'm passing it down to you.”

  I frowned.

  “Is something wrong?” My mother asked.

  I shook my head no and then nodded yes. “I... I don't want to.”

  “You don't want to do what?” Dad asked.

  “Go to Angeline.” I admitted.

  “Like ever or like now?” Dad leaned back. His expression became guarded.

  “I guess, not now.”

  “You don't have to go right now.” Mom's tone was soft. “That decision is entirely up to you.”

  “Well Princess, you don't ever have to go to Angeline.” Dad leaned forward. “It's not really fair to your Storyteller mate, but the facts are that you don't have to go.” His eyes held mine.

  “You don't have to get married either.” Mom whispered in my ear. “I made your father wait.”

  “You did?” I didn't remember hearing that story.

  She nodded.

  “A dirty trick too.” Dad frowned.

  “It didn't hurt you.” Mom smirked.

  “I guess not.” Dad's lips twitched like he couldn't decide whether to smile or frown. “Besides no compromise here, right, Sweetheart?” He flashed a smile at my mother.

  “No, no compromise here.” She paused. “I'm glad you waited your turn.” She quipped.

  Dad howled with laughter.

  “What's so funny Dad?” Sawel asked.

  Sion walked in with him.

  “It's good to take turns.” My father finally told them.

  “We haven't done anything wrong.” Sion's expression was deeply concerned.

  “Yeah, best behavior. We promise.” Sawel chimed in.

  “Good.” Dad grinned like he had a secret. “Turns.” Dad reiterated.

  “Yeah, yeah, no problem.” Sawel nodded his head.

  “Sure thing.” Sion agreed.

  “Why don't you two go check on Ker?” Mom gave them a task.

  Si was the first to leave the room. Sawel paused.

  “Go with him, Sawel.” Dad instructed.

  Finally, both of my brothers were out of earshot.

  “You know who he is, don't you?” Mom's eyes didn't leave mine.

  I nodded.

  “Who?” My Dad was curious.

  “Brent Poveste.” My answer was quiet.

  “The Sports Writer?” Dad was intrigued. “He wrote some pretty decent things about me. He can't be that bad with that kind of writing.” Dad moved in his seat. He wasn't used to sitting this long. “Take your time Princess.” Dad stood up and gave me a hug. “We're having a birthday party for you tonight after your game at Grams and Gramps. The whole gang is supposed to show up.” Dad stretched. “Dad's running the sound system, so if you have any requests, now is a good time to talk to your G.”

  I managed a nod. I wasn't too worried about the music. Cass was always amazing.

  “Happy birthday Princess. Love you.” Dad kissed my temple and walked off.

  6

  Icould hear the party as I walked towards Grams's and Gramps's house. I left my shoes at home. There was no point having them on if I was just going to be on the sandy beach. I wasn't close enough to the party to be seen by my family. Crowds made me feel anxious. I touched my necklace. I thought about Angeline and how quiet it was.

  I found myself standing in Angeline. “No!” I bellowed at the sky. “This was not where I wanted to be.”

  “Why not?” I heard a male voice directly behind me.

  I turned and saw Brent standing not three feet away.

  “Uh, hi.” I frowned. “What are you doing here?” I demanded.

  “My necklace started glowing blue out of nowhere. When I touched it, I was here.” Brent explained.

  “Oh. I guess that explains it.” I stopped talking.

  “So, I'm guessing today is your birthday?” Brent's words flowed from his lips with ease.

  I managed a nod.

  “Well, happy birthday.” He rubbed his necklace, and a bag appeared in his hands. He handed it to me.

  “You didn't have to.” I shook my head.

  “It's okay, I wanted to.” Brent's smile was genuine. A second later, he started walking towards the fountain.

  “I wouldn't do that.” I made a face.

  He stopped immediately and turned around. His expressions was confused. He was waiting for an explanation.

  “It's just like a trigger for...” I shrugged.

  “A trigger for what?” Brent frowned.

  “There are certain things you do in Angeline that trigger certain events.” I explained. “I'd prefer to skip the Quest today.”

  “And the fountain is a trigger?” Brent walked back over to me.

  “Exactly.” I nodded my head. “Dad explained a few of them. The Green Emerald... helping someone... the Sapphire Stone... the Mystical Waterfall... and the Good Friar. You know the Quest stuff.”

  Brent stared at me blankly.

  “Why do you look like that is the first time you heard any of those words?” I frowned.

  “Because it is. You're not supposed to talk about the Quest in the real world.” Brent took a step closer.

  “I didn't hear about those stories in the real world. I heard about them here.” I admitted. “We didn't exactly have TV growing up. My parents told a lot of stories.”

  Brent's blue eyes were even more curious when they were on me, like he was seeing me for the first time.

  I turned my attention back to my present. I discarded the tissue paper and tossed it on the ground. I rubbed my necklace, and the trash disappeared. Inside of the bag was a small statue of a dragon. I pulled it out and smiled.

  “It's Firebreath.” I was in awe as I turned the figurine over in my hand. “How did you know?” I turned my attention back to Brent.

  “I cheated.” He admitted. “I rubbed my necklace and Storytold you a present you would like. I don't see Firebreath coming out of its mouth.” Brent leaned closer.

  “No, Firebreath is a dragon. My dragon. Well... actually, he is a family dragon.” I explained.

  “You have a family dragon?” Brent's eyes were wide with curiosity.

  I nodded my head. “And this is him.” I held up the statue. When I moved it, I noticed a little girl with blonde hair standing beside of him. I felt a smile form on my face. “And I think that's me.” I pointed to the little girl who had hair very much like mine.

  “It's actually kind of perfect. Thank you.” I smiled at Brent.

  His shoulders slacked a little with relief, but there was a hint of pride in his expression.

  “I was born in Angeline, so this brings back a lot of good memories.” I rubbed my necklace, and the bag disappeared.

  I wasn't sure where to put this. It didn't seem right to take it to the real world. I rubbed my necklace again, and I was standing back outside the little cottage I grew up in. Brent was nowhere to be seen.

  A second later, he was standing beside me. “Hey, where did you... why did you... where are we?” His eyes were taking in the area.

  “I needed a place to put this.” I held up the statue.

  I walked up the steps. I was surprised by the strong desire to come home. I missed this place. When I opened the door, I was thrown. It wasn't the same place I had grown up in. It was extremely different. I peeked outside. I saw some differences here too. I bit my bottom lip.

  “Is something wrong?” Brent's voice was close to my ear.

  “It's all changed.” I was still dumbfounded. It wasn't right. I reached for my necklace and Storytold the little cottage I had left. The images vanished and reappeared like the day my parents and my siblings left it.

  I walked to the room that had been mine and put the stature on my dresser. Brent was standing in the doorway. He seemed curious, but not enough to say anything.

  “Well, I think it's time to go back home.” I paused. “Not this home, but my other home.” I made my way to the door. Brent and my eyes met each other as I passed him.

  “Can I come with you?” Brent's question was soft.

  Part of me wanted to say no. The other part of me knew it was rude. He had just given me that present, after all. I walked onto the front porch and he followed me.

  I watched the door close. “You can come if you want.” I finally answered.

  “Gwyn, did I do something wrong?” Brent's blue eyes were concerned.

  “I'm sorry, it's not like...” I fumbled over my words. “No. You didn't do anything wrong. I grew up here. I have only been in the real world for only a year. I'm not ready to come back full time. Or even just one year. I'm sorry, I know you expected...”

  “I didn't say you had to.” Brent shook his head no.

  “You know about the Quest as well as I do.” I pointed out.

  He nodded.

  “It's just... I'm not... I don't want to.” I frowned.

  “Like ever?” Brent was concerned.

  Suddenly, I felt like the bad guy. Guilt was more tangible than I liked. The fact was, if Brent and I didn't go on this Quest at some point, I wouldn't simply be giving up my Storyteller Abilities. I would be causing him to forfeit his. That wasn't fair to him.

  “Just not now.” I swallowed.

  Brent seemed like a decent guy. It wasn't his fault that I wasn't interested. It was my birthday. I wanted to enjoy it without all of the added consequences of my future. It was a lot of pressure.

  Brent scratched his head and rubbed his jaw, trying to find the right words to say. “I would like to get to know you. Is that a possibility?”

  “I... I...” I had never been so speechless in my entire life as I was when I was talking to him. I had a strong desire to get away from him and the awkward situation.

  I walked down the steps and started running down the path. I felt something tug at my foot. I lost my balance and landed on the ground. I put my hands in front of me just in time to protect my face. I glanced at my foot. I had tripped over an overgrown branch.

  Brent was beside me in seconds. “Are you okay?”

  “No.” I had tears tugging at my eyes. I blinked a few times, hoping they would disappear. I started rubbing my ankle. It felt bruised.

  Brent touched my ankle gently. I was surprised it didn't hurt when he touched it. He rubbed his necklace and all of the pain disappeared. I moved my ankle around. It was healed.

  “Thank you.” I felt awkward. “I am really bad at this.”

  “Bad at what?” Brent sat down beside of me.

  “Whatever this is supposed to be.” I could barely glance in his direction.

  Brent exhaled sharply. “Look, Gwyn. I don't know much about what you're thinking, but if it is alright with you... I would just like to get to know you and give you a chance to know me. I wouldn't be here in Angeline with you if you weren't my person. I'm not asking for anything, but a chance. Do you think you can give me a chance?” His expression was sincere.

  I mulled his words over in my head. I still wanted to say no, but he had been so nice, even when I had been a jerk.

  I nodded my head yes. “I guess I can do that.”

  Brent gallantly helped me to my feet. I was surprised I enjoyed the touch of his hand. I let go immediately.

  “I was on my way to my birthday party when I ended up here.” I admitted. “I guess you can come with me.”

  “I'd like that.” He had a slight smile on his lips.

  The next thing I knew, I was standing back on the sand. I felt someone standing next to me. It was Brent. His eyes scanned the area. He was amused.

  His eyes finally made it back to me. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” I had a hard time focusing with him standing so close. His eyes were as blue as the ocean. His brown hair blew with the wind. He was a very attractive man. Part of me hated myself for noticing and the other part...

  “For inviting me to come.” His words were gentle.

  I simply nodded.

  I could feel the music in my feet. Cass had the music going at full blast or close to it. Bubbles floated through the air. The smell of food on the grill was mixed in the air. Laughter was in high demand. Smiles were frequent. I didn't really want to explain my shadow.

  “Do you swim?” I asked Brent.

  “Yes, but I didn't bring any trunks.” Brent's eyes narrowed.

  “You're a Storyteller.” I pulled off my shirt to reveal a bikini top. “You figure it out.” I took off my jean shorts and ran in.

  I heard splashing behind me. It didn't take me long to find out he was a decent swimmer. He was able to match my pace easily. I kept coming back to shore enough to stand with the water touching my shoulders.

  “I can't believe you live right on the beach.” He was in slight awe.

  “Yeah, Gramps is the one who came up with that idea. He has been trying to buy up the whole street ever since he moved in. Emmy lives between Grams and Gramps and us.” I pointed. “Callie lives in the pool house with her family.” I noticed Brent was giving me a blank stare. “Sorry, you don't know who any of those people are, do you?”

  Brent shook his head no.

  I rubbed my necklace and told myself a story that he would know who everyone was on my family tree. It was a long list. “Uncle Conrad lives over there.” I pointed. “And the Gs live there.” I finished.

  “Callie is married to?” Brent frowned.

  “JJ Poveste. Oh, maybe you know him. His sister's name is Ashlyn. They were in foster care after their parents died.”

  “No, I don't remember anyone by those names. Maybe I will ask JJ later and see how distant of cousins we are?” Brent was thoughtful.

  “I think he'd like that.” I smiled.

  “So, what is your favorite color?” Brent asked me.

  “You're going to laugh.” I made a face.

  “No, I'm not.” Brent shook his head. “What is it?”

  “It's white.” I held up my necklace to show the diamond. It caught the sun just right, and a rainbow came across the water. “Because of that.” I grinned. “I always liked the story of Noah and how God promised he would never flood the entire world at the same time ever again and he sealed that promise with a rainbow.” My grin softened to a smile.

  “That's really nice.” Brent was amused.

  I had the feeling he was studying for a test I wasn't giving. So far, he had actually been fun to be around. I wasn't expecting to enjoy his company, but I did.

  “What is yours?” I figured I should return the favor. That's what you're supposed to do, right? If someone asks you a question, you ask it back.

  “Black.” Brent's grin was mischievous.

  “Seriously?” I winced.

  He nodded.

  “You know that is like the exact opposite, right?” I made a face.

  Brent merely nodded.

  “Do you at least have a good reason?” I tried not to laugh, but was failing.

  “Hey, I didn't laugh at you.” He teased. “And yes, I have a good reason. I feel the most peace at night under the moonlight. That and I like to sleep.” He grinned.

  “You must hate it when you are in the city.” I tilted my head.

  “Sometimes.” He shrugged. “But with all of my traveling, I'm starting to get used to the hotel rooms. Some of them could be better insulated.” He winced. “But that's what Storytelling is for.” He grinned.

  The water brushed over my shoulders. When it did that, I felt like I was one with the waves. We swam for a while. When we got closer to shore, I could hear the music. I put my hands on the water, palm down. It felt like I was holding the ocean in place.

  I glanced up. “Besides today, have you ever been to Angeline?”

  “I was born there too.” He admitted.

  My eyes popped back up. “Really?”

  “But I left when I was 10. I have an older brother.” He shrugged.

  “My Dad was born in Angeline too. He was 9 when he left.” I added. “You don't seem to remember much about living there.”

  Brent shrugged. “I had other priorities. I was usually following Kevin all over the forest. I didn't really pay attention to the Quest or anything like that. I am pretty good with a slingshot and I am an amazing rock climber.”

  “Yeah, I get that. I couldn't imagine what Sawel and Sion's take away was from Angeline.” I smirked.

  “Can I ask you something, Gwyn?” Brent's blue eyes were just as piercing as the water I was standing in.

  “I guess so.” I had no clue what he would say.

  “Do you hate me?” His voice was soft.

  “No.” I shook my head. “I don't even know you.” I shrugged. “I make a point to never hate anyone.”

 

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