anxious, she finished, “If you want to that is. You don’t have to.”
Lucian smiled. “I’ll write if you will.”
Moira hesitated, then held out her hand. “Deal.”
They shook hands and Lucian got in the carriage. This was going to be the best summer ever
Year 3 Chapter 1
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Alexandra had arranged for Lavinia and her family to come in early July. Lysander told Lucian he and Adrian could ride out to the beachside castle ahead of the rest. Zephyr and Stardancer seemed to catch the boys’ eagerness, racing against the wind towards the beach. As they neared the small summer castle, they slowed the horses. Zephyr tossed his head eagerly.
Upon reaching the small castle, the boys dismounted and took their tired horses to the stable. It was refreshingly cool inside. They scrubbed the horses down and brushed them until their coats gleamed. Ensuring they had plenty of grain and water in their troughs, the boys put away their tack and grabbed their bags. They walked up to the castle doors and walked in.
“So, where do we stay?” Adrian asked.
“That’s the best part of arriving first. We get first pick! The only room off-limits is the master bedroom.” Lucian dashed down the hallway to his favorite room. It was decorated in greens and blues, reminding him of the ocean surf. The best part of the room was he had the best view in the entire castle. After setting his bag on the bed, he found Adrian standing outside his door, still holding his bag. “Come on, I’ll show you around.” He led Adrian through the castle, showing him the rooms. Adrian chose the bedroom next to Lucian’s which had a similar oceanic theme and lovely view.
Just as he did, they heard Allegra’s voice in the hallway. “We can get the best rooms, if the boys haven’t stolen them already.” She stopped in front of the room Adrian and Lucian were in. Her eyes narrowed. “I should have known.” Then she shrugged and smiled. “Oh well, there are plenty of other rooms. Come along, Moira.”
That afternoon, everyone went to the beach. Lucian tried to be content staying in the shallows with Adrian, but the ocean surf seemed to beckon to him. “Go ahead and swim, Lucian,” Adrian said.
Lucian smiled and stroked out to the deeper water. How he loved to swim! He remembered the first time he’d ventured into the deeper water, his dad holding his hands and pulling him as Lucian kicked his little legs. He’d never understood Allegra’s fear of the water. It was so cool and inviting. He dove under the water, the glass goggles allowing him to see the underwater utopia. Fish darted between rocks and plants. Sunshine rippled through the waves, brightening the ocean floor where shrimp scurried and starfish patiently waited. He came up for air and then swam back to where Adrian was splashing in the shallows. “You sure you won’t go out?”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Adrian replied.
Lucian shrugged and then walked up to the beach, shaking the salt water out of his hair. He grabbed his towel and walked to where Allegra and Moira were sitting. He saw Moira looking longingly at the water. “Moira, do you want to go for a swim?”
“Oh, yes, you must,” Allegra said. “It’s so selfish of me to keep you up here. Please, go swim.”
“If you’re sure,” Moira said, rising slowly.
“Yes, go enjoy the water. Lucian will keep me company while you’re away.”
“Here, you can borrow my goggles. Salt water stings horribly,” he said, holding them out.
Moira took them hesitantly. “Um, how do you use these?”
Lucian helped her get the goggles on and adjusted them under her ponytail. “There, you’re all set.”
Smiling, she went out into the water. Lucian watched her go and Allegra quickly noticed the look on his face. “So, just how much do you like her?”
“What?” he asked, blushing. “I, I don’t like her. I mean, she’s nice and all, but…”
“Oh yes, she’s very nice,” she interrupted impishly. “And she’s pretty, and talented…”
“And tall!” he exclaimed miserably. “If I don’t grow soon she’ll be a foot taller than me.”
“Oh rubbish,” she scoffed. “You’re not that short.”
“Easy for you to say; you’re five six.”
Allegra just smiled. They sat in silence for a while. “Moira does like you, you know.” When Lucian looked at her, disbelief clear on his face, she continued, “She does. I can tell. I know you can’t see it. You’re falling for her tricks. I don’t know why, but she doesn’t want you to know. She likes you as much as you like her. Maybe more. You’ll see.”
Instead of responding, Lucian looked out over the waves. He could see Moira swimming out where he’d been earlier. Maybe Allegra was right and she was just hiding her feelings. But why?
Lucian’s thoughts were interrupted as Alexandra said it was time to go in for supper. “I’m sure Cook has a fabulous meal waiting for us and we know she hates to let it get cold.” Lucian helped gather the towels and baskets they’d brought with them from the castle. He walked with Adrian talking about the campout they’d be going on the next day. As they walked, his only disappointment was that no one had remembered his birthday. Granted, he’d had a wonderful time swimming and playing. He’d even found a few new shells for his collection. But it would have been nice if someone had remembered. Even Alexandra had said nothing and she never forgot.
They put their things away before going into the dining hall. Lucian gasped as he walked in. There were streamers and ribbons everywhere and a huge cake that he was sure Cook had spent all day on sitting in the middle of the table. “Happy birthday, darling,” Alexandra said, kissing his cheek. “You didn’t think we’d forgotten did you?”
“You tricked me,” he accused with a smile. He went to his seat and they began eating their supper which was placed wherever it would fit around the large, four-layer cake. It was decorated with blue frosting, accented by frosting seashells. On top were fifteen small candles, not yet lit. Even having not tasted it yet, he could tell it was his favorite. The vanilla and lemon tickled his nose while they ate the rest of their meal. There was laughter and chatting as plates were cleared and dessert plates set. Lysander lit the candles. “One for each of your fifteen years. Make a wish, son.”
Lucian considered the candles for a short while before blowing them out. As the others cheered and smoke curled around the blackened wicks, he sincerely hoped that his wish would come true.
Early the next morning, Lysander woke Adrian and Lucian so they could head out for their campout. They packed their bags, bows and a quiver of arrows before going to the stables and tacking up. Alexandra was up with them in a dressing gown, her long, red hair curling about her shoulders. “I hope you boys have a wonderful time. We’ll miss you.”
“I’m sure you’ll find lots to occupy yourself my love,” Lysander teased.
“I never said I wouldn’t,” Alexandra retorted with a smile. She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him before saying, “Do have a good time.”
“We will love,” Lysander said. “Enjoy the shops.”
She hugged Lucian and even Adrian. She waved as they mounted their horses and rode away.
When they were out of sight of the castle, they spurred their horses. Salty sea air whipped past their faces as they rode. As they reached the campsite, Lysander motioned to slow down. Zephyr tossed his head. “Hey,” Lucian said. “I thought you’d be tired after that run.”
Zephyr snorted impatiently as though to say he wasn’t in the least bit tired, though his sides heaved with each breath.
Lucian laughed as they dismounted and tied the horses to a post. They set up camp and went to the beach, spending long hours in the sunshine. Lucian spent some time swimming. He wore his goggles and searched the ocean floor for seashells. He found several, but the best was finding a rare clam shell. He picked it up and examined it under the water, it was only one half. Cupping it in his hand where it wouldn’t get direct sunlight, he swam back to shore.
“Find any good ones?” Lysand
er asked as Lucian went to the small bag he kept his new seashells in until he could take them home.
“Yeah, I found a sunset clam,” he said excitedly.
“Are you sure?” Lysander asked. He looked into Lucian’s cupped hand. “Well, wrap that one twice to keep it out of the sun. Congratulations son, you’ve been looking for that one for quite a while.”
Adrian looked at the shell too. “That’s cool. How do you find them?”
“Well, I always look in the water, but sometimes you can find shells washed up on the shore. This one though reacts with sunlight and fades, the colors turning dull. That’s why I have to keep it wellwrapped.”
“I guess I’m never going to find one then,” Adrian laughed. “I wouldn’t be able to stay underwater to find it!”
In the late afternoon, they went to the small woods nearby, bows and quivers ready. As the sun was setting over the aqua waves, they cooked their catches over a fire.
“I’m surprised, Dad,” Lucian said at one point. “Normally you catch more.”
Lysander laughed. “I’m not perfect, Lucian. Even I miss occasionally.” He turned the spit thoughtfully. “Besides,” he added with a mischievous grin, “perhaps I was just letting you and Adrian get them.”
“Whatever,” Adrian laughed. “We’re getting pretty good.”
“Yes you are,” Lysander replied. “The fairies have taught you well.”
“You too, Dad,” Lucian added, not letting Lysander