Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, but I do own the plot of this story. R&R Y'all! See, your bringin out my good ol' country gurrrl hart! Love, Nico'sGurrrrl3
"Steady," Kartik murmurs as I, once again, stumble into his chest. "You need to sleep; you've been through a lot."
"Well, so have you, and you've not even yawned." I snap. I realize the severity of my tone and look up at him to apologize, but he is smiling at my displeasure. He kisses my hair lightly.
"Maybe," he says, "I am tired, but simply not as clumsy as you." I push him playfully.
The girls are far ahead of us, where they cannot see us. They all believe that Mrs. Nightwing woke them for a surprise morning sermon.
Ann and Felicity race up, matching our step. "Gemma," Fee has entered some kind of euphoric stupor, which she quickly ejects upon the rest of us. "Gemma, we did it! We conquered the Tree of All Souls! We did it! We are brilliant!" Elated, she skips before us, laughing.
"Felicity," Ann chastises her lightly, not really going to make her stop.
The doors to Spence's main building open and the girls file in. Kartik kisses me on the cheek. "Keep your window open tonight." He whispers. I smile as he disappears into the forest.
Ann tugs on my hand and pulls me through the doors of the great lady that is Spence. We have a brief time in our rooms before breakfast, and Fee, Ann, and I all sit in my room, discussing what has happened.
"Do you think," Fee starts, "That we can really manage the realms together? Ann will be at the Gaiety, I will be in Paris, and you will be having your season here in England."
"Well, of course we can." I say, trying to be diplomatic about this, even though this is a dilemma I have long been comprehending. "Maybe, Fee, you might put off going to France for a year, and Ann, once a fortnight, perhaps, we might secure a time to meet with you."
"What do you mean, put off France?" Fee growls, "Gemma, this is Paris. Besides, I'm actually going to like going to balls and parties and such, I need it! Gemma, you've already found love, but I've lost it. You'll endure it all like a martyr, but I'll enjoy it. Oh, the freedom of Paris!" Fee looks nearly in tears.
"But, Fee," I protest, "It's but a year. You can stay in England for one weensy year, just while we get things well in hand, then you can continue your season in great Paris." Felicity looks like she's being sent to the gallows.
"Please," she murmurs, "Don't give me these ultimatums."
"Here, now," Ann says, coming between us, "There is time enough for these decisions. For now, we will celebrate our victory. Tonight, perhaps we shall go to the caves. Just like old times, Gemma, Fee!"
Immediately Fee is brighten, "Ooh, our own little ball. Fantastic! We might take a bit more whiskey from the chapel though. And Gemma," I look up as she says my name, "Kartik can come." I swat her with my shawl.
"Fee!"
"What," she howls, "Ann and I both see how close you are." She pauses, and then makes a face, "The way you… kiss."
"Stop it." I mutter, still smiling.
"Oh, and we all know that you two went to the Caves of Sighs and did something." Felicity says with a devilish grin.
Ann lets out a little gasp, "Fee, you're too bold by half! That information really belongs only to Gemma."
"Oh, but dearest Ann," Fee pleads, "To think of it, the scandal of a girl of not but sixteen, already with a compromised virtue. Gemma, simply everyone suspects it! Everyone, of course being myself, Ann, Fowlson, and old Nightwing."
I make a show of carefully examining my shoes.
"Oh, Gemma," Ann moans, "You have, haven't you. Gemma," I don't look at her. "Gemma!" Ann snaps, getting my attention. "Gemma, what's going to happen when you two can't be together? Huh?"
"That won't happen; I'll make sure of it." I say, my voice faltering.
"With what, Gemma, the magic? No! You can't change that you are English and he is Indian."
Suddenly, I'm on my feet. "And you cannot change that I love him." I growl. This isn't like Ann, to say things like, to want me to lose hope.
"Gemma, I know what its like to be full of hope," Ann murmurs, "And to then be let down."
"But Ann," I say, feeling a bit of remorse for how I reacted to her words, the truth, "Now, you will go to the Gaiety, and all your dreams will be realized."
Fee stands up. "Come on, let's head to breakfast. We'll go on with our lessons like any other day, and then we will meet for our little ball."
"Alright," I say, "So we will."