Kendra walked through the doors timidly. The circular room was much larger than expected. Waterfalls cascaded down the walls into a pond in the center of the floor. The small pool glimmered and reflected a thousand different colors. The space didn't have any windows or lights, but seemed to glow from beneath the floor and behind the walls.
"Hello, Kendra, I'm excited for my first lesson with you. I can imagine you are quite nervous." The Queen said warmly, while she gestured for Kendra to sit next to her by the pool. The Queen's welcoming demeanor calmed Kendra's nerves. She sat down next to Molea, imitating the beautiful woman by putting her feet in the pool.
"Yes. I was definitely nervous about this session. Although, actually being here, has somehow calmed me down."
"This room has a tendency of doing that. As you can probably guess, it has magical properties to help a person calm down, focus, or simply think. I enjoy coming here from time to time. It was most used when my husband was first stolen. As the years went by the emotions, while still strong, just became numb to me. However, he is back, thanks to you. The King now uses this room to aid in his healing. But, that is a different topic for a different day. Tell me, how are your training sessions going?"
"They are splendid! I have learned so much already in such a short amount of time. Tenori and Peredor are wonderful teachers. Tenori is hard on me while Peredor is encouraging, a wonderful duo. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."
"I am glad to give you the opportunity. I care for you very much Kendra, and it brings me joy to see you learn and succeed. You are like one of my own children; I want you to be safe and to do your best."
Kendra felt her chest swell in appreciation at this. How could the Fairy Queen, one of the five magical monarchs, care for her so much? It never made sense to her why the Queen would choose her, a simple teenager, to become her handmaiden. Kendra fingered her linen dress, she thought about what Masie had said regarding her mother being able to prophesy different events. Maybe she knew that Kendra would be an asset in the battle against the demons. Either way it was an honor and she was grateful for it, however overwhelming and intimidating it was at times.
"I am going to cover your magical training, teaching you about all the different magical abilities you gained when you became fairykind. You of course already know of a few, but you have only just begun to tap into your potential. Today, we are going to learn about auras: the light, or darkness, that surrounds someone. I am sure you have heard many times about how brightly you shine? Since learning to see auras requires you to become aware of the magic that surrounds us, it is a great introduction to you learning how to use your talents. It is also a great tool. You can better hide yourself from onlookers by toning down your own bright aura. You can also get a pretty good idea of who a person is without them saying or doing anything. Of course, that technique doesn't always work. Your brother has one of the darkest auras I have ever seen, and yet he is one of the most whole-hearted people I have ever met."
Kendra smiled at that statement as she swelled with pride. Yes, her brother could be pig-headed and annoying at times, like all siblings are, but she loved him dearly. He brought her so much joy into her life. He made her laugh, was brave for her, stood up for her, and would even sympathize with her and counsel her at times. She didn't know what she would do without him. She thought back to all the times she thought she had lost her brother forever and the pain and sorrow that ensued.
"Alright, I would like you to close your eyes and breath in deeply for me Kendra. Imagine the air around you and open your mind to feel your own energy coursing through you, how that feels and how you imagine it to look…"
The Queen continued to talk and guide Kendra through the process of seeing Auras. Kenra did her best and found the meditation and awareness of her surroundings to be relaxing while also giving her feelings of ambition and excitement. Half way through the session the Queen took Kendra's hand, delicately holding it in her own. It was then she gave Kendra the power to see auras properly. The sensation went once the Queen let go, but Kendra found it much easier to process the world around her afterwards.
Kendra was despondent when the session ended. She was so nervous when she first discovered she was training with the Fairy Queen. While she still had a respectful fear towards the monarch, now she felt as if they were good friends.
"Kendra I would like to invite you and your friends to a Ball." The Queen said. Kendra widened her eyes in surprise and excitement. "The Ball will celebrate Maisie's Birthday. It will be a very special occasion since she will be gaining her third horn. The event will take place towards the end of spring, during the Blue Moon, when the blossoms are at their peak. I would like it if you would join us, along with your friends, as you have all done so much. I would like this to be a grand celebration." Kendra could only nod her head in exuberant celebration.
"Of course! I would love to, as I am sure everyone else would as well."
Kendra felt her chest fill with emotions of appreciation and love from the Queen as the ruler hugged Kendra and said, "I look forward to it." Then with a warm smile the leader gestured Kendra to the door where Maisie accompanied her out of the castle.
As the two girls walked out of the grand doors of the castle onto the grounds of the four season garden, Kendra saw Bracken walking her way. Kendra's face lit up with a huge smile as she waved at him. Maisie looked between Bracken and Kendra with a knowing smile. She then looked down at her feet bashfully before looking up at Kendra, "Will you be able to make it to my Ball? It wouldn't be the same without you."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Kendra replied with a tight embrace just as Bracken reached them.
"I gather you had a good time?" Bracken asked, staring deeply into Kendra's eyes, a smile on his face.
"Splendid."
"Well then, you must tell me all about it," Bracken said in a mock-serious tone, while also offering his arm to Kendra. Kendra took his arm with a bashful smile as they began a promenade towards the portal that would take her home.
A/N: Ok that was really weird, I posted this chapter and the site did something really weird to it, I don't know, hopefully it worked this time. Anyhow, hopefully you enjoyed the new chapter! Trust me, this has been a work in progress, we are so excite for this ball, and already have most of it written. But since the event doesn't take place until spring and it is just the beginning of summer, it wont be for a bit :(. Though we have plenty of one-shots and build up to fill the time. Again, if yo have any critiques, suggestions, or recommendations, we would would love to hear them! Hope y'all have a wonderful day! We love you all dearly!