I woke up in the morning refreshed. Last nights talk with Kartik returned to my mind, as my feet hit the cool wood floor of my room sending shots of chills up and down my body. I looked over to Ann's bed and saw her still asleep. I got dressed fumbling by myself with my corset laces making it a bit looser then it should be. I walked downstairs and said hi to Bridget when I reached the bottom floor. Since it was Saturday and today Mrs. Nightwing was giving the day to us to do what ever we liked, I grabbed a bun from the kitchen and headed outside into the morning sun.

I told Bridget before leaving that I would be going for a morning ride. Mrs. Nightwing has decided that us 'young ladies' should take up horseback riding so that we are flexible to the way we travel just in case our future husbands take us out on trips. I headed towards the stable that was built over the Christmas holidays and greeted the mare my grandmother had bought for me as a belated Christmas gift.

I walked past the stable boy who was already up and mucking out the horses stalls over to my mare's Whisper stall. A chestnut head emerged from Whisper's stall making a laugh come out of me as Whisper greeted me with a nuzzle. I gave her an apple which I stole from the kitchen earlier on. I slowly ran my haNd down her soft face her winter coat making her extra fuzzy. I entered her stall and leaned against her burring my face into her mane.

I thought about last nights visit to the realms. When we go there we couldn't figure out what to do. There was no Pippa to say hi to and there was no great quest to fulfill the realms seemed-empty and yet there was this strange feeling that kept us all on alert like someone was watching us. We felt like we had two shadows our on and another one. We stayed there only for a little breathing in the sweet scent of flowers. Ann sung a few songs her voice ringing through the realms. We then left- we couldn't figure out what to do and we noticed that Fee was slowly starting to drift away from us and constantly looking around hoping that Pippa would come bouncing out from behind the bushes her violet eyes sparkling with happiness.

I stoked Whisper one more time before heading out of the stall to get some grooming brushes from the tack room. I returned to Whisper's stall and started grooming her dust rising from her glossy chestnut coat.

I didn't realize that someone was behind me until a familiar voice said "May I help you with something". I spun around to face the owner of the voice. Seeing the stable boy I had to grip Whisper's mane. Kartik stood in front of me in stable boy's clothes. He tried to catch my arm as I was leaning back but I moved away from him. Regaining myself I brushed past him out of the stall and went to the tack room to retrieve Whisper's saddle and bridle. As I came back to Whisper's stall Kartik was still standing there.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed. I shot him a glare as he took the side saddle from me and placed it on Whisper's back.

"I needed a job and I saw an add when we were still in London looking for a stable boy so I decided I would see if I could get the job and I did. Also since the Rakshana are your enemy's and will now do anything they can to get into the realms, I thought that maybe a bit of extra protection could help."

I looked up at Kartik and saw he was giving me such a loving look. The saddle done up I place the bit in Whisper's mouth and fastened the bridle on the cold mettle of the bit clinking against Whisper's teeth. I took her out of the stall and walked her outside placing my scarf over my face to keep the chill of the wind from it. Kartik followed me out and lifted me up placing me on Whisper.

"Thank you." I said when I was up. I still hadn't figured out a thing to say to Kartik's previous remark. I thought if very sweet of him wanting to protect me but I could still protect myself and I also loved him being so close to me and not living in the middle of the forest with the gypsies. I just couldn't believe that he was risking his safety for me because the Rakshana wanted him dead-of that I am sure.

As Kartik let go of the reins I nudged Whisper into a trot snow flying up from beneath her hooves. Kartik yelled something which I couldn't quite hear but I think it was "Be Careful!"

I steered Whisper towards the woods and slowed her down to the walk when the pine trees began to loom over head of us. We walked through the woods to what seemed like hours. Arriving on the boarders of the Gypsy camps I turned Whisper around and headed back for home. My mare didn't seem to care that my thoughts kept wandering in and out of my head as long as I maintained my balance. Reaching the end of the forest I kicked her into a gallop my hair coming loose from its pins as the wind rushed past me.

At the stable I slowed her down to trot and then a walk and walked around the stable for awhile cooling her off. Once she cooled down I entered the stable the warmth of the horses warmed my cheeks. I took Whisper over to her stall and untacked her giving her warm mush as a treat. Removing the saddle strong hands took it from me. I didn't have to look up this time to see who it was. Kartik put it in the tack room and brought me Whisper's grooming brushes. I took the brushes from him and slowly started grooming Whisper. I realized that my hair had totally escaped my bun. I took my gloves off and slowly started putting pins back in place.

"No, leave it down Gemma. I prefer it down." Kartik grabbed my hand from my hair. I looked at Kartik stunned. He never voiced his opinion like that to me before. I took my hand out of Kartik's which was cold to the touch. I continued to put my hair back up into its bun. I finished grooming Whisper and left the stable muttering a small goodbye to Kartik.

Kartik left in the stable stood there unable to grasp why Gemma was in such a cold mood. He moved over to her horse and stroked the mare's nose.

"Aren't you a lucky thing." Kartik whispered. "Your one thing Gemma loves."

I am sooo sorry it took so long to update! I'll try to get the next chapter up soon. With school and everything I've just been soo busy! I hope you liked the chapter though. Please review!

Ladyknight257

P.S.SORRY AGAIN FOR TAKING SO LONG!