Chapter 22

Avalon part 1

Alex's POV

Mom and Dad were up in arms as soon as they comprehended what she had said. Owen wasn't happy at all. Tai didn't want to stand anymore and laid on the floor.

"Granddaughter?" Grandma asked.

"Tired." She mumbled.

"Guys don't." They looked at me. "We'll go, it's better if I explain it in person."

"Alex, are you sure?" Mom asked.

"Yeah." I nodded. "How much sass can I get away with?"

"40%'s pushing it, but it's not like he won't expect no sass." Puck said.

"I can do 40." I nodded.

"Come, children, let's go to Avalon." Grandma said.

We landed on the beach. Grandmother and Coyote were waiting there. Tai landed on Coyote. She knocked him over, her fall broken with a soft twump. Her touch turned him into a human sized version of his namesake and she petted his side.

"Talia, we gotta go to the castle." I told her.

"Nu huh." She hugged Coyote tighter.

"I know you're tired, but we have to." I frowned.

"Tired." She repeated.

"Coyote, carry the princess." Grandmother told him and he got up, balancing Tai on his back.

"Yes, Grandmother." He intoned.

We walked to the castle. Tai still hadn't found the energy to get up and walk on her own two feet by the time we got the throne room. Oberon was immediately concerned.

"What is wrong with the princess? Why is Coyote carrying her?" He asked, already scowling.

"My lord, I will explain, but in private. It is a… of familial origin." I said.

"Very well. Bring the princess." He said tersely.

I picked Tai up, but she wasn't letting go of Coyote. "Tai, now is not the time to be stubborn."

"Night night time." She barely spoke and had accidentally knocked out Coyote with the rhyming repetition.

"Yes, you'll get to sleep, but you have to let go of him first." She considered my words and reluctantly let him go.

We went to Oberon's study. It was filled with books and magic objects. I set Tai on the lounging couch. I gave her my hoodie and she snuggled it.

"It started when Grandpa Petros had suddenly collapsed and was sent to the hospital. We went to see him. After we had dinner with the Xanatoses, Talia had her lesson with Puck. Then the Phoenix Gate flew in through the window and took her. When she came back, she was crying. Grandpa Petros recognized her when he woke up.

We don't know what really happened, but Mom said that ring on her finger belonged to her grandmother. And then Vogel delivered her inheritance, some stock in Cyberbiotics and the rest of the jewelry we thought went missing. I think she must have met Grandpa Renard at some point." I shrugged.

"I thought it odd that the Phoenix was near the hospital." Grandma thought.

"How long has it been since your grandfather woke?" Lord Oberon asked.

"Three weeks." I frowned.

He hummed. "Take the princess to her chamber then return to Great Hall."

Talia was asleep by now and I picked her up. A few of Grandma's servants showed me the way. It was a canopy bed and across from it was a fireplace. There were several tapestries on the walls, depicting various events from Avalon's history. They took Talia from me and striped her down. I felt Oberon's command tug at me. I waited until she was settled to go.

Lord Oberon introduced me to everybody and I had to stand there while they bowed. It was so boring, but I couldn't show it like I could in the mortal world. After that, Grandma showed me around the island. The island was pretty, but I wasn't interested in looking around right now.

Then we went back inside and she let me go do what I wanted. I could sense Tai again. She was still asleep… But someone was with her. I went back to Tai's chamber. It was Adri; she was sitting in a chair and drawing, and a… projection of Puck? He was playing with his magic.

"Shh, if Oberon knows, I'll never be able to do this again." Puck told me telepathically.

"So, when'd you get here?" I asked.

"Your grandma got me. I think you were with Oberon." Adri stretched.

"It's been like an hour here, hasn't it?" I sat on Tai's bed. She rolled over.

"Closer to two, but yeah." Puck said.

"So, Tai been ok so far?" I petted her hair.

"She woke up briefly, a little disoriented, but I calmed her down. Cuddled Adri, went back to sleep." He shrugged.

I frowned.

"Alex, it's barely been a month. Tai's always taken more time to deal with big emotions. She was upset for weeks when her grandma's dog died." Adri said.

"Grandma?" We asked.

"Not like her actual grandma. Tai's mom worked for her. She ran a plant nursery. Died after Tai went missing." She colored in something.

"What're you drawing?" I gestured.

"Just practicing people." She had Puck bring it over.

There were scattered figures throughout the few dozen pages. She practiced different races and shapes of people. Some were more complete than others and also colored in. I flipped through until I saw women in lingerie, the newest looking way too much like Talia. I slammed it shut.

"Look, if you wanna do something fun, you better do it quick. Dinnertime's coming up and Oberon'll throw a bitch fit if you're not there." He told me.

"What you guys even do for fun?" I asked.

"Pranks, competitions, games. Sometimes we fuck each other. Oh, did I ever tell you about the time me and the boys-" Puck grinned because he knew how good of a story teller he was.

"I'm not listening." I left.

I didn't want to find out if it'd be a raunchy one or not. At least not with my sister and her girlfriend in the room. I gave Adri a set of headphones that would block out anything. Maybe, it'd block out a lot of things.

I ended up leaving the castle entirely. Walking down the mountainous path and past the royal apple orchard, I wandered through the old-growth forest. A summer breeze tousled my hair. I noticed a path branching off the main one. I followed it. It was a glade. There was a small steam running through it. I took my shoes off and sat on an out cropping above the stream. The water felt good on my feet.

I mulled over the situation. What Adri said may have been true, but Tai was still having nightmares and the like. She needed someone to protect and care for her. And keep her safe, too. It'd be better if they were loyal to us. And knew about our powers, that'd make things easier. But…

I growled. This was frustrating. I wasn't getting anywhere and there wasn't anyone around who fit what I wanted in a servant, bodyguard for Tai.

Maybe I'd think better after a break. The forest was quiet. I felt like it was mocking me now. The prince of Avalon is bored? We're not gonna help you.

My phone rang. I answered it. "Hello?"

"Hey, Xander." Renee smiled. "Your dad said you're at your grandma's. How is it?"

"Kinda surprised my phone works. But it could be better." I shrugged.

"… You wanna come over? Relax a bit." Renee offered.

"Relax how?" I asked.

"Anyway you want." Her tone had some teasing promise to it.

"Sure, I got time. Now?" I stood.

"Bring Sanuye." She said.

I felt my fox tail grow and wag. "You mean it?"

"Yes, I mean it. Now, get going." Renee hung up.

I left that very second.

Alex's POV End