Chapter 4- Immaturity and Love

"I wonder what could be taking them so long." Flora commented as she stirred her smoothie with her straw. "Roxy usually loves meeting up with us here. You'd think she'd jump at the chance to hang out."

"Not if Aidan's involved." Layla smiled slyly. "I'm not too worried about Roxy . I'm more worried about Bloom. I wish we knew where she is."

Flora could only nod. She looked down at the beach and watched as Brandon and Riven were thrown off their feet by the surf. "The boys are always ecstatic about going to the beach."

"Yeah. When I called Riven he got all excited like a two-year-old. It's pretty strange considering his personality." Musa smirked. "Whatever gets him out of his grouchy mood."

"Stella? I thought Oritel said he was going to claim Daphne as the next heiress after Bloom? What's all this talk about Prince Danwin?" Tecna asked, changing the subject.

Stella shrugged. "I dunno. Someone's lying. Either it's King Oritel or Queen Serel. I'm betting on Serel. I don't think that woman ever knew how to tell the truth." Stella sipped her shake and grimaced. "Ouch. Brandon's gonna want revenge for that one."

Flora looked back toward the boys. Nabu, Riven, and Timmy had banned together and thrown Brandon headfirst into the surf. "Oh, your boys are so immature. Someone's going to get hurt!"

"Naah." Layla waved her hand. "Men are like children. You can tell them no, but they aren't going to listen. They have to touch the hot burner to believe it."

"Not everyone can have such a mature guy like you Flora." Stella commented.

Flora glanced to where Helia sat in the sand sketching. "Yeah. He's mature alright."

"Not mature enough to pop the question." Musa noted.

Flora smacked Musa in the arm. "Helia will ask when he's ready. Don't judge him. Riven will probably never ask you. You two have all sorts of troubles with your relationship."

Stella laughed. "Yeah! You can only imagine what it will be like when he asks too! Hold on…I've got this one." Stella set her drink down on the table and cleared her throat. She put her fists on her hips and glowered at Musa. She spoke with a guttural voice and her nostrils flared with each grunt. "*grunt* Musa. *grunt* We've been together for a while now. *grunt* And I'm such a jealous jerk that I don't want you with any other guy but me. *grunt* So here's my proposal. Marry me. *grunt grunt*"

The girls all burst out laughing. Musa flushed and sunk down in her chair. Flora covered her mouth to mask her own fit of giggles.

"You had him to a tee!" Layla gasped. "Although his grunts are a bit less like the squealing oink of a pig and more like the growl of a territorial dog!"

"Alright. Alright." Musa was smiling. "Maybe my guy isn't Mr. Perfect either. But whose guy is?"

"Bloom's guy is close." Tecna pointed out.

"Well, the girl had to have some luck, right? With all that's happening to her, Sky's a blessing." Stella said. "But I guarantee you if he was here right now…" Stella looked toward the guys burying Timmy in the sand, "…he'd be in on the immature activities, too."

Daphne wandered the palace, exploring her home and making comparison to the home she kept in her memory. She'd done this same thing several times now, but she couldn't get over how different things were. She couldn't get over the fact she was alive again either. It was all…so much…

When Daphne closed her eyes she could remember being a young child, roaming the halls she made her playground. She could remember herself sneaking away from her private tutors. Daphne could remember her father throwing her up in the air and hugging her tight; her mother would sing her to sleep and brush her hair.

Then there was the first time she met Mathias.

Daphne stopped her strolling and leaned against the wall. Tears filled her eyes as the memories of Mathias poured into her mind. The first time they met, the first time he admitted he liked her, the first time they kissed… Daphne could still recall how he looked.

Daphne collapsed in the grass, her once perfectly arranged gown now wrinkled and dusty. Mathias fell next to her, panting and laughing. He smiled at her, his gray eyes sparkling with delight.

"We lost them." Mathias said gleefully.

Daphne just nodded and focused on calming her breathing. "That we did. I'm going to pay for it later, but it's worth it. Father is going to be furious."

Mathias rolled onto his stomach and looked at her. "Your Father thinks far too much about Sparks tradition." He fiddled with the sharp blades of grass. "Your handmaids are too nosy anyhow."

"Yes. Only mother understands. Father just doesn't see that I'm not a little girl anymore. I don't need all this care." Daphne fingered the hem of her ruined dress. "Was it necessary to take out my guards?"

Mathias gave her a look, trying to portray innocence. "You did want to get away. I merely assisted you."

Daphne stared up at the perfect blue skies. "Yes, you assisted me. And I'm grateful for that."

"I live to help the helpless." Mathias stated with bravado.

"You did not just call me helpless." Daphne threw him a dark look.

"Heh-heh…no…maybe." Mathias said teasingly.

Daphne grabbed a fistful of grass and threw it at Mathias. She did this a few times and he let her. "Fight back coward." Daphne laughed.

Mathias shook the grass out of his hair. He grabbed her around the waist and Daphne struggled. The two went rolling in the grass until he was above her smiling ruefully. "Helpless." Mathias grinned.

Daphne laughed and smacked him in the chest. "Alright. I'm a damsel, we get it!"

"No you don't." Mathias leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. The moment was brief, but it was enough to get every nerve in Daphne's mind and body sparking. He pulled away and gave her a small smile.

Daphne flushed in surprise and looked up at him. "What was that?" She immediately felt dumb after saying it.

"Daphne…I'm in love with you." Mathias said, his eyes no longer sparkling with glee. Rather they were serious. "I always have been. And I'm not just saying it because we're betrothed. I loved you from the moment I saw you as a child and I always will after this."

Daphne just stared up at him. "Mathias…" she reached up and placed a hand against his cheek, "I love you, too."

Daphne turned a corner and ran right into someone. She shook her head to get out of her daze and looked up. "Sky? What are you doing here?"

Sky looked at her in surprise. "Sorry. I was looking for Bloom. You haven't seen her have you?"

"No." Daphne shook her head. "She ran off after the meeting. She said she had to do something or another. I doubt you'll find her if she doesn't want to be found." Daphne added.

Sky sighed in exasperation. "Well, thanks anyway. I'll just go meet up with the guys and the girls anyway." He walked away, defeat apparent in the slump of his shoulders.

Daphne watched him go with pity. Bloom liked to be alone a lot now days and her being alone caused everyone to worry. She walked to the window and gazed longingly at the very hill she'd had her first kiss with Mathias.

A dark figure stood on the hill and looked down upon the palace. Daphne blinked and looked again. The figure was gone.