Chapter XIX

By morning, the Enriques were already prepared to return to Norla. Liam was able to walk with the help of his dad. His wound hadn't healed completely. King Arden, Queen Ara and Maya waited for them in the lounge.

"Good morning Grandma and Aunt Maya," Liam said.

"Good morning Liam, feeling better?" Queen Ara asked.

"Yes Grandma," he returned.

"Be sure to apply the ointment I gave you and your wound will heal faster than you know," Queen Ara said.

"Yes Grandma," He returned.

"Where's Arian?" Queen Maya asked.

"She said she'll be down in a minute," Miguel returned.

"She must have gone to see Ayaan," King Arden said knowingly and smiled.

Arian went up to Ayaan's room while he was still asleep. She watched her little nephew for some time and smiled. She kissed his forehead and whispered a "thank you" in his ears. Liam had told her Ayaan was the reason the men ran away.

She tucked in the sheets and moved to the door closing it gently. She went back to the lounge where everyone was waiting. After exchanging hugs, the Enriques bid everyone goodbye.

Ayaan didn't wake up until after breakfast so Maya took his food up to his room and stayed with him while he ate. It saddened him that he didn't get to see his cousin before he left but Maya assured him everything was okay.

Emress visited the palace. It wasn't a surprise, she was a mage after all. She had come to see King Arden.

King Arden was in his chambers when Demetri came to inform him of her arrival and he permitted for her to come in.

"My King," Said Emress after a bow.

"You may rise," King Arden said lifting his hand.

"Prince Ayaan, how's he?" Emress said.

"Is anything the matter?" King Arden asked worriedly.

"I felt he was in danger," Emress said.

"That's true but he's fine now," King Arden said.

"Thank Goodness, his medallion... Was he wearing it at the time?" She asked.

"I'm not sure if he was," King Arden said.

"You see my King, that medallion is meant to be worn around his neck." Emress said.

"It's also the means through which I can communicate with him," she added.

"Forgive our negligence, we'll take note." King Arden assured.

"Can I see him?" She asked.

"Of course he's in his room, follow me." King Arden said.

Demetri walked behind King Arden so did Emress. They got to Ayaan's room and King Arden knocked to know if he was in.

"Ayaan," King Arden called from the door as he pushed it open.

"Yes Papa," Ayaan said.

"Someone's here to see you," King Arden said.

"Hello Prince Ayaan, I'm Emress." Emress said.

"Hello ma'am," Ayaan said.

"Papa, who is she?" Ayaan whispered to his dad.

"She's your mage." King Ayaan said and smiled.

"What's a mage?" Asked Ayaan.

"Remember what I told you about people who could cast awesome spells, use wands, teach magic and have powers too?" King Arden asked.

"Yes I remember," Ayaan said.

"Beautiful. Emress here is your special teacher," King Arden said.

"Nice to meet you Miss Emress," Ayaan said.

"Oh please no, just call me Emress." Emress said and smiled at him.

"I'm glad you both get along just fine, I'll leave you two now." King Arden said.

"Alright Papa," Ayaan said.

"Miss Emress. Oops sorry Emress would you like us to go to the garden?" Ayaan asked.

"Sure that would be lovely," she said with a smile.

Ayaan showed Emress to the garden and she followed right beside him. Demetri was with them too. When they got to sit, the birds suddenly came down from the trees. Emress put her hand inside her bag and feed them with some seeds.

"Can I feed them too?" He asked eagerly.

"Sure, here have some," Emress said putting some seeds in his hands.

"Do you want to see a magic trick?" She asked.

"Yes I do," Ayaan said.

Emress took out her magic wand and wiggled it in the air. Soon a beautiful snowflake began to appear.

"Woah," Ayaan said, amazed as he stared.

"It looks like..." He added.

"A beautiful crystal made of ice?" Emress asked with a smile.

"Yes. I... Ice." Ayaan said his tone falling.

"Miss Emress I need to tell you something..." He added.

"Go on," She said warmly.

"I... I can make crystals too," he said putting his head down.

"Well that's beautiful, why do you look sad then?" Emress asked knowingly.

"Because the last time I did, I hurt my cousin," he added sadly.

"It wasn't intentional was it?" She asked.

"I don't even know how it happened. Some men were going to take us away," he said.

"And crystals of ice came from nowhere," she said.

"Yes," Ayaan said.

"Wait how did you know?" He asked, his eyes widening.

"Let's say I know somethings," Emress said with a smile.

"Could you show me some of it?" She asked.

"Um, okay..." Ayaan returned.

He lifted his hands and tiny snowflakes began to form as he spiraled it in the air. Soon snowflakes of different sizes hovered above them.

"Beautiful!" Emress said.

"Is it?" Ayaan asked.

"It is," She said with smile.

"See this medallion," she added pointing to it's position on his chest.

"Aha," he said.

"It's magic!" She whispered.

"Really?" He asked excitedly.

"Yes, I gifted this to you the night you were born." She said.

"Wow," Ayaan said with twinkles in his eyes.

"Whenever you need me just call me and as long as you're wearing it, I can hear you," Emress said.

"Cool, thank you Emress." Ayaan said and gave her a hug.

"You're welcome, always wear it okay?" She said.

"I will," Ayaan said with a smile.

"Alright I have to get going," she added.

"When will you visit again?" Ayaan asked.

"Soon my prince. Remember I'm always a call away," she said.

"Okay Emress, goodbye." Ayaan said as he waved.

"Goodbye," Emress returned with a smile.

Little Ayaan's happiness only lasted for some moments until he remembered what happened last night. It saddened his little heart and he decided not to use his powers again.

Queen Maya met Emress at the entrance to the garden. They both exchanged pleasantries.

"King Arden said you came to meet Ayaan," Maya said.

"Yes my Queen," Emress said.

"I'll take my leave," she added.

"Alright," Maya returned.

"Ayaan," she called.

"Yes Ma," he answered and ran to her.

"There's my Winter Bear, are you okay?" She asked.

"Yes I am," he returned with a smile.

"Alright let's go have launch. Carla has made jalapeño poppers for desert," she said.

"Okay," Ayaan said.

Prince Ayaan had already made up his little mind not to use his powers again.