As the woodland festivities drew to a close, Maris dismissed her looking glass with a wave. As the ocean view returned on her balcony, she turned to confront Eloquen. “You intervened?” Her voice carried a blend of astonishment and reproach. “How could you?”

Eloquen offered a nonchalant shrug, his composure unshaken by Maris’s evident alarm. “I simply did what was necessary.”

“Necessary?” Maris’s voice rose, her tone laced with disbelief. “That was excessive. The cave, the pool – you crafted them for him. You led Eric there, as he himself attested.”

“The boy required seclusion. I merely assisted in his search. No harm resulted from it,” Eloquen asserted, standing up from his chair.

“No harm?” countered Maris, her voice firm with disapproval. “You infused that pool with your magic. For what purpose?”

“She needed to have faith,” Eloquen replied, pivoting to leave Maris’s balcony.

“Faith in what? In you? In some divine entity from the beyond?” Maris shook her head, bewildered by the spectacle she had just observed.

“No,” Eloquen responded, his tone even. “She was wavering, questioning her existence. The pool revealed to her the realm of possibilities, that her destiny was not immutable.”

Maris’s demeanor softened as she trailed behind Eloquen. “What of the magic? How long will it linger?”

“The magic has dissipated. The cave will stay as their sanctuary, nothing more,” he reassured her.

“What comes next?” she probed.

“Now we wait,” he stated simply.

“Wait?” Maris’s expression clouded with confusion. She was struggling to understand the purpose behind it all.

“Our chosen mortals have opted to unite. Will you aid me in supporting them?” Eloquen paused at her doorway.

“What scheme do you have in mind?” she demanded, barring his departure with the door.

“None at present,” Eloquen promised her with a smile. “The current moment requires no further interference. However…” He hesitated, gently coaxing Maris’s hand away from the door. “Your friend might feel compelled to meddle.” He swung the door open and stepped across the threshold.

“Feronia? You believe she will take action?”

“You mentioned her fondness for pairing your charge with hers, haven’t you?”

“Indeed, but surely she understands the impropriety of intruding upon their lives. Adeline has already made her choice.”

“Time will tell,” Eloquen remarked cryptically as he took his leave, his robes flowing behind him. Maris watched his departure, his parting words lingering in her thoughts. The exchange left her with more questions than answers, and she wondered whether her mortal’s choice was truly her own.

Maris returned to her balcony with plans to resume her observations of her human charge. Once again, the waves crashed up to unveil the scene of Adeline and Kaylynn sneaking into the Deverell home. As they crept down the hallway to Kaylynn’s room, Eloquen’s suggestion weighed on Maris’s mind. Should she collaborate with him to support Adeline and Eric’s newfound relationship? What if their destinies were to diverge? And what of Feronia’s motives? Garrett Deverell might not be the one to bring out Adeline’s brilliance, but is Eric the answer? Maris remained uncertain.

Her enchanted looking glass shone brightly as Adeline collapsed onto Kaylynn’s bed, a dreamy yet satisfied expression on her face. Brushing the questions in her head aside, Maris turned her attention to the scene below in Kaylynn’s bedroom.

Kaylynn tossed a set of pajamas to her friend. “Change quickly. My parents will wake soon; we can’t be caught still dressed.”

Adeline scrambled to her feet, shedding her attire and passing it to Kaylynn. “Thanks for lending me your clothes,” she said, placing Eric’s jacket carefully on a chair and slipping into the pajamas Kaylynn had offered her. “And thank you for inviting me out tonight.”

“Did you enjoy yourself?” Kaylynn inquired, tossing their earlier garments into the laundry basket.

“Yes,” Adeline responded, her gaze distant and wistful. “You were right; I needed to escape and embrace life.”

Kaylynn climbed onto her expansive plush bed, patting the space beside her as she nestled under the blankets. “Come, tell me what happened. I want all the details.”

Adeline settled next to her friend, her vibrant green eyes alight with excitement. “Tonight was magical,” she reflected, her mind replaying the moments at the magical pool and within the secret cave with Eric. “I experienced new things tonight that surpassed my wildest dreams.”

“I’d say it seems you’ve found your first boyfriend, and it’s Eric,” Kaylynn declared, her euphoric voice revealing an undertone of envy. “Who would have guessed that you’d be the first among us to find love?”

“Not me, not love,” admitted Adeline. Love was never a chapter in the narrative her parents had carved for her – a narrative she had never dared to question until this moment. “I never thought love was important. The weight of expectations nearly drowned me.”

Kaylynn burrowed deeper into her bedding, a yawn escaping as she settled her head upon the pillow. “You’ve always taken life too seriously, A,” she murmured, fighting off sleep. “I’m so happy you finally joined me tonight. The basketball team really knows how to throw a party.”

“It was amazing. The experiences, the sights – they were all new to me,” recalled Adeline, her senses still tingling from the night’s adventures. Unlike Kaylynn, who was getting drowsy, Adeline felt a surge of newfound energy.

“I told you…” Kaylynn’s voice faded as another yawn overtook her. “You should’ve come out with me earlier…” She struggled against the pull of slumber. “Imagine what you’ve been missing…” With that, sleep claimed her.

Adeline observed Kaylynn’s peaceful slumber, her breaths deep and even. Restlessness stirred within her, and when she was certain Kaylynn was sound asleep, she quietly left the bed. Putting on Eric’s jacket, she tiptoed from the room. She knew the house well, greeting the pets with a whisper as she made her way to the door. The opportunity to witness a sunrise was a rarity she couldn’t resist.

Stepping out into the first morning light, Adeline took a deep breath savoring the morning’s fresh air. The Deverell estate spread for hundreds of acres before her, the fertile land bordering the city’s edge. The forest, site of last night’s party, was a new experience for her despite its proximity to the estate. The barnyard stirred to life; the rooster’s call announced the start of a new day.

Adeline knew where she wanted to go; headed for the barn, its second-story loft offered access to the roof – a perfect spot to watch the sun’s ascent.

Adeline reached the barn briskly, the morning chill quickened her pace as the cool air flowed through to her skin. Pulling Eric’s jacket closer, she savored his lingering scent as she stepped into the barn. The barn animals greeted her arrival with expectant looks, their morning hunger evident. A sudden rustle startled her, and spinning around, she found herself face-to-chest with Garrett. “Oh, good morning,” she stammered, her voice betraying her surprise. “You’re up early.”

Garrett steadied her with a firm arm, a feed bucket in his other hand. “Morning,” he replied, releasing her and stepping back with a curious gaze. “Did you just wake up?”

“I was hoping to watch the sun come up on the roof.” Adeline explained, her eyes drifting to the loft.

“The sun has already risen, but don’t let me keep you,” Garrett said, gesturing upward. “I’ll tend to the animals and perhaps join you after that.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Sure,” Adeline responded, her expression clouded with distant thoughts. “See you later then.”

“I’m curious about last night. I take it you both returned quietly?” Garrett called after her as she climbed up the ladder.

“It was… good,” Adeline’s voice floated down as she vanished onto the rooftop.

Garrett remained fixated at the entrance to the barn, his gaze fixed on the empty ladder. Adeline seemed different, even more so than when he last spoke to her. Last night she had a different aura around her. It left him feeling quite unsettled. The restless stomping of the barnyard animals rushed Garrett into his morning ritual.

Adeline stood on the barn’s rooftop; the cool morning breeze rustled through her hair. Garrett was right - the sun was already in the sky, painting it with soft tones of pink and gold. She settled into a comfortable spot to collect her thoughts. Her mind replayed the previous night’s events – it left her feeling changed, reborn.

Eric Landin, the boy from her childhood, had stirred something within her. He had challenged her to question the path laid out by her parents, to consider the possibility of making her own destiny. Eric’s belief in boundless potential was contagious, and for the first time, Adeline entertained the thought that her life could be different.

She had never questioned her parents’ plans, but Eric’s words and the enchanted pool had sown seeds of doubt. Last night he extended his hand to her, promising to help her carve her own path – to face their future as a blank canvas.

Kaylynn’s voice echoed in her mind. “You’ve always taken life too seriously, A” Her friend’s yawned advice lingered. “Imagine what you’ve been missing.” Her carefree friend had dragged her into the night’s adventure, showing her that there was more to the world than just her structured life of textbooks, work, and obligations.

Eric had offered her an alternative – a life made from her own choices, with him as her unconditional partner. The twilight reflecting on Moon’s Channel, the hidden cave with the mystical pool, revealed to her possibilities that she had never allowed herself to consider. Whether the visions were real or imagined, Adeline was changed by it, and she now believed that they could be a sign from the universe, telling her that she had the power to choose.

Clutching Eric’s jacket for strength, she traced the stitching spelling out his name and smiled. The scent of earth and possibilities that was uniquely Eric engulfed her senses. She nestled her face into the collar, basking in the memory of his warmth and the thrill of his touch.

A cough broke her thoughts. She turned to find Garrett standing over her, his eyes clouded with emotions she couldn’t decipher.

“Am I intruding?” he asked, settling beside her.

“Not at all,” Adeline assured him with a smile, though her mind was miles away. “It’s so peaceful here; I’d forgotten the charm of it.”

“You know you’re always welcome,” Garrett said, his gaze lingering on the jacket. “You used to be here all the time. Now it’s like you’ve vanished.”

“We grow up,” she murmured, a note of sadness in her voice as she hugged her knees closer. “Time just slipped away.”

Garrett’s curiosity got the better of him. “What’s different now? That jacket… you’ve been with Eric?” The words left a sour taste in his mouth.

“Yes,” Adeline whispered back, her voice barely audible, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon, avoiding his probing look.

Garrett watched her, the lump in his throat growing as she clutched Eric’s jacket like a shield. “And?” he pressed, his voice strained.

“I said ‘yes,’” she admitted, her reluctance palpable.

“So Eric’s your date to the prom?” Garrett pushed, hoping against hope that it was just for the prom, nothing more.

“Yes,” she said again, her voice a quiet echo.

Garrett could tell she couldn’t be persuaded to elaborate further, but his attempt at humor fell flat and the silence that followed was heavy with words left unsaid. “Got work later?” he asked, trying to bridge the gap that had formed between them.

“Yes,” came her curt reply, her mind already set on leaving.

“Need a ride?” he offered, a last-ditch effort to connect.

“I’ll go with Kay,” she replied, her voice devoid of emotion. Rising abruptly, she declared, “I need to head back.”

Garrett’s hand shot out, grasping hers. “Stay a bit longer,” he pleaded, his eyes searching hers for a sign of the old Adeline.

She looked down at his rough, callused hand, her heart heavy. “Gar…” she began, but words failed her.

“Just a little longer,” he implored, his voice thick with emotion. “I missed you.”

“You were the one who drifted away,” she replied, her voice firm. “You said you had responsibilities and…”

Garrett interrupted, his voice filled with regret. “I’m sorry,” he said, releasing her hand. “I shouldn’t have pushed you away. Please stay. Let’s talk.”

She sat back down, a sense of resignation settling over her. “What about?”

“The party,” he suggested, trying to smile. “Did you have fun?”

“Yes,” she answered, avoiding his gaze. She knew of Garrett’s feelings, which he had always kept at bay. Now they seemed to be resurfacing at the most inconvenient time.

“What did you do there?” he probed, moving closer.

“We just hung out, explored the woods,” she said, her thoughts elsewhere. “It was a nice change.”

“I’ve never been to one of those parties,” Garrett admitted, trying to keep the conversation light. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”

“Indeed,” she said, her gaze drifting back to the woods. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Eric, whose words had changed her perspective on life, giving her strength to fight for her own future. The Deverells, especially Garrett, had been like family, but now she saw him only as her best friend’s brother, nothing more.

An awkward silence fell between them, each lost in their own thoughts. Garrett longed to close the distance, to understand the change in Adeline, but fear held him back. He watched her, wishing he could be the confidant she once sought.

The quiet was broken by the sound of barking dogs. They watched as the Deverell home erupted into chaos, Alex’s laughter mingling with Grandpa Deverell’s shouts.

As the commotion grew, Garrett acted on impulse, not wanting to be seen. He pulled Adeline into the barn, hiding behind crates on the second-floor loft. She stood before him, stunned and indignant.

“Why did you drag me here?” she demanded, pulling away from his grasp.

“I didn’t want Alex to see us,” explained Garrett, his eyes filled with regret. “I’m sorry, I just wanted a bit more time with you.”

Adeline’s response was unwavering. “I’m leaving.” She turned to descend the ladder, but Garrett blocked her path, his large frame a barrier to her escape.

Trapped by Garrett’s imposing figure, Adeline felt a rush of emotions. Her heart raced with the urgency to escape, yet she was anchored by a sense of nostalgia for their shared past. Garrett’s eyes pleaded for understanding, but Adeline’s resolve was firm.

“Garrett Deverell, you can’t keep me here,” Adeline said, her voice steady. “I need to go.”

Garrett’s posture softened, and he stepped aside. “I know,” he admitted, his voice a whisper of defeat. “I just… I miss how things used to be.”

Adeline passed by him, her steps hesitant. “We all have to grow up,” she said, looking back with a mixture of sadness and determination. In her mind, she added, ‘You were the one who pushed me away first. It’s too late now.’

Descending the ladder, Adeline left the barn and the weight of Garrett’s expectations behind. She walked back to the house, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts about Eric, the prom, and the future that awaited her – a future she now knew she had the power to shape.

As she approached the house, the laughter and chaos of the Deverell family filled the air, a comforting constant amidst the change.

With newfound clarity, Adeline knew she would have to confront her family about her desires and the direction she wished her life to take. It wouldn’t be easy, but Eric’s belief in her gave her strength. She was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that her path was hers to choose.

And so, Adeline stepped into the Deverell house with a bounce in her step, nearly colliding with Mrs. Deverell, who carried a platter full of waffles.

“Oh, my dear,” Mrs. Deverell exclaimed. “You’re up. Good, we’re starting breakfast in the dining hall. Come join us.”

Twirling around to help stabilize the platter, Adeline chuckled. “I will. Let me wash up, and I’ll come out to help.”

“God bless you, my child,” Mrs. Deverell said as she hurried towards the dining hall. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen then.”

Adeline watched Mrs. Deverell disappear before continuing her way to Kaylynn’s room. Her friend was still fast asleep. Silently stepping into the adjoining bathroom, Adeline washed her face and changed back into her clothes, tossing the pajamas into the hamper. Donning Eric’s jacket, she returned to the Deverell kitchen to assist Mrs. Deverell.

In the kitchen, Adeline helped bring out platters of sausages, bacon, eggs, toast and fruit to the dining hall – a vast room where the Deverell family, extended family, and staff dined together. The activity and community of the dining hall were always enjoyable for Adeline, who was treated like family. The Deverells, a farming family, treated all their staff like kin, making working on the estate a coveted job.

Adeline sat at the table next to the main Deverell family, all except for Kaylynn, who was still asleep. Garrett tried to catch Adeline’s gaze but was seated too far from her. Alex and Grandpa Deverell took the prime seats beside her, and the hall buzzed with lively chatter and laughter.

Alex commented on Adeline’s jacket. “Ma, I want a jacket like Addy’s,” he pouted.

“Well, honey,” Mrs. Deverell said softly, “you’ll have to eat more to get big and strong before you can join the basketball team.”

“Why?” Alex asked, puzzled.

“Because” Mrs. Deverell explained, “only Golden Rivers High Basketball players get this jacket.”

“Why does Addy have it then?” Alex turned to Adeline, syrup on his fingers. “Do you play basketball?”

Adeline laughed. “No, this jacket belongs to a friend.”

“Can I wear it?” Alex asked, his eyes wide with hope.

“Alex,” Garrett interjected, his tone stern. “You must ask the owner of the jacket. Otherwise, you put Addy in a tough spot.”

“Oh,” Alex said, crestfallen. “I’m sorry, Addy.”

“Don’t worry,” Adeline reassured him. “I’ll ask my friend if he can get you a jacket for your birthday. How’s that?”

“Yay!” Alex cheered. “Thank you, Addy!” He turned to his mother. “May I be excused? I’m done.”

“Yes,” Mrs. Deverell smiled at Adeline, a silent “thank you” in her eyes. “Make sure you wash your hands before you go.”

“I will,” Alex called out as he dashed from the dining hall.

Breakfast concluded with a flurry of activity. Adeline assisted Mrs. Deverell in tidying up while the others dispersed to commence their daily tasks. When Adeline finally made her way back to Kaylynn’s bedroom, a profound sense of weariness washed over her. She crawled into bed and, within moments of her head touching the pillow, she succumbed to a deep sleep.