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I often spent time that following week in the library looking at some of the many books that lined the shelves. The Marquis had many foreign books, bound very different than our own books, with calligraphy shapes for letters. Mr. Hodge said it was Hangul for the most part. He also had books in Chinese. Mr. Hodge said that at their main residence there were many more such books.
Mr. Hodge would read bits to us, and George would not only read to me, he took it upon himself to start teaching me the alphabet. I enjoyed the mythological stories the best. There was one about a gumiho who was tricked into helping with a curse, and one about a woodcutter who stole the cloak of a heavenly maiden. There were even stories of ancient China and magic swords that used the swordsman’s energy for both defense and offense.
I could understand why James was interested in traveling after learning of these stories. There was a whole world out there, with things we couldn’t fully imagine.
The night before our last night at Moonspire arrived too quickly. George found me sitting at his piano, chin resting on my hands, elbows on the closed door of the keyboard.
"You're early," I heard his voice before I saw him, as he took his seat next to me.
He watched me for a few moments, his eyes full of concern. "Are you all right?"
"Yes," I hastily answered, before I paused and informed him I was not. "No, I am not really all right. I will be, but I'm not right now."
"You were quiet all evening," George spoke softly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. He was so close that I felt I could hear his heart. I wanted him to wrap his strong arms around me, and tell me that things were going to work out. I wanted him to offer to get Willow and Rising Dragon saddled up and we'd run away together. To where I did not know. I just knew I didn’t want this spell I was in, to end.
"Did you want to go walk the shore and talk about it? It's still early enough in the evening, and I know an enchanted little spot," he said as if sensing my wish.
***
We strolled along the shoreline, and climbed up a small knoll to an enchanting spot indeed.
"This spot is lovely," I smiled as I took in my surroundings. Lush and green, I could see the shoreline below leading back to the small castle. Woods surrounded us. "I'm surprised I didn't see the trees here before," I added as I sat down, my back to a tree.
"I told you it was enchanted," George replied, sitting down next to me. "I love this little spot."
I was sure he meant enchanting. "I can see why. Everything feels so peaceful here. It's like the weight of the world is lifted off of you." It added to the magic I was feeling.
"I'd like to lighten whatever burden you carry, Elizabeth. If you let me."
I reached over and placed my hand on his.
"I feel like everything is changing.” I grumpily picked at the grass. "I wish I could stop it. There's safety in things not changing."
"How so?"
"Well, before our lives changed drastically when our parents died, they kept us safe. We were free to be kids. And then on that fateful day years ago, Edward and Sarah Jane were forced to grow up and take care of James and me. And now, Sarah Jane and Tristan are talking of an attachment, and even James is talking about traveling." And now I’m leaving you.
"Ah, that sort of change," George mused.
"I don't like it!" I grumbled. "Not that I don't like Tristan. It's not that. Sarah Jane is so very happy."
"It's all right to feel that way."
"You mean for me to be both happy and unhappy about it?"
"Exactly. It is because you love your family."
"Family is everything to me," I replied.
***
The next morning, I decided to walk to the little enchanting spot that George had shown me. I was able to get the cook to give me a quarter of a loaf of bread. I figured, if there was a place to talk to the fairies, it was there. I wanted to tell them about Sarah Jane getting married, and how I felt about George. He was my favorite person to talk to, and I wanted more time with him. I wanted the fairies to grant me that.
I followed the beach along, and took the path up towards the knolls. I stopped to pick some wild strawberries too. When I reached the top of the small rolling hill, I did not see the woods I had been expecting. It must be further along than I remembered. So I kept walking. I'd been walking for a while, when I noticed dark clouds gathering on the horizon, and a roll of thunder. Just great, a storm was coming, and I had yet to find the spot I had been to the very day before. I knew I should head back, with the approaching storm I knew my family would be worried about me. I hadn't told anybody I was going for a walk, well, except the cook, but I had made her promise to not tell. But I had also said I'd be back in time for lunch, and the growl in my stomach was telling me that lunch was some time ago.
When I was about to give up and head back, I spotted a ring of mushrooms. I knew from books that the mushrooms were actually fairies dancing, so I stepped into the ring and knelt down. Lightning flashed. I glanced up at the horizon, and the storm was getting darker and closer. Already I could feel the rain on the air.
"Hello fairies." I took out the bread and berries, and putting a piece of the bread and a berry by each mushroom. Once that was done I smiled. "I'm not ready to leave here yet. I want more time to get to know George. Everything here makes magic seem so real that I forget it’s just make-believe. Look after George. Let him be happy."
***
Our time with the marquis came to a close. Our luggage was in the carriage, and our horses secured for the trip home.
"I will see you again, Elizabeth. Now for my parting gift." George pulled a thin silver chain out of his pocket. It had a small green dragon charm dangling from it.
"Oh wow," I said, touching the dragon. "What's the occasion?"
"Hush for a moment, and I'll tell you." George smiled. "This little dragon is a guardian."
"Like the world dragon that Tristan talked about?"
"Yes, you could say that. Inscribed on it are the words, ‘Know Ye, These Guard Forever,’" George explained as I bent my head and he secured the chain around my neck.
"It's lovely." I suddenly found myself feeling a bit choked up.
George smiled, pulled me closer and kissed my forehead.