THE WARD

" Have you warmed up anyone's bed lately? Let's say a certain influential man in Morston," She goes straight for the kill. The evil smile on her lips tells me that she has every intention to humiliate me. I'm surprised that she hasn't turned up at the academy. Although I'm pretty sure she has done her fair share of damage. She is the daughter of the Mayor so her word carries some weight in the upper layer of the society. The one that counts the most in this situation.

" I don't see why it would be any of your business who I'm taking to bed. I don't see the point of you asking me, and I don't see the relevance of this conversation altogether, " I rise to my feet and smile, " And I don't owe you an explanation. In fact, I don't owe you anything. You are ruining my friend's birthday outing. So if so kindly excuse yourself and take your bitter remarks elsewhere, we'd be grateful, and relieved." I say surprisingly calm on the surface but she has a habit of turning my insides into molten lava. This woman.

She laughs, " Micah says hello," She twirls her fingers at me and waddles away. Of course, she would know about Micah. Mason must've told her. Probably she doesn't know that the ground has gobbled him up a few weeks ago. Didn't stay to check, and make sure that he died, but there was nothing left of the temple when I left.

Riley giggles as she watches Ava walk away," Wait until everyone hears about this," Oh dear God.

" Riley," I say quietly, " Why would you tell everyone about this?" I ask a little exasperated.

" This is gold. You wiped the floor with the mayor's daughter. Everyone knows she is a little bitchy," A little is an understatement.

" Plus, haven't you heard? Word is going around that the happy couple aren't so happy after all," I slump in my chair trying to rally together my patience. I've done enough damage for the day. The only reason I stayed calm is because it's Laira's birthday.

Not exactly news to me but I pretend that I'm surprised and interested.

" No, " I say quietly, " I haven't heard,"

" Of course you wouldn't. You hardly leave the academy grounds and live under a mountain of books. Spend all your time cooped up in that loft of yours. I suppose you are the present-day princess in the tower of our time. We don't have knights in shining armor anymore, and you will be waiting long and hard for your Knight, but he won't come," Laira laughs, and I find myself smiling at the picture Riley painted.

" That's not why I spend so much time in the loft. I like it there and why would I want to spend any time with you? You're a pain," I say in mirth and Riley laughs.

" I have all the good stuff, that's why? I might know more about this travesty that they call the wedding of the century. Do you wanna know?" She beams at me, practically glowing with excitement at - what I like to call the misfortune of the century- and I find myself wanting to know.

Asking Mason was out of the question since the topic always put him in a sour mood. So, Riley is the closest thing I have to a source of information regarding their relationship. Or so-called relationship.

" I knew you would. It turns out that she is sleeping with someone else. That rumor is yet to be confirmed," On cue, I feign surprise, while Riley's eyes glitter with mischief.

Seems only fair, Mason and I did exactly just that. Maybe that's her way of exacting her vengeance on the cheating bastard. Yep, we are back to that.

" Do you know why?" I find myself asking and Laira giggles beside me. I know why she finds it humorous.

" It is very hush-hush but I can ask around and find out. Dee says that he made her sign a document to keep the whole thing from prying eyes," Laira laughs again, and I lean back in my chair.

" It feels a lot like it is your birthday, not mine," She licks the foam off her spoon amused to no end.

" I'm sorry," I turn to her to kiss her on the cheek, " I can't help it when it comes to him," I whisper in Laira's ear and she nods.

" Hey!" Riley calls as I lean back in my chair, " What are you two whispering about? " She pouts and crosses her arms over her chest. That sight makes me smile. She is worse than a child. And the urge to go to him rises within me like a tidal wave and I have no idea how I will keep myself from being swept away.

I glance at David who hasn't said anything other than ordering his drink, and now he has Laira pinned with a blazing glare strong enough to peel paint off the walls.

" It's a secret," I shrug and laugh because I know those words will eat Riley from the inside out. She can't help herself. She has to know.

Laira laughs when Riley pouts her way, " Sorry, Riley but there are certain things that I can't tell you, nor want to " Laira smirks at Riley and she sighs.

The waiter returns for food orders, and we do just that, even though I have zero appetite. When the food arrives, Laira spends the entire meal cajoling me into eating, making airplane noises, and car noises as if I'm a toddler with a temper.

Needless to say, it entertains the entire terrace filled with patrons out having lunch. And just like that I become the laughing stock of the entire village.

" What do you want to do next birthday girl?" I ask as soon as the dreadful meal is over. People are still glancing my way, probably thinking that I'm retarded or something.

" Take me home. Enid said that I should pay her a visit today. She was very mysterious about the whole thing," My gaze finds hers as we stand at the table, while I silently plead to just go somewhere else. Preferably into a different dimension where Mason doesn't exist.

She shakes her head, and tilts her head towards the car, as David and Riley lead the way, I fall into a step with Laira. I don't dare to say anything, because that would rouse suspicions from the biggest gossiper I've had the pleasure to meet.

On the way to Northenhay, I spend a monumental amount of effort to keep my head above water. With a bit of luck, he won't be home. It is midday anyway, he should be at work, or soothing his pregnant fiance. Oh, for fuck sake.

When we reach the house, I find that I have a hard time getting my feet to obey me. Riley, Laira, and David step through the gate but I remain staring at the mansion clad in red ivy. It looks the same. I don't know why I thought that because I haven't been gone for that long. Although, it feels like a lifetime away since I walked through those gates.

Enid appears in the doorway wearing her warm, inviting smile, and hugs Laira and Riley. David is next, and I can't help but be happy that in spite of all odds we all found a home in Enid.

Laira had become like a second daughter for Enid. And together they are up to no good.

I make an effort and begin to make my way up the steps, because Enid even though she doesn't act like it, she is of a certain age.

" Welcome home, dear." She pulls me into a hug and I squeeze her right back with all the love and affection I hold for her. She is an incredible person and I hope when I grow up that I'll be just as loving as she is.

" How are you feeling?" I ask as she pulls me inside the house and Harriet appears out of one corridor with a wad of sheets in her arms.

" Lily! " She tosses the sheets to the floor and bounds towards me. We hug and laugh.

Harriet has been a busy mum. She only works a few hours a day in the morning. I think she does it mostly for Enid's sake rather than earn to her keep.

" How is little Zoe?" I ask as she pulls away, and she sighs.

" She is doing great. Although she is being very bossy with her father. I have no trouble with her. She keeps telling me that she likes me better than Alec because my face is smooth and not prickly like his," We all laugh as we enter the kitchen and our laughter dies in our throats the moment our eyes fall onto the other person present in the kitchen. Not entirely unexpected, he lives here for Christ's sake.

Mason is sitting down reading the paper, and I'm on the verge of fainting.

I look like I've crawled out of a grave and he looks just fine.

He looks up from his paper, " Ladies," He nods in greeting, and his gaze drifts to David," David," But his stern and overall grumpy demeanor has returned with a vengeance.

" Smile you grumpy oaf. You're scaring the poor girls," Enid playfully chides and he forces a smile past his beautiful lips, one that doesn't reach his eyes.

Our eyes meet and once again I find myself in desperate need of air.

" I need to use the bathroom," I say to Laira but everyone hears me, and Enid nods. Riley laughs and blushes. She stares at Mason wide eyed, with a dazed look on her face.