At the end where Destiny awaits: Book 6 of the Kinstone series

(Me)

I walk out onto the terrace overlooking the estate. The sky above is somewhat clear yet the late-afternoon air whisks against my skin. My heavy, black long-sleeved shirt catches with the wind along with my skirt. My thick leggings offer me some comfort, yet it’s my boots that give me the most. Thick and dark, keeping my feet warm.

I cross my arms, watching my dirty-blonde hair roll over my cheeks. I still switch between being in my human form and kitsune. It’s my mood, although I still prefer my kitsune.

I hold my arms close to me. It’s hard to believe that it’s been well over a week since I returned to the present. In that time, I completed nearly all the schoolwork and lessons I have on me. Plus I’ve delved into the library here, pulling out as much as my insatiable mind could devour. I’ve also trained with Fenris, further honing our fusion.

I grin softly, knowing the Athena and Marron have become close friends. I’m really happy for that. I love my family, which never seems to stop growing.

My gaze turns back onto the estate, watching the waterfalls cascade. My thought soon turn to home, my friends, my coven. Just everyone. In the back of my mind, the old worries for them start to mount. I know Grandpa says that they’re fine, but I know my friends. Attack them and they lash out.

As the worry grows, I feel tears start to well up in my eyes as my hands start to ball up into fists.

Arms soon wrap around me as someone pulls me back. I pan up, seeing Marron standing over me. A weak smile forms on my lips as our eyes meet. She gently rocks me from side to side. She holds me close to her, simply making sure she knows she’s there.

“You finished a lot of your work a couple days ago, didn’t you?” she asks.

I nod, tearing up more, and laying my head onto her. “I’m grateful, grateful for the past week. Just to accept that I’m here.” I let out a regretful sigh. “I was being selfish.”

Marron nods, “You weren’t in the best frame of mind. You needed time to cool your head, not only having to come to grips with your time in the past, but also the news of your uncle.”

She’s right. After telling my story, and then hearing the news of my uncle and his family, I was a powder keg, ready to be set off. I had so much anger and remorse that if I had gone back, everything would’ve been lost. Yet now…something is pulling at my heart, a calling, a longing. A wish that I want to be true and desire of mine for nearly a year for me.

Tears well up and my throat tightens. My grip on my sister increases the more I stare out onto the waterfalls. “I want to go home,” I chokingly let out. “I don’t care if it’s there or not.”

“Shhh, shhh,” says Marron, holding me tightly as she continues to rock me. I feel her hand stroking over my hair as she plants a kiss on my head. “I know sweetie, I know. It’s time we ended your exile, in fact all of our all exile.”

I feel her chin resting on my head. “I know it's hurt being away from everyone for so long.” Her arms hold onto me even more. “I’ll make you another promise. Be it by my hand or yours, I’ll take you home.”

I smile up at her as tears stream down my cheeks. Home and Marron with me. Finally. Even if it’s not there, I can still move one to somewhere else. Maybe actually going to Seattle. Granny would be ecstatic to see me.

“But,” she continues, “we need a plan first. We can’t simply portal to where your home used to be. We need to go somewhere where we will be safe.”

I nod. There’s a couple places that come to mind. One would be basically announcing to the entire world I’m back. Sorry Jenn, but St. Louis is out. That leaves one place.

“Why not the Ranch?” I suggest. “I really want to see the Parkstons.”

Marron catches a half-breath. I know she’s still reluctant at my suggestion. She then nods, “That would be a good plan. It’s been several months since Edtrich attacked them, so maybe the other covens moved on and won’t be looking for you there again. I know Jon and Evie would go ballistic seeing you again. Not to mention Sammy and Liam.”

I smile and nod, feeling my tears stinging my face. I know the pair were heartbroken after I left. Miriam said they cried for hours, nearly inconsolable. I hope to change that. Again I think of home, the fields, the hills, the lake, the forest, the Manor, the people there…Mom. I really pray what I saw wasn’t the end of my home. In the bottom of my heart I pray it’s true.

Marron wipes away my tears and plants a kiss on my head. She then wraps a furred, hooded cloak around me, matching my outfit.

She turns me around, looking me over. “Now you look like an adventurer from some random anime.”

I giggle. Well I have been on one. It’s been a hell of a ride, but now it’s time to go home.

We both soon hear the sounds of both heavy padding and shoes. Marron and I turn to see both my knights and wolves walking towards us. I smile softly at all four of them. They’ve seen me through so much, given so much for and to me.

“Are we finally leaving, Your Highness?” asks Orga.

I nod to him, “We are.” He smiles. Dear Orga, stout defender and an amazing man I’ve long come to admire and respect.

“Are we returning to Japan?” asks Kateryna.

I shake my head, “We’re going back to America. It’s time we go home.”

She looks to her husband who pulls her into a tight embrace. I know they both want to return to where we call home. Although for strangely enough, there’s another place we each share as home. However that’s somewhere I’m not quite ready to go to just yet.

Athena then walks over me to and leans her head in, nuzzling my face. I smile holding onto her, stroking her fur.

“I look forward to traveling with you, my little one. Seeing a new place along with your father.”

I blush softly, glancing at Fenris who seems to be beaming with pride. Not his usual fatherly pride towards me but something else. I stroke Athena, feeling as if she’s hiding something. However for right now, I’m not going to press them.

I look back towards the Mansion. A reminder, a piece of Dewloura and our refuge for the past week or so. I know how Orga and Kateryna while here it’s like being there once more. Just…home.

“What will happen when we leave?” I ask. This a place of my family, a guarded secret.

Soon more footsteps approach us, heavy yet still light. I pan down again to see the caretaker shuffling towards us. I smile, watching the old automata stop shy of my group and bows. “Are you leaving us, Your Highness?”

I nod, “I am.”

He bows again, “To answer your question, the barrier around the Mansion shall cover it, shielding this place until your return.”

I smile, good, this is one place that I really do want protected.

The caretaker then looks to me, “What are you orders, Your Highness?”

I look to him. I still don’t like handing out orders to people, however things might have to change soon. I already have an idea of something, something bold and maybe a little stupid.

“Continue to maintain the grounds and home as you already have done for centuries,” I tell him. “I hope to return one day. “

He bows lower, “We shall forever await those of Shyair, and future generations.”

My cheeks burn hotly as my thoughts turn to Kenji. I know in the future I will have kids, but…but…dammit!!!! Not now, you idiot!!!

I take a breath and smile, nodding to him. “Thank you, Caretaker.” He bows and steps back. Over his shoulder I see a dozen other maids, all bowing to me. I smile, giving them a little wave.

Marron smiles, handing me my bag. I smirk, knowing she packed it for me, mostly what was left in my room. I grin, placing it on my back. Inside holds so many treasures and a few other things from this journey of ours.

I feel another cold nose pressing against my face. I look over to see Fenris standing before me. I smile stroking his muzzle. “Are you ready?”

I nod, “I am. I want to see home, if not everyone there.”

He smiles, and then licks my face, causing me to giggle. I reach up and grasp some of his fur, pulling our heads together. His tails swish behind him as he rubs his head with mine. Fenris has been with me since we fled my home, never leaving my side. He even traveled with me into the past, enduring what I endured, both good and bad.

I peer over to Athena. She came with us, both as his mate and now my wolfish mother. I smile to her, ever so thankful for her being with me. Now she too will be joining us on our trek home. I smile, loving that our little party seems to grow to longer I’ve been away.

I nod then step back and turn towards the banister overlooking the river and the towering waterfalls further on.

“Grandpa!!!” A massive grin stretches over my face as I shout.

The sounds and thunderous wing flaps echo over the valley as a great crimson form appears flying down from the mountains tops. The enormous form then materializes into the shape of the great wyrm who’s been watching over us for the past week. Ddraig soon lands, still as ever gentle with his steps despite his mind-blowing size as his wings furl around his body.

A gentle fang-filled smile forms on his snout as he nears us. Marron and I’s dragonic grandfather lowers his head to just beyond the banister, his emerald eyes shimmer with love and caring. I know it’s only been a little over a week since we met him, but he really is our grandfather, much like Miriam and Hashibaba are my grandmothers. Family bonds grow strong, and they grow fast.

“Are you finally leaving, little ones?” he asks. His voice is gentle, soft yet still with a deepness that is as old as the land itself.

I nod, holding onto the strap of my bag. “We are, Grandpa. We’re head back to America. Hopefully to find my home.”

A soft rumble comes from him, one I know from Silvi when she’s happy. “I wish you all safe travels, my grandchildren. Stay on your path, little Aria, and follow your feet. The calling of home is strong and that of family. I suspect you will seek out the Coven for aid and to see them after so long. They are eager to see you if not to simply hear from you.”

I giggle, knowing my want to see the Parkstons, the Lancasters, and the other families in their town. Heh, I really can’t wait to see the look on their faces when we show up on the Ranch’s doorsteps.

I stare up into his eyes. “You really should come and visit the Coven more oftenm Grandpa.”

He chuckles, which reverberates softly against the stone of the Mansion. “Your mother and Miriam would often tell me the same.” He then looks to me, “I have truly enjoyed coming to know you, little Aria. I truly see you and your sister as my children."

I blush and grin up at him.

Ddraig then turns his snout ever so slightly towards Marron. “Dear young Marron. I also have been honored and glad to have finally met you and call you my own. You have done well to safeguard your younger sister through these trials. You have come far on your own journey as well, overcoming your own demons along the way.”

She nods, holding onto me tightly. I look up to her, smiling, knowing what he means. She smiles to me, planting a kiss onto my forehead. I grin as she looks to him.

He smiles, nodding softly. “However, there are still two more duties to perform upon reaching America. Duties you must complete before everything is resolved...”

I tilt my head slightly. What does he mean? I know she’s staying with me, her promise to me. So what’s waiting for us there that she has to complete?

She nods, holding onto me even tighter. “I understand, Grandpa.”

He smiles, looking to my knights and wolves. “Safeguard these children as you have always done,” he says. “They are precious to me and to many more.”

Orga and Kateryna stand to attention and bow to the great dragon. “As is our sworn and sacred duty,” they each proclaim. I blush and smile towards my knights.

Fenris and Athena each nuzzle my face and brush against Marron lovingly. We smile, stroking them.

Ddraig then presses his snout to our faces, nudging them softly. “I love you both, ever so much, my beloved grandchildren.”

We grin, stroking and even kiss his scaly snout. “We love you too, Grandpa,” we reply.

It’s been a while since I had a happy goodbye. My thoughts go back to when we left Japan. I can still see the faces of my friends and Asha along with all the villagers. I miss them. Maybe when the chance comes up I’ll give them a call. I’d really love to hear their voices again.

Ddraig then looks to me. “I know that you will at some point come to the Court. Many there are anxious and eager for news of you. A few undoubtedly desire to see you. When you do decide to come, contact me. For I shall act as your vanguard and prepare everything for your arrival.” A smirk then ripples from him, “I am well aware of your love for making dramatic entrances.”

I giggle softly, “Seems like everyone loves telling me that.” Mom said that to me several times before and upon my adoption. Miriam said the same back in September, and finally with Serasfall.

The great dragon then grins, blowing a whirling jet of warm air around us. “My clan stands with you, little Aria. Forever shall they stand with the children of Colburn, our family.”

I smile brightly, “Thank you.”

He smiles, nudging us again. “I love you both dearly, my beloved grandchildren. I eagerly await your call, little Aria.”

I smile, kissing his snout.

The great wyrm then gently pulls back and turns, unfurling his massive wings. With a several mighty thrusts, he lifts himself off of the ground and leans forwards. He flies around the valley to gain more speed. We track his flight as he flies around the Mansion and then over us, angling high into the sky, finally passing through the barrier and into the clouds beyond.

Marron then gives me a tight squeeze. “Ready, sweetie?”

I pan back to the Mansion, wanting one last glimpse of a link to Dewloura, to my ancestors, people I called my family. I then look to Athena, my wolf mother and newest member of my family here.

“Are you ready?” I hear Marron smirking softly.

Athena smiles. “I am. As before, forever shall I be at your side alongside your father.”

I turn to Fenris whose chest puffs with pride as he looks to us both. I grin, loving my wolves ever so much more. We are family, not merely am I theirs, but sharing a kinship that goes back millennia.

I turn to my knights. My knights smile to me. “We are ready, Your Highness,” says Orga.

“Our home and loved ones await us, Your Highness,” adds Kateryna.

I smile nodding my head to them. I take one last look at the Mansion, knowing my path and where it will take me at some point.

“I’m ready.” Marron nods and lets me go.

I take a few steps away from the group. I turn to Athena. “I’m going to opening a fairy road. It’ll take me a few seconds to gather the magic to do so. The road through will be straight, and it shouldn’t take us too long to exit out. Hopefully nothing will happen this time.” Yeah, the last battle with Diana really threw us off course.

She nods.

I smile before facing forward. I take a couple deep breaths as I hold up my hands and start to gather the latent fae magic that seemingly permeates the entire world. Tiny sparkles of pink light soon begin to appear and coalesce at the center of my palms like waves of smoke. The drain and pull is strong yet not nearly as bad as it used to be.

Once the ball of energy is complete, and the image of the Ranch comes into full picture, I clap my hands together and fling them apart, opening the road. I smile looking at it. I then feel a strange tingle in my heart from the portal. However I choose to ignore it, thinking it’s just my homesickness creeping up on me.

Everyone then gathers around me, much how they did when we left Japan. I turn to the caretaker.

He smiles, bowing to me. “The barrier around the Mansion shall rise upon your departure, Your Highness.”

I nod, “Thank you, Caretaker.” He bows once more before stepping away.

I take another deep breath as I stare at the fairy road, our way home. I feel a hand resting on my shoulder. I turn up, seeing Marron smiling to me. I smile back, loving her oh so much, knowing now the truth behind our connection and bond. I look to everyone us, all ready to leave.

I nod and turn with all six of us entering into the portal. After a few paces, I feel it closing behind us.

Home.