CHAPTER 252: QUAFARS

Can you believe it? ’Grounded’ existed in the dictionary of these magic-infested beings.

The first day, I had thought to sit it out, that maybe my parents would change their mind about the punishment, seeing how helpful I was around the house, even going as far as helping Peter in his farm.

But the second day, I knew I was actually grounded till the Queen’s party.

Do they expect me to remain in my room like a prisoner? I wasn’t even allowed to attend my training with the Queen.

And the royal woman didn’t dare debate against me, because doing so might try the reins holding her. She was still on probation in the eyes of her people.

So I spent my day reading anything I can lay my hand on, and practicing spells with Diana.

My little sister was the only one enamored by my adventure that night. I had told her about it all, including my second encounter with the strange witch, and with the beasts.

The beasts part was her most favorite. So much so that she thinks we should sneak out of the house so that we can return to the library and see the beasts again.

My sister, such a brave little thing.

I didn’t consider it yesterday when she had brought it up, but now, with boredom threatening to usurp my senses, I was considering it.

How would my parents find out if Diana was my ally? She was damn good at cloaking too.

She had actually apologized for using it against me that night; shielding my parents and her, in my room—explained why I thought there was no person in the room on my return. She was just that good.

I shut the book I was reading for the third time in two days. Even the days seemed to go slower. I got out of my bed and knocked on Diana’s.

"Do you think mother will let me go for a walk, if you join me?" I started when she opened her door, without even a preamble.

She shrugged. "I will ask her. Maybe we can infiltrate the library..."

I rolled my eyes. It was only noon. We would be caught by the palace guards in our stupidity.

But she ran off happily to meet Laura and ask for permission. I knew she would try convincing the latter, maybe Peter too.

I sighed, and returned to the bed. Sitting down, I tried reaching for El for the millionth time since that fateful night. But all I got was silence, as usual.

The Quafar had said that she had retreated to keep me conscious, but I was okay now, full with food and energy, so why wasn’t she speaking to me? Was she angry? Disappointed that I keep not listening to her?

’El, I am sorry.’

No words. Just like before. Doesn’t matter how sorry I am, she just wouldn’t speak. Is she gone forever? Had I somehow snuffed her out?

Diana bursting into the room cut me off from my thoughts.

"You are in luck!" she shouted cheerfully. "Mother is okay with it. Come on, let’s go."

For the first time in two days, I felt relieved, pleased. I jumped out of my bed, threw on an oversize polo over my half-cut singlet, and strolled out of my door; Diana right on my heels.

"So where do you want to go?" She asked, once we got past the fencing.

"I’m not sure. I only wanted to just take in some outside air. Do you have ideas on where we can go?" I looked at her, watching her contemplate this matter, her index finger bent under her jaw.

"Maybe the palace halls, to see the decorations... I heard it’s magnificent."

Of course it would be. I thought. It was the Queen’s birthday. But I didn’t want to go there, as much as I wanted to see the extravagance that was being created and displayed.

Going there would mean seeing the triplets, and Lord knows I wasn’t interested in doing that, neither did I want them thinking that I had come there to make a show of myself, or toy with their feelings.

Their games was the least of my problems.

"No, I am not in the mood to see the palace or whatever connected to it." I muttered, before calling Levina.

"Hey girlfriend, where are you?" I asked after we exchanged pleasantries.

"At the palace."

You gotta be kidding me.

"What are you doing there? Watching the decorations?"

She laughed. She must have heard the loaded sarcasm in my voice.

"My father was invited to help with some building processes, I just tagged along. You wanna come?"

"Nah, I will pass."

A pause on the other end.

"Are you sure? We have not seen each other for two days... aren’t you bored, staying at home, watching your little sister?"

Oh yes, she wasn’t aware that I had been grounded. She actually thought I was still struggling with the effect of the alcohol Sinclair had distributed on the bonfire night.

A light brain she had called me when I opted out of their gathering yesterday.

"Nah, I am okay. And she is fun all by herself too. You know Diana..."

A curious Diana smiled, accepting the praise.

"So, when will we be seeing you?"

"Soon. Maybe later today...we can go for a ride on your bike."

A false hope, but it was needed to keep Levina from thinking that I was snubbing her. I would just have to convince Diana to convince Laura.

And if it didn’t work... well she could come visiting since she so wanted to see me.

Till then...

"You know what, you are right. We can visit the forbidden forest anytime we want, I am sure no one would mind." I said to Diana, after hanging up.

Diana yelled yippee, held my hand and together we sauntered toward the forbidden forest, my heart beating faster than usual.

Was this a good idea? Was I letting my boredom take the reins of my mind still?

I sighed, and clasped her hand tighter. There was not a problem. We will be fine.

At the entrance of the forest, the tree greeted us, with its wavy nature.

Diana and I exchanged curious looks, both of us inhaling deeply and then we stepped into the forest.

"It seems different." Diana started, a few minutes after we kickstarted our journey through the forest. "Like it had been rearranged."

Her brows furrowed, she pointed at certain trees she didn’t think had been around the first time she came, including those who seemed to be occupying a different position.

I had noticed it two nights ago, but I guess Diana was right. The forest had been rearranged.

It sounded so awkward, but the forest wasn’t normal itself. What normal forest had Quafars?

Diana mentioned that she had read about them one time in an old book in the library.

But when she had gone to retrieve the book from the library attendant yesterday, the fellow had told her that such a book didn’t exist.

Unfortunately for us, Diana hadn’t taken the book seriously when she had acquired it first.

Even though she was a young child, she hated lies disguised as truths in stories; she had thought the Quafar one, only to be told it was not.

We were both discovering that most books in the library were true.

Did most people in the community know that too?

"We are being watched." Diana stated next, coming to a halt.

"I know, but I don’t think we should remain standing and looking around; it would tip them off. I think we should keep going." I think we shouldn’t worry; it is a good watch. I added to myself.

Even though El was absent, my magic senses had grown under both her tutelage and the Queen’s, such that I could sense, without El’s antenna.

Could it be that she had left, seeing that I had learnt all there was to know?

I shook my head. It couldn’t be. It just couldn’t.

She had said herself that there were levels I hadn’t reached yet in this magic thing.

"You said that we should keep moving, but you are halting, Dora... what are you thinking about? Your mind isn’t with me."

Should I tell her that El was absent? No, that wouldn’t be a good idea.

Diana might not confess it aloud, but I know that part of the reason why she was okay coming here, risking safety, was because she believed El was with me.

If I told her the reverse of it... I shook my head.

"Dora!!" she whisper-yelled, glaring at me.

"I am sorry. I am just calculating where we are... to know if we are in an illusion or something."

That seemed to calm her down.

"What do you think we should do about the watchers? Do you think it’s the Quafars, seeing that I don’t feel any hostile intent or dread, just pure curiosity?"

"I think so. Why do you ask?"

She smiled mischievously, and even before she enacted her next move, I saw it coming.

"Hey Quafars, my name is Diana! Can we see?!"

Damn this overzealous brat!