Griffa stood outside Keene Manor under the portico stomping her boots trying to make sure she wouldn’t track snow into the house. She didn’t need Maybelle fussing at her this evening. When she was sure she had dislodged all she could, Griffa opened the front door and stepped into the entryway. She took off her cloak and hung it by the door. She walked quickly to the dimly lit parlor to stand in front of the fire.

Ansel, who was seated in a chair near the fireplace, quickly stood up and came to her. He took her hands and kissed her lips lightly.

“Have you been in a meeting all day?” he asked. She knew he had been in his own meeting in the afternoon with a small group of magical families who lived throughout the forest.

“Yes, I’m trying to get everyone to agree on one course of action. The problem is everyone has their own ideas of how we should do things. We all want the same thing, but can’t decide how to get there,” said Griffa rubbing her hands and holding them up to the fire. “How did it go in the forest?”

“About as well as can be expected. The families are willing to hear us out. They aren’t sure about joining a fight they think won’t affect them, but they are willing to talk about options. They want to meet with you,” said Ansel.

Griffa blew out a puff of air. “I’ll make time within the next month. Between the Ring, and trying to get The Valley on board, I barely have time to read or study about other things I need to know. I told Max and Issa to focus on blood potions, but I still want to know more about protector’s magic.”

“Why, exactly?” asked Ansel. “I have told you the basics. I am bound to Max magically because of his bloodline. I believe my magic offers him some sort of protection, but that’s about it.”

“We need to know more. You were able to shield Max and me from a vast amount of spells and curses in the forest even in an injured state. I’m not saying you aren’t strong, but that wasn’t normal even for the strongest magic user. Knowing how much you can protect Max, yourself, and anyone else while we are in a fight is something we need to know,” said Griffa going over to a chair and sitting down.

“I can take you to my home sometime if you would like. There are probably some old books in the study. I believe we have a collection of old journals from protectors as well,” said Ansel turning from the fire to look at Griffa.

“Of course, I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. My mind is slipping. I didn’t think I was old enough for it,” said Griffa laying her head back in her chair.

Ansel came over and kneeled down in front of her, taking her hands. “You are working too hard. You barely eat or sleep. I haven’t seen you for more than an hour at a time. Griff, you can’t go on like this.”

Griffa looked at him tenderly and placed her hand on his cheek. He took her hand and kissed her palm. “I know. I am tired. I just feel like I have to do everything I can to help the kingdom. The reports from Aurumist are alarming. What if they start going into the outer rings soon? There are so many unprotected folk who don’t know what is coming for them.”

Ansel looked up her with a sad smile. “I know, but you can’t save them by yourself. You won’t be able to do much at all if you run yourself into the ground. Why don’t you go up to our room, take a bath, and get ready for bed? I will bring you some food.”

“You are too good to me. I have missed you lately,” said Griffa. She put her hand again on his cheek. He raised up to get closer to her.

“I’ve missed you, too,” Ansel said before leaning forward and kissing her.

Griffa pulled him on top of her in the chair, hungrily kissing him back. It had been too long since they had been together. A small cough interrupted them. Ansel leaned back and looked behind him. He stood up and turned around.

“Max, what do you want?” asked Ansel in a frustrated tone.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt anything, I was just seeing if Griffa had gotten home. I wanted to share something with her from my readings today.”

“Can it wait until tomorrow? Griffa hasn’t been home all day. She needs to rest,” said Ansel.

Max raised his eyebrows. “I don’t want to interrupt Griffa’s rest, but she asked me to tell her if I found anything.”

“It’s okay Max,” said Griffa sitting up in her chair. “Come tell me what you and Issa found out today.”

Griffa heard Ansel blow air through his nose, as he sat down on the sofa. Max walked over and sat in a chair close to Griffa.

“I’ve been reading a lot about blood potions and intent. I think it could have an effect on how the magic reacts and what happens after,” said Max.

“Really? I haven’t come across anything like that. By intent, you mean if you have good intentions or bad intentions when using blood magic?”

“Yes, intent can make a big difference according to some books. Those who wish to do harm may be in for consequences of the evil they do. While those who wish to do good, may be spared from some more nasty consequences. The problem is I can’t find a lot on people who wished to do good with blood potions, because they have a rather bad history,” said Max.

“It would make sense though. We know magic is a living thing and it feeds off of us. Our emotions and feelings affect magic so why wouldn’t it be the same with a blood potion. That’s very interesting, Max!” said Griffa excitedly as she stood up. “We need to see if we can find some more books or writings on how blood potions have been used. I wonder if there is something somewhere in storage behind the map room.” Griffa tried to stand up to go look when Ansel caught her arm.

“Griffa, this can wait. Let Max handle this. He can look tomorrow. You need to eat and rest. I’m sure Max would love to spend tomorrow going through old books. Issa can help him. That’s sounds like a good plan, doesn’t it, Max?”

“Yes, of course. I have nothing else planned. I’m sure Issa will help, she loves looking at old books,” said Max standing up. “I’m supposed to go meet her soon to talk so I’ll ask her.” Max left the room going towards the conservatory.

“Talk, yeah I’ve walked in on them talking plenty lately,” said Ansel watching him go.

“Well, I’m going upstairs,” said Griffa standing. She walked over to stand close to Ansel. “Perhaps you will join me for a chat of our own.”

Ansel looked at her and nodded. “Let me grab you some food, and I’ll be right up.”

Griffa walked up the stairs to her room. She quickly changed out of her dress and into a nightgown. She tried her best to clean her hands and face. She sat down and looked at herself in the mirror and saw that her eyes looked tired and sunken in with dark circles underneath. She pulled her hair out of her braided bun and it tumbled down her shoulders in crazy, messy curls. She ran her fingers through her hair and pinched her cheeks trying to give her face some color. She looked a mess and she knew it.

She laid her head down in her arms on her vanity. She had been working too hard. She was exhausted. There was always so much to get done and not near enough time to do it. Every minute that went by, the forces in Aurumist got stronger. Every minute was another minute closer to so much misery being spread in the kingdom.

Griffa heard the door open. She propped her head up on hands to see Ansel come into the room. He held a tray with some bread, meat, and cheese, and a glass of wine. He sat it down next to Griffa on her vanity.

“Eat, whatever it is you are fretting about, you will feel better about it after you eat,” said Ansel walking behind her and rubbing her shoulders.

Griffa picked up some cheese and popped it into her mouth. “How did you know I was fretting about something?”

“I’ve known you your whole life. I think I know almost all your moods by now. You’re putting too much pressure on yourself. Let others do their jobs. If we are going to save the kingdom, you are going to have to trust others to do what they need to do.”

“I know. You’re right. I will take some time to rest,” said Griffa eating some bread. Ansel gave her a disbelieving look. “Don’t look at me like that, I will. I have another Ring meeting tomorrow, but I don’t think it will go as long, and it’s the last one for a week. I plan to just do some light reading and maybe look at that potion from Aurumist one more time, but that’s it.”

Ansel rolled his eyes at her as she drank some wine. Griffa stood up and faced him. “I would also like to spend some time with you.”

Griffa encircled her arms around his neck and pulled his face close to hers, so she could kiss him. He responded by placing his arms around her and pulling her against him. She could feel his eagerness in his kiss. He slowly guided her backwards towards their bed while placing kisses on her neck. Griffa helped him take off his shirt.

“Griffa,” he breathed to her ear as she placed kissed on his jaw. They collapsed into the bed. Ansel had moved to kissing her mouth again, his hands wandering down her sides. She buried her hands in his hair. Ansel hands had just started inching hands down her leg towards the hem of her nightgown, when a knock at the door made Ansel’s hands stop.

“Ignore it,” he said against her lips. There was another knock, this time louder. Ansel didn’t move, but he turned his head slightly and said loudly, “Who is it?”

“It’s Jonthon, a message has just come for you, Ansel. The falcon is still here waiting. I think it wants a reply.”

Griffa gave a groan of frustration. “You better go get it.”

Ansel kissed her lips and got up from the bed. He opened the door slightly and took the note. He walked over to the bed opening it as Griffa sat up. Ansel sat down next to her reading his message.

“It’s from the Waywards who live in the forest. They say a few families want to meet with me in the morning. They think they can sway everyone on our side. He wants an answer tonight if I will be able to meet,” said Ansel.

“You better go write him, then,” said Griffa as Ansel looked at her. “What? I’m not going anywhere. Do what you need to do and then hurry back.”

Ansel picked up his shirt and slipped it back on. “I’ll be back in ten minutes.” Ansel kissed her before he left.

Griffa laid back in the bed and sighed. It had not been an easy time for either of them. They had both been working constantly since Harvest time. She knew one day it would be worth it. When Max was on the throne and all was safe, they would have time.

She sometimes wondered what their future would look like. Would they get married? Would they have children? She knew Ansel would need a child who could carry on the line of protectors. Griffa needed her own child to carry on the Keene name.

She laughed to herself. They had been together for less than five months, and she was already thinking of them married with two children. Still, she couldn’t imagine herself loving anyone but Ansel. Griffa snuggled up under the bed cover, thinking of a happy future with Ansel. Her eyes became heavy. She tried to keep them open, waiting for Ansel to come back. She wanted him, but she was so tired. She turned over in the bed and looked towards the door, hoping it would open soon. A few minutes later her eyes became too heavy, and she closed them. She was quickly fast asleep.