Rachel Morgan - Of Kisses & Quests

Of Kisses & Quests

By Rachel Morgan

Copyright 2021 Rachel Morgan

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination or, if real, used fictitiously.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For more information please contact the author.

v2021.11.12

Epub ISBN 978-1-928510-44-4

About Twelve Years Ago

The carriage soared across the glitter-filled night sky as Ryn Larkenwood, his feet bouncing back and forth against the lower part of the seat, continued scratching his arms.

Ryn, stop fidgeting, his mother said.

But this jacket is itchy.

Reeds suit is exactly the same as yours, and he isnt fidgeting.

Ryn looked across the carriage at his older brother. Reeds eyes widened. He glanced at Mom, then back at Ryn, before grinning and scratching his arm. Ryn covered his mouth to smother his laughter.

Mom sighed. That wasnt your cue to start misbehaving, Reed.

Dad looked away from the window and put his stern face on. Have you two forgotten where were going?

A party? Ryn said.

At a Guild Councilors house? Reed added.

Correct. An important Guild Councilor. So you need to look good when we get there. After youve been introduced, you can take the jackets off.

Can we eat there? Ryn asked.

Of course you can eat, Mom said. We dont expect you to go hungry.

He means the grown-up food, Reed explained. On the floating trays. He looked at Ryn, who nodded in return. The two of them had been allowed to attend a Guild event several months earlier, and Mom had told them not to touch any of the tasty treats floating past them on levitating trays.

Oh, well I dont know about that, Mom said. Theyll probably have a separate table for children to eat at while the adults mingle.

Can we explore? Ryn asked.

Probably not, Dad said.

What if were quiet?

Dad raised an eyebrow. When are the two of you ever quiet when youre playing?

Ryn lifted his shoulders and gave his father a wide grin. Never?

Exactly, Dad said, but Ryn could see he was trying to hide a smile.

A lurch in the region of Ryns stomach told him the carriage had begun to descend. Ooh, were almost there! He slid off the seat and pressed his face to the window. Reed joined him a second later, already pointing at something below.

Boys, please. Mom leaned forward and tugged Ryn back onto the seat beside her, while Dad did the same with Reed on the other side of the carriage. What did I say about keeping the windows clean? We need to return the carriage to the Guild in the same condition it was in when we picked it up.

Dont worry, Mom, Reed said. We didnt breathe on the glass. Its still clean.

As the carriage continued its descent, Mom gave them further instructions on how to behave themselves. It was all stuff Ryn had heard before, but clearly Mom thought he and Reed needed a reminder.

After theyd landed and climbed out of the carriage, they joined the other Guild members and their families on the paved pathway leading to the front door. Short lollipop-shaped trees lined the pathway on either side, decorated with tiny blue lights. Ryn held onto Moms hand while trying to see past the other guests. It was nothing like his home, which was hidden inside a tree by glamour magic. This home was large and out in the open. He could see windows and balconies and vines creeping up the walls.

Just as Ryn was starting to get bored shuffling along the path, they reached the entrance. Mom and Dad greeted the hostess, and then he and Reed were introduced. They shook the womans hand, smiled politely, and said, Good evening, Councilor Valentia, just as theyd been taught. Finally, after moving beyond the front door, Mom allowed them to remove their jackets. As Ryn tugged his arms free, he looked around for Violet. Eventually he spotted her, clinging to her dads side while he spoke with a bald man. She wore a pink dress with puffed sleeves and some kind of sparkly clip to hold her hair back, which was strange since she didnt normally wear dresses or put pretty things in her hair.

When Vi saw him and Reed, she smiled, waved, and ran toward them. You guys missed the funniest thing. Her eyes sparkled with delight. A lady had this long feather on her head, and it was so tall it touched one of the floating candles up there, and it caught alight! And then someone pushed her into the fountain! She bounced up and down as she giggled. Dad kept telling me to stop laughing, but I couldnt.

Where did she go? Reed asked, looking around as his smile grew.

I dont know. Maybe one of the other rooms.

Whats outside? Ryn asked. He tried to see between the guests to the other side of the room.

Vi shrugged. Dad said I had to stay with him. But there were these two other kids here, and one was saying there are secret passages between the rooms upstairs.

No way. Reeds eyes widened. Thats so cool.

Maybe if theres three of us now, we can go play, Ryn said. Ask your dad, Vi. And Ill ask Mom. He ran to Moms side and tugged her hand, but she continued chatting and laughing with Councilor Valentia. He waited a few moments, then tugged again.

Finally, she looked down at him with a frown. Ryn, Im trying to have a conversation, and its rude when you interrupt.

Im sorry. He tried to look suitably contrite. But can we go play? Please?

I dont think so. Im sure Councilor Valentia doesnt want you roaming around her house.

Please, Mom, Reed said, joining Ryn. I promise well be good.

Oh, its completely fine, Councilor Valentia said. They can go wherever they want.

Are you sure?

Yes, of course. Let them have fun. She beamed down at Reed. Grown-up conversations are so boring, arent they?

He smiled back her and nodded. Thank you, Councilor Valentia, he said politely.

The two of them ran back to Vi, Ryn feeling a twinge of irritation that Reed had once again so easily talked his way into getting something. But the feeling passed quickly. Ryn had never been able to stay mad at his brother for long.

Garden or upstairs? Reed asked.

Vi chewed her lip, then said, I vote upstairs.

Yeah, Ryn said. Lets look for the secret passages.

They headed for the stairs, but Vi stopped a moment later. Oh wow. She swung around. Did you see that? The tray with the mini chocolate castles?

Yeah, those look amazing, Reed said, following her gaze.

Vi sighed. I wish we could try them.

We could, Ryn said, if we just sneak some off the tray when no ones looking.