Keelan's POV

I was hopeful when I entered the throne room, but when I saw the looks on the knights faces that last bit of hope was lost.

"Nothing?" I asked.

"No sire, nothing." Nick said.

"Where could she be?" I asked.

"We don't know sire, nobody has seen her for a while." Ben said.

"Should we tell Rose?" Caleb asked.

"No not yet. She will just think Henry has her and there is no telling what she'll do. Can you get near the castle and maybe ask around. Ask for a woman with the name of Agatha, she was Rose's maid, maybe she'll know something."

"We'll go right away."

"No, you've been gone long enough stay for the night, you can leave tomorrow." I said as they all nodded before they left. I sat back in the throne thinking of what to do next.

How do I tell Rose that her mother is missing. I could not do that, not when I didn't know where she was. I decided it was better to not tell her until the knights returned.

"Here you are, I've been looking everywhere for you?" A voice said that startled me out of my thoughts. When I looked up I saw my mother with the brightest smile ever.

"Why were you looking for me, mother?" I asked as I stood up and walked towards my mother.

"To ask if the rumours were true?"

"What rumours?"

"That you and Rose have admitted your feelings for each other." She said as she looked at me expectantly. I gave her a huge grin before I nodded my head. My mother let out a squeal that sounded like a young woman who has just been asked to marry someone.

"And how did you ask her to court you?" She asked.

"Oops."

"Keelan don't tell me you didn't."

"Mom, I was so worried that she was going to marry Mr Mole that it slipped my mind."

"So you didn't ask to court her?"

"Not directly, but I guess if we admitted our feelings we should be courting now."

"Darling I love you, but you need to develop that romantic bone in your body. You need to show Rose that you are serious about her. Actions do speak louder than words after all."

"But-"

"No buts, we will start planning right after dinner, now let's go eat." She said as she dragged me out of the room. Boy was I in for something.

-*-
Rose's POV

My fingers flew across the spines of the old, leather bound books. Each book was filled with interesting facts about faeries and I couldn't get enough. The library was like a playground for me and I couldn't read enough.

When I finally took a break from my reading I realised that I was late for dinner. I sprang to my feet and after I returned the book to its rightful place I rushed to the dinning hall.

When I arrived the doors were pulled open for me and I saw that everyone was already seated.

"Sorry I'm late, I got caught up in the library." I said as I walked to my seat. Keelan stood up and after giving me a knee buckling smile he pulled my chair out for me. I thanked him before he returned to his seat.

"We understand dear, the library can easily take away your time with all those interesting books." The king said.

"I agree." I said as the food was brought out and we started to enjoy our meal. We laughed and talked as we ate the delicious food. Between bites Keelan and I would steal glances which would reward us with cheeky grins.

I still couldn't believe he actaully returned my feelings and I thought I was living in a fantasy.

After dinner the queen immediately excused herself.

"I'm sorry darlings, but Keelan and I have things we need to take care of. We will be a while." She said.

"Yes it's very important." Keelan agreed before he came closer to me and placed another kiss on my cheek, making me blush.

"I'll see you tomorrow." He whispers before they go off to who knows where.

"Now that we are alone, would you like to hear funny stories about Keelan when he was small?" The king asked from beside me and I agree, this was going to be fun to hear.

The king took me to the library were he told me millions of cute and funny stories about Keelan and his sister. I laughed until my stumach hurt so badly I couldn't manage another laugh.

"It sounds jolly in here." I heard Keelan's voice from behind me and I couldn't help the smile that spread onto my face.

"Oh son, I was just telling Rose about your uhm younger years." Keelan's face turned a deep shade of red I've never seen before in my life.

"Father!" He said.

"What just innocent talking." The king replied with a smile, "I should go off to bed, It's getting quite late. Goodnight Rose, good night Keelan. See you tomorrow." The king replied before he left us alone.

"Please tell me he didn't tell you everything?" Keelan asked.

"I think he did." I said as I let out a big yawn.

"Fathers. Now let's get you off to bed." Keelan said as he picked me up bridal style.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Taking you to bed, what else."

"Keelan I can walk on my own."

"Nope not when your tired." He said as he started to carry me to my room. I realised that it was a lost cause to disagree with him so instead I placed my head against his chest and closed my eyes. The last thought that was in my mind is that I was going to spend my birthday in this wonderful place tomorrow.

-*-

The next morning when I woke up in bed I couldn't recall how I got there, but then the previous nights memories came flooding back. A smile made it's way to my lips and I realised that I've been smiling more than ever recently. It was so amazing here and I would never want to return home. This felt like my home, the place where I belonged. All I did miss was my mother. What worries she must be going through thinking that I'm killed or worse.

I wanted to see her and tell her everything was fine and make her see that this was where I belonged with Keelan. The last thought caught me of guard, and I realised how much I really did like him.

The door was unexpectedly opened and Ms Mousy stepped in. She wore a bright smile that matched mine.

"Rose, why aren't you up yet? You have a big day planned." She said as she rummaged through my wardrobe in search of something to wear.

"What big day?" I asked.

"Didn't he tell you." I shook my head no.

"That boy," She sighed,"Keelan has asked you to meet him at the stables after breakfast, he wanted to show you the rest of the fae lands."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. Now hurry along." She said and she didn't need to tell me twice because in a split second I was up and getting dressed. I was filled with excitement for what the day could bring.

After I was dressed I went downstairs and ate a quick breakfast before I hurried to the stables. The knights were already at the stables and they greeted me with smiles.

I asked them whether they've seen Keelan and they pointed the stable. I thanked them before I hurried inside to join Keelan.

He was busy saddling a horse when he noticed me enter.

"Morning, Rosie." He greeted.

"Morning, why didn't you tell me about our plans last night."

"I wanted to, but then I saw you were already fast asleep in my arms."

"Sorry about that." I replied.

"No trouble at all, now I at least got one of my questions answered."

"And what question was that?"

"Do women snore, and the answer is yes. You really can snore, Rosie." I stared up at him in disbelief.

"I do not snore!" I said.

"If you say so." Keelan said with a mischievous smile.

"In fact I do."

"Then you do not snore." He said as he finished saddling up the horses.

"See, I knew you would agree."

"Whatever you say Rosie." He said as he placed a quick kiss on my cheek that caused my cheeks to heat up.

"Now let's get to it then, you do know how to ride a horse I presume." I nodded before we led the horses outside. Keelan told me that my horse's name was Starlight and his was Stormy.

After we climbed on we walked on the dirt road with a steady pace.

We walked through the woods and then he showed me a few villages nearby. The villages were amazing and full of friendly faces all around. We bought some food and he showed me where my father's shop used to be. He even bought me a rose and let's just say there was a lot of blushing.

After that he took me to the Light fae falls, the most magnificent waterfall I've ever seen. It was almost sunset when we arrived at the fall.

Keelan bought out a blanket and laid it on the grass for us to sit down on. It started to darken around us and I was worried we'll be late for dinner.

"Don't worry the show is about to begin and my mother knows we won't be there for dinner." Did he just read my thoughts.

"Yes, I did. It's the first time I've used my gifts on you." He said.

"That's why you never told me what your gift was when I asked. You were scared I'll be afraid to be near you." I said.

"And are you?"

"No" I answered, it was strange that he was able to read my thoughts, but I trusted him not to do all the time.

"Good." He said and just then thousand of fireflies lit up the scene infront of us. Their lights were bright and reflected in the water. I stared up at them in awe.

I looked back at Keelan and gave him a smile.

"Thank you for everything today."

"It's my pleasure, after all a girl should be spoiled on her birthday."

"How did-"

"I know? Your thoughts last night."

"Oh." Was all I could say.

"Rose, the reason for taking you out today, wasn't just because of your birthday, but because I wanted to ask you a question."

"What question?"

"I know we admitted our feelings but I didn't ask you properly. So Rose, will you do me the honor of courting me?" He stared at me expectantly.

I gave him a gracious smile, a smile I thought I'll never give a man again and answered with an excited, "Yes."

Keelan suddenly sprang to his feet before he held out his hand for me to take.

I looked at him strangely.

"What?"

"Will you dance with me?" He asked with a cute smile gracing his lips. This gesture only made me smile and I couldn't help but take his hand.

And so it started, we danced around all the while laughing. I could feel a buzz of energy flowing through me at our every touch. It was a magnificent feeling, something I've never felt with Henry before.

We danced for what seemed like hours with only the stars and fireflies for company.
***