"Good Morning."

"Morning," Kestrel nodded at Hvitur as he sat down on the table, looking as grim as ever.

"What's wrong? Didn't get your morning kiss from Asha?" She asked casually, flipping a page of her book to get to the next one.

He shot an unreadable look at her before saying "Asha met Bianca last night."

"Oh," She uttered, "That witch? What did she say this time?"

"The usual. How a girl like her didn't deserve her son. Blah blah blah,"

"Asha didn't ponder over that for too long, did she?" She asked. The brunette would sometimes think about things that were completely false or already had an answer.

"Oh she did," He frowned "I had to comfort her."

"She's so lucky she has a lovable idiot like you,"

Her attempts at changing the topic were successful.

He grinned "Are you implying that you like me?"

"No," She gave a faint smile "I'm just implying that you can be lovable. And I only like you as a friend, or a brother."

He laughed, "Even if you do, I can't beat a certain Mr. Carter."

She blushed. It was supposed to be a secret!

She was sure that all of them knew by now.

He smiled, seeing the reaction he had expected.

Gently placing his hand on hers, he said "I'm okay with it. I know he's a nice guy."

He started in a more serious tone "But seriously Kestrel, if he ever breaks you in any way, it'll be his bones I'll be breaking next. And I don't care if it lands me in jail."

"I know," She replied softly.

-----

"Oh hello Dune!"

Surprised to hear her voice, Dune turned around to face the two girls.

"Hey Cassandra," He smiled at the tween, before nodding respectfully at her sister "Hello Scarlet."

Scarlet nodded back, her lips pursued "Hi."

"What brings you here?" Cassandra asked.

"I wanted some fresh air," He shrugged, stuffing his hands in the pockets of the cargo pants he was wearing "You?"

"We were just hanging around the town," She said "Not really doing anything in particular."

"I'm gonna go get some cotton candy," Scarlet said hesitantly.

"Get me a blue one!" Cassandra called after her as she walked off in another direction.

She turned back to him as he frowned, realising something "I'm ruining the fun for her, aren't I?"

"Oh shush," She rolled her eyes "She's just being moody."

"She's just still salty at me, I guess," He muttered.

"Well, no duh." Cassandra smiled.

"BUT," He continued "She's doing a good job concealing it."

"Yeah..." She trailed off.

This time he rolled his eyes, but secretly.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're in grade seven, or eight, right?" He asked.

"Eight," She confirmed "You're in twelfth, aren't you?"

"Yeah."

"Hey Cassandra?-" He started but she cut him off, saying firmly "Cass. You've earned the place in my heart."

He smiled "Cass, you said you know EVERYTHING about everyone, can I ask you a few more questions?"

"Go ahead."

"Do you know where Damon is currently?"

She thought for a minute before saying "Your brother? Yes. He's currently in Triford, still in Phyrria, as you know, if you pay attention in Geography."

He nodded, his mind going back to the letter he had gotten a few days ago. It was not pleasant.

"And what about Daphne?"

"She's safe and sound, with a great family," She reassured him. He let out a breath he had been holding at those words: "She's safe and sound."

"Thanks, Cass,"

"Anytime."

"Oh look, Scarlet's back," She said, inclining her head towards her sister who was coming towards them, holding three cotton candies. One of them pink, the other blue.

She handed one of the blue ones to Cassandra who took it eagerly. After that, she held out the other blue one to Dune, who politely shook his head "No, no, it's okay. You can have it."

"You better take it before I decide I want to poison it," She half-growled. At that threat, he very hesitantly took it.

She bit back a smile as he gently tore off a tiny piece with his fingers, examining it quizzically "How do you eat this thing?"

"You just tear it off and eat," the copper haired girl and Scarlet rolled her eyes; Had he never eaten cotton candy before?

She leaned over a bit to pull a leaf out of Cassandra's braid.

"Where did you get this from?" She raised an eyebrow at her.

She shrugged "No idea."

Scarlet sighed "Why did Chameleon and Sal had to leave me with you?"

"Eh," the other girl shrugged as Dune stifled a laugh "They weren't gonna let me go alone. You were the only option left. Sarah had to go somewhere."

"You can tell she's 'enjoying' her time," Dune whispered. Scarlet playfully glared at him.

He cheekily smiled back at her.

She turned her gaze to her feet after a moment, lightly nibbling on her cotton candy, a slight pink color appearing on her cheeks that went unnoticed.

"Well, come one!" Cassandra said excitedly "Let's go walk around the edge of the lake!"

She grabbed their hands in each of hers and started pulling them. For a twelve year old, she was strong.

They started walking around the lake, Cassandra occasionally throwing the ducks some bread crumbs she had brought with herself.

At some point, Scarlet tripped over a fallen branch. She would've fell into the water but Dune had grabbed her wrist gently and pulled her back. "Easy there," He had said to her.

When it was time to part, after a nice day, according to Cassandra and Dune anyway, they bid their goodbyes and went home.

When they stepped inside the mansion, Scarlet plopped down in the armchair by the fireplace.

"I felt like such a third wheel back there," She said.

"Oh it's not you who should be feeling like the third wheel," Cassandra said with a small smirk "It is I."

It took her a few moments to register what that meant, and when she finally did, she got up and ran after her retreating form.

"Get back here, you sneaky little!-"

Hey guys!

I was DYING to write this chapter! And I'm dying to write the next ones too!

Oh don't worry. I have everything planned out. Yes, everything.

So, how are you all today?

I'm good.

How was the chapter?

What are you thoughts? Any theories?

I really loved writing about Hvitur and Kestrel's relationship. It was adorable!

Oh and by the way, I haven't mentioned this anywhere, but Carter Cars is the company. Since Sam is resting in peace, the company has been passed on to our two favourite twins, Chameleon and Salamander Carter!

Yep, they run AND own a car company at age seventeen.

Did I mentioned the fact that I also love Cassandra and Dune's relationship? It's freakin' adorable too!

Quote of the chapter:

"Oh it is not you who should be feeling like the third wheel, it is I" ~ Cassandra

That's it.

Bye!