“Okay, it is time to check your homework,” I announced. “I know it has been a few days since we were last here, but that just means you had more time to practice.”
Grinning when the others chuckled, I began to walk along the first row, taking the parchments handed to me where they had been practicing the letters. Their calligraphy was rough and uneven, but they were doing it. They were forming letters on their own. Pride coursed through me as I returned the pages.
“Well done! You are going to continue practicing until you can write them easily, without looking at the example, okay?” Receiving excited nods, I went back to the front. “Today, we are going to learn which letters form your names and how to write them.”
“Sorry to interrupt but look who I found.”
My head turned towards Asher to see him carrying a large basket while a couple walked behind him. Instantly, I recognized who they were. I had met Hans and Olivia at the market where they worked on leather for personal items other than clothing, jewelry, and even paper. She loved creating handmade flower paper, made naturally with leaves, petals, grass, and such.
Their stall was very artsy, and Evie always stopped by it when she visited the market. They made the fancy paper Willow loved to use.
“We thought your class might need more than just pages,” Olivia offered, taking something from the basket when they stopped before me, and Asher set it on the ground. “We made journals for you.”
Wow. “Really?”
Glancing down, I accepted the journal she offered, admiring the workmanship. The leather was as soft as silk, moving easily with the journal as I untied it and unrolled it to open. A silhouette of a majestic set of mountains was engraved at the front. The mountains that housed our Hidden Kingdom.
“I engraved it myself,” Hans proudly announced, bringing warmth to my chest.
“I can tell. It’s impressive.”
“I hope we brought enough,” Olivia added, nervously holding her hands before her as she looked at everyone around us.
“Because we were wondering if we may join too…” Oliver paused, squeezing his wife’s shoulder.
“That sounds great to me. Asher, can you help them share the journals with the others?”
“I can definitely do that.”
My gaze followed them while they moved through the growing crowd, someone else handing pencils to those already holding their new journal.
The spirit of unity and camaraderie was strong among them, not only then but during the class as well. Especially when Akasia showed up with two of her boys from the kitchen, bringing drinks and pastries. All of the sudden, our gathering was a guitar short of a party, but this was exactly what we needed to protect. It was so natural for our people to be there for each other.
They cared for each other’s wellbeing, not because it brought them any kind of personal gain, but because they honestly respected and valued one another. Everyone mattered here; everyone was worthy of respect… The human world could learn a thing or two from them.
“How is it going?” Evie’s voice reached me while I guided Thea to write the letters that spelled her name in the journal.
She, Quinn, Edward, Charlotte, Louis, Harvey, and Aaron were among the crowd that showed up for class tonight, but Thea wanted to start with her name.
Our people bowed to their soon-to-be queen as she walked to my side, my lips curving into a slow smile when I noticed the beautiful dress she wore. It was a bright salmon hue with gold embellishments, far more elegant than anything I’d seen her wear. The pissed off Willow, who rushed behind her with needle and thread in hand, and a measurement ribbon—or whatever that was called—around her neck, told me the outfit wasn’t ready.
Evie had probably saidenoughand walked out of the fitting to come find us.
Smirking, I stood, bowing my head to the princess when what I really wanted was to pull that beauty into my arms to kiss her long and hard. And possibly rip that dress off her body too, which would, of course, lead to other things.
The chief stopped between Willow and Evie when they reached me.
“Everything is going well, Princess, Chief.” I nodded to him in greeting. “You should join the others. They are learning to write their names.”
“Why would I want to write my name? I know what my name is. It is Kingston, that is what I’m called,” he grunted, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
“Why would you not want to?” Willow interjected before I could, placing a gentle hand on his forearm while she glanced up to capture his attention. “Our name is the single most important thing we have. An extension of the calling in our hearts meant for the entire world to hear. It is how we know who we are and how others get to know us.”
Her attention shifted to Asher when he joined us, offering a journal to the chief. She took it from him instead, slowly unrolling it until the mountain carving was visible, bringing a smile to her lips—a gesture that wasn’t missed by the chief.
His gaze roamed her smiling expression, silently treasuring it.
“I would love to help you write it… so that is exactly what I’m going to do. And you are going to like it,” she added, giving him a glance that dared him to refuse.
