Incest/Taboo Spellbound

Last time on Spellbound...

"So, how did it go?" Edward asked, pretending to be nice once they saw Adam off.

"Progressing dear, you know how it is when you have to circumvent the quagmire that is one's anger," Amanda said, never taking her eyes off the sky as her son's form disappeared from view.

"Good. At least we have our foot in the door; it's only a matter of time before Adam finally sees the light and that we are his only hope in dealing with court life," Edward said, a wicked smile formed on his lips at what he was planning to do once House Mortanhouse was Adam's new surname.

"Indeed, honey," Amanda said, playing into her role that they were still in this together. "You foolish man, can you not smell his cum on me? Can you not smell how aroused my pussy is? This is no longer your plan but mine, and soon you'll be relegated to the stands as I make you watch as I take that fat cock into my mouth," she spoke devilishly into her mind at what the future held for her.

A week later...

There in that secret mana grove only known to the Sages of the world. A sub-nexus of the lay lines of the Earth that can only be opened by someone (or a group of someone's), with the magjol count of a Sage. However, given how that was one of the tomes that were destroyed in the last war entering the sub-nexus wasn't an easy thing to do if you didn't know the incantation. As far as Adam Bordun knew, only his Master had the only copy of the spell book. He was in awe of one of the few places on Earth that anyone could see raw mana in its crystalized form. Soft blue small light particles drifting off the orthorhombic shaped crystals sprouted from the earth, resembling a small bush. However, that wasn't all; no, Adam's eyes gazed out at the pale white, bioluminescent trees stretching out as far as his eyes could see.

"Adam, can you take a gander at why I would bring you here?" Holly Harthorne (current Sage and his Master) asked, gesturing to the view before them.

"Other than to look at the pretty lights, no, Master, I can't," Adam answered, getting a chuckle out of Holly, causing her red, almost orange hair to bounce as she did.

"That's what I like about you, Adam, your wit. No, this is the place my Master and his Master and so on came to procure our staffs. You've grown strong since becoming my apprentice. I think it's time we increased your limitations on the amount of magjols you can wield at once."

"How?" Adam asked quizzically when he turned his head to look at her.

"Simply wander the forest, you'll know when you've found the right one," a knowing smile graced her lips, "place your palm on the bark and gradually infuse the tree with your magjols," Holly instructed. Knowing that would give her time to accomplish what she came here for. "You know how to find me when you're done."

Adam entered that strange forest determined to make his Master proud. Yet the question remained, what did she mean when she said he would know? What was the feeling he should be on the lookout for? Feeling the pure mana on the air tickling his skin as he waded deeper into that eerily silent, magical forest. Unbeknownst to Adam the Forest of the Pale, as the Fae call it, it is a sentient being with a will of its own. It would either deem you worthy of its aid or lead you back to your party.

However, at that moment, Holly was hurriedly walking to the one place she knew she could get what she wanted, something she couldn't get on Earth; meaningful sex! Sex where her partner wasn't out to enrich themselves, she had learned that the hard way when she was chosen by her own Master, although not in the way one would define sex with a Fae. She just hoped the Pale didn't aid Adam too quickly.

For thirty minutes, Adam wandered on until he came upon this lone black tree, the only other color in that sea of blue and white. Feeling something silently steering him towards that lone tree. He didn't notice it at first, yet now, there was something about how the air flowed in that place. Where it seemed to him that where the air itself was leading him through that maze of mana-infused trees. Walking up to it, following his Master's instructions to the letter. Looking around when the tree began to sway on its own. Moving out of the way in time as the six-foot-long, solid, ebony black pole, with what appeared similar to a cage shaped root ball sprouting along the crown of the staff, laying on the ground; a gift, offered from the slumbering Black Treant. Adam knew exactly what would fill that space. The moment he plucked his bare staff from the ground, Adam felt the amount of magjols it stored within its wooden fibers.

"Thanks," Adam said, speaking aloud, they were dealing with magic. There was no telling what was alive and what wasn't. "Now, how do I find my way to Holly?" he muttered, looking around for traces of her magic. That same curious wind directed him towards the west side of the clearing, which only reinforced his thoughts about this place being more than what it seemed. It felt, to Adam, like there was an intelligence behind it.

Adam stopped in his tracks, his staff falling from his hand and thumping lightly on the ground. His jaw hung agape as there, on the side of that blue-green grassy knoll, her left hand ruffled in and holding her red, almost orange, hair against the side of her head. Her alluringly lush lips were parted as a soft, sensuous moan drifted past them. Her 32D breasts swayed up and down along her forty-year-old body, her hard nipples ached for someone to gently suck upon them. Her shapely legs were spread wide enough for her hand to tease that glistening, tight, youthful-looking pussy. Her eyes were closed, hiding the lust, the need, the want burning in her eyes as those experienced fingers danced along her dew-laden lips. Adam felt his cock straining his pants as those sultry sea-green eyes fell upon him as glittering dust rained down on her as spots of different colored lights circled over her while she was ringed by white-red flowers that reminded him of tulips.

"Adam." Her sweet, alluring voice tickled his ear drums as it played along the air. "Please, you're the only one that can give me the release I need," Holly said, knowing that while it was so wrong to do this, yet she needed to be made love to and not used as some stepping stone to power. "The life of a Sage is a lonely one."

Adam was already taking his shirt off as her sorrowful need reached him. His hard rod swung with every step he took. Seeing how Holly's eyes widened, then turned hungry as she ran her eyes down his eight-inch length. Her light touch ran down his chest as he lowered himself between her legs. Watching how Holly gasped as the crown of his rod breached her hot, molten canal. The way her hands rested on his hips as he slowly thrust and rolled his hips.

"Yes... Gods, you feel so good, Adam," Holly whispered breathlessly as she felt him in places that have long missed the touch of a man. "We keep this between us," she said firmly, knowing how bad it would look if it came out.

"No one would believe me anyway," Adam said, with a coy smile as he leaned forward, matching her passion as her lips latched onto his.

Their bodies moved as one as each sought to bring the other to their ultimate peak. The dust of Fae magic still drifted overhead; the Fae, or in this case of the fairy kind, were only around three to four inches tall. Using their magical dust to enhance the pleasure within that ring. As payment, they gather up the sexual energies being generated and present it as an offering to their Queen: Titania (or sometimes also called Queen Mab). Holly's legs wrapped around him, locking Adam in place. Squeezing him tightly to her as she felt his hot cum flooding into her.

"Congratulations on becoming a journeyman; the training will get harder from here on out, but I'm very proud of you, Adam," Holly said, with rosy cheeks as they both redressed. Knowing, now that he has made it this far, she can step back and raise the family she hoped would take. She wasn't trying to entrap Adam; she just wanted a child before it was too late for her. "I hope you know how difficult it is to Master a staff from the wood of a Black Treant," she advised in a teacherly voice as she got a quick look at the ass she had held onto before his jeans rose above it.

"Can't be harder than one of your lessons, Master," Adam joked with a friendly smile.

"Good, then I expect you to have your staff mastered in a month," Holly said, as her own jeans slid up her legs.

"Yes, Master," Adam said, nodding in understanding.

"Now, I can refer you to some very good enchanters, but they are expensive..."

"Already have someone in mind; thank you for your offer," Adam said politely, with a bow.

"Good, now you know a shrink spell, yes?" Holly asked, reaching into her bag for the wrist staff holder all mages who reach this point in their apprenticeship wear so they will always have their staff on them should the need arise. "Use it on your staff and wear this on you at all times when you aren't in your home or room," she said bashfully, her mind racing, wondering where she could put a small bed in the study where she instructed Adam, in the mage tower at the castle. "It's held closed by your magic, so it will only come off if you stop charging it," Holly said, watching the straps of the band, with the help of Adam's magic, encircling his left wrist the moment the holder's back touched his skin. "Your magjols will hold your staff in the slots until you need it," she instructed, showing him how to with her own.

"Now," straightening out her shirt, "you are to escort the Princess to the gala in two nights. You must," holding up a hand when Adam began to speak, "she is the next ruler it is wise that the two of you get along," Holly stated passing on her wisdom. "The Princess has already been informed of this arrangement, so you will also be her guard until you reach the castle that night," she said, as she led him out of that mystical place. "I expect you to behave around her, we clear, my apprentice?"

"Yes, Master, I won't be my charming self," Adam said, with a coy smirk.

"See that you don't," Holly said, fighting back her own smile.

"Master, may I ask you something?"

"Of course, you can; the one that does not seek to learn is one that is doomed to die," Holly said, repeating her mantra whenever Adam would ask that.

"How do you protect yourself against magic when no spell is directed at you?" Adam asked; ever since that day, he's been pondering that very question.

"Hmm... sounds like a charm; I only know they are old magic, passed down through families, not taught like at your school. Why do you ask?" Holly inquired curiously after a few moments in deep thought.

"Just trying to prepare myself for everything, or as much as I can," Adam lied. That only meant one thing: he had to go see his mother's parents and hope they know how to block whatever his mother was doing.

"Ah, wise course, given the world we live in now," Holly nodded in understanding. "How about the morning of the gala you visit me in my study, and we shall see what we can find on charms, together."

"I look forward to it, Master," Adam inclining his head to her, summoning his broom as did she.

"Then... skip your breakfast, I'll have the palace chefs prepare one for us," Holly said, eager to 'get the rust out of the pipes', as the old saying goes. Waving goodbye as her own broom came to her command while Adam drifted up into the air to head to where, she didn't know. Yet, she did hope he would be careful.

Ward Financial...

After a few hours of flying to reach the city of his birth, Adam could have been seen walking into that famous wizardry bank. Where he had his own vault where he stored all the gold he had accumulated, given he learned how to turn lead into gold when he was fourteen. The Gnomes that operated the bank were happy to turn the bars of gold he brought in, into coins, for a fee, of course. Yet it was also where he stored the imperfect Philosopher's stones he had made in his quest to make the real one. He wasn't about to use the real stone as the crown jewel for his staff, and while he knew it would outclass any magical gem known to them at the time. Yet, that would bring too much unwanted attention to him; the Crimson stone would work just as well. While it wasn't as powerful as the Philosopher's stone as a magical focal point, it was still beyond what even the King could afford.

Following his Gnome escort, as she, at least Adam thought it was a she, it was hard to tell with gnomes, led him towards his vault. Feeling the wards allowing him passage due to the key in his pocket. Watching the dozens upon dozens of magical locks springing to life when his guide unlocked the vault door. Stepping into it, grinning evilly at the vast piles of coins piled up at the far end of his vault. Walking over wondering if they had added the coins he had asked to be minted from the thirty bars of gold which he turned from the lead bars he had them buy for him and store in his vault after they had deducted his account for their fee. Gnomes were trustworthy enough to handle that kind of transaction. Smiling wickedly when he knew it would take Edward decades to match the wealth he now had. How he loved knowing that!

Replacing the clipboard on the peg when he was satisfied. Pulling out the key from his pocket, the only key that could unlock the magically sealed room, keeping anyone from being able to sense them. Yet as he picked up that velvet bag, made from the velvet from the antlers of the mule deer that populate the land, the blood-red marquise-shaped stone tumbled into the palm of Adam's hand when he upended the bag. He had already had the stone cut by the best Gnome gem cutter; he had already planned on using it in his staff when he created it. Removing his staff from the holder that he had moved to rest on the inside of his left wrist, muttering the counter spell returning his staff to its normal size. The moment the stone neared that wooden egg-shaped cage, the stone was ripped from his grasp by the magical power that dwelled within the center of the cage. His grip tightened the instant he felt the power coursing through those magjol infused fibers.

Taking another fifteen hundred from his pile after he had returned his staff to its holder and resealed the doors. Signing his name on the log book, stuffing the bag into his backpack, knowing what he was going to use that money for, however, first, there was somewhere closer where he needed to make a stop.

Jill was closing the front door as she left their home after visiting with her grandparents before she went off to college and wouldn't see them as much as she has been. She knew her brother came too, yet, he came in the mornings; he might be a spoiled, arrogant sob of a person, yet he did love them dearly. The reason she was there was to drop off her half of the money they needed to fix their roof that she had been saving from her weekly allowance. So, when her fingers fell from the doorknob, a blank, dumbfounded look appeared in her eyes as he just came swooping in like it was normal for her brother. She couldn't remember a time seeing her older brother at their grandparents' home.

"I'm surprised you even know this place exists," Jill huffed, crossing her arms below her 32DD breasts.

"Hey, I come by, just not when either of you are around; they were my grandparents before they were yours," Adam said, arching an eyebrow when it appeared to him that his brooms gait had a little skip to it as it entered the spatial riff that was tied to his closet in his dorm room.

"Adam, must we? I get Mom and Junior, but do we have to be estranged from one another? I know we have two different fathers, but you are still my brother. Have I not treated you like my brother and not like Junior?" Jill asked, with a pointed look.

"I... good point, sorry, it's just my natural defense when your side of the family is around, so where are they?" Adam asked, looking past his half-sister at his grandparent's home, knowing if she was here, they were close by.

"I came alone; not everyone is like them, you know?" Jill pouted.

"Alright, I deserve that, so what're ya doing here in the middle of the day?"

"They needed help with paying for a new roof, so I was just visiting and dropping it off, so what brings you here? I would have thought you'd be in class or something," Jill said, not showing that she sensed some strong magical item on him.

"Didn't know that, would've helped if I had known," Adam said, softening his tone. "Were they going to be busy when you left?"

"No, they were relaxing in the living room like they always do. Why? What's going on?" Jill asked, curious.

"Need to ask them something, thanks," Adam said politely, as he walked around his sister.

"What?!" Jill muttered when he turned to look at her. "You were barely around growing up, then you drop off the face of the Earth for three years, then you come swooping down on a broom, you're damn right I'm interested as to the cause of your arrival." Following him back towards the porch, waiting beside him after Adam had knocked announcing his arrival. "So why are you in the city?"

"Was training with my Master," Adam said, truthfully.

"Are brooms fun? I've never ridden one before," Jill spoke, hearing the sounds of the approaching footsteps.

"Adam!" His seventy-year-old grandmother gasped in surprise at the sight of her eldest grandson. "What are you doing here?!" she asked, welcoming them in.

"Need to ask you and Grandpa a question," Adam said, as he greeted his grandmother with a hug.

"Oh, what about?" she inquired, leading her grandchildren to her and Otto's living room. "Otto, guess who I found at the door."

"Who...?" Otto spoke, looking up from his newspaper only to have a smile appear on his lips. "Well, well, well, hello, Adam, how have you been?"

"Hello, Grandpa, you know how life is," Adam said, greeting his grandfather the moment he walked into the room.

"So, what brought you down here, son?" Otto asked, setting the paper aside when his wife lowered herself down beside him.

"Which one of you can tell me about charms?" Adam asked, sitting down from across from them as he set his bag down beside his feet. Seeing the confusion in his grandmother's and half-sister's eyes, yet not in his grandfather's.

"How did you hear about them? I'm sure they aren't teaching you stuff about those old things," Otto said, in disdain. He always hated charms; he found them useless and underhanded when they did work.

"Read about them in my Master's study," Adam lied; he didn't want anyone to know what had happened so far.

"Why do you think we can tell you anything about charms?" Otto asked, while he was happy his daughter spent time with her grandmother when she was growing up. He was not happy with how Amanda took up charms, something his mother was all too happy to show her how to use them, after Adam told him about a flash of memory that brought this all about. Getting up from his seat, walking over to the bookshelf where he had hidden his mother's codex when she had died, he couldn't read the codex given the strange language it was written in, handing it to Adam, noting how Jill had remained standing this whole time as he retook his seat.

"Would you mind if I borrowed this for a while, at least until I can make a copy of it?" Adam asked, peering over the top of the tome.

"Sure you can Adam, I can ask my mother's side of the family and see if anyone still practices charm making if you like?" Otto offered, a smile rose the corner of his lips when Adam politely said: 'yes, please, if you don't mind?'

"Wow. You can actually be nice," Jill teased with a smirk.

"Jill, hush," Esmeralda said, with a laughing smile on her face as Adam buried his nose back into the book in his hands.

"Hey, let me see," Jill said, bending over the back of the couch. Her cheek brushed against his, only to have her arm keeping him in place when her breasts rested on his shoulder. "What, it's my heritage too, you know," she said, in a cute little voice, yet the moment her eyes fell upon the pages, she couldn't make out a single word. "Can you even read any of it?"

"Most of it," Adam nodded. He's read enough of the old text in his Master's study to pick up on the old language.

"How about I whip up an early dinner for us, given I know you, young man, haven't eaten yet, have you?" Esmeralda spoke; a triumphant smile appeared on her lips when Adam's stomach rumbled. "I know you probably have dozens of other things you need to do, but you can stay long enough to have a meal with us," she said, in that grandmotherly tone we all know.

"Yes, Grandma," Adam said, biting down his sigh.

"Then I'm staying; you can help me while it cooks, won't you brother?" Jill uttered, backing her brother into a corner with no escape.

"I'll put on a roast," Esmeralda said, in a chipper voice as she patted her husband's leg.

"Before that..." Ignoring how Jill's breasts felt on his shoulder as he leaned forward, listening to their gasp, namely Jill's, as he magically willed the five hundred gold coins to tumble through the air to stack neatly in stacks of fifty on the table. "Wish you would have said something, I would have helped," Adam said, looking at his grandparents as they stared in shock at the columns of gold before their eyes. "I know Jill has already helped you pay for a new roof, so use this to make repairs and whatever else the house needs." Placing his grandfather's codex into his bag and tying the coin purse closed so none would spill out on the way to his other grandparents' house.

"Adam, what in the world are you doing with so much gold?!" Otto exclaimed, mystified at the sight.

"Was headed to an enchanter's shop after I left here to have my staff enchanted," Adam said, truthfully.

"Wait. You have a staff?!" Esmeralda gasped. She didn't think he had advanced that far in his apprenticeship with the Sage.

"I just finished my journeyman test when I got to the city."

"That's wonderful news!" Esmeralda said happily, with Otto nodding along in a proud grandfatherly nod. "Does your mother know?" She saw the hardness of his eyes at the mention of his mother. That told her that Amanda didn't know and most likely didn't know her son was in the city. "I'll go get dinner started," Esmeralda stated, kissing Otto on his cheek before she rose to her feet. She knew bringing up what was on her mind wouldn't do her any good. So she let sleeping dogs lie; for now, she just hoped they could heal their relationship before they pass on.

"So... how about you show me how to ride a broom and give me some pointers on what I'm to expect in my first month there," Jill said, tugging on the sleeve of his shirt, causing her breasts to sway a little as she did.

"No more than four feet off the ground," Otto said sternly, from over the top of his newspaper as he returned to his reading. "I don't want you hurting yourself, Jill. Broom flying can be... lethal."

"Yes, Grandpa," Jill said, "come on, show me."

"You two be safe, no sending anyone into another dimension," Esmeralda teased as Jill and Adam walked through the kitchen towards the back door that led to the backyard.

"Aw, you take all the fun out of it, Grandma," Jill retorted before disappearing out the door.

Flashes of his childhood played out before his eyes as he looked around, remembering how lonely it was sometimes growing up. Looking over and down as Jill set her bag on one of the chairs their grandmother uses as patio furniture before she took hold of his hand and pulled him down the steps.

"This won't work without a broom," Jill stated, glancing over at Adam with a smile on her lips.

"First, you aren't leaving the ground until you can demonstrate your control over the magjols in the air," Adam stated, repeating the same words his own grandfather, Frank, had said to him when he taught him how to ride.

"How?" Jill knew it was possible; all her textbooks hinted that it was possible, yet no one would show her or knew how to teach her that.

"Follow," Adam said, walking off towards the band of trees that served as a buffer between his grandparents and their neighbors. Snapping a green twig off and handing it to Jill, who looked at him confused. "I would hope by now you're able to sense the magjols in the air, yes?" he spoke in a playful tone.

"Yes, that's something all kids are taught to do," Jill stated, clearly not pleased that he thought she was dull-witted.

"True, but did you ever take it further?" Adam asked, with a knowing look.

"Wait, what do you mean take a common skill like mana sensing further?" Jill uttered, downright confused.

"Watch," Adam directed reaching up, and wrapping his hand around the branch he had damaged while encircling the stub of the wound with his thumb and index finger.

Jill just stared at her brother with a 'Really' look as nothing happened for two minutes until the wind began to increase. Her eyes darted around and up as the trees swayed overhead. Something in her mind perked when she sensed something odd about the flow of magjols in the air. Lowering her eyes, gasping when a pale blue light began to manifest at the tip of the stub. Jill watched in confused awe as that broken branch began to grow and grow and grow until it reached the length it once was.

"How... how did you do that without a spell?" Jill muttered, stupefied.

"I used a spell; I just didn't speak it. What? I happen to know some basic plant spells," Adam said, seeing the look on his sister's face like she wanted to hear more. "Anyone can do that; no one said you specifically need to be the one on where the magjols come from."

"I didn't take you for the horticulturist," Jill joked.

"Well, my grandmother has always been sick, and her plants were what kept her going, so I learned some things to help her out whenever I was home from school," Adam said, lowering his hand to the side. "It's fine," he uttered, holding up his hand when Jill began to speak.

"So then... does that mean any spell could be powered like that?" Jill asked, coming to the realization of the purpose of the branch, in her hand, truly meant.

"If given enough time, yes," Adam nodded. "It's a technique I'd advise you to master before you reach your journeyman test. It can be helpful in a battle simulation."

"Have you had many of those?" Jill asked, taking what he had said seriously when he nodded. Knowing if she could use her own and what was in the air around her, she could boost her magjol count to the range of the higher nobility. If she had to defend herself, that is.

Esmeralda smiled as she stared out the window, watching her two grandchildren. She understood why Adam favored his other set of grandparents. She understood his resentment towards her daughter and Edward. She knew they didn't make it easy on him or for him. She was just happy to see that he got along with at least one of his siblings. Turning her head when her old-fashioned orb box sounded. Walking over, watching the lights play on the aged dark, almost pitch-black, walnut walls as she opened the small door.

"Hello, sweetheart, I wasn't expecting your call," Esmeralda said as her daughter's face appeared within the crystal ball.

"Hey, Mom, have you seen Jill, she isn't home yet, and I'm starting to worry." Her daughter might be the vainest person she's ever known, but she was a good mother.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. It must have slipped my mind; yes, Jill is still here. I didn't mean to worry you, honey."

"It's okay, Mom." Esmeralda could see the relief in her daughter's face. "What got you so distracted that you forgot to call me?"

"Adam showed up right when Jill was leaving to head home, so she stayed around, as to why, well... I was making an early dinner for us to celebrate his passing his journeyman test."

"What?! Is he still there?" Amanda asked, surprised by the news.

"Yes, he's in the backyard helping Jill."

"I'll be right over," Amanda said, not waiting for her mother to answer before hanging up.

Adam tried not to look, yet there they were, one of the prettiest pairs of pink lace, in the shapes of roses along the front, panties he's ever seen. His pale blue eyes also noted the slight tint of blonde in that red carpet of fur he could see through the lace lining her mons Venus. Quickly looking away when Jill shoved her skirt down, hiding her mound from view.

"You alright?" Adam asked, pretending like he saw nothing as he helped her up after her fall from the broom.

"Y-yeah," Jill stammered, very red-faced. "Thanks," she uttered softly once she got to her feet and dusted herself off. "That does take some skill in acquiring,"

"Nah, you're fine; it's just my broom," Adam said, gesturing to how it was walking towards the rift to return to that closet. "It has a mind of its own, don't know what my father did to it in his youth, but it's been like that since I got it. But you'll do fine with a normal one; you just have to get the hang of flying down."

"I-If I got one, will you teach me how to fly it?" Jill asked, wondering if he saw anything.

"Sure, although I'd stick to your car if you're going anywhere far."

"Hey, since we're out here and all, would you mind, like just showing me the things I'm going to need to know just so I can start practicing before I get there?" Jill asked, wondering if they could make it a weekly thing before her classes begin in less than a month.

"Sure, at least until dinner," Adam said, watching her rush off towards the porch.

Amanda watched from the shadows of her mother's kitchen as her eldest helped her daughter with her magical studies. A devious smile formed on her lips at the thought of how she could use this to boost their family name since no one ever has personally been trained by a Sage. Quickly hiding her wicked thoughts as she heard her father approaching.

"You know, sooner or later, the two of you are going to have to work this out?" Keeping herself from rolling her eyes at the same tired old line her parents have said constantly throughout the years.

"I know, Dad, but he thinks I killed Jason or had a hand in it; nothing I say will make him think otherwise," Amanda said, turning to look at her father.

"Then have the police prove to him that you didn't; it's in the police report, right? You being a Countess and all, and Adam being the Sage-in-waiting, this shouldn't be a problem in getting solved, now should it? It might not begin to repair your relationship that you damaged because of your greed; it will at least show your son you care about him, other than yourself." Amanda glared at her father's back as he left to return to the living room.

"Leave them be, Amanda," Esmeralda said, when she noted how her daughter walked towards the door. "At least until dinner, then you can pester him all you want. Now, come help me get the table ready."

"Yes, Mom."

"Adam, Jill, dinner is ready. Come wash up," Amanda said, stepping onto the back porch once the table was almost set. Noting the startled look in her son's eyes when he turned to look at her. "Hello, son, I'm happy to see you're looking healthy since the last time we saw one another. I hear you passed your journeyman test today. Congratulations. I'm sure your Master, the Sage, was proud of you, as are all of us. Please, the potatoes are getting cold, and I know how you dislike cold potatoes," she uttered, dropping the hint that he might not like her; that doesn't mean she didn't know her son.

"Mom, just how did you do that?" Jill asked mystified, when Adam walked into their grandparents' home without a word. Something she was sure wouldn't've happened the moment he saw her.

"What? It's true; your brother hates cold mashed potatoes. Don't ask me why; he was like this since he was five," Amanda said, with a shrug, guiding her daughter into her parents' home.

"Adam, did you know there's a Gala in two nights' time?" Amanda asked, from diagonally across from her son as they enjoyed their early dinner.

"Yes, what about it?" Adam retorted as politely as he could in front of his grandparents.

"I was thinking, seeing how your classes start back up in a few weeks, and I know how hard you've worked to get where you are, the power of that staff alone kind of says that," Amanda said, saying what they all were thinking. Not missing that smirk as he took a bite of his roll. "I was thinking that you join us in attending the Gala; given how you are to be Sage, I can help you. I can help you swim those waters."

"Can't."

"May I ask, as to the reason you're refusing to join us, your family, at a Royal Gala?" Amanda asked, how those smug eyes of his infuriated her as he took a sip of his drink. It was like he knew something she didn't, and he was enjoying the anticipation.

"I have prior arrangements," Adam said, dragging this out for as long as possible and loving every second.

"I'm sure a night with your college friends is nice and all, but this is a Royal Gala, something that you, in your new position, can see would be wise in attending. May I then inquire, Adam, whom or what will you be spending your time doing on that evening?" Amanda asked, in an elegant voice.

"Escorting the Princess to the Gala," Adam said matter-of-factly, as all four of them stared in complete shock. Double slapping his mother verbally across her face, that not only was he going when she thought he wasn't, it was also the fact he would be arriving with none other than the Princess herself. "So, yes, mother, I do know how important an event, such as a Royal Gala is. I haven't spent all this time around nobles and not learn that" he stated in a polite, calm voice. "I do have my own friends; they're small, I do have them in the nobility." Instantly he saw his mother recover from the shock and the blow as the gears in that devious mind of hers turned.

"Adam." Jill's voice pierced that stagnate air. "Are you just there to escort her to it or as her date?"

"Just an escort until the castle and back again; why?" Adam asked, politely.

"No reason," Jill said, with rosy cheeks.

"So, Adam, escorting the Princess to the Gala, I do hope you have the attire for it. Would hate for you not to live up to your new rank," Amanda said, in a motherly voice. Knowing exactly what she was going to do during the Gala when she could find time to slip away from Edward.

"Yes, the Princess already took care of that," Adam said, once again, smacking down his mother at how he was so much higher in the nobility that she coveted. "Have you met her?" he asked, looking at Jill. Who looked at him with shock and a shaking head. "I'll introduce the two of you," Adam spoke, noting how Jill's eyes darted to the left at her mother, knowing how this must be irking her to no end.

"Thank you, Adam, Jill what do you say to your brother?" Amanda uttered in a motherly tone.

"Thank you, Adam; I know you don't have to; it means a lot to me that you're letting me in, even if only a tiny bit," Jill said, flashing him a smile.

"Adam, our driver can take you wherever you need to go; you don't need to risk your life flying on one of those all the time," Amanda said; they, along with her parents, stood outside their home after their dinner.

"My broom is faster," Adam said, climbing on to it. "See you next week, Grandma, Grandpa," he said, waving to them.

"Bye, you be safe, study hard," Esmeralda said, waving with a grandmotherly smile on her lips.

"Keep your eyes open for any storms on the way," Otto warned as his right hand squeezed his wife's right shoulder.

"See you next Wednesday; I'll have my own broom by then, just you wait," Jill said, her brown-green eyes glinted in the late afternoon sun. Her Crimson, with a tint of blonde, hair swayed gently behind her back as she smiled sweetly at her brother.

"Yes, you do be careful; we'll see you soon," Amanda said, with a warm, motherly smile, knowing what she was now going to be doing on her Wednesdays. She stared oddly at her disappearing son's image as he zoomed off to the north. She didn't know anyone in that direction that would be of interest to her son.

"He must be going to his enchanter," Jill uttered as she too watched her brother's disappearing silhouette. "That's where he said he was going after leaving here when he got here," she said, looking over at her mother.

"Ah, yes, now I can see why he's heading north, very astute of your brother," Amanda said; in truth, she still had no idea why he would be heading north. "Come, let's say our goodbyes and head home. You can tell me what you and your brother worked on," she uttered, wrapping her arm around her daughter affectionately.

A warm smile appeared on his lips as the orange-red light of the evening sun bathed the front façade of the store his grandparents had chosen to set their shop and home in. He knew, while his grandmother's store wasn't open yet, her stave enchanter was set up, given how he and his grandfather were the ones who set it up in the first place. Plus, he wanted to spend the night at home, and truly his grandparents were home to him, not the dwelling they live in.

"Sorry, Elenore's Apothecary and Enchanting services isn't open at this time; if it's a delivery, please take it around back..." Elenore's voice stilled as she walked into the store from the rear of the building that was now her new home. Her smile grew wide at the sight of her grandson. "Frank?!"

"What is it, hon?"

"Pull out an extra package of sausage from the freezer; we're going to have company for breakfast," Elenore called back to her husband. "Well, get over here?!" she exclaimed with wide open arms and a warm, motherly smile on her face. Holding Adam tightly against her, rocking him gently like she used to when he was small. "While we are always pleased to see you come home, Adam, yet I feel that this isn't just one of those visits," Elenore said, pushing herself away at the sound of Frank's footsteps.

"Hello, son," Frank greeted with a joyous smile, "how's your apprenticeship going?"

"Passed my journeyman test today," Adam said, seeing the pride in their eyes at the news. "I was wondering, Grandma, if you would enchant my staff for me?"

"You want me to enchant your staff?" Elenore stammered when Adam nodded. "Honey, I'm happy..."

"You have the skill to do it, dear. You've been enchanting things left and right all through our marriage," Frank said, lightly placing his hand on her back. Giving her the boost like she had always done when he followed his boxing carrier that didn't go as far as he dreamed it would. Seeing the love in her eyes as she gazed at him.

"Okay, Adam, show me this staff of yours," Elenore said, setting her resolve to ensure that she gave the best she had to her boy. Watching how Adam's right hand reached over and took his miniaturized staff from its holder. The first thing she was going to do was to mask that magical signature, so it's not sending up warning bells every time Adam walks into a room in the palace.

"I've never seen a staff of all black before; where did you get it?" Frank asked, looking over at his grandson after running his eyes up the length of it.

"From this weird tree that lives in the nexus where you can only get to with a spell that my Master has," Adam said, truthfully.​