Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven #5)(155)

As the prospect of seeing Bracken became real, Kendra felt startlingly conflicted. It was one thing to daydream about romance, and another to confront it in the light of day. What could the surprise be? What if he proposed! She was so not ready for something like that! Sure, he was cute, and brave, and loyal. Best of all, he was someone she could really trust. But she was fifteen, and he was older than most countries, no matter how young he seemed.


Anxiety knotted her insides. She shouldn't leap to conclusions. There was no way he was about to propose. But what if he wanted a romantic relationship? It was one thing to snuggle a little when the world seemed about to end, and quite another to explain to her parents that she wanted to date an ancient magical horse.


As the dragon glided down toward the circle of gazebos around the former shrine to the Fairy Queen, Kendra struggled to calm herself. It would be good to see Bracken. She would try to wait and hear what he had to say before freaking out. They passed over a hedge wall and landed in the field near the whitewashed boardwalk that surrounded the pond.


Bracken stood on the steps up to the boardwalk, dressed in a loose white shirt and jeans. Devastatingly handsome, he jogged toward Kendra once she had landed.


"I'm going to go visit Shiara," Raxtus said. "I'll be back soon. Have fun."


The dragon took flight.


"Hi, Kendra," Bracken said, looking pleased, clearly expecting her to be surprised.


"It's you!" Kendra said, trying to play the role. "What are you doing here? How are you? How's your father?"


"My dad shows subtle signs of improvement. He still hasn't spoken. Our best healers feel he will eventually recover, although perhaps not fully. I'm happy to see you!"


"I feel the same way."


"Come here," Bracken said, waving Kendra forward. "I want to show you something."


He took her hand and led her up the steps to the boardwalk. He pulled her along the walkway, then down to the little pier beside the boathouse. Together they walked almost to the end of the pier.


"What did you want to show me?" Kendra asked, taking a step forward, gazing across the water at the little island that had once housed the shrine.


"Haven't you wondered how I got here?" Bracken asked, stepping up a little behind Kendra.


"Raxtus?"


"Sort of. Try again."


"The Translocator?"


He shook his head. "Agad has already gathered the artifacts to start hiding them. Guess again."


Kendra gasped, whirling around to face Bracken. "Did you fix the shrine?"


"This is our first new shrine," Bracken said with a smile. "The second entrance to our kingdom. In the coming years, we hope to create many new shrines. But Fablehaven got the honor of hosting the first. Agad helped us lay the groundwork. Now I can visit whenever I want!"


Kendra felt her face flush and turned back toward the water. "That would be really nice."


"I hope to visit quite a bit," Bracken said. "Get to know your parents and grandparents better. Hang out with Seth. He's an interesting guy."


"He's pretty cool," Kendra said, trying to manage her expectations.


"He still owes the Singing Sisters a favor," Bracken said. "I want to help him make sure everything goes all right."


"My family will be relieved to hear that."


"He may yet find an opportunity to use his tower and his leviathan."


"He was so mad he didn't get to use them at Shoreless Isle," Kendra laughed. "He's thinking of planting the tower here at Fablehaven, to give Hugo an official home."


"Never hurts to have such items in reserve," Bracken said. Smiling knowingly, he stepped closer. "As much as I enjoy your family, I have other reasons why I want to visit Fablehaven."


"How come?" Kendra asked, heart pounding. She was way too nervous to turn and look at him again.


"I haven't been drawn to a girl in a long time," Bracken said. "Against all odds, this time, my mother actually approves!"


He turned Kendra toward him, hands on her shoulders. "I mean, you know," he added softly, smiling, "what kind of unicorn wouldn't be drawn to a virtuous maiden?"


"What kind of a girl doesn't like unicorns?" Kendra teased, looking up at him.


"Here's the problem," Bracken said, eyebrows scrunched. "I feel young. My mind doesn't get beaten down by the passing years, and neither does my body. It's part of my nature--time does little to sap my youthfulness. But let's face it, however I may feel, I've existed for a long while. Chronologically, I make your grandparents look like infants. And you're not an adult yet."


"You don't seem old to me," Kendra said, unsure how much she believed her words. He looked young, but his manner sometimes betrayed glimpses of an older soul.


"I've been around long enough to recognize the importance of timing," Bracken said. "I care for you deeply, Kendra. A few years will give you time to mature, and offer me time to help my mother rebuild her kingdom." He took her hands in his. "This is the first shrine we restored. As I already made clear, I'll visit, and we'll see where the future leads."