Chapter Two (part 4)

Echo looked behind her to see a girl in flowing aquamarine robes. She giggled as she ran down the steps. "Dymetri! Echo!" She called out to them. Her eyes were a deep russet color and they glowed with life. "Mama's inside. She'll whip you both if you dont go see her now."

Dymetri chuckled and Echo let out a nervous laugh. Echo looked down at the girl who was standing by Atnela's neck, stroking the soft, black fur. "Who are you? And how did you know my name?" She tried to make her tone gentle and curious.

Dymetri spoke first. "This is my little sister, Kalei. Human years she's only twelve. Elf years she's a hundred and seven. Each elf matures at different rates and different times depending on how old their souls are. Kalei is an old soul. I was still physically five when I was a hundred years. Also males don't mature as fast." He laughed, leaning over to ruffle Kalei's hair.

As Kalei's hair settled back into place, Echo caught tiny silver ribbons intwined with the wavy blond hair. It made her look inocent, younger even. Echo found her voice. "Wow...but how did she know my name?"

The Prince smiled down at his sister with pride. "Kalei is a very special girl. She aquired a gift when she was born. Not many elves recieve magical powers, it is rare. Kalei has the ability to see into the near future. I'm guessing she saw us coming."

The teen stared down at the young elf in awe. "Really? Wow!" She sighed. "Wait...Dymetri? Isn't your mother waiting for you?"

Kalei twittered. "Actually, Echo, she is waiting for you. She's used to Dymetri leaving, but she was waiting for you to come back. She'll be so happy to see you." Then she turned and skipped up the stairs, counting each step in latin.

"Come on. We'd better go." Dymetri swung his leg over and landed on the ground without a sound. He raised a hand to lift Echo out of the saddle. As his hands wrapped around her waist her heart fluttered again. Then he pulled her from the saddle, but instead of setting her on her feet, he spun her.

She laughed, the youth coming back to her voice. Again, like when she was running, she felt like she was flying. The feeling of euphoria filled her up and gave her that freedom that she craved. With him, she was still free.

Both laughing, Dymetri set Echo on her feet. "Nothing to fear." His face lit up as he smiled down at her.

"I told you, I believed you." She answered, the corners of her mouth lifting.

"Good." He turned to his horse. "Atnela, stay here, and I'll take care of you after I've spoken with my mother." He released the bit from her mouth so she could graze on the grass near the steps. Atnela snorted and lowered her nose to the ground.

"Come on." Dymetri grabbed Echo's hand and pulled her towards the stairs. "I'll race you." He flashed a grin at her. "There's only seventy-seven steps."

"You're on." Her answering smile was challenging. She shifted silently into tiger form and started up the stairs.

He called after her. "Hey no cheating!" He ran after her, using his inhuman speed.

"And you call me a cheater?" Echo laughed as Dymetri passed her. She sped up. They were neck and neck now. Echo let a growl slip from her lips as she darted forward and slightly to the right, now in Dymetri's path. He slowed down to avoid a colision when she spun to face him. She threw herself into the air, changing back into human form as she went.

Dymetri's eyes widened as she colided with him, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his torso. "What...was that for?" He smiled.

She looked towards the castle doors. "They cant know I'm a werecat. I have to pretend to be normal, therefore I need to be in human form. Stoping you was just a bonus. And if you carried me we would tie. So..go. You've only got ten steps left." Her grin was mischevious.

"Okay." He made his way slowly up the steps, human speed. Once he was on the ninth step, Echo jumped off of him, landing on the top platform.

"I win." She chirped and skipped inside. Dymetri ran in and swept her up, spinning her around.

"You little --" He was cut off.

"Your Prince?" A servant in a dark green tunic was standing a couple feet away. "Your mother wishes for you to be cleaned up before going to council."

"Council?" Confusion flitted across his features.

The servant nodded sadly. "It's your father..."