Family ties and embarassing questions

Ash wasn't quite sure she wanted to know the answer to the question she had to ask, or at-least she may not want to know all of it. Rather than sitting in the window with her grandmother, Ash occupied herself making tea for a while.

When it became impossible to busy herself with anything else she had no choice but to take the seat opposite Octavia. Fidgeting with her clothes as she sat, Ash looked around for something to look at or some way to start this conversation. Finally, addressing Octavia’s knees she blurted out

“Its about this whole protector thing… how am I supposed to recognise them? What do I do with them? How does it all work?”

Octavia gave a little laugh, reaching over to pat Ash on the knee.

“Oh my dear, you shouldn’t get yourself into such a flap about these things” she said with a chuckle and a smile. “There is no right and wrong way to handle them, often they will tell where they can be of most help to you according to their skills and talents. For example, Fox is the strongest of my team in hand to hand combat so his position is nearly always with me at my side.” Octavia smiled at Ash

“You and Micah will find a way forward, with your protectors, I promise you that, and you may not need to worry about them just yet, some princesses find them when both are children, others don’t find them until they are needed to be in their life. As for how you recognise them, well its almost a little like your mate bond apparently, I have never experienced a mate bond however so its hard to say for sure. You will feel drawn to them too, that much I can promise you."

"They will feel pulled to you, an undeniable desire to be around you, to keep you safe. I can’t promise that you wont have days where you just want to send them all off on errands that will take them 3 years to complete, Micah included, just to get some time alone, but you can find so much from the bond with a protector, just like you can from a mate.”

Ash nodded softly, biting her bottom lip. Not entirely sure how to broach the next things she needed to know. She kicked off her shoes and curled them up under her in the chair, putting her cup down on the table between them. “Um… could a protector be another… er… magic user?” Ash finally asked.

With a smile Octavia gave a nod.

“You mean Kit? He has already spoken with Fox and Archie, he feels it too child. We will sign the authorisation and organise everything with the college, providing your pack will allow him to stay. He can stay with you and explore this with you”

“Will they always be with me? Like forever, until one of us dies?” Ash blurted out, slightly daunted by the prospect of being almost responsible for goddess only knows how many other creatures who are bound to her for some reason.

“I see that look in your eyes… the one that says you are scared and want to run away from this? Your protectors were picked for you before you were even born by a much higher power who could see what might happen in your life and what you might need, your protectors will need you as much as you will grow to rely on them. You will be their world too, their best friend, their main focus."

"Wolf protectors usually don’t have a mate, vampires may find their mate after their bond with a princess has vanished, or they may have had a mate who is no longer in their life. It seems daunting now, and its an entirely new concept for you, but everything will fall into place for you soon.” Octavia told Ash, clearly trying to reassure her.

It was blatantly obvious to anyone that Ash still had questions, the blush on her face told Octavia that Ash was embarrassed about the next question. Ash didn't know how to put it into words, how did she explain the jealously and rivalry between Micah and Kit. It wasn't all the time and not always so obvious, but it would be things like, if one said they would do something for her or get something, the other had to try and outdo him.

They seemed to be in competition about who knew Ash best and could predict what she would want. Micah didn't like that Kit was the only one who could help with her magic and Kit didn't like that Micah was the one she went to when she needed comfort. It was like they were competing for her affection.

“Um… I don’t really know how to ask this… it’s kinda embarrassing, to tell the truth” Ash said softly, fidgeting in her seat once more

“um… sometimes it feels like Kit… uh…. Well like he wants to challenge Micah… for… for me?” Ash’s blush deepened as it spread down onto her chest “and like I get it, sometimes I get flashes of attraction for him…. But its nothing like what I feel for Micah… but then… earlier… in Micah’s office… I saw the way Fox was looking at you… it was the same, and then you said I’ll get my own and it made me think… urm…. Do I… I mean, is it expected?”

It took Octavia a few minutes to puzzle out what, exactly it was that Ash was trying to ask. When it all began to click into place for her she looked over at Ash with a small smile, an attempt at reassurance perhaps? Octavia put down her now empty cup on the table by Ash’s and reached out for her hands.

“Stop picking at your clothes, you’ll ruin them” she said softly and settled back into the seat.

“Ok, so for some protectors, the bond can blend easily into romantic feelings, not always but sometimes. Especially for the shorter lived species, who usually don't have any experience of the bond, they can get very swept up in the emotions and the draw to the princess. Some just need to be reminded that we don't feel the same way. Fox still struggles at times, but he has experience now and the worst that he does is flash me looks. I’ll ask Fox to have a chat with Kit and perhaps your grandfather can talk with Micah and help him understand. When you see them trying to compete though, you should always find a way to tell them to stop. The three of you should sit and lay down the boundaries, Kit will still need to train you with your magic and you and Micah need to make sure your bond is solid and you have time together.”

Ash’s shoulders dropped as she let out a huge sigh. A small, relived smile coming over her face as she burst into giggles. After a few moments Ash spoke again “so I don’t have to… well you know… be with them like that?”

Octavia blushed a little too here but shook her head “No, absolutely not. When both you and your protector are ready, you will mark them, I’ll teach you how, but its fairly straight forward, its all about the intention truth be told. This will allow you to communicate mentally much easier, it will give Kit the ability to communicate with you like that.”

“Will you teach me how to do all that record keeper stuff too? I don’t know anything and no one seems to have any knowledge to be able to pass on to me either”

“Of course my child, that is why me and Archie are here, to make sure you have all the information you need right now” Octavia replied softly, putting her hand on Ash’s shoulder and squeezing softly.