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walking toward the front door. He knew when to stay out of things.
    “Would it matter if it was about a girl?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why?” I had not expected Charlotte to be difficult. She was the one complaining about how lonely I seemed.
    “Because it means I have to say yes.”
    I laughed. “Maybe there is a girl.”
    “Maybe?” She leaned in.
    “I met someone. I do not know her name though.”
    “James!” Charlotte scowled. “That’s horrible.”
    “Wait, I met someone as in met her, not slept with her.”
    “Oh.” She calmed down. “That’s entirely different.”
    “I actually need to talk to your parents about that.”
    “My parents? They’re away.”
    “No one told me that you guys have a house sitter now.”
    “Why would you know that?” she asked suspiciously.
    “I stopped by the house last night.”
    “Why would you stop by the house?” She put a hand on her hip.
    “Because I needed to rest.”
    “And you terrified the poor girl? You already admitted you didn’t sleep with her.”
    “I put her at ease by showing her pictures of us that were in your room.”
    “You were in my room?” Her forehead furrowed.
    “Why does it matter to you? You have not lived there in years, and yeah… I entered through the balcony. The problem is the girl is sleeping in your room.”
    “What? James!”
    “I had no clue she was there.”
    “Fine.” She relented. “So if you guys talked, why don’t you know her name?”
    “Because she kicked me out before that happened.”
    “Why would she kick you out if you put her at ease?”
    “I gave her a hard time about stuff… as a joke.”
    “You’re impossible.”
    “No I’m not. I was just being me.”
    “And sometimes you shouldn’t be you.”
    “Hey.”
    “Hey what? You’ve got some wonderful traits, but we all know you’ve also got some bad ones. Get rid of the bad ones.”
    “I will not change who I am to make people happy.” That went against what I stood for.
    “No one said to change who you are, just soften it.”
    “Thanks, Char. Real nice.”
    “You know I love you.”
    “Yes, which is why I will withhold the response I want to make.”
    “You will also withhold it because of who I am.”
    “Oh yes, the all mighty Essence.” The Essence was more than just a queen. She also had powers tied to nature. She was not someone to mess with.
    She laughed. “I never thought I’d get used to that title, but I have.”
    “It fits you, which it should since you were born to be one.”
    “And you were born to be a Guardian... which is why this leave had better be temporary. I already have the smallest Guard in the history of Essences. Besides your niece or nephew will need you.”
    “Which means I cannot disappear into the sunset forever.”
    “Not forever. I already thought I’d lost you forever once.” Her face fell.
    “I only need a few days.”
    “Ainsley.”
    “What?”
    “I think her name is Ainsley. Liam’s mom did the interview with her and everything.”
    “Ainsley.” I like the name. It fit. “Different.”
    “What are you going to do? You are absolutely forbidden from breaking into the house and scaring her again.”
    “That is where I need some help from you.”
    “Help?”
    “I need permission to be there. Maybe you can talk to Liam’s mom for me? I can fix things in the house.”
    “Fix things? You want to stay at the house as a handyman?” She narrowed her eyes.
    “You make it sound like you doubt my abilities in that department.”
    “Have you ever fixed something in your life?”
    “I have not only fixed things, I have built them too.” Despite living in a castle, my father insisted I learn to work with my hands.
    “I do have one job for you in the house.”
    “What?” I needed a good excuse to be there.
    “I grew up in that house.”
    “Yes…. I’m aware.”
    “Which means my baby stuff is there… including the bassinet my grandfather made.”
    “You want me to find the