CHAPTER 3

The next morning, the houseguests all assembled in the dining room for breakfast.

Nick was the first to start the morning's conversation. "I had the strangest dream last night."

His father, not really paying much attention, his mind on the business papers in front of him, "That's nice."

"No dad, it was really a strange dream.” Nick insisted. “ I dreamed this girl came into my room. She was flying and then she kissed me on the forehead."

Lady Kathryn looked at her husband, neither said a word.

"I had that dream too." Evan joined in the conversation.

Sophie said, "It was a faerie who came into the room."

"Oh children," Shannon confronted her two, "I am sure you were just excited about being here and your imagination ran away with you that is all. Sophie I don’t want to hear any more about faeries. There is no such thing as faeries."

Michael decided now might be a good time to tell his houseguests about Sabrina. " Do you believe in faeries?"

Sophie got very excited, "Oh yes, I believe."

"Oh…faeries are for kids,” Nicholas laughed at his sister.

Evan was not sure what to say. He did not want anyone to think he was a baby; he was trying to be as grown up as Nick. But he was not sure if he believed in faeries or not. And he was not about to admit to anyone that just possibly he did believe.

"I don’t care what you say Nick, I know it was a faerie who came into my room last night." Sophie was getting angry with her brother.

"Well, Sophie, if you are a good girl maybe the faerie will come back tonight." Gene laughed at what he considered the innocent fantasy of his young daughter.

Lady Kathryn could stand it no longer. "Sophie, faeries do exist. In fact, it was a faerie that came to visit you last night. Her name is Sabrina and this is actually her castle. We are just the caretakers here."

"Faeries," Nick argued, "that is a story for kids. You are making this all up for Sophie's sake."

Lady Kathryn looked at Nick, "Nicholas, Princess Sabrina believes in your heart you are a child and that is why she came to visit you, and to give you her protection."

Shocked, "What do you mean she gave me her protection?"

"Her kiss. Any of the magic folk will be able to see it and will know you are under the protection of the Princess Sabrina. They will not try to play tricks on you. Sometimes the leprechauns have a tendency to play pranks on their unsuspecting victims."

"Oh, you are just teasing." Nick responded.

Lady Kathryn did not say anything more; she simply walked out of the room.

"Dad," Sophie started again "I know it was a faerie that came into my room last night."

"Yes, Sophie." Was all he would say. "Let's talk about something else now."

CHAPTER 4

Gene and Paul had a busy day ahead of them. There were TV and radio interviews to do and pictures to be taken to promote their upcoming concerts. The limousine pulled into the drive and, dressed in their costumes and make-up, Gene, Paul, and their families, headed out to do their interviews. Sophie looked back at the castle hoping to find the window of Sabrina’s room and maybe catch a glimpse of her. The interviews were going to last most of the day and so no one was sure what time they would come back. Sophie couldn’t wait to get back to the castle.

Princess Sabrina slept all day, dreaming about meeting the children. Finally late in the afternoon, Sabrina woke up and went rushing downstairs toward the library to find her guests.

"Children. Children." No one answered. All was quiet in the castle. ‘Where could they be? Are they playing a game with me?’ Sabrina was becoming worried “Lady Kathryn?" she whispered, from nowhere Lady Kathryn was by her side.

"Yes Sabrina?"

"I cannot find the children. Where are the children? You said I could meet the children today. Did you tell them about me?" Sabrina was getting more and more excited the longer she talked.

"So many questions." Lady Kathryn smiled.

"Lady Kathryn…." Sabrina was running out of patience.

"The children are with their parents. They went into the city."

"Ohhhh" Sabrina's shoulders slumped in disappointment. "I wanted to talk to the children."

"They will be back soon, Sabrina. And yes, I told the children about you. But I don't think they believed me."

Sabrina's head snapped up "What? Not believe in faeiries? Oh Lady Kathryn, you must be mistaken."

"Maybe I am Sabrina. Maybe when they see you they will believe."

"Oh, I cannot wait for the children." Sabrina started dancing around the room. "They are so pretty."

Lady Kathryn smiled as she began to tell Sabrina about the children. "The little girl's name is Sophia and she is 12. The little boy is Evan he is almost 10, and Nicholas is the tall one."

"Oh, Nicholas is so pretty." Sabrina said dreamily. Her hands clasped together as she floated around the room.

"He is handsome, not pretty." Corrected Lady Kathryn.

"Oh, he is pretty." Ignoring Lady Kathryn’s correction.

Lady Kathryn just smiled. "Okay Sabrina, he is pretty. Instead of flying around here, why don't you go into the forest now? Your parents will be waiting for you."

"I wanted to see the children before I left." Sabrina pouted.

"But they are not here. You can see them tomorrow."

“Tomorrow. I don’t want to wait another day. I want to see them now.” Suddenly Sabrina's head snapped up, "I know. I will ask my father if the children can come to the festival. Do you think it will be all right Lady Kathryn?" Sabrina inquired of her caretaker.

"It is up to your father Sabrina."

"Oh, it will be all right. I know he will say yes." Sabrina clapped her hands in joy as she quickly raced to her room to get her cloak, now anxious to head out for the forest.

Lady Kathryn laughed at the excitement Sabrina was displaying. Sometimes it was hard to believe that Sabrina was 250 years old. In many ways she acted like and still retained the innocence of the children she loved so much.