“Did I miss out on all the fun?” I heard Sydney say as she came into the bedroom. I heard her walk across the room. Akasha’s sublime laughter rolled through the room, shivering along my back. “Did you save any for me?”    

“Sorry, dear,” I heard Akasha answer, “Next time.”    

“Can I taste it?”    

I heard Akasha sweep over to Sydney and wrap her arms around her. I heard them kiss, the soft, wet sound making my pulse quicken, followed by Sydney’s breathless moan of pleasure. Then Akasha chuckled as she danced back into the closet. Sydney sat on the bed beside me, her hand lying on my thigh, her fingers warm against my skin, sending a pleasant tingle up my leg.     

“Feeling alright, love?” Sydney’s voice was soft and amused. I nodded. She laughed softly. I heard Akasha sweep back into the bedroom. I could hear the rustling of fabric in her arms as she did.    

I heard Akasha say, 'I think these will fit you, dear.' I opened my eyes but lacked the strength to sit up yet. Above me, the vaulted ceiling made of lustrous wood was a striking sight. The craftsmanship evoked a time when the art of building was revered, and perhaps it had endured countless gatherings, secrets, and stories over the years. I had never really taken the time to appreciate the construction of this house. It was very beautiful. Now that I noticed it, it elicited a feeling of awe, as if the house had welcomed many before us, each leaving their imprint. I raised up on my elbows and did not feel light-headed. Things were looking up. I saw Akasha holding up two dresses for Sydney. Both looked like they were made from the same silky material that Akasha wore. The first was a full dress that looked like it would cover Sydney from neck to knee; it had long sleeves. The second had a low cut across the top and mesh across the waist. 

“I wasn’t sure if you wanted to show off your runes. Your pick. The first is much more modest. No skin exposed. It is fine for what we are doing today, but if you want to show off your figure and your runes, the second is the better pick.”    

Sydney stood there with a towel wrapped around her, tapping her lips with one finger. “Who are we meeting today?”    

“The park superintendent and a few other older families in the area. Then we will come back and change before we start our other activities for the day.”    

“No mayor?” I asked, curious.    

Akasha shook her head. “National Park, sweetie, there is no mayor. The park and the city are all managed by the park services. The Park Superintendent manages everything.”    

“Oh.” Sydney thought for another minute. “I’ll take the more modest one, then.”    

Akasha shrugged. “As you wish.” Akasha stepped past Sydney and laid the dress on the bed beside me. Her eyes met mine. They looked normal enough, though her irises were amber, glowing with an inner fire that made my breath catch. She smiled and took my hand, pulling me into a sitting position. She leaned in and kissed me. A soft brush of her lips across mine, warm and impossibly tender. My body tingled from head to toe from her caress, heat radiating from where her fingers held mine. I resisted the urge to wrap my arms around her and pull her onto the bed, my restraint fraying with each heartbeat.     

Akasha pulled back from me and smiled sweetly. “I’ll be with you in a moment.” She patted my knee, backed up, and spun, her dress flaring around her. Sydney chuckled as she watched Akasha move across the room to a large dresser. Akasha turned and looked at Sydney for a moment, then pulled open a drawer. She withdrew a dark, lacy bra and panties to match.    

Sydney blushed. “I get to wear that?”    

Akasha laughed. “If you want.”    

“I’ve never worn lace undergarments before.”    

“Oh, you are in for a treat.” Akasha beamed as she walked over to Sydney. Akasha stepped around behind Sydney, holding the bra in front of her. Sydney put her arms through the straps. Akasha slid it up her arms and pulled it against her chest, then reached around Sydney and pulled the bra snugly against Sydney’s bosom, her fingers lingering as they adjusted the delicate lace. Sydney blushed as Akasha felt her breasts, weighing and squeezing them with deliberate slowness. A small, startled moan of pleasure escaped from her lips, her body arching slightly into the touch. Akasha dragged her hands along the fabric to Sydney’s back. She fastened the clasp and then danced about Sydney to stand before her. Akasha knelt, holding the panties open for Sydney. Blushing darkly, Sydney stepped into them. Akasha gently slid them up Sydney’s legs, dragging her delicate fingertips along Sydney’s thighs with agonizing slowness, tracing invisible patterns on her skin.     

Even from where I was standing, I could see and smell Sydney's arousal. The tangy, intoxicating scent left my mouth watering, my own body responding to her need. Akasha stood, pressing her body against Sydney's, curves molding together. Akasha slid her hand inside Sydney's panties, her fingers sliding into Sydney's soft, wet folds with practiced ease. In that intense moment, I saw a fleeting shadow cross Sydney's face—a niggling doubt about her pregnancy and the undiscovered paths it might lead her down. But as I saw her body respond to Akasha's touch, I witnessed a thrill of ecstasy pass through her, hopefully eclipsing her fears. Sydney moaned louder as Akasha fingered her, her hips rolling into the touch. Akasha slipped her slender fingers out, glistening with Sydney's arousal, then patted her mound through the lace panties. Sydney gasped softly, trembling. Akasha met Sydney's partially glazed stare as she slipped her fingers into her mouth and sucked them clean, her tongue swirling deliberately. 

The heat on Sydney’s face made my cock start to lengthen and harden. Akasha turned her back to Sydney and winked at me, her eyes dancing with mischief. She danced toward where I was sitting. Akasha ran a finger down the length of my cock, tracing every inch as she licked her lips, her touch maddeningly light. Sydney stood, her body quivering as she watched Akasha like she was going to jump her bones, her breathing shallow and uneven.    

“She does taste delicious, you know,” Akasha whispered as she pulled me to my feet, her breath hot against my ear. “You will very much enjoy eating that pretty little pussy of hers. I cannot wait to watch.” Her words sent a jolt of desire straight through me.    

Akasha stroked my lengthening cock once, then turned and danced into the closet.     

“Oh, in the third drawer on the left, Ed, you'll find some boxers. They're probably the right size, but make sure.”    

I blinked rapidly, then turned and walked on shaky legs to the dresser. Sure enough, the drawer was full of boxers. I reached in and ran my palm over the material. It felt like silk. Not that I had had much experience with silk clothing. To be honest, I had never felt silk. But it felt the way I imagined silk would feel. I pulled out a pair of plaid green-and-red boxers. I checked the size. Twenty-nine. I shrugged and slid them on. They fit perfectly.     

“Silk boxers?” I called to Akasha.     

“Only the best for our Dragon Lord.”    

I blushed and turned as Akasha came out of the closet holding a nice dress shirt on a hanger. She looked at me, then the shirt. “Probably the right size.” She moved over to me, her dress flaring around her and sparkling in the light.     

“Damn, you look amazing in that dress.”    

“Glad you approve. You can help me take it off later.” She handed me the shirt, winked, and spun around, then bent over, pressing her ass against my groin, grinding slowly. She moaned as she felt my cock throb against her, the heat between us palpable. Then she danced away, laughing, leaving me aching.     

I slipped the shirt off the hanger and slid my arms into the sleeves. I buttoned it up, leaving the top button open near my throat. The sleeves were just a hair too short. I rolled them up to my elbows, leaving my forearms free.     

Meanwhile, Akasha picked up the dress, unzipped the back, and held it as Sydney stepped into it. Akasha circled around Sydney and zipped up the back of her dress, her fingers trailing along Sydney’s spine as the zipper climbed. Then she reached around Sydney and cupped her breasts again, pulling her body against her chest, her thumbs brushing over Sydney’s nipples through the fabric. Sydney gasped softly, her head falling back. Akasha nuzzled the back of her ear, her lips grazing the sensitive skin as she whispered to her.    

“You look marvelous, dear. I’m positive Ed will not be able to resist your charms for long.”    

Akasha turned and looked at me, watching as I blushed. Then she winked at me again, let go of Sydney, and danced back into the closet. She came out holding a pair of slacks.    

“For you, my love,” she said as she danced toward me. I pulled the pants off the hanger. They were also made of a silk-like material. I eased into them, admiring the feel of them against my legs, smooth and cool on my skin. No sooner had I zipped them up than Akasha returned with a black leather belt. She threaded it through the loops of my pants, pressing herself against me as she pulled it around my back, her breasts soft against my chest. I leaned into her and kissed her forehead. Akasha’s smile made my whole body throb with joy. She looked up, her face glowing with happiness. I bent over and laid my lips against hers. Our kiss was brief, but my heart beat rapidly in my chest in response, desire coiling low in my belly. Pulling the belt through the last few loops to the front, she pulled back to thread the buckle together. Then she looked up at me and blinked her dazzling eyes at me. She placed her hand on my crotch, feeling my erection through my pants, her palm pressing firmly, and winked at me.    

Akasha took a step back, noticing my shirt sleeves for the first time. She scowled softly, rolled down the sleeves, and smoothed them. Then she placed a hand on each of my sleeves and traced an intricate pattern. I could feel her finger through the soft fabric pressing against me. Then she spoke a single word. I blinked once, and the sleeves grew to the proper length.     

“Perfect.” She said to me. She looked up at me, her eyes beaming with happiness. “Just like you.”    

She moved away from me, picked up the jacket, and held it for me to slide into. She gently touched my arm and turned me to face her. She took a step back and looked me over from head to toe. Akasha smiled happily.    

“Akasha?” I asked tentatively.    

“Yes, love?”    

“Why does everything fit almost perfectly?”    

“Magic, silly.” She winked, went to the dresser, and got out a pair of dress socks. She tossed them to me, then pulled out two pairs of nearly transparent stockings. Sydney watched, her eyes staring wide. Akasha met her eyes and chuckled. “Next time, love, we will do garter belts and thigh-highs. It’ll be fun. I promise. The plan is not to be in this long enough for it to slide down.”    

Akasha danced up to Sydney and pushed her towards the bed. Sydney stumbled and sat down hard on the edge of the bed. Akasha dropped to her knees before her. As she kneeled, she started balling up one stocking. Then Akasha picked up Sydney’s right leg and gently slid it up over her foot. She locked eyes with Sydney as she gently slid it up her leg, her fingers caressing the bare skin. It came up over her knee and stopped mid-thigh. Akasha bent and kissed Sydney on the knee, her lips lingering, then balled up the other. I saw Sydney blushing as Akasha slid the other over her leg, the intimate act making Sydney’s breath quicken. Once the other stocking was in place, Akasha gracefully stood and leaned into Sydney, kissing her on the mouth with hungry intensity. Sydney made small, eager noises as Akasha pushed into her, her hands gripping Akasha’s shoulders. Then Akasha pulled back suddenly, leaving Sydney gasping and blinking furiously as Akasha danced away from her. Sydney clapped her knees together, pushing her dress down over herself as she met my gaze, her cheeks flushed with arousal. I chuckled to myself.     

Akasha pulled a chair from the corner and sat facing me. She lifted her dress and dangled her foot at me as she moved the stocking up her leg, revealing smooth, pale skin inch by tantalizing inch. Her eyes locked with mine as Akasha slid her hands up her leg, her movements slow and deliberate, a sensual performance just for me. She licked her lips as she bent over and pulled the other stocking up her leg, giving me a glimpse of her cleavage. Akasha stood in one smooth motion. She sauntered across the room towards me, the stockings reflecting the light, her legs sparkling as she approached me, every movement graceful and seductive.    

Akasha took my hand and led me over to the chair. I sat and put on my socks while she stepped over to Sydney. She pulled Sydney to her feet and then stepped back to look her over.    

“Perfect. Now I need to find the right shoes to match the dress. Then we can go.”    

Akasha danced into the closet again. I heard her rummaging through stuff. Sydney came over to stand next to me. She put a hand over mine.     

Sydney whispered, “Is she always like this?”    

I shook my head.    

“Always like what, love?” Akasha asked as she danced out of the closet. She was holding two pairs of pumps and a pair of black dress shoes. She handed Sydney a pair of pumps and me a pair of dress shoes and then danced towards the door to the room. She stopped in the doorway, waiting and watching us.     

“So unbearably cheerful, loving, and... flirty,” Sydney answered. I stood, Sydney’s hand in mine, as we walked towards Akasha.     

Akasha’s expression sobered. Her eyes became hard, her expression stern. "I was angry and bitter for a long time," she began, her voice controlled. She paused, as if choosing her words cautiously.  

"I didn't let myself get attached to anyone. I kept in touch with Edgar’s mother, but I became a hermit, isolating myself in this house. I focused on tending my domain and keeping my people safe. But I never left." She leaned back as the impact of her words settled around us.  

"Then," she continued, her tone softening somewhat, "you killed her and forced me to retrieve this marvelous hunk of man here." She glanced in my direction, a faint laugh breaking her stern expression.  

“I hate what you did. I understand it, but I cannot forgive you.” Tears leaked from Sydney’s eyes. Akasha shook her head, her eyes sparkling with emotion. “I also must thank you for doing it. You shocked me out of my shell. I had forgotten how to live. The last six months have been the hardest of my life. I kept myself detached. I taught Ed the necessities, but did not let myself feel anything for him. My dreams of being a mother again were destroyed. It was an ache I have never forgotten. My last son was a colossal disappointment; I do not wish to discuss.”    

“But you,” Akasha squeezed Sydney’s hand in hers. She brought it up to her face and rubbed it along her cheek. You...” she said tenderly, tears sliding down her cheeks. "You brought hope back into my life—the possibility of happiness—the chance to try again. For that, I will always be grateful.”    

Sydney opened her mouth, but Akasha put a finger to her lips, “No. Do not apologize for what you did. Do not shame the sacrifice of Ed’s parents for your petty attempt to make yourself feel better about what you did. No. The deed is done. You are here. You carry my child. That is enough. I will always hate and love you for it.”    

Akasha took a step back from Sydney. She looked over her from toe to head again. Tears leaked from Sydney’s eyes. Akasha smiled at her.    

“These next twelve to eighteen months of your life may be your last. I hope not, but I want them to be joyous for you if they are. I want you to experience a life you’ve never dreamed of. I want you to find the happiness I had lost for the last thousand years. If you survive this pregnancy, then we will discuss what comes next. Okay?”    

Sydney nodded, tears still trailing down her face. Akasha stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Sydney, and pulled their bodies together. Sydney started to cry in earnest now, burying her face against Akasha’s neck. Akasha patted her back gently, soothingly. I stepped around the back of Sydney and wrapped my long arms around both. Akasha looked up at me and smiled. There was a twinkling of moisture in Akasha’s eyes, but no tears leaked forth.     

We stood like that for several moments, holding Sydney as she cried against Akasha’s body. Akasha made soothing noises. Slowly, Sydney gathered herself and stood up straight. She leaned back against me, turning her head to smile at me. Akasha leaned into her and brushed her lips against Sydney’s cheeks, first one side, then the other. Sydney blinked hard, hugged Akasha again, and then pressed against my body. Akasha and I both stepped back from Sydney, giving her some room.     

Akasha stepped away from us, her pumps in her hands. She walked to the door. A sliding, elegant walk full of grace and dignity. I was reminded of a video I saw once of the Queen of England walking onto a stage. All poise and dignity. Except Akasha was more graceful, almost like a cat. She looked at us and smiled, her amber eyes sparkling with playfulness.    

“Come,” she motioned to us with a free hand. “We have things to do.”    

Sydney and I followed Akasha out of the room, down the hallway, and up the stairs. At the door, we each took turns sitting down and putting on our shoes. The single chair by the door would need a partner or two if this became a regular thing. Just before we walked out the door, Akasha grabbed a small purse hanging on the coat rack by the door.    

I opened the door and walked out onto the porch. I got to the edge of the steps and stopped. There were birds everywhere. Every branch of every tree had birds on it. The statues had birds sitting on every single one. The fence was covered by them. Eagles, vultures, owls, sparrows, robins, and every native bird of the region seemed to be sitting around the yard. There was a hush of expectancy in the air as if they were waiting for us to come out and make some grand proclamation.     

While I stood there, looking around at the gathering, I heard Akasha walk up behind me. She stepped up next to me and took my left hand in hers. She looked around at the crowd of birds and bowed. I blinked twice, then followed suit. As we stood straight, there was a great racket, as all the birds made noises.     

“Thank you,” Akasha said, her voice soft but carrying over the yard. “Thank you for coming. I know it has been too long since I strolled among your kind. I promise to do better. We promise to do better. Your Lord,” She raised my hand in hers, “and Lady have returned. Please share with us the news you feel we need to address. Speak your grievances, and know we will listen and hear you.”    

I noticed a pair of crows off to the right. One inclined its head to the other as if to say, ‘Do you believe these jokers? Who do they think they are?’    

I met his eyes and cocked my head to the side. The crow hopped up and down, cawing loudly. ‘Fuck me! He understands. Goddamnit! I’m sorry!’    

I smiled and nodded in his direction to indicate my forgiveness. The crow bowed back to me. Akasha giggled and then walked down the steps. I trailed close behind her, her hand still in mine. She squeezed my hand and smiled as we neared the first pair of birds.    

Akasha turned her full attention to the birds, inclining her head in a slight bow as she did. The two birds fluttered their wings, inclined their heads, and made small bird noises.    

Akasha nodded as they ‘spoke’ to her. “Oh, that is not very nice. We will see what we can do about that. Thank you for coming.”    

Then we moved to the next. Most of the conversations were short and very one-sided. The finches complained about a family that was not tending their flowers. The owl said there were too many late-night parties in the campground. It went on and on until we got to the crows. Who were extremely talkative. They complained about not having enough shiny things to play with. Akasha laughed, but they were quite serious. She plucked a bead off her dress and gave it to them. They were highly impressed with that.     

After we made the rounds, Akasha and I returned to the porch, where she thanked them all for coming. They flew off in a great flurry of wings. Sydney had been standing on the porch the entire time, staring in shock.    

“What just happened?” Sydney asked, breathless. 

Akasha shrugged. “Just meeting with the local representatives of the bird population of Yosemite. What did you think we were doing?”    

Sydney gawked. After a moment, she shut her mouth with a click of her teeth.     

“Does this sort of thing happen often?”    

“No,” Akasha answered slowly as she blushed, “I have been negligent of my duties. But Edgar and I will do our best to make up for it. Right, sweetie?”    

She looked up at me expectantly. Her smile was positively radiant. My heart thudded heavily inside my chest as I felt that tingling sensation run all the way along my back. I nodded back to her; what else could I do? I’d have jumped off the highest mountain if she had asked me with that look. Wait, she had already thrown me off the highest peak. Scratch that thought.    

Sydney shook her head. “Where to now?”    

“To see the Park Superintendent of Yosemite, of course.” Akasha walked down the steps, stopping at the bottom. She looked back up at us expectantly. I chuckled, took Sydney’s hand in mine, and followed Akasha.    

“How far is their office?” I asked as we stepped through the gate around her yard.    

“Thirty-minute walk. Just over a mile and a half.”    

“Oh,” I answered as I took her hand in mine. She squeezed it affectionately and smiled happily at me.    

“You don’t own a car?” Sydney asked as she walked on the other side of me.     

Akasha shook her head. “No. I walk wherever I need to go.”    

“Even in the winter?”    

“Snow doesn’t bother me.”    

“Oh.”    

It was one of those incredible California days. The temperature was perfect for a stroll through the forest. A light breeze brought the smells of spring to us. The sky was a perfect blue, not a cloud in sight. We walked north-west, crossing over Northside Drive and following Ahwahnee Drive. As the three of us walked along the road, squirrels and small animals would run up and watch us go by. A deer moved out of the bushes on the north side of the road, watching us. Akasha walked towards it, holding out her hand. The deer observed us, its ears flicking back and forth. I let go of Akasha’s hand, and she walked up to the deer and let it sniff her hand. The deer nuzzled her, and she ran her hand over its nose, head, and neck. The animal pushed against her. She laughed softly and hugged the animal. Then, it stepped back. Akasha bowed to it and stepped back over to us on the road. I nodded to the deer, which watched me warily, then nodded back to me before it dashed back into the brush.    

Ten minutes into our walk, we came upon a stone hotel, The Ahwahnee. It was a beautiful building. As we walked, a couple and their child watched us. Akasha smiled at them warmly and called out, “Good morning!”    

I heard the little girl turn to her mother and ask, “Is she a princess?”    

“I don’t think so, dear,” the mother responded. The little girl jumped up and ran over to us. Akasha dropped to her knees gracefully as the child approached.     

“Who are you?” The little girl asked, her eyes bright. I crouched down next to Akasha.    

“I am Lady Akasha,” Akasha answered with a smile. The little girl looked at me. Akasha turned and introduced me. “And this is Lord Edgar.”    

“A Lord and Lady,” the little girl asked, her eyes open and full of wonder.    

Akasha smiled brilliantly, “And the only princess I see here is you.”    

The little girl blushed, “I’m a princess?”    

“You must be. And as any good Lord and Lady, we have a present for you.”    

“A present? For me!?” Her eyes glittered even brighter. Akasha pulled the small dark purse from around her back. She opened it and reached inside. The girl watched eagerly as Akasha pulled out a small wooden carving of a dragon curled in a ball around a tiny crystal ball; its wings opened slightly.    

“Wow!!” The little girl said as Akasha handed it to her. “It’s so beautiful!”    

By that time, the little girl’s parents had come walking over. The dad looked down as the girl spun around to show him what Akasha had given her.    

“Oh, no, we cannot accept that.”    

Akasha stood with a swish of her skirts. Her eyes beamed with good humor.    

“You can,” Akasha said softly, “I brought it just for her.”    

There was a firmness in her tone that brooked no argument. The man stared at her. He met her gaze steadily as if he was going to argue and then thought better of it. Akasha smiled brilliantly, and the man blushed and returned to his daughter.    

“Who are you?” The little girl’s mother said as she picked up her daughter.    

The little girl turned to her mother and said, “That’s Lady Akasha and Lord Edgar, duh!”    

The woman looked at her daughter and carefully said, “Lady Akasha, sorry.” She turned back to us. “Sorry. Thank you for humoring our daughter.”    

Akasha smiled at her. “Of course. Now, we must be on our way. Thank you for your time.”    

The woman looked down at her daughter and then back at us as we started to move off. They waved as we left, seeming confused and dazed by the encounter. Akasha took my hand in hers again as we moved back onto the road and walked towards town. I heard the woman chastise her husband for staring at Akasha. I could not blame him; she was rather marvelous to look at.     

“Where did the little dragons come from?” I asked as we continued walking along the road.    

“I made them,” Akasha answered.    

“With magic, or did you actually carve them?”    

Akasha laughed as she turned to me. I noticed her eyes had returned to a more human color. However, her irises remained an unearthly amber. They no longer glowed. She winked at me. “Little bit of both, if you must know.”    

We continued walking north and west along Ahwahnee Drive. The trees were magnificent, and the cliffs in the background were stunning. The light passed through the trees and occasionally reflected off Akasha’s dress, sending off sparkling rainbows of color. I was in awe of her beauty. Add in the majesty of the forest around us, and my mind was boggled. My thoughts scrambled.    

As we walked, the forest animals continued to approach us, maintaining a respectful distance but still gathering along the road. As we approached them, Akasha would wave or greet them. On several occasions, she approached them, let them sniff her hands, or scratched them behind their ears.     

Most of the time, I hung back with Sydney and watched. However, on two occasions, she held my hand and pulled me along with her. I did not want to frighten the animals, as they seemed more interested in Akasha than me. But when a pair of extremely cute rabbits approached, Akasha insisted on pulling me along. The rabbits did not seem to mind, sniffing my hand and letting me pet them. The skunks we approached just down the road were also equally passive and affectionate.     

We continued on the road until we reached the Church Bowl Picnic Area. Here, the trail swerved on the north side of the road, around the parking lot, which was already filling up with cars, and through the picnic area. As we emerged from the wood line, we were greeted with a breathtaking view of the south side of North Dome. The cliffs rose above us, their towering heights a majestic sign of nature's power and beauty. For a moment, as we stopped to admire this natural spectacle, I couldn't help but muse on how the imposing cliff appeared to echo the increasing sense of responsibility weighing on my shoulders. I wondered if perhaps, for Sydney, the sheer height paralleled her fears about the uncertain road ahead. Such thoughts tied the grandeur of North Dome to the elaborate landscape of our own internal challenges, creating a moment of thought amid the splendor of Mother Nature at its finest. 

Then, we started making our way through the picnic area. Every person there stopped what they were doing to watch us walk through. Akasha waved and greeted everyone who turned to her. By her side, I echoed her sentiments. A wave here. A friendly hello there. Most people openly gawked and stared at us. Sydney tried to ignore the attention, hanging a half-step behind us. Although she attempted to hide her reactions, I could sense a complex combination of emotions coursing through her—pride at the attention, a slight thrill at the unexpected spotlight. Most people returned our greetings; a few men blushed and turned away as Akasha smiled and greeted them. I heard more than a few wives and girlfriends admonish their partners for staring at her. I caught some of the conversations. 

“Who is that?”    

“They look like royalty.”    

“National Park Royalty? That isn’t a thing.”    

“Stop staring at her tits, Dave!”    

“They sure are dressed up fine for a day in the Park.”    

A young boy came running up to us, a park guide flapping in his hands. He stopped in front of us and held out his guide.    

“Will you sign my guide? I want everyone to know I was here the day the Lord and Lady of Yosemite walked among us!!”    

“Of course we will,” Akasha beamed, taking it gently from his hands. “Such a handsome young man; your parents must be very proud of you.”    

The young boy blushed as Akasha handed me the papers. She pulled a pen out of her bag and gave it to me. I shrugged and started to write my name when Akasha nudged me and mouthed, ‘Lord.’ I frowned, wrote Lord Edgar on the back of the guide, and handed it back to Akasha. She signed “Lady Akasha” right next to mine. Then she handed the guide back to the young man.    

“THANKS!” His smile was ear-to-ear as he returned to his parents' table. Akasha started to say something, but the boy was already out of earshot. She chuckled as she took my hand and started walking again. Our path curved through the picnic area and then merged with Ahwahnee Drive.