Seth unleashed his own ecstasy in tandem with his diamond, pressing his lips to any of Noah’s skin he could find, holding him tightly. He rolled to one side, bringing the Mage with him as to keep him close.

— — — — —

Opal spotted the carriage and let loose with a loud cry before she turned and made aim to return to Slate’s bedroom.

— — — — —

“We should continue as we talked about.” Zoeva commanded quietly, “She’s obviously flourished here and we need that strength bred into her home of origin. By now, judging on how she looks from here, she should be free to shift into a changeling form. Nyer..” She leaned close and whispered in his pointed ear, “If your plan succeeds, I will reward you publicly and personally.”

“I missed this.” Noah said his voice ringing with a deep delight “we have not had this in quite a while I’ve missed those lips of yours.” Noah seemed lost in his own thoughts

———

“What is bothering you Opal ?” Slate could not observe the carriage as he was more focused on Opal.

———

“Have I ever failed you my Queen ?” Nuer said said with a devious smile.

“I haven’t been nearly as good to you as I should be..” Seth spoke between gentle affections to the Mage as he insisted on keeping their bodies close.

— — — — —

The strange bird began to glow again as she moved to the center of his room, except it was her whole body. As she turned to face Slate, the light emanating from her became blinding.

— — — — —

Zoeva leaned back into her seat with a confident smile and the carriage soon arrived at the palace where another emissary was there to escort the group to their audience with the Dragon.

“I won’t have you say such things.” Noah said with stars practically in his eyes and his finger moving to hush Seth and then kissed him gently.

———

Slate recoiled from the light using his arms to cover his eyes from the light.

———

Nyer sat there silently turning his thoughts to how to convince the Changeling to run.

Seth returned the affection without a thought. “I love you,” He whispered, giving the Mage’s body a gentle squeeze.

— — — — —

“They’re here for me.” Came a girl’s voice. She grabbed a blanket off the bed, pulling the whole thing over her shoulders and leaving the bed disheveled, “her hair was long and white with black tips at her sideswept bangs and where her locks came to an end at her knees. Her eyes were the same as her Phoenix form, and halfway down her arms and legs, her skin seemed to kaleidoscope with the galaxy showing through, and the rest of her body was a perfect moonlight shade with a similar glow.

— — — — —

The emissary helped the trio from the carriage and brought them into the grand hall where Seth was waiting on his throne. Beside him was another matching, but not identical throne for Noah for when they had such audience. Both were the center of the room.

Seth looked intimidating as the foreigners approached as they were each announced in turn to the Dragon. He did not seem impressed, but he did not seem angry either.

Zoeva took a step forward from her advisors to address him, “Great Dragon, my apologies for not having kept you appraised of our great time of peace since you came to save me from the ordeal of Chimera. I hope you have been well.”

“Well enough. You and I discussed that we needn’t cross paths on a regular basis seeing as the Fae are not creatures of such luxuries.” Seth replied, his voice booming and his power overwhelming in his domain.

“Who is ... wait you can talk ? What is going on ?” Slate was lost in his confusion and rambled as much as he thought

———

Nyer stood there silent observing the space around him carefully staying humble as the leaders spoke. His mind was looking for the most likely corridor which would lead him to his goal.

Noah kept silent his interest in Fay politics was minimal after all he knew one who lacked clarity could not wrap their head around such things so he sat there observing those who stood before them.

“I.. I um...” Opal blushed in embarrassment, “I’m not a real bird. I’m actually from somewhere else, that’s not here or the moon world.. But please.” She timidly stepped forward toward him, clutching the blanket tightly in her small fists, “Don’t let them take me! I.. I really live it here.. and I really like spending time with you! I’ve never really had a friend before you. The others didn’t like me..”

— — — — —

Zoeva parted her lips, but before she could speak empty pleasantries, Seth interrupted, “What is it you came here for? After all this silence, surely you do not expect me to think this is strictly for the pleasure of it.” He cast a sidelong glance at Noah, the Dragon’s muscles flexing slightly as he was ready to strike.

Zoeva’s expression and demeanor seemed to darken but Alexios stepped up beside her, “Great Dragon, please we mean no offense. Since you had saved our Queen, in truth, there has been quite the fascination with knowing your true existence in the eyes of the Queen’s people. So while this is not purely a visit of pleasures, politically, it appeared to be the best move for our Queen. Our secondary motive, as it came up on the way here, Nyer wa most curious about how the Phoenix you were gifted with was fairing. Would it perhaps be too much for him to visit her?”

“I will keep you safe Opal!” Slate sounded determined as he approached her he grabbed her hand “Follow me!” Slate grabbed his play sword and lead Opal out of his room “this is our castle and no one knows it better then me.” Slate continued to be determined as he lead her through the halls.

———

“It would be most curious to see how the magical of this place interacted with the magic of our home, I must admit my own profound curiosity. We are used to visitors from other places coming and staying with us and as they are in our home our magical effects them I would love to see how your magic effects ours great one.” Nyer was sure to put on his be performance as he spoke.

Opal stumbled along with Slate, her legs somewhat weaker than even what she’d anticipated, “Your dads won’t get mad if we hide, right?”

— — — — —

“Odd.. I know someone else with an insatiable curiosity. Luckily for you, it’s someone I have taken a strong liking to, so I just might honor such a request.” Seth answered, his gaze falling across the trio from the Moon domain, “But before granting such an audience with our Phoenix,” he made a sweeping gesture to include Noah in his statement and by extension their son, “Why not tell me your true motivations for coming to my doorstep. There lies much more than what you’re telling me and the only place you shall be shone is the exit if you do come forward.”

“The truth is,” Zoeva spoke up, “The rest of our female Phoenixes are ill and we do not understand why. It’s something that has never happened before and we thought maybe if the one you had was well and strong, we could perhaps see and understand why to adjust the conditions for our own. Things are constantly changing and maybe we need to raise the male and female separately to a certain point.”

“No they shouldn’t” Slate said leading Opal through the halls of the castle.

———

Nyer was silent at this point, impatience was welling in his chest but he knew he had to hide it, he had a desperation to prove his worth to his Queen and mentor.

Slate did indeed know the palace well, and most of the best hiding spots were nearest the throne room, some that could even be used to spy on the main hall itself.

— — — — —

“Ha... surely you must know by now that your mother Phoenix originates from here, as my own creation of pure magic and willpower. I treated her as a changeling, offering her a more human shape that she could shift into at her whimsy because she was fascinated by the material worlds.” Seth leaned back in his chair, both arms extending to rest of over the arms and one hand draping gently over Noah’s, “I allowed her to travel, but she always came back. Always. At the end of her leaves, no matter how long, she always came to the place she considered home. In fact many of the treasures I possess in my store houses are from her and others of similar freedom. The letters she sent through my messenger, which ignorant folks mistakenly named my huntsman, came nearly twice a week. Then one day it just stopped and she never returned. I mourned her loss and went on a great quest to find her and I did discover her fate. Do any of you care to know?”

Slate lead her to where he thought would be best taking a breath to relax and compose himself.

———

Nyer was silent contemplating what he had just heard such information would be useful to him if he could track down his prey. While he was certain the others were interested by the hint of mysticism in the Dragons words Nyer had no such place contemplating such meta physical phenomena.

Opal couldn’t hide her curiosity, walking quietly about the room in her bare feet and the blanket dragging just slightly behind her. Her hand was pressed to the walls gently as she circled the perimeter.

— — — — —

Seth rose from his throne, but remained atop the slightly elevated platform, “She had been killed, and her ashes stolen off to a kingdom composed of moonlight. I know who truly rules your throne Zoeva, and I know what happens both in light and darkness in that which you believe is yours.” The Dragon shifted his gaze to Nyer, “You may go and find the Phoenix that lives in my domain, but you may not lay a finger on her, nor be alone with here. I am no longer her master, just as none of you standing before me are. She has a new charge that is dangerous, but cannot be fooled.”

Alexios stepped forward with a hint of a smile, “Great Dragon, we meant not mean any offense on our past or future encounters. How could we know that we had stolen something so precious to you?”

“I made no such accusations, but I see through the charade and the lies. You came here to take back something you gave us.” Seth was certain to include his family because Opal had definitely been a fantastic companion for Slate and he wouldn’t of been without Noah. They were absolutely his highest priority, but having a Phoenix back in his domain, well she was climbing the ranks quickly to join them. ‘I mean no disrespect in my words, but do not regard me as a fool. I have existed far longer than any of you. I know the origins of what governs your home. Nyer wasn’t it?” Seth waved forward an attendant, a young man with a human shape but made of obsidian from his feet up to his knees where his skin slowly shifted to hot glass, “You may go see our Phoenix, but remember my rules.”

“Great Dragon...” Zoeva started slowly, “Our visit here was with the intent of checking on her and seeing her conditions. We are in a dire situation and the powers that be have offered no aid despite our pleas.”

The attendant moved beside Nyer, “Sir, if you would please follow me.. I can take you to meet with her and her master.”

Slate relaxed confident that he had confounded the intruders and turned to face Opal “It is going to be ok.” He said with a smile.

———

Nyer was obviously shaken by Seth at this point the Dragons wrath had eclipsed Osins by an order of magnitude that the two were impossible to compare. “I understand.” He said unable to hid his worry in his words.

Noah looked on amused at Seth’s confidence shaking their guest so.

Opal turned to look at him, a slight pink tinge to her cheeks, “Are you okay with me being like this?”

She was shorter than him and had a small frame anyway. She was obviously the runt of the Phoenix children even without seeing the others. Her eyes were wide as she looked at Slate, a quiver in her lip.

— — — — —

Zoeva turned to Nyer, taking his hand in both of hers. “You know what to do.” She spoke on a whisper as Alexios addressed the Dragon, “Your words are magical, powerful. You only need to speak with her. She’s young and if anyone can make the impression we want, it’s you.” She smiled at him and gave his hand a squeeze.

“Sir, please. Time is limited.” The attendant stated several steps behind where Nyer and Zoeva were.

“Enough of your words.” Seth commanded of Alexios, “You and the Queen will stay here while Nyer observes with our Phoenix, but we are done with words.” The Dragon turned to Noah, leaning in to speaking gently with him, “We should go find Slate once they leave and explain what is happening. I know that this probably holds no interest for you, but thank you for coming and staying beside me.”

“Whatever shape you wish to wear makes no difference to me. We are still friends no matter what.” Slate said as assuredly as he could.

———

Nyer nodded in agreement following the henchman with a respectful distance.

Noah smiled whispering back “this is your castle to rule and I am here by your side always.”

Opal nodded and clutched the blanket, “I think my other self is much stronger.. I think if we need to, I could fly us somewhere, but I don’t know the outside of the castle too well.”

— — — — —

The attendant lead Nyer to Slate’s room before turning to him, “Please wait here.” He went into the child’s bedroom and came out but a few moments later, “They’re not here.. come with me.” He took Nyer back to the grand hall much quicker than they had departed, and went closer to the thrones than the visitors had been allowed, “Dragon, they aren’t in his room and his bed is a wreck.”

Seth turned with a raised eyebrow at the words of the attendant. His lips pulled to a smirk, “Wait here. I shall bring them fourth.” He looked back to Noah, “Perhaps he already knows.”

“It could be dangerous for us outside the castle though.” Slate seemed nervous to leave the castle without some kind of guardian.

———

“Things might be turning in our favor my Queen.” Nyer whispered.

“If you think it’s better here, then I agree!” Opal nodded vigorously, “We’ll be okay here? I didn’t know they were hidden places here.”

— — — — —

Zoeva was in a bit of shock, “What exactly did you see?” She asked on a whisper.

Seth moved past the trio in casual stride after commanding his guards to stay and watch them. He brought out his draconic features as he often did when playing with Slate, so the sound of his approach would be familiar to the young Dragon lord. He would check their hideaways after seeing the state of the bedroom.

“No one will find us and if they do I will keep you safe.” Slate drew his play weapon.

———

“The children are lost in the castle somewhere.” Nyer replied deviously

Opal blushed brightly, but hid her face in the blanket, “Okay... I know you’re really strong, so I believe in you!”

Going down the hallway, Slate could hear the scrapping Seth’s clawed feet as he walked down the hallway. The Dragon made a growling sound in addition so the child would know that Seth was alone or with Noah.

— — — — —

“Do you believe there are problems already?” Zoeva asked.

“My Queen.” Alexios turned toward them, join in their circle and speaking just as quietly, “Perhaps Nyer can sow the seeds of doubt in both. Obviously with the Dragon’s mate, their child is not a full blooded Fae and may crave something beyond Arcadia. Maybe instead of trying to separate them here, get them to go on an adventure together... Perhaps there’s some treasure in the material world that they so need.”

“You hear that ! My dad is coming to rescue us !” Slate said with anticipation grabbing plan and running in the direction of the sound.

———

“They are both Changelings, a taste of the other world might be enough to compel them naturally otherwise there are other ways my Queen.” Nyer found renewed hope.

Opal squeaked in surprise as she hurried on her feet to keep up with Slate. The two bolted into the hallway and easily spotted Seth with his wings and horns and claws walking down the corridor without another soul in sight. His eyes narrowed upon the children as he came to meet them, “Slate, who is this with you?”

— — — — —

“We must try. I do not care what happened outside of our power, but we cannot loose the Phoenix brood we’ve worked so hard to keep.” Zoeva agreed, “It’s imperative we plant the thoughts so deeply.”

Skates arms wrapped around the Dragons leg as he breathed a sigh of relief “it’s opal dad she changed.” Slate said exuberantly.

———

“One way or another my Queen you shall have your prize. We shall plant the seed and nurture it to bloom in their dreams.” Nyer sounded mischievous

Opal stood nervously before the Dragon looking up at him, shying just behind Slate.

Seth rubbed Slate’s hair, “Interesting... You really are flourishing here. Or perhaps it’s because of your friendship with Slate here. In either case, the three of us need to have a quick chat because I made a promise, but we are running out of time.”

“I’m not going!” Opal said defiantly before hiding in the blanket.

— — — — —

Zoeva smiled at Nyer, “This is only the beginning of it. If you succeed, it could still take time. We must find a way to watch over them and keep tabs. And once they’re out there, you will need to bring her back. She’ll trust you.”