After reading the book, I immediately came here, and much to my dismay, saw only a few entries. I read "Rhys" and was greatly inspired to write my own TPoB fic. If you haven't read "Rhys" yet, you should.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

Chapter 1: Home

As we soared through the night sky, Matilda, Addie's current apprentice sorceress and my new daughter-in-law, was asking questions about a spell she had learned. She was decades younger than me and was not as bright (I hated to admit), but she had a sweet personality. Unlike Matilda's teacher and Orne, I was glad my son married her. They had been married for three months and had known each other for two years.

Orne blamed me for their marriage because according to him, I was a bad influence on all sorcerers. He constantly berated me about my marriage decision eighteen years ago and the fact that I had seven children with the now thirty-four-year-old Addie. Yes, we had seven beautiful children together. Of course, I thought they were beautiful because of her.

We wanted to have a large family because Addie only had Meryl, and I, being a sorcerer, did not have blood relatives. At first we agreed on three, but then we changed our minds... or we had pleasant surprises. Regardless, I was happy with the number.

We had three boys and four girls, all named after someone significant in our lives. In order, they were: R.J. (short for Rhys junior), age seventeen; Meryl, age sixteen; Rosie (short for Roselina), age fourteen; Daria, age ten; our twin five-year-old boys, Drualt and Gavin; and our youngest at four months old, Eliza. Those seven had stolen my flame and were the driving force behind everything I did. I loved them more than anything.

During our seventeen years of child rearing together, Addie refused to let the nursemaids or anyone else solely care for our children. She insisted on us doing everything, desperately wanting to break the cycle of distant parents and give her heirs something she didn't have: attention from a parent. Growing up, it pained her to have a detached father who never spent time with her. I was glad she at least had Meryl. I made sure I was the complete opposite type of father to my kids; in fact, I knew that I was because I instantly fell in love with my children the moment I laid eyes on their faces, and that love only grew as they did.

Matilda and I were landing on Bamarre castle's battlements when Addie, holding a bundled Eliza, and R.J. approached to welcome us back after being away for six days. We landed in unison, our personalized embroidered cloaks billowing out. Addie embroidered our cloaks as weddings presents to welcome us into the royal family of Bamarre. Mine had a big cursive "R" embroidered on the back with burgundy thread. On top of the "R" was a golden threaded crown with gemstones on the tips to symbolize my title as prince. Matilda's was similar but more feminine. Hers was an "M" topped with a silver threaded tiara and was surrounded by a colorful assortment of flowers from our gardens. Needless to say, we treasured our wedding presents. None of the other sorcerers had embroidered cloaks. We were unique.

Addie was the best needlewoman in the world! I had always said she was a sorcerer with thread. During our eighteen years of marriage, her skills had improved. I didn't even know that was possible but it happened. Now she could embroider so well her creations looked like oil paintings at first glance.

My son rushed over to his bride and twirled her around before kissing her cheek and then lips. "I've missed you, my darling!" he exclaimed

Matilda giggled as she gently held her cheek where R.J. had kissed her. "Dearest, I've only been away for six days." She removed her hand. "You act as if we were gone for a month," she said with her sweet, high-pitched voice.

"I know, but can you blame me, my love?" he asked with a deep voice that sounded much like mine.

Matilda chuckled and then hugged him, clearly amused by his love for her.

Young love.

I remembered being a newlywed like them. Time flies when you have dedicated it to others.

Addie smiled and approached me gracefully, not at all like the nervous Addie I once knew before we married. No, this was Queen Adelina, the heroine of Bamarre. Every young maiden wanted to be just like her. Who wouldn't? She hurled a sword through a dragon's throat, she choked a gryphon with her own hands, she had defeated several ogres, and had forced specters to prophesy for her. The fearless queen even led men into battle. During those eighteen years, Addie learned warfare and trained in many forms of martial arts, becoming the strong leader her father was not. Her knights and soldiers knew better than to oppose her. The only person bold enough to oppose her on rare occasions was our spirited daughter, Meryl. "Welcome home, Rhys," she said softly.

I leaned to kiss her, but I didn't have to bend over too far. After all, she grew to five feet and nine inches tall and I stood six feet and four inches. I grew an inch since our wedding and would possibly continue to grow for another twenty years. My chest also broadened since our wedding. I knew because I'd recently tried putting on my wedding doublet and it didn't fit.

"Thank you. It's good to be home." I looked down at Eliza. She smiled at me, exposing her gums. I smiled back as I stroked her dark brown—nearly black, wispy hair, presumably a combination between Addie's hair color and mine. "Hello, sweetie," I said, using my falsetto. I stood next to Addie and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into a quick hug.

Addie yawned, as it was late. "I need to go to bed," she stated.

"All right, give me a moment," I said, finger raised.

R.J. stood in front of me, arms wide open. "Welcome back, Father," he said warmly.

I embraced my son, who was broader but stood one inch above six feet. We assumed he inherited his broader physique from Addie's maternal side of the family, since Addie and I were slender, and he inherited Meryl's strong square jaw. With his black eyelashes, fine gray eyes, and dark complexion, R.J. looked more like Addie than me. However, he did have my high cheekbones and black wavy hair. The only way one could tell he was half sorcerer was if they watched him jump. He couldn't fly, but he could jump high and far. R.J. also took up my mannerisms and personality. We were both attracted to flashy colors, we were both dramatic, and we enjoyed bringing joy to others. Since I believed every male must be a gentleman, I taught him chivalry and manners at an early age. With his dashing good looks and gallantry, he was irresistible to noblewomen. Every ball we had, the young women flocked around him in hopes that he would fancy one of them. Obviously, it didn't work.

While it seemed like my son is perfect, that was far from the truth. He did formulate coherent sentences at the early age of two, but he is a slow learner when it came to his studies, like a sorcerer. And his great passion for music overpowered his desire to be a skilled combatant, which was important for the crown prince to learn for whenever he became king. His mother and sister could very easily beat him in any form of combat. Even I could beat him and I was not as good as they were. Addie and I tried to convince him to practice more but he wouldn't. He would much rather utilize that wide-ranged, deep, resonant voice of his in the form of singing, or play the lute. I didn't have a problem with his musical ability in the least. Addie, Matilda, and I enjoyed listening to his performances. We were very proud of him. I believed I awakened his music ability with the musical clouds I often conjured when he was a baby. I would always remember the way his face lit up and how he clapped with excitement.

I broke our embrace and met eyes with him. "It's good to be home." I glanced at Matilda and back at R.J. "Now, if you will excuse me, I need to retire to my study to watch Eliza for the night." I bowed, mainly to Matilda, to be polite even though I was of higher status as prince consort to the queen than she was as my son's consort.

She curtsied back.

I looked at Addie and held up my arms at chest level to show I was ready to hold Eliza.

Addie carefully transferred Eliza into my arms, and I held her securely.

"Have a good evening." Backward, I lifted into the air and then floated downward until I was in front of the tower door. I took the handle and yanked the heavy door open. Over the years, that wretched door had become heavier. I should probably fix it... sometime later, I thought.

Holding my glowing baton, I entered my study and laid my daughter down in the crib, which was located directly across from the door. Taking a stuffed animal, I played with her until she dozed off. It had been my job to watch our babies at night, since I was incapable of sleep. When we first had R.J., Bella explained to us how it was improper for royalty to exhaust themselves over taking care of their own children. We ignored her. The nursemaids tried helping at night, but I refused because I thought it was silly to have humans lose sleep—something vital to their survival, when I can very easily do it myself. Besides, I cherished those nights I had with them. Addie greatly appreciated me volunteering at night so she could sleep. Bella thought we were ridiculous, but we didn't care.

I drifted over to my cluttered desk. My desk faced the wall and was in between the door and the crib. I waved my baton over the candles to ignite them. A soft glow was all I needed while I read or wrote. I enjoyed doing both, slightly favoring writing. But tonight I felt like reading some of my journal entries to pass the time. If Orne were here, he would have nagged me to study more. But there was only so much studying an individual could do before exhausting their mind.

An hour later, someone knocked on my door. Who could that be?

Not wanting to wake Eliza, I flew to the door and opened it slightly. Surprised, I whispered, "Addie?"