Chapter 20:

Third Person:

While something told her that she still shouldn't forgive Faelern, she still did and he forgave her. They were still together and they still obviously loved each other. The best part, to both of them, was their child, whom was defiantly not only going to live her/his life to the fullest (they both agreed to save their child above themselves), but also going to have both of his/her parents looking out for her/him. She walked to Airdan's home with Faelern's hand around her waist. She informed the others to meet her there for an important meeting- which made everyone nervous because they were terrified of her annoying that she and Faelern broke up or that she had a miscarriage. Millions of terrible ideas flew through their minds so when Mai walked in with Faelern practically attached to her hip, they were all shocked because out of all the possibilities that they thought of, them actually working it out wasn't really one of them.

"I totally knew it," Aida smirked with her arms crossed.

You so did not, Sky thought dryly. Zander stood by Aida protectively. Diego was by Sky with his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Tillie and Airdan were the first to make a move, hugging Mai tightly.

"It's good to see everything worked out, Miss Mai," Airdan said formally.

"I'm so happy! You didn't leave!"

Tillie continued to hold onto Mai even after Airdan let go (Mostly because Faelern was glaring). Finally, Tillie gave Mai a chance to breath.

"Yeah, I didn't. How could I when I have so many people here to look after? Without me, who knows how long it'll be before you die," Mai lightly joked.

Seena ran over and jumped into Mai's arms.

"Seena scared! Seena thought you were gone!"

"I'm right here, cutie. I promise, I won't leave, ever again."

"Promise to Seena?"

"I promise," Mai swore.

Seena still was in Mai's arms as Mai sat down carefully in a chair. Faelern stood behind her with a hand on her shoulder like usual. The others gathered around, questions filling their minds.

"Now, Seena, I need you to go outside and play for a bit alright? I promise I will be right here when you get back," Mai smiled.

"Seena stay," Seena said stubbornly.

"Seena has to go outside, I promise I'll play with you later."

The Lith looked thoughtful for a moment before answering,

"Seena sleep with Mai? Seena get nightmares."

"Okay, cutie, but only if you go play right now, okay?"

Seena nodded before dashing off. Mai turned to everyone else as soon as the Lith was out of hearing range.

"I figured it was about time to tell ye what I am," Mai said, "Faelern figured it out- that's why we got into that wee disagreement... But I promise ye, I mean no harm."

"What do you mean," Tillie asked.

Mai sighed and ran a hand through her hair.

"Perhaps it's best to start at the beginning," Faelern suggested as he whispered in her ear.

"Aye," Mai agreed as she turned to everyone else, "See, lads and lassies, I am Irish- that's the truth. I was born in northern Ireland and raised there. It's my home."

Mai got a fond smile on her face,

"Ye should have seen the wonderful views there. It's all rolling hills as far as ye can see. The skies are clear and there's always a pub within walking range... But when I was just a lass, I learned the truth about what I was. See, I was able to do this for as long as I can remember."

Her fingers trickled with black electricity,

"So I always knew I was different, but I kept it a secret. A man approached me and he was the one to explain everything to me. The ones I thought of as parents were not my parents at all, but rather they were bodyguards for my father's court. I was born in Ireland, yes, but it was them who raised me instead of my parents- it was all for protection since my species were going through a war, but the war was over- which was why it was time for me to learn the truth."

"What did he tell you," Tillie asked.

"He told me I was different. He told me... This is actually rather hard to say... Do you recall the bedtime story I told Seena? The one of the strange world with red skies and white water?"

Each one of them slowly nodded, dreading where she was going. Faelern's grip tightened on her shoulder.

"The story isn't a folk tale by my people- It's a true story," Mai explained, "Except the princess' name wasn't Seena..."

"It's Mai," Sky finished softly, "You're the princess... You're a demon..."

"Aye, I am," Mai said as she looked up at them, her eyes turning black.

Tillie backed away as Airdan stepped in front of her. All the men stepped in front of their loved girls- Diego protecting Sky, Airdan in front of Tillie and finally Zander attempting to stand in front of Aida, who wouldn't stand it. Jace tensed and got ready to fight if necessary. Aida stubbornly looked at Mai, possibly the only one who wasn't terrified. She was shocked, yes. Was she totally thrown off guard? Hell yes. Aida stepped forward slightly, despite Zander's protests,

"You think we give one flying fuck about what you are?"

"Considering that what I am is a demon and a princess one at that, I thought you might, but then again, you're full of surprises, Not-so-noble," Mai gave a weak smile.

"Damn right," Aida said, "I don't care if you're a princess or a demon. Because you know what you are to me?"

"A good source of entertainment?"

Aida made a gruff noise, almost a chuckle,

"You're a damn good fighter that fought by me, that's what you are and that's all I care about."

Mai broke into a huge smile at that and Aida gave a small one back in return. Faelern's grip on her shoulder relaxed, obviously pleased that they weren't going to act brashly as he had done. Tillie finally just burst into laughter,

"Aida's right! But just look at us! We have an Eagles leader, an emotionally unstable girl, a grumpy moon elf mage, a stern Sun elf, an alchemist dwarf, a knight, and now a demon! We really are the start of a bad joke!"

"Now we just need to walk into a bar," Mai joked, "Are you sure you're okay with it?"

"No," Zander said sternly, "But that doesn't mean we don't trust you. Give us some time, but we'll eventually get used to it."

"Does this mean you can tell us everything," Tillie asked excitedly, "Like what your powers are and what's it like at your home?"

"I can answer all your questions," Mai swore, "As for powers- I can shadow travel, which means using the shadows to travel to different locations, but it takes a lot out of me. I can create a black mist, fire, black lightening. I can manipulate people more easily as well as lie and detect others' lies. I can briefly read minds, but I have to concentrate so it's hard."

Mai frowned in thought as she listed off her powers one by one before she finished. Aida whistled,

"Hot damn... So do you like those demons we fought at the cave?"

"No," Mai answered, "I look slightly different than a human- black eyes and nails that are like claws, my hair's longer and I have horns."

"Sweet," Aida smirked, "You know, up until that incident at the cave, we were doubting your claims about not being a human."

Mai simply just laughed, glad that now her family knew about her species. More so, they accepted it as well. With that, Mai felt as if her journey in the new world (her new world, she realized) wasn't entirely completed.

She knew she was going to be there for a very long time.