Kalli had taken extra care in dressing. She had chosen to wear a black silk sheath dress had slits to her mid-thigh on both sides for more freedom of movement. She wore black silk covered high heels. She wore her new ring and the bracelet Nuada had given her. She wanted to please Nuada. As she was about to leave her rooms Grigori Rasputin appeared before her.

"How did you find me?" she demanded.

"Not sure really. I have been searching for you for quite some time. I have only gotten flashes of you until recently."

"What do you want from me?" Kalli asked. "Hellboy was the key for you portal."

"Yes, but you are gifted and I have need for your gifts."

Kalli had been edging toward her bookcase where she had a panic button installed. It would trigger an intercom that would carry her voice throughout the building.

"Grigori Rasputin, leave me in peace," she called out in a panic filled voice.

This was what she had been trying to protect herself from.

Nuada, Hellboy, Abe, Nuala, and Liz entered the room in time to see Grigori grab Kalli. He produced a rather large knife and held it to her throat.

"Release her," Nuada demanded with the commanding tone of a King.

"I think not. I have plans in which Kallistrate will be quite useful."

While Grigori was distracted the others saw Kalli pull the vial that held the potion that would transform her into an Elf from her cleavage. She carefully pulled the stopper, drank the potion and spoke the incantation all while he watched the others.

"What have you done?" Grigori demanded as the blade bit into Kalli's throat.

"Something I hadn't planned to do just yet," Kalli said as the transformation began.

Before their eyes the horns on her head as well as her tail shrank to nothingness. The blue of her skin faded until it was as white as that of Nuala and Nuada's.

"What is this?"

"The fruition of a promise made to my fiancé. I promised to change for him before we went to join his people. I had not intended to change until just before we left, but you have given me no choice."

"I demand that you return to you true self or I shall harm you."

"Demand all you like there is no way I can change now. My gifts are gone," Kalli said simply.

Grigori made to plunge his knife into Kalli's heart only to find himself impaled in the side by Nuada's expanding spear. Grigori dropped his blade and Nuada snapped think silver manacles around his wrists before he moved.

"What do you intend to do?" Grigori demanded as Nuada removed the spear.

"You threatened my future Queen. You shall return with us to Tuatha Dé Danann to face judgment. The wound prevents you from moving too quickly and the manacles are specially made to hinder the use of magic or any other supernatural ability you might have."

"I'll take him to be bandaged and put him in holding," Johann said from the door.

"Thank you," Nuada said as he pushed Grigori forward.

Johann led Grigori away while Kalli sagged against the bookcase and covered her eyes. Nuada returned to Kalli's side and took her in his arms. He touched her neck where blood still seeped. He felt guilty that she had given up her abilities, but now she wouldn't be tortured by her tattoos. He pressed his lips to hers in a reassuring kiss that was filled with love and passion.

"You are mine forever and I will protect you when you need protection," Nuada told her softly.

"I love you, too," she replied.

He smiled at her words. He intended to say them to her, but instead found himself saying something very masculine. She was probably laughing at him inside. However, when he looked in her eyes he still saw fear.

"The punishment for the attempted murder of a future Queen is death. He shall not be long for this earth," Nuada told her.

"Many have tried to kill him, yet he still lives," she replied.

"Elvin methods make it much more difficult.. We strip magic before a death sentence is carried out," he returned.

"Oh," she said.

Nuala pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to Nuada. He dabbed at the blood on Kalli's neck and found that her wound had healed.

"You are healed," he told her.

"What?" she questioned in surprise. "How is that possible?"

"Elves heal all wounds so long as we are not mortally wounded," Nuala replied.

"You told me I would be giving up my abilities. Why didn't you tell me I would still be able to heal?" Kalli said.

"I wanted you to change for my brother if you loved him not for abilities. Also I was not completely sure you would take on all the Elvin attributes," Nuala responded.

"I understand. Thank you," Kalli returned.

"If you are up to it we should attend the feast," Nuala replied.

"Yes, just let me wash off the blood," Kalli responded.

Kalli went into the bathroom. She washed off the blood and returned. She still looked unsteady.

"Okay," she said softly. "I'm ready now."

"Are you sure?" Nuada asked. "We can certainly postpone the feast until you are ready."

"I'm fine," Kalli said as she smiled up at him. "I'd like to follow through with your plan."

*****

In the middle of the feast Nuada and Kalli got to their feet and announced to all present that they intended to wed upon their return to Tuatha Dé Danann. They invited everyone to join them saying that they would send word through Hellboy to let them know when and where the marriage ceremony would take place.

As everyone finished eating they came by the table that Nuada and Kalli were sitting at and congratulated them or wised them a long and happy marriage.