The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux

A/N- Here we go again. I hope everyone is well. this story will end soon. The first part, maybe it will have future chapters.

Meetings - The past

The fireplace disappeared gradually as the room behind became visible. Right away, Sally's mother flew to meet her daughter. Darcy noticed that Sally's mother was able to cross, just for a second, to greet her daughter. Both of them sprouted wings, flying back to greet Raven.

"Sally flies?" Elizabeth observed.

"Indeed and look at her teeth, nasty, a double row," Darcy grinned. She might be a gossip, but she obeys, hiding her nature."

Raven stood there, dressed as Elizabeth remembered her people dressed. Mid-thigh tunics of a thin fabric, thin metallic fabric vests with high collars, baggy trousers inside tall boots, maybe suede. Like others, he wore a half helmet. Raven's vest and helmet were protective armor, worn at all times. His skin and multicolored hair would blend with the sunset.

"My son, you are handsome. You look like your mother, and like me, your coloring is much like hers. I never told you, your mother is beautiful, some say few are like her. Please introduce me." Raven stood, he was taller than a human male, though Darcy was now as tall. Their coloring, darker than hers, made them look like creatures of the night.

Elizabeth believed she had never seen anyone that looked like her William; he was the best looking of all, and now even more. Beautiful would be the right word to describe them; yes, all of them were unearthly beautiful. She remembered calling him too proud, but she had been wrong about him, how much she had changed. Thank goodness she had.

"My bride, Elizabeth, her father, Prince Argo, and Mr. Green."

After a brief talk, Raven asked, "I think you two should be able to cross. Would you please try, it would make me very happy."

Argo, standing on the side, agreed. Mr. Green said, "I will stay here guarding, but," he changed into the giant, or almost one. The ceiling was five meters high. "This is better, although I am still too short, I can protect you better."

His distorted features adjusted, the shrinking had deformed them. The wild red hair stayed wild, though it wasn't red. Instead, it was many shades of red and green; the nose wasn't broken, and the unibrow was gone. Darcy noticed that Green was quite handsome. That was why some non-dragon ladies would marry a Dragon or vice versa; Darcy remembered what Argo and Lizzie had said. He and Mrs. Reynolds would make a striking pair. Now he realizes, 'No wonder that Alesa likes Mr. Green.'

"Mr. Green is Prince Lio from the Green house. His father, a king, rules his kind. His family always assigns their children to be nurses, tutors, and protectors of a few select families. He was my wife's caretaker, and later, Elizabeth's." Argo introduced him. "I believe he and Alesa, Lady Analee's nurse, are considering a future together."

Raven made a face, "I see." He hoped the half-dragon prince, the one for Alesa, didn't show up. He was arrogant, was wealthy, powerful, and was notorious for his bad temper. It never occurred to Raven that Alesa, Mrs. Reynolds, might have a suitor.

Argo stood in between Darcy and Elizabeth. They held his hands. They stepped in across the threshold; all went dark, they could see lights ahead. If felt as if they were going thru ice, wet and cold.

Then it changed; they blinked and looked around. They seemed to be in an enclosed room, but the floors were soft moss. Plants were growing all around, insects, birds chirping, the sound of running water, the air smelled of the flowers growing everywhere. They saw a few trees, but no apparent ceiling or furniture. It was neither warm nor cold. It was beautiful.

Darcy didn't have a long time to assess further because his father's arms went around him. "My son, my dear William, how I have missed you. " He kissed his son's cheeks several times, then held him tight.

Darcy felt at peace. He had missed his father, so; they held each other in quiet content. Elizabeth dried a few tears. Sally and her mother tried to encroach, making everyone laugh. Finally, Sally's mother asked Darcy to pick her up since Sally was already sitting on Argo. Sally's mother was bossy, just like her daughter, she made Darcy smile.

Raven held Elizabeth, kissed her cheeks, and complimented her beauty. Both Argo and he agreed, a time of peace was upon them.

They laughed when Darcy told his father that Sally was a gossip. His father guffawed with Smith. "I know, like mother like daughter. Sally's mother has almost caused wars, she repeats things we have said. They are like young children. She was mad at me for years, but I've been forgiven." They were talking while the dogs were playing a bit crazy. Lizzy couldn't get over to see Sally flying.

They heard a big ruckus, a large feline, twice the size of a cat, was hissing on top of a tree. Raven called the dogs, flying around the angry feline. When the dogs came back, the feline vanished. "Ah, Sally is like her mother. Both have the same enemies."

A tray laden with drinks and food appeared on top of a low table that wasn't there before.

They sat in comfortable benches made of spongy material. Raven explained that he needed to see the past, one that Lady Zoe could see. Darcy told him all that he learned in the last hours.

Smith, a name close to his own, left to find Lady Zoe. It wasn't long before Lady Zoe appeared, happy to see Darcy. She kissed Darcy's cheeks, as it was the tradition between nobles. After brief introductions, she spoke. Lizzie was unhappy, Lady Zoe was beautiful. Lizzie thought Zoe was flirting until Lady Zoe also kissed her and Argo.

Lady Zoe sat down and asked Raven to let her talk. "I need your help. Some years ago, I met someone who I believed to be a human. I hated Analee, an old grudge, from the time we trained together. Looking at the future, I saw her son marrying the king's grandchild. I decided it wouldn't happen. She was already the ruler of her people," she saw Raven's surprised look, "didn't you know? They are mighty; they guard the portals."

Argo said, "I never met them, they are secretive. I hope this revelation stays here." He looked at Darcy, "You are like her. The knowledge must be inside you, it could be useful."

"I see, she could have gone whenever she wished?" Raven asked. He felt something loosen inside with the realization; he had met the one, was too blind and treated her wrong, and, now, she was gone. He wanted to see her again, his heart ached thinking it was too late. Argo noticed, interesting.

Zoe nodded and continued. "I knew Raven cared for Analee, and I wanted bad things for her and her family. George asked for gifts that I granted. Sorry for what I am about to say. I used to think my brother had borrowed Wickham' s body to kill Raven's human body as I had asked him to do. But, I was wrong, my brother didn't want to do it, he told me recently. So George must have killed Raven."

She looked sad, "Raven, I am sorry, it is no excuse, but I have been rejected thrice, twice by Prince Argo and his brother, and later by you. It hurt my pride." Zoe knew she had to come clean, no matter how difficult it was.

Zoe stood and paced, "I seduced Raven, but he didn't marry me; instead, he took my child away from me. Hence, wanting revenge, I bought a potion from a nasty human witch. It would make Raven forget his true feelings for Analee; I think she was his one. But again, it failed. Instead, he brought Lady Anne over and married her. Later, I made Lady Anne hate Analee." Zoe looked sad. Lizzie sat by her and held her hand; Zoe was grateful for the kindness.

"Nothing worked, the future was unchanged, in all the futures, Analee's son would marry the king's grandchild, sooner or later. So George was my last resort against my mother's advice, I must add. George does as he wishes; furthermore, he wants my daughter, who is but a child. He is dangerous and will wreck many lives; I have seen several possible futures, and, in each, he hurts many. In some, my daughter dies. I believe Lord Argo's child also dies."

Darcy nodded, looking at Argo, they both knew it was true.

Raven said, "I have an idea, but I need to see the past. A few days before George arrived with his parents. He was a young boy back then. I also want to see the day I was murdered. And what do you mean saying that he wants Georgie, she is a child. If so, I will kill him. She is not going to die on his hands."

Exactly what Darcy was afraid of. He made a face to Lady Zoe. She understood. "He wants many young ladies."

Argo answered, "Indeed, George already tried to take my baby, my Lydia, and hurt Smith's son; i want to kill him as well. He wanted to seduce her, who knows what else he did."

Raven's anger was creating high winds. "If he touches Georgie, or has touched one of her fingers, he is dead."

Zoe, after Raven calmed down, agreed to show him the past, but they were interrupted. Smith came, "Where is Alesa? Prince Zal, the half-dragon, is here today. The prince wants her hand in marriage and says Raven agreed; he wants a meeting."

Mr. Green heard and roared. He was coming across.

Raven said, "Please excuse me, I will be back. I wanted to reward Alesa with a kingdom. I had no idea."

He left and came back, smiling. "Alesa has a younger sister. After I explained that Alesa was promised to Prince Lio, I offered to mediate for him. He accepted, saying he wants no problems with his king. It will teach me to ask first."

Mr. Green nodded, still unhappy. What if Alesa thought the half-dragon was more handsome? Zal had a reputation for being the most beautiful of them all. Many ladies wanted his favor, dragon or not.

Green wasn't wrong. Prince Zal stepped in, he had forgotten a gift for prince Raven. When Lizzy saw him, her eyes opened like saucers, and she blushed. Lady Zoe covered her mouth to hide a smile, most females were in awe when they saw him.

Zal was not quite a giant but twice Raven's height. He made himself a little shorter when he came in. She had known Zal since she was a young one. The funny thing was that Zal didn't have lovers, not a one, but had many offers. He had told Zoe he would wait to be in a union since pleasure without feelings had no appeal. He wasn't alone, many dragons, male and female, were like him. Too bad, Zoe, along with many others, had hoped.

Mr. Green worried, Zal was indeed all that was said. He wanted to be in a formal union with Alesa before she saw Zal. He had nothing to worry about, he saw Zal; Zal's eyes zeroed on Lizzie. "My Lord, please introduce me to this beauty, if she is not taken, she would please me." his eyes glowed.

Darcy looked amused, but inside he was worried. Lizzie answered on her own. "If I were not taken, it would be an honor, but I am in a union with Lord Raven's son." Darcy saw her blushing.

Zal looked crushed, he could see himself with her. It was more than that, "My lady, my kind and yours often share a spouse, do keep me in mind, it would make me happy."

Raven, Smith, and Argo guffawed at Darcy's face. He thought that it couldn't be right. The males had harems, but a female with two husbands? Why should a woman want two husbands?

"Yes, my dear son, it is not uncommon, particularly with ladies wanted by many. My beautiful mother had two husbands. Her second husband was Smith's father. He had lost his wife and brought Smith with him. We grew up together. You have an aunt you haven't met; she is my mother's child with her other husband. Our parents were very happy until the three were murdered. There are advantages in such unions, mostly for the males. Ahem."

Argo agreed, grinning, "My mother was already married when she married my father. I never met her other husband, though, he was killed in one of our wars. My father said they were very happy. I have two half-sisters, older than me."

"It is right. My lady, don't forget my request. I would imagine you will hear such a proposal many times during your lifetime, but consider mine as the one that matters." Zal smiled, both Lizzie and Zoe looked dazed, or Darcy thought so.

Zoe had never seen Zal interested. Remembering a future of Raven's son, she lowered her face and smiled.

Zal had asked once to look at his future, long ago. Zoe saw Raven's son, they were talking looking at Prince Argo's daughter. She had shared the vision with him. At the time, both had been very young and hadn't recognized the ones in the vision. They laughed because the lady appeared to be a child of the enemy; they were not so sure about Raven's son.

There was more, but Zal hadn't seen the rest, Zoe saw it much later, some years ago. It was forgotten till this day. Zal looked at Zoe and nodded slightly; Zoe knew that Zal had just remembered.

Zal turned towards Raven, smiling, "Sir, don't talk to anyone on my behalf, not yet. I find myself in no hurry to find a spouse. I have patience; I have waited 120 years, I can wait longer." He said with his eyes glued to Lizzie. It made Darcy a little weary.

Zal left after giving Raven a coffer and bowing deeply to Lizzie. Raven opened the coffer and smiled. A bejeweled dog collar for Sally's mother. "Another hopeful for future puppies," he explained. "I hope she would have more, but it seems one litter is the limit, but who knows."

Darcy decided to let the Zal proposal go untouched, best that way. What if Lizzie would consider it? He didn't like the idea, not at all. Even less when the two ladies looked at each other grinning, and Zoe winked.

What Zoe said, worried Darcy. "I have known Zal forever. Frankly, he has never shown interest in anyone. His father is pressing him for heirs, hence Alesa. No surprise, Lady Elizabeth is beautiful, and we know dragons are known for their patience." She shrugged her shoulders and said no more.

Argo agreed, "She looks like her mother, beautiful indeed," he looked at Darcy, "son, you have much to learn. We aren't humans. Someone like Zal would be a powerful protector, we have many enemies; keep your mind open."

"Now, let's see, please, Zoe," Raven asked.

Everyone was quiet. Lady Zoe waved her hand, in front of them they saw George's parents, standing in front of a casket, grieving for their young dead son. Someone in the dark told them, "You fault for trying to get rid of me." In the next scene, they were in their carriage, going to George's senior new job. Raven said, "Yes, what I saw was right, they were afraid of their 'son.' George was someone else taking the son's place."

Smith said, "Some kind of vermin or another, a shape changer. They are despised by everyone and prey upon humans. They like lavish lives and will stop at nothing to get the riches they want. They are powerful enough, I think a human would call him a demon. Close enough."

"I want to see the day I was killed." Raven asked, "I just cannot remember."

That day Raven was working with his back to the door when George came looking like Mrs. Reynold, bringing his tea Raven lifted his eyes and thanked her. He took a sip of his tea, then a second one, by the time 'Mrs. Reynolds,' left the room, Raven's head was on the desk. He opened his eyes already fuzzy. That was when they saw the hideous creature George was, his face looked like a monstrous rodent's face, his body was deformed, he pulled out a large dagger dripping a green fluid and...

Elizabeth was screaming and crying. The vision stopped. "George is a nasty creature, there are more like him. They have to hide. He was my murderer; he probably also poisoned me. Sorry, darling didn't mean to upset you." Raven wrapped his arm around Elizabeth. Her father sat by her.

"He forced his attentions on me as well, but I fought him. I want to learn to fight. Thinking that he touched me, sickens me." A shiver ran down her back. Darcy controlled a growl.

Mr. Green said, "Your father and I, and now Lord Metcalfe, will train all of you."

Darcy agreed; he was sick, thinking Georgiana had liked the monster. "How do you kill them?" He asked.

"Not easy, only Dragon Fire can fully destroy them; otherwise, they come back. They disappear fast, you have one shot. But before, we need to make sure he is the same one we saw. If not, we will need to be aware there is another George. Smith can look inside him and see what he can learn. By the way, George cannot go inside a house uninvited."

Darcy told him about the figurine Miss Bingley was asked to bring.

"That was my fear; he isn't alone. The minion will be back, it might take days, weeks, but it will happen. Maybe he is not alone; perhaps he has others, we need to make sure George is gone. We must find out what his plans are." Raven said.

Raven thanked Zoe, "My gratitude, I have done much wrong," he kissed her hand. Raven apologized again for taking her child. "She is a beauty. Georgiana brought me great joy. But it was wrong; I could have shared."

Argo also thanked her. Darcy asked her, "Do you want to see Georgiana? I think it is time she learns who she is."

Sally was all anxious, her sister Vicky, appeared in the room and ran. "The George is outside, trying to come in."