Irisa's dark eyes rounded in slight surprise as Stefan stepped behind her. She'd known the man for a while now, and his silent swift movements akin to a jungle cat, were still something she was getting used to. She didn't know if she'd ever be used to it. She didn't know if she wanted to get used to it, either.

Irisa murmurred softly as she relaxed. She slowly released the sharp breath that she'd sucked in through her teeth. "Your sister does not trust me," she said softly. Irisa turned slowly and leaned back against the vanity. She reached out and took Stefan's hands. Her thumbs circled the skin between thumb and forefinger. "She does not understand my loyalties."

"As much as I would like to say that this bothers me, in fact, it does not." A slight smile curved Stefan's lips. "However, Natasha has trusted the wrong people too many times. I am very glad that she's rebuilding herself. She needs to be strong right now."

"I stand beside you, Stefan, you know this, but I do not fully understand why you are doing this." Irisa moved closer to Stefan, standing up straight. She thought for a moment, trying to figure out the right way to express her thoughts. If she spoke too quickly, she would end up with a string of Russian and English words mixed together that, in the end, made no sense at all. "You said once that you held no one more dear than your nephew. Yet, you come to help Alexis, not Nikolas."

Stefan's face turned down and he let out a heavy breath. "Nikolas is beyond my help, at this time. The things that he has been told… My nephew was glad to see me gone. He has been too far corrupted."

"And Alexis? You banished her, at one time, from your family. And now, you risk all to protect her."

"I have always protected Natasha." His voice was light. He rose his head and looked at Irisa. "She, too, was corrupted, but she has seen the error of her ways. I knew this when she took my ring. I knew this when she mourned my loss. Of the two, Alexis is ready to return to the family. Nikolas will take some time."

"But, you have not given up all hope for him?"

"Never." He shook his head once, briskly. He squeezed Irisa's hands. "There is still a Cassadine somewhere inside of him. It's this Emily Quartermaine that causes him such grief. I made mistakes last time. I tried to get rid of her myself, and I won't do that again. She will string her own noose one day, and then Nikolas will come back to me. He will return to his family."

"And until then?"

"Until then, my love, he will be cast aside." Stefan's face was tight for a moment, then he shook his head. He brightened, smiling at Irisa. He pulled her closer to him, then his arms wrapped around her waist. "Enough about Nikolas. We are here for far greater things. I stand, this moment, with a far greater ally than my nephew."

Irisa smiled softly. Her arms enveloped him. It was still difficult for her to believe that she felt so close to someone. For years, Irisa Yatskya had held her heart close. There were too many men who took the title of prince easily. She had seen too many men come and go, not for her, but because they wanted a title. Those who were already princes wanted to be a part of a higher line. Those who were not just wanted the name, regardless of its usefulness. Prince or Princess could allow one priveleges, but there was no power behind the title, anymore.

But, Stefan didn't want to be the prince. He didn't even want her money. Irisa had offered to help him, and often, Stefan had declined. He opened up to her not for what she could give him, but because he could trust her. For the first time in years, he felt that he could share with another person. He had found someone who understood his means, and believed that they were justified despite the ends.

She loved him like she had loved no other. Irisa wasn't sure that she had ever felt a love so strong. Something in Stefan's cool demeanor appealed to her, but his aching heart called to him. He wanted to protect everyone else, but who would heal his wounds? Irisa thought that she could be the one to do that. Of course, there were parts that no one but his traitorous family would be able to truly heal, but she could place the salve until their time had come. As long as he allowed her to do so.

"Are you prepared for your part in this plan?" Stefan leaned back and looked down into her face. He rose one hand and brushed his knuckles against her smooth, creamy cheek. "Are you sure that you can do this?"

"I can do this and a lot more," she told him. Her smile didn't falter, but inside, she wasn't the most thrilled about what had to be done. Irisa had no problem playing a part. She had played the damsel in the past, and for things of a lot less import. Those had all been games, and if she faltered, then no one was hurt. If she slipped up in this game, people were at stake. Stefan was at risk.

More selfishly, though, she knew that going forward meant that this would be one of the last times that she saw Stefan for quite a while. She had no reason to be on Spoon Island, as far as those in town would be concerned, and travelling across the harbor would be suspicious. She would take a room on the mainland, but Stefan couldn't visit. He had to stay in Wyndemere. She had to stay in Port Charles. She knew that she was helping him, but she didn't have to like it.

"Don't worry yourself, Irisa." He flipped his hand and cupped her face in his palm. "This will not take very long, and when it is all said and done, you will come home. Your Bacchanalia will be the grandest in Cassadine family history."

"And no one will fall from parapets?"

Stefan sighed. "No one will fall from anything, unless it is you, falling into my arms." He lowered his head and kissed her, lips pressed hard against hers. Irisa reached up and her fingers crawled through the short sides of his hair. "You have none of the fears from the past, Irisa."

"Ah, but I do. Helena still lurks somewhere, and let's not forget Luke Spencer."

"But, he wasn't invited to the last Bacchanalia. This time, my dear, he is. This is not just our engagement, Irisa. This is my ultimate unveiling. The heart of the Cassadine family has returned, for all of Port Charles to see. And on my arm, the loveliest princess to grace the arm of the second born son."

She smiled up at him. His demeanor had changed since his surgery. The burns were gone from the right side of his face, and with them had gone his anger and dejection. Though, the games of Phantom of the Opera had been quite fun. At one point, Irisa had come close to telling to keep the scars. She loved him despite that physical flaw, but he wanted his face to be clear. He wanted to look like himself again, and she couldn't fault him for that. She had to admit, she did like the beard, and it had taken quite a bit of work to replenish the lost follicles. It was worth it, though. Besides, the costume was still packed away. They could still play Phantom of the Opera.

"Before I leave you for so long, Stefan, grant me one last request." She stepped back from him. Her hands slid along his arms until she held him by the hands again. "Make love to me, my prince," Irisa whispered. She pulled him towards the bed, then released him. She laid down and looked up at him with heated eyes.

Stefan smirked. "The Phantom?"

"Nyet," she whispered. "The Cassadine."

Stefan's grin widened and he pulled off his jacket. "That, my dear, I believe I can still do." He unfastened his collar, and fell on her.