The docks outside the castle walls were pocked with barnacles, blue and green shells almost glittering as the sea waves lapped against the wood. Varian looked out across the blue expanse with a deep breath in his lungs, studying the clouds on the sunny horizon. The Moonstone's fire within him was quiet, peaceful, and it felt good.

Footsteps approached from behind, creaking across the old boards, and Martin appeared at his shoulder. "It's a nice day," he commented, his blonde hair tossed away from his forehead by the sea breeze. "I always liked that the ocean is right here. Makes for a great view."

"Coronan sea salt is exported for a premium, too," Varian noted.

Martin shrugged. "I prefer sweets, myself."

Varian chuckled. "Heh. Me too."

"I wanted to let you know that the guards are now very well adjusted to Rudiger's company," Martin explained with a smirk. "I've caught several of them giving him belly rubs and sneaking apples to him past curfew."

Varian snorted. "Good to know." He gave Martin a side-glance. "You like your new position? Youngest scout lieutenant in history."

Martin shrugged. "Honestly, I don't think I make for a good scout, but Yaeger wants someone he can trust in the position…or he just wants to keep an eye on me. Probably the second one."

"Probably."

"It's nice to see that he's warmed up to you, though." Martin smiled. "You're becoming a bit of a celebrity, the more people learn about what you did to help the queen."

Varian winced. "You know, after the past year, I've realized I really don't want the attention."

Martin sighed. "Neither does your girlfriend. I barely see her."

Varian opened his mouth to protest the 'girlfriend' remark, then stopped himself and shrugged. "She's been spending a lot of time with her mom. Even I haven't really had the chance to talk to her."

Martin took a deep breath of sea air. "I hear she still has her magic."

"She was born with it," Varian pointed out. "Even if we tried what we did with her mom, it wouldn't be long before she regenerates it."

Martin suddenly looked alarmed. "That sounds…exploitable. Don't you think?"

Varian suddenly shot him a scathing look. "I won't let anyone touch her," he vowed.

"Relax," Martin held up his hands. "I'm just saying, we don't even know what's going to happen with her mom's magic."

Varian exhaled, scratching at the back of his head. "We're calling it 'the Crimson Fragment'. We've been debating what to do with it in the long-term, and Rapunzel seems to think it's best to keep it where it is. 'In case of emergencies', she said."

"What kind of emergency?" Martin speculated.

"Probably the next time an undead army shows up," Varian answered half-seriously.

Martin sniffed. "I'm more concerned about living armies. We've had reports of possible movement in Ingvarr after the Sapporian coup. We think it's just to reinforce their own security, but…" he trailed off. "Anyways, there are rumors of a wedding. Sounds like Fitzherbert went for it again, and she said yes."

Varian glanced again. "You don't look happy about it," he mentioned when he saw Martin's frown.

Martin's face went pink. "Eh, I just don't get what she sees in him, that's all." He noticed Varian's wide-eyed stare and blanched. "Don't. It's not like that."

"Sure." Varian raised an eyebrow. "Did you ever get back to Bethany? The person, I mean."

"Yeah," Martin grumbled. "She ran off with some guy from Newbarth. Said she thought I was dead, but I think it was just an excuse."

Varian nodded slowly. "That's lame. Doesn't she know you helped save the kingdom?"

Martin's laugh was hollow and empty. "I'm pretty sure all I did was stand around and wait for the world to end!" Then he sobered, squaring his shoulders. "Besides, I shouldn't have to save a kingdom to win a girl's affection."

"No," Varian agreed. "But it probably helps."

"Well," Martin pursed his lips. "I guess I'll get right on that, then."

"There's no hurry, Lieutenant Edrick." They turned to see Shay making her way down the dock, her hair tied back from her bright face. "Congratulations on your promotion," she continued with a shy smile. "You deserve it."

"Thanks." Martin cleared his throat bashfully before extending his hand. "Congratulations on becoming court mage."

Shay's face went stark-white, and her eyes bulged. "Court what?"

Varian watched as the color instantly drained from Martin's entire body, and his hand went from being out in the air to mashing against his forehead. At first, all he could make were unintelligible mumbles before finally stammering, "I-I thought you knew! I am so so –"

Then Shay gave an unladylike snort. "Relax," she reassured him. "I'm teasing, of course I know about it."

Varian threw his head back and laughed, clapping Martin on the shoulder. "Oh, that was good! You looked like you were going to turn inside out!"

"Shut up!" Martin gruffly folded his arms, blood resurging to his cheeks. "It's not funny."

Shay's laughter subsided, quickly gathering herself. "Actually, I…I haven't accepted anything, yet."

"Oh," Martin blinked. "I had assumed you'd…" He cleared his throat again and extended his hand once more. "I think you would make an excellent court mage."

"Thank you," Shay said haltingly, and she finally shook his hand. "I appreciate it."

"Yes, well," Martin glanced between the two of them. "I should probably report back to Yaeger. Docks are secure." He excused himself with an awkward bow before marching his way back to land, and Varian and Shay watched as a couple young girls descended into giggling curtsies as he rounded the corner and out of sight.

"You seem to be okay with him, now," Varian pointed out, leaning against a nearby post. "You think you're friends?"

"Maybe?" Shay dusted at the front of her skirt. "I'm still getting used to the idea of having so many people know who I am, let alone being friends. But Martin's alright. I know he's insecure, but he'll make a wonderful scout lieutenant." She gave Varian a strange look, and he realized he was frowning. "Or is it competition you're concerned about?"

"What?" Varian spluttered. "I don't...I have no idea what you're talking about."

Shay nodded knowingly. "Of course."

They settled into an oddly comfortable silence before Varian asked, "I thought you were going to take the offer. Martin's right, there's no better candidate for court mage."

"Varian, I'm sixteen in three months," Shay slowly shook her head. "I'm barely at courting age, and they're offering me a place in the royal court?"

Varian processed that statement for a moment. "Sixt…That means I turned sixteen two weeks ago." He exhaled sharply. "How did I miss that?"

"I think you had more important things on your mind. Sorry," she rolled her eyes at herself. "Rhetorical question."

Varian ran a hand through his hair, trying to fix the way the wind had blown it. "I'm going to be Court Alchemist," he admitted suddenly.

Shay's lips parted. "Really?"

"Yeah." Varian sighed, planting his hands on his hips. "Something, isn't it? Bunch of infants running a kingdom."

Shay shook her head with a smile.

"So, age-excuse aside," Varian pressed, "what's the real reason?"

A breeze picked up, tossing black strands away from Shay's troubled expression. "Mam's leaving Corona," she confessed.

Varian's heart froze, and his arms slowly went down to his sides. "What?"

"She's returning to the Isles, where she was born. She says it's where she belongs." Shay took a long breath and held it, then let it out slowly. "She wants me to go with her."

"No," Varian, louder than he'd intended. "You can't!"

Shay was shaking her head again, her expression pinched with pain. "She's my mother, Varian. She's my family."

"Caius is your family," Varian insisted. "You can stay with him!"

"That would be unseemly on a number of accounts," Shay told him, "you know that. Caius is on shaky ground as it is, he still needs to pay his due to the crown for my father's death. I'm amazed the prin – the queen – still hasn't locked him away." She folded her hands, fingers knotted together. "She's kind, and I'm grateful for it. But as much as I'm glad he's alright, I can't stay with him. It would kill my mother if she knew I was still speaking to him."

Varian sighed, and his chest hurt. "Do you think she regrets what she did to him?"

"No," Shay answered firmly. "And I guarantee if she ever sees him again, there's a very real chance she would do worse."

She paused, contemplative. "Every time I visited him in Ghislaine, the last thing he always told me was to be careful."

Varian glanced out across the sea, counting the waves as they splashed against the dock. "It's complicated, isn't it?"

"Yes," Shay agreed.

Varian forced himself to look at her; it was like trying to stare into the sun. "Don't go," he pleaded.

Shay's face crumpled with pain. "I have to."

"Stay."

"I can't."

She was too far away already. Varian reached and pulled her in, as if he could stop her from leaving. "Please," he whispered into her hair.

She clung to him, her breath warming his ear, and he could hear the tears before they came. "I…" Whatever she tried to say didn't come, and she buried her face in his shoulder.

They stayed that way for a long time.

Eventually, Varian asked, "How long?"

Shay pulled away, swallowing hard. Varian kept her close, tucked at his chest, and he could feel every breath she took. "Months?" Her lower lip trembled uncontrollably. "Maybe a year?"

Varian set his jaw, teeth grinding. "Then I won't do it," he said. "I won't be Court Alchemist if you're not with me."

"Varian –"

"No, I can't do it," he insisted. "These roles are joint, matters will come that I won't be able to handle without someone who knows magic."

A drop of anger colored Shay's cheeks, and she ground her palms into his shoulders. "Why are you making this so hard?"

"Because…" Varian sighed. "Because I love you. Alright?"

Shay's breathing stopped, and every muscle in her face softened.

"Oh, come on," Varian tilted his head. "It's not like it's a big secret or anything. And maybe I'm too young for it to sound like I mean it or understand what I'm talking ab-" He was cut off as Shay stopped his mouth with hers, and words vanished from his mind as he took the lead, kissing her far more deeply than he had before. She melted into him, the sensation nearly overwhelming, and Varian still felt starved as she broke away for air before letting him pull her back in.

"Shay Cainsdaughter, of all the places I'd find you!"

Varian's ecstasy was instantly replaced with panic, and he felt the warmth ripped out of his chest as Shay leapt away with a start. They both looked to see Lyra standing there, her grey-red hair swept back from her ageless face, staring at the two of them with alarm. Killy was in her arms, the hare's long ears laid flat against his skull as he dozed. Varian stood like a frozen deer before stumbling into a stagger of stutters, searching for something to supply for the circumstance. Shay was redder than a strawberry, and her hands formed a complex knot in front of her, unsure what to do with them.

"Mam," she finally stammered, "you're not supposed to be here, you'll get in trouble!"

Lyra's expression soured. "I was allowed to come on behest of the queen, to receive her approval for our journey oversea." She shifted Killy in her arms, and the hare blinked widely before settling back down. "I have guards watching my every move as we speak." Her lips pursed shrewdly. "You should have picked a more secluded area to meet, if your plans were to profess your affections so flagrantly, Mr. Quirinson."

Varian made a sound between a moan and a growl, turning on the spot as he mashed his palms all over his face.

"You'll be pleased, then," Lyra continued, "to know that we shall be going nowhere."

Shay's voice sounded genuinely surprised, but Varian could detect a note of joy. "R-Really? But you don't –"

"Magic, surprisingly, was not the queen's concern," Lyra explained, and Varian peeked his eyes out from around his fingers. "My abilities are forfeit, and I doubt I'll ever carry a drop of magic again. It's a fair consequence for the actions I've taken. Instead, she made a compelling argument that I remain in Corona to serve as a consultant to her new prospective Court Mage." She eyed her daughter expectantly. "It seems you have something you haven't told me."

"How could I tell you?" Shay exclaimed. "You'd made your decision, and I've already…we've already had so much time apart from each other."

"Yes," Lyra nodded slowly, her gaze turning somber. "In that time, I suppose you've…grown. In ways I didn't wish to accept." She glanced surreptitiously at Varian. "I know we've already spoken of it, but it's clear that you have no wish to leave Corona. If you have reason to stay, and it seems you do…then you're all the reason I need to remain."

Shay looked guilty, and she reached for her mother's arm. "Mam, I know how much it means for you to go back."

"The Isles have waited for me," Lyra sighed. "They will still be there in the years to come. But I've been far and long enough away from you, darling. Your home is here, and so here is where I will stay."

Varian watched as Shay sighed, and all the unseen tension and emotional weight dissipated from her. Lyra's eyes creased with guilt, fully realizing the burden she'd placed on her daughter. With a wet smile, Shay reached out to take Killy from her mother, her expression flushed with relief. "Thank you, Mam."

"Now, then," Lyra's eyes flashed coldly in Varian's direction once more. "As far as this" – she darted her fingertip between the two – "goes, since you'll both be accepting positions in the queen's court, I'll warn you beforehand that your courtship will not be typical."

Varian felt hope alleviate the panic in his chest. "You mean…you don't mind?"

"Oh, I mind tremendously," Lyra clarified. "If you exercise any degree of misbehavior, I will inflict the consequence."

Varian gave a single, anxious laugh. "I think my father would beat you to it."

"True." Lyra softened. "But you've both been through quite the ordeal, and you've proven you can both take care of each other. I can think of no one better to court my child." She raised an eyebrow. "If courting is what you intend, after a display like that."

Varian felt embarrassment color his neck, but Shay gave him a glowing look. "I hope so," she said quietly as she set Killy down.

"I mean…" Varian's smile was lopsided. "Yeah."

"Oh, for Heaven's sake," Lyra turned to head back down the dock. "Come with me, Killy! We'll take the long way home. I haven't seen Xavier in a long time."

Shay sighed as she watched her mother leave, Killy bounding happily after her. "I think she's still a bit upset at how much time she's missed. She doesn't know what to do with me, now that I'm older."

Varian took her hand, stroking her knuckles with his thumb. "I don't mind," he said cheekily.

Shay drew close, drawing his chest back into hers. "You're just happy because you got what you wanted," she mused.

"True," Varian smiled widely.

She hummed a mirthful note, then took a prepared breath. "I...I love you too, you know."

Varian sobered. "Yeah," he reassured her. "I know." He tapped her chin. "So, how do you feel, now that it's over?"

She smiled back, sweeping the blue streak out of his face. "Like our lives have finally begun."