Note: Unedited version on AO3.


Chapter Thirty-Two

Don't Forget About the Nymph!

Achilles could stay with Phobos as long as Wilhelmina was with him, as there were some concerns about his safety now that word was spreading of his connection to the prince. Achilles just slept, resting after the day's draining events. Wilhelmina was torn between hovering over the frog and hovering over Phobos.

The prince inquired about the cult and told her how he wasn't surprised. That he had suspected for a while there was a growing want to remove Elyon and replace her with the Keeper.

Wilhelmina was adamant she had no interest in taking Elyon's place, or even taking on a larger role in her own kingdom, as she preferred planet hopping and front-line fighting over politics and diplomacy. After everything that had happened in his life, Phobos agreed with that view.

When their food arrived, they ate in the sitting room, leaving Achilles to sleep.

Phobos had let his pessimism take over that day, as when he saw Wilhelmina holding Achilles among the rubble of the courtyard, he was quick to rebuild the walls around him. It was clear, the flash of hurt across her face when he took Achilles and called her by her title, like he used to before she was something more to him.

And he felt stupid.

Really stupid.

He knew it was from seeing Achilles attacked, while they forced him to watch, was making him want to lash out. But lashing out at her wasn't okay.

Then seeing her cry, holding Achilles close, he knew it pained her too, seeing him suffer because of a world they both had a major hand in creating.

So now, sitting there, eating in a thick quiet, Phobos needed to assure her that while things were changing for the people beyond their walls from the day's events, that they were still strong. And he could only think of one way to make her smile.

"So," he called, getting her attention as she poked at some native Metamoor vegetables she was not very fond of. "The drawings in your diary were interesting."

She froze, turning slowly to look at him. "It's not a diary, it's a day planner," she weakly defended. "And it's rude to read that without permission, you know?"

"Oh?" he called with feigned ignorance. "So that means you would have never, say, steal someone's personal journal?"

"Hey! You called it a 'book of secrets'! Of course we stole it! If you called it 'book of all the different socks I've worn,' then we wouldn't have touched it!"

"So it is on me, for accurately naming my book, because you couldn't resist the allure of my life?"

Wilhelmina glared, pointing a fork with a piece of hugong meat at the end. "'Allure'? You wrote about all the damn fat cats you had to suck up too! And guess who had to fucking read the whole damn thing as the only guardian able to read your written language? Me!" she groaned. "It bore me to tears. I don't even remember anything from it other than you, sir, are a shameless kiss ass the moment you need something. Have some damn standards."

"Yes, let me incorporate your method of bare knuckle boxing when it's time to decide if a section of land should be re-zoned for public use or left as an area of conservation."

The woman grinned, happy with the assessment of her negotiation skills.

"Hey, throw in a pizza with some vodka and that's a good time all around," she ended with a laugh, bumping her shoulder playfully into his.

Pleased at her happier mood, their conversation stayed upbeat, with her telling him about her favorite haunts around the universe. There was a magic based arcade on Nune-Boreal that she swore both the prince and Achilles would love, as they used magic in very interesting ways. On Aridia, while it seemed like a simple rock planet, the stone golem populace loved competitive sports and had competitions that pushed even her strength to the limit. Earth, her home planet, had an endless list of things that would appeal to him, according to her. From how technology was made to how it was applied, it was creative and rapidly growing. Earth, as it was more homogeneous with its sentient species, often turned to escapism more than Metamoor or Nune-Boreal, so their fantasy media was more robust than the others.

Phobos listened and offered what limited places he knew about Metamoor. It was too dangerous for him to travel much as a child, and as an adult, his time was devoted to trying to keep Meridian stable and in check. Still, she asked about each place he named, from the jungle temple he once traveled to obtain a relic that turn out to be an ancient shovel, to even Farshore and his simple trips to the lake.

It was endearing, listening to her put a positive spin on his life, and offering to revisit those places to make 'new memories'.

"New memories?" he purred, both done eating and now just talking on the soft couch.

She blinked, clearly understanding his tone, and protested as he pushed her down, his fingers edging her shorts.

"No, we can't do that with-" she was cut off as his mouth found hers. She tasted like the spices of their meal and the magic of her body. "No," she protested as he kissed down her jaw, hand moving to unbutton her jeans.

Her hand grabbed his and shook her head. "Um, as much as I want to, and trust me, I want to. I will literally die if Achilles catches us doing… that."

Phobos sighed, agreeing but also still craving her. "Later," he offered, kissing her neck in a less heated manner.

Her hand laced in his hair, and she held him to her for a moment as she agreed.


The day ended with Phobos and Achilles staying with Will in her room. Having slept most of the early evening, and moon opal frogs being naturally nocturnal, he was wide awake as Phobos just wanted to end the day. Will tried to entertain him for a bit, but she was yawning, nodding off as Achilles asked questions about her evident interest in frogs.

She fell asleep, laying on her side, head propped up by her hand. Achilles, holding the stuffed frog, looked over when she stopped talking. Phobos, sitting at the vanity reading one of the Earth books she brought. Not so shockingly about Earth amphibians, which seemed to be the only well read one of the group, sat the book down to watch his familiar. Achilles, still trying to keep the toy in his arms, crawled on the bed and tried folding the soft frog themed cover over her body. But as she was sleeping on the bunched majority of it, it proved hopeless, so he got off the bed and moved to the other side. Where he tossed over the half of the bed's comforted not under her. Moving back around, he crawled back up to finish and pulled the cover over her completely. He tucked her in and placed the stuffed frog in her arms.

Pleased with himself, he hopped down and approached Phobos.

"Master, is it okay if I go see Queen Elyon?"

"While I would prefer you to stay here tonight, given the days events, I will not stop you from visiting her, as you can move undetected," he said, remembering how Weira started taking away his freedoms until he wasn't able to leave his room. It did not end well for his view of her, and he had no interest in making Achilles feel trapped. If he felt safe enough to roam on his own, Phobos would not instill unnecessary fear in him.

He nodded. "I understand. I… I want to talk to her. I know it's getting late, but she stays up, listening to music," he explained.

Phobos nodded. "She still needs noise to sleep?" Seeing that he meant to just think that, he added, "Very well, be off. I want you to rest here, though, when you are done. Understood?"

He nodded. "Thank you, master! And do not worry, I shall not be seen!" he promised, going to the balcony door and opening them. Phobos saw him shift to his small frog form and hop away.

Standing, Phobos stood, a smile on his lips at Achilles' poor attempt to cover the red-head and fixed it so she was under the sheets. As Phobos didn't have any of his sleep attire, he just stripped to his under breeches and slipped under the sheets as well.

On the other side of the bed, Phobos realized with a mix of worry for Achilles, being in a new bed, and having someone near him when he would be his most vulnerable, kept him awake.

He knew, rationally, it was safe to sleep with her next to him. But even when Achilles was near, he was in his animal form.

Phobos shifted, turning side to side, settling on watching Wilhelmina sleep for a bit, her back to him, red hair catching in the moonlight.

He wasn't sure how long he shifted before Wilhelmina stirred, turning to face him with heavy eyes.

"You… okay?" she asked, pushing the toy aside to wiggle closer to him, closing the space he had put between them.

Wanting her to fall back asleep, he didn't object as she laid her head on his bare chest, hair and warm breath tickling his skin. He wrapped an arm around her as she let out a content sigh.

Looking at him, with heavy brown eyes as her cheek pressed to his skin, Phobos felt that familiar warmth in his chest.

"Yes," he answered, his own eyes suddenly heavy. "Go back to sleep."

Her eyes closed, body pressed to his, and sleep finally found him tucked against his lover.


The next day, they woke to find Achilles in his frog form, sleeping on the unused pillow. Wilhelmina apologized for falling asleep, to which the frog just sleepily stared up at her.

Guiltily, Wilhelmina took the frog with her to go check in with her comrades. Phobos didn't object, as he knew Elyon wasn't the cause of their latest issue, so there was no reason to defy her orders.

Phobos returned to his room where he went about his morning routine and dressed in a blue and sliver thread tunic and black pants.

Then, far overdue, he went to see Elyon.


It was an interesting conversation.

She apologized, saying Raythor and Caleb, even if he showed up later, should have had better control over the situation. Raythor could compel the truth from Phobos, and he could have just verified Phobos had no ill-will with Achilles before escalating things that far.

Caleb, even if he was late coming, should have gotten Vathek in line first, seeing he was the most confrontational at the moment.

As a result, they sent Vathek on leave outside Meridian. As she said it was time for him to find new work that didn't involve fighting, if he was that willing to act without waiting for orders.

Comfortable was the word she used.

"They are all so comfortable," she said, sitting at her desk, morning sun igniting her hair and crown in a warm summer glow. "I had thought it was good, letting the people who won the rebellion into influential positions in my court." She frowned, gentle blue eyes holding his icy ones. "Yet, they aren't made for this. We call it a cold war on Earth. This type of fighting behind the scenes, were everything is done with spies and assassins, but on the surface everything is bloodless.

"They grew up at war with you and, even if they didn't know, Weira. She created the problems that we both have to live with. Let the Lurdens get treated as monsters, not citizens. Didn't share her magic. Leading to the land withering. Let our planet stay isolated from other magic realms, keeping our people from growing and learning. She made them helpless, needing her for everything. And then you took her place and let them suffer in that helplessness."

She sighed. "So now they don't trust me. Don't trust their own Light anymore. And I… don't blame them, truly. It's a long journey, helping this planet heal. One you are a part of."

Phobos stayed quiet as she went on, saying while Raythor was still captain of the royal guard, he no longer had command over Phobos' bonds. In fact, only Elyon held it now, and she modified it again.

"You may speak freely of your treatment here, even when I am not present. If your treatment leads to scandal, then maybe I deserve it. Your magic is still bound, as that is not earned yet."

Phobos felt his bonds shift, adjusting.

"And," she added, looking to the side. "You may leave the castle, as long as one of the five guardians is with you. Eventually, when they leave, you may venture there as long as you have escorts."

Once again, there was a shift, giving him a taste of the freedom they still denied him.

"Why?" he asked, bluntly. "In the matter of a few days you have found I was hiding a familiar, almost killed with magic sourced from my blood, and had your courtyard reduced to rubble from your guard's deep seeded fear of me. Giving me, of all people, more freedom seems foolish."

Elyon looked back at him, eyes searching his face before she gave a small smile.

"You are an asshole, brother."

Phobos snorted, not expecting that from her.

"Yes," he agreed. "I know this."

"But you aren't the cruel person I once thought. You saved Achilles and gave him a chance at a second life. One that he is flourishing in. See how easily we all care for him? And I know he has a bit of you in there. Of that eight-year-old child Weira failed. That still craves love and family."

She held up a hand, seeing he was ready to protest that fluffy nonsense.

"I know, I'm wrong, right?" she said with a soft laugh. "Because it's a coincidence he's an eight-year-old noble boy that just wants to prove how strong he is? That he came to me last night and asked me for a place in my staff, so he can earn his place and not have to keep hiding?"

Elyon sat back, lacing her fingers on her lap.

"He's going to be my personal assistant, so I can monitor him. Make sure the staff takes to him well. And, seeing you are well enough, you will start your own duties, grand prince," she ended with a mischievous grin.

Ah, paperwork time.

Later, sitting in a small office similar to the queen's in look, lit from the tall window at his back that connected to Elyon's personal garden, he sighed, shaking his head at the mountain before him.

Scanning a few, he saw some of the request and disputes were two months old, around the time Elyon' started planning the Guardian's visit.

"So you do know how to neglect your duties, sister?" he mumbled, slightly entertained she wasn't endlessly perfect as he got to work.


By the ancients, not her.

Anyone but her today.

His head was pounding after spending all day trying to make a dent in the backlog of citizen request and council affairs. And now he had to deal with her.

Phobos, dressed in his dining attire, groaned, seeing his red-head across the room, trapped in a tedious looking conversation.

Elyon had repaired the damage to the castle and resumed her commitments to the noble houses, as it was clear she needed to not only keep her image up, but create better connections. As fishing out the Children of Good Fortune would require a network of allies and not just a show of power from Elyon.

"She has not left Lady Will alone since she's arrived," a bored voice explained from his side.

Phobos hid his surprise, as Cedric was still unnervingly skilled at stealth in his humanoid form.

"She's trying to piece together the 'commotion' from yesterday. As it had to be upsetting for the queen to cancel a dinner so soon after restarting them," Cedric explained, handing Phobos a glass of red wine while he sipped on another. The snake's senses were skilled enough that no poison would make it past him unless he wished it.

Seeing no reason Cedric would risk the new peace with Elyon and the guardians, as they would actually leave him to shed his scales in jail like so many wished, Phobos took it, nodding at the taller man.

"You should help her. I doubt she will last much longer, given everything. And any outburst shall just fuel the duchess more." Cedric moved, turning more towards him, and added, quietly. "It pained me, not able to help your familiar, yesterday. He did not deserve that treatment. Nor was it humane for you to have to sit and watch." He let out a small hiss, clearly bothered. "If I had to sit and watch Cecilia experience that…" he stopped, getting himself back on track. "I see how quickly it has been swept away, like countless times before. And I see more than the others with you," he added, looking at Phobos. "At least tell her goodbye before you go. I doubt she'll understand why nothing can tie you here. So at least give her a proper end."

Phobos sipped his drink, approving of the smooth barrel aged taste with strong hints of vanilla. "Such an interesting tale you have woven, Cedric."

Cedric leaned back and gave a tight smile. "I saw your face as you sat there, Phobos. While no one else spared you another glance, I saw you. I saw your anger. Your helplessness. So yes, I know you will not let that creature grow up here, in these same halls coated in your blood." He took another sip. "But Cecilia is growing fond of Lady Will. When," not if, "you break her heart, she may stop visiting, and this is the most outgoing she has ever been."

"So this bizarre lecture is for the sake of your daughter?" Phobos said, baffled and annoyed by Cedric's boldness in this matter.

Cedric chuckled. "Of course it is, Prince Phobos. Her happiness is mine. And I shall not let her childhood get mixed into the endless pain that is your existence. Like Achilles has."

Phobos felt his lips pull back into a snarl, and Cedric's eyes glowed.

"You are too bold as always, Cedric," Phobos spat, done with his impudence.

"No, I am honest. Not tied down by fake court decorum anymore." He stepped back, blue eyes unwavering. "But you have had a stressful few days. I am… pleased you are still alive. I will take my leave, as I did not mean to upset you." He nodded and said with deep familiarity. "Phobos."

And he left to find his family.

Phobos hated more than anything at that moment Cedric still knew him so well.

He was right.

There was a deep, aching hatred in him again for the very walls around him. For the faces they contained.

Phobos didn't know how, or when, but he would leave this castle, this city, this planet behind.

And he knew, as much freedom as Elyon tried to give him, she could never give him that.

Even if he ventured to Earth with Wilhelmina, explored all the realms, he would be forced back to Metamoor, as Kandrakar would never allow his powers unbound.

Phobos watched his keeper as she folded her arms, a bit of static jumping from her hair as she blew it from her face in annoyance.

Letting himself live in the moment, Phobos glided smoothly to his lover's side, placing a bold arm around her waist.

"Prince Phobos!" Duchess Eulalia called, excited, eyes lighting up. "Oh my, it has been far too long, my prince."

"Why, yes, it has Eulalia," Phobos replied, scanning the woman. She had aged well, probably with every expensive treatments from magic healers and whatever contraband Passlings could smuggle from Earth she could afford.

Her eyes dropped to his arm at the Keeper's waist and she added, with a sickeningly sweet coo, "Oh, I must tell you how it warms my girlish heart, talking to the High Witch of her summertime endeavors. Such a fun break before returning to one's duty, no? Such is the folly of fleeting youth."

Seeing how Cedric had just finished telling Phobos how he was going to abandon the Keeper for his freedom, hearing the duchess imply they were a summer fling was just adding to the annoyance.

He had time to figure out things.

He meant it when he said he would make his way back to her.

She was his.

That was not up to debate.

"Yet," she added, looking him up and down rather boldly. "Youth isn't fleeting for you, my prince. Time is your friend, I see. Maybe you can share some of your secrets with my sweet young daughter? She is right-"

Wilhelmina had watched the exchanged and picked up on what the duchess had been aiming for.

It was entertaining seeing her eye twitch as she, rather possessively, wrapped her arms around one of his as she cut off the duchess.

"Sorry, but me and my boyfriend have to check in with a few others before dinner," she said, struggling to contain her anger.

While the term was not one used on Metamoor, it was clear enough what she meant as she pulled him away.

"Let's go," she said, eyeing the room with suspicion.

He wondered if it had to do with what he told her of his treatment yesterday, or if she naturally had a streak of jealousy, as she ran off everyone who so much as winked at him. She admitted the guardians were all on alert given recent findings.

"Calm yourself," he chuckled as she spied a set of slightly older nobles of mixed genders trying to wave him over. "This is not new or cause for concern. They are just nobles daring to tie themselves to the royal family," he explained, ignoring the calls and turning Wilhelmina to face him. "Plus, as I am, in my humble opinion, devilishly handsome, one can not help but fall at my feet." He leaned down and purred. "Like you did, after all."

She blushed, dark eyes narrowing as she protested, "I did not, and your ego needs a reality check."

"Oh," he said, faking surprise. "Did you not so desperately want me from the first moment you saw me in the courtyard? I saw your face," he told her, hand grazing down her arm. "Saw your soft mouth drop open, your expressive eyes widen, your soft skin flush."

Ah, damn, he was getting himself too worked up. He knew his garments wouldn't hide it, unlike his normal day robes, so he pulled away.

Only she persisted and she chuckled, embarrassed and sweetly admitted, "Fuck, you saw that? Yeah, you got me. I was ready to jump you on day one." She reached up and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "You just drive me crazy, Phobos. And I love it."

That stole what little restraint he had as he pulled her back towards the edge of the room. She was confused, as dinner was set to start in several minutes. Having lived in the castle all his life, Phobos knew there was a small room adjacent to the hall, near a support pillar.

It had various uses over the years, and it looked like Elyon used it to store Earth made party decor, as she preferred them, saying they were more festive.

"Phobos, what…?" she called as they slipped in, him closing the door. The room had one small window that let in the weak evening light, creating harsh shadows around them.

She squeaked as Phobos spun her towards a table, grinding his now visible bulge into her soft rear.

"Oh!" she gasped, understanding, looking back over her shoulder. "You can't be serious! Here? Now? Are you trying to create another scandal?"

"Wilhelmina," he called, voice deep with anticipation as he pulled up the back of her pink dress as he fumbled with his belt.

She swallowed, dark eyes deepening as she saw him free himself, already hard.

"Just hurry," she said with a shiver, hands balling on the table's surface. "Before they notice we are, oh, gone!" she ended, gasping.

Not long later, once they were both satiated, he pulled away, only to breathlessly laugh, seeing she had torn his tunic in her urgency, revealing his white undershirt.

She panicked, righting her clothes and then trying to fix his. The best they could manage was him holding his feathered cape more to his front while physically holding it closed.

"Stop laughing!" she called, stomping her feet. "Elyon is gonna fucking kill us!"

They heard the call to start dinner and Phobos, amused by her panic, smirked. "This is a risk you take, falling prey to the endless pleasures I invoke in you."

"Oh, shut it!" she huffed, glancing out the door and making sure they were clear.

Somehow they made it to their seats with no issue, with Phobos on the Queen's right, Wilhelmina to his, and the guardians after her. Only, they weren't as in the clear as he had thought, as all four guardians were sitting rather stiffly, refusing to look. Irma, who was on the Keeper's right, leaned over and whispered loudly to them.

"Did ya fucking forget we have a goddamn mental link open?" she hissed, a rare moment of embarrassment taking over her. "Like warn a bitch, okay? That's all we fucking ask!"

Wilhelmina's breath caught in her throat, pale as death, eyes wide, as she slowly nodded.

Phobos, unable to help himself, loudly snorted.

"Not funny!" Cornelia hissed from the end, face painfully red. Hay-Lin, on her left, hid her face in her palms, unable to look at them anymore. Taranee, between her and Irma, seemed in denial, fixing her place setting over and over into different configurations.

"What's not funny?" Elyon asked, noticing their outburst.

"Nothing!" all five harden warriors of Kandrakar chanted, all jumping in their seats.

Elyon just sighed. "For the love of," she mumbled, looking irritated. "Just keep it down, okay?"

The five nodded in near unison and Phobos almost lost it again.

It was endearing seeing how in sync the five were, even in their embarrassment.

He felt… happy? If that was the right word? That his lover had such close companions. It let him know she would be alright, even if they had to part for a short while.


The next week went by fast, with Phobos settling in to his role well, handling things far smoother than Elyon, as no one would argue with him over his decision with land disputes and ordnance issues. Achilles was glued to Elyon, excited to have a more open role to fulfil and able to help make her day easier. He clearly respected her as he was in aw of her power, but also her ability to not use it to solve all her problems, like Phobos and the guardians. Wilhelmina left for part of a day back to Earth with the other Earthlings, dealing with their lives there. When she returned, she had a large paper bag with bright colors on it. She gave it to Achilles, saying the Earth Regent Matt bought it for him and hoped he was doing well.

Opening his first gift, it thrilled him to see it was a new messenger bag that was in the shape of a bloated frog.

Excited, he pulled it on, the other one he wore vanishing into magic as it was no longer needed, letting the contents spill out. He quickly stuffed everything into the, in Phobos' opinion, hideous fashion nightmare of a bag, and ran off to find the tengu to thank him.

Achilles joined the rest of dinners that week and proudly showed his Earth trinket off to Cecilia, who was mildly impressed. She claimed a snake or spider would be 'cooler'. Irma, having heard their conversation, showed up with an equally hideous fuzzy spider shaped bag the next day and gave it to the girl.

Now, with proof, she was quick to argue hers was the better one of the two.

Wilhelmina was often another point of argument between the two, as Cecilia liked to tease that she was more favored as she was more mature.

Phobos noticed the Heart glowing more and more during those times, with him making comments to the Keeper about giving the creature more attention. Wilhelmina seemed confused, as the nymph had not been a source of her problems for days now and seemed to think it was tamed.

Phobos recalled the creature's jealously and knew, at the end of the week, he shouldn't have been shocked, seeing what he saw.

But… he was.

"Like this?" Achilles asked, sitting with his legs crossed, pressing a finger through the air, leaving a trail of yellow light.

Phobos, after his first night sleeping in Wilhelmina's room, knew he would take a while to sleep soundly next to a person. She understood, happy he told her about his discomfort so they could work around it. Overall, they met up in the later evening at his room for alone time, with her leaving as she could teleport to her own bed when she was ready to sleep.

It was one such night, her having left a few hours ago, surely fast asleep, given their enthusiasm. He was sleeping as well until a flash of light from his patio woke him.

The curtains were drawn, and his door closed. Odd, as he always left it open to let the heat seep in, as Elyon kept her castle way too damn cold. He approached, hearing Achilles' voice through the glass.

Phobos had peeked, wondering who he was talking to.

Achilles was sitting, a look of determination on his face as he tried again and again to drag his finger through the air, leaving a line of yellow magic with each pass.

His teacher sat crossed legged as well, only she floated a few inches off the ground, long black hair cascading down her back and gathered below. Her black eyes were angled up and currently narrowed in frustration at Achilles' poor attempts at whatever she was teaching. Her face was round, making the points of her ears stand out even more.

Her clothes were odd, not something he could place, as she had thin, loose pink pants that were fitted at her ankles. For her top, she wore what he could only call a flat silver breastplate, with a strap around her lower back and neck, to keep it in place. On the chest were five familiar symbols.

Four of them created a rhombus shape, with water at the top etched on a large round pearl. Fire was at the bottom, burnt on a round ruby. Earth was to the right, written on a yellow quartz. Air was to the left, highlighted in white on onyx. And in the center, on a pink clear stone was the yin-yang of life and death.

The girl pouted, blowing a strand of her hair from her face very tellingly, and she glanced his way.

Seeing he was caught, he opened the door, making Achilles jump.

"Achilles," Phobos called, looking between his guilty familiar and… that creature.

He looked at the creature, who stood, bare feet touching the cool stone, pale skin glowing in the moonlight.

"Xin Jing," he greeted, endlessly annoyed at his eventful life.

Xin Jing, one of the five great goddesses of creation, master of all elements, protector of all magic and infinity itself, gave a happy squeal as she hopped up and down and hugged his leg, grinning widely at him, eyes happy dark crescents of pure joy.

Phobos lifted his leg and tried to shake her free. She held tight, laughing like it was a game. Seeing she was not getting yelled at, Achilles grinned, wrapping himself around Phobos' other leg, laughing as well.

Brow twitching, Phobos hobbled into his room, praying it was the end of magical children showing up at his door.