Chapter XXII: Home

Raven drew in a deep breath savoring the familiar smell of her castle home. She slowly opened her eyes to feast upon the familiar wood-paneled walls and polished white marble floor. It was good to be home.

The others stared out momentarily disoriented then took in the scene with a relieved smile. The room was well lit from large oil lamps strung from the ceiling. A warm fire burned in the hearth to one side of the room.

"Greetings Titans," Robin's voice echoed from behind them.

They all turned to see Robin and Starfire seated on large ornate wooden thrones poised atop a small stone platform. Both of them were dressed in fine white robes holding large golden goblets.

Cyborg laughed to himself seeing the pair seated like royalty. He noticed a large table to one side filled with all kinds of food and drink. His smile turned to a concerned frown as he spotted Garfield seated at the table helping himself to the banquet. One of his feet was submerged in a large bowl of snow.

"I hope you don't plan on eating all that by yourself Garfield," Cyborg called out.

"Only if you're going to stand there with your trap hanging open," Garfield replied as he raised a cup to his mouth to wash down his meal.

Aimee laughed then sprang forward into her mother's awaiting arms. Terra squeezed her daughter tightly relieved to have her back safely. She didn't know if she could watch her daughter on any more of her Titan adventures.

Haley and Samuel stepped towards their mother and father and shook their heads.

"My dear," Robin turned towards his wife. "Shouldn't our subjects kneel in front of their king and queen?"

Starfire turned towards her husband and reached out and clasped Robin's hand. "Yes I do believe they should." Both of them laughed as they turned to face their children.

"Not going to happen in a million years," Haley called up to them.

"Not bad for a bunch of old stogies, huh Raven," Cyborg said as he watched the Logans and Graysons safely reunited. He held up his fist and turned to his long-time partner.

"Speak for yourself old man," Raven playfully replied as she knocked her fist lightly against Cyborg's in triumph.

Raven turned to her sons and husband who stood off to the side. Morpheus had made sure both boys were properly dressed. Each had new tunics and laurel wreaths in their hair. Daniel was in his familiar white with gold and purple trim and Darien was in back with red trim. She stepped towards them and fell to her knees as she drew each of them to her in a warm embrace. She closed her eyes feeling her son's surging powers well up within her giving her both strength and joy. Daniel and Darien kissed their mother gently on her cheeks then slowly pulled themselves from their mother's tender embrace.

Raven opened her eyes and looked up as Morpheus came to her. He was dressed in a fine white toga with leather sandals wrapped on his feet. She felt her stomach quiver; her mate in formal dress always got her going.

Morpheus smiled to her then lightly clasped her hands and gently helped Raven to her feet. He raised her right hand to his face and pressed it to his cheek. Raven looked down suddenly conscious of her ruined hand. Morpheus pulled it from his face and gently kissed it then reached out and raised Raven's chin so she was looking back into his face. Raven's eyes filled with tears. She stared into Morpheus' dark swirling eyes as he whispered sweetly to her in reassurance.

"Do not despair my star-crossed love. You are home and are now free to lay aside your heavy burden. In time you will go forth with Daniel to the tranquil fields of Elysium and raise your voices in song with the sweet chorus of golden throated Nymphs. Then ride hard with Darien to seek out the brave shades of Spartans. To share with them your triumphant tales of war and battle. And when you grow weary of these things my love, return to our gray castle home and lay your head gently on my silken pillow where you may dream the time away until the day you must rise to for fill your bitter destiny and take your rightful place among the stars."

Raven raised her left hand and placed it behind Morpheus' head as the couple fell gently into each others arms. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips against her mate's as the hairs on his face gently scruffed against her. Raven felt a great sense relief as she kissed her immortal husband. In due time she pulled herself from Morpheus' lips and rested her head on his chest keeping her eyes shut as she felt the smooth skin of her mates exposed right shoulder.

"We need some star time," Raven longingly said to him.

"Already arranged," Morpheus gently replied as Raven took a long relieved breath.

Raven opened her eyes and noticed the others were watching her. She smiled to them realizing they had all seen her and Morpheus' exchange. "Take a picture it lasts longer," she said to the others with a slight laugh.

Cyborg smiled to himself in relief. They had defeated Gato and his friends and their children had all returned safely. Everything felt right again. He looked over at Raven's sons as they watched their parents in slight disgust then walked up behind them, bent over and put his arms on each of their shoulders.

"What's the matter boys, never seen you mother kiss your father before?" he asked.

The boys turned towards him and frowned. "Yea we've seen them kiss before," Darien replied. "But that doesn't mean we like it any better."

Cyborg laughed then pulled the boys close to him. "Come on lets get something to eat before Garfield clears the table."