Tamsin saw the shadow of the main door of the Dal Riata open and through the very short hallway and into the bar ran Ethan, Char, Ryan and MaryAoife followed closely by Bo, Lauren, Maddy, their Bases, and the Seneschal.

The quads, now officially two years old, stopped at the sight of everyone in the bar, applauding their arrival. They smiled and clapped their hands together as the "Happy Birthday" song was sung to them, largely by the Humans and Fae from the County while the Fae from the Presidium stood politely until it was over. Tamsin always thought the traditional Birthday song was terrible. Always sung poorly and off tune.

Once the song was done and followed by applause, Ethan saw Trick at the bar and immediately ran over to him followed by Ryan. However, Char and MaryAoife looked a bit tentative at the large crowd looming over them and clasped hands. Lauren quickly bent down and assured them everything was fine. Nevertheless, they still seemed unsure until 30 of their fellow two-year-old friends from the Presidium emerged into view. Char and MaryAoife unclasped their hands and ran to greet their little friends. Ethan and Ryan did not want to miss out on the fun and joined them. After all the small hugs were done, all 34 two year-olds were led by Maddy and the Seneschal down another hall and into one of five of the extended wings of the Dal Riata that were added due to the increased role of the DRM in both the Fae and Human worlds. The core, original layout of the Dal Riata remained untouched and it would never change.

It seemed everyone who was anyone was in attendance. Their Majesties, Regent Saladin, and all the Ruling Children. Grand Ducal Marquis, Viceroy Stasio and his wife Europa. Members of the Grand Ducal Council, and staff from the JFM to include Jobina and her husband, Wilford. Ryan Lambert was there with three women in tow as well as Liam Kavanaugh with his date. Julia and Reed were present, but Clio and Erik were still back in Bear Valley looking for Ehlnor since he did not return from Deapers Mountain after the battle. Crystal and Mirabel were also there. Sylvie and her husband Logan Lucarelli and their soon-to-be 14-year-old son, BJ were also there. Several Parliamentary, Planary and Pillar representatives were also present. Vex was there on an informal date of sorts with Her Serene Highness Maxima Prescotti. And Dr. Louis Padameshi was also there, also on an informal date of sorts with Her Serene Highness Dr. Emilia Prescotti. The sight of Emilia and Maxima on informal dates clearly did not sit well with The Queen. Tamsin saw The Queen Consort poke at The Queen to divert her steady glare at both Vex and Dr. Padameshi. However, the sight of Bruce and Ariella together was another matter. One could not remove the grins from Helen and Ari's faces.

There were two notable omissions from the party: Bo and Lauren's respective parents. The Beatties celebrated the children's birthday at the Beattie Estate in France shortly after the trial, and then afterwards Bo and Lauren traveled to Grimley to celebrate with Mary before arriving at the County. This would be the last birthday celebration and then in a few weeks' time Bo would be formally installed as the Princess Royal. Soon thereafter, it was expected the Ruling Family would travel to the Prescotti Homelands so Her Majesty could personally survey the damage caused by the soil contamination incident before embarking on her Great Sleep, and during that time Bo would rule the Realm for the first time. To say Trick was immensely proud is to say the very least. He could not stop beaming at the fact his granddaughter would soon sit on the Throne, if only for a short while.

It had been a little over two weeks since Tamsin and her merry band's adventure in Bear Valley.

Two weeks since they found the relic.

Two weeks of being berated by both Evony and Stasio for their secret side mission.

When they all returned to the County from Bear Valley, they went straight to the JFM for medical attention and were immediately met by Evony and Stasio who took turns tongue-lashing them all the while. Tamsin realized what Evony truly feared was that she would be executed for defying an express order of the Realm. Tamsin knew there was something more to the relic if it had the Presidium leadership hot in its pursuit. Tamsin was not necessarily intent on wanting to know why so much as making sure it was secured. That amulet caused a lot of chaos and cost a lot of lives. It was time to put it to bed. However, beyond the acknowledgement that the relic was recovered, the Presidium was eerily silent as to what to do with Tamsin. No one dared pose the question directly to Their Majesties for fear of poking the bear, both literally and figuratively, but it weighed heavily on everyone's minds. There was nothing anyone could do but wait until The Queen arrived on the Human Plane and made known her decision.

Dyson was in his own special purgatory with both Evony and Stasio for his assistance in the whole affair, not to mention nearly being killed twice in the last few weeks. Evony accused Dyson of having a death wish or some crazy need to prove himself. While Tamsin thought the accusations were ludicrous, she also thought there could be some merit to them. Like everyone else, Dyson too had a great deal of responsibilities suddenly thrust upon him, surrounded by what Tamsin privately coined "Super Fae" in a world where Fae could freely be themselves. Such changes would have an impact on anyone's mental psyche. Perhaps there was something going on. Tamsin made a mental note to discuss it later with Dyson. But what Tamsin feared more than any reaction by Evony or Stasio over her secret side mission was Bo's reaction to the news Rumlar had absconded with Aoife. Again! Bo took the news as expected and then rather unexpected. After her initial frustration worked itself out, she realized she could only hope for a lead on Aoife's whereabouts. In the meantime, Agent Chennai was already back at the Agency trying to figure out both Rumlar's and Aoife's whereabouts. Bo had asked Agent Prime De Lucia to include Kenzi on any leads so she could be her eyes and ears since there seemed to be so many secret missions on top of secret missions.

Tamsin recalled a few days earlier when she, Dyson, Trick, and Vex greeted Bo and Lauren at the Clubhouse after they had arrived in the County to settle in. About an hour later, Kenzi finally bounded through the front door and dropped her bags in the middle of the floor.

"Home!" Kenzi announced with her arms in the air. Bo went right up to her and they hugged tightly followed by rounds of hugs from everyone else while the Seneschal scooped up her bags and brought them up to her room in the attic while the four amigos scooted down the stairs past them, ran up to her and nearly knocked her over with hugs and kisses. Kenzi kissed and hugged each one of them in turn, guided them back to their parents, then stood up and went to the fridge and looked through its glass window.

"There had better be wine in here!" Kenzi declared.

"There's always wine in there!" Everyone replied in unison.

Kenzi pulled out a bottle of wine, cracked it open, poured out glasses for everyone then raised her glass. "Home!"

"Home!" Everyone replied in unison and took a sip. The children tried to grab their glasses, but Maddy and the Seneschal quickly guided them back upstairs.

"So! What's on the agenda?" Vex asked as everyone grabbed seats.

"Just the party, and then we head back for the Installation Ceremony." Bo replied.

"And I need to check in on things at the JFM. Unofficially, of course." Lauren said.

"Of course!" Everyone said in unison.

"How's the Grimley Clinic shaping up?" Trick asked.

"Nicely! I do want to spend some time there after we return from the Prescotti Homelands. There's some projects happening that I would like to link up with the JFM. Plus, there's an initiative there that may benefit the first of my eleven court-mandated missions." Lauren replied.

"Have you figured out where your first court-mandated mission will be?" Trick said.

"Switzerland." Lauren replied. Everyone nodded.

"Where's Eva?" Kenzi asked Trick to lighten the mood.

"She'll be here the morning of the party." Trick replied.

"Things are going strong between you two." Kenzi said. Trick smiled then looked at Tamsin and Dyson.

"So! Fill me in. Where's the relic right now?" Trick asked.

"Back at Engelram's Warehouse. The Catalog Team have it secured until Their Majesties arrive to retrieve it." Tamsin replied.

"I'm surprised they didn't send for it immediately." Vex said.

"Me too." Tamsin replied.

"How much trouble are you in?" Vex asked.

"Ever heard of the guillotine?" Tamsin replied.

"It will not come down to that!" Bo declared.

"I dunno, Bo." Trick replied.

"You're not serious?" Dyson blurted at Trick.

"Tamsin defied a directive of the Realm. That has consequences." Trick reiterated.

"It's not as if she pursued it only to use it later for some diabolical purpose! Like Rumlar!" Dyson argued.

"We don't even understand what its purpose is." Lauren added.

"Nevertheless, there's still consequences." Trick replied.

"Not consequential enough where it warrants death! She found the thing for pity's sake!" Dyson shot. Tamsin held up her hands.

"Guys! I knew exactly what I was doing. I will take what's coming for me." Tamsin acquiesced.

"Well, the death penalty is not happening! I'm the Princess Royal, and that is not happening!" Bo declared.

"High on our throne already?" Vex poked.

"You know what I mean." Bo replied.

"Let's not dwell on it now since we don't know what The Queen's mind is on all of this." Lauren soothed.

"Speaking of which, did anything turn up back at the Agency?" Bo asked Kenzi.

"Not much after Nadu arrived with the news the relic had been found and Aoife had been taken by Rumlar. Again! Now she's been tasked to find them." Kenzi replied.

"They task you to do anything?" Bo asked.

"Yeah, but nothing related to any of this." Kenzi replied.

"Just so you know, I asked Agent Prime that you be my eyes and ears on this." Bo said.

"Oooooh! I get to be your personal Agent!" Kenzi replied as she jovially shook her shoulders.

"I am the Princess Royal after all." Bo said then took a quick sip of her wine. "And yes, I mean every haughty word of that." Everyone chuckled.

"So! Maxima is coming." Kenzi said to Vex with a mischievous grin.

"Yes. It will be our first, informal sort of date." Vex answered.

"Just be careful dude!" Kenzi warned.

"We're just talking that's all." Vex replied.

"Yeah, but she's the baby of the family, and who still lives with her parents. They are crazy protective over her, so play it cool and be on your best behavior."

"She's 847 years old for bloody's sake!" Vex replied.

"All I'm saying!" Kenzi emphasized then turned to Bo. "Oh yeah. That reminds me. Antony wants to cook dinner for us after he arrives."

"Is that wise?" Bo asked.

"He thinks it would be an honor to do so." Kenzi replied.

"Ready the Pepto Bismol." Trick said.

"He's not that bad!" Kenzi replied to doubtful looks from everyone.

The next couple of days saw the arrivals of the guests from the Presidium. Uma Marquis, Evony's sister, helped sort out the guest particulars, which continued to impress Tamsin. Some of the parents of the children's friends had never seen or interacted with Humans before, so Lauren wanted to host a "Welcome Lunch" in the splendid backyard of the Clubhouse The Queen had constructed when she had lasted visited to acclimatize them. Evony readily objected at the thought their first sight of the Human Plane would be the Clubhouse.

"Bad enough they'll be subject to the Dal Riata for the birthday party with a Rana of the Realm debasing himself like he was a mere manservant." Evony complained, and insisted they hold a "Welcome Dinner" first at the Ducal Compound then a luncheon the next day at the Clubhouse. Lauren agreed.

However, when the time came for the lunch Bo, Dyson and Kenzi all bailed with excuses and left Lauren, Tamsin, and Maddy surrounded by 34 two-year-olds, and their haughty parents. The reactions from the parents were as Evony had feared. They thought Bo and Lauren lived like homeless people.

"This place is a travesty!" One parent declared.

"She's The Princess Royal!" Another parent noted.

"They all lived like this?" A third parent asked in shock.

"All of us." Tamsin said proudly. "We were roomies!"

"In this place?" A fourth parent asked also in shock.

"They should burn it to the ground!" A fifth parent said.

"Don't go upstairs." A sixth parent said.

"Why not?" Several parents asked in unison, and then they all quickly bum-rushed one another upstairs to see why they should not have gone upstairs. When they entered Bo's bedroom area, they were aghast.

"The…relief facilities are open to her bedroom?" A seventh parent said stunned. Lauren thought she was going to piss herself trying to hold in her laughter but then gathered enough control to explain the living circumstances.

"Some Humans and Fae have to live with a certain amount of efficiency to survive." Lauren pointed out.

"That's a clever way of saying homeless." An eighth parent said.

"Bo was not homeless." Lauren reiterated.

"Okay. Near homeless." A ninth parent said.

"Well, I can't really argue with that one." Lauren replied.

"I do like that bed though." A tenth parent said. Lauren smiled at the comment.

"What's those series of tubes on the sideboard there?" An eleventh parent asked.

"Okay! Let's move back downstairs, shall we?" Lauren said and hurried everyone back downstairs and then gave the Seneschal a quick look who were already moving to remove the tubes of lube from view.

Of course, Bo knew the condition of the Clubhouse was gossiped throughout the Presidium, but Bo didn't care. It was home. It was the place where she forged her Found Family. It would always be home.

And the Fae guests were no less merciless about the condition of Dal Riata when Tamsin arrived earlier in the evening to help Uma, Zachary, Janet and Mank greet the guests for the birthday party.

"So, this is what befell the great Blood King." One guest noted. Tamsin could not stop giggling at how offended some of the Presidium guests were watching a Rana and a Taioseach of the Realm tending bar. Dyson, Kenzi and the Seneschal also helped at the bar.

The Dal Riata and its five extended wings were packed with guests. Not only was it a birthday party for toddlers it was also a reunion of old friends, and inadvertently a sort of mini-governmental summit to address matters between the Presidium and the Human Plane.

After the Birthday song was sung and the children ran off with their friends, Saladin approached Tamsin who, by this time, had Evony standing next to her with Agent Ian Greystone behind her.

"Who's minding the store?" Evony asked Saladin.

"Antilio." Saladin answered.

"Not one of the Ranas?" Evony asked.

"Her Majesty would like to return to a Realm intact." Saladin replied. Evony and Tamsin smiled.

"Dare I ask? Any decision yet on Tamsin here?" Evony asked.

"There is." Saladin replied.

"And?" Evony prompted. Saladin's answer was a slight bow of his head and then he stepped off into the crowd.

"That's not good." Evony said.

"Well, at least we know there's a decision." Tamsin replied and then Lauren stepped up.

"Hey! Needed to get away from some of the parents." Lauren said.

"Overwhelming you with their judgmentalism?" Evony queried.

"Just a bit." Lauren replied.

"You asshole!" came the shout behind them. They turned and saw it was Crystal who came up to Lauren full of tears, followed closely by Bo, Mirabel, Dr. Danna, Jobina and few other JFM staff. Crystal's tears caused Lauren to burst into sudden tears and they bear-hugged one another. Dr. Danna and a several of her colleagues piled on while Bo and Mirabel looked on. When they broke the group hug embrace, Crystal took Lauren's face into her hands and looked straight into Lauren's eyes.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again!" Crystal said.

"No promises, but I shall endeavor to try." Lauren replied.

"I can't believe you finally spilt the beans about your past." Crystal said.

"I feel so relieved." Lauren replied.

"I bet you do." Dr. Danna said.

"What is this? Daycare?" Ryan asked when he approached the group.

"It's a birthday party for two-year-olds, remember? The adults are really the guests." Bo reminded.

"Well, I brought something for all of them." Ryan said.

"Nothing inappropriate, I hope?" Kenzi said as she and Antony approached the group with Emilia, Louis, Dakari and Dyson.

"Of course not! But I was hoping to talk Their Majesties into bar-hopping tonight." Ryan replied. Everyone shook their heads.

"Do you ever want children?" Louis asked Emilia.

"I want a ton of children." Emilia replied.

"Like parents, like daughter." Louis said.

"Of course!" Emilia replied. Antony turned to Kenzi.

"Do you ever want children?" Antony asked.

"If you had asked me when Bo and I first met the answer would have been a resounding no. But ever since Bo and Lauren had the amigos, and Dyson and Tamsin next on the hit list…"

"Bite your tongue!" Tamsin cut off quickly. Everyone laughed.

"You don't want children, Regent Tamsin?" Dakari asked.

"It took nine years just to get her to move in with me!" Dyson informed.

"I think Trick needs my help at the bar." Tamsin said and then fled the conversation.

Tamsin approached the bar and Eva greeted her with a smile while Trick stood next her preparing drinks.

"I say! This is quite hectic being what is it that you call it? A Bar Helper?" Eva queried.

"Bar Wench." Tamsin corrected to Trick's horror. Tamsin chuckled as she went behind the bar and searched for something.

"Looking for a bottle to pilfer?" Trick asked.

"Yes, please!" Tamsin replied.

"I think I may have something better than your usual partake." Trick said then went and pulled a cold beer from the tap while Tamsin returned to the front of the bar and took a seat. Once the pour was finished, Trick sat the tall beer down before Tamsin. "I brought this over from the Presidium." Tamsin took a good, long sip and then it hit her like rock.

"Wow! What is this?" Tamsin asked.

"It's Rainstone. From Ravenglass."

"It's so strong! Is this stuff even legal?" Tamsin asked.

"Not on this Plane, no." Trick replied with a smile. "So, what's going on?"

"Getting away from all the baby talk." Tamsin replied.

"An event like this will do it." Trick said.

"Clearly." Tamsin replied.

"You and Dyson not ready to take that next step yet?" Eva asked.

"Are you kidding me? There's so much going on. We don't have time for one another let alone children." Tamsin replied.

"There will never be a time if you don't make the time." Eva counseled.

"Best to be where we're at now. Living together." Tamsin replied.

"And that took how long?" Trick poked.

"Don't you start in." Tamsin replied. Trick chuckled.

"Eva's right. If you and Dyson know that's where you'll end up, then anytime is the best time." Trick advised. Tamsin said nothing. Trick narrowed his eyes. "Is there something else going on between you two?"

"I think there's too much going on between us that has nothing to do with us." Tamsin replied.

"You know what makes you and Dyson work so well together?" Trick prompted.

"What's that?" Tamsin asked.

"It's that both of you are devoted to all things Duty, Honor, Realm. But you know, all that can take a backseat to love. Love can come first. At least, every now and then." Trick replied.

"And you? What about you and Eva? Once this little shindig is done, you'll be back to living at the Presidium for good, ruling over an entire Dynasty." Tamsin replied.

"Yes, but I've been a Monarch before. I know what it all entails, and yet I also know how to carve out time for a life." Trick said them smiled at Eva. "As you can see."

"I know, but not right now. Duty, Honor, Realm simply must come first. Once Bo is Installed as The Princess Royal, perhaps Dyson and I can then take some time away to relax." Tamsin replied.

"Sounds like a plan." Trick said then the Seneschal plopped a large pitcher in front of Trick full of a yellow-brownish liquid with several bright blue frogs with black spots floating inside it.

"What is that?" Tamsin asked with a face.

"It's called the Dendros Howler." Trick replied then placed five mugs on a nearby tray. "These are for Jock and several of his siblings, and for Her Majesty." Tamsin bent forward and sniffed it.

"They can't drink normal beer like other Fae." Tamsin commented.

"It satiates Jock's Ranoruk side." Trick replied. "And sniffing is about all us mere Fae can do. The frogs inside are poisonous. Of the Dendrobatidae family. Hence, its name."

"Ranoruks." Tamsin said. "I guess I can sort of understand why The Queen drinks this."

"Not Ari. Helen." Trick replied to Tamsin's shock.

"Really? How? She's not a Ranoruk. How can she drink this?" Tamsin asked.

"You will find Her Majesty has inherited a few choice abilities due to her marriage with The Queen. One being an iron stomach." Eva added.

"You know what? I'll deliver these because I have got to see them drink this." Tamsin said.

"So long as you don't partake, otherwise we'll be pumping out your stomach." Trick warned.

"No worries there!" Tamsin picked up the tray with the pitcher and mugs then added, "Thanks Trick, Eva!" They both smiled.

Tamsin saw that Jock and several members of his family were by the pool tables and made her way through the crowd and set the tray down onto a nearby table.

"I come with drinks! I think." Tamsin announced. The Queen Consort rounded the pool table.

"Regent Tamsin, don't tell me Fitzpatrick has also made you one of his serving personnel?" Helen asked.

"I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, Your Majesty." Tamsin replied.

"Allow me." Helen said and then proceeded to pour out each mug, a frog plopping in each one, and then doled them out: one to Jock, one to Julian, one to Rimma, and one to Maxima, and one for herself.

"Your Majesty, if I may, but how can you drink that?" Tamsin asked.

"We believe I may have inherited a tolerance giving birth to Ranoruk children." Helen replied.

"How did you even know you had such a…tolerance for that drink?" Tamsin asked.

"Pregnancy hungers. Trust me, the first time I consumed such a concoction was not the best sight to see, but ever since then I have grown accustomed to it. You should have seen what my pregnancies were driving me to eat when I was pregnant with Rimma and Dakari." Helen replied.

"The Realm is not worthy of you, Your Majesty." Tamsin replied.

"That much is true." Jock echoed and then raised his glass. "To Mother!"

"To Mother!" They all toasted. Then Emilia appeared with Louis behind her.

"Did I miss the Dendros Howler?" Emilia asked.

"Yes." Jock replied.

"Do you want one?" Tamsin asked.

"Yes!" Emilia replied.

"Another round coming right up!" Tamsin said.

"I will go with you." Emilia replied.

"Your Serene High…" Tamsin started but Emilia leaned in and whispered.

"No. I really need to go with you." Emilia replied intently.

"Sure. Okay." Tamsin said with a small smile. Emilia then turned to Louis.

"I'll be right back." Emilia said then quickly took Tamsin by the arm and headed to the bar.

"I take it you needed a break?" Tamsin queried when they reached the bar.

"Louis is being exceptionally doting." Emilia said.

"That's because he likes you, sister." Rimma said as she came up from behind.

"You followed me?" Emilia challenged.

"Of course!" Rimma replied. "I knew you were trying to escape. And you left him there to face the interrogations of Mother. You know she champions him."

"What's up guys!" Bo and Kenzi greeted as they walked up. Kenzi carried little Ryan in her arms.

"Taking a break?" Tamsin asked Bo.

"Lauren is in heaven right now talking all things science with the JFM staff, so we made a break for it." Bo replied.

When the Seneschal placed a fresh pitcher of the Dendros Howler on the bar both Bo and Kenzi made a face.

"What is that?" Kenzi asked.

"The Dendros Howler." Tamsin replied.

"Are those frogs?" Bo asked incredulous.

"Yep, and deadly ones at that." Tamsin replied.

"I should be used to this, and yet so not." Bo said.

"Whose that for?" Kenzi asked.

"One for me for sure." Emilia answered as she poured Rimma and herself a mug. Then Julian appeared behind her.

"Got one for me, dear sister." Julian said. Emilia answered by handing him her poured drink and poured herself another. Bo and Kenzi looked at them all in shock.

"You guys are actually going to drink that?" Bo asked.

"If you think that's strange wait until you see Her Majesty drink it." Tamsin replied.

"Ari drinks those?" Bo asked.

"No. The Queen Consort." Tamsin replied.

"Helen? How?" Bo asked incredulous.

"She said it was due to being pregnant with Ranoruk children." Tamsin replied.

"I think you and I need something else." Kenzi said to Bo. "And I have just the thing. At least, I hope it's still there." Kenzi put Ryan down on the ground next to Bo and then headed downstairs to her old office.

Once down there she walked up to one of the cabinets in the back of the office, opened the double doors, took out a few things, and then knocked on the back wall of the cabinet, and it opened. Kenzi smiled. The several liquor bottles she left behind were still in their hiding place. As she reached for one of the bottles, she felt a tremor run down her body, and saw her hand pass through the bottle. Kenzi looked all over herself and saw she was phasing in and out. Kenzi took in a deep breath, closed her eyes, exhaled, and then opened her eyes. The phasing stopped. She exhaled again to steady herself, clenched her hands to make sure they were working okay, and then quickly turned around to see if anyone was there and saw what happened, and there was one indeed. It was little Ryan. He looked at her with a blank look, then pointed at her and laughed. Kenzi stared at him unsure of what he saw and was about to step forward to pick up Ryan when Bo came around the corner into view.

"Hey! You can't run from me like that." Bo said as she took Ryan by the hand. Kenzi let out an exhale. If Bo had been a hair sooner.

"No worries." Kenzi replied as she quickly grabbed the intended liquor bottle.

"I saw him follow you down here." Bo said.

"He just wanted to be with his Auntie, that's all." Kenzi said as she took Ryan's other hand.

"Ghost!" Ryan said as he looked up at Kenzi with a smile. Bo was perplexed.

"Ghost? Not sure why he's saying that." Kenzi said then quickly diverted his attention. "It's cake and ice cream time! Ready for cake and ice cream?"

"Yeah!" Ryan replied.

"Well, then let's get there!" Kenzi encouraged as Ryan let go of both their hands and bounded up the stairs. Antony and Atia met them at the top of the stairs.

"Came to see where you had run off to." Antony said.

"Grabbing booze." Kenzi replied.

"Down there?" Antony asked.

"Always have to hide the good stuff!" Kenzi replied.

"Can I steal Kenzi away for a second?" Atia asked.

"Sure!" Antony replied then he picked up Ryan and said, "Want me to teach you how to growl properly?" And then he shifted his face, so his gorilla-like teeth shown. Ryan laughed hard and grabbed at his lower canine teeth like handles. Antony bounded away with him followed by Bo.

"Is there somewhere we can speak privately?" Atia asked.

"Downstairs here in my old office." Kenzi replied.

After they went downstairs Atia sat down on one of nearest couches and beckoned Kenzi to sit next to her.

"What's up, Your Serene Highness." Kenzi asked.

"We are in…" Atia started.

"Excepted company. Gotcha! What's up?" Kenzi asked again.

"I saw you." Atia said.

"Okay." Kenzi replied cautiously.

"After you visited me at the Chateau. I saw what happened to you down in the garden and how you took off." Atia replied. Kenzi looked at aghast. "How long has this been happening to you?"

Kenzi said nothing.

"Kenzi. It's okay. No one knows I saw you but you." Atia assured.

"You haven't told anyone?" Kenzi asked incredulous.

"Not for me to tell, but I want to help you understand."

"Well, that's very un-Fae like." Kenzi said. Atia laughed. "Seriously! So many Fae and Humans would have either blurted it out already or used it as blackmail by now."

"Well, given your not-so recent history in visiting the afterlife it doesn't surprise me that you were 'touched' so to speak. But I am curious. Why haven't you told your nearest and dearest? Especially Bo?"

"At first, I had no idea what was happening to me. I didn't believe it myself. Besides, it's not consistent. It just happens. Like tonight, just a few minutes ago, my hand ran right through a bottle and little Ryan happened to see it. Thank goodness, he didn't know what he saw, but enough for him to keep saying 'ghost' until I diverted his attention with cake."

"I think you and I can help eachother out." Atia said.

"What do you mean?"

"Not sure if Bo has told you or anything, but my family believes I may be Omni-Kinetic."

"Not following." Kenzi said.

"A Phoenix."

"That I follow. But that shouldn't be too surprising given that your parents possess all these incredible powers, and the fact you're a Ranoruk to boot." Kenzi said.

"Nevertheless, there it is."

"How can I help?" Kenzi asked.

"We need to test whether I truly am Omni-Kinetic."

"From what I understand of Phoenixes in general, is there any safe place to test?"

"There's one." Atia replied. "The Court of the Dead."

"I have got to go there!"

"That's why I'm talking with you. I would like you to accompany me."

"So there!" Kenzi declared.

"And I would like you to accompany me on The Sojourn that would be required as part of the test."

"Like a Dawning of sorts?" Kenzi asked.

"Of sorts. My parents will insist they accompany me, but I think you might be the more fitting choice."

"I hear a huge caveat." Kenzi prompted.

"You and I may not make it out of The Sojourn alive."

"Of course! Like the Dawning." Kenzi said as she threw up her hands. "Is there anything with you Fae that isn't life or death?" Atia chuckled.

"Let me know when you have that answer because I have yet to figure that out." Atia replied. They both chuckled. "Kenzi, I wouldn't ask this if I…"

"I understand what you're asking, and I would be glad to help. Besides, it helps you and me both figure who and what we truly are." Kenzi said.

"Exactly. But what this also means is you will have to tell others what's happening to you. Namely, Bo and Antony." Atia replied.

"I don't know if what's happening to me is real. It just comes and goes when it pleases. I have no control over whatever is going on with me."

"I understand it can be frustrating…"

"You bet it's frustrating!"

"Be assured, you will know after our Sojourn."

"Can we make a pact?" Kenzi proposed. "Let's not tell Bo and Antony anything until we know for sure what's happening with me. I don't want to alarm them or have them worry."

"They know I've asked you to come along, but they nor my parents know the reason why, but yes, you're right. It would be prudent to wait until we know more." Atia replied.

"Good." Kenzi said then exhaled. "I'm so glad that you know. Savina, one of my friends, is the only other person who knows."

"I am here if you need to talk."

"Thanks! Well, we had better return to the party before we're missed."

"Thank you, Kenzi for doing this!" Atia replied.

"No. Thank you!" Kenzi said.

Kenzi and Atia returned upstairs and entered the wing where the children were to find cake and ice cream being doled out by the Seneschal and the parents of the 34 toddlers who waved excitedly with their hands and arms waiting for their serving.

Kenzi looked around and saw Tamsin flanked by Evony and Stasio in conversation with Regent Saladin, Elena and Rimma. Kenzi's heart raced as she made a bee-line over to Tamsin to see what was going on.

"Once that is done, we shall know what comes next." Kenzi overheard Rimma say as she approached.

"What do you mean? What comes next?" Kenzi interjected.

"Kenzi! It's okay. I knew I would have to face the music." Tamsin replied.

"What's happening?" Kenzi insisted.

"Agent Malikov! You forget your presence! Aside from the fact this is none of your concern!" Stasio admonished.

"Tamsin is family! Every bit of this is my concern!" Kenzi shot back.

"Not this time." Evony said evenly. Kenzi looked at Evony with bated breath.

"I trust you have this in hand?" Regent Saladin asked Evony who nodded in response. Regent Saladin then turned and walked away followed by Elena and Rimma.

"Stasio, excuse us for a minute." Evony directed. Stasio gave Kenzi a glaring look and then walked off.

"What's happening?" Kenzi asked again.

"After the Installation Ceremony, I will face the Hall of the Valkyries." Tamsin said.

"So, what does that mean?" Kenzi asked.

"It means that if my case fails before the Hall of Valkyries, I will never be allowed to return here. Or to any one of you. I will be banished. Forever." Tamsin replied. Tamsin's words hit Kenzi like a brick so hard she took a step back.

"Are you kidding me?" Kenzi asked floored.

"No." Tamsin replied.

"Well, that's not happening!" Kenzi replied.

"Well, it's better than the guillotine." Tamsin quipped.

"Tamsin!" Kenzi admonished in a quiet voice as tears welled into her eyes. "I cannot lose you too." Tamsin went up to her and placed her hands on Kenzi's shoulders.

"You think I want to lose everything and everyone I love? Trust me, I will fight. With every ounce of my being." Tamsin replied.

"I will go with you. To stand by your side." Kenzi said.

"You can't." Evony replied.

"Why not?" Kenzi shot.

"Because you're Human." Evony replied. "But I can, and I will." Tamsin and Kenzi looked at Evony surprised. "Don't look surprised. Tamsin works for me, so I have a responsibility to answer for her actions. And if this goes south for her it will a rippling effect on the nascent acceptance of this Plane within the Realm. But let me be clear. If a sacrificial lamb is needed to protect what we have won, I will not hesitate to offer up Tamsin on the altar. Do you understand me?"

"I understand." Tamsin replied. Evony looked at Kenzi.

"I understand." Kenzi replied.

"Good." Evony replied and then turned and walked away. Tamsin looked at Kenzi and then put her arm around her.

"Look! None of it will happen until after the Installation Ceremony. Until then, there's no need to worry about it. C'mon! Let's go grab some cake and ice cream."

Tamsin and Kenzi went to over to the table where Bo, Lauren, Dyson, and Maddy were eating cake and ice cream with the four amigos and sat down with them and were soon served their helpings by the Seneschal. Soon thereafterwards, Ryan Lambert walked up with four boxes in his hands.

"Who wants their gifts?" Ryan announced.

"Me! Me! Me!" The quads chirped with raised hands as they squirmed in their chairs.

"Well, then come on over here!" Ryan directed. Char, Ethan, MaryAoife and Ryan rose from their chairs and went and stood before Ryan who then went to his knees and doled out their respective boxes. "Okay. Now open them up!" They did as they were told, and as gift-wrapping and boxes hit the floor, they all hoisted into the air the same gift: a bronze bracelet. Bo looked at Ryan and her eyes welled up. Bo got up out of her chair and went and kneeled next to Ryan.

"You didn't!" Bo said.

"I did." Ryan replied.

"Ryan gave me the same gift on my birthday when I met him for the very first time." Bo said to the children then looked up at Ryan. "This was so thoughtful."

"Look at the inscriptions inside." Ryan pointed out. The children looked on the inside of their bracelets. "Bo's bracelet had the engraving 'R-E-L 12-3-42' on it. The R was for Raido which in runic means Journey. The E was for Eihwaz which means strength. And the L meant Laguz for Healing. For your guys, I had the initials 'K-A-D' inscribed. 'K' for 'Kenaz' meaning vision. 'A' for 'Algiz' meaning protection, and 'D' for 'Dagaz' meaning fulfillment."

"No numbers?" Bo asked.

"No numbers. But their bracelets have a chip inside them which are also connected to yours so you never lose sight of them." Ryan replied. "You know, that's the real reason why I put a chip in yours. Not to make sure I stayed away, but that I knew you were safe." Tears flowed from Bo's eyes as she reached out and hugged Ryan tightly which caused the children to pile on.

"Thank you." Bo said. Ryan's eyes welled up as he held them all tightly in return.

"Happy Birthday!" Ryan replied.