Hello everyone!

I know I said I would update on Monday's, but thanks to my two lovely beta readers I'm able to post this a little earlier! I love all the support and love for this story and I do hope you guys continue to enjoy this!

Enjoy!


Dragoslava flapped his wings as he landed upon one of the towers and the guards quickly gathered around him. "Have we found anything?" Natalya asked as she jumped down from his neck and looking amongst the guards.

A young soldier looked solemnly at her. "The guards in the North tower are all dead Your Majesty," he replied.

She furrowed her eyebrows, "Dead? There are absolutely no survivors?" He shook his head and she glanced back at Dragoslava who huffed out.

"There's more," the soldier said and she turned back to him. "There was a note left, but we haven't touched it. We were waiting for your arrival, Your Majesty." She nodded and let them escort her towards the large North tower of the castle wall. It looked over the rest of the great valley that they controlled and the forefront of their home. She kept her eyes ahead, but already she could see the trail of bodies that led to the door.

The soldier pushed it open and she walked in glancing around, several bodies in the corner and then a single body propped up against a window. The window was splattered with blood, but she realized it showed the castle perfectly. This is where they must have shot from, she thought to herself. She glanced down at the soldier who had an arrow sticking out from his skull. On the end of the arrow, there was a note and she pulled it off, scanning her eyes over it quickly.

"Your Majesty?" the soldier asked, watching her as she crumpled the note in her hand.

"Clean this place up," she whispered and turned on her heels quickly, heading back to Dragoslava.

"Princess?" Dragoslava questioned as she approached him.

"It's them," she muttered and held the note to his nose. "How long?"

Dragoslava inhaled the scent of the paper and closed his eyes for a long moment before turning towards the outskirts of the wall. "They have fled Your Majesty, but their scent is still strong. I can follow it if you like."

"No," she replied and pulled on the harness around his head to climb atop of him once more. "We have to take this back to the new King." She seated herself and pulled her hair back into a ponytail that would surely ruin her bow, however, there were more pressing matters than looking presentable. She pulled on the harness again and Dragoslava turned towards the castle and headed back towards it.

Ivan knocked on the heavy wooden door and a voice bade him enter. He pushed the door open and saw his mother sitting in a chair holding a teacup, a blanket over her shoulders and she looked up at him. "Ivan," she whispered, with her hair a mess and her crown nearly falling off of her head. Her eyes were puffy and nose a bright red. She looked frail, as though she would break if he made a wrong move.

"How is she?" he asked, quietly closing the door behind him and glancing over at the bed where Yekaterina laid unconscious with bandages covering the majority of her face, all that could be seen were her pale lips. If it weren't for her chest rhythmically rising and falling he would have guessed death had taken her into his arms.

"The doctor said she will live," his mother whispered as he approached her. As he got closer the scent drifting from the cup suggested there wasn't tea in the cup at all. "Where is Natalya?"

"She went to go and make sure the walls are safe with the rest of the soldiers," he replied and reached over taking the cup from her. He set it aside but she didn't fight him, pulling the blanket tighter over her shoulders.

"You shouldn't have sent her out by herself," she muttered.

"She has Dragoslava," he replied and pushed her crown back into place. "I will join her shortly." He leaned down kissing her forehead although he felt her grip his sleeve.

"Please," she whispered softly, "Find the ones who did this."

Ivan closed his eyes for a moment and nodded, "Consider it done." He pulled away from her, not sparing a glance for his sister, and walked out of the cramped room. He held onto the handle of the door a few more moments then slowly removed his fingers glancing at the two soldiers at the door. "Nobody goes into this room lest it is the doctor or someone apart the royal family. Am I understood?"

Their boots clicked together as they saluted towards him and Ivan turned, heading down the hallway. "Ivan!" he heard and he turned slightly to see Natalya walking down the hall towards him. Her hair was now pulled back into a high ponytail, but her dress was in a disarray with ribbons flying everywhere and her bow was almost slipping from her head. She held something in her hand, it appeared to be a piece of paper and she quickly shoved it into his chest. "This is what they left."

He looked down, taking the paper from her, it was crumpled up but he was able to read the handwriting easily enough.

"Your days are setting.

The nights will be longer.

Soon the crown will fall and roll on the floor without a head to rest upon.

You've silenced us long enough.

We will no longer be silenced, but be the silencers instead."

"Where did you find this?"

"In a tower just north of here, the guards were dead upon arrival," Natalya replied. "It was left on one of the soldiers."

Ivan didn't bother to ask what that meant, her far away look was enough to tell him what it meant. "They've decided to attack again," Ivan muttered and folded the piece of paper delicately. "Did you have Dragoslava track the smell?"

"He said they were gone by now," she replied and crossed her arms. "I'm sure I can still go after them if you so wish."

"It could be a false trail," he sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "We need all the manpower we can get here in case something else comes up."

"Do you think this could be the same people who tried to attack the Oxenstierna's?" she asked.

"Possibly, I will have to speak with mother," Ivan said before walking past her. "Keep close to the castle grounds."

Natalya clenched her jaw before turning to face her brothers back. "Don't you think we should do something before they attack again?"

"What could we possibly do?" Ivan asked, pausing in his tracks but not looking at his sister. "For all we know, they could have infiltrated us already. They could be among us, only getting ourselves paranoid isn't going to help any."

"Then I'm going to take matters into my own hands," she said.

"You are going to-"

"Leave. That's final," Natalya said, walking off from her brother.

Why did she have to be so stubborn? He rubbed his temples and shook his head, "You need to stay here. I can't protect you-"

"Who the hell says I need protecting?" she snapped turning to glare at him. "I can take care of myself and this family."

"Natalya that's not what I'm saying," Ivan tried to reason with her but she kept her glare steady until he faltered, looking away. "What are you even thinking of doing?"

"Going to the people of the Black Forest," she replied as if it were the most obvious answer.

"You can't be serious."

"Dead serious," she replied, holding her head high and fixing her bow in the process. "They have hidden for nearly two centuries in the Black Forest, do you realize how powerful their magic must be?"

She had a point, as much as he didn't want to admit it. "They are within the Oxenstierna jurisdiction, what makes you think they won't believe we are up to no good?"

"If they've been attacked, and we've been attacked, we have some common ground, da?" He had to admit, though Natalya could be an airhead at times she was also observant and a good tactician. "You're needed as the leader here," she then added in a softer tone. 'The people, Yekaterina, mother, they all need you. Let me do this."

He stayed silent, closing his eyes and nodding. "Be careful."

"Never," she replied, turning and heading down the hallway, her ponytail swaying behind her with the perfectly propped bow atop.


The light streamed in through the curtains and Tino groaned as he turned on his side, the sharp pain coming from his lower back jolting him slightly awake. He was fighting consciousness as he snuggled further down into the blankets and against the warm body beside him. However his body wasn't going to let him, and it seemed neither would the small dog already trying to snuggle under the covers with him. He opened an eye, seeing a ball of white fluff cloud his vision, and reached out petting Hana. "Good morning to you too," he hummed and yawned as Hana licked his face.

"I didn't think you'd be awake," he heard and glanced up seeing Berwald. His eyes had still been closed, but now he opened one icy blue eye looking down at him.

"Were you pretending as well?" Tino chuckled as Hana managed to get underneath the covers and snuggle between the two warm bodies.

"I have been up for the past hour," he admitted and his hand reached over, tracing Tino's hips. He leaned closer, kissing the other's forehead and watching as Tino's face heated up.

"You didn't have to stay in bed," Tino muttered, tangling their legs together.

"Then I would have missed this," Berwald said and Tino wondered when the other man had become so sappy. He realized deep intimate moments weren't as rare as he thought, but each time one occurred he found his stomach filling with butterflies and his cheeks turning the brightest red. He reached over to move a few strands of golden hair from his face but winced at the pain in his shoulder. He glanced over at the blanket fell away and he realized why it hurt. "You really shouldn't move your shoulder so much," Berwald said pushing his arm back down.

Tino stared at his shoulder and the mark that was there. It looked just like Lovisa's. The mixture of burnt and bitten flesh made his head dizzy for a second and he looked away, closing his eyes.

"Does it hurt too much?" Berwald asked, gingerly touching his arm.

"No, I just need to be careful," he replied. Hana whined looking at his shoulder and pressed her face into his neck staring at the mark. "I'm okay, Hana, I promise," he chuckled and patted her head. He glanced back up at Berwald who also stared at his shoulder, although his eyes were distant and his lips pressed into a tight line. His usual scowl seemed to be twice as deep and Tino leaned up to kiss him gently - much to Hana's dismay. "Stop that," he said, but Berwald avoided his glance. "We both agreed this was what we wanted, okay?"

Berwald wrapped his arms around Tino's waist, pulling him closer. Hana whined uncomfortably before hopping out from the middle and deciding to go back to her spot at the end of the bed. Good, Berwald thought, as he kissed Tino's neck gently. Dark love bites painted his neck and various other places along his body and Berwald ran his lips over them. Tino closed his eyes enjoying the feeling as he found himself being flipped onto his back with Berwald going lower with each kiss. He inhaled sharply running his hand through the thick blond hair when there was a knock on the door, making him jump slightly.

"Berwald," they heard Mathias say from the other side of the door.

"What is it?" Berwald responded although he didn't break away from Tino. His lips continued to trace down and Tino covered his mouth, wondering if he was going to stop, although he wished he wouldn't.

"We have a guest."

"Send them away. I'm busy." Tino held back a small moan when he felt the breath against his crotch and his legs shivered as he was slowly exposed.

"Um, well you see-"

"Berwald open up!" came a loud female voice with three loud knocks on the door. Hana immediately stood up and began barking at the door.

"Natalya, I told you he might be busy-"

Berwald got up from the bed, muttering something under his breath that Tino couldn't understand as he slipped on his glasses and some pants he had tossed around the night before.

"Berwald, I will knock this door down in three seconds if you don't open up!"

"Natalya…" Mathias begged, clearly trying to keep her calm.

Tino held the blanket up a bit, staring at the door and wondering who in the world was Natalya? Was she a friend of theirs? Hana kept barking and he called her over, holding her close to his chest as Berwald opened the door.

"What do you want?" Berwald asked staring at the shorter woman. Her sharp blue eyes were smirking at him. She had done this on purpose.

"We need to speak."

"Can we do this later?"

"Of course," Natalya replied tauntingly. "How does five minutes sound?"

"You're evil," he muttered.

"I never changed," she replied and turned, heading down the hallway without another word.

Berwald glared at her, then at Mathias, "You just let her come up here?"

"I did try stopping her, but it's her," he scowled crossing his arms. "You try stopping her when she wants something."

He had a point and Berwald closed the door to the room, deciding it was best if he got ready. Unfortunately, he would have to continue the lovemaking later. "Everything okay?" Tino asked, watching as Berwald headed back towards the bed.

"Fine, an old friend," he replied and climbed back on the bed to kiss Tino. However, Hana kept licking both their faces and he chuckled patting her head.

"Should I get ready?" Tino asked, already wondering what he would wear. He didn't exactly have many clothes besides the ones Lovisa graciously left him.

"No, you should rest," Berwald insisted as his eyes wandered over to his shoulder. "You really shouldn't move as it is when you've been marked. I'll have Mathias come check up on you."

Tino reluctantly agreed and he leaned forward, pressing their lips together. He pulled away a few moments later and smiled. "You should get going," he hummed with their lips brushing together. Berwald huffed out before he got off the bed and changed his choice of wardrobe.

Natalya sat patiently in the dining room, sipping on some tea when the door opened, but she didn't bother to glance over. "About time, I thought I was going to have to drag you out in the middle of having sex."

Berwald inhaled deeply, she had always been uncomfortably blunt with her words. He took a seat across from her and she glanced up at him as Mathias walked back out with another cup, this time filled with coffee and set it down in front of him. "What're you doing here?" he asked, deciding to cut to the chase.

"You live all the way out here so I'm assuming you haven't heard the news, or you're being kind and deciding to avoid it," Natalya said. Berwald raised an eyebrow at her, she was correct in assuming the latter. "First, let me congratulate you on your new marriage. Your mother said he's "most agreeable"." Berwald awkwardly smiled and she cracked a small smile before leaning forward, "They also told us of what happened. Oleo, was it?" she asked and Berwald's smile disappeared the moment the name passed her lips. She nodded and glanced at down at her cup, "Well, it appears the group isn't just after you."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm here because on the day of Ivan's crowning… they attacked. This isn't the first time they've attacked either."

"Does my father-"

"Yes. About this time," she said and stared up at him. "We've told your parents the reason our father died was poisoning, which isn't far from the whole truth." Berwald was silent, waiting for her continue, but she gripped the cup in her hand tighter. "They poisoned him," she whispered through her teeth.

"Silence," he stated and she snapped her eyes up at him. They were glossed over but she refused to let the tears fall.

"Yes. They attempted to kill Yekaterina and Ivan."

His jaw clenched, "Are they okay?" She looked away from him and stared out the large window in the dining room. The flora of the Black Forest bloomed in the coming spring and she sat back in her seat.

"Of course they are," she replied and closed her eyes for a moment. "But, there is another reason why I'm here."

"If you need my help I'll do what I can-"

He was cut off when she let out a short scoff and wiped at her face. She turned to face him, her eyes growing a lifeless blue. "You know as well as I do that we can take care of ourselves. Once we find out who's done this there won't be a soul alive to tell the story."

Berwald refrained from the low growl rising from his chest, it was instinct, but he knew her anger was not directed towards him. "Then what is it?"

"I've come to ask the people of the Black Forest to join me," she stated and pushed her cup to the side. "I want them to join my forces."

Berwald stared at her, waiting for her to make some sort of remark. To cackle, making fun of his face. But she didn't. She was completely serious. "Why?"

"Why not?" Natalya replied crossing her arms. "They've lived for two centuries in the Forest by now, do you realize how advanced their magic must be? They aren't restricted by the rules of high-class society like us."

He held up his hand and she paused, "This...sounds dangerous. What makes you think they will even agree?"

"Because I've already spoken with them," she said smoothly. Berwald furrowed his eyebrows deeper. "Did you think I was just going to show up here first? I had to see them for myself. And just as I thought, they are much more advanced in magic than we are."

"Then you're here because…?"

"Because I know the rules," Natalya said. "They are technically people of your land. They need your permission to move freely. Yes, I may be a princess, but I come from a different land. I hold only so much power here. I need you to pardon them."

He sat back in his seat, recognizing her dilemma. "Who has agreed to go with you?"

"A few, they are only waiting for your word. It seems the people of the Forest put more trust in you than I thought." He glanced away and closed his eyes. He didn't like being in a position of leadership. He had never seen himself as a leader at all, but still, he always managed to get himself stuck as one. "Will you help?"

"Yes, of course," he replied and stood up. "I'll write the pardon up, it will take me just a few minutes."

She nodded, picking up her warm tea as he headed for the door. "By the way," she added, "I'm pleased to see Mathias alive. When they told me you had killed him I couldn't believe it." He glanced back at her, only to see her eyes staring at him. "Don't worry. I know how to keep a secret," she purred pressing her finger to her lips.


"Of course, the Duke will help her," Elizaveta said, standing and staring out her window while nibbling on the tip of her finger. "I can't imagine why he wouldn't."

"Yet, here you are panicking about it," Gilbert pointed out, sitting at the table and watching her. "You need to breathe."

"I can't," she said turning towards him. "They are asking for our help. That can only mean one of two things. Something terrible has happened, or they are planning something terrible." She didn't know which she would prefer. She smoothed out her dress and walked over to the table, taking a seat across from Gilbert.

"If they are asking for our help, I have no doubt something terrible has happened," Ludwig said sitting at the other end of the table. His hands were clasped together while learning he leaned on his elbows, which were propped up on the table. "You saw the way the Princess walked in here. She was observing us. Sizing us up."

"To fight…" Elizaveta muttered more to herself.

"That wouldn't make any sense," Gilbert frowned and crossed his arms. "None of this makes sense."

"You aren't mad, are you?" Feliciano muttered, leaning against his brother. The copper headed twins sat quietly along the side of the river, but Lovino was plucking grass and quietly brooding.

"Why would I be mad?" he asked, gripping a fistful of grass and tossing it aside. "My younger brother got married without me there."

"I told you," Feliciano sighed, "It was just him and I, we went alone."

"You could have at least called me."

"Well with Antonio returning I didn't want to bother you," Feliciano said sitting up and glancing over at his brother. "He has been gone for quite some time."

"It doesn't matter," Lovino muttered. "I'm your brother."

Feliciano looked away, guilt sitting heavy in his stomach. When the Princess showed up, so many things had happened at once. He truly wasn't expecting Ludwig to propose that's for sure, and when he did he wanted to get married as soon as possible. Although an hour later was not what he had had in mind. "I know, I'm sorry. We can still hold another ceremony and everyone will be there." Lovino didn't reply and Feliciano bumped his shoulder against his other brother, "You can be my best man," he whispered.

"Damn right I'll be your best man," Lovino huffed. Feliciano laughed and wrapped his arms around his brother. Lovino glanced over at him, but half smiled leaning into his brothers embrace.

"Ne, how is Antonio?"

"He's fine, exhausted as usual when he comes home," Lovino replied.

"When is he leaving…?" Feliciano was hesitant to ask, he knew how his brother dreaded thinking about it. But work was hard to come by staying in the village, and often times people traveled outside.

"He says he is actually staying home for a few months," Lovino cracked a smile as he said this. "They paid him well and said he won't be needed until they call again."

Feliciano clapped his hands together, "Then we'll hold the wedding while he's here!" he declared. Lovino glanced over at him throwing the remaining grass in his hands with a large smile. They were silent for a second before breaking out into laughter and leaning against one another. Feliciano had laid back on the black grass running his hands over it gingerly, "Ne, do you think grandfather would come?" he asked his tone having dropped down to a whisper.

Lovino stared at the passing river, "You know he wouldn't agree."

"But maybe…"

"You're getting your hopes up, Feli. If he didn't show up when I married Antonio then what makes you think he'll show up now?" Lovino turned slightly to look at his brother. He was staring up at the sky, his usual bright hazel eyes seemed distant. "You know he would rather have us lonely than marry a non-nymph."

Feliciano sat up quickly at that, "But Ludwig is a shifter!" he exclaimed.

"Still human though," Lovino pointed out and Feliciano looked away, wrapping his arms around himself.

"I just want to see him again," he muttered.

Lovino pressed his lips into a firm line, looking away from his brother. He wasn't going to lie and tell him he would. He would rather stay silent than give his brother false hope. The same hope he had held, which was crushed the second he knew his grandfather never showed up. "What will you wear to the wedding?" Lovino asked, deciding to change, subject.


"I'm so glad you've come," Svetlana said, looking up at the young pair who had entered. The young girl was far shorter than her, with a thin veil draped over her head so all the Queen Mother could see were her lips and the end of her blonde hair. Beside her stood a taller man, a stern look on his face with mint green eyes staring at her. His choppy blonde hair reached his chin and he guided the younger woman to a seat.

"We're honored to be here," the young woman said as soon as she sat down across from Svetlana.

Svetlana took a seat across from her as they sat at a small table. The man standing beside the woman turned his back towards the two women."Yes, well, many things have happened," she whispered looking down at her lap. Her hands were clasped tightly together, a deep shaky breath passed her lips.

The young woman removed her veil and smiled at her, "Do not worry, Yekaterina will be okay," she said. Svetlana smiled at the news and glanced up at her, seeing the bright blue ribbon on the side of her head. Although her eyes were milky white of blindness, she smiled at Svetlana.

"Thank you for the reassurance," Svetlana whispered and then closed her eyes collecting her thoughts. "I...want to know if this also applies to the rest of my family. I know, you can only see so far into the future, and what you see may change, but please, Oracle, I must know."

"I understand," Erika hummed, extending her hands out and Svetlana placed her hands in the others'. "There is going to be a great deal of change coming. Your family must be willing to make sacrifices."

"What more could we possibly sacrifice?" Svetlana asked furrowing her eyebrows. "I've lost my husband, my child is suffering…" her voice faltered and broke as she looked away from her. "What more could we possibly give?"

"Change can be scary," Erika softly whispered and gripped her hands a little tighter. "But you must go through with it, the harder you fight it, the worse it will be, my Queen Mother."

"What about my children?" she asked staring at the milky white eyes. "Will...will they be okay?"

Erika's eyelids lowered as she stared at her. "I can see the change taking place within your son. Your son is being consumed by his duties, ignoring the spiritual side of his magic. This will only lead to his downfall. It will turn him bitter and hateful, which could only lead to violence and his self-destruction."

"H-How do I fix it?" Svetlana asked leaning forward in her chair. "Is there any way I can help him?"

"Ivan is a strong and stubborn soul, but he needs someone to help soothe him. To help him see his efforts are not fruitless."

"Where do I find such a person?" Svetlana whispered to herself, glancing away from the Oracle. She knew her son would need to marry soon to ensure an heir, but she had pushed such thoughts away with everything unfolding. "I don't understand, Oracle. Where will I find such a person in this land? How will I know they are right for him?"

"You must head East," she hummed softly. "With a voice steady and calming like a gentle flute. Hair as dark as raven feathers. Skin as white as porcelain and as soft as silk. This will be the one you seek." Her body began to sway and Svetlana grabbed her hands tighter as the older man turned around quickly. He stepped closer as she leaned against him and she slowly let go of Svetlana's hands. "I apologize, Mother, I can no longer continue."

"You've done more than enough," Svetlana said softly with a smile. "Please feel free to go and lie down, we will have a carriage ready for you when you wish to leave."

"Thank you," Erika whispered pulling her veil up once more. "I'm okay Vash," she said, looking up at her older brother. He didn't respond, helping her out of the chair and letting her lean against him.

Svetlana watched as the pair walked out of the room and closed her eyes for a moment before standing up and heading out the same door. "I'm off to the stables," she informed the guards quickly, heading down the hallway.

She walked down the stone steps, pulling her shawl closer to her body. The damp cold air rushing up and blew her hair from her face. She held a torch, keeping her head up high and soon the ground evened out before her and she looked up into the large cave, small pieces of light streaming in from several places. Dozens of glowing eyes turned towards her in the dark. "Hello my children," she said.

"Queen Mother," they responded in unison.

A fold and white serpentine dragon stepped forward, bowing its head to the ground. She walked up to it and patted the heavily scaled head. With the top of his body golden in color and the bottom white, he offered a majestic sight, even though he only had a serpents' body with two wings to guide him. "Nikita," she cooed.

"Your Majesty, you seem troubled," Nikita responded as her body slowly coiled around Svetlana.

"Many things are taking place," she responded to her dragon, relaxing in her coil. Nikita's sharp golden eyes worried looked her over with her head pressing into her gently. "But I need to ask you to find me Quiniu."

Nikita pulled away slightly as the rest of the cave of dragons looked on curiously. "May I ask why, Your Majesty?"

"I need him to find someone for me. I know he knows the land of the east better than anyone else of us."

"What shall I tell him?"

Svetlana paused and then recited the same riddle the Oracle had given her. "Tell him he is to find this person."

"Shall he bring him back?"

"Not yet," Svetlana replied. "I want him to find the person first and then we shall personally visit him."

Nikita slowly uncoiled herself with her webbed wings spreading, "Consider it done, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, Nikita," she said, as the large dragon flapped her wings once and she immediately was off into the darkness of the cave. Svetlana then turned on her heels heading back to the surface of the castle.


I do hope you enjoyed this as much as I have and please leave a review on what you like and what you didn't! Thank you so much!