Many weeks later, when both the king and queen were healed, they laid together in bed, happy. Both were naked, enjoying the alone time they had.

Lily, sitting on top of Nuada, leaned down and kissed him. He returned it, kissing her passionately. He turned them over, trapping his wife beneath him. He pulled away and looked down at her.

"I love you." He admitted.

"I love you too." She replied.

"I love you more."

"I love you more."

They kissed again. They pulled back, their noses barely touching.

"Stay with me forever." Nuada said.

"I will."

They kissed again. Nuada pulled back and positioned himself. Lily wrapped her legs around his waist. He entered her, thrusting hard but lovingly.

"Nuada." Lily moaned, her head thrown back.

"Lily." He moaned back. He kissed her neck.

They moved in sync with each other, years of practice helping them.

"I love you."

"I love you."

HBHBHBHBHB

Many years later, an adolescent Catherine approached her mother. Her dirty blonde hair had grown past her shoulders. Her brown eyes and pale skin made her a beauty to both races. She had a slight pout on her face.

"Mother, you remember Daithi? He's been my boyfriend for a while? Strong soldier? Wonderful muscles?" Catherine asked.

Lily's appearance had hardly changed over the years, the potion working wonderfully. She laughed at her daughter's detail of her boyfriend.

"Yes I do. What about him?"

"Well . . . How did you know you loved Father?" She asked meekly, looking at her feet and blushing.

Lily laughed again, but stopped when she saw the look on her daughter's face.

"Well, I'd have to say I knew I was in love when we were separated for a while, neither of us knowing if we would ever see the other again. When we were reunited, your father ran to my side. I knew then, when he was kneeling beside me, that I loved him. I knew nothing would keep us apart. I think your father knew that he loved me in that instant too." Lily smiled fondly at her memories into the distance.

Catherine smiled at her mother. "So it takes separation with the uncertainty that you will ever see them again then seeing them to know if you truly love them?"

"No getting any ideas, missy! You'll know if you love him when separation from him hurts." Lily explained.

Catherine nodded, her face deep in thought. Lily cleared her throat.

"Would Daithi be a good king? He wouldn't have more power than you, but would he be good to rule beside you?" She asked her daughter.

Catherine bit her lip. "About that. I'm not so sure I'll be a great queen. Maybe Nibenon would be better?"

"What makes you say that?" Lily tilted her head to the side.

"It's just the pressure of it all."

Lily put her hands on either side of Catherine's face.

"Listen to me. You are beautiful and strong and smart and wise. You'd make a wonderful queen. But if you don't think you will, wait until your father dies to make a decision either way. But I know you'll be great." Lily told her.

Catherine smiled. "Thanks, Mom."

The End.

I hope you have all liked this story! It's taken me almost two years to write. Thank you all for your reviews and support!