Hello, dearies. (I'm still working on his laugh.)

As always, I own naught.

"Why are we here?" Lucy asked, tightening the shawl she'd made Vander buy her. They were sitting in the square of Gelo, a city along the border of Iceburg and Pergrande. Since the shadowquip mage hadn't told her where they were going before essentially kidnapping her (again), she wasn't dressed for the cold weather.

Most of Iceburg was a series of mountainous plateaus that were high enough above sea level to be on average, ten degrees cooler than the countries on either side with an average high in the low 60's.

Iceburg fashion leaned towards the conservative out of necessity that became cultural. When she realized why she was getting such scandalized looks, she burst out laughing.

"What?" Vander asked.

"I have a friend that's from Iceburg that has a stripping habit. I find myself wondering how he fared here."

"Is he hot?"

"Objectively, yeah. Good luck getting him away from Juvia though."

"Hm. Is she hot?"

"Yeah."

"Cool. I'll just have both of 'em."

"Not if you interrupt Kaleb and me again. I'll geld you."

Vander cupped his groin and inched away from her. He'd dropped in that morning with the announcement that Lucy was going with him, interrupting Kaleb's lovely way of waking her up. She'd been so close to cumming that she'd nearly killed Vander where he stood.

She laughed at his reaction, knowing that there was a hint of a cackle in that laugh. As happy-go-lucky as the man always seemed, she could see the difference now.

.~*~.

Emzadi and an exhausted Lucy and Meredy returned to the guild after spending nearly eight hours shopping with the solar dragon slayer. Bickslow had tapped out after four with the statement that he'd only stayed that long because Scary Lucy's glare any time he tried to leave. The guild was in the midst of the loudest party she'd seen yet.

"What's going on? It's Tuesday, right?" Lucy asked.

"I'm not sure. Time could flow different when your shopping with Emi. It felt like forever," Meredy said as they found the first empty couch and collapsed into it.

Vander found them, or more likely saw Emzadi getting them drinks, and scooped Lucy into a bear hug and kissing her, only flinching slightly at Kaleb's reaction to that.

"You wonderful, amazing, magnificent woman."

"While I'm not going to deny that, what did I do to earn this praise?" Lucy asked as soon as he set her down.

"You haven't heard?"

Lucy pointed at Emzadi. "She wouldn't let me bring my tablet."

"Shopping is serious business. You didn't need it," she huffed. Unlike her mate who was still cranky with her, Emzadi had accepted her reasoning for why they couldn't go to Pergrande. She did make Lucy agree that once everyone's mating had settled, the women should do a girls' trip whether it be a job or spa, she wasn't picky.

What's going on? Lucy asked Kaleb.

In light of Kurino's corruption, they did an investigation into the Steel Council. It was officially disbanded today for crimes against Boscan citizens. He showed her the information he knew. That the Steel Council kidnapped family members or used the threat of violence to blackmail powerful mages into joining. They'd threatened Xally to control Vander. And threatened Vander to help keep Kaleb from saying anything. He told her about Presca, Vander's partner, who'd lost nearly his entire family to them.

The corruption of the Steel Council wasn't a well-kept secret. When a mage was dragged out for spying at the guild, it was the first time the mages truly acknowledged that something had changed. All of them knew they could be summoned for one reason or another.

Since the announcement of Kurino's execution on Sunday, it had seemed as if the guild couldn't decide how they felt. Knowing that the Steel Council was under her purview, many seemed to want to celebrate while others thought that constituted treason. Thought, there hadn't seemed to be any tears shed for the princess. Any conversations implying that Kaleb wasn't fit to lead were relegated to dark corners away from any dragon slayers to hear.

.~*~.

"I'm waiting for an informant and it's for your task to get us into Pergrande so it only seems fair that you be my eye candy. Besides, Presca is still helping his cousin."

"Have you thought about if you'll rejoin?" Lucy asked. Vander gave her a confused look. "They're planning on reinstituting the Steel Council, but it would be voluntary."

"I know. I'm still thinking about it. There are things that I liked about being a spy. And a lot more that I hated about them. I think it'll depend on who they choose to replace Grandace."

"Will you go to the execution?"

"If I was allowed to kill him myself, yeah. But he's claiming the Immaculate Light will see that he had the right intentions," Vander sneered. "I don't want to sit there and watch him scream. I want to cause it." He glanced at Lucy who was watching him candidly. Lucy who was smiles and playful evil. "Do you think less of me?"

"No. I thought about taking off Kurino's head the night of the fight. Kaleb told me not to. Even if he wasn't my mate, the idea of someone hurting him that way…" She sighed. "Even still. I hated hearing her scream like that."

"That's because you're a better person than I am."

"That's not true," she said. Then she stood, pulled at his cheeks to fake a smile, then ran off before he could retaliate. The two ran around square laughing as Lucy dodged Vander's attempts to retaliate.

He skidded to a stop and Lucy followed suit. Boscan clothing was distinctive for its sheer fabrics that gave the illusion of modesty. As such, there'd been no hiding that she'd come from Bosco. In many of the more conservative nations of Ishgar, Boscans were considered particularly loose. Many of the men had ogled her even as their wives sneered.

A man had caught Vander's eye. Instead of leering at Lucy, he was watching Vander with interest. His hair was cut short enough that she couldn't tell what color it was, and there was a Pergrandian royal family crest tattooed on his forearm.

"Really? That's why you dragged me here?" she hissed.

"He wasn't really going to make himself super obvious." Vander snaked his shadows around the man to keep him from running off. "Sorry, not sorry. But we need something from you."

"Whatever it is, I ain't got it."

"You do. Right here," Vander said, tapping the guard's forehead. "Now, where do you live?"

"And if I don't tell you?"

"You'll die."

"Van…" Lucy said, deciding to play good cop. "You're a Pergrandian guard for the royal family. The fact that you're here means you had a falling out. Since you still have the tattoo, you either fled before they executed you or they exiled you with it because it would limit where you could go. They tolerate you here because they rely on staying in the good graces of Pergrande. How am I doing so far?"

"Not bad," Vander answered.

"Didn't ask you. Now, since you're Pergrandian and were obviously more interested in my friend which I don't blame you because he's attractive and a very good kisser-"

"Aw. Thanks."

"Welcome," she told Vander with a smile before turning back to the former guard. "Anyways, Iceburg is very nearly legally heterosexual so this can't be pleasant for you."

"What are you offering?"

"Tattoo removal."

"Only the royal family can remove it without cutting off my arm."

"I have my ways. Which I won't show you here. Do we have a deal?"

"Seal it like a Boscan," the guard said, eyeing Vander who in turn looked at Lucy.

"It's not me he's interested in," Lucy said.

Vander groaned then pulled the man into a rough kiss. When they separated, the guard had a smirk.

"You're right. He is a good kisser."

The man didn't say anything further as he led them to his flat. It was a sparsely furnished place. The bed looked uncomfortable and had a threadbare blanket. The table was hidden under papers, inks, bits of leather, and wax seals.

"Well?"

"Open, gate of the virgin! Virgo!" Virgo popped out, already holding the cream. "Prophetic as always."

"Punishment?"

"No. Tell Leo that we're getting close though."

"Yes, Princess."

Lucy opened the foul-smelling ointment, scooped a small amount on her finger, then placed the small dab on the skin. They waited in silence for it to dry and Lucy peeled it off. With the ointment came the ink.

"Do we have a deal?" she asked showing him where the ink was on the peeled ointment.

"What do you need?"

"Papers into Pergrande," Vander said.

"You're a Boscan spy. Why do you need papers?"

"We need to get into Skys Reach," Lucy said.

"Than you're a damned idiot."

"That's been implied a few times lately," she replied blandly.

He tried staring her down for a minute before asking, "How many people?"

"Six: two women, four men."

His gaze swept over her. "You speak Joyan?"

"No. Why?"

"Joyan warqueens and nobles often buy gladiators from Skys Reach. Can you do the accent?"

"Probably."

"I'll make you papers for Joyan nobles for you and the other woman. You'll have to make up the back stories later. The men can be slaves or even Pergardians hired to watch your backs. They won't question the idea of hired guards. Happens often enough."

"Understood."

You're anxious. It's got Cris nearly vibrating out of his seat.

It didn't surprise her that all of them were waiting in White Sea. When Arman found out that Kaleb was her mate but that she wouldn't claim him until after the keys had been retrieved, he'd called in a favor. Now, an intercept, the fastest airship in Ishgar, was waiting for them at the White Sea skyport.

Kaleb had found the entire thing funny. All he'd say was that Arman was tired of waiting for grandbabies. Meredy wasn't ready yet and Emzadi just hadn't gotten lucky.

Is it packed? We'll leave as soon as we get back.

Are you sure you want to leave straight away?

Well…Your brother interrupted this morning. I wouldn't mind a chance to finish. It'll be an awfully long time.

Also, if my math is right, if you leave as soon as you get back, you'll get to Bellum too early anyways. You should leave around seven tonight.

Didn't think about that. Go tell Cris and Bix to take some time.

It took less time than Lucy expected for him to make the papers. She spent the time talking about the mission with Kaleb and his siblings with Vander.

Have I mentioned how sexy it is when you carry on two conversations?

Probably but I'm not opposed to hearing it again.

As he had when they'd arrived, Vander chose to Void hop from outside of town. Iceburg magic was largely elemental and ice based. He avoided causing a panic by stepping out of the shadows. That was his excuse. Lucy guessed that this was one of his stops before going into Pergrande and didn't want anyone to know the full extent of his magic.

.~*~.

Lucy was curled up next to Kaleb, absently tracing patterns on his chest. They'd shared pleasure but mostly cuddled. He wondered if her cuddling was a dragonslayer trait like it was with his brother. Her thoughts were submerged beneath music. When she'd first joined the guild, he thought she did that to keep him out. After a few days, he'd probed a little deeper and realized it was entirely unconscious. It meant that she was particularly pensive. It was also usually peaceful piano concertos that he could listen to all day. In fact, he'd had Thane find him some of the music so that he could listen to it while she was gone.

"What are thinking about?" he asked. Her face lit up when he asked.

"I don't wanna leave you. Not yet."

"I don't like it either. But you were right. I can't afford to leave right now. I sent a couple of groups to help with Avatar. I asked Laxus but with you headed to Pergrande, he didn't want to leave if you called for help."

Her eyes widened, and she moved to lean on his chest so that she was looking him in the eye more easily. "You didn't tell me that."

"I know. I didn't want to worry you. Liam, the crowned prince, asked me. He's working on repairing any potential damage with Hisui. Besides, Avatar is far enough north that their forces could flee into Bosco."

Lucy sat up. "I should go make sure everything's ready. We leave soon."

Kaleb glanced at the clock. She wasn't wrong, but he knew that wasn't why she was climbing out of his bed and dressing.

"Lucy?"

"It's nothing."

He stood, turned her around, and pulled her into an embrace. He felt the tears against his skin as she sobbed. In her mind, there were two warring factions. One wanted to stay, claim him, and wait to go. Wait until he could go with her. The other side wanted Aquarius. Was pointing out that Loke said that something was going on with Cassiopeia.

"I don't wanna go," she said, hiccupping. I wanna stay with you.

You'll be gone two weeks tops.

I don't care.

Kaleb let go of her, sat on the bed so that he was closer to eye level, and wiped away her tears. "Little queen, what's the right decision? Use that beautiful brain of yours. As glad as I am to have your heart, you're a burgeoning queen. What's the right decision?"

"To go."

"I agree. If Cassiopeia is worried enough that she's forced the Celestial King to get you to retrieve her keys, there has to be a reason for it. And it might not be a reason that can wait. Besides, you'll have the mental link with me."

"I don't like it."

He kissed her lips softly. "I don't either."

The alarm Lucy had set to keep from being late chimed and she sighed. "You should get dressed. I'm going to call everyone and them meet us at the skyport."

While dressing, he glanced at the box on his dresser. It was black with a star on the top. Part of why Emzadi had kept Meredy and Lucy out for so long shopping was to give him time to get it.

When he walked out, she smiled at him. Her eyes were still a little shiny and it wasn't the big grin that she usually had but he'd take it.

"Should I be insulted that you smile at me like that when you see me dressed?"

Lucy giggled, walked over, and hugged him. Her hand unabashedly moved down to grab his ass. "I don't know. I do have plenty material of you naked." She stayed there, breathing in his scent.

You should take one with you.

Hm?

My shirt.

I already stole one.

Is that where the one with silver stripes went?

Hm? What did you say?

He laughed because she was teasing him. He remembered her remarking that she liked the fabric that the shirt had been made from. The sight of her getting up at one point and putting it on to respond to a call from Vander had been one of sexiest things he'd ever seen. Followed by coming back from the office for lunch and finding her asleep on his couch with a book on Pergrandian politics being used as her pillow. Still wearing nothing but his shirt.

"Will you be okay?"

"Yeah. Because you're annoyingly right. Something is going on with Cassi and that needs to be taken care of. Van thought to call Farron to make sure that there won't be a Joyan delegation in Pergrande. There isn't currently so we need to not waste the opportunity." She stood on her toes and pulled him into a kiss. "Thank you."

He took her hands and she felt him placed something in her palm, but he didn't let go so that she could look.

"Will you promise with me?"

He heard her brain go to a screeching halt. It was silent as she looked down at the ring in her hand. It was a design found amongst the celestial mages in Cellis. The ring was designed to look like a favored key with embellishments around the stone. He'd chosen Aquarius since he knew how important she was to her. Most of the rings in Cellis chose stellarium if they could afford it but he wanted to put some of his magic into the lacrima so they'd always be connected.

As her brain started to process, he knew that she recognized his magic in the lacrima but not the key design.

She took his hand and placed the ring in it. "No."

He was fairly certain his heart stopped. He hadn't considered that she'd turn him down. Even if she hadn't said it, he knew she loved him. They were mates.

"Kaleb," she said softly, placing her hand on his cheek. "I meant not yet."

"Why?" He didn't want to sound angry and she let him take a step away from her.

"Because it sounds like you're asking me because I'm leaving. Not because you're ready. Not because I'm ready. You're the guildmaster of White Sea, the largest guild in Ishgar. I'm a dragonslayer whose also an almost queen of an almost tatsu. And quite possibly, more importantly, a Fiorian socialite. I'm pretty sure your father would need to actually deal with the legality of that part."

You're rambling.

"Right. Sorry." She sighed. "Like you said, I'll be gone for probably two weeks. You might change your mind."

"I'm your mate."

"Yes, you are. But there's other potentials out there. You might decide that this," she gestured to the two of them, "was just sexual tension. I'd hate it, but I'd respect that. You have the right to tell me no. This isn't something that should be decided on a whim."

He felt the hurt seep away because she was right. He'd planned on waiting until the perfect time. Had wanted to romance her and sweep her off her feet because he knew she had fantasies about that. She'd accepted the idea that it would never happen and wanted to prove her wrong. He'd heard her jealousy when she'd helped Cristoff come up with ways to get to know his mate. Knew what she gossiped about with his sisters.

"I've waited years for you. I can wait a bit longer," he said finally. He took off one of his necklaces, slid the charm off the chain, and replaced it with the ring before dropping the long chain over Lucy's head. "Take it with you. You'll always be able to talk to me with that lacrima."

She was crying as she pulled him into a kiss.

"You're going to be late," he said, pulling away reluctantly before she could follow through her thought of taking him on the couch.

"Fine."

The others were already waiting for them at the skyport.

"What were you doing?" Bickslow asked, bumping her playfully.

"You're going to be with your mate so shut up about me wanting to spend time with mine," she grumbled.

Laxus pulled her into a bear hug. "Be safe, Blondie," he said quietly. When he released her, looking at the others, "If she comes back injured, I'm frying all of your asses. Understood?"

Lucy hit him. "Knock it off. It's a dangerous mission and you can't blame them if I get hurt."

"Sure, I can. You're the queen."

Lucy glanced at Kaleb. "Not yet but soon."

Freed gave her one of his light pens. Just in case. Bickslow very nearly needed to carry her away once she started kissing Kaleb goodbye. As they boarded, Cristoff noticed the ring around her neck.

What's with the ring? Cristoff asked Kaleb.

She said that I was rushing it.

Did you tell her you'd ordered it a week ago?

That seemed like coercion. I'll wait. We've got time.