I am sorry…I…hate myself more than just a little because of this. If you are a crier maybe tissues would be wise for the end of the chapter…

-Chapter 19-

Two days, it had been two whole days that Bickslow had been away and Erza Scarlet was a hair's breathe away from storming the palace. She'd already made her first approach politely. Was it her fault that everyone was rude and refused answer her? How hard was it to answer, "Where is Bickslow?" with, "Oh, here let me show you." See, easy. But no, the man she asked didn't even so much as look her way. He may have worn incredible armor that shined like emeralds in the morning sun with an excellently crafted spear she would have loved to get her hands on but he was no truly honorable knight. No one honor bound would refuse her plight. To make things worse he exaggerated his reaction to her correction of his behavior. Who gets a broken nose that easily? Honestly all she had done was head-butt him. Maybe he needs a helmet that covers his face? It was a mistake she now concedes to because that had earned her a one way escort away from Bickslow, her intended goal, by half a dozen armor clad knights. Erza continued her walk through the center of the unfamiliar city trying very hard to distract her mind with shopping.

All she wanted to do was offer her services. She was an excellent knight herself, would provide her own armor. Bickslow would be safe with her standing guard. The Pradesh brothers could return home and spend time with their family and she would stand vigil. Everybody wins so what was their problem?

She knew her problem all too well. Her boyfriend, something she still marvels she even has, could die at any moment and she had nothing to do to distract her frantic nerves. She couldn't even rely on Natsu and Gray to start one of their childish fights because Juvia was just too good at guarding her fiancée from her last remaining love rival. Everyone thought Juvia was paranoid there but Erza knew better. Natsu had always had a serious thing for Gray he just didn't know how to express himself, something she herself could relate to. If he knew how to take his naked wrestling with the ice make mage further he'd of done it already. She would need to have a sit down soon with Natsu soon about how to approach people he was interested in the future instead of just engaging in constant foreplay hoping something would come of it. There was no question once Gray and Juvia were actually wed Natsu would respect that, but until then, the water mage better keep her guard up to prevent the dragon slayer from making a desperate move.

Erza suddenly stopped right in the middle of the busy sidewalk. Curses, complaints and the occasional collision were like the buzzing of flies to the now intensely focused woman. She could feel it now, someone was watching her. She didn't know from where but after Lucy caught her off guard from below, Titania Erza, Queen of the Fairies, was ready for an attack from any direction, even above or below. Her fingers twitched slightly at the timely distraction but she would not make the first move and reveal her hand. A good confrontation would be just the thing to work out her excess nerves so she could find her calm. Looking around she noticed too many people were around and too many buildings her pursuer could hide in. She needed to take this somewhere else.

Looking around Erza noticed familiar flags waving in the late afternoon breeze. Whites Sea's emblem of a ragging white sea underneath a blue sky around a shining golden sun stood out proudly like a sentry in the heart of downtown Pelerno. She altered her course to make haste toward the beacon where she knew there were open training grounds. She could openly fight there and no innocent civilians would get caught up in the onslaught but the moment her feet touched the grounds of White Sea the stalking presence disappeared. Frustrated Erza looked around now for any signs someone was beating a hasty retreat. She had not considered that her foe would be a coward and flee like a child when they had nowhere to hide.

'Amazo…" Bicks' voice cut off as a bright sword was pressed against his neck a look of utter confusion crossing his handsome face. Calming her nerves Erza sent the blade back and looked sheepishly at the ground. This had not been that reunion with her boyfriend she had hoped for. Internally cursing at herself she felt she'd be lucky if Bickslow still wanted to continue their relationship after she almost took off his head.

Warm strong arms pulled her into his wide chest engulfing her smaller frame like she was something precious to be protected instead of the explosion lacrima she was often treated as. Relaxing into the embrace she inhaled the warm cinnamon and oak scent that often clung to his body.

"What brought the claws out kitten? You looked ready to kill."

"I was being watched and followed. I brought them here to draw them out and away from the locals but I believe they ran away." Erza hrumphed but leaned even more into his much larger body. She always felt so delicate and small, so female, when he held her like this. His strong muscled arms, broad but lithe chest. She'd seen him several times a the pool back at the guild so she knew exactly what he most often hid under so many layers. Something in her was more than frustrated she'd yet to get her hands on his deeply tanned skin, his firmly muscled thighs, taste his wickedly talented tongue. Cana had been very praising of the seith's skills even since her short fling with the man years ago. But here and now with him surrounding all of her after so long being separated it made something in her purr, an absolute need to stay this way forever.

Bickslow looked down wryly at the redhead. "You thought they might take the chance to attack you if you were out in the open?" At her nod he continued, "Great thought but you could of picked somewhere less threating." He pulled back and let Erza actually take in her surroundings.

Three of the four practice rings were in use as dozens of mages watched and placed bets. Spare swords, shields, spears, daggers, whips and clubs – any weapon you could want – were visible through the open door of the armory. Clearing her throat she looked back up at Bickslow with a vibrant embarrassed blush dusting her cheeks. Chuckling now Bickslow pulled her into his side and started walking toward the street to catch a cab back home to rest now that he'd his hidden treasure by his side. It had taken his babies the better part of the day to find his wandering woman in a city of millions.

"There are strong runes around the area too. They'd of been suicidal to follow you here." He kissed her temple.

"It was the only place close I knew that would be safe to fight them."

Bickslow smiled and helped Erza in the vehicle before following her in. The warmth did not fully reach his eyes as he inconspicuously took in their surroundings. If someone was following Erza he needed to know why or what for. All the mages in Fairy Tail have stayed clear of nefarious plots after their war with Alvarez. Ok well to be fair, dark guilds started avoiding them and as a result all of Fiore. Their reputation was starting to become known throughout Ishgar as kind of a White Sea in the making after so many dark guilds had been brought down by only a handful of their mages. Fairy Tail had united all of the major guilds and taken out the largest military nation led by the black wizard Zeref and killed the black dragon Arcnologia. From what his babies had told him while he'd been out on jobs, most people were now considering Fairy Tail as the true Fioren military and that the other guilds answered to them. It was funny in a way but also dangerous, could even see how that came about. All through that war a member of Fairy Tail was always on the scene leading the charge, creating the plans, organizing the citizen's safety while meticulously taking all those monsters down. Hell it was Lucy casting Fairy Sphere in one hell of an epic unison raid of all the mages she could reach that trapped the dragon giving Natsu a chance to defeat the beast. If a cursed immortal and the dragon that wiped out almost all the other dragons off the face of Earthland couldn't stop Fairy Tail, what chance did any normal dark guild stand? He didn't like it. It made them a huge target and he couldn't help the foreboding feeling that something else was on horizon and they were once again going to be caught in the middle of it.

-DTRE-

Lucy moved through the room toward the deck to watch the sun set needing a moment of quite from the excited celebrating. It was three days after Bicks returned fully pardoned and she was surrounded by her favorite people. It was wonderful but exhausting. Gray and Juvia were chatting with Farron, Bickslow, Gin and Erza about cakes. Erza had obviously commandeered the conversation from Gray and Juvia's pending nuptials when the subject of wedding cakes came up. They all should have known better. Not even Farron's master skills at leading conversations could sway Titania from her favorite subject. Bickslow just stood there with an indulgent smirk on his face when any on the others looked at him for help in reining Erza in.

Levy and Gajeel were talking to Kaleb, Laxus and Cristoff about the changing environment in Fiore post the Alvarez war. It had been interesting but when they started going into how the magical guilds were going to be organized now she'd had to excuse herself. She'd finished a glass of wine by now and trying to focus on something like that while nursing a serious buzz made her light-weight-self dizzy.

Mr. Elan was discussing the various types of fire and spices he'd worked into meals for Emzadi when she was growing up with Natsu, Arman, Happy, Freed and Emzadi. That group made the stellar mage giggle. She couldn't have imagined a more perfect group if she'd tried. Freed had been following Mr. Elan around desperately trying to convince the man again to share his recipes so the flavor of his own cooking could improve. It was apparently not the first time the rune mage had interacted with the head chef here in Bosco and Lucy had to admit Freed could use the help. While he had excellent presentation skills his food almost always ended up tasting like wing fish no matter what he was preparing. She'd cooked with him once, he'd followed the recipe with the exactness he did in everything he tried and it still tasted off. She prayed that he married someone who either loved cooking or loved going out to eat because there was no in-between with the man.

Watching the group a little longer she noticed Freed glancing furtively toward Emzadi and couldn't help internally giggling. Maybe she could try her hand at matchmaking? She and Freed had an interesting relationship and it would be easy enough to help the guy concur whatever reservations he might have with confident beauty. They would be a beautiful couple and Freed already had a things for blondes. A quick look back to her mate gave her pause though. There was a warning there and she finally realized Emi was a dragon slayer and with it came a mate. But who's to say Freed wasn't her mate?

Cristoff rolled his eyes. Nurem told him a tatsu queen would dedicate her very life ensuring the happiness of her kin, would often wait to start having her children until others in the tatsu were also mated so they would have children together. It was a matter of ensuring the greatest safety for their brood. The only time a female was stronger than when she was in heat or claiming a mate was when she was pregnant until a year after her hatchlings left their eggs. Having all the females so strong so close together would ensure all their hatchlings would be safe. It seems Lucy was continuing in her behavior as a dragoness would if she was thinking of matching Emi with Freed. Both were already part of the tatsu since he'd claimed Emi and Laxus had claimed Freed so getting them together would kill two birds with one stone and settle the tatsu sooner freeing Lucy to get…Cristoff's eyes flashed pure silver at the thought that Lucy might just want to have a baby sooner rather than later. Their lazy afternoons watching Tysun so Gajeel and Levy could enjoy the city may have worked in his favor; baby fever was also a very real thing in dragon culture. Hell his father would be thrilled if he knew.

Lucy wandered outside and found Erik, ever the lone ranger, sitting out there away from most everyone. It wasn't surprising to see him put some distance from all the noise but she was surprised to also find Vander and Safra out here with him. None were speaking, just watching the sun set over the Grass Sea so she joined them.

"Hey Tink," Erik greeted as he moved over so she could sit between Safra and him. He liked the fairy well enough, she knew when not to talk, but she was new and he'd be a lot more comfortable next to Lucy.

Lucy took the proffered seat and leaned into her kin. It was the middle of September but the weather had been uncharacteristically cool for summer here and the evening breeze off the living sea was bracing probably bothering Erik. He was almost always cold so would welcome her cuddling even if he never admitted it.

"You have an amazing tatsu." Safra's idle comment broke the quiet.

Lucy looked at Erik then the rest of the group inside and smiled indulgently. Before coming to Pelerno Gajeel and Cristoff had told her and the rest of the tatsu what that was. They'd not gone into much detail outside the fact that it was a collection of shared kin through a bond of trust and that Lucy, at the center, was Queen. Apparently tatsus are not led by the most physically or magically powerful in the group - that would have been Laxus or one of the Pradesh brothers - or even the most powerful female - Emzadi took the cake there with her crazy solar dragon slaying magic. She even looked the part of a queen towering over Lucy at 6' tall, blonde with well-tanned skin from being out in the sun all day and a body like Mirajane's. Her mandarin orange eyes shone with confidence and she just exuded sex appeal but Emzadi's strength did not lie with leading others. She could and do it well, she was a highly train mage in Bosco's military and led her own task force from time to time, but she was all dragoness inside. Men flocked and women squawked wherever she went and Emi more demanded her orders be obeyed with a fist which didn't go over well with most male slayers. She was a Brood Queen, men bowed to her in hopes of finding her favor while women plotted against her for her position. Lucy was apparently a Tatsu Queen. She engendered trust among those she lead of both genders and used the individual strengths in the tatsu to everyone's benefit. They were rarer because female dragons did not tend to get along with other females especially if they were powerful by themselves. Tatsu Queens were females who tended to think and calculate before using force. While a Brood Queen was not someone you wanted to mess with because of her sheer power, a Tatsu Queen you avoided at all costs because she likely was supported by multiple Brood Queens working in tandem and an entire slew of very power Alpha males. Lucy, whose magic essentially made her an expert general, embodied the dragon tatsu queen traits just as much as Emi embodied the dragon brood queen traits. She was also kind, trustworthy, caring and brilliant making her hands down the only person that each of the slayers in their tatsu would follow because they knew she would not abuse the relationship. Already being mated to a powerful mate that literally exuded a peacefully calm aura that was also a powerful healer just made her an even more obvious choice.

"I'm anxious to meet Xally. She's the only Pradesh I haven't met yet." She changed the subject slightly. "Though, I have more than enough new people to learn about as it is." Cobra snorted at what she hadn't said. As Cristoff's kin Lucy was worried that this last sibling would hate her and her newly formed happy family would be ripped apart.

"She'll love you Tink. Everyone does," he told her quietly nudging her gently with his shoulder in a rare show of affection.

"Why is she not here?" Safra asked. She was confused why one of Cristoff's kin would miss a celebration for his mating. When fairies join everyone was there, then again they can only fully join with their sýzygos at the same time each year as opposed to dragons where it can happen whenever or wherever. Still it was a meaningful event.

"There is some weird disease that's broken out up north so a lot of doctors have been sent up there to find a cure," Vander answered. "They wanted to send Cris and other healers too but they'd likely just purge the disease then without finding a cure leaving us vulnerable to it again. Since Xally's in her final year of residency plus a healer the hospital sent her even though her focus is in pediatrics."

"It must be nice to have so many skilled healers in your family." Safra's wistful tone didn't escape anyone.

"Do your people not have healers?" Lucy asked. Fairy Tail had Porlyusica and Wendy, now probably Cristoff too, and it was a serious blessing. Without them Erza, Laxus, all of the thunder legion and Makarov would all most likely be dead by now, probably others in Fairy Tail too.

"We have great knowledge in herb lore to aid us with our body's natural capacity to heal but none capable of using healing magic. Magical plants also lose their potency before we have a chance to use them since our bodies naturally absorb the ethernano from them as sustenance without the magical benefits they are said to have. My magic can purge disease or infection but that only helps so much…" Safra gripped Vander's arm harder as she tried not to focus on the people who'd died from injuries at the charm or even out travelling. It's not like a fairy could go to the hospital to be treated. The hospital wouldn't have the right knowledge of their anatomy and would most likely study their corpse after they died anyway. Plus that would then garner the attention of countless people and start a hunt to find more fairies to study. Her people may have come a long way in their relationships with specific humans but a fairy would rather die than potentially lead anyone back to the rest of the charm and endanger their loved ones.

"There are a lot of pretty decent spells that even non mages can use to speed up healing," Cristoff said coming around the corner to find where his mate had wondered off to. Lucy looked up and smiled brightly. They hadn't spent much time apart from each other since before they mated so seeing him now felt like seeing him again after months apart. The two days he'd been away for Bickslow had been horrible. She leapt up into his arms and he spun her around chuckling. "I missed you too."

Cobra rolled his eye at the lovey dovey couple. He wasn't quite sure how he ended up hanging out with two couples but that's exactly where he found himself. It made him want to find his own mate, but only just a little, and only fleetingly. The concept was still new to him but with Gajeel and Cristoff as examples of mated dragon slayers who wouldn't want that even a little? Even Vander's humor had less of a cutting edge and he wasn't even mated just getting laid a lot from two very enthusiastic partners.

"If your magic can purify you're likely able to do more and just don't know it," continued the lunar slayer.

Vander pulled Safra into his lap making room for the much wider body of his brother as Cristoff took Lucy's seat and put her in his lap.

Before Safra could find her words to comment Cristoff continued, "You know what, I finally placed what you smell like."

Taken aback at the subject change she turned to her prospective life partner. "I didn't know my smell was in question. Do I smell odd?" She leaned back pressing Vander face into her neck.

Vander chuckled but exaggeratedly took a sniff.

"Well you don't smell like sex anymore so yes very odd. We're going to have to change that soon."

Cobra snorted and Lucy outright guffawed. "Oh gods I'm glad I don't have a slayers nose. You'd always know who was getting laid and with whom." She gasped out.

"I agree. Some things also have distinctly unpleasant scents even to my nose," Safra added. "So, what do I smell like?"

Cristoff inhaled to answer but Cobra beat him to it. "You smell just like Bicks did after he got back." At the questioning looks Cobra shrugged turning back toward the grass sea letting the larger man explain.

"He means you smell like immaculate light. All Holy Knights even Vander here who's been kicked out end up smelling a little like it after the induction ceremony. Kaleb smells of it the most but he's probably absorbed more of it than the rest of us."

Vander smirked and hid his face in Safra's loose curls letting her explain just how kick ass his potential mate was for herself. "You call this immaculate light?" Safra asked lifting her palm up with a small floating orb of pure white light. It was blindingly bright and came with a distinct feeling of hope and joy.

"Yes that is exactly what that is. Your actual magic is holy light?" Cristoff was surprised. It wasn't something he thought anyone could be born with. The magic was somewhat sentient from what he could tell and when as Knights or Priests or even the Maidens wielded it they were more like asking the light to do so and then the light agreed.

Snuffing the light in her hand she explained. "I was born a normal light mage but was blessed with true light, what you call immaculate light, by Apollo. It is a part of his magic and is his gift to give to those he deems worthy. I didn't know how to ask Kaleb why his magic feels different yet the same as mine but now I guess the difference comes from how we got it…"

"See why does everyone have cooler magic than me?" Lucy huffed. She loved her magic, she really did. Wouldn't trade her spirits for anything in the world but she was surrounded by people whose magic was really cool and kicked serious ass. Just of the people right here Erik could hear souls, create antidotes for pretty much any poison which made him immune to poisons and most drugs, had a numbers of dragon slaying attack with his poisons, could manipulate sound and use it to attack too. Vander could travel super quickly through shadows and the voids, see without his eyes, make weapons and clothing at will and he had his eye magic that he never used because it was so dangerous. Cristoff could heal practically anything, reverse his healing to inflict damage, make you feel pain or pleasure, teleport to wherever moonlight touched, all the crazy dragon slayer attacks too that seemed as endless as their creativity and force anyone to fall asleep. The last one was actually a bone of contention for her still since he used that one on her before they mated. It didn't matter he'd done it for her since she was about to rip the head off of some chick on their train ride back into Acalypha. She'd of hated committing murder but the bitch "fell" right into his lap and tried to kiss him just like that! Cristoff had even had his arm around her nuzzling into her hair but that didn't put this bitch off. In what world was that ok. She fumed for a moment still wanting to rip into that woman. She'd memorized her face so the slut better pray Lucy doesn't find her when they're alone.

Safra too had already made it on Lucy's special mages list. She could make weapons, focus any light into a laser, create floating orb things that made you feel happy apparently and could turn into fucking light particles that allowed her to travel super-fast and prevent her from taking physical blows. Now she learns that the holy light her mate uses to kill the things that go bump in the night is what Safra uses all the time.

Erik eyed Lucy following her internal rant like nobody else out there could. He was sure Cristoff was picking up pieces of it too given his glare but there was no way he was catching all of her rapid fire rant. His magic enhanced his hearing to the point he could listen to souls not read a person's mind. The soul had tangible energy that swirled and moved with memories and housed a person's personality. What he heard from a soul was so different than how others communicated at it had taken him a long time to learn how to interpret it. A huge bonus of his magic though came about because a person's thoughts tended to reverberate into their soul so even their thoughts were open to him. This all gave him a much more accurate view of what people really were like and for the most part, they weren't worth the air they breathed. Lucy was an exception, what you saw was quite literally who she was and while she could be annoying at times, like right now, he respected her.

"Tink I don't want to hear this shit. You fucking break through planes separating worlds to summon magical spirits and can "borrow" any and all of their powers including but not limited to copy magic that lets you use anyone's powers as long as you have more magic than them. Have you even considered what you could do with that alone now that you mated to not only a dragon slayer but also a healer? His fucking magic containers are double the size of everyone else. Tap into that and you could probably copy Kaleb, a fucking Wizard Saint, if you wanted to." He was tired of that discord that sometimes popped up ruining her soul's natural harmony. It happened a lot less now and it had been a good while since he'd last heard it but enough was enough. If Lucy was going to be the tatsu's queen, his queen, she needed to man the fuck up and own that shit. Be her true self which was a lot more devious, creative, kickass and confident than she was letting herself be. "You can become insanely fast using Cancer's powers and fucking make the ground buckle with Aquarius' water magic when you don't even have her key anymore. Then there's Virgo." Erik shuttered at a memory he quickly suppressed. "Don't even get me started on her. Oh and let's not forget that the fucking Eclipse gate and Infinity Clock are both uses of the very magic that flows in your veins." He stewed and muttered, arms crossed over his chest until he felt a weight drop in his lap. Looking up he saw Lucy's enormous brown doe eyes shimmering with the tears falling down her cheeks but also a wide smile on her face.

'Thank you!' her soul screamed and the harmonious symphony was back and beautiful and all just for him. She pressed her forehead to his and he tightened his grip on her not realizing until just then that he'd already wrapped his arms around her. He growled contentedly bathed in his kin's love and heard an answering growl of approval next to him from Cristoff.

Pulling back Lucy wiped the tears from her eyes when her expression changed. It became thoughtful and serious as she continued to stare at the poison slayer.

"Erik, have you ever tried to get another eye like Erza did," she finally said her fingers tracing the scar down his left eye lid.

"The drugs don't work on me Tink and the process is too delicate and painful to be done without being put out. There are a lot of things I've learned to accept because of that." The look on Lucy's face almost broke his selectively used heart and she didn't even know the half of it. Still she looked as devastated as he'd felt when he first learned that a few years ago.

"May I?" Cristoff said gesturing to Erik's eye getting a shrug in response from the poison dragon slayer. None of the healers he'd cornered and tortured for answers could find a way to restore it to him, what was one more confirmation of his permanent loss?

Erik closed his right eye and held Lucy to his chest breathing deeply trying not to get his hopes up when he felt a coolness settle where his left eye would have been. It wasn't uncomfortable or painful like most cold was to his body but refreshing and soothing. He hummed at the feel and zoned out lost in the song of Lucy's soul losing all track of time. He kind of pitied everyone since they couldn't hear it but that was as far as his concern for others went. The sound of her soul was reserved just for his well acknowledged greedy ass.

If Lucy had been his mate he for damn sure wouldn't let her cuddle with another slayer no matter how innocent their intentions. Feeling the ebb of magic flowing through him he stayed frozen afraid that not even dragon healing magic could restore what his idiot-self had sacrificed all those years ago to gain more "power". Warm hands held his face. He knew it was Lucy by the sheer fact that his skin wasn't crawling; that she was face to face with him now waiting to see if it worked. 'I'm right here no matter what,' her soul comforted. Slowly he opened both of his eyes which alone was something he'd not felt for a long time too used to only the one.

"It may take some time for your new eye to adjust and it will be sensitive to light for a while. All the tissue and nerves were still there but it was like someone pour acid in there...I don't envy what that must have felt like," Cristoff said as Cobra blinked his eyes repeatedly - each time his vision cleared a little more, focused better, depth perception improved. Cristoff didn't know just how right he was. Cobra had had to find an extremely potent acid to pour in his eye so it could do its damage before his magic compensated and it would stop working. Surgery no matter how crude just couldn't be done; he couldn't force himself not to lash out when someone came at him with a knife.

"What do you think?" Lucy asked.

"I think mating moon boy here was the best thing you've ever done," he said earning a laugh and a kiss on his forehead before the sun finished setting and the Grass Sea's plant life lit up with its bioluminescent qualities. With his eye returned there were other things he needed to speak with Cristoff about that Brain had done to him as a child he'd like to be reversed if at all possible but that was something that could wait. For now he passed Lucy back to her mate and enjoyed the view with both of his onyx eyes in companionable silence.

-DTRE-

"Hey little mouse!" Vander called out to get the blonde's attention. He'd been chatting with Beck at the guild hall in Pelerno catching up when something the beast master said reminded him that he'd gotten something for Lucy as a mating gift of sorts while he was in Seven. It was more like stolen because it had been locked up in the labs there with some notes apparently waiting for future study and he had to break into their secured storage area where took it without paying. Still, Vander saw it as his duty to liberate it while he had the chance and it would make the perfect gift for Lucy and his brother. Their contact V actually enjoyed the opportunity to get a different researcher who had been very loyal to the queen blamed for the missing item and executed so it was more a gift for services rendered if he really thought about it, not stealing at all; he doubted Lucy would want something pilfered as a gift. Having seen Cristoff giving Lucy a tour of the guild a little while before had Vander excusing himself from his friend and running her down.

"What's up?"

"I meant to give this to you a week ago," he said holding out a stylized silver key without preamble.

"Is that one of Draco's keys?" her eyes were wide. Everywhere she went she looked for more keys but a lot of them disappeared after her brief stint as a giant metal time altering fish. Looking at the symbol confirmed it and without thinking she took the key and walked determinedly away without a backward glance to the blank faces of her mate and new brother.

"Why are we just watching her walk away?" Vander shrugged at his brother's question as Lucy left the building.

"You don't she'd do that right now without saying anything do you?" Once again Cristoff wasn't answered verbally but the huge welling of very familiar power answered his question better than anything else. Without hesitation they ran to the training fields with everyone else on their heels where Lucy's magic was centered.

Celestial spirit mage was incredibly rare so it wasn't everyday someone could watch one in action, let alone right here using that much power and without turning on the containment safeguards first.

-DTRE-

Lucy stopped in the center of the large field she'd seen when she first got there. Judging from Adro's size the area was plenty large enough to summon a dragon. It was in that moment that she realized that in a way whoever she summoned was now her sibling through Cristoff and she smiled almost like a crazy person. "I call upon thee in the world of the Celestial Spirits. I beckon you to my side at once. Pass through the Gate. Open Gate of the Dragon, Draco!"

A huge magic circle erupted in bright light as the wind swirled around the entire field kicking up dirt everywhere. A loud dragon's roar sounded before anyone could see a thing but Lucy just bounced on her heels waiting. With a final boom the ground trembled under her feet and she almost fell as a dragon at least twice the size of Adro was there standing in the clearing. Electrical sparks chased over its large sleek blue almost iridescent wings up to its back of the same color. Its head was tucked near its pale yellow underside looking incredible shy and adorable, if a lizard the size of a ship could be considered adorable.

"Sister, why are they all staring at me?" the dragon whispered. Her voice was light and delicate like a little girl and Lucy just melted.

"Most haven't seen a dragon before let alone one as beautiful as you. You must be Gyzor, right? Adro told me a little about his siblings." Lucy swore she saw a blush light up the dragon's cheeks at the compliment.

"I am, y-you can call me whenever." She squeaked earning a spontaneous aww from the crowd behind Lucy.

"If you shrink down we can finish the contract without an audience," Lucy whispered to her newest incredibly shy spirit. There was a small pop and Gyzor was the size of a kitten her little body trembling. "I have you," she said picking her up and thoughtlessly followed Cristoff assuming he would take her somewhere private holding the little dragon to her chest.

He'd heard their exchange and while he was anxious to meet his sister he'd prefer to do it privately and not in front of so many curious faces. So, Cris led Lucy to Kaleb's apartment above the guild. It was more like a mansion it was so large and richly furnished but it came with the job. Each White Sea guild hall had similar accommodations for the guild master when he visited the branch but the one in White Sea, the city named after their guild, was by far the most personable since that was where his brother spent most of his time while this one in Pelerno was the most lavish since it was across from the palace. Kaleb didn't stay here while in the capital much preferring to be at their father's home with everyone else especially during the holidays. While the flat just didn't have that lived in feel it was still welcoming and would perfectly suit for the reunion.

-DTRE-

Bickslow watched as the airship pulled away from the port with most of the Fairy Tail mages with it, including the redhead he was almost desperate for. He'd managed to get her cornered momentarily during the celebration, got as far as getting her pressed against the wall before Natsu was thrown bodily into him by Gray. After that moment Erza was back on babysitting duty for the two volatile mages and he'd not even gotten the chance to speak to her alone after that before everyone was packing up. She originally planned to stay another week and return with him after all his paperwork, visa and citizenship documentation, was all in order but Laxus had convinced Erza to take care of the guild so he could spend some more time with Lucy's newest spirit.

He was trying really hard not to hate his best friend for that. Erza's sense of duty was too high to ignore her Master's request. The worst part was Laxus knew how he felt about Erza, had gotten it out of him over drinks the night he got back into town from the temple job, even knew that he'd finally decided to take that next step with her as soon as Gray and Natsu were shipped home so he could get some of her time.

But no, fucking Vander and his forgetful ass dropped a lighting dragon in Lucy's lap a day before they were scheduled to leave and no one had the heart to deprive real experience with a dragon who shared his magic from Laxus. He was one of only two slayers that had never had that opportunity.

If Bickslow wasn't so frustrated about how things turned out he would even admit that Laxus and the sweet tempered shy dragon were practically a fucking hallmark channel original story they were so cute together. Evergreen had gone crazy cooing and taking photos with her camera while Freed practically melted into a puddle when Lucy had walked into the house with the kitten sized dragon peeking out her hiding spot in the celestial mage's cleavage. Not because that was overly cute or indecent, no it was because the second Laxus saw Gyzor his grey blue eyes softened and his trademark scowl was just gone making his handsome face just light up. The little dragon had wriggled free and flew straight at him recognizing the familiar magic, her tiny claws clung onto the fur collar of his coat. They'd been almost inseparable from that moment on; her luxuriating in the warmth of his magic while she taught him all the little nuances about being a dragon and of their specific magic.

All of the slayers except Natsu had hung back. He'd wanted to stay with the Tatsu but Erza had knocked him out and dragged him with her to the ship before anyone could say anything. The fire dragon slayer had even less boundaries than Vander did and he'd already proved that one night when he'd snuck into Lucy and Cristoff's bed. Cristoff had woken up shortly after finding the pinkette had wedged himself between him and Lucy, face pressed into Lucy's breasts. There was only so much his brother could be asked to put up with being still very newly mated. The house had woken up to a crash, a Natsu shaped hole in the wall and a fuming lunar dragon slayer eyes glowing bright silver in the dark. They needed to get Natsu away from Lucy.

Bickslow grabbed his chest where a deep ache was settling as the ship pulled farther away. He wanted to follow her so much but couldn't until his damn papers were in order. Running his hands through his hair he turned and walked back to his father's house with everyone else.

-DTRE-

Freed sat in his room on the airship staring at nothing. There was a book laying open across his lap but he'd given up trying to translate it an hour ago. He just couldn't focus, his mind always drifted back to a certain someone still in Bosco. It was the first time someone other than his dear Laxus had excited his feelings to this extent but he was very careful to keep them hidden. There were too many people around that would know instantly back at the Pradesh house had he not. Now that he could be alone, with his thoughts safely unguarded, they were consuming him beyond distraction. He imagined running his hands through their beautiful long hair blonde hair, letting his nimble fingers caress every inch of their supple tanned flesh. Oh they were so beautiful, tall and vibrant, the darkness in his blood equally drawn yet wary of the brightness of their magic. It just burned right through him but he knew a relationship just could not work given the distance of their homes and individual responsibilities. He'd thought about just approaching to see if they would be receptive for a single night with him before he had to leave so he'd at least have his beautiful memories of them forever but he knew he could not be casual with a liaison with them. He'd become obsessed, he knew he would, and that was the last thing he wanted.

He respected the Boscan culture and enjoyed the attention from a few attendants whenever he was there. Shopping at Elluris and having some sweet release at the hands of a professional man or woman who kept themselves meticulously groomed was always a highlight of his stays. He'd not come often, only once each year, but every time had been just perfect. He couldn't find something similar in Fiore, he'd tried multiple times. There were professionals there, even some fastidious enough he would consider touching him but they were incredibly expensive and more centered around the capital so the distance was still an issue. Even then their services were kept secret so most lacked the pride that a Boscan attendant had and he would never do anything with someone that didn't willing enjoy their choice in profession.

Freed could not bring himself to disrespect this person or their culture by the unwanted obsessive attention he knew he would offer if that line was ever crossed. Between Lucy being mated to one of their siblings and Bickslow now free to visit home whenever, there were so many future opportunities he'd see them in the future that he would not risk the humiliation of being rejected after the first encounter – like he knew they would.

Closing his azure eyes he inhaled deeply holding the fantasy just a little longer until his lungs burned. Exhaling he turned his attention back to his book as a single tear fell from his left eye for something he knew could never be.

-DTRE-

Ezra sat at one of the many patisseries on board the luxury liner slice of strawberry cake sitting in front of her untouched. The flight so far had been a test of all her patience having to deal with Natsu and Gray. She'd almost forgot how taxing having them both around at the same time could be. The guild had gotten blessedly less destructive in the past months excluding the month Lucy was away mating since Juvia was often occupied with wedding plans. This trip too kept the boys too close to each other and Natsu was starting to get more agitated as the wedding approached. Poor Juvia was left with few options but to mutter under her breathe about boy love and Natsu finding his own Gray and leaving hers alone.

Fortunately for her and everyone else Natsu had finally discovered everything the Boscan bath attendants were trained to do which kept him blessedly distracted for now. Two hours ago while their group was enjoying the communal baths together they all overheard a younger less discreet male attendant wish he could get his hands on "the one with beautiful pink hair and fiery green eyes." It had stopped Natsu mid right cross aimed at the ice mage and everyone was on edge until they saw pure joy and a huge smile overtake his features. He'd crossed the baths, grabbed the man's shirt and kissed him fiercely right there. None of them have seen him since and she was grateful – sort of.

Now with nothing to do she realized it had been more than a week since she'd had any real time with Bickslow because of one thing or another. When he'd cornered her at the party his lips slowly lowering to her mouth had her heart racing in anticipation. She felt the warmth of his breath on her lips eyes closed instinctively but then he was gone. Her heart stuttered and when she saw Natsu getting up off of Bickslow she knew exactly what happened and in her fury she forgot about everything except her righteous vengeance. After that duty to prevent their host's house from being damaged from her friends took over and now… Now she wanted to go back and just ignore everyone and be in Bickslow's arms again.

She took a piece of cake on her fork and hesitated. In all her novels when someone was sad and longing for the person they loved everything tasted like sawdust in their mouth. The requip mage was not sure if she loved Bickslow yet but she did miss him terribly and she was afraid the feeling might spoil cake for her which she wasn't sure she could handle. There was nothing else that could possibly raise her spirits though so she tentatively put the fork in her mouth. Her eyes closed and she hummed in delight. Her novels were wrong and the authors were liars but at least she now knew absolutely nothing could ruin the flavor of an exquisitely baked strawberry cake.

-DTRE-

Safra dropped her mirror in shock staring at nothing for a moment before she disappeared.

"Shit!" Lucy cursed. She got up and ran down the stairs making her way to the living room where a bunch of voices were coming from. "Oh thank the gods you're here. Dad we need to stop Safra."

"What do you mean? What's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost." Arman's heart had warmed when Lucy had finally called him Dad only for his whole nervous system to freeze when he saw her and heard the panic in her voice.

"I'm an absolute idiot is what I am!" she cried arms wrapping around her body trying to hold herself together. She thought it would be best to let Safra know what Princess Kurino was likely to do to Vander so she could be prepared for when he got back. It was only an hour ago that one of the messengers of the palace had come with a request from the recently returned Crown Princess for Vander to attend her immediately and for Bickslow to see her the following day. Apparently, Kurino cut her trip short a day and they could only guess as to why. Judging by her instant requests it was likely she learned of what they had all been trying to keep quiet; Bickslow was officially pardoned, Vander was retired and in town, and Cristoff was promised and mated.

Vander had taken the news easily enough and followed the messanger out after kissing both Safra and Gin promising he'd be back soon. What she hadn't counted on was Safra to use her viewing mirror to see what was happening with Vander after she'd fully explained just how the "Princess" liked to be serviced. Even then Lucy hadn't been concerned since Safra didn't look angry just concerned but the second she saw whatever was going on she went pale eyes filled with horror. Then, she was gone.

Unfreezing Arman turned to his children. "Get to the palace and stop Safra from doing anything." When none of them moved he shouted, "Now!" His voice shook the entire house and blew out all the windows in the room. Com out, Arman had Farron on the line as Bickslow, Cristoff, Lucy and Gin ran out of the house heading to the palace.

"Farron, Kurino came back early. There must have been a leak somewhere I need you to figure out who it was." Not waiting for his son to respond Arman cut the call and started making his way to the palace as well while already making another call.

"Kaleb, I need you at the palace to help contain Safra." His son's eyes went wide but nodded and the call was ended no questions asked. Arman was only glad most of his children were still here for another day so hopefully they could get everything handled and Safra safe before she'd be lost to them forever. He knew what the princess did to his sons and if any of them had said a word he would have put an end to it long ago, his relationship with the King be damned. Now, like it or not, his hand was forced into action to save Safra from Kurino's twisted actions.

Getting into his car he ordered it to the palace as his third call in as many minutes connected. "Altiene my friend, I have bad news."

-DTRE-

"It's been so many years I've longed for Farron, did you know that?" a cruel voice echoed in the large open room. There in the center of the room a naked man was kneeling on triangular boards the sharp edges cutting into his shins. His arms were cuffed above him just enough his shoulders strained at holding most of his weight. Bruises were forming all over his body making the angry red lines that crisscrossed on his thighs, stomach, chest and back look sickly and infected. "But he wouldn't have me," she continued followed by another slap of the thin flogger this time hitting his erect phallus. He groaned in pain and his fell forward back, rich sun-bleached mahogany hair now hiding his face, eyes covered in a black scarf. "How are you enjoying my latest concoction? It was a present from a dear friend of mind specially designed to keep a man hard and malleable for hours." Her cruel smirk fell when the man chuckled.

"I think you need to find better friends Princess." His words were slurred but clear. In a fit of rage she beat him again with the flexible rod over and over with no real response from the man. His smirk was still firmly in place as he spilt blood on the yellow marbled floor. She paused for a second to rein in her temper as her cruel smile fell across her face again. She crossed the room toward a richly stained box and opened the lid revealing four thinly bladed knifes.

"I was disappointed when I found out Cristoff was promised. Farron has always had too much influence politically and now Kaleb is too decorated in his services for me to bring into my bed," Kurino said as she dipped one of the daggers in another present she'd gotten from her friend. "I was pleased to find out you and Bickslow were here so you'll have to do for now on." And after today she was going to make she Vander will do anything she asks of him, that's just how the succubus venom now covering the edge of her knives worked. It was a gift from her dear friend Kressa and she was going to put it to good use. Once she had Vander enthralled she'd take Bickslow too just to prevent him from getting promised to the redhead seen with him in all the photos that had been delivered along with the week file she had worked up to follow the Pradesh men. He would not lose another one of them to another woman. Although, if Farron came to her willingly she might just let him have his brothers back.

"I live to entertain," he replied sarcastically. He knew Kaleb and Cristoff had entertained the princess before but they never let on that it was this bad. Magic cancelling cuffs and a whip were one thing but all this crap? He was into as much kink as anyone else, more so than most when pleasure was to be shared, but this was not about pleasure. This was torture plain and simple. About trying to break another person down so they could have power over you and he would not give her that.

His felt a sharp sting across his back and a burning spread in his blood. His mind was getting foggy, he couldn't understand how. Another cut crossed his back and he felt another wave of something he couldn't identify trying to take him and then it clicked. Whatever shit she had laced the blades in was quickly straining his mental barriers. He could feel his whole body weakening and now as a third cut passed over his chest an even scarier prospect than the sadistic bitch who was carving him up got his attention. The shades in the voids could feel his control weakening, whatever drug in his system dampening his soul and they were getting excited. He could feel them gathering.

"Just a few more minutes and you will be my slave for life," she whispered in his ear before he couldn't concentrate on anything more than holding back the worst kind of evil in the world would ever see. If the princess succeeded he knew she would die before she got to live to enjoy it. The strip of fabric covering his eyes would do nothing once the shades took his body. They would use him to suck the very essence of life from anyone they came across until someone put him down for good. He didn't mind taking Kurino out, served the bitch right, but the hundreds, maybe even thousands or more that would follow before he could be stopped really bothered him. He couldn't, wouldn't, accept that. He let go of his will to stay alive finally letting the blood loss, pain and the first drug she gave him take him.

He didn't want to die, far from it, the last months had been so filled with so much joy for his family and the prospect of having an actual future were things he never wanted to give up. Turquoise and pale lavender eyes flashed in his mind and his chest hurt. It was only last night after they'd partially joined a fourth time that he realized he was in love with them both. God's he'd finally made the decision to let Gin do the Fairy Blessing spell on him now so when the time came he'd be able to be part of the full joining ceremony with Safra. If it worked Gin might not be joined to them but that didn't mean Vander wouldn't marry him as well. Screw Gin's future sýzygos, no one could love that man more than Safra and he. If the joining didn't work and he was left with their freaking forever long lives, nothing would change. They'd all stay together traveling around the world. He'd have Cristoff, Emi, Lucy and Cobra in his life then too since slayers and their mates also had notoriously long lives.

Fucking Apollo! He didn't want to leave them but if he was going to be lost anyways he might as fucking well save their lives too. 'I love you,' was the last thing he thought.

-DTRE-

Safra passed through the window in the ceiling of the Princess's private room. She'd done her fair share of touring the Boscan palace Asclepius when they first all came to Bosco. She found the name interesting and since she had to stay hidden took the opportunity to have a look around. Now she was glad she did because there was Vander chained up, beaten, bleeding everywhere with the princess riding him with wild abandon driving his shins deeply into sharp edged boards underneath. She didn't even think before letting her senbon fly hitting key nerve clusters in that filth's body that would temporarily paralyze her. It was by far her favorite way of fighting since it used very little magic and made for a quick easy kill.

Safra kicked the princess's limp form away from Vander and noticed the blood was congealed and black on his skin. It was wrong and she knew she needed to get whatever was in him out now. Placing her hand on his chest she eased a little of her magic into him careful not to strain his already barely beating heart. If she wasn't gentle the strain from purification would kill him.

"Gaurds!" Kurino yelled out laughing darkly. "You're too late he's mine!"

"He's dying your retched piece of filth!" Safra screamed back as knights in full armor swarmed into the room. "Fuck!" she screamed and Kurino ordered them to kill her.

Pulling her hand away from Vander she held up both her hands and concentrated ready to fight then smiled as an idea came to mind. The royal knights suddenly froze, weapons at the ready the nearest one only an arms breathe away. "You will hold the parameter and keep everyone back!" Safra ordered keeping one hand up then placed her other back on Vander to continue purifying his blood. It was so much harder than before, splitting her focus made the process so much harder to control. The knights formed a ring around her and the incapacitated princess turning out to keep watch.

"How the hell are you doing this?" Kurino screamed helpless on her side unable to move even a finger.

"All your wonderful knights are infused with at least a little of what you call holy light. It is very good to fight and prevent possession of dark evil creatures not of this world but you've also done me a favor."

"What the hell are you going on about?"

Safra drew a deep breathe. It was taking too long to clear the shit saturating his system and his heart was getting weaker. Damn it all! Because of Cristoff she knew her magic could possibly heal others but she hadn't gotten to learn how just yet. Cristoff had been too busy enjoying a break with all his loved ones around that she hadn't gotten a chance to ask him to teach her. She figured she had plenty of time to do so in the future. If she only knew how to stabilize Vander's heart she could cleanse him completely in a second then focus on healing his other wounds. By all the trees across all of Earthland, holding all the knights was getting harder as more of them showed up. Didn't they know she was trying to save a life? "You're immaculate light is nothing but a crippled version of true light – my magic. All light is mine to control so your knights have no power over me!" she gritted her teeth as she reached deeper.

"You stupid lying bitch get your hands off my slave!"

"He's not yours!" Safra felt something wet falling down her cheeks and out of her nose. Every cell in her body was straining but she couldn't stop, couldn't lose him. He was too precious to her! No matter what she vowed or how much it hurt fate was an utter bitch! His heart stuttered and then nothing. She poured her magic into him paying that maybe if his system was clear he'd come back. Vander was a fighter! Once his system was clear he'd wake up and smirk at her. Tease her for her now freely flowing tears. Nothing happened.

Two…two people in her life that she loved had now been denied her. Gin may be still alive but just as out of reach to her in the long run. Eventually he would join with someone else and she would be alone all because fate thought not only was she to watch her family die so it could be a clear memory all her days but now this. But it wasn't just fate. She dropped her hand and turned toward the woman who was the real reason for his death. The reason she would never find true happiness after getting a small taste. Safra lifted her hand controlling the very faint light that was in Kurino and held her up against a large metal x frame. It was enough that with her body paralyzed and mind wrapped up in outrage Safra had full control. Binding her limbs the fairy stepped away as she planned a fitting retribution. "He's dead…because of you."

Hearing gasps all around her Safra turned to see his family all standing there behind her line of knights struggling to get past. Reflexively he pulled them all in so they could get to their brother and child so they could start grieving while she handled the trash.

"Safra you need to stop and come here," Arman pleaded his eyes flicking over to Vander who was now being taken out of his restraints.

His children had finally made it to Kurino's chambers when Altiene, Kurino's father, and he walked up with hopes to settle everything that was going on without too much trouble. No one had expected to find Safra glowing white surrounded by at least a dozen holy knights with Kurino hanging on one of her toys and Vander tied up and… Arman took another breathe. He couldn't hear his son's heart beating but he had to have faith that they hadn't arrived too late to save him; Cristoff would save him.

"I tried Arman, I tried so hard to get the poison out in time but he was already dying." Safra looked straight at him then and he gasped. Gin, who was standing by his side, gripped his arm. There was blood trickling out of her nose, the corner of her eyes and from her ears. The poor girl was dying from using so much magic.

"Safra you need to stop. Everything will be fine," Gin pleaded trying to take a step closer only for the nearest knights to push him back.

"Not until she pays." Her eyes flashed gold and she turned her attention back to Kurino who was red-faced with anger. Arman saw Safra's lips moving quickly as small pulses of light flared out from her. Using his sound magic to direct her voice so he could listen in he could tell she was chanting something in a language he'd never heard but Gin's grip tightened on his arm again.

"Safra you can't! You aren't strong enough that spell will kill you right now." Her chanting continued and the light pulses got quicker and brighter as she ignored everyone.

"What is she doing to my daughter," Altiene finally found his words. He could not excuse his daughter's behavior, Vander, if not dead, was severely injured, and if what Arman told him was true this was not the first time she'd done similar things to this family. He had no doubt the trial would be swift and she would be found guilty, most likely sentenced to death for her actions. He knew all of that but she was still his daughter.

"It's a spell our people use to cast out darkness. It's used to send evil back from where it came." Altiene held his breathe. It was similar to the immaculate light ceremony that had already killed his daughter once and she wasn't half as bad then as she was now. He watched helplessly as he now faced the very real pain Arman must already be feeling.

Light started swirling around the two woman at the center of the room and Kurino screamed in agony but so did something else. The three men watched in shock as a dark creature was slowly dragged out of the princess's body. Their cries were filled with complete anguish and Altiene had no doubt deafening if Arman had not been standing next to him. Safra's voice got louder and more insistent as her magical pressure increased driving many in the room to their knees.

Gin just stood there in shock. He knew Safra was not this strong. She was fighting a creature from the depths of hell that had been living in a human host for who knew how long. She was only 26 and most of that had been sheltered at the charm. She'd trained religiously but there wasn't any real fighting she could do to really stretch herself like the other people here had. If only she'd have let him help her, he was well into his 3rd century of life and had spent most of it fighting evil like this to protect their people. It was only in the last 50 years that they'd had any kind of piece.

Arman watch as a final burst of magic exploded creating a bright yellow orb surrounding just the creature before it collapsed into nothingness and Kurino's screams died as she passed out hung limply on the X frame. The knights in front of them suddenly stopped holding them back and Safra hit the floor no longer breathing.

The knights and Altiene swarmed Kurino working quickly to get her free. They could still hear her shuttering breaths weakly but it was enough for Altiene to order for his healers.

"She doesn't have a pulse," one of the knights said before throwing Safra's body over her shoulder and taking her away. Arman wept for her loss as he made his way toward Vander, the news would devastate his son if he managed to live through all of this. Earthland had just lost one brilliant soul and he prayed to his wife that Vander wouldn't soon follow. Gin was nowhere to be seen but he could hardly blame the fairy after everything that happened today. He'd make sure to get Gin Safra's body to take home to her family, it was the least he could do.