Chapter 15

Priscilla and her father stood on an alcove, watching their legion march out of their headquarters. Her father, a thickly built Spirit, was wearing heavy armor yet it was she who looked truly intimidating.

"Priscilla, you can't stop the forces from deploying. The enemy has already reached our outer provinces," he rumbled. "We must act. Now. And so must you."

"Me? Why should I do anything?" spat Priscilla, crossing her arms. "You should be talking to that fool who's off gallivanting with some human scum."

Her father gripped his spear tighter. "You must join in the fray as well. We need your power."

She grit her teeth. Her hair was slicked back into a high pony tail and she had put on cream-colored jeans with loose, chevron printed tank. Her father had nearly blown his top; he had commanded her to appear in full battle armor and she waltzed down the stairs in...diamond white stilettos. "My power is great," she scoffed immodestly, "But to get the power that YOU need, I need to be bonded. With him."

"Why must it be him? Bond with anyone! No matter who it is, your strength will grow immensely!"

Priscilla spun neatly on her heel. "I SAID it must be him," she raged, "I will not bond with anyone else."

With a heavy sigh, he lightly rested a gloved hand on her shoulder. "Cilla, dearest," he said, his tone softer, "He doesn't even love you. We used him, it is done. Move on. Be happy."

She smiled back sweetly. "I will, Father, you'll see." Pausing, she retrieved a small bag from her pocket. "Father, I made you these for luck. The Pleiades Sisters taught me how to make their famous 'Subaru' milk candy. Your favorite!"

Thoughtfully, he popped one into his mouth. "Thank you, Cilla. I've missed these." He pecked her on the cheek as he hoisted his shield upon his back. "I hope to see you out there soon. Maybe when we quench this invasion, we c-can..."

"Father," said Priscilla, her tone slowly transforming from concerned to mocking, "Are you alright?"

"Priscilla, these...you poisoned them?" The warlord coughed deeply, quickly falling to his knees.

"...Maybe. I kind of need you out of the way for a bit, Father," she said, examining her gel-coated nails.

"You...you stupid girl, you've doomed us all! You've..." He coughed again, breathing hard.

"Oh Dad, relax. It's just a sleeping poison," she said, rolling her eyes. "And watch. By the time you wake up, I'll have Loki back AND I'll have saved the Spirit World. Just watch me."

As her father collapsed entirely to the ground, his helmet rang noisily against the stone.

"So, the Prince is home," boomed the figure on the throne.

Loki stood his ground but his clenched fists betrayed his composure. "It's been a while...Dad."

The Head of the House of Leo stood up and walked into the light. Lucy saw that he was older, maybe in his late 50s or so (in human terms of age). His hair was the same dark gold as Loki's but it was darker and longer; it flowed from his head like a regal mane. His facial hair was groomed impeccably and, like his son, he seemed to have a fondness for well-tailored Italian suits.

Suddenly, he charged towards them, emitting a low growl.

Lucy gasped, alarmed, fumbling for her keys, for her whip-anything! Loki still stood his ground...he had spread his legs a little wider, as if bracing for something...

Father barreled into Son, smothering him in a tight embrace. "Where have you been?! You never called!" he sobbed, lifting Loki off the ground.

Loki laughed awkwardly, patting his father on the back. "I've...missed you too, Dad."

"Oh? And who's this?" Loki's Father unceremoniously dropped his son, making a beeline straight to Lucy. He grabbed her hand, kissing the back in a very flamboyant gesture. "Whoever you are, your beauty is unparalleled by any creature in this realm. Except for my wife, but everyone else. You have no equal."

Lucy snatched her hand back as quickly as she could. She was starting to see that flirting and flowery words seemed to run in the family. "Hi, I'm...Lucy," she said, tentatively.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Loki beamed. "Lucy, meet...my Father. Father, meet Lucy."

"Lucy! What a beautiful name! My name is 'Ren'," said Ren, whose smile was starting to freak Lucy out. "Besides your wonderful assets ('HEY!' screamed Lucy), I can there's something special about you..."

"She's my Master. She owns the Golden Key of the Lion. Not bad, eh?"

Ren's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates as he openly stared at Lucy, who was sure this constituted to something closer to 'ogling.' "Your Master?! When I was Leo, my master was a little hairy old man. You, Lucy, are neither hairy. Or an old man. You are perfection."

"Um. Thank you," said Lucy who was battling the strongest urge to turn and run away screaming.

"So," said Ren, gaining back a little of his composure, "What brings you home, son? It's been...a hundred years? Maybe a thousand? Two thousand!"

"It's been 10 years," said Loki, patiently. "And we're here because there's something I have to discuss with you."

Ren crossed his arms. "Discuss? As in..."

"I need to pass on my duties as Leo. I think it's Epsi's turn, she's old enough by now."

"Epsi? Your little sister?" Ren stroked his beard. "I guess so. She's been itching to get into the mortal world for a while now."

"Perfect! Then it's settled. See you later!" said Loki, cheerfully. He yanked Lucy's hand and started to march out of the room.

Before they could escape, Ren spoke. "Loki, I thought you enjoyed being Leo. And if you give it up, you and your absolutely delightful Master won't be able to see each other anymore."

"Don't worry about it, Dad, we'll find a way." Loki waved a bit desperately, still heading for the door. "Love always does, you know."

"The only way...you two could still be together after this," said Ren, thoughtfully, "...would be..." Suddenly, the pieces came together in his mind. With a mighty roar, the Head of the House of Leo exhibited his true power. The heavy doors slammed shut in his son's face and the room darkened.

"How dare you," boomed Ren, all traces of playfulness gone. "My own son waltzes home after exile and tries to trick me into breaking one of the most important laws of the Spirit World. Do you take me for a fool?!" The older man seemed to glow with an ominous light which concentrated in his closed fists.

"Dad, I won't bond with her. I won't. I can't," shouted Loki, "Exile me again, I don't care. Nothing you do will make me go back to Priscilla. Nothing." The ring on Lucy's finger started to glow with a light of its own.

"The world doesn't revolve around you," scoffed Ren, glowing brighter. "You are responsible for the alliance between the Houses and you must maintain it! You owe a duty to our House AND to the House of Aries. There's a war going on, are you blind?! You must!"

"Never. Lucy and I will take care of it, I don't need her," spat Loki. He emphasized the 'her' with as much hatred as he could manage.

Ren's eyes narrowed. "So you will bond with this human instead?! I recognize that your master is strong, Loki, and she also has very nice legs, but if I let you bond with her, the full wrath of the House of Aries will fall on upon us. In a time of crisis like this, I am unwilling to jeopardize the safety of the Astral Plane!"

"Are you serious?" Loki exclaimed, throwing his arms up. Electricity seemed to crackle from his hair. "Lucy and I can fix this our own way! Why can't y-"

"YOU WILL NOT!" Ren seemed to float in his power, which rolled off him in powerful waves. Lucy was unsure what to do; it was as if two behemoths were going to do battle in front of her. Instinct told her to run for cover but she wasn't going to leave Loki's side. She bravely entwined her fingers with Loki's as the pressure in the room grew until it was almost unbearable. Both Lions were Supernovas; their light was so bright and intense, it was painful to look at them.

Lucy shut her eyes and braced for the worst. Suddenly, a clear voice rang out. "Enough."

The pressure and the light instantly dissipated as a tall, slim figure glided through the heavy double doors. Lucy turned and was instantly awed by the beauty of the woman coming towards them; she was definitely a Lady. Her hair was dark, long, and straight. Upon her finger, she also wore a ruby ring. The band was thin and diamonds formed a halo around the glistening red stone. Her posture was regal, like her husband's, but she was graceful and lithe. Lucy was glad to see that there was at least one member of this family that didn't wear suits. Instead, the woman wore a flattering charcoal gray maxi dress that flowed as she walked.

The Lady stopped until she stood between her Husband and her Son. When she spoke, her words rang with tenderness but also authority. "Loki, my dear. Do it. You have my permission."

Loki and Lucy's faces lit up as they looked at each other. Ren's, however, was livid.

"Stella, you're mad! If he bonds with this human, that's...madness! He can't! We can't allow this."

Stella turned to face him. She was calm and sweet yet an otherworldly light seemed to form above her head like a threatening halo. "Ren, dearest. I'd rather my son be happy and to bond for love than for power. And plus. Don't you think our House has been controlled by that treacherous bitch for long enough?"

"I want him to be happy too but- how will we...the House of Aries? The other Houses? This war?!" protested Ren.

"To hell with them," scoffed Stella. She was deceivingly fierce, as Lucy was discovering. "Our house is strong and we'll rally the others. Plus, if we add Lucy to the family, no one could even hope to beat us. She is strong. She's even had an audience with the Spirit King, haven't you Lucy?" She winked.

Ren's shoulders shook in anger. Then suddenly, he deflated. "Fine. Alright fine!" he exclaimed, as his wife gleefully wrapped her arms around his neck, "Fine. Your duties as Leo will pass to your sister. And you...you have my permission to bond with this human."

Loki pulled Lucy to him by her waist, squeezing her in happiness. He felt overwhelmed; he felt a combination of giddiness and relief. "Thanks Dad."

"Not so fast! Lucy, you still have to pass the Trial of Leo before this gets any further," said Ren.

"Yes, that's quite right! Lucy, it's tradition," said Stella, nodding in agreement.

Lucy took a deep breath for courage as Loki squeezed her again in encouragement. "Sure, of course. What do I have to do?"

An hour later, three Leos and a Stellar Spirit Mage crowded around a small table that someone had dragged into the Throne Room.

"Okay. This is it," nervously said Lucy, who was wearing an apron and had some flour on her nose. She held out a fork to Ren. "Try it."

The Elder Leo took it, neatly taking a forkful of the chocolate cake that was in the middle of the table. As he chewed, he scrutinized the frosting, moistness, and the crumb texture.

"Well?" said Loki, on edge, "What do you think?"

"Do I pass?" asked Lucy, who was thanking her lucky stars that she had taken a mission at a bakery with Levi the month before.

Solemnly, Ren nodded as he scooped another bite. "Yes. Definitely, you pass. AUGH chocolate cake, my favorite! This is delicious."

Stella clapped, Loki whooped, and Lucy sighed in relief.

Dabbing his mouth with a napkin, Ren raised his ringed hand to the ceiling. "Welcome to the family, Lucy." Words formed in the air, made of light, and they spelled out, 'WE LOVE YOU LUCY XOXOXOXO.'

Stella continued clapping, Loki nodded in approval, and Lucy was very close to regretting what she had gotten herself into.

"Your family is...nice," said Lucy, throwing off her apron. She stretched her arms as she admired the view. After the cake baking trial and gaining the Parental's approval, Loki had brought her to the top of one of the towers for a break. From up here, he pointed out various sights of interest of his family home. The distant nebulae in the area were all shades of green, which sort of gave the appearance of a forest in the distance. Sort of.

"They're different, but they mean well. Welcome to the family, Lucy," Loki echoed, grinning.

Lucy threw her head back and laughed as he pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Cake? Really? I was preparing to do some...temple robbing, demon slaying...ridiculous stuff, you know. But cake, that's fine too."

"When Dem, my brother, brought the Aries girl home, Dad made her bake enough cakes to feed an army," said Loki, shaking his head as he buried his face in her hair. "He only asked you to make one thing. He must really like you."

"I hope so," said Lucy. She leaned into his body, exhaling. She was relieved that it had went well; for a minute, she was absolutely sure that Ren would have blasted the two of them into bits.

Loki lifted her chin up, kissing her lips softly. His scent was intoxicating to Lucy; she picked up woody notes from his cologne, clean linen from his shirt, and something that was just absolutely masculine. His lips pressed against hers, gently but with purpose until her lips parted. Lucy smiled a bit as she kissed him back, thinking back to sandy beaches and mountain cabins.

Taking her smile as a green light, Loki's fingers moved their attention from her hips to the buttons on her top. As the first button slipped open, Lucy felt her breath hitch. The second opened just as easy. Just as Loki went for the third button, Lucy felt a bit spontaneous. She quickly leaned her body to the left to nibble his ear. A microsecond later, she felt something whizz past her face. A nanosecond after that, she felt Loki recoil.

"What the-" screamed Lucy, reaching out as Loki staggered backwards. There was an ebony arrow embedded in his shoulder; golden blood flowed freely from the wound which was exactly where her head had been moments before. She reached out as Loki fell to the ground.

Cliffhangers and Daddy issues! Oh dear. But anyway, hello dear readers, this A/N will be a semi-long one:

Ichi - Pleiades Sisters. Aka the 7 sisters, part of the Taurus constellation Called 'Subaru' in Japan. YAY random knowledge of the day! Actually, if you guys have noticed, I've named most of my characters after stars in Constellations except for Priscilla. I don't know why! I should have...but Priscilla was one of the most...deceivingly delicate yet evil names I could think of. No offense to anyone actually named Priscilla out there...I'm sure you're really nice. ^^

Ni -Because someone asked me: I spell Loki with an 'i' because when I first started reading FT, thats how they translated his name. It changed to an 'e' later on and idk, it seems weird to me! Loke.

San - Hopefully this helps: The House of Leo consists of Ren (Head) and Stella and their three children, Den, Loki, and Epsi.

- Den: Oldest. Short for Denebola, the Lion's Tail (real star). Bonded with an Aries sister when Loki didn't bond with Priscilla. Calmer than Loki.
- Epsi: Youngest. (female) Short for...Epsilon (Leonis, real star). Fiesty.