Almost a year has passed since my last update and this new chapter. Over this year I've been in and out of a variety of universes and dabbled in many a new paint set - however, my thoughts would occasionally turn back to this. It always surprised me that, over the course of this ten month period of nothingness, I would get an email regarding a new story follower. If that was you, then I'm surprised, for I never expected to return and finish this story. In all honesty, I often looked and it and did not know how to get back on track. So, for those that came and followed in a hope that I might one day suddenly appear: Well, here I am, and I'm honoured that you bothered to even read a long-inactive fanfic, and clicked that button. It's a tiny action, but I think I speak for all when I say that the meaning of it to us authors is disproportionately huge.

I offer an equal amount of gratitude to the few that have dropped me a review in the long 10 month silent time. You guys amazed me. I often had no idea why someone would stop by a long-dead fic, leave a post about what was liked/hated/needed improvement, and continue on your merry way. Thank you. It means much that you took the time to do that.

Thirdly, the first fanfic in this series was published in Dec 2010. This has been running for almost 4 years. I now intend to get through it all. Anyway, I digress - my point was that my writing has very much changed between then and now. I've also then gone on that 10 month disappearance thing. Anyway, what I mean to say is that the changes between the last chapter will most probably be numerous and obvious. For that I apologise. My time away meant that you missed my writing evolve, as it has considerably through the course of this fanfic series.

Fourthly, the timeline I have been using (which is correct as far as I know, and I've posted a link on my profile for those who want it for their own reference) is one I've been following throughout this whole series. I may or may not have to deviate from it, because I wasn't paying attention to it as much as I should have in the past. In any case, apologies for that should it happen.

Lastly, thank you for your kind words, your faithful attention, and limitless patience. For your efforts, I give you a filler chapter of fluff while we wait for Raoul to go get Alanna and co. from the Roof of the World. (Warning: Sexual references in the last section.)

With love,

MagicalLeaves

While the thoughts of the Court did not concern me, those of the people I cared about did. Surprisingly, easy-going Raoul was perhaps the one with the most vehement reaction of all. He refused to speak to either of us for several days, a decision I quietly honoured while waiting for Jon to talk him around. My brother in question naturally supported us – he told me later in private that he was actually rather amused that I was finally choosing to handle it in the Court eye as well. Gary, of course, found some way to turn it into a joke for him – if only so he could cope with it better. Nevertheless, he spent the next few days around me in case he needed to defuse tension in a social setting. More and more I found myself marvelling at how he'd matured over the years gone by.

But it was Alex that was my saving grace. He was the one that finally duelled Raoul into submission, thus giving him an outlet for much of the confusion and frustration that had been building up in the normally-cheerful man. Shortly afterwards, Jon heard word from Coram (through being the Voice) that both he and Alanna were returning, with others in tow – he sent Raoul to intercept them on the way. The man left Thom and I on good terms, our friendship salvaged.

And so, the lot of us returned to Court life, and this time I was all too grateful for the eye that my loved ones kept on me as Thom and I forged our way through the throng of glitter and gowns. There was many a time where Alex, Jon, or Thom had to point out magic that had almost gotten away from me, and more than once those who loved me started duels on my honour. I did not understand how lucky I was until I got to savour the small and private gatherings we had, where we were all just ourselves, in each other's company, laughing and playing chess and bantering over inane happenings of the day – and at night, I often found myself staring upwards in wonder, quietly cherishing the lessons in love I'd both learned and taught.

We both tried hard in Court. Thom impressed me with how well he acted under the unnerving gaze of many a courtesan, with a knowledge of protocol and public behaviour that should not have surprised me. We did a great many things together that was considered 'proper' (a concept which still somewhat rankled me though I'd learned to live with it): Riding, ball partners, small gifts that wouldn't be out of the ordinary to most (though Thom had become more and more creative with picking things that had meaning to us), and the like. Jon once told us privately that we were so polite in public that it sickened him, making me laugh as hard as he'd intended.

Nevertheless, Thom was most amused when he finally learned of the person that scared me the most: His very own sister. When word again arrived from Coram that Raoul had located them and would be home within the week, I'd sequestered myself in my room with my beloved, waiting until he was sitting down before I blurted out my fear about his sister. Thom roared with laughter for a solid five minutes, and I finally got him to cease by kissing him. When he at last pulled away to rest his forehead on mine, he said breathlessly, "But she likes you, my dear."

"I know that, but I'm scared of her like you were scared of Jon." I shushed him when he opened his mouth. "Jon would go to the Peaceful Realms and back for me. He's my brother – and that kind of love is so powerful," I explained, thinking of the many things that had rocked our relationship over the years – the many things we'd survived. "You're afraid of incurring that sort of wrath, just as I'm afraid of Alanna."

Thom's face had softened considerably, his hands sliding down to cup mine. I wasn't done, however- "Also, Jon doesn't have your sister's temper."

The mage laughed softly, his breath brushing my lips. "Lionesses – especially that one – are rather famed for their temper. However, my dear, she is my sister. I will handle her, much like you handled Jon and even Gary."

I sighed softly in acknowledgement. "For once you're right."

"For once? Only once? My dear lady, you address Master Lord Thom of Trebond, a Master of the Mithran Light – we are always right!"

"Except when you're wrong," I retorted, a grin stretching over my face – I so enjoyed our exchanges.

Thom fixed me with a penetrating stare. "Your Highness, it is most unwise to bait your superior in such a way. You never know when they could-" an arm swept me into his hold as he stood easily "-take advantage," he finished leaning in to brush his lips over mine.

Tease.

"A person I love very much once said I didn't have much wisdom, and that they should teach me some," I murmured, lifting a brow ever-so-slightly. "He has yet to follow through on his promise – though that does not mean I have not enjoyed his other lessons."

"Is that so, Princess?" Thom inquired, his brow mirroring my own for a moment before his whole face smoothed into a wicked grin. "Then perhaps we should have more so you can learn to recognise wisdom." A quick movement followed by a swift nip to my earlobe.

I shivered, looping my hands around his neck and tilting my head to give him better access as he began to head towards my bedroom. "That sounds like a- a brilliant idea. Teach away."

Thom's low and knowing chuckle heated me in all the right places. "Oh, my fine student, I will."