Keith concentrated, focusing his alchemy between his hands into a smaller, more compact sphere of energy which he then tossed into the perpetual night sky. The ball of light rose two hundred feet into the air. A sparkling trail fizzled in pursuit before the ball of alchemy split into over a dozen smaller projectiles. They each went off sporadically over the span of a minute. Rhea screamed in delight as Keith's alchemical fireworks lit her upturned face.

Keith sat beside Acxa and wiped sweat from his brow. She pulled his head to her shoulder and said after the echoes faded, "These calculated explosions are beautiful."

"You should see a Fourth of July display. They're over ten times as creative and the patterns are unique every deca-pheob. They even have different colors."

"Again, daddy!" Rhea shouted as she spun in excitement. She lost her balance and tripped giggling into his lap.

"No more, Rhea. Your father's tired," A thin voice croaked near the door of the druids' manor.

Keith instantly stood and moved Rhea behind him. Acxa touched the back of his hand as she pulled Rhea into her lap. Keith nodded toward Honerva. "It is good to see you back on your feet, mother. Frenik thought you'd still be recovering another day at least."

Haggar raised an eyebrow and looked at the sky where the last of Keith's spent quintesscence sparkled like distant stars. "You've been practicing."

Keith studied her countenance, but she didn't seem hostile or cruel, so he answered honestly, "Yes. My control has improved significantly with my latest exercises."

"It has a side effect also, my son. I haven't heard the laughter of a child in time forgotten." Haggar lowered her gaze to where Rhea snuck glances between Keith's legs, "Do you enjoy your father's magic, young one?"

Keith looked back in time to see Rhea shyly nod. He smiled encouragement to her and asked, "Is there anything I can do for you, mother?"

Haggar shook her head and answered, "I was actually looking for Acxa."

Keith struggled to hide his alarm as he confirmed, "Acxa?" He made eye contact with his wife, but she revealed nothing.

Haggar repeated, "Yes, Acxa. Would you join me in my study?"

Keith watched Acxa's eyes widen imperceptively at the edges. "Of course, mistress," Acxa stood and Keith lifted Rhea onto his hip. She asked, "Shall we go now?"

"If you don't mind, daughter."

When she passed, he gently brushed her wrist with three fingers and tapped once. She barely nodded and blinked once. Keith blinked again to confirm. Then Haggar hooked her arm in the crook of Acxa's elbow and the two of them went back inside.

It was a few seconds before Keith realized Rhea was poking his cheek. He stuck his tongue into his cheek and she squealed when she felt it through the side of his face. Keith put his forehead to her's and asked, "What shall we do now?"

"Can we play with kitty?"

Keith nodded and booped Rhea's nose. "Let's go see if Kova wants to play."

Apothica and Kova were in the day room. The cat was curled up in the druid's lap, but he glared and growled when he saw Keith. Rhea ran ahead and squished the cat's head against her's. Apothica laughed and patted Rhea's hair. "Good evening, niece."

Keith smiled and leaned against the wall to watch as Kova walked in a circle rubbing his side into Rhea while purring. The cat hated him, but loved Rhea and Acxa. Though both Lotor and Honerva had told him the cat hated men even ten thousand years ago. In regards to the cat's tolerance, Keith was on Zarkon's level. Keith closed his eyes and let his residual quintessence permeate the room. Apothica gave him a curious look, but then Kova jumped to the floor and Rhea grabbed a long feather from a small basket the cat liked to sleep in.

Apothica curled up on the couch and resumed reading her book while the cat pounced at the toy Rhea dragged across the floor. Keith focused on the cat. When he'd first joined the druids, Kova was completely wild. Keith had found some of Honerva's original notes about the rift and covertly taken baseline energy readings on the cat. The quintessence was more feral than the cat. It was then that Keith had tried re-balancing the cat, because if he could find a way to reduce the wild quintessence, then there might be a way to cure Honerva.

Like every other test he'd tried, the cat had no reaction. Keith yawned and slumped. His leg had fallen asleep and there was a kink in his hip from standing so long. He yawned again and stretched. "Rhea, say good night to Kova and Apothica. We'll go find your mother and head to bed."

Acxa stood and wrapped her arms protectively around herself. "What you're asking of me is wrong on every level."

"How so, daughter? Such quintessence is worthy of study. If you and Keitaran sire offspring, imagine what we could learn."

Acxa felt bile rise in the back of her throat. "Think very hard on what you just said, mother. Consider the heresy, the moral desecration, on your already blackened soul. The last thing I will ever," she stressed, "partake in is creating another child for you to afflict torment upon. Haven't I suffered enough? Aren't you satisfied with the results your 'tests' revealed?" Where was Keith? Couldn't he feel how distraught she was? She silently prayed he would save her.

Haggar frowned and Acxa tensed in expectation, but the blow never came. Instead, Haggar straightened up and leveled her disappointed gaze on Acxa. "I am sorry you feel this way. If that is the case, I see no reason for your relationship with Prince Keitaran to continue."

"What?" Acxa demanded. "I love him, mother! You cannot do this to us! I-"

Haggar continued, "You will no longer distract Keitaran, Acxa. From this moment, you are confined to the north wing until you reconsider my request or another use for you is discovered. You will not see, hear, or speak to Keitaran-"

"Please, mother, don't-" Acxa begged while shaking in fear and anger.

"-while you remain disobedient. Have I made myself clear?"

Acxa knew there was no way she could openly defy Haggar. Her trembling knees gave out and she fell. The floor in front of her was blurry through her tears and she covered her mouth to stifle a sob. A cold hand brushed her shoulder. She flinched away. Acxa whimpered and spat out, "Keith will never forgive you, witch!"

"That is a burden I willingly bear, daughter of mine." Haggar instructed, "Serad, take Acxa to her new quarters."

Acxa felt the druid appear at her shoulder and choked back her sobs making her stomach spasm painfully. She took a moment to compose herself, failed miserably, and stumbled to her feet. Serad gestured with an arm. "This way, witch-daughter."

Acxa had only taken a few steps when the side door swung violently on its hinges. It banged, making Acxa jump. A breath of hope stirred in her chest as she saw Keith standing in the doorframe. Rhea was just barely visible hiding around a corner. Keith strode into the room and looked between Serad, Acxa, and Haggar. "Mother, what's going on?"

Haggar nodded for Serad to go before turning to her son. Acxa felt the druid place his hand in the center of her back, applying steady pressure to force her onward. She was terrified of Haggar's threat, but she knew if she said nothing, she would regret it. "Keith, please, she-"

The druid gripped her arm, digging in his nails, and her words ended in a barely restrained cry of pain. Serad increased his strength and Acxa struggled not to be dragged along. Then Keith shouted, "Serad, stop!" Acxa could hardly breathe through her panic. She glanced up at the druid who stared toward Keith through his mask. A glint of metal brought her gaze back to Keith who had drawn his dagger. He demanded, "Step away from Acxa, brother."

Acxa held her breath, but then Serad released his hold on her and she retreated a few feet away. Haggar fixed her in place with a glare, then said to Keith, "The woman is no longer your concern. I shall handle her care from now on."

Keith gripped his dagger, his knuckles white. "That is not for you to decide."

"On the contrary, boy. Leave now, and do not let this matter cause you further confusion." Haggar flexed her hand at her side. Open. Closed. Open again. Acxa swallowed the lump in her throat. She knew what was coming.

Keith grimaced, eyes flashing in anger and lips drawn back in a canine bearing snarl. "I will not. Step aside, woman."

"Stand down, brat. You will not receive another warning."

Keith growled and slashed with his dagger. Haggar vanished and Keith followed only to suddenly appear ten feet away flying backward in the other direction. Serad appeared and stalked toward Keith where he picked himself up and wiped his mouth with the back of a hand. He spat blood and spun the dagger around before launching himself again.

Acxa flinched and slid sideways as their duel brought them dangerously close to her. She pressed into the wall with a hand over her mouth. He was going to get himself killed! She tried to run forward to separate them, but Haggar appeared beside her and caught her wrist. Acxa fought to yank free, but the witch was strong. Acxa ground through her teeth, "Stop this! Stop them!"

Haggar rebuked, "This is all your fault, Acxa. Bear witness to what you've wro-"

Serad screamed and Haggar whipped around, narrowed eyes on Keith's furious form as he stepped past Serad's prone figure. Keith's eyes practically glowed and Acxa could feel his magic from where she stood. It pulsed in hot waves. To her, it was warm and soothing, but Haggar flinched and raised her hand. "Do you really intend to fight me, insolent one?"

Keith's eyes flashed with power. If they had been enemies, Acxa would have feared for her life. This was what made him the plague of the cosmos. This was why the witch's allies remained in line, lest she turn her executioner loose upon them. And he was still strong though weakened from training. Acxa felt her heart calm for the first time since Haggar had summoned her. She lifted her chin in pride for her lover.

"What are you doing to Acxa, woman?"

Haggar answered only by repeating, "It is of no concern to you, boy."

"She will always be mine, mother," Keith spat.

He slashed with his daggar. Acxa stumbled as the witch disappeared from beside her and her arm was twisted behind her back. Haggar threatened over Acxa's shoulder, "She is more to you than your precious colonies, boy, and yet she is still just as insignificant. Submit to me, or I will kill her as well as every planet of which you claim fealty to free you of this burden."

Keith answered, "You'd have to kill me first."

Haggar answered without pause, "Very well."

Acxa screamed as the floor around Keith lit with light and coiled around his body. He screamed where he writhed on the floor, fingers splayed and legs bending spastically. Acxa shouted and renewed her struggle, but Haggar was too powerful. Then she saw the small face of their daughter peeking around the door frame, eyes locked on her father and mother in traumatized fear. "Haggar, stop! I'll do it!"

The alchemy around Keith stalled, leaving him breathless and trembling. Haggar released Acxa, who took two quick steps and turned, placing herself between Keith and the witch. Haggar narrowed her eyes. "What will you do?"

Acxa did her best to hold her ground, but she knew it was a poor display. "I will do what you've requested of me, mistress, as long as you do not hurt him. Please, don't hurt my Keith."

Keith gasped and coughed several times. When Acxa turned, he was completely free of Haggar's magic. Acxa ran to him and helped him sit up, holding him to herself. He weakly lifted his hand to her hair and whispered, "You're safe. We're both alive."

Haggar said, "When the time comes, Acxa, do not hesitate to fulfill your end, or the consequences shall be a thousand times worse than what just transpired."

Acxa glared at the witch and Keith braced himself. She held him back, keeping him in place beside her. Then Apothica raced into the room. She slid to a stop seeing Serad unconscious on the floor and shot Haggar a questioning look before glancing at Keith and Acxa on the floor. Then Haggar scathingly said, "Do not keep me waiting, disciple."

Apothica bowed her head and apologized, "I'm sorry to disturb you, my lady, but we've just received a message from the empire. Blood Empress Krolia broadcasted on all public frequencies. She has asked to hold an armistice, my lady. We have twenty vargas to respond before the empire declares open war."

Haggar looked once again to Keith and Acxa slid more in front of him. Acxa saw the wheels turning in the witch's mind. At last, she answered, "Apothica, alert Sendak to head to the yoluak system. I will address the empress directly."

She walked toward the door with Apothica a step behind. Keith asked hoarsely, "What are you going to do?"

Haggar glanced over her shoulder. "Krolia wishes to negotiate. It is only polite to listen to her offer." Then the door shut behind them.

Keith slumped against Acxa and she simply rocked him in an effort to give them comfort. At last, he breathed, "What did she want from you? What did you agree to?"

Acxa closed her eyes and admitted, "There was no other way, Keith. She would destroy everything you've worked toward if I hadn't. She is a monster!"

Keith asked again, "What does she want?"

Acxa pulled back and looked at her lap, unable to meet her lover's gaze out of shame. "I promised our firstborn to her... for her research."

He was silent. A minute passed. Why wasn't he saying anything? Was he that disgusted with her? She covered her face with her hands as self loathing consumed her. Then, Keith's calloused hand rose to hold the side of her neck. She flinched on reflex and met his dark eyes. He mouthed her name, barely a sound. He said it again, louder, and put his forehead to her's. She breathed in his scent, the same scent that lingered on her skin and that of their daughter. Her eyes widened and she whispered in alarm, "Rhea!"

Keith jolted and stood. "Rhea! Rhea, where are you!"

Acxa pointed toward the door. "There!"

He grabbed her hand and they stumbled and ran to where the toddler was frozen. Her eyes were glazed when Keith knelt beside her and gently held her shoulders. "Rhea, Rhea, sweetheart, look at me."

Rhea slowly turned her face, but there was little recognition in her eyes. Keith closed his eyes and focused. Acxa felt a wisp of quintessence flow around them. Then Rhea started screaming and tried to pull out of Keith's hold. Keith kept a firm grip, but then she lashed out and her talons ripped into his arm.

Keith grunted, refusing to stop what he'd started. Acxa reached around Rhea and pulled her out of Keith's grip. Keith looked at her in confusion. Rhea turned in her arms and continued crying. Acxa suggested, "Not now. Not after she witnessed the abuse of alchemy. It will only make things worse for her until we explain."

Keith's eyes widened before his brows drew together and he looked down nodding. "I... You're right."

Acxa lifted Rhea and reached for Keith's hand. He came close and wrapped an arm around her waist. They leaned into each other, supporting one another, as they walked to their suite.