"I cannot believe you!" Faye exclaimed.

"I assure you the boy is fine," Antares waved her off. "I trust Xen-I trust Lyrik, Kyron and sometimes Aster."

"You are a horrible teacher." The Queen of Talterra concluded.

From the moment they had left the Temple of the Seven, Antares had regaled Freyja with his exploits across the years jumping from story to story. The questions she had, the comments and the critiques of his actions all came with the myriad of memories they had both shared. It was as though they had never been apart. Conversation flowed with ease and their moods grew in tandem. The Stygian King's perception of time was always skewed, he along with the rest of his kin had to make an active effort to engage with reality at a consistent interval. To most Stygians years passed on like seasons, only when they were around humans did they fully begin to appreciate the gravity and magnitude of what could happen within a year.

For Antares in the presence of Faye he felt the full weight of five. His heart ached, his mind raced with terrible guilt, at his actions for being apart from her for so long. So many years did it feel unbearable, however now at her side, seeing the way her hair flowed in the wind. The corner of her lip curled when she was thinking. Or the way she wrinkled her nose before she laughed. All those grueling years vanished, faded away to the background.

Faye led him through the castle and a gaggle of nobles who were eager to converse with them. She had purposely taken a more scenic route from the church to the great hall of where the monarchs would meet. The more she heard him speak, the longer she wanted their time together to continue. She loved how often he went on tangents about their time apart, never staying on one topic for too long. It was like that when they were children too. Antares would always regale her with the contents of the latest book he read. Oftentimes never starting his analysis or critique from the beginning of the story, but where he believed the true onset of the tale resided. The end.

She sometimes struggled to keep up but neither of them minded. She was more than content with giving him her undivided attention, while he delighted in having it. There were far too many questions she had about the many things he told her. One in particular, made as an off hand comment, that she was still the only woman he had slept with. Denouncing the rumors and exaggerated exploits of his in the city of Kish under the moniker of the 'Earl of Lavender'. A title that was given to the exiled prince for spending all his time in the pleasure houses of the famed pleasure city. She could not help but laugh at his clarification, granted she was more than happy that the rumors were not true.

Faye sought to move the conversation along as memories of their more intimate times began to resurface. It was not only her face that was getting warm.

"Although I am happy you have found a worthy pupil my dear king," Freyja matched his stride. "Trygvvi might not feel the same way, once he finds out you have taken a student. Especially when he has been asking you to teach him for years." She tilted her head and let out a chuckle.

Antares stopped in his march. It had been years since Trygvvi Stormborne, his and Faye's little cousin, crossed his mind. The young red-haired devil flashed across the king's mind and the image was accompanied by the scent of lightning and the maniacal laugh of thunder. Trygvvi could be no older than what Cyrus was now, Antares shuddered at how much more powerful the boy must have grown over the last couple years. Typhon had yet to mention him once, so the thought to ask him about his storm kin and his regular raids around the waters of Larsa never crossed his mind. If the boy learned of Cyrus or worse than he was his ward, Antares feared at the very sight of thunder at his castle steps.

"I cannot believe I forgot about Trygvvi, you cannot tell him about Cyrus." the king rubbed his forehead.

"Antares," Freyja rolled her eyes, as she stopped in front of him. "He loves you, and worships you."

"That is precisely the problem," the king laughed with a dry tone. Antares thought of the last time he sparred with the boy, even at a mere ten years old. Trygvvi showed signs of one blessed with the natural skill of a warrior far beyond his years. Perhaps too blessed the king would say. "You know how he gets when he feels I ignore him."

"Well that is why he is coming to your wedding, whether you like it or not." The Terran Queen grumbled wagging her finger. "I will not have him come here and mope. The last time he did that, it stormed for five days. Tell him when you see him. The boy has grown he can handle it!" she beamed.

Antares crossed his arms as he rolled his eyes, but knew there was no point fighting her on the matter. "Since we are talking about family, how are the rest of our kin?"

Freyja always loved that he saw the Storm Islands as his people too. Stygian hegemony did not allow for such easy distinctions between all those who carried the ancient and powerful blood through their veins. When one was born to a Stygian parent, they were expected to know and care for no other people than fellow Stygians.

Myrra had thought differently, in the small time she had with her youngest child. She sought to immerse and bathe him not only in the ways of ice and the immovable moon. But in the ways of the storm and the chaos of the waters, as well. Antares was of both worlds, and he carried that piece of it proudly. She thanked her sister for raising her son as so, and she deeply loved him for retaining the lessons of his mother. However, as greatly as Antares cared for the Storm Islands and her people. It was not nearly as reciprocal as Freyja would have liked.

"Hildegarde still hates you, her father is dead and you are to blame. That is how she will always remain. Ráðúlfr, some days he feels the same, other days he worships you like Trygvvi does. However most days he pretends you do not exist. Sadsmile and Randi are… well Sadsmile and Randi." Faye's laugh carried some pain with it.

"And King Ragnar?" Antares caressed the side of her arm, successfully soothing her.

"Three of his four children are dead," the flatness of her remark caught her off guard. "Some of his grandchildren despise his eldest daughter's son. It is not so easy to deal with when he is supposed to love you all equally. Though all know it is you he loves most of all. For it is Myrra he loved most of all." Faye recalled the upbeat look of her father from the last time they spoke.

There was so much more left unsaid that she wanted to address. The Storm Islands entered an age of uncertainty. Antares's complete subjugation of the rebellion caused by her brothers, Magni and Modi, had crippling and lasting consequences to those of their home. So many lives had been sacrificed in the defiance of Antares claim to the islands. Her brother's actions further strained an already tense relationship between them and Iliad, first damaged at the death of Myrra, her sister. For so long had both realms been at odds intermittently through the millennia, the ever constant Storm Island raid ships troubled the peaceful Ilian shores of Larsa and all the smaller towns dotted across the coast.

Freyja had thought, they all did. That her union with Antares would finally bring a true level of peace between the two societies. Long would the Storm Islands stop being seen as territory belonging to the Stygians, but elevated to the status of realm, an equal of Iliad and all her other allies. A bridging of two different cultures that she thought could become whole. However, that future had not come to pass. Antares' exile had all but destroyed any hope of such a dream taking place in the near future. Iliad was not the only realm gripped by ambiguity with Barranagan's and Myrra's passing. It was all realms, all of Aurum was unsure what future might be born from it. Nevertheless all knew it would involve their youngest son who ascended to the throne. The reality of it terrified Freyja.

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"But all is well!" she fixed his appearance, brushing a hand through his starry hair. "You are back and all will be well, our home is excited for your return!" she had hoped she sounded convincing.

Antares bore a pained smile. While she spoke and maintained a lovely demeanor, his Akashic Eyes showed him the raging inner turmoil that consumed the woman he loved. Yet he did not say anything, there was nothing he could say that would fix how it was she felt. The various hues within her ranged from intimately deep stains to monochrome blotches. All his life he had only desired to give her a life worth having, one better than she could ever conceive. Antares would never forgive himself for failing at that. For failing her like he did his mother, like his brother and father and even Nykolas too. It all had to have meant something, the grimoires that he so desired would show him what that was.

The Stygian King pulled her in close for a hug. He held her like that, feeling her warmth after so many years. The ever present scent of thunder and the sea washed over him. He felt her embrace him back hard, speaking to him with her soul. No longer were words needed, they could not convey the feelings they shared. A futility that they were both painfully aware of. When their hearts had their fill, they slowly pulled away. Eyes locked, and in that moment Antares saw Faye as the girl she was, from the first time they embraced, her silver eyes brightly calling for him. Her golden hair like rays of sunshine, demanding to be touched by him.

He watched as her lips trembled, begging for his, craving his flesh against hers. But he knew better, he always did, she did too. He slowly let her go, he did not want to and yet he did all the same.

"Forgive me, I just-" Antares trailed off embarrassed by his action.

Freyja shook her head, "Do not be." She could not stop smiling. "I think we both needed that," her face was flushed.

"Perhaps we shoul-"

"There you are," Casspien marched with pointed aggression.

"Brother!" Antares called out.

Casspien dismissed the camaraderie, "Do not call to me. Do you have any idea how long I have been looking for you?" the Lord Regent turned to address the queen, "My Queen."

Before Faye could acknowledge the greeting, Casspien unleashed a tirade on his king for his lackadaisical approach to such a momentous occasion. The Sword Saint had not slept since the prior night as he went over the many ways this meeting between the nine rulers of Aurum could devolve into. The celebrations the previous night were a welcomed introduction to the ceremonies that would take place in the coming days. However the gathering they both were required to attend took the utmost precedent. Its contents could reshape Aurum entirely.

"Please forgive him Lord Casspien," Faye bowed with a mischievous smile. "The fault lies entirely with me."

"I am glad to see you have not changed," he stifled a smile. "Now come along, we are late." He motioned for Antares to follow him.

"Wait, where are Gwen and the others?" the king pondered for a moment.

"They are at the coliseum," Casspien declared. "After you both retired to your chambers, events… happened. And Typhon was made aware there was a tournament taking place."

"Oh no," Antares groaned.

"Oh yes," Casspien sighed in response. "But thankfully after explaining to our dear friend in excruciating detail why he could not take part. He relented enough and accepted Ursula would participate on his behalf."

Casspien recounted bits and pieces of the night, none more interesting than the announcement of a tournament that was being held by the emperor. It was meant to be a celebration of the gathering of many of Aurum's inhabitants. Warriors alike from all backgrounds could enter, ready to test their mettle against their fellow fighters. All for the glory of the last two fighting in front of the monarchs in two days' time. It was no shock that an event like that would have interested Typhon greatly. The man had already grown bored of the pleasantries and sought excitement. Casspien could only help but curse when Rose had mentioned it in the presence of his old friend. It took the Lord Regent as well as Guinevere, Melina and Ursula to dissuade him completely. A champion was selected to fight on his behalf, and the only one that could do so was Ursula herself.

"I fear it was for the best," Faye giggled as she listened. "I doubt it would be much of a competition if Typhon participated."

"Surely if we bind both of his arms it will be fair?" Antares laughed along with her.

"I am glad you both find this amusing," the Sword Saint grumbled. "Nevertheless, that is where they are right now."

"Then that is where I will go," Faye decreed. "It will be good to spend time with Gwen and the others." She looked at Antares for approval.

He gave it with a nod, "Will I see you tonight?"

She placed her hand on his chest, "You will, the event tonight is of the emperor's own personal choice and all must attend."

"Till then," he placed his hand on top of hers.

"Till then," she repeated softly. "Look after him, please." She gave Casspien a soft smile and a kiss on the cheek before heading on her way.

Antares watched as she walked on, the butterfly broach she always wore glittering brilliantly in her hair. The permanent smile on his face was interrupted by the snarky expression his Lord Regent gave him.

"Till then?" he repeated, while walking ahead.

"Do not start," Antares blushed while following suit.

Casspien chuckled. Despite all the worry and stress that their being in Talterra brought. To him what made it bearable was that Antares and Faye could spend time with each other again. He could not imagine the difficulty of it all on the shoulders of his king, to face his past and the consequences of the actions he took–was forced to take. Yet the melancholic air of solitude that had always clung to him dispersed when he saw his king talk to the woman he loved. Casspien did not have the eyes of an Akashic but he believed if he did, they would reveal the cacophony of colors and deep connection that twirled around Antares and Freyja. Their souls connected in ways that he could not understand. Or at least he thought he did not, as the laughter of a certain short-haired Sword Saint passed through his mind.

"Speaking of tonight."

"Is there something that concerns you, Lord Regent?"

He waved his hand, "Not enough to bring to your attention." Casspien hesitated for a moment, "It is just well, I would like to ask for your permission not to attend."

Antares raised an eyebrow, "Are you unwell, is everything okay?"

"I am well. I have not introduced you but Rose-"

"The Sword Saint you were talking to?" the king grinned.

Casspien was not aware that Antares had noticed them last night, "It is a long story, but we have a duel that she would-"

Antares placed an arm around his friend, "Say no more my dear brother. Enjoy your duel." There was a rare twinkle in his eye.

While the king was speaking with the emperor the previous night, he had noted his Lord Regent in deep conversation with a woman off in the distance. It was not only shocking that Casspien was willingly speaking with another person, but that person being a woman caught Antares completely off guard. He had meant to speak to him about it, but never found the time. Nevertheless he was pleased that his friend could find company to occupy his thoughts even if it was only meant to be for an evening. Permitting him was the least the king could do for him, now that they walked into danger.

"You are uncharacteristically in a good mood, given where it is we are going."

Antares smirked as he walked up straight, "I have had a better morning than most." He could see the large golden doors guarded by Black Knights standing resolute. "But truth be told, I am eager to see what comes of this."

"I am not." Casspien responded flatly, "If this meeting can end without a single death of a monarch, I will consider it a success."

"Have some faith, my dear friend," the king urged.

The Lord Regent of Iliad scoffed, "You have been spending too much time with Faye."

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