The sun blaring in woke them both up at the same time. Deva was no praying for the cloud coverage that she had once wished away. 

"I don't want to wake up yet," she whined like a child. 

"Then pretend I'm the moon," his husky voice echoed while he threw the covers over their heads. "And we're still in the night."

Her lips curved into a smile. It was times like these that made her fall in love with Darius all over again. 

Her exhausted body melted into his. "It's not the same."

"I can fix that." He captured her lips and took over her mind. 

When Deva opened her eyes again it was dark. Pulling the covers down to look out, she found the moon high in the night sky. Darius had used his ability to pull her into his creative world.

"I love when you use your powers for good." 

He chuckled because she made it sound like he was a superhero. "You're everything good about me." 

No matter how cheesy his lines were they always made her weak at the knees. "Last night went well." 

He wasn't sure if she was being sarcastic or real. "Well enough. I'm sorry Rathguard disrespected you. He's always been an asshole for as long as I can remember." 

"He and your father must have gotten along really well." 

Darius started to tickle the skin on her hip. "Yes. They were really close." 

"But Alexander seems nice." 

He nodded. "He's much more open minded than his father."

"Yes I noticed." But it still made her wonder about the future. "Do you think he'll make a good king?" 

Darius thought about it for a moment before responding. "I do. He's fair and just. Its his father corrupting him I'm worried about." 

But would he be fair and just to lycans too. Darius saw her concern and tried kissing her worries away. "Don't worry about it Deva. Everything is going to be ok." 

Deva quickly changed her morbid mood. "Do you have to work today?" 

"No. I promised Alcide I would help him make a kite." Darius got up and stretched. "But I do have a few calls I need to make." 

"I'll take a shower then." 

The hot water was exactly what she needed to wash away last night and all its awful and then wonderful memories. She wasn't sure how long she was in the shower for but when she got out she found Darius sitting on the couch and the sun back in the sky.

"So I was thinking sweetheart, maybe we should take Alcide and go on a family vacation." 

That stopped her in her tracks. It was a random subject to bring up. 

"Why's that?" 

His eyes met hers but they were too soft with remorse. "Because Alcide hasn't seen the outside of these walls." 

That was true. She wanted so badly to show Alcide the world but it was never the right time. Why was he bringing it up all of a sudden? Something didn't feel right.  

Deva focused all her attention on her husband but examining him more thoroughly only convinced her he wasn't who she thought he was. 

It was easy to confuse the three identical royal brothers but Deva always found a way to see right through them. The man in her room wasn't Darius. 

"Convince me first," she challenged. 

He raised his brow, obviously confused she'd even question him. 

"Convince me we need a vacation in the mists of everything that's going on." It was the worst possible timing. 

He gradually stood up. He looked so much like her husband; the clothes, the posture, the facial expressions. He fit the part very well. She wondered why he was going through all the effort. 

"Because I don't want to waste another minute." His voice was too gentle. He was really trying to get to her. 

"You can do better than that baby." If he wanted to play, she'd play. And not fair either. 

She got close enough to his ear and whispered, "Convince me like your life depended on it." Her voice was sensual yet teasing. She wanted him to break. 

"I want you both to myself," his eyes were deceiving.

Deva laughed inside. He was a really good actor. "Baby, you can have me anytime you want."

She softly traced his jawline, knowing very well it would drive him crazy. Surprisingly he didn't move a muscle; he was frozen in place. Was he even breathing? He had to be extremely uncomfortable.

"You can have me right now...in any position you like." 

He turned his gaze straight ahead, avoiding her eyes. Then he gulped from nerves. 

Oh yes, this wasn't Darius. She knew for a fact her husband would have stripped her of her clothes and thrown her on that bed by now. 

His hesitation and struggle to keep himself together was incredibly entertaining for her. 

"What's the matter Loosh, cat got your tongue?" She backed away bursting into laughter.

"Deva," he exhaled in relief. "How did you know?" 

"Your accent's off. You were sounding a little British. Darius' accent faded once he married me. And I'm a pro at telling you guys apart." 

She lazily sat on the bed. "So why pretend to be him?" 

Lucian looked sincerely into her eyes. "I honestly think you all should get away for a while. With Adamarius back who knows what can happen."

Deva couldn't predict what was to come either. Darius was utterly unstable lately. 

"You know better than I Darius won't go anywhere at a time like this. Not when he's so close." He had waited so long to catch Adamarius.

"You have to convince him." His worry echoed into her ears like a siren. "The lycans still recognize Adamarius as alpha. If Darius kills him can you imagine the rebellion and outbreak of war it could cause?" 

"You don't think I know that?" She knew Lucian only meant well but it still sparked anger. "You don't think I feel the uncontrollable rage Darius gets at the mention of Adamarius' name." 

She felt it ten times worse because she was the one who brought the provoked pain. She shouldn't have let Adamarius walk back into their lives. 

Lucian took her hands in his. "Darius feels horrible for yelling at you and scaring you. He was beating himself up all day about it."

It was all her fault.

"Deva all I ask is you talk to him, convince him. You're the only one he'll listen to." 

She shook her head. "Not when it comes to Adamarius." Darius would never let her fall into his terror again. 

"Will you try? Try to make peace for your people." 

Lucian's passion for the kingdom was something she always admired about him. "You would have made a righteous King." He was always so thoughtful and putting others before himself. 

She often wondered what it would have been like if she just handed Lucian the kingdom. Then she and Darius could have run away, lived a semi-normal life, and raised Alcide in a house not a castle. 

"It was your loss," Lucian joked. He was smiling but his eyes were hooded, hiding his true thoughts. She didn't want to push it. 

"I'll see what I can do." She rose to her feet.

"There's something else I wanted to talk to you about." Lucian scratched the back of his head. Was he nervous? 

"Yes?" She encouraged. 

His head dropped slightly. "I want to ask your sister to marry me." 

She felt a twinge of shock, good shock, very good shock. Happiness filled her soul. It was a long time coming and she couldn't be happier. She knew this was what her sister wanted. It was bound to happen.

"It's about time. Making a girl wait ten years for a ring is torture." 

"Yeah. I'm pretty bad when it comes to the whole romance thing." It was a lame excuse and she knew it. 

"I don't remember it always being so." 

He laughed thinking back to the memories of the past. "People change." 

"People let things change them. I'm happy for you. I know you'll both have a wonderful life together."

He shifted his feet a little. "So you approve?"

"Yes. Why wouldn't I?" Her sister had waited so long for Lucian to ask her. They had all lost hope after the seventh year they were together. 

Lucian was a cautious man and no one wanted to rush him. Vampires had all the time in the world. And the more time they spent together the more compatible and happy Lucian and Elle were. 

It grew silent till he finally took hold of her hand. "Come. I'll take you to your husband." 

They teleported into the living room where Darius and Alcide were huddled over a crafty looking kite. Deva's heart melted at the sight of her two greatest loves. 

"Daddy how is this going to fly? It's just paper." He was not optimistic at all. It reminded Deva of herself sometimes. 

"The wind will push it up."

Alcide raised his hands to the sky. "Push it really, really high, right?"

Darius pulled his son into his arms. "So high that the ones who aren't with us will see it." 

Alcide's eyes brightened with excitement. "You mean like grandpa and grandma."

He had never met either one of his grandfathers but he was told many stories of them. The retired queen Emma had only seen her grandchild twice since he was born. She spent most of her time in the human world, trying to get away from the past. 

"Yes, buddy. Everyone who isn't here." 

Alcide's eyes wondered around looking for something but stopped once he spotted his mother. "Momma, momma! Look at our kite."

He came rushing into her arms, the kite firmly held tight in his grip. 

"Wow that's amazing. I love it." 

He proudly grinned with satisfaction, something his father did all the time. 

"Oh I forgot. We have a visitor today." Lucian said from behind them.

"What visitor?" Darius asked coming up behind Deva to wrap his arms securely around her. 

"Your little sister, that's who." Izzy's voice echoed throughout the room. She was dressed fashionably and sophisticated compared to her usual attire. Five months of being away from home had really changed her appearance. 

"Aunt Iz," Alcide rushed to her side. Izzy engulfed him in a tight bear hug. 

"I've missed you so, my little bel ami." Her French accent fluently rolled off her tongue like a native. 

"I've missed you more," his angelic voice sang.

"I don't believe that," she ruffled his hair. "I've got you something thou. I have something for everyone actually."

She put Alcide back on the floor and greeted the rest of her family. Nothing felt better then home. 

"How's mother doing?" Marcus asked. 

Izzy took off her hat and unbuttoned her coat. "Fine, splendid in fact. I really believe Paris has done her wonders."

"Paris? What happened to Spain?" Julia asked, playing with the fancy bow on the present Izzy got her. 

"I'm not sure actually. She's been traveling non stop since she left here. I guess she's just trying to find where she belongs. Paris looks promising to me."

"I see you've brought a friend too," Deva mentioned staring at the tall figure standing in the back of the room. 

"Aw yes. This is Jacque." The man cautiously walked up to them. His olive skin and black hair pulled him closer to the Spanish ethnicity.

Deva raised a brow. "A human friend?" The warm blood pulsing through the foreigner's veins was singing to Deva's craving senses. 

Izzy innocently shrugged. "What? A girl's got to eat and play. Why not have both in one?" 

Interesting logic, Deva thought. But who was she to judge? 

"Daddy, daddy. Can we go fly the kite now?" Alcide begged with warm pleading eyes. 

"Sure son." 

They were almost through the large wooden doors when a servant stopped them. 

"My king," the servant bowed. "The council needs you." 

Darius turned his back on the man. "My son needs me now." 

The servant looked too scared to talk back but he did anyway. "It's on matters of warfare and military. Only you can make the final decisions."

Since hearing of the Relic Moon the council wanted to be prepared for anything that may occur. It was a very unpredictable event. The kingdom's military was on high alert. 

Darius locked his gaze on Deva who in return gave him a weary look. She knew he had to go. She would have gone herself but war wasn't her best subject. 

"Go," she stepped in to stop his struggle between family and duty. She knew he hated choosing. "I'll take Alcide to the park. You can join us when you finish." 

He wanted to abstain but the king's responsibility was now on his shoulders. He couldn't look away or back down from them. 

Darius got down to kneel in front of his son. "I promise I won't take long." 

The boy nodded in disappointment. He was used to his father's random absences. Darius regretted putting that frown on his son's face but he vowed to make up for it as soon as he could. 

Heading for the exit Darius turned to his brother. "Lucian I could use your skills in battle for this one." 

"I'm right behind you brother," Lucian obliged. 

Deva took her son's hand. "Izzy would you like to join us?"

"Perhaps later. I'm still a little tired." She looped her arm around Jacque's and went for the stairs. 

"Just me and you buddy," Deva said walking out into the open garden. 

The sun was out, the flowers were all in bloom, and the wind was blowing just right. She led him down the one stone path and through the jungle of trees. 

She had a few times before taken him to the ancient playground his father played in as a boy. It was a hidden place far off into the distance, away from the castle's walls. Darius didn't like them to be too out of range. It made him anxious every time they strayed too far from home. 

"Oh momma I know where we're going. It's my favorite park." His face lit up. 

"Why's that baby?" 

"Cause it's close to the ocean." 

That was her favorite feature as well. Deva had a few things remodeled on the park once Alcide was born. It was a little more stable around the hedges. 

Alcide caught sight of the iron swings and ran but Deva's heart sunk when she heard a wrestling in the bushes. Panic quickly came and past once Deva felt that familiar essence. 

Adamarius came forth looking rugged as ever. "Uncle Marius!"

A smile formed through his scruffy jaw. Adamarius looked wild and untamed like he belonged to a part of the earth. "Hey little man." 

"What are you doing here?" Alcide asked curiously. 

"Just going for a walk." 

Deva crossed her arms. "Stalker," she choked out. 

He chuckled. "It's for your own good." 

What did that mean? "Alcide baby you can go play on the swings now." She didn't have to tell him twice. Alcide ran to the jungle gym like his life depended on it.

"How is following me around like a creeper for my own good?" Did he think she was going to explode or something?

"Since you won't let me help you I'm going to have to keep a close eye on you." He saw her annoyed expression and sighed. "Deva I've been through it. You won't be able to control yourself and bad things will happen." 

He placed a hand over her shoulder. "I'm going to be there to stop you from making a mistake and hurting the people you love."

His determination wasn't questionable and it scared her. It must be more serious than she thought. 

Later on Deva watched as Adamarius helped Alcide get the kite in the sky. It was a role a father should be playing not his uncle. She felt like soon Darius would miss his whole childhood. But Alcide was having a wonderful time never the less. 

Then out of nowhere two figures approached. Adamarius blocked Alcide from their sight like a shield. 

"Stand your ground," Adamarius shouted.

The two tall statues froze in place at his command. "Forgive us alpha. We were only passing through." 

Once they got a good glance at Deva they fell awestruck. "My queen," they bowed. "It's such a pleasure to just be in your presence." 

Deva averted her eyes to Adamarius. They had to be lycans. They were grateful for Deva's fight and mercy when it came to their kind. She had changed their lifestyle the moment she was crowned.

"Please, come closer." 

They obeyed. Alcide's tiny hands slipped into Deva and Adamarius'. 

"Momma why are they acting so funny?" 

The two muscular men had dirt covering random blotches of their skin. She knew they had to have been in lycan form. 

"Because they're different. They are beautiful and special creatures." 

Alcide stared them up and down. "How?" 

The one with blonde shaggy hair leaned in. "Would you like to see?" 

Alcide grinned, ear to ear, then nodded. 

The men took a few steps back before letting the transformation take place. The muscles on their bare chests began to flex till veins were popping out. Alcide didn't blink once during the process. 

The two wolf like lycans now towered in from of them. It amazed her how Alcide wasn't the slightest scared of them. It was quite the opposite. He even wanted to pet them after witnessing their gruesome transition.

"Momma they look like scary dogs. Can I pet them?"

Deva laughed. "If they let you." 

The giant lycans moved closer, letting him do as he willed. 

Deva watched with pride and relief at the wonderful sight. It warmed her heart to know her son was comfortable with her kind. His kind too because he was born part lycan, he just didn't know it yet. 

She didn't feel like it was the right time to him know about their lycan nature. There was time for that later when he is older. For now he can enjoy being a kid. 

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