“I’ve heard rather a lot about you.” I said as the weaselkin party took their seats. They had a prime position sihey were one of the lords of the seven surviving major branches of the Fae, and it was closest to the seats of our allies, sidering that they were also family. “It’s good to finally meet.”

  “Is it now-now?” Shaetanao said, his tone questioning.

  “Father, do not-not be rude!” Shaeu decred, her lip curling, showing off her teeth. “It is too te frets, and you should have none anyway.” She breathed out, calming herself. “Take-take a look around. At the Spring we recaptured, and then rebuilt. Your daughter, your pitiful, foolish, arrogant and weak-weak daughter has achieved all this. But not-not alone. Never alone.”

  “Father, we have been through this, discussed it.” Anna offered, a touch warily. “Little U has matured, she is no lohe little one, small girl she was before. I am rather sadde this, U was cuter before, adorable then, but … I am also proud. We are the weaselkin, greatest of the Beastkin Fae, and little U now shines as bright as any of us.”

  I smiled at Anna, who nodded back. She had certainly given me a beating to test my mettle, back then, but she genuinely adored her sister, and unlike Shaeraggo, had been almost reasonable, once I had demonstrated my affe for Shaeu and my strength. As if notig my thoughts, Shaeraggo looked down, guilty, and Selensha patted him on the back, while his other wife, Phaee, watched on, her expression plicated as she looked at Shaeu. It doesn’t seem she is over-fond of her…

  “I am aware of this.” Shaetanao said, and his words sank into me like a heavy weight, almost f me to listen. Yeah, his Majesty is solid, as you’d expect from a Prince, I guess? “I have not sought you out-out, despite my… reservations.” His blue eyes were radiating his League, again oppressing me, but the differeween us, while it was something I could feel, and would doubtless weaken my strength against him if it came to battle, it wasn’t so overwhelming as to be hopeless, like I felt against Nurarihyon.

  “You would not-not find it fortable in the Boundary, father.” Shaeu pointed out what I was thinking, rather uncharitably, but I did feel a warm glow that she would take my side. “You would not-not be able to use your true strength without great repercussions.”

  “I do not need my true might to crush a bug flying around you, my Shaeu…” he frowned. “…though you endure my presence well.” He then withdrew his League once more, it settling down into a feeling that dispyed his power without being aggressive. “I… ot prevent your retionship. I have no wish for my precious Shaeu to hate me more than she already doubtless does-does.”

  Shaeu seemed surprised at that. “I do not-not hate you father. I hate none of my family. I am disappointed, rather often in fact-fact… but family are special.”

  “Well said!” my sis piped up. Seeing all the weaselkin looking at her, she frowned. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m Aiko, my bro’s sister… uh…” she flushed, realising how stupid that sounded. “I mean, I’m Akio’s sister. I haven’t known Shaeu for long, but I love her like she’s my own sister, and I know my bro does too. What more do you need, huh? Love quers all.”

  “Love… quers all? Na?ve.” Shaetanao said softly, his words carrying great weight. His blue eyes met my sister’s equally sapphire orbs, and for a moment I felt sorry for him, as he clearly had a great weight on his heart. “If only life was so-so simple. Love is a luxury, and sometimes a poison.”

  “Bullshit.” My sis swore. “I get that love drive people to do crazy things, I’ve studied some of the stories in history css. But a luxury? If that’s what you think, I feel sorry for Shaeu.”

  As the versatioed up, Eleanor turo Yukiko-san, who was sittio her. “Does this always happen? Airing dirty undry in public, I mean? Have they fotten we’re here?”

  As the four-tailed fox ughed uproariously, Yukiko-san sighed. “Oh yes, this is rather standard for them. I remember cve, where they rehashed their pasts in front of hundreds of priests and shrine maidens. I didn’t know where to look. anese are rather reserved and don’t like making our personal matters public, so… I wonder, is it his British side that makes him such a good sharer?”

  Eleanor shook her head. “The British are reserved as well. Stiff upper lip and all that. At least we were, times are ging. But… I certainly wouldn’t be fortable doing the same.”

  “I suppose at least he’s learning.” Yukiko-san said. “Since he invited Shaeu’s family before the others, this could be sidered private I suppose. Poor Tsukiko. She’ll have it rough…” Even as she criticised me, Yukiko-san was smilily, but I was more focussed on the versatioween my sis and Shaetanao.

  “You believe I wao put my precious daughter at risk? You think any-any of us wahis?” He fred his League, and my sister went pale, blood draining from her face, body trembling. Seeing the situation starting to deteriorate Anna and Shaeu were calling for their father to stop, and I leapt to my feet, using Void Motion to suddenly grasp Shaetanao by the wrist as he raised a hand, pointing angrily. My sis staggered to her feet as well, refusing to be cowed.

  “I don’t care what you wanted, jackass! Wow, you so do not get it. All I’m saying is…” She bit her lip, a thin trickle of red leaking down her pale skin. “…you’re an idiot.”

  “Enough. Calm yourself.” I ordered. His League was hitting me as well, aried to shake free of my grip, but with Body Enha running I g on. I stared into his eyes coldly, and after a moment he smothered his anger, f it down, and the League diminished once more. My sis slumped bato her chair, and Shaeu rao her.

  “Aiko, are you well-well?” As she nodded weakly, Shaeu turned on her father, her anger making sparks of lightning crackle on her fur.

  On seeing that, Shaetourach was wide-eyed. “So it is true-true then. Lightning.” He whispered.

  “Father, you disappoint me.” Shaeu sighed. “It is as Aiko says, we cherish each-each other as sisters. For you to bully her so, it is quite-quite intolerable.”

  “I’m fine…” my sis said bravely, and Shaeu turo her, amber eyes glowing.

  “Yes, there is no-no injury.”

  “Unhand me, before I lose-lose my patience…” Shaetanao shook his wrist again. His wife was looking particurly uneasy, and I couldn’t help but gowards the hooded figure of Urakaze, who was bidiime.

  “Lose your patience? With what?” I said, tightening my grip. I’m slightly stronger physically it seems, especially with Body Enha running, but with his League weakening me and strengthening him, he break free if he puts in some effort. Fortunately he doesn’t seem to have lost his reason… “We’re meeting for the first time, father-in-w, and this isn’t a case of us needing your approval. But just because we don’t doesn’t mean we don’t want it.” I let go before he could shake me off, so I could maintain the illusion of trol. “Now we should all calm down and talk this out. After all, we need a united front if we are to seize this uping pivotal moment in the history of the Seelie Court.”

  “Father, do not be angry, calm your fury! I uand, my precious U came back ged, and he is the reason, the cause. But it is not a… bad thing, wrong matter.” Anna looked at us, shaking her head. “While my U is perhaps less cute, the way a small faun, helpless chick, would be, she now is adorable in other ways, different manners.”

  “Yes, that is quite-quite right.” Shaeraggo agreed. He rose, asking my sis if she was fine, and a little surprised, she nodded. On seeing that, Shaeraggo nodded in satisfa. “Father, this mortal was brave enough to challenge me with the bow. She lost, of course-course…” he said proudly, and I snorted, amused that Shaeraggo never seemed to ge. My sis simply shook her head, keeping silent. “…but she did not shy away from my advice, or cim her defeat was due to ill-ce.” He paused. “It has been a while, girl-girl. I am eager to see how your skills have improved.”

  Behind him, Phaee looked worried, eyeing my sis warily, but Selensha whispered to her that Shaeraggo had no i in her, and even if he did, it would never happen, as I’d prevent it. That stings a little. Sure, Shaeraggo isly the ideal man I want for Aiko, but if she genuinely fell for him… I mean, I’m marrying a number of Fae, and aren’t monogamous, so to criticise… My sis looked at me and winked, making a gagging noise, and that momentary worry vanished.

  “You would speak for them?” Shaetanao asked his children.

  “Yes, I would, I do.” Anna said stoutly. “Please, father. We are here to listen.”

  “Very well-well.” He decred, sitting down once more. Hmm, that… there was something off about his body nguage, something that didn’t quite make sense. No, is it… a sneaking suspi in my mind, I decided to follow up on what my sis said that sparked the outburst.

  “Good. Now we discuss this rationally.” I also sat down, as did Shaeu. After a deep breath, I spoke, my words from the heart. “Love is a luxury? Like my sis, I disagree. I guess we are definitely family, we think alike.”

  “Only because you raised her so-so.” Shaeu snickered. “She ahink much-much as you do. But I do not-not think that is a bad thing.”

  I waved that aside. “Look, you’re a Prince of the Seelie Court, one of the most powerful of all Fae, right?”

  Shaetanao nodded, puffing his chest proudly, remi of how Shaeu usually did it, and I had to hold in a ugh at that. “I am indeed Shaetanao Gar Shae Dannan, Prince of the Beastkin, mighty warrireat hunter, sce of the Unseelie. You would do-do well to remember this and offer me due respect.”

  “And respect you I do. But to me… the fact that you’re a Seelie Prince meao me than that you’re Shaeu’s father.” I said boldly. “Look, why do you fight?”

  “To protect the Seelie.” He decred without hesitation. “For the King, may his injury heal-heal soon, and the Queen.”

  “Yes, fighting for your homend, your people, it’s a worthy goal. But… as for me…” I looked at Shaeu, Hyath, Asha, Aiko and thehers. “…I put my first priority on family. After all, what use is the world, if it isn’t something we share with those we love?”

  There was a moment of silence, before Shaetanao shook his head. “Such is mere idealism. Do you… dare you think I wished to send my precious Shaeu, treasured memento of a lost-lost love…” Urakaze twitched at that, and those of us who knew she was here struggled to keep a straight face. “…into grave danger? I have responsibilities. I ot allow the Seelie Court to fracture, not-not now. If I did, simply out of my own sense of selfishness, then what of those that will pay the price?”

  That’s a good point but… “What of them?” I said coolly, and he blinked in surprise before his expressiouro its regal calm. “The thing is… we know, don’t we? It was all instigated to hurt you, and to drive a wedge between the Night Parade and the Seelie. Perhaps there might be reasons for that which make sehe Night Parade…” I looked at the four-tailed fox, who merely blew smoke from her pipe, grinning. “…I ’t find it in my heart to like them overmuch. They are whimsical, selfish, often abysmally cruel… but not so much evil as amoral. Might makes right. Even the system of Numbers works like that.”

  “I know all this.” Shaetanao said, and I tinued.

  “I’m not prepared to allow those under my prote to be hurt and killed. Nor will I five those who do such things.”

  “It’s quite true, the boy here is quite ruthless when it es down to it. Many of the Parade died that day. Including the old Matriarch of the Kijo and her sisters. So mutertai, it has been quite a while since I enjoyed myself so much. Perhaps on my travels…”

  Seeing the male weaselkin looking ashamed, I set aside my thoughts on that. “My point is… I ally with the Night Parade, when we have on cause, when our is align. I don’t have to like them, or accept all they do. I would hope that perhaps in time, influenced by us and our ways of doing things, they’ll ge. That might be wishful thinking, but… I agree. Quite often we have to do what we don’t want to.” As Shaetanao looked satisfied, I then delivered some stern words, my tone sharp. “But if my alliah the Parade redicated on the death or sacrifice of those I care for, then I’ll fight. And I’ll destroy them!”

  “And so he did.” The fox ughed seductively. “As, the poor youngling, pride of the kitsune, he fell foul of you at your worst. I find I sometimes even miss him calling me an old hag. I suppose his eyes were clouded, I am young aiful still, and you were not an enemy he had any business provoking. Yes, the weak may bark and whine, but the strong bite!” She bared her fangs as she smiled.

  “But matters are seldom so simple. If your choice is between the lesser-lesser of two evils…” Shaetanao insisted, his blue eyes shining with remorse as he g Shaeu, who was merely watg as she sat ba her throne, arms folded imperiously. “…for example, if you had to choose between my Shaeu, or your sister…”

  “I abhor sacrifice. I hate it.” I said loudly, drawing all eyes, as I let my League, Majesty and Charm peak. For a moment I was sure I could see a brief glimmer of admiration in Shaetanao’s eyes, but then it was gone. Perhaps I imagi, or… “We’ve had to promise too much already. Allies that demand sacrifice are allies I don’t want. Especially for petty reasons. I’ll be clear. I will never sacrifice Shaeu, Aiko, or any of the others oar of expediency. We will fight to the end if that happens.”

  “Yes, I would much-much rather perish together, than live with the loss-loss of such a defeat.” Shaeu decred. Behind us, Hyath spoke up, a little nervous being in the presence of a Prince of the Seelie, but unwilling to hold her silence.

  “I think there is nooo worse evil than simply demanding the pain of ooothers just to avety, self-serving slights. Hyath will never allooow that again.” Her eyes were distant. “If I had been strooonger, wiser, perhaps everything cooould have been avoided, she would nooot…” her words faded, a darkly mencholy look in her violet eyes.

  “That’s why we rength. I want to protect Shaeu, Hyath, all the others. I’m a man, of course I want to protect those I love. But the best way to protect is to make it so they protect themselves, protect each other.” Hyath’s words had moved me. She had such a deep core of pain within her, and while she cimed she didn’t remember, she clearly either did, or was remembering more as her stats increased. Perhaps one day she’ll tell us everything, and we see what we do to help soothe her sorrows… “Look at Shaeu. See how strong she’s grown. And she be proud of herself. But more importantly, in a situation where it es down to Shaeu versus the safety of another, Shaeu has the strength to shatter sufairness, or if not, at least hold on until we solve the situation. I’m tired of losing. I tasted it with the trainees and the death of Mine-san, with Tsukiko dying. The taste doesn’t please me.”

  “It is still na?ve, idealistic…” Shaetanao insisted. “You and Shaeu stand here as leaders, powerful voices, you ot-not rely on mere ptitudes…”

  “And I don’t. But what has sending Shaeu away achieved for you? Did it unify the Court, mend your feud with Duke Formor and the others like him? No, what mended Duke Formor’s retionship with you was our ways. If I ut in your pce, I’d do things very differently. Allies who demand that aren’t worth having!”

  “I admit, I didly see eye-to-eye with Akio at first.” Princess Eleanor said, drawing attention to her. She then introduced herself, before letting out a long sigh. “I have apologised, and I meant it, even if Sir Arthur tells me I’m not the most gracious.” He chuckled at that. “I think I took my own prejudices out on him, because my uncle… let’s just say his retionships went beyond on decy, and I saw Akio reflected in that. But deeds speak louder than words. Our acquaintance hasn’t been long, but it has most certainly been meaningful.”

  “Now you are doing it.” Yukiko-san said, and Eleanor flushed.

  “I simply wished to share my support for their ideals. I… I don’t think I’m strong enough for that. Britain has always e first frandmother, and she taught that to us. But… it’s a beautiful dream, isn’t it? I hope that sort of world is one we reach…”

  “Deeds speak louder than words.” I nodded, and Shaeu let lightning fsh, sparks pying across the surface of the pristine ke. “pared to whetled, Shaeraggo, aren’t we all so much stronger?” I smiled. “Even your wife, Selensha, no?”

  “It is true-true.” He ceded the point. “Even my darling Selensha has now mastered the wind. Feats which seemed-seemed to no longer be possible are now onpce. I do so hate to admit it, but father… there is no-er pce for Shaeu.”

  “I see you have finally wised up, my brother. I am most-most pleased.” Shaeu smirked. “As for you, Anna…”

  “I have no objes, no issues.” She promised. “Not now, not anymore. Unioween mortals and Fae are often tragic, always mencholy, but…”

  “But I’ve transded my mortality, to aent.” I admitted. “Now I’m a spiritual being as well, my lifespan is likely to be han Shaeu’s. In terms of status, I don’t think such things should matter, but if that’s a , well, here I brought some allies.” I gestured to Yukiko-san and Eleanor, as well as the kami. “I may not be royalty myself, as mortals re things, but I’m certainly not on.”

  “Look at bro putting on airs.” My sis whispered theatrically. “He’s ly wrong though, is he? Just that house alohat’s the house of a bigshot.”

  “I do indeed-indeed desire to be kept in a manner befitting my status. But while my status as-as a princess is important to me… my status as simply Shaeu, lover, sister, friend, that-that matters more to me, father. When you chose to send me away…”

  For a moment Shaetanao looked terribly pained, before his trol reasserted itself, and Shaeu tinued.

  “… I know-know. I brought muyself, allowing myself to be maniputed into a position where I disadvantaged you, father. Even so, it is hard not-not to feel some anger and bitterness over it. I should surely have died, father, alone and helpless.”

  “I sent forces with you. It was only-only for a short time, until the political winds ged… and your mother, she too bears bme, she was to send you bodyguards I could not, powerful Kamaitachi. I did not expect you to be so troubled…”

  “I will choose to believe you, father.” Shaeu sighed. “But if you are-are as shrewd as you cim to be, then surely you did not-not think that the pn of that worthless firefox would stop-stop there?” She turo me then. “I sider myself the most-most fortunate of all. For the one who came to cim my life, instead cimed my heart.”

  “It is why I disobeyed you and did-did go secretly!” Shaeraggo began, expining that he worried so for Shaeu, and after listening for a while, the Prince of the Seelie stood, his League once more s. Seeing that, I stood too. We’ve talked it out, so… now the clusion.

  “I have many reservations. But you speak a bitter, harsh-harsh truth. I failed my daughter. We failed.” Urakaze twitched again at that, and I could feel her aether surging. I think there’s going to be trouble… “I loved your mother dearly…” he said to his daughter, though Annae and Anna both looked sour at that. “…but such love was not meant to be-be. The Night Parade is not as we are, they are… different. It is hard to accept. We think love will st-st forever, yet… ofte burns out like a shooting star. Only leaving memories as.”

  “There’s a saying in the mortal world.” I said, not liking the mencholic turn the versation had taken. “I think Eleanht reise it. It’s better to have loved and lost, than o have loved at all.” As my words sunk in, I shrugged. “Holy, I don’t know. I think it’s better to love and love, and never lose that, but I still think the saying is right. After all… whatever happened betweewo of you, you have Shaeu as your memento. Which means your love couldn’t have been wrong.”

  As Shaeu looked down shyly, I persisted. “Which is why it’s so important you never find yourself put in a position where you have to sacrifice those you cherish again, for mere political gain or stability. If Shaeu was killed, then yes, your love would only have borter fruit. Fortunately…” I fred my League, and while it was not a match for Shaetanao’s, it carried my will and i. “…that’s not a choice you have to make. Because Shaeu is mine now, and I’m hers. Together, we’ll decide what’s best.”

  “You dare say that in front-front of me? Shaetanao Gar Shae Dannan, Prince of the Seelie?”

  “Of course I do. There es a time in every retionship where it’s time to ask the father for his daughter’s hand in marriage. I mean, we’re getting married whatever you say, but we’d certainly both appreciate your blessing. After all, family is a treasure, and Shaeu doesn’t want to have to cut you out of her life. I don’t want that either.” As he appraised me, I tinued. “I’ve fought Shaeraggo for Shaeu’s sake. I was outmatched, but I still won. Of course, he uimated me…” He looked abashed at that, while Anna and Shaetourach looked on amused, and Selensha patted his shoulder solingly. “…but I could fight my hardest, go beyond my limits, because I wao make Shaeu smile, I hated her tears. Anna, despite being a total sis…”

  “Takes oo know one, bro…” my own sister muttered loud enough for everyoo hear, and Yukiko-san had to cover her mouth gently with one hand to hide her smile.

  “…was rather reasonable. Yes, she took pleasure in giving me a beating…” my own smile was wry now. “…but she did it because she wao be sure I to the task of proteg Shaeu.” I turo Shaetourach then. “You, I don’t know. But you don’t seem too opposed to us.”

  “I am not quite-quite as wrong-headed as my younger siblings.” He muttered. “And we have nht to pin, you speak-speak the truth. When father let himself be browbeaten into her exile, we lost the right to cim we cared about her safety and happiness above all-all else. So I shall let you take up our responsibility.”

  “Brother Shaetourach…” Shaeu muttered, touched.

  “As for you…” I said to Shaetanao. “…You don’t really want to fight me, do you? Yry p, oppressive League… you’re testing me, I know.”

  For a momeched me silently, before letting out a bitter ugh. “How did you see through my ruse-ruse? My anger is renowned in the Court. I am no berserker, like Duke Formor, but I have a quick-quick temper.”

  “It’s the eyes.” I tapped my own. “You were too calg. Besides…” I turo Shaeu, who nodded. “I know you love your daughter, and holy, who else but me could handle her? Because I think girls are like precious gemstohey need polishing to shine, and they’re not as fragile as mere gss.”

  “She was.” He said mournfully. “A fwed gss bauble, pretty but-but ultimately useless.”

  “That wounds me, father!” Shaeu protested, while my sis ughed at her pouting weasel-face. “Though the truth is often-often painful. I had few gifts. My Eyes were my own, and I found the Fortunate Winds by ce, which is only-only proper, seeing as how that wind blows. But other than that, I was naught but a brat. I ged, thanks to Akio, Aiko, Eri, everyone here. I realised what-what was important.”

  “And what is important to you, my daughter?” Shaetanao pressed, and all eyes were on us now, waiting to see how this would end.

  “I want it all, father. I want love-love, I ower, I want our eo be vanquished. I want my family to support me, I wish for us all-all to live with Akio until the moon-moon itself is dust.” She smiled at Asha and Hyath warmly. “I am still quite-quite spoiled, father, and selfish. But… I am greedy for our happiness, not-not merely my own.”

  “I see.” He paused, thinking, before his lips curled into a smile. “I must-must surely admit, seeing Duke Formor e crawling before us, eager to praise you who he once disdained was sweet-sweet honey, as was telling that sly fox Vulpatrius to go drown himself in the ke, that he could never-never have my daughter.”

  “That fug firefox, I would have cut his throat, sshed his neck as he slept!” Anna cursed.

  “Yes, that decision disappointed me even more-more than my own exile, for Anna did nothing to warrant her sacrifices. At least-least for me, you had some meagre excuses, father.” Shaeu sniffed, and he did look ashamed.

  “I was not in my right-right mind. Grief over you was weakening my will. But… no more.” He decred, before looking me in the eyes, and I could see his true self, proud, angry and full of self-loathing. “A mortal, dallying with my daughter, that has many-many pitfalls. But… could any be worse than that treacherous fox Vulpatrius? Though he would not have mistreated Shaeranna, I still-still feel the shame…” He took a deep breath. “Are you prepared to put your very spirit to the test, swearing Oaths that ot be broken, proving your resolve, the depths of your feelings?”

  “Say-say it how it is, father. It is love.” Shaeu said, and he grimaced, before ging his words.

  “Very well then. Prove your love. Swear to me, and I to you. The Oaths of a Prince of the Seelie, of a being of my might-might and power, such will bind you to the very core.”

  It’s been a while since I’ve sworn Oaths. But… “What do you demand?” I asked, and he quickly expined.

  “It is quite-quite simple. There are three pitfalls. First, you must live as long as my daughter does. I would not-not have her ment, as I do, for lost-lost love.”

  “Mother is not-not dead, father, do not-not be so melodramatic. As for this Oath, I too will swear, father. For this one is as good as done.” She met my eyes, and I remembered her css Pledged One. When one perishes, so shall the other.

  “Then put your very spirit, your existeo it.” Shaetanao said, League stabbing out like a needle. My Eye fred, and I felt I could almost see it, though it was intangible. Matg mio his, Shaeu doing likewise, our Leagues cshed, and around us everyone shuddered.

  “I give you my Oath, I will live as long as I am able, even one moment more, if possible, to live with Shaeu and all the others I care for. Until my st breath I will never give up.”

  “I speak my Oath, I shall remain by Akio’s side, loving and-and loved, proteg those who will journey with us, and I too shall never-never surrender, never yield, for I have yielded the one-one and only time I ever shall.” She smiled at me, and even in her weasel-form it ure and brilliant.

  “Then I will offer the Boon of my blessing, so long as you do not ever mistreat my daughter preemento of loves lost, and stay by her side, I will answer your call, should you be beset by foes you ot-not defeat.” Shaetanao pledged, and I could feel the aether within my body stirring, the adherence as well. It’s been a while since I pledged Three Oaths and Boons, now my skills are a lot higher and my perception far more sensitive I feel what’s happening… “Sed, I need-need your word that you will not betray the Seelie Court, for I hardened my heart and sacrificed my daughters for that cause. I would not have your as put that to naught.”

  “It already is for naught, father.” Shaeu scoffed. “It would-would have achieved nothing. Pg greedy scum like that firefox is surely-surely doomed to failure. Besides, he hates the Unseelie more than we do, you were a fool-fool to buy momentarily false loyalty with our happiness.” She looked at me then, a smile on her face. “Ah, this takes me back-back, to when we swore to each other. This too is trivial.”

  “Yes, it is.” I agreed. “I have already given my Oath to help Shaeu climb to the top of the Seelie Court, and just as we have recimed the Spring of Clear Refles, we will not rest until Samandrastrae and all the lost nds are recimed.”

  ”Just as I have cimed my due as the Duchess of this-this Spring, I shall free the other stolen nds, unjustly taken, and should the Unseelie, Wild Hunt or any-any other ehreaten them, we shall show them no-no mercy.”

  “Samandrastrae…” Shaetanao said, gng at Ulfuric, the light in his blue eyes gentler. “You are both bold-bold, but if so… as Prince of the Seelie, all-all support I provide to aid you will be provided, so long as it serves the Seelie, and protects the nds of the Fae.”

  Once more the aether and adherehin us tightened, and perhaps because I was a Faeduine now, my spiritual being closely reted to the Fae, I could feel the weight, the imperative to keep these given Oaths.

  “Finally then…” he turo Shaeu, and actually bowed his head. “I have tried-tried to justify my as, but I have ruly apologised. Shaeu, I am sorry. I was too weak, too ed by duty, to protect you. But now…” he looked at us. “It seems you have grown up, no-no lohe child I remember.” He admired her Kamaitachi form. “You resemble your mother, fair-fair Urakaze. Her fur was like ours, though the shade was slightly different, and her sickles were beautiful. Her eyes, they did-did mesmerise me, deep crimson in the amber, like brilliant fmes. Her figure was lithe-lithe and graceful, her pride haughty yet deserved, her…”

  Damn, this got unfortable all of a sudden. How did swearing oaths to earn his acceptaurn into this? Shaeu shifted, equally embarrassed, and Anna was scowling, makig noises. At least it’s not just me who finds this excruciating…

  “…winds pure and sharp, as biting and bitter as winter, her st that of fn nds, smoke and inse, her…” he tinued, only for a loud voice to cry out.

  “Please, spare us from this embarrassment-shame!” Urakaze cried out, hurling away her hooded cloak, unleashing her League and presence she had kept hidden. Her fur seemed redder than I remembered, and for a moment I wondered if Kamaitachi could blush. “Enough, you old fool-idiot Shaetanao!”

  As he saw her, his words halted, a out an incredulous voice. “Urakaze?”

  “Of course it is I-me, who else?” she snorted. “sidering this old fox is here-there, you should have expected me too, here in the moment of our daughter’s triumph-glory, no?” she frowned, not liking the hostility she was receiving from Anna and Annae. “I did rather like-enjoy your oaths. I always found that a quaint , but… you did destroy the moment.” She turo Shaeu. “Daughter, those were rather like marriage vows-bindings no?”

  Shaeu grinned. “Yes, they were indeed, performed before-before my father. So let us finish, for I wish Akio and I to be joined with your blessings. And then-then…” she grinned savagely. “Perhaps another lost-lost love be rekindled, and your hearts healed, father, mother?”

  Seeing the looks from those around us, I resisted the urge to shake my head. Somehow, I don’t think it’ll be that easy, but… “I think the final Oath is simple. Shaetanao, I promise to make your daughter happy, to wash away any remaining sorrows she feels from her past treatment. I ’t promise her my love alohere’s too many others I treasure, but I will spare no effort so that she smile, have fun, reach her dreams and be her best self.”

  “I like it. I too…” Shaeu grinned. “Akio, I will-will always do my best to make you happy, for you are my other half, the full moon to my new. No, not-not just you. Aiko too, Hyath, Asha, Eri, Shiro, Hinata… all the others now, and those who shall e in future. For to accept your love is to love all.” She turo her father. “I thank you for raisihus far. I oor-poor daughter, though I have done my best to ge. This is not-not goodbye, merely a ge in our retionship. For now it is for Akio to shelter me, protect me. But a father is always a father, just as…” she looked at Urakaze. “… you shall always be my-my mother. So be happy for us, support us… and together the past is dead, and a brilliant future is all-all that awaits us!”

  “Yes, I have a bit of a strained retionship with my own father.” I admitted. “It’s much better now, but even so, I still find it hard to be open with him sometimes. But… give your blessing, and all mistakes be fiven.”

  “Yes… yes.” He seemed thrown off by Urakaze, but then he puffed himself up, League surging, tangling with ours. I get it, he doesn’t want to seem patheti front of one of his lovers. “Happiness… I see. So, live long, fight for what is ours, and know joy. Yes, such Oaths are simple and fitting, and indeed… are much-much like a vow of binding. But that will not suffice.”

  Shaeu opened her mouth to protest, only for Shaetanao to surprise her. “No, a grand-grand ceremony should be held. If you are to marry, my Shaeu, then you must-must simply be regal and majestic, admired by all. I ot say I care-care for you sharing…”

  You hypocrite! From what I hear, you’ve got as many partners as I do! I kept that in my heart, as he tinued.

  “…but you are right. I allowed that wretched firefox to beguile me into nearly losing both my daughters to pointless cruel fates. I hardly pin. So I offer my final Boon. For life, support, for honour, power, and for love… my blessing.”

  “Father…” Shaeu was g, and her family was looking on wryly. The fox was chug, poking fun at Urakaze, while Eleanor and Yukiko-san were joking that this was yet another private matter shared too widely with an ued audience. My sis was tearing up too, though her smile was radiant, and Asha and Hyath were hugging, happy to have gained acceptance from Shaetanao for being with me as well as Shaeu. As our Leagues dimihe needles quieting, my aether and adherence surged, and my Eye fred brilliantly, my whole body shuddering, a painful disfort searing deeply within me.

  Your Css, True Faeduine, has increased from level…

  What’s going on? As my Eye bzed, Shaeu too started to shiver, as though she was feeling a simir sensation, and even Shaetanao staggered momentarily. As I blinked, amber letters filling my vision, I saw Urakaze leap forwards, in her eyes, ae the pain, I smiled. Maybe there’s a little more hope for Shaeu’s wish to e true than I thought…

  ShipTeaser