To say that she was exhausted wouldn’t have covered it. Teu stood in the center of her shop just staring at nothing. Her green eyes were hazed over with weariness that had mixed with absolute grief. The entire family had seen what had befallen her father.

No one had been able to reach Kiba in time as the creature had taken hold of his neck so tightly. Safely hidden within the shield of the camp, Teu had watched in terror as the life was choked out of the diowolf. She had remembered that it was only the shriek of Isleen that had brought the healer to blink. As she had done so, the beast pierced Kiba’s heart for good measure before tossing his corpse to the side. Never would the daughter forget the sight of her father’s body being tossed like a rag doll to the ground. Ethan had gone to Isleen who had fallen unconscious from hitting her head during an imperfect transformation. Teu had replayed in her head the silent tears that tracked down her daughter, Alairia’s face.

Each of her family was within the apothecary recovering after the long battle. Ria was curled up on the couch again holding herself while leaned up against her brother. They had to immediately return to the shop before reuniting with the rest of the family. Isleen needed to be treated for her injured head, and Teu was not about to allow that to happen in a make shift hospital.

The mother rubbed her forehead as she attempted to gather her thoughts together. Ria had wanted to go with the rest of the family, even though she was desperate to find Raith. There was something wrong even if the blind woman would not say what it was. Standing in her shop and thinking about all that had happened began to make Teu’s stomach roll. Without warning, the healer covered her mouth and ran for the nearest bathroom to release the contents of her stomach. Thankfully, there was not much.

Regaining her composure, Teu walked out of the bathroom to check on Isleen. Ethan sat beside her bed dutifully. She was not put in the regular healing section of the shop, but in Teu’s own bedroom to get rest. Much of what the young hybrid had gone through was emotional that had caused physical trauma. Lightly the healer placed a hand on Ethan’s shoulder in some sort of effort to comfort him.

His head slowly turned to glance up at the woman he had always seen as a young sibling of sorts. He couldn’t even fake a smile for her as she managed to give a gentle twitch of her lips. She squeezed his still armored shoulder that was slick with the blood from the battle field. There had been no convincing him to change.

Teu sighed and turned out of the room to find a seat on a chaise lounge chair across from her children. The assassin son was wrapping his arms around his sister to help keep her settled. It wasn’t until a light sigh was released that Teu shifted her gaze to Kiba. He stood near the door of where Isleen was still out cold. The newly appointed Champion of Life and Love was not allowed to enter the room per the snarls given by Ethan. According to the vampire male, ‘it was all Kiba’s fault for what had happened to Isleen.’ All were quiet in regards to those particular accusations. Not even Kiba could refute it considering Isleen had lost control due to seeing him die.

Protector Vitae clenched his jaw when pushing away from the wall. He crossed the room silently until he sat upon the arm of Teu’s chair. Their hands moved to interlace their fingers. No words could be said as to what had transpired. Each one of them had experienced horror in the fight to retain Revaliir for their own. The father glanced down at the dark circles that shadowed his daughter’s face. A weariness had settled in over her from all the healing that had been done. He sensed the same on Ria due to her mental healings. What concerned Kiba most was the lack of the other family members in the home. Kaya, Kythe, Raith, and Kieran. His fingers squeezed Teu’s a little tighter as he thought about the fiancé of his daughter. He had taken to the skies as had the others. With the recovery of Kiba, but injury to Isleen there had been no time to wait for the others to join them. Simply, he had been able to send a message for what had occurred before transporting all to the shop.

Kiba’s free hand clenched atop his lap. What a mess this had all become.

They had won, if only just, but how much had they lost? 

Raith had remained behind with the other Gods, other Gods, that was a statement she had never imagined she would have uttered. The day had been full of surprises, most of which were horrifying beyond measure. The mere thought of it caused the woman to feel dizzy, staggering slightly until her mother held her upright, but it was not enough, not enough to stave off the rising bile in her stomach, there was no food left to be rid of, only acid and bile. 
She wretched, stumbling to the side of the road, leaning against a building as she emptied what little stomach contents she had left, her mother grasping her hair and keeping it out of her face as she sobbed and vomited and gasped for air amongst the convulsions of her body, the grief overwhelming.

He was dead. Her beloved Kiba had been killed before her eyes, and her world had ended in that moment, her heart shattered alongside his own, when she had witnessed the atrocity that was his end. She had loved him completely, and she had seen him die. As if that had not been enough, she had witnessed her own mother’s near death experience, only for Raith to bring her back from the brink, harnessing the power of the Minadrias in ways she had never quite mastered, moments before he had ascended to his lofty position as a God. 
But none of that mattered, all that mattered was that Kiba would never hold her again, would never call her name, or kiss her lips. Kythe has been silent the entire journey to Mamlak, supporting her daughter, her face gaunt and covered in dirt and blood, as Kaya’s was, the pair as white as a sheet, as they made their way to join the rest of their grieving family. 

Once recovered she stood upright, gasping and sobbing as her mother gathered her into her arms and held her for a moment. The two women held one another close, before silently continuing towards the shop, both wanting to reach the others swiftly so they could mourn together, though Kaya silently dreaded any arguments between her younger sister and her mother… this would be the first time Luna and Kythe had been in the same place as one another, since Luna had found herself on Revaliir, but Kaya hoped her sister would have some decorum at least…
Kythe led her exhausted, emotionally drained, daughter the last few steps, opening the door and all but carrying her eldest through the door… where both women came to a halt, their eyes wide at the sight of the man, sat beside his daughter. What little strength Kaya had left her, and she was thankful that her mother was as quick as she was strong, for without Kythe’s support she would have fallen to the floor from the shock. 
”If I wasn’t so happy to see you, son of mine, I would throttle you myself. Thankfully, I have my hands full,” the woman sighed, holding Kaya up as she found a seat for her daughter, placing her there carefully. ”Come on sweet girl, he’s here, alive and well, now you get to kill him yourself for worrying you so,” she teased, hoping to break through her daughter’s shock, to bring her back to them.

Nothing but silence and devastation filled the room that contained the Balatro family. Kiba lifted his gaze from his daughter to where his grandchildren were curled up. His gaze slackened as he took in the form of Ria tightly tucked in against her brother. The young man dutifully had his arms wrapped around his sister to help bring her a sense of protection. Lately, Ria had been on the best mend since her original trauma. There had been an interaction with an angel that had helped heal the blonde elf’s mind. The family had been able to breathe easier after that interaction, but the world had deemed it necessary to unleash literal nightmares upon itself. Despite all of that, she had handled it all at the same time while healing others. Kiba smiled at Dae weakly just as his grandson returned that smile. It was good that they had all been reunited.

The father turned to lean down and place a kiss upon his daughter’s head. Teu couldn’t help but close her eyes in order to revel in the action. How long had Teu been craving to have her father at her side during all that had transpired? Neither could remember. What helped, was that they both had sought out the other no matter what happened. Now, the search was over. Isleen had been able to find them as well. Though Nami was gone, they knew that she was at peace. It was time for them all to move on with their new lives.

The diowolf’s head drooped as he thought about Kaya. It was his hope that she had not seen what had happened on the battlefield. That she would remain blissfully ignorant of the death blow he had received. If she had seen it, then she would have seen his revival from Angela….right? Kiba rubbed his forehead in frustration at the entire thing. Again…how could everything have gone so wrong even though they had been victorious?

When the door opened, all eyes shifted to see Kythe and Kaya. Kiba smiled at Kaya, though his expression fell as he saw the tear tracks with the scent of fresh vomit. Teu leaned forward to look around her father’s form while Kythe spoke. From the woman’s words it was obvious that his demise had not gone unnoticed. Teu released Kiba’s hand instantly so he could kneel before Kaya as she sat shocked in her seat.

His hands were cupping her face as he made her look at him directly. A soft smile on his lips as he attempted to get her to see him through her emotional shock. ”I am here. Gods…I am so sorry Kaya. I didn’t know you saw it. Everything is okay though.” Thumbs gently stroked her cheeks for her to feel his warmth. His throat bobbed as he swallowed the lump that had formed. He stood up a little while scooping up the woman in his arms. Kiba sat down in her seat to have her curled up in his lap while holding her tightly. ”Angela revived me. I have been selected to be her new Champion of Life. That was the price…but she said that she could not let me die. I am here. I promise.” The man paid no attention to the rest in the room. He needed to make Kaya understand that she was not alone.

Teu looked to Kythe was a weak smile on her face while holding out her hand to her grandmother to come join on the chair. She scooted over to make some room. When the healer glanced towards the bedroom door, Ethan was standing there with arms crossed over his chest. ”Yes. Kiba is alive, and newly ascended to Champion position. Are we all on the same page?” His tone had a deep bite in it (per usual) when it came to talking about his cousin. Teu gave him a motherly frown that did have an impact. Ethan flinched slightly before he allowed his body language to loosen.

”We are all stressed at the moment, Ethan. Let us try to not get snippy as we wait for Isleen. She will smack you for that tone,” she snapped. All in the room were stunned at the harsh tone taken, where even Teu was surprised at her agitation. It was not within her personality. Even so, Teu was still agitated that Ethan was acting like he was the only one with a concern. ”She will wake up. I promise you. She needs to recover. What will help is when she wakes up to see father. Ria has already done her empathic healing. My sister will awaken.” Teu nodded her head as if it were the punctuation to her small speech. There was nothing else on the matter to be said.

Ethan gritted his teeth knowing what Teu said was true. And he was fairly certain that he would receive a smack for good measure from either one of the women that he had watched grow up. The vampire rubbed the back of his neck before leaning back against the doorframe in order to be with Isleen as well as the rest of the family. It was time for him to make some sort of effort…if only for the sake of his mate.

[prepare your hearts]

Neveah had been prepared to come back to a screaming vampire. The redhead had been gone for a few days and left without more than a few words and a nip. The vixen had been in Kurayo but time had slipped away as she tended to the broken cartel, aligning herself strategically. She could have came back to her queen each night but had she, she could not be certain she would leave Azrail again. As she made her way back, Veah rehearsed the explanation in her head. She even paused to get a bundle of wildflowers for her disgruntled love. Finally she approached the inn they had been staying at when a new thought crossed her mind. What if Azrail had left? Her face drained of emotion, paralyzed by the thought. Finally, with a shake of her head, she pushed herself onward.

Much to her surprise, the vampire was greeted by a pleasant partner. There was no knock-down, drag-out fight or even much of an explanation required. Though it made her slightly uneasy, she decided not to push her luck and question it. The redhead would ride this high as long as possible. Neveah showed her appreciation a few times that night.

One evening they were lounging about with the windows and door to the balcony open. Out of the corner of her eye Veah noticed a floating note. Her brows knitted together with confusion before getting up to pluck it from the air. She opened it hesitantly. Neveah read it quickly several times. Then she crumpled the note in her hand moments before flames devoured it. The vampire lifted her head before pivoting to look at Azrail. Her entire form felt tight while she searched for the words. “It’s from Kiba. Something’s happened to Isleen,” the mother stammered, unable to process all the information at hand. This was the first news she received that Isleen lived in this new world - and something was wrong.

“I have to go,” she blurted out. Suddenly, she started digging through her clothes to get dressed in something decent. Veah did not bother with her hair or any of her weapons. The silver necklace she wore every day remained forgotten in on a bedside table. Abruptly she stopped all her fumbling about and looked to Azrail. “Will you come with me?” she asked with a soft tone. Not surprising, Azrail agreed. Once the blonde was ready, the redhead opened a portal to Mamlak.

Veah did not know the way to the shop but fortunately Kiba had provided some instructions. The beauty of the city was lost on the vixen due to her dismay. Holding Azrail’s hand was the only thing stopping her from breaking out into a full sprint. She needed to see Isleen, wanting nothing more but to wrap her arms around her little girl. Whatever had occurred had been severe enough for the diowolf to reach out to the vampire. Neveah could not wrap her brain around what may have been wrong. Isleen was powerful and highly intelligent. She typically spent her time surrounded by people who were even stronger. Veah felt sick to her stomach. What if Kiba was giving Neveah an opportunity to say goodbye? The mother had not even gotten to say hello.

The main portion of the shop was dark and forgotten. Neveah did not need a greeter; she recognized Kiba’s scent among the various trails. She glanced at Azrail and attempted to gather her thoughts before walking forward down the hallway and to the chatting people. She caught the tail end of Teu reprimanding Ethan. The redhead did not acknowledge anyone, going directly to Kiba. She wanted to scream at him for not sharing the news of Isleen until now. It should not have taken a tragedy to do so. However, the Champion looked worse than she felt, which Veah had not believed to be possible. She would not kick an already beaten man. She knew him well enough to know he did what he thought was right. On most days, his worst was still better than her best. “Where is our girl?” she implored, a hand upon his shoulder.

Then she pivoted around eyes first falling upon Kythe. She nodded in acknowledgement. Her emerald gaze found Teu next. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly with a broken smile. The vampire did not know the half elf but remembered her as a child and felt glad to see she was there. Finally, her green orbs met a pair of wrecked crimson eyes as Ethan leaned in the doorway between the room of family and her daughter. Veah gave Azrail’s hand a squeeze before releasing it. In that moment, she was not the only mother being reunited with her child. Neveah did not need to be a seer to certain he had grown to be romantically involved with Isleen - a fact she would wrap her brain around later. Veah prowled forward, pausing to give Ethan a kiss on the cheek. He had been a good knight and was an excellent choice for her daughter.

Once in the room, her heart dropped to her stomach when her eyes fell upon her beautiful daughter. “My unfading star,” she gasped. Her eyes immediately watered. A hand reached up to cover her mouth and her body began to tremble slightly. Slowly she eased closer to Isleen, her movements feeling slow like molasses. She felt overwhelmed at how much Isleen looked like Tobias and Neveah. She truly was the very best of both of them. They had been such broken creatures, children really, Looking back, she now knew they never really had a shot at happily ever after. Nemesis pruning her memories allowed her to see this truth. But, they loved each other more than life itself and from that love grew a precious little girl with enchanting eyes and wild raven locks. Neveah sat on the edge of the bed and placed a hand upon Isleen’s folded hands. Silent tears wetted her cheeks. “You are the best thing I ever did. Come back to us,” the mother softly begged. “How long as she been like this?” Neveah asked the darkness.

The day had been long and arduous, to say the least, they had lost many allies but the enemy had fared worse… and some had come off better for it all.

At least, he had anyway.

A pleased expression crossed the man’s face, despite the blood, gore and ash that littered his face he seemed spiritedly, especially in comparison to the other war weary survivors heading home that day. There was a niggling in the back of his mind, of course, after his controversial act of saving his loathsome mother from her end, however Raith would have been far more irritable had she died and he had not been the cause of it. That and his unborn brothers had done him no wrong, as bloodthirsty as he could be he had nothing against them, after all, they had not asked to have Kythe as a mother, any more than he had.

The newly ascended God had remained on the battlefield, cleaning up the last of the Void’s atrocities, and that the rifts had been properly closed. No need to let any other abominations through, there were enough calamities walking around in this world as it was. Silence snorted from his shoulder, and the God cocked his head to one side slightly, intrigued as to what had caused his companion to utter such a sound, Silence was much as his name suggested, mute most of the time (by choice) so any noise the Drake made at all, tended to grab his Master’s attention. The creature seemed stubborn in giving a reason, and so Raith merely sighed, rolling his sightless eyes at the Drake, reaching up to caress Silence’s head affectionately, at least while they were alone he could allow that moment of weakness.

Despite the euphoria of his nw found position, Raith was most looking forward to returning Alairia to his embrace, he had hated leaving his lover alone on the battlefield, but to protect her he had to fight for her, and now he was better equipped for such a task, was he not? He wondered what his love would think of the news…


She heard her name on his tongue and let out a sob, arms thrown open to embrace the man who held her heart, as he came to her. Kaya let him gather her up, her arms around his neck, face buried into his chest as she whimpered, breathing in his scent and not quite daring to allow herself to feel relieved… she could well have collapsed from exhaustion for all she knew, the day had been long and the emotional toll devastating. ”A price I would have paid a thousand times over just to have you in my arms once more, I thought I’d lost you, before I could reach you I saw mother fall from the sky as well… if Raith…”
”Drink this sister,” Luna interjected, having silently entered the room with a tray filled with cups and plates of meats and bread, fairly plain foods by all accounts, but probably more than most could stomach right now. ”It’s sweet and will wipe the taste of vomit from your mouth. Just rest now. All of you are to take one, no arguments,” she ordered, giving Kiba a glare worthy even of Kythe before the younger daughter left the tray on a table, standing to one side where she could watch her mother from afar, her disdain quite clear upon her face.

Kythe placed a hand on Kiba’s shoulder, as he hurried to Kaya’s side, squeezing it (maybe a little tighter than was usual for reassurance… she had to reprimand him somehow) before she turned to her granddaughter, leaving her son to fix what he had broken in her daughter. She took Teu’s hand, collapsing into the seat next to the girl and taking a moment to kiss Teu’s forehead, casting a dark and exasperated glance in Ethan’s direction. ”I think the petty family feuds can be forgotten for the moment Ethan, don’t you? The day has been long enough as it is. Though if we’re discussing promotions… Raith is Revaliir’s newest Deity, of all things,” Kythe snorted, not quite sure how to process her son’s lofty new position.
”Fate help us, as if he were not insufferable enough…” Luna muttered. 

Thankfully, the entrance of Neveah and her lover detracted from the moment, Kythe nodded to the woman, offering a weak smile as she pulled Teu closer to her, closing her eyes for a brief moment. 

And brief it was, given Raith entered the room mere seconds after Neveah had gone to her daughter’s side. He heard the woman’s words and raised an eyebrow, having missed the message about Isleen’s state entirely. He felt his mother’s mind reach out to him, and he dismissed her - he was fine, he wanted Ria. Crossing the room he put a hand on Dae’s shoulder before pulling his lover against him. ”I take it I’ve missed something, given the melancholy in this room.”
”Tact never was a strong point, was it little brother?” Luna replied darkly. ”Kiba died, Isleen witnessed it and had a bad transformation, she’s alive, as is Kiba who now stands as Angela’s Champion, but she won’t wake. Though I hear we all have to bow to your magnificence now do we?” 
”Calling me Lord will suffice sister. But we will discuss me later, what’s being done about Isleen? Why does she not wake? If none of you can help her, then I will be able to.”

A blissful eternity had passed ever since reuniting with the vixen. Azrail had been able to collect herself during that time, even the days and nights she spent in Neveah’s room alone. Of course she couldn’t expect the vixen to spend her every waking hour trapped in this chamber. Azrail was no longer of deityhood, and although she still mastered a powerful bloodline, she knew Neveah had her own life. Azrail had already made the decision that she would never risk losing Neveah again even if that meant loosening the reigns. The vixen’s chair sat high and Azrail was determined to protect it by all costs.

The night was beautiful. Though the city was a bit derelict for Azrail’s taste, she wouldn’t hesitate to call it home if Neveah was here. She had been lost in her own thoughts when the note came swiftly by, attempting to recreate memories and feelings from times past. She hadn’t even noticed the sudden tension and emotion raging from the vixen only seconds from her until Neveah became panicked. What? Isleen? it took her a few moments to recall - she did remember Neveah having a daughter in Daeluin. Her brows furrowed and she moved to speak, but that first name suddenly came back swinging. Kiba… that feels familiar. The frustration of not recognizing what should be known caused a throb in her temple. But once again the Vixen’s voice brought her back. Yes, of course. I will come with you.

The new area was a bit more to Azrail’s liking in appearance, but in the speed Neveah took them, she knew something terribly important to the woman waited for her arrival. Through a shop they stormed into a room full of people of all diversities. She knew almost immediately there were others of her kind here amidst the group and with the rest she sensed beating hearts. As Neveah disappeared from Azrail’s grasp her eyes lifted to stare at the man the vixen ran to first. He appeared so familiar, his scent felt as though she known it her entire life. Neveah left to another and Azrail locked eyes with that man who she figured was Kiba. I think I know you…I remember the angel…It was all still broken pieces, a lot of which she was still struggling to determine what was real or not.

She stood in the doorway with her hands at her sides and said nothing to the others. In this moment they meant truly nothing to her. She no longer thought herself above others, however she did not quite trust herself completely yet. But eventually her gaze drifted to the other vampire in the room, a younger man slouched in the hallway across. It wasn’t until he shifted and she could see his face a bit more clearly that something inside her felt awry. A twisting in her stomach as if she hadn’t fed in days. Seeing this troubled boy before her brought upon sudden and completely alien emotions. You, she nodded pointedly at him as she stepped forward from her little hole. She swept past the others to stand just before him, her hand reaching out just to gently touch his shoulder.

A brief memory flashed before her eyes of this boy taking the oath.
She remembered, a little, of her once delightful home with the long and dark hallways…and he had been there on so many different occasions. But he was different, and she suddenly felt a love that differed from her tether to the vixen. She had turned him. He was a Blackbird. He was her offspring and her blood sang when the touch had been made. Your name… your name… She lifted her hand from his shoulder to the side of his cheek. Forgive me.

Ethan could feel the anxiety and desperation growing in his chest as time slid past him. Watching the slight rise and fall of Isleen’s chest as she continued to breathe was all that the male vampire could do. There was nothing else that he could do as he had no talent for healing. Being a vampire with blood bending capabilities did nothing for him as his mate lay on Teu’s bed silently. A growl was constantly at the edge to be released from him as he sat at her bedside. His family was pushing him to relax; that everything was going to be completely fine. Nothing would be well until he saw Isleen open her eyes again and speak. Until he could scent her well again…it would only be then that he could feel peace.

The vampire moved to the doorway in order to witness Kiba’s reassurance of his dear one. It took everything for him to hide the deep roll of his eyes at the diowolf’s desperation to reassure Kaya. Annoying really. What was difficult was the disapproving gaze from Teu. Now a woman who he had seen as a younger sister, looking rather agitated at him. He flinched visibly even if he attempted to hide it. What was worse was the tone she had decided to use upon him as if he had been a sniveling child out of turn. His brow arched high as the others looked just as surprised. The response he gave to her was a mere grunt. Ethan decided not to push anything any further.

More entered the shop that the vampire male decided not to notice. He had turned his back to the group while standing in that doorframe to watch the silently sleeping woman. The muscles in his back tightened as the voice of the redheaded woman spoke. Neveah. Isleen’s mother had found her way to the apothecary to see to Isleen. Crimson gaze turned slightly to see Veah squeeze Kiba’s shoulder. Pain twisted in his chest as he heard Kiba lightly say, ”she is in Teu’s bedroom. She is asleep according to Teu. Our girl…” Kiba’s voice trailed off as he still felt the guilt heavy in his own chest for having caused such devastation to his daughter.

Ethan’s jaw tightened as he felt the warmth come off Neveah as she neared. His breath hitched in his chest at the feel of her lips to his cheek. No words were exchanged between them, but his gaze instinctually turned to the rest of the room. It was then that he felt his face pale even further. In his agitation the vampire noticed he had missed a few things. Raith had taken up his place beside Ria. Alairia was had squeezed her brother’s hand tightly before shifting her entire self into the grasp of her beloved. Her face nuzzled into Raith’s chest as she did not want to be parted again. She took no real notice to the change that had taken over his being. Ria did not care.

Teu allowed herself to be cradled by Kythe. Ethan observed many small things, but it was the blonde woman who enraptured every bit of his attention. He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat as he just stood quietly. Arms were still crossed over his chest as he stared back at the woman. He was taller than her now. It felt odd. To be the one looking down at her instead of how he had stared up at her while growing up. Everything was different; except it wasn’t.

Azrail. Mother Azrail Blackbird was in the same room as he was. For a split moment, Ethan glanced back at Neveah as if to check that it was all truly happening. His gaze shifted back to his mother all while staying silent. It was as if he feared a sound would make the illusion to disappear. The illusion moved towards him to place a hand upon his shoulder. Warmth. This was real.

It took everything for him to keep his knees from buckling beneath the weight of relief. A shuttered breath was taken in as he felt her hand upon his cheek. Ethan leaned into her touch. It was that movement that made him fall to his knees before her with head bowed. Hands grasped for the fabric of her clothing. ”You are here. By the blood and gods you are really alive. Just as Isleen said.” There were slightly broken sobs of relief dispersed in his words. For years he had hoped to see his mother again, and yet there had been false hope. Whatever had happened, he did not care. The male vampire did not care how or why she was brought back into the world that he existed in. ”Mother.”

Kiba’s eyes were wide with utter shock. ”Holy shit…” he muttered while looking over at Kythe. The others would not understand what was going on. The reuniting of a wayward son to his mother was one that few could understand….even less so when it was between Ethan and Azrail. There were few more dedicated children than Ethan had been to the blonde vampire. The diowolf shook his head towards Kaya while wrapping his arms about her waist as she still was settled on his lap. He glanced over at Kythe with Teu and then to the grandchildren with Raith.

With one last squeeze, he pulled Kaya with him so they could join Neveah in the bedroom. ”She has been like this for a few hours from my understanding. I was detained elsewhere on the field after Lady Angela resurrected me. Ethan was the one he brought her from the battlefield to Teu and Alairia. They did what they could while there, and then brought her back here to the store. Further healing was done. From there, it is dependent on our star.” Kiba squeezed Kaya’s hand while with his other hand rested it upon Neveah’s shoulder.

It was not like Luna to be so forceful, and it took the older sister by surprise, Kaya taking the offered cup and drinking without much thought - shocked into obedience. Something, in the back of her mind, niggled that her little sister resembled their mother in that moment, though Kaya would not utter such thoughts aloud… Luna might actually combust if such things were admitted to, and no one needed more mess to clean up. Kaya leant into Kiba, keeping her body close to her lover, listening to the sniping between the others, though she took little notice… until her mother spoke of Raith. Kythe had mentioned that there was something to discuss, involving her brother, but Kaya had been too caught up in her grief over her lover to really notice, let alone to register what her mother had said. Raith was a God. Fate help them, that was the last thing that they all needed…

The brother in question entered the shop, and immediately went to Ria, not that Kaya was surprised by this - her brother's affections for Kiba's grandchild no longer shocked her, it had become common place of late. Kaya didn't know the other two women, though she noticed a small smile on her own mother's face as she looked at the red head, that appeared to be Isleen's mother. 
Kythe sighed heavily as she settled into hugging Teu, glad to see Neveah amongst them now, the day had been long, and continued to be so - despite her being lucky enough to have all three of her children (and her unborn twins she supposed), but there was still the worry with Isleen. While the girl was not her own, she was still family, Isleen had spent a lot of time with Kythe, training together so that Isleen could cope with the visions she had been having.

Kaya stood up, guided by Kiba, her legs still weak and trembling from the shock and exhaustion she was suffering with. She looked up at Kiba, wishing she could do more for him, hating to see him so worried… though her worries were soon forgotten, thanks to the scoff from her brother. Kaya glared out of the room at Raith, willing him to vanish and disappear elsewhere, no one needed him to pipe up with his sarcasm, not right now. 
"What you mean is Isleen has locked herself within her mind, thanks to the shock of her failed transformation? Yes?" Raith asked in his usual, overly confident tone. "Physically she is fine, but mentally she is broken. She needs guiding home. It's up to you, you can wait, or I can aid her. I might not be Angela, but I've managed to bring my mother back from the brink of death today, I'm sure I could aid Isleen if you require it."

[sorry all, didn’t realize we weren’t doing duplicate posts anymore, love yas!]

The hallways was dark despite being nearly dusk. Light flicked against the cool stone from sconces but shadows still embodied the hallway. Neveah leaned against the doorway, gazing out at the courtyard. Her arms were crossed with a small parcel tucked between her arm and side. One foot was crossed in front of the other. There was a puddle of wolf pups taking a nap with a single, larger diowolf among them. Several of the wolves tried to get to the alpha but one stood out among the various shades of brown. The red wolf was petite. Her front paws laid upon each other and her head rested upon them like a prim princess. Even while sleeping, she looked happy - and she deserved it. It was her day afterall. Tears threatened to form in Veah’s eyes but instead a pained smile pulled at her lips.

“Pst,” broke the silence. The redhead glanced over her shoulder. Despite the darkness, Nami practically sparkled as she motioned Neveah out of earshot of the children. The vampire’s jealousy of her god-sister’s glow had been buried down but evidently still remained. The vixen pivoted around, using her weight to counter her crossed legs. The wrapped package remained tucked as she made her way over. “I know - I’m sorry I’m late,” she began hastily. Nami made quick, dismissive motion to silence the vampire. “You said you would be here - and you weren’t,” she replied with a hushed tone. “We told her you would be! She was upset, Neveah. You know, this whole arrangement is exhausting and confusing for her. You come, you go. She knows you’re her mother but is asked to call me the same. And then there’s Kiba. He’s her father but he doesn’t leave for stretches at a time. Why does one of her mothers?,” the blonde angel scorned. The redhead knew her sister was not done. Her shoulders dropped and she resumed her post in the doorway, looking at her child.

“Really, Neveah, she’s older now. You must be accountable; she’s not going to simply forget,” Nami added with a kinder tone. Neveah could tell her sister had been stewing about this for some time; the angel’s words had been sharp but intentional. The vampire wasn’t stupid; she knew there was going to be a day when this arrangement was going to be challenged. Just, just a little more time, she thought to herself, naive of her child’s learning and growth. She put up a hand as a truce, her back still to Nami. “Stop,” she replied with a steelily tone. “If you’re going to be her mother - then,” the blonde female’s words caught as if unable to crawl out of her throat until absolutely forced. “Then, be her mother.” The vampire turned around sharply at this demand. She shoved the present into the angel’s torso. “I can’t,” she snarled and then stormed off into the darkness.

Neveah would stop coming around for holidays after that encounter. She and Nami would stay in communications, sending paintings and updates when possible, despite continuing to argue periodically about what was best for the girl. Why the vixen felt the need to fight when she knew Nami was only telling her out of their love for each other was beyond reason. She knew at the end of the day, Nami and Kiba would do whatever they want. The vampire never explained the peril she would have put Isleen in if she had taken a more active role. When her heart couldn’t stand to stay away, she would appear but always in the shadows. However, it was too late. Isleen would retain some memory of her molten-haired mother and thus the disdain and resentment despite it being the right call.

Another lone tear streamed down the mother’s face. She never got to explain. It wasn’t fair. All these people got the chance to know Isleen and now they seemed content to just wait? It was unspeakable. The only pain she had ever felt that compared to looking at Isleen in that bed was the loss of her unborn child. As a vampire, Neveah accepted she would never bare children. It was simply another thing that the vampiress stole from her. She could not have imagined the power that the Goddess of Love and the God of Dreams would yield within their domains. It was not until she was in the mortal world, crippled with pain as she miscarried, that it ever occurred to her that a broken vampire and selfish lycan could actually have a child after all. Tobias already had a child when this one was lost but for Neveah, this was her one and only shot. The idea that she didn’t even know her child well enough to name it had been crushing. So, when she felt similar in the Dream realm, she immediately sought divine intervention from Nami. They all agreed she could carry to term if she remained in the land of fantasy. Then Neveah would use her love to shelter the babe between worlds - and thus their Unfading Star.

The pressure of another’s hand upon her shoulder caused her to flinch and shake slightly. She licked her lips and then persed them tightly. Her head moved to the side, her profile to Kiba as he spoke, but still not looking up at him. “Well thank the gods for the boy then,” she replied, her grief smothering her kindness without realizing it until the words left her reddened lips. Her emerald gaze did flicker over the new god. She was not impressed. Her hand went up in protest. “God, is it? The God of what exactly? Because for all we know, you’re the almighty deity of grain and pebbles with absolutely no useful talent at all,” she answered Raith with a soft growl. Her demeanor shifted into full vampire mode as she pivoted herself between her kin and the Minadrias. “Evidently someone told you you’re special once.” She grinned. “Between Azrail, Kiba, and I there’s plenty of old, powerful, divine-kissed blood. So unless your domain is actually useful, pipe down child,” the redhead added as she turned around her chair fully, finally facing the room. “Ethan, come here please,” she called out, her eyes locked with Kiba’s until the younger vampire entered. “You two. If you had to ease a scared, broken Isleen out of hiding, how would you guide her? What would you do - do that. If she’s in there, she would know even while asleep, right?”

Raith smirked, a small and dangerous expression where this man was concerned, even before his Ascension. He had heard every insult, had suffered every indignity - nothing Neveah said now could rattle him in the way she might think, his head was too far up his own arse at this point to hear such things as anything other than a challenge or a backward compliment. ”It is now. Funny really, Isleen saw my Ascension coming long before I did, the first time she met me she asked if I held a position of power - a Prince or a King - now I am Lord of Wrath and of the Heavens and I have more talent and use than most of you here,” he snorted, kissing Ria’s fingers before he stood up, leaving Silence with his lover to keep her comforted.

Slowly he made his way toward the room Isleen rested in, following the angry breathing of Neveah and her anger toward him for speaking up. ”No one told me I was special, not once, because I wasn’t until I made myself into something special. Everything I am, everything I have I worked for because I knew it was owed to me. You call her your Unfading Star? Well who better to call her home than the man who commands the Heavens themselves Vampiress? That and one whose mother’s kin have gifted me the ability to link with her directly,” he added with a snort, wings flicking as he passed by Kythe, shooting her an expression of loathing as he moved to stand before Neveah. ”I can link to her life force and call her home, it will be more effective with her family here as I can link all of you to her and it will help her find her way out. During the process I can heal any injuries she may still be suffering from, it is part of the gift of the Minadrias and one that brought mother and my twin brothers back from the edge of Death. So. If we’ve all finished actin like bloody children, do you want me to aid her home or leave her to suffer further in her nightmares?”