The rest of the drive to the castle was uneventful, fortunately.

Marianno had finished patching up my back shortly after we left the spelled area. It was sore and stiff, but it would feel better by the end of the day. Arthur stopped the car for a few minutes so I could put on a fresh change of clothes since my current top was shredded.

A couple of hours later, Arthur slowed down the car. A brief look through the window showed a forest that was no longer peaceful. Predators more dangerous than any animal perturbed the quiet of the woods; Fae and vampires, spread throughout the surrounding area. They were well hidden, but they were there.

"Security?" I asked Arthur.

"Yes," Arthur said. "We're getting close to the castle."

Anxiety churned in my guts. I didn't know what we would be getting into. It would be the six of us against an unknown threat. The mercenary attack was not a good omen for our stay here.

The woods turned less wild, the trees more sparse and the vegetation less dense. Then the cover of trees broke and our car rolled smoothly down a paved road. I leaned between the seats. The view through the windshield cleared up.

We were going down a slight hill, and all in front of us was a smooth plain of green grass and tended gardens, a few trees stood tall here and there. A bright blue lake shimmered under the clear sky as we moved closer, behind which stood a massive creature of gray stones and round towers. The castle. The windows dotting its facade reflected the sunlight, their number marking the castle's impressive size. There were people milling around the gardens, visible to my advanced sight, some on foot and others on horses.

Looking at it felt like being transported to another age. It was beautiful. Pictures didn't do it justice.

The knot in my guts tightened the closer we got. As the car rolled through the neat gardens, people gave it long looks. They knew who was in the vehicle.

Then we reached a circular driveway with a fountain spitting water in the center. Arthur stopped the car near the steps leading up to the front yard of the castle.

"Keep your guard up." With those words, Arthur exited the car, followed by everyone. I opened my door and froze. I willed my legs to step outside. They refused to move. Damn legs.

Arthur filled my open door, my sword in his hand. We looked at each other. The bond quivered under my turbulent emotions, and my magic pulsed, reacting to my feelings with the intent to attack and defend.

This was the place where it all started. And for better or for worse, this was where it would end. I would make sure of it. Uncle Robert's life and my mother's would not go in vain.

I reached for my sword and paused my hand halfway. Remembering the earlier massacre, I hesitated. Arthur pushed the sword into my palm and closed his hand around mine. Wrapping my fingers around the hilt, he squeezed.

Determination and reassurance steadied the bond. Arthur's magic draped over me, a fierce, protective force that dared the world to touch a hair on my body.

I was not alone. I would never be alone again. Leaning on Arthur's presence, borrowing his strength, I held my sword more firmly and stepped out of the car. I looked into Arthur's eyes as we stood face to face. My magic calmed down and my heartbeat steadied.

Arthur gave a nod. After a fleeting brush of his fingers on mine, we turned as one to face the fae.

My father and his consort, Amelia, were descending the steps. She wore a long sleeved, knee length dress of a deep blue color that complimented the auburn waves of her hair. Slender legs encased in nude high heels and make up expertly applied, not a hair was out of place on her. She looked elegant and put together, and her face wore its usual expression of a vulnerable smile and uncertain eyes.

My father was in a white dress shirt and black dress pants, a smile graced his face. I felt underdressed in my sweatshirt and cargo pants. I sneaked a glance at our company of six and held back a smile. We were all in a variety of blood splattered t-shirts and sweatshirts, cargo pants and jeans. We must appear like six barbarians who suddenly teleported to the civil world. And the few fae who stood close by stared at us like we were just that.

"We're horribly underdressed," I whispered. Marianno coughed and Irene jabbed her elbow in my side.

"Mhm. I think the blood adds character," Arthur said, making me snort.

I schooled my features as my father and his consort drew closer. The expression on Orion's face slowly morphed from pleasant to confused then horrified.

"What in the world happened?" were his first words.

Amelia put a hand on her chest, her brows furrowed. "Are you injured? We must call a physician at once."

"I appreciate your concern, Lady Amelia." Arthur said. "All is well. We faced some trouble on the way."

Orion's face hardened. "You were attacked."

"Yes. A cursory inconvenience. We took care of it. But it is worth noting that the abundance of spelled areas on the way here poses a major blind spot in your security."

"I knew it would." Orion sighed. He clasped his hands behind his back and frowned at my wounded cheek.

Orion then welcomed the rest of our company, with Amelia smiling and nodding demurely by his side. He was polite and kind, and just as he returned his gaze to me, the sound of a horn being blown filled the air.

I had the feeling Orion wanted to roll his eyes before he looked over his shoulder with Amelia. A few seconds later, the king descended the steps.

I knew he was the king because of the long red robe edged in white fur he wore over his suit. The golden crown on his blond head also helped identify him. And the eight guards surrounding him as he took the stairs one leisurely step at a time.

The jewels studding the crown weren't the only thing that sparkled on the king's person. A long golden necklace adorned his neck, hanging on it was a large gemstone the color of the sky, and several rings circled his fingers.

So it was safe to assume he was the king.

"Overkill," I whispered so only Arthur and Irene could hear me. Neither reacted, but the bond buzzed with Arthur's amusement.

The guards dispersed as the king landed safely among us mere commoners. I looked at my uncle. He was shorter than my father by a few inches and leaner. They shared their coloring, but my uncle's features were smoother, more fox-like compared to Orion's rough and bold features. His sharp green eyes landed on Arthur.

"Lord Arthur." The king spoke in a smooth voice. "Welcome to Ireland."

"Thank you, king Rion," Arthur nodded.

"Ah, I just heard about the attack," the king said, his smile apologetic. His accent was a crisp, posh British, much like my father's and Amelia's. Unlike the Irish I had expected it to be. "It is unfortunate that your arrival was met with such an incident."

"Do you know who is behind it, lord Arthur?" Amelia asked. "Did you interrogate the mercenaries?"

"There was nothing left of them to interrogate, unfortunately." Arthur's smile was chilling.

"Oh, I see."

"Won't you introduce us, brother?" Rion said, his eyes on me.

"Ah, yes. Rion, meet my daughter, Elle. Elle, your uncle, Rion."

My uncle smiled, but I did not miss his assessing eyes. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, my dear. Word of you has spread far and wide."

"The pleasure is all mine."

Rion glanced at his brother. "She does look like her, Orion. Does she not?"

"Yes," Orion said, his face and voice unreadable.

"I do hope you find your stay here pleasant. It is home for you." The king smiled, then turned his attention to Noah. "Alpha... Noah, if I remember correctly. Welcome."

Noah gave a single nod. "Thank you, king."

The king then turned his attention to Arthur, not even acknowledging Irene, Marianno or Charles.

"I see congratulations are in order," the king said, looking between me and Arthur.

"Thank you," Arthur said while I simply nodded, feeling slightly embarrassed. Ugh. Why did people keep bringing it up?

"It is nothing short of a miracle for one of the Five to develop a mating bond." The king gave me a smile. "My lovely niece keeps surprising us. Isn't that right, brother?"

My father grunted a response, looking as uncomfortable as I was. The king chuckled. "You must excuse Orion, Arthur. You stole his daughter even before he knew she existed. He must be feeling slightly miffed at you."

"Oh, it's more than slightly," Amelia said with a smile.

Arthur smiled. "How unfortunate for you, Orion."

The king chuckled.

My uncle, father and Arthur discussed things I had no interest in. I zoned them out and glanced around.

There were more people milling about compared to a few minutes ago. They were all fae, as were the king's guards.

There was no vampire anywhere close by. I had seen some on the way here, so I knew that the palace employed vampires. Just nowhere close to the king, I guess. Interesting.

Uncle Robert had been working directly with my father before he left Ireland with me. And from the stories he used to tell me about the palace, I understood that there were vampires working inside the palace very close to the king, and to the royal family in general.

I guess things have changed.

"Why don't we go inside so you can rest," Rion said with a smile. "You must all be worn out. I believe Amelia has prepared a dinner in honor of your arrival."

By 'prepare', I didn't think he meant 'cook'.

We went up the steps and into the castle, the gaggle of Rion's guards surrounding us.

Two guards stood on either side of the massive, arched wooden door. As expected, they were both fae, and they stood unmoving as we approached. Unlike the all-black of the king's guards, these were dressed in a green uniform with hints of gold, black boots and a green peaked cap with a pair of golden wings embroidered in thick golden thread at the center; the insignia of the royal fae.

Swords were strapped to their hips, but I had no doubt they hid multiple other weapons on their person. Their eyes looked sharp and vigilant.

We entered, and the king's guards split into two teams, one went ahead of us and the other took the rear. Goosebumps pebbled my neck. I didn't like having them at my back.

We stepped through the door into a grand entrance hall. The same deep green of the guards' uniforms painted the walls. Portraits and tapestries decorated them, and up above us a ridge skylight stretched the length of the entrance hall, providing enough light and a cheerful mood.

The king walked ahead, preceded by his guards.

"My son is away at his aunt's in the south of the country," Amelia told me. "I would love for him to meet you. Hopefully he will be back before you leave."

I gave her a smile. "Hopefully."

I meant it, too. I did want to meet her son. He was my half brother. I wondered what it was like to have a brother.

I looked around, not failing to notice the other guards stationed in every corner. In their green uniform, they blended with the walls and the decor very nicely.

There were too many guards.

For humans, a high profile figure would be very well guarded, even in their own home, in the presence of outsiders. But Rion was not human. He was the fae king.

Arthur would never have this many guards around him in his own home. It would be perceived as a sign of weakness.

And the king would certainly be aware of this fact. For him to do it even knowing the slight it would cause his image, meant that there was something he was afraid of more than appearing weak..

I looked at Arthur. He was busy discussing something with my father. I focused, trying to convey my thoughts through the bond. The bond buzzed with understanding. His responding thought was quick, his voice in my head clear and unintrusive.

You're right. Something is making the king uneasy, so uneasy that he risks being perceived as weak.

The void spells, no vampires in the castle, too many guards around the king...something was fishy.

I glanced over my shoulder and met the eyes of one of the king's guards. His beady black eyes were looking right at me. A shiver ran down my spine.

What in the world was happening here?

*** **** ***

A timely update! 

I hope you like it, vote and comment if you do! I appreciate it.

Much love,

M.B.