Theodora glanced at Myrddin. There had been tension between them since her big reveal, but he had assured her that it had not affected their relationship. Were things truly alright between them?

"Ahem! I need everyone to focus please."

Rhys' words snapped Theodora out of her reverie. He was organising the portals and making final adjustments. This was it.

"I think we can lessen the impact of people hanging around the road where Rosemonde was last seen if we go back at an hour where most people would be in their homes and in bed. Consequently, you will now be returning at 0300 hours on a Wednesday morning. It's a normal weekday — hump day, nothing special.

Max, Ursula, yours is the sixth door. It will take you to Ursula's apartment. I figured Maxwell's parents would consider that a logical location for you both to have disappeared to." He winked before continuing. "Mairead, Drew, and Theodora, you are to take the ninth door, which will take you to the Wilson residence in Arcadia. Christian, Gianna and Leonardo, you take the seventh door, which takes you to the Berg home. Chris, I know that you've been staying at a separate apartment but this is easier than organising yet another portal."

"No worries," Christian replied. "As long as it doesn't inconvenience Gianna." His wife shook her head and gazed up at her husband adoringly.

Rhys cleared his throat again "There's definitely something in the water here," he mumbled, causing everyone to titter.

"I will accompany Rosemonde through the fifth door, and we will meet up with our operatives," Fletcher said. "Fear not, I will be armed."

"Use magic, Fletch, crossbows are prohibited in New South Wales," Rhys cautioned.

"Well duh!" Fletcher sighed.

Rosemonde suppressed a giggle. She had grown to love the goofy elf, who always said exactly what was in his head. He had little if any social filter, and that often caused him to upset some of the human occupants of Tweldor.

Rosemonde however, found him patient and kind. She couldn't have asked for a better archery teacher. Under his guidance she had become quite proficient. She was glad to have him by her side when she made her return.

"Myrddin, you'll be with me," Rhys said. "We leave through the third door, but things are slightly more complex, since we do not know the exact location of Constantine's temple. It seems that the police searched his home thoroughly and found nothing out of the ordinary. It is clearly hidden by magic. Likewise, we may need to be disguised by magic.

"For a human, it is amazing that you not only attempted but succeeded in shapeshifting. You are stronger now and have a greater understanding of cellular manipulation since your time at Tweldor. I would prefer not to, but if we have no other option, I may need to transform you once more. Do I have your permission to do so?"

"Er, I guess...as long as you don't turn me into a bloody raven again," Myrddin replied.

"A galah* would be fine then? Good. Rhys quipped. Myrddin looked murderous. Everyone laughed.

Theodora took him in her arms. "I have something I need to say to you, Myrddin," she said bashfully.

"Should I be worried?" He frowned.

"I hope not." Theodora took a deep breath. If she didn't get the words out now, she knew she wouldn't. He'd leave through his portal, and she would regret it. She had to say this. "I know we agreed not to say it until we were ready but...well see the thing is... After er...what I told you about, I stopped believing in romantic love. My heart felt cursed. I didn't think I would ever trust again. Then, I found you. You're healing my heart, Myrddin. I am ready to say it. I have to say it, before you go. I...I love you. You don't have to say it back. It makes no difference to how I-"

"Shut up and kiss me!" Myrddin kissed Theodora tenderly. He caressed her lips with his own, almost reverently. "I've wanted to say it since our first banquet together, but I knew that you weren't ready to hear it. Never doubt that I love you, Dora."

Theodora exhaled sharply. "My ex, wants you and Rosemonde to make a baby together. I'm so scared that I'm going to lose you. He's the demon of lust and...and...well what man wouldn't want Rosemonde?"

"This man! I chose you, Theodora." Myrddin wrapped her in his arms and held her close. "No matter what the demons put us through as Warriors, I will always find my way back to you. We'll find our daughters, and one day, when this present drama is over, I'll ask you to make it official. Perhaps, we could even make a few sons."

"You want to marry me even after everything you've learned?" Theodora was awestruck.

"If you want to marry me after everything you've learned!" Myrddin countered.

"Are you asking?" she probed.

"Are you accepting? he replied.

"YES!" they both said together.

It soon became apparent to the others what had occurred.

"It's official," Rhys chortled. "The citadel of Tweldor is the tower of love!"

"I'm impressed, Theodora. You actually tamed the beast!" Max was ecstatic."

"Maybe he's the one who tamed me!" Theodora laughed.

"Seriously though, thank you for making my bro so happy." Max gave her a warm hug.

The cheers and congratulations continued, until the Great Hall was awash with white light. All the portals were open. Rhys gestured for those going back, to step forward.

"Okay everyone, showtime. Let's do this! See you all on the other side."

☆☆☆☆☆

It had been seventy-two hours since the discovery of Paul Jason's body in Zoiia Kozel's basement. Someone had come forward with dash cam footage, showing Rosemonde walking, occasionally stumbling, along a major road south of Sydney. She clearly looked disoriented, possibly as a result of her injuries. It was headlining news.

Gwendolyn switched off the television with tears in her eyes.

I'm a terrible person. How could I have doubted them? Max was right. I betrayed my brother. How could I? Come back to me, Meerkat, please. I'm sorry. Oh God, please don't let him be dead. Please keep him safe! Please...

Charles Du Malum has offered to help. I'll go to him. He'll help me find my brother. But wait... Was he not the one who made all the allegations against Myrddin and Rosemonde in the first place? Can I trust him? Oh, I am so confused!

"Where are you, Myrddin?" Gwendolyn wondered aloud. "Raluca, I'm going out for a while!" she called out.

When she failed to get a response, Gwendolyn shrugged, and walked out to her car. She had to do something. She began to think about that dash cam footage. Rosemonde was heading south. Myrddin is probably out there looking for her. All right then. I'll head south too... Rosemonde was on foot. How far could she have gone anyway?

Gwendolyn felt she had nothing to lose. She sent a quick text message to Raluca to let her know where she was going, before heading towards the area.

A/N
*For those who may not know the small Australian parrot known as a galah, please watch this:

😂😂😂 So, if an Australian calls you a galah, then um... it may not be a compliment...🤔 Unless Myrddin looks good in pink and grey and his brand of funny is cute.... Hmm I'm not sure.... What do you all think?

Thank you to CFarley982  who made the suggestion that my American readers may not be familiar with the galah. This inspired me to find this clip. I hope it made you all laugh and smile too. 🤗