Wei Ying sighed for the hundredth time. The King, Shiyong Fei, was really getting him down. He was still locked up, he couldn't tell how long it had been and now he was worried about Lan Zhan too.

Lan Zhan must be so worried about him. Wei Ying thought about all the ways he'd have to make it up to him. Although, to be fair, this situation was beyond his control.

He got up off the bed and walked around the room again, thinking hard. He'd tried to unlock the door but the key that supposedly fitted the lock was an unusual one, and he'd ended up only alerting whoever was sitting outside his room.

He had not seen Kedou for a long time now, and could only presume it was yesterday. And if the king thought he was a spy, he didn't see himself being released any time soon.

However, this did not mean he could not ask for help...

Was this a wise idea? Probably not, but he knew himself and he knew that he was an all or nothing kind of man. The more time that went by, the more he worried, and he did not like this separation from his husband one bit.

Wei Ying lay back on the bed and started rubbing his back in a concentrated fashion, thinking hard of his friend.

He didn't know if it would work, if his friend would hear him, or even be able to respond, but it was worth a try.

It didn't sit well with him that this king thought it was okay to start a war; it definitely wasn't okay in Wei Ying's book. So he might need additional help to 'convince' him to try another form of communication.

Time would tell.

*******

The Crystal Palace was exactly that, silvery white and dazzling to look at, both from the outside to the inside.

"Would you like to meet your uncles one by one, or all together?" Daden Yaonu had asked her.

When she thought about it, Li XiWang decided it would probably take longer if she met them one at a time. The faster she got this over with, the faster she could go back to her family.

That last thought had earned her a laugh, and Li XiWang had blushed, because here, her thoughts were not only her own, and she was risking upsetting whoever might hear what she was thinking.

"Perhaps one day, you will think of us as your family too."

I'm sorry. I did not mean to offend you. Li XiWang stopped to bow to her aunt, but she was quickly made to unbend.

"Nonsense, child. We should put the past back where it belongs. Our future is what we make, and I wish, more than anything, that you will at least consider us part of yours."

Daden Yaonu smiled at her, and Li XiWang was convinced she meant it.

They were walking towards the Great Hall that Li XiWang had only glimpsed from afar. Upon entering, the great silver doors closed behind them. Li XiWang looked up to see a huge crystal dome, reaching high up towards the surface.

"We needed the space." Daden Yaonu laughed again and went to join who Li XiWang assumed must be her husband.

She studied the man, whose long hair flowed past his waist, streaks of red clearly visible. She bowed first, and he smiled at her.

He was a handsome man, solid features, and pleasant to look at.

He laughed at her last thought, and she reminded herself to be careful.

Before her very eyes, his body twisted into a fiery red dragon. His slim body whirled into the waters above her, and she realised that Daden Yaonu had also transformed herself into a matching mate. Both dragons twisted and spiralled upwards, dancing to their own song, powerful and vibrant, weaving in and out of each other's space.

You are beautiful! Li XiWang made sure she concentrated on that thought as they came back down to stand in front of her, both back to their human forms.

"I am pleased to meet you. My name is Daden De Long, and I am your father's eldest brother. First of our family."

"We have different qualities and strengths too." Daden Yaonu said. "Red is the colour of boldness. In your human world, we are worshipped by many wanting to borrow our gift."

They stepped back, and another couple came forward.

"I am your father's second oldest brother, Yongzhe Long. We represent Bravery." This man had orange tips to his black hair, and similar features to his older brother.

"I am his wife and consort, Yongzhe Yaonu. Your second aunt." She smiled shyly and reached forward to squeeze Li XiWang's shoulder. "We're so excited to meet you. Thank you so much for agreeing to see us!"

They also transformed into writhing orange dragons. Li XiWang watched their faces, huge eyes staring back at her as they performed their dance.

Once it finished, they stepped back as the previous couple had done.

The next couple to come forwards had totally pink hair, the female's a lighter shade than the man's.

"Welcome to our family. My name is Xianliang De Long, and I am your third uncle. We represent Virtue." He winked at her, and she got the feeling that this uncle had a mischievous side.

"My name is Xianliang Yaonu, and I am your third aunt. I am so excited to finally meet you!"

Their long, elegant bodies were two shades of pink, matching claws twisting up into the waters above Li XiWang.

Next came a couple with vivid purple streaks in their hair, and in their human form, they were wearing matching purple outfits. Together, they made a very attractive couple.

"I am Yonggan De Long, your fourth uncle. We represent Courage." The man said, smiling at his wife.

"My name is Yonggan Yaonu, and I am your fourth aunt. Please come and spend some more time with us?" She looked a little scared saying that, but nobody reprimanded her.

They performed their dance and stepped back. Li XiWang appreciated their efforts in not trying to overwhelm her. Really, they were all quite considerate.

The fifth couple came forwards.

"We are Yi Long and Yi Yaonu. We represent Righteousness."

These dragons were yellow. When they danced, they looked like flames dancing in water. Li XiWang was amazed.

The last couple to come to stand in front of her, were green, both in clothing and hairstyle.

"My name is Fanrong Long, and this is my wife, Fanrong Yaonu. We represent Prosperity."

They also danced for Li XiWang.

When they finished, Li XiWang bowed. May I ask, why are there no children here?

Her question, which she presumed everyone had heard, caused them to look at one another, before turning to face her again. It was Daden Yaonu who spoke first.

"My dear child. I did not finish telling you your history. Do you really want to know? Even if it painful?"

Li XiWang nodded. I want to know, she resolved.

"Very well. It is all to do with Father Time. He was upset at all the conflicts which ailed us and those which had a resulting effect on Earth. He said that we would not be able to have children until we fixed our mistakes."

Daden De Long stepped forward.

"We acknowledge our mistakes and dearly want to meet our brother, be reunited again. But that is not the reason we are welcoming you here. We truly are glad to see the next generation of Dragon daughters come forth into the world and shine by themselves. You are truly an asset to our family."

Li XiWang bowed again.

She felt tears of gratitude fall from her face, and Daden Yaonu gathered her into her arms.

"There, there, child. Why is it such a surprise to you that we would want you so much? We already feel so close to you, and that by itself is an extraordinary miracle. We will be happy for any time you can share with us."

I would like to return to my fathers now. Li XiWang stepped back from her aunt, and gave her a watery smile. But if you would allow me, I would also like to come and visit you all again.