｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

｡･:*:･ﾟ★"Riven is not your family, he is ours now.",｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

Octavia

The shadows roar and shriek with battle cries of pure blood lust as the room descends into darkness. Inky black shadows float through the room, until the noise goes suddenly silent and I watch in horror as the shadows recede the edges of the wall until it looks like we are in a realm filled with darkness, the tables and chairs have been disintegrated to nothing but ash and they drift on a dead breeze across the room. Everyone stands in an unnatural stillness and as my senses come back to me I can feel the pain in my back. I instinctively hook my pinkie through Riven's, freezing when he doesn't curl his around mine like normal.

I don't know what's happening.

Shadow-like figures prowl through the room, each one dressed in a different soldier's armour of pure black, I can hear their thoughts, their plans of pure destruction at the threats sent to those they consider theirs.

How dare you speak of them in such a way. Asmodeus snarls, his voice reverberating around the room until it echoes and echoes and repeats time and time again.

We should kill you where you stand. Belial seethes and I see Luna's eyes look to the ministers for their guards but they merely look around in confusion.

They can't see us I realise and freeze when my statement is echoed around the room.

No, they cannot, mistress. Little shadow whispers, voice floating like a lyrical tune through the room. Your light is particularly useful in that regard.

I slowly pivot in a circle before walking through the room, brushing a hand gently over Sky as I pass him, weaving silently through the people frozen in time. They seem to have captured the Villarreals, Queen Luna and General Lýkos, the Silva family with their new addition and Beatrix. Dowling appears to leading the Winx girls and my twin from the room, though she looks back at the area where we stand in confusion and I see her eyes have been clouded over slightly by a dark mist.

This is going to be a shit storm to fix.

We won't fix it till you're done mistress. Darkling croones as his lithe form stalks towards me. They insulted your mates, you can do as you please.

My mates?

Sky and Riven of course. He replies with forced brightness. A fine pair indeed.

You did not know? Asmodeus asks, drifting through the air above to float towards Regina. Shame, Riven has known for a while, we thought he would have told you.

And how long have you known? I arch a brow, feeling defensive of my own naivety.

It explains why I was attracted to both of them so easily and why Riven didn't get overprotective when I was with Sky.

Since you first met them. They laugh a little, You were so cute and we wanted you to find them in a normal way like everyone else.

Not that we seem to have a good job at that. Asmodeus huffs as he looks around at the other shadows.

"They can't see us." I drawl as a familiar burning sensation on my hands and eyes tell me that my eyes have turned pitch black and talons are no doubt curling from my fingers.

My mother and the Villareals are still looking back at the ministers in desperation, looking at their guards even as that dark mist clouds their eyes, forcing them to leave the room. Slowly, like twisted vines my shadows curl up their bodies to wrap around their throats and I see the General's eyes light up with rage.

His poor masculinity.

"It's a handy trick of your Queen Luna, the ability to create illusions." I stalk towards the group in front of me. "I wonder what you've been keeping hidden with that power of yours, your highness."

I hum in thought, prowling towards Villarreals and dragging a taloned finger down the grandmother's face, delighting at the rage and fear in her eyes as the sharp point slowly scrapes her skin.

"You have no claim on Riven, do you understand?." I state, allowing my words to echo through the room. "You will not contact him, talk to him, look at him or even think about contacting him. You made your choice to not have him in your lives and now he has made his. Riven does not need you, we, the royal household, do not need you. Quite frankly, you are replaceable and after today I am tempted to do so."

Release Beatrix. I command, voice loud as it fills the heavy silence.

Of course, Mistress.

I hear a slight gasp and a scuff as Beatrix is released from whatever hold my shadows have on them all. She walks silently through the room, admiring the shadows without fear or trepidation.

"I knew you boys were stunning but this is a new level." She laughs in delight at the display of power, that slight insanity of hers creeping in, even as her voice sounds wrong in our little bubble. She sounds too normal in comparison to the Shadows' ethereal qualities.

Thank you, Queen of Storms.

"You flatter me." She grins and strides towards me, eyes full of lighting as little sparks crackle along her skin.

I turn back to Regina, eyeing the way her gaze follows Beatrix, how her hands are now wreathed in power.

"Burn her." I command, and walk back to my mates.

"Happily." And I can hear the grin in Beatrix's voice.

The sound of Regina's screams has me grinning, even as the awful stench of burning flesh settles in the room. I turn and watch, seeing the way Bea has her pinned down with ropes of electricity, shocking her every few moments even as she circles Regina, occasionally whipping her with ropes of lighting, or sending blasts of power towards her.

Regina's pleas slowly echo through the room, tears streaming down her face.

I ignore her.

I step towards Riven, standing directly in front of him as he stumbles without the shadows to hold him place. For a second, just a second, I let the doubt and fear seep in from my actions. I don't want to be a monster, not in his eyes, especially if he's my mate. There's an emotion I can't place in his eyes, something that has me tensing as Riven lifts a hand to gently cup my face.

"Have I told you that you are stunning recently?" He murmurs, the words only for me but in the silence they echo through the room.

"No." I rasp, a watery smile appearing on my face at his support. "I don't believe you have."

He hums, "Well you are. My beautiful, vicious little mate."

There's a darkness in his grin, the pure animal coming out to play and I can't help it when the shadows darken in response. A mirthless laugh escapes him at the sight and I blush at the noise. It should be illegal to be that attractive.

Riven begins to pull away from me and a frown quickly takes over my face but his reassuring smile settles my nerves. Until I see the look in his eyes and that nervous bubble reappears for a different reason. I watch in expectant silence as he stalks towards the general and begins fixing the lapels of Lýkos' suit.

"Do not question Princess Octavia again. That is twice now that you have tried to challenge my mate, and twice you have lost. If you try a third time you will watch as your entire world burns around you, money, power, prestige, everything you hold dear will be slowly taken from you until you beg for mercy and then you can spend the rest of your miserable existence in some remote location where no one can hear your screams."

I should not be so turned on by his words. Even as Regina's pleas drift through the room as an echo of my mate's words as he circles around the General like a predator surrounding its prey.

"Starting with your eyes and tongue being ripped from your body, sleep deprivation, castration, ending with severe body mutilation, and when Octavia is done with you I'll break every bone in your body."

Riven stands behind Lýkos and steps closer to whisper in the general's ear though we can all hear his words. Heat fills me as Riv's gaze catches mine.

"And if you're lucky, we'll stop Sky from skinning you alive."

Riven looks at me, eyes expectant, waiting for my response. I can see the desperation in his eyes, to prove himself worthy of being my mate, to prove what he would do for me to the people here but most of all, he's seeking my approval. This is my battle ground, the political side of things. Riven can do all the physical fights, carry out his threats and bring me heads on silver platters should I ask for them, but he doesn't know politics. Doesn't know which threats are too far.

So for the first time since Rosalind I willingly let that darkness of inky black cloud my eyes. Let that monstrous magic shine through as I give Riven a luxurious smile. My mate. My bold, savage, protective mate.

I turn away after seeing the love and understanding in Riven's eyes and look over at Beatrix who continues to laugh with glee as she pins Riven's grandmother to the floor.

"That's enough, Bea." And I smile when she pouts.

"Are you sure?" She whines. "I can keep going."

Pain flares in my back again and I realise I'm not going to be able to use the shadow much longer if I don't get rid of the gem.

Get this fucking thing out of my back. I demand and the smaller shadows hastily dart to my side, swirling around my shoulders till they rest against the offending gem.

"I need you by my side sister," I say, looking around as people begin to regain their mobility. Sky regains his first, drifting to Riven's side as the two walk over to me, flanking me in defensive potions as we look at the Queen and General. The shadows slowly unfurl from around their necks as I command them to do so, making it seem like it was a planned movement.

"I'm not going to hold out using this much power." I murmur to the boys by my sides as Beatrix stands back to back with me as she no doubt stares down the faculty of Alfea and those petulant Winx girls.

I can practically feel the worry radiating from my mates and they step forward as if gearing for a fight but I know they really just wanted to be closer to me.

"What are they doing?" Sky looks with a smooth expression, not a single emotion on his face as our little shadow dimension flickers and falters around us, but I see his eyes cloud with worry when he glances at the shadows on my shoulders.

"Removing the gem from my back." I answer, groaning with pain as I fight to stay upright. "I need full use of my powers for the upcoming battles and there are some truths I need to tell you which I can't if this stupid thing restricts what I can say."

"Okay." He says as the shadow soldiers fully recede into the diminishing banks of shadows along the walls. There a disgusting ripping sound as the gem is pulled from my back but I can hardly feel the pain, must be the shock and the shadows dulling it for me.

Take it away, keep the gem hidden but it could be useful later. My voice doesn't echo around the room this time thankfully and neither does my shadows' reply of agreement.

We watch in silence as Carlise pulls Regina into his arms on the floor, the perfect picture of a grieving couple as the three of us stare down at them.

"I think it's time you leave," Irene drawls as she steps forward, allowing us to drift back and I see Beatrix quickly walk out of the room, phone in hand again as she types away.

Silva flanks his mate but there's something hesitant in his movements as he glances at his adoptive sons when he passes them, something untrusting in his gaze when he looks at the direction Dowling left in. He doesn't understand. How could he? He's been raised around the perfect, soldier-like mentality of Alfea his whole life. He knows the world is a fucked up place but he's never seen it in politics like this. Never seen his innocent son have mates so brutal.

"I think you would be quite right, Mrs Silva." Queen Luna states, doing an admirable job at regaining her composure as she walks towards me.

"Octavia-"

I turn away, the boys following my movements as we stride from the destroyed hall. I'm done with this. I hear her royal highness and the others follow me but I ignore them and the walk through the hallway is silent until we enter the ante-chamber courtroom. The shadows drift in from the darkened corners of the walls, instead settling as a carpet of fog a foot high on the floor and I glare at the ministers in the courtyard who all quickly leave at the look on my face. A burning sensation on my hands and eyes tell me that my eyes are slowly turning back to normal, and a glance at my hands confirms the talons are slowly pulling back.

We're back. The shadows musically sing and I feel them drift down my body to coat me in a dress of pure darkness. I don't dwell on the relief that settles in my chest at their presence now that I can fully grasp what the destruction of the gem means.

We're not strong now mistress, that trick took all the power we have, this is only for show.

Stupid bitch of a mother hurting the one things that kept me sane during Rosalind's experiments.

I hear gasps as we move further into the courtyard and I see the winx girls staring at me in horror, Beatrix stride forward from their side to mine. Phone hidden away this time and her eyes are filled with power, glowing pure whits as lightning crackles all over her skin.

What a magnificent pair we must make.

Something must have happened to make her like this. I tell the shadows but only get a tired grumble in response.

Turning back to the Queen and Lýkos as I send a quick grin towards Irene who is staring at me with raised brows but I can see the support in her eyes. I ignore Dowling's fearful expression from Bloom's side and Silva's shocked one as he stares at me with apprehension, or maybe he's staring at Sky and Riven. I refuse to look at my mates.

Why? Little shadow whispers and I hide my jump of surprise, how strange to have them by my side again. They're staring at you with pure adoration.

I blush slightly but quickly pull on the mask of a cruel princess as I step towards the offending party. Lýkos steps in front of the Queen as if he could protect her from me should I attack, in reality he's standing in front of one of the few people who stand a chance at beating me. It's a pitiful attempt after he's just seen what I can do, even if his gaze does not meet mine.

"There has been miscommunication." Irene states and the room barely breathes as her eyes glow, I turn to the where Carlisle Villarreal stands with his mate in his arms. "Riven is not your family, he is ours now."

Irene Silva stares down the pair until they shuffle awkwardly, Regina's wounds having healed a considerable amount thanks to her magic and her husbands. She's barely limping and I fight the urge to make the damage more permanent. Silva moves to Irene's side, staring impassively at the couple as his gaze turns hard and cold. Silently, we all watch as the Villareals leave the room.

"I think we are done here." Dowling interrupts, "allow me to show you out your highness, General."

I remain frozen in place as the two hastily walk past me to follow Dowling, neither sparing me a glance but I know there will be severe consequences for this.

Fuck it.

I have my mates, Beatrix and Stella, the Silvas and my shadows back. I've got this. I think I've got this at least. Exhaustion begins to settle in bones, the events of today slowly beginning to catch up with me. Riven loops his pinkie through mine and I look up at him to see him staring down at me in concern. Smiling reassuringly, I curl my pinkie around his before sneaking a hesitant glance at Sky who's glaring at-

"There have been some rumours about you Bloom." I tell the redhead who's staring at me like I'm a monster. "I have no interest in them, so long as you keep your head down we don't care what you do."

She shuffles awkwardly, attempting to look pleadingly at my Sky and I tense when he continues to stare at her but-, but she can't hold his gaze I realise. That glare of his is fixated on her. I wonder what happened just now to make him decide that Bloom was wrong, if anything I thought today would further fuel the fire.

"Leave us." Irene commands.

"What?" Aisha stutters and I stare blankly at her as the weight of today's events settle heavily on my chest. "After what just happened-"

"And what just happened?" Irene asks condescendingly.

"The whole argument!" Aisha cries in frustration. "Octavia threatening-"

"And who will believe you?" I ask suddenly, voice sounding distant from my body.

"What are you talking about?" She demands, "The whole school saw-"

"Saw a family spat. They saw none of the politics, and it will stay that way." I snap.

"Is that a threat?" Aisha asks in a surprisingly calm tone.

"I am asking you trust me when-"

"I can't trust you, no one should trust you. Helios! You should be incarcerated for this."

"Aisha!" Silva roars, and the girls jump back in shock. "Enough with your petty drama, this is not a place for students or extra credit. Leave us. Now."

One by one they all leave, each shooting me a dirty look as they do. Why must they be so black and white about life?

"Octavia." Beatrix calls and I turn to see her standing a few feet away from me, her gaze back on her phone. "We need to talk, now."

A/N: What do you think of the Shadow's reappearance, should it have smaller, bigger?