Aurora could scarcely contain her excitement when she returned to their little home in the all-too familiar district of the Alexandrite Keep that was dedicated to the less-important members of her beloved’s family – the second of the keep’s five layers. Despite having been away for nearly an entire year, the surroundings had changed barely, if at all.

The streets remained neatly cobbled with pale grey stone just like the few decorative flowerbeds with lovely blooming flowers. They were still being maintained in an impeccable state.

Up above, a nigh spotless blue sky mimicked Aurora’s current, nearly unburdened state of mind.

Their little house in the shadow of the overgrown walls that separated the first and second layer had only changed slightly. The flowers that Aurora had planted on the balcony and the outer, golden-flourished windowsills had blossomed in full, which she found quite pleasant to behold. Someone must’ve taken care of them despite their absence and she made a mental note of figuring out who was responsible for it. As far as she was aware, all of Chryse’s servants had left, so someone else must’ve thought of them and she intended to thank them, perhaps even offer them a little present.

Their home’s timber-frame was as green as she remembered, forming a neat contrast to the red plaster while the gutter and tiles retained their golden adornments. To this day, she still recalled her first arrival after having taken a ride in Arakiel's arms through Kalanaar.

Such fond memories… and she had added so many more since – and their story was just beginning.

Emotion overcame her at the sight and she stared at it for quite a while and then, unable to contain her joy, she jumped into her beloved’s arms once more, kissing him straight on the lips.

Arakiel not only let it happen, he delighted in the physical intimacy as much as she did. It made all these past nights in which they just leaned against one another worth it.

When she then spelled their return home out loud, he commented with a small smile and together, they entered. The door remained unlocked, but it wasn’t big enough for her to fit through without bumping her wings – a problem that persisted in all the other connections as well.

It mildly irritated her, reminding her of a simpler time when she didn’t have to constantly factor in her additional limbs. To be fair, she rarely consciously thought about them until she ended up somehow bumping into something and while it was a little annoying, she didn’t mind it too much.

After all, they offered her a type of freedom that few people could experience.

Arakiel commented something along the lines of needing to redecorate to accommodate her seraphim form, but she reminded him that his attention should be on the important things.

She had managed this household for him after Mari’s departure… and she’d do so again.

Someone had drawn all the curtains to a close and the air felt a little stale, holding traces of something burnt and when she returned to the living room, it became all to clear as to why. The armchair, the carpet – that’s where she had flared up… that’s where she had almost succeeded in seducing her beloved Master at the time. Now, he was a Master no longer, but something greater entirely. Her future Monarch… an elevation for both of them.

A smile hushed across her lips as she fondly recalled him being there, thoroughly enthralled by her performance. It reminded her that she hadn’t played the violin for a while now… something she definitely needed to pick up once more and now that the seelies’ shadows began to lift; she’d definitely be able to do so once more if she put her mind into it.

For now, though, they sought the bathroom with the naara-fueled heating element after having made a short tour to check if anything needed immediate attention, which was not the case. Whoever had taken care of the house ensured that all the necessary actions had been taken.

When her beloved started to undress, she once again became aware of the white-silvery scratch marks that Nyanna had inflicted upon his back – something he forbade her from healing. A constant reminder, he had claimed, unaware of the fact that it also reminded her as well.

But Aurora had to honor his wish, no matter how much she wanted to purge this impurity which was utterly unfit for someone of his station.

It was something she’d need to guide him towards as well. A Monarch had to have an impeccable physique… and Aurora wanted to feast her eyes on his unmarred flesh, wanted to taste it with her senses.

The bathtub wasn’t big enough for both of them, especially considering her wings – so she did her best to make his stay as relaxing as possible from the outside and this, he did not deny her.

To see her beloved’s expression soften, to see him relax and recuperate – it brought her joy, so much joy in fact that she wished for her touch to please him a little more… a wish her soul granted and when her golden aura began to spread across him, he only briefly opened his eyes.

When he closed them once more without having said anything, Aurora knew that she had done right.

She sat down beside the bathtub, soaking in the warm moist air while holding one of his hands and together, they just let it happen, let it be.

In these near-intimate moments, no words were necessary and when they eventually switched places, Aurora was a little irritated that she couldn’t properly bathe while letting him feast his eyes upon her… but the tub was in the corner and so she could only really submerge her body if she turned her winged back on him – a happenstance he used as an excuse to massage her back.

Here, Aurora learned once more that she was incredibly sensitive in the places where her wings grew out of her back.

Sometime later, two freshly scented and washed bodies snuggled up to one another in the living room while a golden fire crackled happily in the hearth. It mirrored Aurora’s own state of mind at first, even if the heat eventually began to spur her into action just as she put more logs to the fire.

Aurora wanted to properly celebrate their return home and although her Monarch-to-be initially remained numb to her advances, Arakiel could only deny his own wants for so long when she directly challenged them.

What began as a softly smoldering flame Aurora soon stroked into a bright, searing hot fire that she could no longer contain… but she – and only she – had the means to quell it.

She accepted her beloved Arakiel as he was, but not without guiding him to indulge in what was rightfully his. The initial hesitancy, the brief streaks of disgust and his flaring anger when she caressed the scars on his back – Aurora made him accept it.

Nyanna was gone and although her marks remained on both of them, they could overcome them. Not today – but eventually for sure. Where the seelie’s filth lingered on Aurora’s lips, her future Monarch’s flaring hot touch burned it away and through it, Aurora found some peace of mind.

Despite all that happened, her beloved desired her still and if there was a difference to the time before they met the seelie, then Aurora could not quite make it out, even in the brief episodes where the heat lowered a little. In these particular moments, Aurora brought her soft-spoken guidance to bear, veiled in whispers, caresses and allusions. He had to accept his mother’s proposition and she’d do her utmost to convince him and although he likely didn’t need much, she did so anyway.

As his seraphine, it was her wish and obligation to guide him – and guide him she would… had to.

When she eventually drifted off to sleep in his arms, she lost only a single thought to the iridescent seelie. In that thought, Aurora felt a sense of clear superiority for her actions helped Arakiel whereas Nyanna only hurt him.

When she awoke on the next day some time before sunrise, she drowsily witnessed her beloved holding the seelie’s iridescent gemstone in his hands, examining it intensely. In the faint light of the nearby smoldering coals, his reddish eyes with the amber undertone had an alluring pull to it, but the soft rainbow-colored hue of the gemstone drew her in as well. She didn’t recall it gleaming this beautifully, but she quickly shifted her attention to a far more important matter.

At first, he didn’t even notice her stirring, which let her examine Arakiel up close: the growing dark beard, the scruffy short hair… his rather prominent nose alongside the perfectly square jaw and the eyes… oh these wonderful eyes that were bottomless wells to drown in. He was such a handsome man, Aurora concluded once again in her mind.

Around them, silence except for a soft spit from the nearby coals. And – of course – their breathing, Aurora’s own beating heart and their slow increase in cadence.

It made her emotional, seeing him this close – and when her eyes wandered down onto his impressive shoulders, the well-chiseled upper body with the spotless fair skin… she swooned over him just a little.

Such a potent, handsome Monarch she would have… it made her all giddy.

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“Did I wake you up?” Arakiel then asked softly at some point, his gaze shifting over to her.

If he had witnessed her fawning over him for the past moments, he didn’t let it slip.

“You did not,” Aurora whispered back as she slowly moved into a sitting position and when she stretched, she felt her wings unfurl alongside.

“How are you feeling?” he queried, at last letting go of the gemstone which then softly fell against her bare chest that should rightfully catch his attention.

Aurora hadn’t consciously tried to shift his attention, but she was rather glad he feasted upon her instead of Nyanna’s gemstone.

Another win for her.

“Safe, sheltered.” She responded in earnest while looking around a little.

They had ended up on the living room’s floor, not even bothering to head upstairs. After all, this space here was much more significant… and Arakiel’s bed wouldn’t be large enough for her anyway. Her physique might be a little more petite than Mari, but her wings added a certain bulk to it. Never mind that…

She chastised herself for these thoughts, for the mere consideration.

“I got a little carried away… sorry.” Arakiel apologized, causing her to giggle. It helped to divert her attention, but the fact that he seemed genuinely apologetic irked her a little.

“My love… do not apologize for who you are,” Aurora returned matter-of-factly, staring him straight in the eye. “Do not deny yourself… for there is no need to. I am yours, your seraphine. You should focus on the big picture… let me take care of you.”

She then leaned forward and kissed him at first, only to then lightly bite his lower lip.

He furrowed a brow, asking. “Why?”

“A reminder,” Aurora returned with a coquettish smile and then got up. “Now come, let us greet the dawn together.”

“Only if you dress.” Arakiel demanded, causing her to roll her eyes a little.

“Of course, my love.” Aurora affirmed, adding. “My skin is only for your viewing pleasure.”

In her mind, she felt as though she should add any eventual conquests as well… but the shiver that followed was enough to make her very uncomfortable.

It irritated her, having to always factor Nyanna into her thoughts now… but such was the reality. Perhaps this was the reason for the pendant… to ensure she’d always remember the seelie.

As if Aurora needed a reminder.

Her sulking only lasted a little while, though.

Soon enough, she and Arakiel climbed onto the wall overlooking the Eternal City of Kalanaar which had once been Aurora’s immediate object of desire – to visit and experience the city in all its facets.

Right now, she felt oddly indifferent about the view.

It was pretty, gorgeous even – all these little and not-so-little lights that shone through the twilight while over there in the east, the sun was about to rise… but any sense of adventure she might’ve once gotten out of a visit had been tempered.

For now, she was quite content with remaining here, assisting her beloved in whatever fashion he needed.

A pair of guardsmen passed without a major incident, yet it reminded her that there were other people here as well… and maybe not everyone should witness her actions.

Still, she had shirked her duties over the past weeks and now that things could only get better, it was time to fall back into a proper habit.

She was an Aspect of the Seraphim of Dawn… it was her duty to greet the dawn for her Monarch-to-be and so, when the first golden rays of sunlight began to show, Aurora unfurled her wings once more while holding out her left hand.

She called out to the sunlight, beckoned the motes of gold, red and white that heeded her call and began to slowly coalesce in her outstretched palm in a wonderful display. A thrice-colored vortex of a myriad of tiny sparks and in that one action, Aurora’s very being felt validated.

Aurora then guided the sunlight towards her chest while looking over towards her beloved. He returned her gaze and with a soft smile, he covered her hands with his own, indicating for her to shelter the dawn’s light inside her.

Aurora opened her soul which began to rush out and feast upon the new energy as soon as the motes entered her body and through it, her very being found a deep-seated sense of peace, joy and ultimately… strength.

“Thank you…” she uttered softly as bliss washed over her, sharpening her senses to the utmost for but a brief moment. It let her smell her beloved’s floral perfume in a way few could appreciate, let her take in her own vanilla that only confirmed this particular note… made her hear the guards’ steps in some distance which told her that she still had time left.

All the while, a myriad of signs of life from down below – both Kalanaar and the Alexandrite Keep – resounded.

This, her mind quickly filtered out.

Her Monarch-to-be did not respond, but instead closed her in his arms once more and together, they watched the sunset in full and when Aurora’s stomach signaled a particular need that hadn’t been met yet, it was time to start the day in earnest.

Fortunately, whoever maintained the house in their absence hadn’t forgotten to fuel the naara-devices such as the chiller. Unfortunately, however, that person hadn’t added anything new so there was very little choice in food. Furthermore, it had been a good while since Aurora had cooked with a naara-fueled stove and although she didn’t burn the pancakes, they ended up a little bit crispier than she had wanted to. Adding to this, they had no toppings left besides crystallized sugar. It made for an incredibly sweet breakfast which was quite to her liking, but she knew that Arakiel preferred more savory meals, especially in the morning.

Aurora further found out that none of her clothes fit. She had grown a bit in just about all areas, although – once again – her wings were the deal-breaker.

In her mind, she began to make a list of all the things that needed fixing and the more time she spent at home, the longer it grew.

Sometime later in the morning, Mellia – wearing a surprisingly bold choice of attire – came to visit. She had chosen to don a one-piece dress in her House’s colors that left most of her shoulders exposed in order to show off a rather fancy looking piece of jewelry that consisted of three interlaced golden necklets. A gift by the heir apparent for a successful return, she explained rather proud and fondly.

The Enchantress quickly informed them of the Lady Alexandrite’s summon, but not before having queried whether her brother intended to abide by yesterday’s sort-of confirmation.

Arakiel affirmed indeed, saying that it’d be foolish to do otherwise and again, Aurora felt quite pleased with her efforts.

Without further ado, Mellia led them through the first layer right back to the keep that seemed abuzz with activity compared to yesterday. Not only were there a myriad of scroll-carrying servants hurrying about, there were also quite a people that had to be leaders of planeswalker parties. Something must’ve happened, although neither Arakiel nor Aurora had heard any such commotion in the second layer.

A little later, they entered the Lady Alexandrite’s office once more and if Aurora hadn’t seen it all neat and tidy yesterday, she would’ve been certain to have entered another room altogether.

Not only were there a lot more people inside the room, it had also become utterly chaotic to her eye.

Dozens upon dozens of pieces of parchment were floating through the room, accompanied by inked quills that inscribed them with uncanny precision.

One such piece of equipment seemed to have just finished as they entered, for it began to curl into a scroll that then hurl itself straight into the hands of one of the servants that caught it, sealed it and then hurried out of the room, sparing the newcomers not even a single glance.

Meanwhile, several large bound books began to hover behind the Lady Alexandrite’s desk where they briefly opened after which all the pages were flipped over once before they closed and then returned to some seemingly fixed position in the many shelves that lined the office’s wall.

The demigoddess that presided over the chaos sat in the middle on the armchair, her eyes gleaming golden. Thirteen motes of golden sparks orbited her body in a seemingly random fashion while the crystalline sphere in her hand gleamed in a soft silvery sheen.

As soon as the Lady Alexandrite became aware of them, she raised one of her hands, causing a single golden spark to hurry towards it. There, it hovered above her palm and with a swift motion, she crushed the spark, causing her entire hand to glow golden. As soon as she touched the sphere with that particular hand, it caused the glow from her hand to enter the sphere which then turned golden instead.

“Continue,” the demigoddess announced towards the servants as she got up. The men and women – all of whom were marked as aes – only offered a brief gesture of respect before focusing onto whatever work it was they did.

If Aurora had to take a guess, they were somehow directing a part of the office’s chaos even if none of them seemed to actively cast any sort of spell.

Arakiel’s mother approached them, giving Mellia an approving smile before speaking up. “Thersites’ present suits you, Mellia.”

Her voice held the kind of authority that did not tolerate any disobedience even as she complimented her daughter.

Mellia respectfully thanked the head of their family after which the demigoddess’s golden eyes glanced over Aurora before they landed on Arakiel.

“Come along – let’s not distract them,” she ordered and then led them outside the office into the antechamber and not one step further.

“Arakiel – are your doubts cleared?” The Lady Alexandrite asked him straight away. There was a sort of urgency in her tone that hadn’t been there yesterday.

This time, he did not hesitate in his response and judging by his question, he picked it up as well. “They are cleared, honored mother… but may I ask whether something happened?”

“There have been developments which affect our House,” she confirmed and then added right away. “But they are not of your concern. They do, however, affect you.”

The Lady Alexandrite held up her hand, causing one of the twelve remaining golden sparks to rush over towards her pointing finger’s tip which began to light up in a soft golden gleam. Then, she tapped Arakiel’s and Mellia’s forehead in quick succession, causing both their eyes to widen while the bodies went in some kind of shock.

“You will depart on the morrow.” The Lady Alexandrite announced just like that and then turned around. “Now leave me… this incident requires my full attention.”

And just like that, she hurried back into the room, leaving her children in a state of shock and Aurora dumbstruck.