Six months later

"It is good to be back at the House," Zander smiled as he walked with Kelsie through the meadow; the flowers were in bloom, the grass green and long, "it has been a busy six months."

Kelsie blushed, rubbing the bump under her loose top, "Yes, it has."

Zander grinned, "There is that, but I was talking of the reinstating of the school. Cleansing and refurbishing the mountain hideout and not to mention, the good the sale of his mansion and belongings restored to those who needed it."

"True," Kelsie sighed, breathing in the floral scent around her, "Who knew it would raise as must as it did. I feel honoured to have so many Elders prepared to submit to my rule," Kelsie frowned, "I was worried at first; to most of them, I was a child the last time they saw me."

"You may have been," Zander said, pausing and picking a flower, tucking it behind Kelsie's ear, "but when they saw you next, you were a fierce warrior."

Kelsie rolled her eyes, "You're buying into those fairy tales, are you?"

Zander chuckled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, tucking her against his side, "It feels wonderful to be free to laugh, love..." he dropped a kiss on her head, "and celebrate."

Kelsie smiled at his light-heartedness. It was rare to see him like this. Over the last few months, he had been guarded, vigilant, and tense, but he was relaxed here at Jezebel's House. Reminding her of the young boy she fell in love with, who had turned into a handsome, caring, loyal warrior who refused to leave her side.

"When did Alyx say the preparations would be complete?" Kelsie asked, rubbing her swollen stomach.

"I don't think he did," Zander said, watching his mate's hand caressing the place their child grew, "I don't think he has arrived yet. Apparently, Kim is seeing to everything. Why? Are you hungry?"

"I could wait," Kelsie sighed, flinching at the kick from inside, " but I think food is required for the growing warrior."

Zander walked them up the stairs, laughing aloud, "Let's find something to ease his frayed nerves."

Kelsie grinned, wrapping her arm around his waist, "I'm glad we came."

"What is going on?" Zander frowned.

The noise coming from inside drew the pair into an ample living space. Children chased each other, squealing as they played. A dog sat on the couch barking as they ran around, a cat swatted at the cuckoo clock chiming, and Kim was trying to announce that lunch was ready. Kelsie laughed, waving to her friend to cease her efforts. Raising her fingers to her lips, she delivered a piercing whistle. Motion and noise stopped instantly.

"Kim is calling you to lunch," Kelsie said, "is it polite to ignore someone when they speak?" subdued head shakes came, "Apologies to Kim," she chided.

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One body of children turned and murmured apologies to Kim before leaving the room and following instructions to wash up before going to the table.

Kim turned back into the room, "Thank you."

"Any time," Kelsie smiled, "do you know if my parents have arrived?"

"They have," Kim grinned as Zander followed the two women through the house, "Anne is in the kitchen garden making sure the growing food is good quality."

"Of course," Kelsie nodded, "my father?"

Kim glanced at Zander, "He is in the armoury, ensuring you correctly stocked it."

Zander groaned, "I'm sure I shall hear all about my shortcoming's over the meal."

"Oh yes," Kim said, turning to Zander, "Alyx arrived."

Zander frowned, "Has he been placed somewhere?"

"In limbo," Kim said, turning and walking into the kitchen.

"Oh dear," Kelsie giggled, "he forgot to call her."

Zander burst into laughter, "I told him to pay attention, or he will pay the price. Kim has come such a long way. She is no longer the fragile person she once was."

"No," Kelsie joined in the mirth, "she is not. Alyx has to know what he wants. Kim will not stand to be a second thought."

"Let me see if I can find him," Zander shook his head, "and release him from ... his limbo."

Nodding, Kelsie ambled through the house to the library. The room had become one of her favourite places. A place to hide, rest, tell and discover secrets. There was always more to learn, uncover, and add for the coming generations. Pushing open the door, she stepped inside. The smell of old paper, dust and leather filled her senses. Zander would find her here with a plate of food, but for now, she was happy to amble along the shelves looking for something to read. Coming to a wall with pictures of all the women who had ruled before her. Kelsie stopped, looking from one to another.

"Hello," she whispered to them before following the Way of the Order. "Greetings to Leilani and Zinnia, greetings Connie," looking at an old sketch she had discovered six months ago, she smiled. It had been the discovery of the century. Anne had explained everyone believed the illustration would never be found. Kelsie held a secret, not hers to tell, one she shared with only Jezebel and Zinnia.

After the sketch had been hung, Kelsie found refuge in the library on a night she found her dreams disturbing. The picture hung at an angle. Straightening it, she found a small diary hidden in the back. She had read from cover to cover into the small hours of the following day. Kelsie smiled as she remembered the story. A strong woman from a family whose only requirement of an insane landowner was to kill whomever they were ordered to. Jezebel refused to randomly slaughter those she had grown with, lived next to and loved. Standing against the landowner, Jezebel had been banished. Those in danger of persecution had followed her, finding her here. The landowner sent mercenaries to slaughter her immediate family. An Assassin who trained under her father brought her the sad news days later. Months passed before they heard the news of the landowner searching for them, and they hid in the caves behind this very house.

Kelsie traced the polished wood of the shelves holding the books. What it must have been to build a home, raise a family here, always knowing that someday you would be found. Possibly everything you love is destroyed in one swipe of a sword. Were these feelings and thoughts what pushed Jezebel to take up her mother's occupation and join it with her fathers? Thus making a way to preserve herself, the accumulated knowledge gained over time for generations to come. Hiding it in a way not easily found unless searched for by those who truly needed it.

Sinking into a chair, Kelsie sighed, "Your last stand was outside this home, on the boundary line. You doomed that diabolically insane landowner and his line to their ultimate destruction. Binding yourself to this house, ensuring the line of moral, honourable, ethical Assassins you reared, trained and created would be ruled by a good Queen. He may have been defeated, but Leilani and Zinnia knew of his son," looking at the pencil sketch, Kelsie whispered, "Hello, Jezebel. May we chat again about everything from the past six months? Hold my secrets to your heart as I hold yours. Accept my findings, thoughts and fears in the depth of knowledge you hold for the Queen of the Order. Jezebel, thank you for having us all in your home once again."