I felt like I had done this all before, but then I had. However this time was different. May came quickly, too quickly. In April we began moving to  Orlaith Castle, the children loved it. As did I even though I had never really lived there long before. Emily, Nicky, Sage and Balzar were moving there with us as well. Before the move was final, I spoke to Odin about my concerns for the health of the children, who advised me to speak to Hiila, as she was all knowing.

She came to me a few mornings after and she was very heavy with child. Now let me jump slightly off track here. Things are very different from the dying lands. The main thing is for my family and myself magic plays a large part in all that we do. However my children by Alexander had no magic. I can not die, wait, I can but I can only be killed by the hand of Odin or the hand of Raven and they must cut out my heart and burn it to kill me. The same goes for Raven. The people of this land do not really know illness. Small infections, sometimes, but death only comes from accident, or , extreme old age or willing it so. One does not age past thirty unless they will it so. The people here live for thousands of years before age claims them. While those of the Royal House and those who are children of Odin do not die.

I worried about the death of Wolfric and the death of Bella Victoria, I worried for the safety and health of Izzy and Neil. I conveyed these feeling to Hiila. She sat very still for a long time before nodding. At first I thought maybe she had fell asleep. “We have listened and we have spoken, we will devise a talisman to protect your children, and your future children must be blessed by the blood of the father” she finally said.

A few days later she return with several rings. Give this to who ever you wish, as long as they wear it they are protected. It can not be removed unless by you, choose wisely. I told Raven about them and we decided the first three would go to the children and Nicky at the coronation.

Again I consulted Odin, this time about Raven. When we were reborn of mist and magic it was as the Dragon Queen and consort with Raven never being actually crowned King. I didn’t want it to be so this time. But I had not spoke to Raven about this either. However I was afraid of going through the same steps as before. Here I was pregnant just as before, about to be crowned Queen, just as before. This is when he left me the first time. I could not let that happen again.

Odin agreed, Raven would be crowned beside me. However I would still have ultimate power, because no matter how I wished it, we were not equal. In most ways I was superior to him. For instance while we both have shifted to Dragon form and been reborn, I am Dreya, Goddess of Fire and Dragon Queen. Raven is just Raven. I would need to discuss this with Raven. The alternative was too much to bear. If Raven would not be crowned King, he would be put to death. That was not something I planned to share with him. I needed his honest answer, not his will to live.