Bianca couldn't help smiling. A blush rose to her cheeks and she thought that it was only natural to blush at this point, so she didn't fight it. Brantley couldn't resist. He ran down the back of his knuckles down her cheek as he traced her line of blush. Gods, he wanted this little enchantress. As he stared in her eyes and she into his hazel ones, the world seemed to stop. As if pulled by her magic, he leaned and kissed lightly on her lips and once again she didn't resist. "Thank you," he said softly against her lips.

She bit into her bottom plump lip and nodded.

​​

"We need to tell this to your parents, and if all is well then I would like to take you to Aztec in the evening, so that tomorrow morning we wed in the temple as the first rays of sun come up."

"Oh! Why so early in the morning and do you think we will be able to reach Aztec so soon?" She was bewildered at his information.

He chuckled. "Yes, we can reach sooner than you can believe." He would create a portal in Ensmoire. Rirsyr was waiting for him over there along with Quetz. "It is important that we get married in the morning, at the crack of dawn." Little did she understand the meaning of his words. Her mother's name was Dawn and the only neotide whose child he could wed. It was only at dawn the Stone of Solaris would—

Brantley sighed and said, "Shall we go and meet your parents?"

"Yes!" she breathed. But as soon as she said that her heart ached. She would be leaving them soon. She would be leaving Bainsburgh and go on to an entirely different world, on a new journey. Her palms became clammy and she clutched her pants. But it was for two months for now.

When Dawn listened to Brantley, she couldn't help but squeal. She hugged Bianca and through tears kissed her all over the face. "You did good baby," she whispered. She was expecting Bianca to rebel or be very angry, but she acted more maturely. Daryn and Darius also came and hugged her from all sides. The family hug was so overwhelming that Bianca started crying.

"I don't want to leave you mom and dad!" she said as she shuddered. "You have to come with me."

"Of course we will come with you. We will have to see our only daughter getting married!" said Daryn.

"Also there's one more thing that I have to tell you," said Bianca after she pulled away from her mother. She lowered her eyes and dug her toes in the ground.

Daryn frowned and stared at her.

Though Bianca wanted to tell them about the agreement between her and Brantley but then she immediately changed her mind. She looked at Brantley and there was a silent communication between them. It was as if he didn't want them to know about the terms she had kept in front of him. She clutched her pants again.

"What is it Bia?" asked Darius. He didn't like the way she was fidgeting.

She shook her head. "No, it's nothing…"

Darius narrowed his eyes and turned to Brantley. He growled, "If you hurt my sister, you can't even imagine what I am going to do to you!" His voice was so full of threat that for a moment everyone became quiet.

Daryn only crossed his arms across his chest in support of his son.

Seeing that the whole atmosphere had turned heavy, Bianca intervened, "Oh no! It's not what you think."

Brantley chuckled and looked at her fondly.

"It's something I will divulge later," she said. "Is that okay?"

Daryn's shoulders sagged with relief. She reached for her hair and stroked them. "Whatever you feel comfortable with, buttercup."

"Thanks Daddy!"

"Gosh! There's so much I have to do!" said Dawn suddenly as if realizing the gravity of the situation. "We need to buy you a gown and arrange your trousseau!" Not wasting a minute more, Dawn dashed to her room. Everyone started laughing. She stopped midway and called, "Bia, come here now!"

As Bianca started to go, Brantley said, "You don't have to buy her the wedding gown. It comes from our side."

"Oh!" Dawn wasn't too happy. "But there are so many other things!" She appeared nervous as hell. She looked at her husband. "What the hell are you standing there for? If we have to go in the evening, you better help me out with packing."

Daryn snorted. "This woman is going to be the death of me!" He hurried to where she was standing the two argued all the way up to their room.

"Man, what about my packing?" said Darius. He had to pack at least five shirt and pants and his pajamas and watches and shoes and hankies. "By Skadi! This is too much!" He lifted his hands in exasperation.

A voice from upstairs came. "We won't stay there for more than a day. So you better don't make me throw unnecessary stuff!"

Darius blushed. His mother could cause embarrassment some days. He rushed upstairs to argue with her.

When she was left alone with Brantley, there was an awkward silence. A moment later she said, "Even I need to pack…"

"May I help you with it?" he asked gently.

She beamed as a smile came across her face. "Sure. In fact it would be better."

He put his hand forward. "After you."

For the next two hours, Silver Mansion was a blur of activity. Daryn had called Neal and Cara and even they were helping around.

"What was the hurry Daryn?" said Neal as he helped him wind up Bianca's 'greenhouse'. She had insisted that it goes with her.

Daryn waved his hand and the six flowerbeds coiled one after the other. They lifted in the air and floated to sit upon the table. "They decided it amongst themselves, Neal." He concentrated on packing her garden instruments. "Also, it wouldn't be right if I stall Brantley's wish further. It is high time that he gets what he deserves. He had waited patiently for it for so long…"

"When are you all leaving?" he asked, walking to the shelves where the jars with dried seeds and herbs were kept.

"At 6PM. He wants us to be there before the sun sets in his kingdom."

"And when will you be returning?"

"After their coronation, which will take place tomorrow after the wedding." The jars floated in the air and carefully arranged themselves in a wood carton. "Won't you come with us?"

"Of course I would, but I am not sure about Cara. She is expecting again…"

"What?" Daryn felt like standing and smacking Neal. "This is her fourth pregnancy! How many kids do you want?"

"I don't know," he mumbled with a self-satisfying grin. He loved his kids, he loved his wife… fiercely. He loved that his kids looked like her, except his eldest daughter, who resembled him.

At 6PM exactly they were all standing in Ensmoire in front of a portal created by Brantley.

He had mounted his dragon and had helped Bianca to sit in front of him. Neal was seated behind them.

Quetz was ecstatic. He was nudging Dawn to hurry up and sit on his back. Over the years he had grown longer and muscular. His magic had increased manifold.

Darius was mesmerized to see Rirsyr who was so much longer than Quetz. He didn't know that another dragon existed. And Uncle Quetz… became jealous.