“Whatever brings you to see me… is it Mrs. Helmer or Ashowan now?” Aidan asked with a pleasant smile on his face, as he strode closer to the healer who noticeably twitched when he stuffed his hands in his pockets and strode closer to her.

‘Gods he even walks like Finlay…’ Kate’s anger and hatred for her former spouse immediately tripled.

“It’s been Ashowan since the day I was free of you,” she replied as coolly as possible.

“Oh, then a day or two? Seeing as the divorce was only finalized when I returned.”

The healer didn’t bother responding, knowing he was only seeking to anger her.

“Is there a reason you are waiting outside of my chamber door?” The Troivackian Chief of Military asked in a bored tone.

“Yes. I came to tell you to leave whatever strange vendetta you have against our son behind. Stay away from him. He has a life of his own entirely separate from you, and has earned as much,” Kate bit out with her grip on the frying pan tightening.

Aidan cocked his head to the side. “The boy has been without a father-”

“He is not a boy. He is a grown man. He needs nothing from you.” Kate bit off curtly.

“Hmm well, in that case, if I am not expected to give him no familial preference… I suppose I’ll have to be a bit more aggressive in my approach.” The fire witch’s black eyes somehow burned darker. “Say… has Fin been in touch with that old friend of yours? You know. Sky.”

Kate felt her insides quake. Rage mixed with pain but worse, most sickeningly of all… fear. Irrational sickening fear.

“Fin’s business is not yours. A-Apparently I’m not m-making that clear.” She hated that she stammered, and felt her cheeks blush brightly over the fault of her speech.

“Hmm, well that answers that question. How interesting… tell me, when did you come to the castle? You seem to have a good relationship with his majesty for him to personally handle your request for the dissolution of our marriage.” Aidan smiled coldly.

Taking the opportunity to gain back some of her fortitude, Kate rolled her eyes. “Still bothered about that are you?”

The temperature around the fire witch increased, and a small spark cracked between them, making Kate jump, and brandish the pan.

“It isn’t nice to be surprised, is it?” Aidan asked softly, a hint of cruel enjoyment in his voice.

“It isn’t nice to be blasted off an island either I b-bet,” Kate stammered again, but at least her words had the desired effect of removing all of the fire witch’s friendly facade at once.

Aidan took another step closer to his ex-wife, his hands coming out of his pockets, and moving to his hips. Kate didn’t budge, her heart was pounding so recklessly it made it difficult to breathe.

“Enjoyed seeing Fin do that hmm? Didn’t even send out a boat to see if I were dead or alive.”

“I was too busy trying to ensure our son didn’t die,” the healer replied coldly.

“I thought I wasn’t to consider him my son anymore. Make up your mind- not that I care much either way… he always was a bit of a disappointment.”

“You wanted him to have powers, to be stronger, and the moment he was, you were outmatched,” Kate reminded despite the color in her cheeks remaining high.

“You think I’m scared of him? I don’t even consider him a witch. He is powerless the minute he steps off grounds of what is his home,” Aidan scoffed.

“Yet- wait. How is it you happen to know so much about his power?” Kate’s brow furrowed, and Aidan’s smile grew.

“I have friends in high places.”

Aidan began to step even closer to his ex-wife, when the stones of the castle suddenly reverberated. The smell of lightning filled the air, and the former couple turned to see their son standing twenty feet away with his hands in his pockets, his shoulders hunched as his blue eyes glowed.

Aidan faced his son, his eyes widening with cold interest.

“Ah, how fortunate of you to come. Mrs…. Ashowan, was it? We were just having a small discussion. What brings you here, Royal Cook?”

Fin strode forward, but as he moved, tapestries shivered, and the stones beneath their feet rumbled.

“Are you by chance, threatening a diplomat?” Aidan asked while chuckling.

The redhead continued to move forward, despite recognizing the intense heat that was beginning to rise around them.

“Cook, if you take violent actions against me, I will have to-”

“Mrs. Ashowan, you seem to have my frying pan. I need it back,” Fin addressed his mother, his voice hoarse as he ignored Troivackia’s Chief of Military.

“Ahh yes… a frying pan must be quite dear to a mere servant.” Aidan chortled to himself, but stilled when Fin turned his electrifying blue eyes to him.

“Mr. Helmer,” Fin didn’t even bow his head before he grasped his mother’s forearm and guided her away from the fire witch who continued grinning.

“I hope you’re ready for that chat, Finlay. The Viscountess Jenoure should help motivate you to be a bit more respectful in the near future.”

The redhead slowly turned around and stepped closer again to Aidan.

“You will not win here. Even if it kills me, you will lose any war you start with me in my home.” Fin’s voice echoed with power, and despite the fire witch’s confident jeer, there was a hesitancy in his eyes.

“Your emotional reaction to me is very telling,” the fire witch observed, his tone frustratingly light and pleasant.

The castle trembled around them, and Fin’s eyes began to glow even brighter, as Aidan suddenly discovered there was less oxygen available to him. He gasped, and subsequently raised the temperature in the area even further.

Kate let out a yelp and released the pan in her hand as it’s searing iron burned her.

“Do you think you will not be punished for this?” Aidan gasped, his attempt at looking cavalier barely successful.

“That’s what I want to ask you.” Fin’s eyes began to fill with lightning as his hand drew out from his pocket and clenched at his side.

“ASHOWAN!”

Fin hesitated, and slowly glanced over his shoulder to see Captain Antonio and Mr. Howard making their ways towards them.

“The Queen would like to inform you of the menu she has planned for this evening.” The Captain announced, his blue eye steely.

“Ashowan? Not even addressing you properly… you two must be friends,” Aidan observed suddenly, a delighted smile lighting his face. “Good. I’m glad my son has at least enough ambition to rub elbows with the Captain of Daxaria’s military. Good day gentlemen.” The Chief of Troivackia's Military bobbed his head briefly before turning towards his chamber door once again, his charcoal eyes only briefly flitting to Kate. In the moment they once again locked gazes however, a keen sense of dread filled the healer.

Once the chamber door was closed, Fin dropped his angered stare to his mother. His frying pan flew into his hand, and he gestured for group to start walking away.

“Ashowan, we need to have a word with you and your mother, if you could please follow us,” Mr. Howard announced, his shoulders tense despite his calm voice, indicating that he was more than a little intimidated by the rumbles of power he had felt before.

The group moved back to the second floor, and entered into the council room, where Annika sat, across from the King looking incredibly grim.

“You were right, Viscountess, Mrs. Ashowan was waiting for Mr. Helmer by his chamber,” Mr. Howard announced disapprovingly.

Kate shot a frown at Annika, but was immediately distracted by the King’s equally somber gaze.

“That was unwise, Mrs. Ashowan. Though I must ask, Fin, why was the castle shaking?” the monarch asked though it was clear from his expression he had already theorized what it was about.

“I went to retrieve my mother. Hannah said she had loaned her my frying pan, and when it comes to that aide, it means there is a chance for violence,” the redhead explained, his voice flat as he failed to move his gaze from Annika. Something was very wrong with her… “The castle shook because I was being a mediator to two former spouses.” He finished despite his focus having obviously moved from the discussion.

“We have bad and good news today I’m sorry to say. Lady Jenoure was successful in discovering what Mr. Helmer’s objective was. I will need to speak with the Viscountesss and Mr. Ashowan alone in a moment, but first…” Norman stood, and faced Kate, making her dip into yet another curtsy.

“Mrs. Ashowan, I am ordering you to stay away from Mr. Helmer. He is not only dangerous, but might also learn more than he should if too many of us talk with him.”

Fin could tell his mother was displeased, but said nothing when she bobbed her head in understanding.

“Good. Now, everyone else please leave the room. I must talk with these two.” Norman gestured towards Fin and Annika.

After everyone had bowed and exited, the witch slowly rounded the table to join Annika’s side, his brow furrowed as he continued silently worrying.

“Lady Jenoure has uncovered what Mr. Helmer knows, and his motivations. He is attempting to discover who is the spy I have working for me.”

Fin’s head snapped to stare at Annika, who couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze.

“Lady Jenoure doesn’t think he suspects her, however… he is holding her brother Charlie and his family hostage,” Norman explained, though it was obvious in his tone that there was more he wasn’t saying.

“Gods,” Fin reached out and stopped himself from grabbing Annika’s hand at the last minute, there was a rigidity in her that suggested she didn’t want to be touched right then.

“Mr. Helmer says that he will be more willing to… ‘discover’ Charles Piereva’s whereabouts if… Lady Jenoure requests you to join him and you agree. Or if she returns to Troivack. It does not appear as though he is aware of anything regarding the two of you.”

Fin’s blood ran cold.

“I can return home for a month or two and once I retrieve my brother and his family, come back to Daxaria. It is not ideal considering the war is most likely going to break out while I’m there, but-”

“You are not leaving. I’ll go.”

Annika finally met his eyes then, and Fin could see the depth of her strength when she said, “Fin, that man intends to kill you. You will be powerless to stop him. If I go, I can play dumb for a little while longer and buy us time. I have allies there. You have no one.”

“No. You are not going, and that’s final.” The redhead’s voice was growing hoarse, and Annika’s stare flashed in anger.

“This is not for you to just unanimously decide, Fin.”

“While I agree with Lady Jenoure that it is not your decision to make, Mr. Ashowan, I concur that it should be you who goes with him if either of you do,” Norman announced quietly, drawing the couple’s attention. The King had never seen a more murderous expression on the Viscountess.

“While Mr. Helmer clearly wants you to join him on the ship, it isn’t clear whether or not he truly intends to kill you. Furthermore… if you were to hint that you, Mr. Ashowan, were in fact the spy…”

“No!” Annika stood up, her palms pressed flat against the table, her face worryingly pale. “I will not let you force him to sacrifice himself!”

“If I do this…” the redhead started slowly.

“You are not doing anything! We already discussed how it was obvious that Fin being out of the way is integral to Aidan’s plans,” Annika burst out, yet she couldn’t meet his gaze.

Fin continued his initial question as though she hadn’t said a word. “If I do this, will you consent to letting us marry?”

The King raised an eyebrow, then proceeded to smile sadly. “I would, yes. Though Mr. Ashowan, while I may have suggested this, it is entirely within your right to reject the offer. The reason I believe you should go over the Lady Jenoure is with her previous citizenship being Troivackian, once she is on their lands, a male family member or the King, can stop her from leaving. Not to mention her informants during this war will be more important than ever... I am deeply sorry Mr. Ashowan. I make this request knowing it isn't fair to you, but only with the greater good in mind.”

“Will you let us marry before I leave?” Fin’s direct, somber stare cut through Norman brutally. It was clear that the witch expected to die.

“I will. If you do perish, Mr. Ashowan, I will inform the court that you died a hero, and for your sacrifice and service to the Kingdom of Daxaria, the hand of the Viscountess was your reward.”

“HE IS NOT GOING!” Annika boomed one final time before she turned, and fled the chamber, her lack of courtesy to her leader a strong indication of how upset she was.

After she fled, Fin addressed the King quietly.

“We need to move quickly, your highness, and negotiate terms with Mr. Helmer. Otherwise, Annika will do something clever and drastic, but put herself in danger.”

The King nodded knowingly. The redhead was entirely correct.

“Normally I wouldn’t even suggest such a plan, Mr. Ashowan… but it is not just Charlie who is in jeopardy now. Annika’s sister-in-law and infant niece are now in danger…”

“I understand, your majesty.” Standing stiffly, Fin turned towards the council room door in order to have a guard summon Mr. Helmer and Mr. Howard to draft the terms of exchange.

With his hand on the handle, the redhead hesitated and turned around once more.

“I’m going to do my best to return, but if I don’t… please protect her and my mother, your majesty.”

Norman bowed his head and rose while placing his hand over his heart. “I, Norman Reyes, vow to protect and ensure a good life to your loved ones should you not return home, Mr. Finlay Ashowan.”

Satisfied, Fin swallowed down a hard lump in his throat, then opened the door.

“Guard, please summon Troivackia’s Chief of Military and Mr. Howard immediately. It is on behalf of his majesty.”

Norman stared at the redhead’s back, and felt a swell of respect and sorrow for the man fill his chest. Despite knowing he had his own plans to ensure as little harm as possible harm came to the redhead, it didn’t minimize the guilt he felt over causing him such distress.

‘I wish it hadn’t come to this. I’m sorry, Lady Jenoure… but you fell in love with a good and honorable man.’