6 years later...

"Mommy the clouds are covering up my stars...I want to see my stars."

"I know Renee, but it is a bit cloudy tonight and clouds sometimes cover the stars, don't worry they are still there."

"No fair...Uncle Vlad do something, mommy won't make the clouds go away, and I want my stars."

"Now Renee you know we don't use magic just to get what you want."

Not happy with the answers she was getting; my 6 year old little girl looked up to the sky and waved her hand. The clouds moved and the stars were able to shine down on us.

With everyone laughing Vlad knelt down and gentle held Renee's hand.

"Well that surely explains your love for the stars and night. Knox, Sophia I am pleased to introduce you to of Hera the goddess of women, marriage, the sky and starry heavens."

2 years after that...

"Noah if you would just listen to me...I will not get hurt I know what I am doing."

"And Ella if for once you would just stop and listen to your mate you wouldn't go running off getting yourself into trouble."

The two were constantly going at it and this argument was not a new one. Noah had such a hard time letting his very powerful mate run off to explore her magic. She constantly got hurt but nothing too serious. It drove Noah crazy that he couldn't protect her.

Knox and I quietly observed but stopped meddling years ago. Our teenagers would have to work this out on their own.

"Enough you two. All you do is yell at each other and nothing ever gets resolved. Why don't you talk about your problems instead of attacking each other?"

Our little 6 year old spitfire Kara stepped in between them halting their fight.

"Stay out of this little one, Ella and I know what we are doing."

"Sure you do big brother, they tell me why you two have this fight several times a week and the whole family has to watch as you make Ella feel bad about exploring her powers? Why you keep hurting her because you can't control her. How about stop trying to control her actions and she won't get hurt?"

"Thank you Kara that is exactly what I keep saying. I don't need him trying to tell me what to do. My magic is a part of me and I need to practice to get stronger. If he..."

"Yeah this is not all his fault Sophie, you are as much to blame. Instead of running off without telling him were you are going, tell him. Be honest on what you are doing and maybe he won't worry so much. Give him the option of maybe coming with you sometimes instead of just disappearing. He worries, did you ever think of his feelings?"

Both teenagers stopped and began considering what my young daughter was saying. After realizing that she was right they kissed and knelt down to hug her.

"Thank you Kara, Ella and I get it. How did you get so smart?"

"I was always smart but Athena is the one who told me what to say to you. She was tired of hearing you two fight all the time. So please stop."

We all stood shocked as a laughing Vlad made his way over to my young daughter. After a few seconds he started to laugh louder and then introduced us to our newest goddess. Athena was the goddess of wise council, war and defense.

From that point on, my little spitfire continued to settle disputes and even calmed her father down a time or two (dozen). She was strong and fierce, but at the same time level headed and fair. I actually pitied her mate, he would need to be very strong willed and not allow Kara run all over him. Knox couldn't want for the "poor sucker" to show up.

4 years after that...

It was hard to believe my baby was mated and soon to be a mother. Noah turned out to be as great a man as his father. He waited patiently until Ella reached 18 years of age, something both Knox and I were thankful for. Being mated is a non-breakable bond and was not to be entered into lightly. Not that there was any doubt that these two would ever part.

Noah loved Ella unconditionally and she him. Since they first met that bond started and strengthened over the years. But believe me that was not an easy road. Especially once Ella's powers began to increase. Laughing to myself I remembered the many fights and arguments over the years between those two. Noah struggled with the fact that Ella was the more powerful and stronger, something that bugged the hell out of the hormonal teenager/wolf at the time.

Finally Knox pulled Noah aside when he and explained that yes he has a mate that is stronger and more powerful than him, but that does not make their wolves any weaker. Knox explained how he and his wolf coped with keeping that balance equal between us...mainly expressing their dominance in the bedroom. Talk about an uncomfortable sex talk. The poor boy would not look at me for days.

My mate was very twisted when it came to his daughter's mates, being their father he held a certain edge/authority over them, but their mates, well they wouldn't have that edge and my very strong willed daughters could be a handful at times.

Knox and I were not as worried about our sons as we were our daughters. My three little boys have yet to show any signs of what god they will rebirth. Jackson was 6, Brady was 4 and Michael was only 2. So we still had a few more years for the younger two, but Mae and Vlad were both anxious and watched Jackson like a hawk. I felt bad for my son, but he loved the attention so I kept quiet for now.

My six children were my pride and joy. The last 12 years were not easy as we had a lot to learn being the King and Queen, but over the years it got easier. Our kingdom was thriving and each species was flourishing. After centuries of fear and cruelty, our kind enjoyed the peace and tranquility under our role. Now we still had trouble and conflicts but so far we have been able to keep the peace and settle any difficulties.

Knox was a fierce and powerful leader, but he was loved and our people were fiercely loyal to him and me. Sure we made mistakes but after all we were human...sort of.

My mother and Mae lived with us full time, mainly to help out with the children. Having a house full of magic, things tended to get a bit chaotic at times. Keeping all of us adults on our toes. Vlad and his family were always around, constantly popping in on us...literally. He loved being a part of the kids' lives, witnessing the rebirths of past gods and goddess'.

For now our world was at peace and I just hoped it stayed that way. I worried about my children constantly. Being gifted with the soul of a god/goddess was no easy life. Danger would continue to track us down hoping to either eliminate our power or steal it.

The fairies, dwarves, and elves continued to watch over us, but I knew the day would come that they fail...I just prayed that day was very far in the future.

For now I was determined to live my life to the fullest, protecting not only my children but my people.

Because they were Mine to Protect.