"What is the status?" Zander asked Alyx as they stood in the doorway of Kelsie's bedroom.

Alyx glanced at the still form on the bed before looking at his friend, concern etched into his tired features. Zander silently shook his head, and Alyx nodded in understanding.

"There were many casualties on both sides," Alyx said, "Well, there were many casualties on ours. No survivors on the other side."

"Did they not attempt to surrender?" Zander asked.

"No," Alyx sighed, "not one of them."

"They chose," Zander nodded, glancing at the bed as Kelsie moaned, shifted and settled again.

"It's been hours," Alyx said, "will she wake?"

"Don't..." Zander gasped, "I ... she ..."

"Have you eaten?" Alyx asked, gripping Zander's shoulder.

"Earlier," Zander closed his eyes, "she has to wake. There is no question ... no other way ... I ..." swiping at his wet cheeks Zander blinked rapidly, "Alyx ... if .."

Understanding his friend's pain, he smiled gently, "Zander, you love her."

"I always have," Zander said, glancing at the bed again, "since she was nine years old."

Alyx chuckled, "That answers many questions I had about you in school."

Zander shook his head, swiping at his cheeks again, "There was no one else for me."

"I get that now," Alyx said, "what are we to do with the Elders who joined during the battle?"

"That would be up to Kelsie," Zander whispered, "for now follow the way of the order. Is it true that one of them was his uncle?"

"Yes," Alyx nodded, "He saved my life, tried to reason with his nephew, and died at his nephew's hand. I also heard his confession of killing his father and his father's mate and his own mother."

Zander closed his eyes, "He was truly evil. Where are the bodies?"

"George and I piled them as per the rule of the Order on the ridge and set them alight," Alyx said.

"George and you?" Zander's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"He figured you would be occupied," Alyx nodded toward the bed. "Apparently, he feels there should be no distraction between the connection of the Queen and her Guard. Cal is lending a hand as well. Your father worries about both of you."

"Thank them for me," Zander whispered, glancing at the bed as Kelsie became restless, "I... if there is anything else, find me. I need to quiet her before she hurts herself."

"Go," Alyx saluted Zander with his right fist over his heart, "my friend, Commander of the Guard and ... King."

The last word caught Zander off guard, "King?"

"You are paired," Alyx smiled, "thought you knew, your actions on the battlefield when Kelsie blacked out were noted by all."

Zander cocked his head, thinking over his friend's words, "Paired. I like that."

Alyx smiled, "It is good to have you with us."

"Likewise," Zander said, extending his hand, bent at the elbow, he waited.

Alyx noted the gesture. Meeting Zander's gaze, he gripped him at the elbow, "Brother."

"Brother," Zander said, "an honour to call you so."

Alyx smiled, "Always will be reciprocated. Go, your love needs you."

Closing the door, Zander turned toward the bed as Kelsie gasped, tossing and turning.

Nearing the bed, he heard her mumbled words catching Leilani's and Zinnia's names. Was she still connected to the House? Was she still fighting a battle he couldn't help her with or protect her?

Easing onto the bed, he whispered her name. Her head turned in his direction as though she sought him wherever she was, gently wrapping his hand around hers. He was surprised when she gripped it. Vice-like. The realisation slammed into him. He was her anchor.

"I'm here, Kels," Zander said, "I'm here."

Keslie panted, "Help ... me."

Zander frowned, "How? Tell me how?"

"Link ..." Kelsie groaned, "... House."

Zander watched Kelsie toss her head as though she were fending off something savage. Her groan was deep and agonising. Zander swallowed hard.

"Connect with the House," he shook his head, "I'm not of the line," he sighed, "how?"

Easing his hand from Kelsie's grip, he glanced over his shoulder, making sure the door was closed, before rising and walking toward the wall of the House. He knew it held many things containing something special but never had he been required to connect with something spoken about so many times but never experienced.

Placing his hand on the wall, he waited, but nothing. Did he ask for permission? Shaking his head at his caution Zander closed his eyes.

"My Queen needs my help and commanded I link with ... you," he whispered, "how do I connect to fulfill my pledge when the battle is in her mind? In the unique connection with you?"

Silence followed, he waited, but nothing happened. Desperation clawed at him. He gently brushed clinging strands of her lank hair from her sweating face and forehead when returning to the bed.

"Connect me wherever she needs me," he whispered, "please."

Zander gasped at the tug on his senses and mind. No wonder Kelsie was motionless during these ... conversations. Easing onto the bed beside her, he breathed deeply, letting the House take him wherever Kelsie needed him to be.

Kelsie delivered the punch, but it still made no difference. Leilani, Zinnia and she had been at this for hours. The final defeat of the creator of this mayhem that ended today. Nothing they did could banish him from the link to the House. They could not allow the connection to break from them, but they were all tired from the constant battle against him.

"Zinnia," Kelsie whispered, "what will defeat him?"

"Do you have a Guard?" she asked mellowly.

"Of course," Kelsie said, "I am ruler."

"Good," Zinnia said, "who is he?"

"Zander, son of Cal," Kelsie said, not knowing why she said it that way.

Leilani smiled, "Sister, she did it."

"Who?" Kelsie said, deflecting another blow, glancing at the two grinning women.

"Anne paired with her love, that I know, but there is another of the Royal line who wished to pair with her Guard," Leilani said, "we did not know if she achieved her goal. She said we would know because her son's name would be Zander, and the daughter would be named after Zinnia."

Kelsie cried out at the pain as she deflected the next set of blows and counterattacked, making little difference to the shadow glaring at her.

"Who was the Guard?" Kelsie asked, feeling she already knew the answer.

"She only called him Cal," Zinnia whispered, "she loved him terribly. If that is Cal's son, command him to connect with the House. He will be accepted."

Kelsie whispered Zander's name. Following Zinnia's guidance and commanded his connection with the House. She hoped he would come. She was tired. She needed rest, but she would never return to truly live if she rested here before conquering his demon.

"Please, Zander," she whispered, "I need you ... help me."