“Where on Gaia have you been, young lady!” Celestea shrieked when we appeared.

The throne room was dark but I saw her sitting on a bench in the corner. It wasn’t Kalli she was looking at. She stared Shiv down as only a mother could.

Shiv cowered behind her sister and whispered. “Help me, please.”

Kalli glared at her but said, “Look, Mother. We decided to let her tag along. Don’t worry, she was supervised the entire time.”

Celestea jumped to her feet and strode across the room until she was right in Kalli’s face. “You had no right. She’s my daughter.”

“So am I.” Kalli reminded her. “And I’m sorry. I should have asked you first.”

Celestea held her gaze for a long second before heaving a sigh. “Honestly, I can only pray that one day the two of you have children, and then you can see what it feels like to worry.”

A tiny voice from behind us said, “Don’t worry, your majesty. They both will and Queen Kaliphae’s will be twice as rambunctious.”

We turned just in time to see Crypian slink around the corner. Kalli chased after him, shouting, “Get back here! You did not just do what I think you did! You promised no more prophecies.”

Once she was out of earshot Celestea chuckled. She had a funny look in her eye so I asked, “What?”

Without missing a beat, she replied, “Oh, I just asked him to tell me about my future grandchildren.”

I can’t believe it. Kalli was livid. The nerve of him! After promising not to make any more prophecies about me too.

Personally, I didn’t mind prophecies about Kalli and I becoming a family. They always made me feel warm and toasty inside. We were a family.

You know your mom made him do it, right?

Righteous anger flared in her as she rounded on me. Oh, she’s going to hear all about it from me. She knew how I felt about his prophecies. I told her! I’m going to make him give her a prophecy just to see how she likes it.

That’s a terrible idea. What if he says something bad is going to happen to her?

Kalli gave me a scandalized look. I know. It’s not like I’m going to actually do it but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to.

I gave her a hug to try and take her mind off of things.

It’s late. We should call it a night.

Kalli stretched her arms above her head and a yawn slipped from her lips. You’re right. You should sleep over.

I didn’t give her a chance to have second thoughts and jumped into bed.

Let’s do this.

She stuck her tongue out. Not like that. We just need to go deal with something tomorrow morning and it would be best if you were here.

I was curious.

What are we doing tomorrow?

She gave me her most charming smile. Do you remember when mother said there were some strange people from Earth here on Gaia? Well, they went and set up camp. I told mother we would speak to them

Congratulations. You have reached level 37

Congratulations. You have reached level 38

Congratulations. You have reached level 30

Congratulations. You have reached level 31

We collapsed into each other’s arms as we entered the dream. “It’s been a while since we leveled together.”

Kalli grunted as she came down from the intense sensation. “Twice each. That was too much.”

I remembered she fell asleep back in Solitair. “Why didn’t you level up earlier when you fell asleep?”

She sighed, pushing herself away from me and stretching again. “I told you, I wasn’t sleeping. I was resting my eyes. There’s a difference.”

“Do you ever sleep without me?” I asked, not remembering the last time I dreamed alone. “What do you dream about?”

Kalli scratched the back of her head as she thought about it. “Actually, I don’t know. You’re always in my dreams, so I doubt I’d know if it wasn’t really you.”

“Are you real now?” I asked, starting to have doubts.

She gave me a playful look and danced around me. “Ask me something dream me might lie about?”

“Wanna do it?” I grinned, knowing full well how real Kalli would respond.

“No! Ew!” She gasped, shaking her head vigorously. “Why would you ask that, you know I’m not ready for that. I don’t want to be a mom yet.”

I stood up and put my hands on my hips. “Well, I bet dream you would have said yes.”

“No, she wouldn’t!” Kalli insisted. “Dream me has more integrity than that.”

I took a few steps forward and kissed her on the nose. “Are you sure?”

She kissed me back. “Quite sure!”

“So what should we do tonight?” I asked, giving her a serious look.

She pushed me away again. “I think we should work on our emotions. You know what I mean, so don’t even say what I know you’re thinking.”

I nodded and we sat on the floor, closing our eyes to focus on our mana. We managed the first stage almost instantly. Our cores were glassy smooth as we contained our emotions within. Then we slowly let it out along our connection.

Once that was done we focused on refining our individual emotions. Confidence for Kalli and Curiosity for me. Remembering that Iolathar mentioned that we never fully utilized our emotions in mana, I tried to focus my curiosity. To somehow make it stronger.

What even was a pure emotion? Was it feeling something so powerful that you became it? Did I have that much conviction? Well, maybe for Kalli.

For her, it was harder. I could feel her trying to be more confident. It was something that traditionally came from practice and experience. I sent her a little confidence of my own which only seemed to make her curious. Or was that her way of returning the favor?

We meditated for a couple of minutes. Or was it an hour? It could have been days. Time seemed to work differently when I focused internally. We meditated for so long that we forgot to make out.

I yawned, somehow not feeling rested despite oversleeping. Kalli was in a similar state as she pulled a pillow over her head. Ugh. Maybe we should start the day after lunch.

Unfortunately, her mom was having none of it. She barged into the Queen Suite and scowled at us. “If the two of you are going to blatantly be irresponsible, I am going to have insist on a royal wedding in the near future.

Kalli threw the pillow at her. “Mother! I am only sixteen years old. I’m not ready for all that yet.”

“Then perhaps I suggest a more appropriate sleeping arrangement.” Celestea countered, placing the pillow at the foot of the bed.

Kalli gave me a conspiratorial grin. Yeah! At your place next time.

Sounds good to me.

Celestea glared at us, obviously aware of the fact that we could communicate in private. “You were so well behaved as a child. Whatever happened to you?”

“I don’t know, mom,” Kalli muttered, using the informal variation of mother. “Someone abandoned me when I was little and I just turned out this way. At least Melvin takes me as I am.”

“I didn’t…” Celestea stammered, backpedaling while looking at me with a hurt look on her face. “I had to stay away for your safety. You couldn’t possibly understand how much it hurt not to look for you.”

“Mother, I…” Kalli began but Celestea had gone, the tapping of her shoes echoing down the hall as she ran.

Kalli turned to me, that same hurt look in her eyes that I had just seen in her mother. Am I wrong? She can’t keep treating me like a five-year-old. Even the castle acknowledges me. Why can’t she?

I had limited experience with parents. Just my mother who never was very strict. Unless you counted forcing me to eat my vegetables. If Kalli needed advice on that, I was an expert.

I think arguing with mom is just a right of passage that we all go through. Don’t worry, she still loves you.

Kalli sighed and made her way over to a wardrobe to select some clothes for the day. Her nightgown already morphed into her traditional dress so all she needed was clothes to go along with it.

While I didn’t like using the M armor as clothing, I did a sniff test on my clothes and they seemed fine. No need to go back to my room for a fresh set. Kalli wrinkled her nose and pointed to the bathroom in disgust.

A short while later, and wearing a clean outfit, I emerged and we made our way to the dining hall. The idea was to eat breakfast and go investigate the mysterious Earthlings. That was such a strange thing to say; Earthlings.

Gaia was suffering an alien invasion and I was being sent as the token alien to go sort them out. I felt kind of like Superman. There was a part of me that wanted to edit in some flight, super strength, and heat vision to play the part.

Laughing to myself, I shrugged it off. Another time. To both of our surprise, we found Charles, Kalli’s father, waiting for us in front of three heaping plates of food. He nodded solemnly to Kalli and pulled out a chair beside him. “Good morning, sweetheart. Have breakfast with your old man?”

Kalli gave me a look like a deer in the headlights. She was even more nervous than when we fought Mardella but she took her seat next to him anyhow. Charles smiled and pushed a plate at her. “I don’t know what you like anymore so I had the chef whip up some of everything. Come, Melvin, you too. Sit down. Please.”

I nodded and took a seat next to Kalli, careful to keep her between me and her father. We ate in silence for a few minutes before he started talking. “Look, honey, about your mother. She means well. It’s been hard for us. No, wait. It’s been even more difficult for you. I don’t want to lessen what you’ve been through. We both know you struggled in that orphanage. Also, we respect Melvin for everything he’s done for you and support your relationship with him. But, you see, you’re mighty young, and, well, sometimes kids don’t see clearly at your age. What you want today might not be the same thing you want tomorrow.”

Kalli chewed her food in silence for much longer than she needed. I could tell she didn’t want to swallow and be forced to answer. Finally, when she could delay no longer, she swallowed and haltingly replied. “I get it, father. Father. It still feels so weird to say that. I thought I was an orphan. I know you guys went through a rough time. You need to understand that Melvin is family to me. He has me and I have him. We’re a team. I don’t know what the future holds but I can’t see my life without him in it. I love you both, and I want you to know that I listen to you. I’ve thought about what mother said earlier and she’s right.”

My heart sank for just a moment. Then she continued. “I will marry Melvin.”

Both Charles and I choked on our food at the same moment. That was the last thing I’d have imagined Kalli saying and she was a part of me. The thought of marrying Kalli made me feel light as a feather.

“I’m in love with him and there’s no point pretending I’m not.” Kalli continued her speech. “Marriage is just a formality at this point. If doing it will appease mother, then that is what I’m going to do.”

Charles wiped at his bearded mouth with a napkin, clearing away food he coughed up. Then he sat there for a moment, staring wide-eyed at Kalli. When he was able to form words again, he said, “Look, honey. There is a protocol to these things. Especially among royalty. You see, first, your suitor needs to ask for your hand in marriage. Then, if I agree that he is suitable, we sit down with his parents and negotiate. There are things like dowry that must be discussed. We know nothing about his family for starters.”

“Well, my mom’s what you call a peasant.” I supplied helpfully, a lopsided grin on my face.

Kalli scowled at me. Not helping!

Charles ignored the exchange and asked, “What of your father? Do you know him?”

Kalli held up a finger and pointed out. “Melvin is a member of the prestigious M bloodline. His father is very important.”

“I did hear something about that at the negotiations with Dabia,” Charles replied, scratching his chin. “We will have to set up a meeting. Can you get your parents to visit Gaia or would it be best for us to come to Earth?”

I shook my head. “My mom’s missing and I’ve never met my dad. I suppose I can introduce you to my sisters, Kiki and Maya.”

“Maya Halifax is your sister?” Charles asked, his tone betraying his surprise. “That certainly helps matters. I’ll send a letter of request to her.”

“Request for what?” Kalli asked, raising her eyebrows.

Charles cleared his throat. “Well, for, uh, permission for Melvin to marry. These things are complicated, dear.”

Kalli shook her head. “I don’t need anybody’s permission to choose Melvin. Right, Mel?”

I threw my hands up in defense. “No. You don’t. Besides, I chose you first.”

Kalli snickered at me. “That’s debatable.”

“I did summon you, didn’t I?” I pointed out.

“Oh, now you’re trying to say you did that on purpose?” Kalli said with a smirk. “I call dibs. I kissed you first.”

I wasn’t sure if this was a battle I wanted to win but it sure was fun having it. Charles looked like he wanted to disappear. “Okay okay, fine. No negotiations. Just, please, no eloping. If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it properly. It will be a Queendom-wide affair. First, you will need to select a ring and propose properly. I can help with that.”

Kalli stood abruptly. Charles and I watched as she fished through her bag for a moment. Her hand emerged clutching the mana diamond we made together. “Melvin gave me this a while back and promised to make it into a ring for me. So that means you don’t have to worry about it.”

I grinned and we both watched Charles appraise the ring.

And you said you wouldn’t marry me for a long time. You didn’t even last a year.

She stuck out her tongue. Pfft, it’s not like we aren’t already pretty much married. We are both in this till death do us part. You gave me your last name. You even gave me the diamond and said it was for when you marry me. The only thing left to do is announce it to the world. I’m not ashamed of you. I don’t mind being Mrs. Murphy. But just so you know, that part about the kids, you will be waiting a long time for that, married or not.

Charles seemed satisfied with the diamond. “Would the two of you at least do me the honor of allowing me to have this made into a ring? I believe I know just the person to do it.”

Kalli smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “Sure thing, dad.”

He touched his cheek where she’d kissed him. “Say that again.”

She tilted her head in confusion. “Fine. You can make the ring. I’m sure I’m going to love it.”

“No.” He whispered. “You used to call me daddy when you were younger.”

Kalli blushed and glared at me. Then she turned back to Charles with a smile on her face. “Okay, daddy it is. Thanks, daddy.”