I officially knew where Niko's office was and I was pleased. His study was entirely too large. He had a desk filled with paperwork and books atop. Besides this, a fireplace with large sofas and a coffee table was set up. And adjacent rooms held a resting room; a simple bed chamber for when he worked overtime. Attached to the other side was a bath for the same reasons.

At first, I stayed on one of the sofas to begin my needlework. After some time of trying to work on the handkerchief, I felt deprived. So I'd moved my chair across the study and next to Niko's desk. When he didn't complain, but rather glanced at me with a look of amusement, I continued my task happily.

I planned on designing the Veil Family Crest for his handkerchief, and luckily the design was stamped in various places within the castle including in Niko's office. The crest was simply: two crossing shadow blades, a crown on top, and what looked like two black wolfs facing opposite directions on the bottom corners. However, they looked more like Prince than wolves, but I was certain daemons didn't like shadow daemons.

"Are the two wolves on your family crest shadow daemons," I asked quietly, trying not to disturb Niko too much, but too curious to remain quiet. He looked at me and then at the crest on one of the figurines on his desk.

"They are," He confirmed simply.

"But I thought you all didn't like shadow daemons." I quickly added before Niko would return to his work.

"Shadow Daemons are considered our family's patron beast; for their ruthlessness and intelligence. That's why you found one in our garden. But they're not usually so docile and obedient to anyone. Your beast must be in love with you," Niko teased with amusement before pausing to think over something. "If he remains loyal, your beast will become a worthy guard for you. They grow to be larger than you or I. If he shows any sign of aggression towards you, even a small amount, you need to tell someone. Once he's that big, he won't be easy to destroy."

"You won't need to destroy Prince," I huffed before stating firmly, "He'll never turn on me. He might bite Kol's head off, though."

"Kol thinks about destroying him every time he sees him. You're the only reason... ah, he would hate if I spoke his mind," Niko stated before frowning. I remembered the last time Kol spoke of Niko's mind and began to blush. Niko was watching me and suddenly lifted his hand to run through his hair uncomfortably. "Right, he spoke my mind before."

So it was true. I got impossibly redder.

"Well then, I'll speak his. Would you like to know why Kol hasn't come to see you for a few days?" He asked me, his voice serious as though the answer would not be the best one. When I didn't reply immediately, he continued, "There are two reasons, both to do with you. You may enjoy one, but the other I'm afraid you may not."

"W-what's the reasons?" I asked curiously, but afraid.

"The first reason is simply because Kol likes you and doesn't like that he likes you. He brought you here to torture you slowly and in turn to make me suffer, but now he can't even kill a shadow daemon because he doesn't like it when you cry," Niko read off the words as though from a book in Kol's old thoughts. My skin heated at the words and I realized Niko was right; I enjoyed this reason. It meant my love for Kol may not have been so one-sided. As for my love for Niko...

"What of the second reason?" I inquired carefully.

"Your family is coming," Niko stated, shutting the book he'd been reading as though preparing for my reaction. I hesitated, wondering if he was honest.

"My family? Is coming?" I repeated uncertainly. Then it clicked. I was going to see my family again. I put down the needlework and stood up sharply. And then I realized something else. "Wait. They're coming here?"

"They're coming here," Niko confirmed, "Kol had a messaged delivered, summoning them and as he said 'especially the three brats'. But rest assured, Rin, he didn't summon them to harm them. He summoned them for you to see them again."

"They can't come here, it's too dangerous! Especially for the little ones," I rejected the idea immediately, wringing my hands together nervously and I thought of it. A part of me wanted to run outside, swim across the Division, and then demand them to remain home at all times where it was safe. "We must send them a message to cancel the summons."

"It's too late. They'll already be on their way here. I suspect they'll arrive in just a day or two," Niko said before standing to walk towards me. He reached for me, gripping my upper arms softly. Then he continued, "I will make sure they're all protected. I'll post a guard for each one of your family and demand no room for accidents. I'll announce they're royal guests and any attempts to harm them will result in a death sentence. I'll protect them, I swear it."

"Do you really swear, Niko? You must really swear it," I said with a fierce intensity.

"I swear I'll protect your family," Niko repeated.

"Because if they're hurt, I swear I'll be hurt. And if any of them die, I swear I will die, too," I answered firmly, my fear still alive despite his attempts to quell it.

"I won't let that happen," Niko said determinedly.

I stared at him for a moment, trying to decide if I could truly trust Niko, but then I nodded. "Okay. I'll leave them in your hands." I suppose the protection of a Prince was the next best thing to the best protection I could get for my family, besides that of the King himself.

"We'll have a welcome party when your family arrives. It will be a smaller event; fewer daemons will be there as compared to your last banquet. It'll leave less room for mistakes," Niko warned me carefully before releasing me. I nodded, remembering that Kol had been the one at the last banquet. A thought came to mind and I suddenly felt shy.

"Okay," I said quietly, lifting my hand to my lips as though trying to hide my words before saying them. "Does this mean you'll be the one at the event this time, Niko?"

"Yes, I should," Niko replied, peering at me curiously.

"Then, will you dance with me?" I asked far too early. My dance with Kol had been exhilarating and a bit overwhelming. I wondered if a dance with Niko would be slow and romantic. I wanted to experience it.

"Of course, if I can drag you away from your family first," Niko responded with amusement. It was only then that it finally hit me.

"Ah! They're really coming?" I asked him as though the entire conversation hadn't happened. "They're coming! I'm going to see my family again..." I suddenly sat down and stared at nothing. Niko laughed and took his seat at his desk as well.

We worked mostly in silence from that point until dinner. I tried to focus, but my mind was swimming with thoughts of my family; thoughts of how to protect them and also what I'd say when I'd see them again. My mind was so consumed with it, that I ate dinner without responding much to conversations. However, Niko would only chuckle in amusement at my lack of reaction to his words as though he knew what I thought of.

I was led absently through the halls by Niko and I was so consumed that I didn't realize Niko had stopped before a separate door than the usual that contained Niko's bedchambers, or at least one of them. I looked from the door to Niko with surprise.

"What's this?" I asked curiously.

"Something I ordered awhile back. Kol didn't like the idea. He prefers you in his own room. Come, see," Niko reached for one of the double doors and opened it easily. Inside was a vast bedchamber, larger than the one I'd been in previously and larger than my room at home, and it was adorn in pearly whites and sapphire blues.

I gasped as my eyes overlooked the room decorated and designed specifically for me. A large diamond chandelier hung from the center of the vaulted ceiling. The bed was large and held a silky white canopy with pearls hanging along the fabric of the curtains. On the opposite side of the room was a large receiving area where I might have visitors for tea beside a fireplace.

Niko was standing next to the window waiting for me. When I looked to him, he smiled.

"This is a specialty for your room only," Niko said to me easily before pulling back the heavy curtains to reveal a glass double door with access to a patio outside.

"This is-" I began, opening the door to step outside. The sun wasn't up yet, but I could see a faint glow in the distance that spoke of its growing existence. "You faced me towards the rising sun."

"You shouldn't have problems with nightburn any longer," Niko said and I turned to him with a wealth of emotions. I abruptly stepped forward and hugged him, causing him to tense in response.

"Thank you," I breathed happily.

"It was nothing, honestly," Niko responded, gripping my shoulders to pull me back, "I have more to show you if you're ready." I nodded eagerly, wondering what else he could have in store.

Niko first showed me the bath connected to my bedroom, and then the wardrobe room in which he'd already had all my things transferred over from the previous wardrobe. There seemed to be a vast amount of more jewels than I recalled. Across from my room was a waiting room, specifically for visitors to speak with me without having access to my own room. And besides this was a large library that smelled entirely new, which told me Niko must've created it just for me after hearing how often I went to his personal library.

Beyond this were four guest bedrooms, where my family would stay not far from me when they came to visit. No one else was allowed in these bedrooms, apparently. I'd laughed seeing the four rooms, knowing that the triplets would all sleep in the same bed or just sleep with me if possible.

I stood before Niko once the tour was complete.

"You nearly gave me an entire wing to myself," I said with a shy smile.

"I did," Niko stated simply, "The only other rooms nearby are for your personal handmaids and in the furthest room, your personal guard." I tensed at the mention of Gio, recalling his blade just before my face not too long ago.

"If I could replace him for you, I would," Niko told me with a frown when seeing my reaction. I understood why it would be difficult. Gio knew what I was, which stood to reason if anyone else guarded me, they also would learn what I was. It was better to keep the amount of people who knew to the minimum. "The only thing I request is that when you have your window curtains open, you make sure the door is locked. That way you don't burn a daemon or your shadow beast."

"Okay," I whispered quietly. "Will you stay with me?" My cheeks blushed at my own daring question. Niko eyes lit up almost immediately, but then he closed his eyes as though to reel back any ideas towards staying with me for the day as Kol had.

"I don't think that would be a good idea," Niko finally answered, his voice low.

"Then, may I kiss you?" I asked sweetly, lifting my fingers to trace my lips shyly. Niko was looking at me as though caught. Had he thought my feelings only extended to Kol? If so, I wanted to try to convey to him my feelings for him as well. Either way, he composed himself fairly quickly, looking away.

"Is that your wish for the gift?" Niko asked slyly. I lowered my hand with a frown of unhappiness. I didn't want to use my wish yet for something so small. I wasn't sure what I wanted to wish for, but it would be something much grander than just a kiss.

"No," I pouted, causing Niko to look to me with amusement. After a moment, he stepped forward, grasping my face lightly in his grip before brushing his lips over mine. It was a soft kiss and sweet. Even when I parted my lips for him to deepen it, there was something luxurious in the way he did so that spoke of adoration rather than possession. I felt lost in it.

Niko released me with a huff of breath, a hunger alight in his eyes.

"You shouldn't want me, Rin. Neither me or Kol. It's not safe here for you with us," Niko warned me, but before I could argue with his statement, he was already walking away and leaving me on my own. I touched my lips where his had just been, frowning because I wanted more.

I looked around briefly.

"Prince?" I asked curiously. Had he come to my new room? My question was answered when he appeared out of the shadows like a ghost and stood before me expectantly. I looked at him for a moment, then pet his head back behind his ears happily. "Follow me, Prince." I led him into my personal bedchamber.

Once I was no longer in the hall, I got on my knees before Prince. He'd already grown further in the short time since I'd last seen him. His form was taller than mine when I was on my knees. I continued to pet him, stroking his fur slowly as I thought of my family. Prince could swallow my siblings whole if he wanted to; after all, they were human. But for me, I felt I could trust him.

"Prince, my family is coming soon," I told him quietly as I pet him, "I have three siblings; one brother and two sisters. They're only 5 years old and they're human, so they'll need protecting while they're here. I want you to stick to them like you've stuck to me, and I want you to protect them until they're safely heading home. Will you do this for me, handsome?"

Prince didn't appear happy about the request, but he didn't storm off in clear rejection. He ducked his head and licked my hand in acceptance. A warmth of joy flooded me and I leaned forward to wrap my arms around him in a hug. Even if he couldn't talk to me, and even if I didn't have anyone to call a friend here, at least I had Prince.

~...~

I spent the next day exclusively within my bedchamber, bath, and wardrobe room. I spoke to Vienna and Shan, asking that they tell me as soon as my family arrived; be it today or tomorrow. I spent the rest of the time on my patio, looking out to the distance as though I'd see them come before they'd even arrive. Of course, this wasn't the only reason I stayed hidden in my room.

Gio was guaranteed to be just outside my room. I wasn't ready to face him yet, but I knew I would be able to eventually. After all, he was only following the orders of his Prince; a man he'd sworn his own life to. It was just my mistake to think the whims he had of harming me were in the hands of the Prince's orders.

I took breakfast, lunch, and dinner in my room stubbornly. And when it began to turn day, I asked Prince to stay in the wardrobe room where I'd had a smaller bed fashioned for him, before leaving my window open to watch the sun rise. My soul felt heated with the sun as though its rays were feeding a deeper part of me. I felt I could bathe in it. I made sure the doors were all locked and then I went to sleep with the sun shining over my bed soothingly.

A knocking on my door woke me when the sun had already fallen.

"Lady Corrine, your family has arrived," Vienna called from the door eagerly. I literally rolled out of bed, falling to the floor, and sat up sharply. I quickly unlocked the door and stepped back.

"Come in!" I cried out with too much excitement to Vienna. Both her and Shan came in, noting the open window. Shan went to close the window while Vienna moved straight to me. "Where are they?"

"They're meeting with the King, my Lady. I'm not sure where they'll be after that," Vienna hurriedly answered.

"Ah, I want to get ready as fast as I can," I said quickly, ignoring Vienna's fussing as I ran to my bedroom door.

"My Lady!" Vienna called out, rushing after me with a cover, but I was too quick.

I opened my bedroom door and cried out before I could even see him, "Gio!"

"Yes, Lady Corrine," Gio answered from across the hall, holding his hand over his chest formally. I ignored his apologetic actions during this situation.

"I need you to go to where my family is greeting the King. Follow them and report back to me where they're taken. I want to see them as soon as possible," I ordered quickly. Gio looked stunned, both by my appearance and my forwardness in talking to him.

"I'm not supposed to leave your side, my Lady," Gio said hesitantly.

"Fine. I can send one of my maids and you can help with the bath and wardrobe change," I suggested instead, not actually serious, but by the way Gio froze he obviously thought I might be considering such actions in a moment of insanity.

"I'll go to your family right away," Gio responded hastily before taking off down the hall. Satisfied, I went back into my room. Vienna and Shan were in a rush as they moved around me. They quickly helped me take a quick bath and then they helped me get dressed and prepared. I still felt it was taking too long and I hadn't heard a knock from Gio as of yet.

Once dressed, I decided I would go to see where my family was myself. Vienna and Shan rushed after me, pleading for me to wait, but I opened my door and turned down the hall. At the end of the half, I heard the sound of children talking loudly and froze.

"Woah, look at that," Lupa's voice rang out.

"That picture's scary," Liza responded.

"That's gonna happen to Lupa," Rory mused wisely as he looked at the painting of a vicious fight to the death on the wall of the hallway. On either side of the children were my father, who was looking down at them carefully, and Sylvia who had already spotted me in the distance and stopped. A fleet of guards followed them, one for each family member as promised, and before them was Gio leading the way towards me.

All eyes landed on me. I wondered for a moment if it was just a vision, but my concerns were quickly thrown aside.

"Rin!" All three children cried out in unison. Without waiting for permission, the three of them dodged the hands of father and Sylvia, running full speed towards me. Tears immediately sprang to my eyes and bent down to my knees, opening my arms for them. In record speed, the three of them launched themselves into my arms, clinging to me almost painfully.

"Rory, Liza, Lupa," I said their names before repeating them again, "I've missed you and oh you've all grown so much already." I couldn't even see them beyond the mass of blonde curls and clinging arms, but I was just so happy to see them that I could've held onto them forever.

I stood to my feet with amazing strength, just as I used to with them clinging to me during games, and then I spun in a circle causing laughter to ripple from their little bodies. When I lowered back to the ground, the three of them began to let go to speak to me.

"I heard you're gonna be a princess," Liza said shyly.

"You'll be a princess' sister," I told her in response, poking her nose teasingly.

"Isn't the Prince...," Lupa looked around as though looking for Niko, "... a Mad Prince?"

"Well...," I wasn't sure how to answer her question.

"How do you keep him from being angry?" Lupa continued.

"Mom bakes Dad cookies. He like raspberries, the ones with some salt on it," Rory advised me wisely.

"No, she makes him chocolate chip," Lupa argued immediately.

"No, stupid," Rory responded with a huff.

"Rory Alexander Adara, do not call your sister stupid," Sylvia suddenly scolded and suddenly all four of us were standing to attention before her in preparation for any disciplinary actions. Sylvia looked to me and her face softened. "I hope you've been doing well, Corrine."