Sue-anne's view

We followed the two guards to what appeared to be a lodge of some description. It was the only permanent building in this whole camp, the rest were tents. There were what appeared to be another pair of guards at the front double door entrance.

I have never seen such intricate doors in my entire life. They were in an arch shape, but were a mix of wood, glass and pebbles. The glass and pebbles looked a bit like a stream that ran next to the wood which had carved on it sheeves of flowering wild grass and a wild flying bird up the top. It looked a bit like an eagle, but I was not sure as it was a lot smaller than one. Perhaps it was artistic license.

The pair guarding those doors spoke to the pair leading us then opened the double doors for us to enter.

I was astonished to see an open room with high vaulted ceilings with a rich decorative red-carpet runner running down the centre of almost the entire room, either side of the runner were extremely beautifully polished dark wood floors. The floors and ceilings looked to be the same color. The walls were like a brick in look, but I wondered if it was as the outside of the lodge was clearly wood.

In fact, I would not have thought this room would have been in the lodge from what I saw outside. But one could never tell a book by its cover. To the left was a massive fireplace which was unlit, the room was cool but not hot, and at the end of the runner were 3 chairs. A massive chair and 2 smaller chairs. There appeared to be a small table between the chairs which had a tray of food and a goblet on it.

There was a man on the middle chair, he appeared only half dressed in what appeared to be black leather pants similar to what Kell was wearing. He had one leg draped over one chair arm and one of his arms draped over the other chair arm. In his hand not draped over the chair he held a bunch of grapes and he was about to eat one when he noticed us.

He finished his movement and ate a mouthful of grapes. With a fluid movement he sat up, placed the grapes down and walked to me. Our matching red eyes had locked together and I felt a schwing like I had with Kell.

"Mother?" he queried as he came over, he looked excited and happy for a moment. A stark contrast in look to the bored self-indulgent lounging person of before. I ducked behind Kell hugging him like I would a security blanket. Kell chuckled, and brought me back to his side but his arms were securely around me.

"No! You are not mother!" the handsome lilac man pronounced as he tilted my head looking into my eyes. Kell stood there glaring at the man who had entered our space. The man took a step back, tilted his long red-haired head, "If you are not mother, who exactly are you? And why do you look like mother? Why have I not seen you before?"

"Prince Ga.." our captors started.

"I was not talking to you!" he cut off the guard before he finished speaking, and he nodded towards us, "I was talking to them. I asked them a question, well specifically the girl. I expect them to answer." And looked expectantly at us.

I felt the pressure in his eyes, coaxing my words out of me, I unwillingly uttered, "My name is Sue-Anne Torbrok and this is my husband Kell."

I do not know why I introduced Kell like that, perhaps it was because of the schwing I was feeling that I did not want, or perhaps I felt safer being known as Kell's wife, either way, I had spoken. I felt a thrill run through Kell at my introduction of him.

"You know using that surname can get you into a lot of trouble," commented the man who still had not introduced himself.

"It can?" I wondered at his statement, "But who are you to say so? It has been our name since we were born."

A look of confusion was glimpsed for a second before a hardened calculating look filled his face. "Are you trying to deceive me? You say you had the same name since you were born and you are married? How can this be? Torbrok is not a usual name you know."

"I know, but we are distant relatives. We have the same great great grandmother," I felt compelled to explain, "But different great great grandfathers."

"Really? And what were their names?" he folded his arms before one hand went to his face showing his interest. I got the impression that not much interested him, and that the fact he was sober at the moment was a rare thing, judging by the expressions around him.

The women in the courtroom were scantily clad, as if trying to get this man's attention for the day. The women were looking at me as if I was dinner, something to be dissected and pulled apart. I ignored them though, I had Kell, although we had not done anything yet I knew deep in my heart, I would always be his. With this thought I responded to the question, "I would be glad to answer but please could you tell me who I am addressing?"

Everyone's faces, and I mean everyone's except for Kell's, looked at me in horror as if I was stupid and I should know who this was. But I did not know, I knew nothing of this land.

"Really? You do not know who I am?" he asked astonished.

"No," I admit, "I know nothing of this land except stories."

An idea formed in his head then, I could see it, "Tell me, are you from the human world?"

"We are," I nodded.

"So, you are human," he mused looking at me before looking at Kai, "but clearly you are not. What are you? And how do you have the same great great grandmother?"

"I am known as the prince of the fae in the human world, but my father says in the fae, I am just a marquis," Kell responded before falling silent.

"So, you are a prince then," returned the man we still did not know his name, "Well Prince Kell, my name is Prince Garvan Torbrok. I only just found out that was my real name recently, before then I thought I was Prince Garvan Morrowind. Why am I telling you this? Its none of your business! And both of you still have not answered my question, who is your great great grandparents?"

I looked up at Kell and our eyes had a silent conversation, Kell squeezed my shoulder, and I knew he wanted me to say, but before I spoke he kissed my forehead. I turned back to Garvan and to my surprise there was a jealous hungry look in his eyes.

The look threw me off balance, so I stuttered, "O-our g-great great grandmother was known as Susan Torbrok." An exclamation rippled through the court at my words causing me to falter, "What? What is with everyone's reaction?" I demanded of Garvan who had turned white as a ghost.

"I can see your serious, but if this is true, you both are my great great niece and nephew." He fell silent before speaking again, "This matter is not for the court room, but rather a private matter. Please follow me!"

Seeing that we had little choice in the matter, and apparently, we were family, we followed him out of the court room and to a small but cozy sitting room. Garvan collapsed on what appeared to be a daybed type chair and indicated for us to sit on a nearby loveseat.

"Sorry about this," he said as he lounged on the chair. I think he must have known his sex appeal, but did little to hide it. It was then I noticed his tattoo on his shoulder.

"Kai," I spoke quietly so that only Kai could here, Kai tilted his head and looked at me, waiting for me to continue.

"His tattoo. Is it just me or is it the same as what is on your arm?" I question him.

"It is the same," Kai murmured back.

"What does that mean?" I asked him.

"I do not know," he responded, "I am more than a little concerned by it."

"What are you two talking about?" asked Garvan, clearly curious about our little interaction.

"Nothing much," I responded, before deflecting the question, "What do you mean we are your great great niece and nephew?"

"Susan and Coran are my real parents," Gavan said.

"So, you would be my great great Uncle?" I asked puzzled, "But what do you mean real parents?"

"Yes, and as I said earlier, I only just recently found it out and I still have not gotten over the fact who I thought were my parents had hidden it from me. Their excuse was rather pathetic if you ask me. It's the reason I have been here the last 5 years or so."

"Oh, who did you think were your parents?"

"Elizabeth and Tyvan Morrowind, the now drow king and queen. Although Elizabeth is human, she was the Priestess of Aine until my sister AheLee took over." He said it in a regretful voice like something had broken in him.

"What happened?" I ask leaning forward, curious as to the first real emotion I saw in him, one that was not self-centered or self-serving.

Garvan looked tempted to share, but for some reason did not, "Another time, perhaps," he said, "So who is your great great grandfather Kell?"

"Kai Atwater he was known as before he became Kai Torbrok," Kell said.

"So, we really are related...huh! Who would have thought!" Garvan commented.

Silence filled the room and I kept looking at his tattoo. Garvan could not help but notice my curiosity.

"Ok, out with it," he said a bit testily, "What is bothering you?"

I was totally embarrassed by being caught out, "It's nothing..." I attempted not to answer.

"It clearly is not nothing. Even though I have not known you for long, I can see something is bothering you. Now what is it?"

"Your tattoo," Kai spoke for me, "Could you tell us about it?"

"My tattoo?" Garvan's eyebrows shot up in surprise, "Oh, Aine gave it to me as a consolation. She said that my life belonged to a married pair, one of whom had a matching tattoo, not necessarily in the same spot, but matching."

Kell and I froze at his words. I buried myself in Kell's chest. Surely not? Surely not... We only just got married and here we are being told that we are meant for another too. I don't want this! This is too much.

Garvan noting my reaction asked, "Is something wrong? Do you know someone with a matching tattoo?"

"I am sorry," Kell spoke, "We are just feeling overwhelmed with everything. We only arrived in the fae last night, and to find we have family here... Neither of us was expecting it.

"I see, do you want to be alone for a bit, or perhaps you would like a tour?" Garvan smiled a genuine smile, one that went straight to my heart, the schwing was back. Garvan's smile faltered a bit as if he wondered at this feeling he was feeling. I know I certainly was bothered by it, and him.

"Would you mind terribly if we were alone till lunch and then take us touring?" I asked.

"Not a problem," Garvan smiled, "Do you want to return to your sleeping quarters or would you rather a room here? That tent was designed for Kailana and Daniel when they come."

"Who are they?" I ask.

"Kailana is Kai's sister; Daniel is Susan's earth father." He explained to us, "Perhaps when we tour, I can explain the family here."

"I would like that, Thanks!" I responded as Garvan got up.

"Come on," he offered his hand to me, I took it without thinking.

He pulled me up and into a hug earning a shove from me, "Don't!" I say emphatically.

He laughed and walked out the door earning himself a hard glare from both Kell and I. We followed anyway. As we exited the door Garvan announced to everyone, "This pair are indeed Torbroks. Treat them accordingly." Then walked off leaving us to our own devices.

Seeing he was leaving us to our own devices, we left and headed back to our tent to have a rest and process everything that had happened.

🍀A/N Please vote if you enjoyed this chapter. If you see any errors please let me know as this is unedited. 🍀