Athanasia collapsed to the ground after passing through the portal.

      Traveling back in time had almost completely zapped her of her energy.

       Blood trickled from Athanasia's nose as she struggled to crawl forward.

       "Must get to Lukyan-" She gasped before continuing to push forward through the night toward the palace.

─┉─¡! • !¡─┉─

   The sounds of bard's instruments rang throughout the brightly lit palace.

     The group had been invited to a party held by Baron Elyjaaih Sítheach, son of Countess Una Sítheach—of course, they had met him through Pagan.

      Even though Jasoslav couldn't tell this version of Pagan a single thing about them being brother and sister, it did him good seeing her again; it had helped him significantly through the grieving process.

      Nobles danced around, joyfully—all of which were paranormal beings.

     "My Prince," Jasoslav's voice echoed.

     Lukyan gazed over. He seemed slightly surprised that Jasoslav had used his fake title issued by Koios-–not that Lukyan wasn't a prince; he just wasn't a prince of Athens. He'd be a siren prince though since his mother was the Queen.

      Jasoslav held a hand out to the siren. "May I have this dance?" 

         Lukyan grinned, taking Jasoslav's hand. "Yes you may."

         Jasoslav rushed after Lukyan after he had run off.

       "Luka," he began to call.

       "Go away," the young siren responded.

       "Luka, please," Jasoslav called.

       "I've done nothing to help her…. What kind of son am I?" Lukyan asked, sniffling.

        "The hero kind," Jasoslav began after taking a seat by Lukyan, rubbing his back, reassuringly.

        "What?" Lukyan questioned.

        "Well, my dad is an evil bastard," Jasoslav began to tell the siren, which Lukyan laughed a little at. "So is Lucifer. They want us for 'destroying the world and all the realms' purposes. So, if anything, us being in hiding is saving the world. Zephyria's gotta be proud of that—she's gotta be proud of you."

       Lukyan smiled a little.

       "Here. Let me get that." Jasoslav leaned forward to wipe the tears off Lukyan's face just like the siren had done for him back in the barn in Ewionys.

     The two made their way into the floor of the ballroom.

       They danced for a little bit—trying to sample the movements everyone around them made.

     Jasoslav twirled Lukyan in a circle—and for a moment, it felt as though there was nothing around them.

        "Pagan's got us in invited to Elyjaaih's ball, hasn't she?" Lukyan asked, adjusting the coat he had.

         Jasoslav laughed. "Yep. We'll be dancing with all of the big wigs."

         "Your necklace is lopsided," Lukyan told him.

         The necklace in question Jasoslav had bought from a peasant who was selling trinkets like that.

          He had gotten Lukyan a matching one and said it was a 'souvenir' of their trip.

     Lukyan moved forward, adjusting how Jasoslav's necklace sat. When he looked up, he realized how close he was to the demon.  His eyes gazed upon Jasoslav's lips. The siren hesitated before leaning forward, kissing Jasoslav.

          Lukyan was surprised when Jasoslav didn't pull away—it was like he welcomed the kiss.

        "Happy Samhain, everyone!" Elyjaaih's voice crescendoed through the ballroom.

       That was promptly followed by roars and cheers from the noble monsters on the dance floor.

         Jasoslav twirled Lukyan once again, this time pulling him closer to place a kiss on his lips.

         Akachi clapped. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything."

       Jasoslav and Lukyan broke away.

       "No, of course not," Jasoslav told Akachi. Just then he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around, his red eyes growing wide. "Y-you." He stammered.

      Athanasia stood there before him, looking somewhat weak.

    Akachi and Lukyan both turned to face Athanasia.

          "What do you want?" Akachi asked, sounding irritated.

         "We've gotta tell Koios we've been found," Lukyan insisted.

        "Please. Just hear me out," Athanasia plead, sounding desperate.

       Jasoslav sighed. "Fine."

       "Look, I know you might think I'm one of Lucifer's lackeys, but I'm not. I swear. I just wanted to warn you that Decimus may catch on to where you are soon," Athanasia told the group.

       Akachi eyed her. "Why should we trust you? You could be just trying to earn our trust just to stab us in the back."

      "You're right…" Athanasia began, sighing. "You shouldn't trust me. The things I've done…" She took a deep breath. "Distrust me if you want… but if I meant you harm, I wouldn't have opened the rift for you back at the inn a couple of years ago…"

       "She's got a point," Lukyan commented.

   Athanasia continued, "...and I wouldn't be planning a plot to free Zephyria."

      Jasoslav looked like he was thinking about what Athanasia said for a bit.

      "I-" Athanasia drifted off.

       A familiar siren's voice rang out from behind Athanasia…Zephyria. "Athanasia?"