Her collapse was so sudden Korlon barely had time to catch her when she fell. Gasps of concern and surprise, including a small scream accompanied his searching gaze as he looked for the quickest, easiest escape route. Archer immediately began muscling his way past the gathering crowd, clearing the way for Korlon. Taan had jumped to his feet and security personnel rallied into their places. Galantyne was placating the assembly.

"Clear out!" Archer commanded, using his intimidating presence to get past.

"What has happened?" Taan was at Korlon's side.

"I doubt she has slept or eaten since Jerrika's disappearance." Korlon stated, scowling at those who might be thinking of intruding.

They made it to the outer chamber where a modicum of privacy was afforded, and several guards kept everyone else out. Belakane had managed to slip inside next to her brother.

"What is wrong with her?" She demanded, pushing her way to block Korlon's progress.

"Exhaustion." Korlon stated. "With your leave, sire." He gave his father a very stern glance, jerking his head in an upward motion. Archer understood the sign and nodded.

Taan ran a hand down his daughter's hair. "I will attend her myself. Take her to her rooms." He said with a final snap of his heels. "This celebration is too much for all of us under the circumstances."

Korlon turned to an exit door, and was again blocked by Belakane. "What circumstances, brother? Is Kara ill? Has she been indiscreet? Is she with child?"

Three pairs of male eyes darted to hers and then heavenward in exasperation. Taan ushered her back the way they had come. "Come, Bell, I will explain."

Korlon saw Kara's eyes flutter. "I'm taking her to her rooms, father. Will you attend us also?"

"I assume you are perfectly capable of handling her yourself, Korlon." His father's eyes were anxious, but a hint of amusement glanced through them. "You have been caring for her for ten years."

Korlon adjusted Kara in his arms and then nodded to Galantyne. "Gal."

"I can see she is exhausted. Take her to her rooms. She'll be safe there. Stay with her. I will be up directly after I settle affairs in the celebration. My father was right, all this pomp and circumstance should have been dispensed with in light of the present dangers."

"Maybe you should consider that it wasn't all the present dangers and circumstances that caused her collapse, but the rude and obnoxious accusations of Belakane's young princling. Evian deliberately goaded her."

"Evian? I thought Belakane inviting the boys was a bit overkill. Kara has never indicated to me that she was considering a proposal. The King would be hard pressed at this juncture to get her to agree. Unless, of course, the suitor were yourself." Galantyne smiled knowingly.

"Nothing has been settled, Gal, please don't---."

"I wouldn't dream of it. Your secret is safe with me."

"I am just concerned this incident has proved that Kara has enemies at court, those who would sabotage her efforts in any case."

"Take care of her for me, Korlon."

Korlon's dark head bowed in acknowledgment. "I'm taking the shortest route." He said and Galantyne's eyes widened as Korlon closed his eyes and stiffened in concentration, then suddenly disappeared.

Archer and Galantyne stared at the spot where Korlon had just been standing. Galantyne's eyes rose to meet his father's long-time advisor and friend. A tremor passed through both of them, at the expected, but disturbing act they had just witnessed. Then Galantyne pressed Archer back toward the doors firmly. "I didn't just see that."

******

Korlon arrived in the center of Kara's bed chamber, and quickly deposited her on her bed. Oh Kara, why push yourself so hard? I didn't teach you to be so rash and impulsive... With a few deft motions, he divested her of pointed heels and pulled back the blankets on her bed, knowing that they hadn't been slept in for quite a while. Her scent wafted up to him, and as he drew the blankets over her, he stayed close just a second longer than necessary. Oh Kara, how you affect me.... You don't even realize....

He stared at her face, a naked hunger in his eyes that he couldn't prevent now that they were alone. He could see frantic determination to grow up too fast. In her deepest darkest mind, she believed her birth had killed her mother. Now she'd lost the only sister she'd ever known.

His hand trailed back to her cheek, and ran just one finger down it, adjusting his mind's image for the time and distance between them. The childish image receded and in its place the lovely and very alluring woman. He backed away.

"Korlon."

Korlon spun around and kicked her clothes which had been lying in a pile on the floor. "Why does nobody clean up in here? She's a Princess! She deserves to be taken care of better!" He stooped and gathered the clothes into his arms in a frenzy and stalked into the adjoining washroom, leaving his father standing in the doorway. Archer closed the doors behind himself.

He followed his son, leaning on the carved door frame. "You should speak to Taan. The sooner the better. For both of your sake's."

"She's entirely focused on her goals right now." Korlon rested his head against his raised arm, not looking in the mirror where he knew his father could see the confusion in his eyes.

"Her goals would be more fully met by removing her from this place."

His eyes whipped around. "What do you mean?"

"It's time to retrieve the Harpyiae from Quildor's grasp."

"The dark magic is too strong. I cannot breach Adara's shields. If I could I would have gotten Jerrika already." His hand yanked at his hair, and then ran through it in fierce frustration as if just the thought of being inside Quildor's lair was his heart's desire.

"You brought Kara here, the two of you together. That's power of incredible force, Korlon, I know of no one who can teleport holding another person in their arms."

Korlon straightened, feeling his father's eyes on him. He had known since the onset of his mutation, that he had more control than the other boys he'd trained with. Sure, the mutation was stronger in some than others, that was a given fact, but for him, it was so much easier.

But there was another reason. "I can teleport her because she is Harpyiae."

"Kara.... Is Harpyiae?" Archer's ragged whisper was shocked as he took a step toward the bed. He stared into her face, longing and deeply hidden pain mirrored there for an instant. She was the image of his love, the image of perfection and loss.

"I have known for some time. She has transformed before me." Korlon came to stand on the side of the bed. "When she was thirteen Nimiane searched for her Kai, and settled on a Moon Fish, beautiful and ethereal. She went to the Open Sea, and waited until one came to her. One did. But just as it did, the largest bird she'd ever seen swooped down out of the heavens, dove straight into the water and snatched the Moon Fish out of her grasp. When Kara's kai meld was finished she had two kai, the fish and the bird. I believe the bird was not a kai, but an omen of her impending Harpyiae mutation."

"Who else has she transformed before? Taan?"

"To my knowledge, only herself and Jerrika."

"And you... and Nimiane." Archer's bent head, suddenly snapped up to stare at his son in realization. "If Nimiane knows...."

Korlon's own discernment caused his sharp intake of air as he gazed once more into the face of his angel. "Then it's possible that Quildor knows."

Archer swallowed. "It is time to appraise Galantyne and Taan of this situation. They could be blindly playing into the evil hands of those who would destroy them."

With a swish of his ceremonial robes, Archer departed through the doorway that led to the main part of the fortress leaving Korlon facing the bed and its precious occupant resolutely. He hadn't told his father the other important event that had transpired, just that afternoon, without ceremony or authority, he had begun the ritual that would bind him to Kara forever.

*****