The others, except Kabuto, Alia, and Farkas, immediately tackled Stell in a tight hug and cheered happily. Alia thanked Stell calmly while the witch was still being hugged to death by the others. Kabuto just stood looking to her in silent shock. Stell wondered if she was getting close to breaking him and forcing him to stop trying to figure her out. It would make this trip twice as amazing, not even the dragon lands would bring her down now.

The maid from earlier named Mrs. Lilypad then offered to show everyone to where they could get new clothes and patch up their old ones. Kabuto and Tak traded their torn buckskins for new pairs of shirts and pants, Kabuto keeping his boots while Tak kept his leather shoes. Alia, Thorne, and Reuben chose to change their clothes and take robes with magical looking symbols sewn into them. Carla remained in her white button-up with red sash, black pants, and dark brown boots. Stell used a sewing kit to fix up the tear in her skirt from using it as a rag for Tak and patched up a couple holes in her shirt. She let her hair down, planning on putting it back up after the hot springs. Unie kept her dress, saying her mother had made it for her with her own hands.

Mrs. Lilypad then led the group to the hot springs, which were in the garden of the castle. The fairy maid led them down a wooded path where tiny creatures Reuben called pixies fluttered around their heads, carrying leaves filled with water and pushing aside tree limbs to let sunlight in on the path.

Reuben explained to Thorne that pixies were what helped nature grow by placing certain plants and fertilizers down in spots in need of life. He then explained that when a pixie passed away, the others buried it with a seed and watered the soil where it was buried and when a plant grew, a new pixie was born from the plant.

Stell then thought back to the tree that was in the green house and wondered if that could've been a pixie once. If it had been was another pixie born from it and was it flying around now? She wished she could have more time to learn more about the world she lived in. Maybe when she got the book Wendy would tell her or she could return to this forest and learn from Celeste. Maybe the book had answers as well. Too many questions that probably needed to be saved for later.

The meer sight of the springs already made Stell beam. The steam rising from the water as falls poured into the water. A rock wall was built in the middle of the hot springs, separating it into two. Mrs. Lilypad explained that the right side belonged to the girls while the left was for boys. She pointed over a couple of shacks beyond the springs and told them they could change and find towels in them. The fairy then bowed and left the others to their own business.

Unie, Stell, Carla, and Thorne raced one another to the shack, leaving Alia who decided to walk after them. Farkas and Harry went off with the men, despite not having any clothes to take off. Though, Stell assumed Thorne considered her bandana on Harry as a form of clothing.

Once the girls had undressed, they made their way to the springs and climbed into the calming warmth of the water. Stell couldn't remember the last time she felt such warmth. It had been her first real bath since she was taken from her home. It felt amazing, almost drawing her to tears. It would all be over soon and she'd never have to deal with Kespain and the Mallors again. Still, even if her horrible past would be gone, so would Tak, Unie, and Carla. She could stay in touch with the necromancers and possibly with Celeste if she permitted it, but it would be much harder to keep up with everyone in Kespain and in the sky. If only she had let the dragon eat her. If only she had let Xyla kill her.

The witch then shook the thoughts away. She needed to stop thinking about the past and the future. She needed to think about getting to the Grimorie now. She needed to stop Alabaster. She needed to enjoy the springs.

When everyone had been soaked through and warmed, they made their way out the springs and back to the shacks to get dressed. Stell's clothes felt softer on her skin and smelled wonderfully when she took a waft of them.

Upon stepping out, the girls ran into the boys as they stepped out their snacks. Farkas and Harry ran to their masters, Harry hopping into Thorne's hands, looking fluffier and whiter. Farkas' fur looked shinier as the setting sunlight shone down on him. Kabuto was still buttoning up his new white shirt as he walked over to join everyone else. Through the unbuttoned top, Stell could see evidence of many scars that looked big enough to have once been life threatening gashes.

Stell held her tongue, wanting to stay on the shadows good side for as long as she could. She just hoped his suspicious behavior had died down a bit since saving each other's lives and the playful banter they had that morning.

Mrs. Lilypad greeted the group when they returned to the castle and told them that the queen and king would be accompanying their dinner. Stell looked to Tak and willed the boy to behave himself when eating with the king and queen, wanting to stay on their good side as well. Though Celeste seemed to trust Stell, the elf queen didn't seem to trust the others nor did it seem she even liked them.

They followed Mrs. Lilypad to the dining room where other fairy servants were setting the table, Celeste and her husband Lloyd already seating at the head of the table. The elf queen motioned for Stell to sit by her and the witch obliged happily. Unie and Tak fought over who would sit next to Stell, but Carla ended up winning, shooting the two a sly smile. Unie ended up sitting next to the vampire while Tak sat next to the nymph, leaving Kabuto to sit next to his fire mage friend. The necromancers went and sat across from Stell and the others, Farkas and Harry sitting in the chairs next to their masters. The king and queen didn't seem to mind the animals at the table, Lloyd drooling as he looked over the food and Celeste rubbing her stomach.

"I trust the hot springs were to your liking?" Celeste asked, taking a sip of a lime green nectar that was in her grass vine intwined glass.

"Yes, it was absolutely soothing," Stell smiled. "I've never been in one before, but I've always dreamed of it."

"Good," Celeste nodded, "I'm glad you've enjoyed our springs; they have been here for over a century now."

"We barely get to use it these days," Lloyd spoke, swallowing a mouth full of food, "what with the fairy king breathing down our necks to keep this forest safe from those Mallor bastards. Did you hear that they're planning on sending soldiers to Sefloria to recruit some warlocks and sorcerers? Shadows and spell casting magic, sounds like an absolute nightmare."

"Darling," Celeste gave the king a look.

"Sorry," Lloyd nodded to Stell and eying Kabuto.

"It will be a nightmare for Mallors when Stell gets the Grimorie!" Tak exclaimed, his mouth filled with fruit. "With her magic and my master's shadow, those Mallors won't know what hit them!"

"Don't eat with your mouth full," Kabuto ordered as he ate his food. He then turned to Celeste and Lloyd. "I don't take offense to anything you have to say about the Mallors. I'm ashamed of my kingdom for cowering under his reign and if they're coming to Sefloria to take some of its people, then I hope you can find an ally in me to help you stop them from coming near this land."

"An ally of Miss Mooney's is an ally of mine," Celeste agreed eating her food refinely, "if she will fight on your side then I shall too."

Kabuto looked to Stell and the witch could feel Celeste shooting a look to him. Nerves made her snatch up her fork and began eating speedily, her face feeling hot. How in the world did she get in the middle of a possible war?

"I have spoken to the fairy king," Celeste went on, "he has given me his confirmation that you all are permitted to leave this forest without any trouble, so long as you don't take any of the plant-life or disturb the pixies."

"But of course," Reuben smiled widely, "we would never!"

"You were going to steal some the herbs, Reuben, don't lie," Alia growled at the older necromancer. Farkas growled his agreement from his plate.

The two went on arguing as everyone else went on eating in peace.

"If you don't mind me saying," Kabuto spoke, looking at Lloyd, "I didn't think elves and humans were any more on good terms than witches and shadows."

"Well, I'm not a human," Lloyd replied, "I'm a werewolf."

"A werewolf and an elf?" Thorne asked.

"Odd, yes," Celeste admitted, "but Lloyd's curiosity for history, genealogy, and intriguing creatures' powers matches mine like no male elf in Sefloria. Having him around has made me ask more questions and make life a more interesting journey. We're interested in knowing what that will make our son."

"Fascinating," Reuben looked to Celeste's belly, "do you think, when he's born, I could-"

"No," Celeste immediately answered harshly. Reuben then shut his mouth and went on eating.

The elf queen went to take another sip of her drink, but froze suddenly. She moved her arm back and pressed her hands against her stomach, leaning over the table as if in pain. Stell set her fork down and looked at Celeste with concern.

"Celeste, are you alright?" Lloyd asked, placing his hands gently on his wife.

"I'm fine," Celeste breathed, "just contractions again. I need to go lay down." the elf stood, her husband following with his hands holding her up. "I'm sorry," the queen nodded to everyone, "but I need to take my leave for the night."

"Of course," Kabuto spoke, "thank you for letting us stay."

Celeste said her goodbyes before leaving the room with Lloyd, Mrs. Lilypad collecting their plates and retreating to the kitchen to have them cleaned. Stell picked at her food in silence with her fork. She hoped her vision of the baby wasn't wrong and that he'd be born with no complications like Celeste had feared. It seemed the queen had too much to leave behind to not have an heir to her throne. There was also the mirror and what it had shown her. If Stell had something to do with his future, he had to be born, even if what the mirror shown wasn't set in stone, the baby had to be born. But if the mirror was wrong and the baby didn't make it, what exactly would that mean for Stell's future.

It took a while for Stell to fall asleep in the bed she shared with Unie. Kabuto and Tak laid in the bed next to them while Carla turned herself into a bat and slept upside down on the ceiling. The necromancers took the room next door, Reuben's snoring being heard through the walls. But the snoring wasn't what kept Stell awake. The thought of what could happen to Celeste's baby still haunted her. She wanted to do something to prevent any harm to the boy, she wanted him to have the future Celeste was hoping he'd have.

She finally passed out and found herself in a dreamless sleep. Her mind was still racing with thoughts of the baby and Celeste. Perhaps him being a half-werewolf affected his elfin mother? If so what did that mean for both Celeste and her baby? Did he have to be born like a werewolf or an elf? How do werewolves and elves have babies? They had the look of humans, but they were completely different. Were werewolves born as wolves or in their human form? If only Stell had the book now, she could ask that. Maybe the library had answers. Stell would go in the morning and search quickly before she had to leave. She wanted to help the queen through this.

Suddenly, Stell awoke to the sharp shaking of someone standing over her bed. She looked to see Lloyd looking down at her with wide, terrified eyes and stubble on his face.

"What?" Stell whispered, trying not to wake everyone else.

"It's Celeste," Lloyd cried out loudly, his voice panicked, "the baby's coming and we don't know what to do! We need your help, please!"

"What's going on?" Kabuto's tired voice asked from the darkness.

"Celeste is having her baby!" Stell exclaimed, jumping out of bed, Unie stirring in the bed. "She needs help!"

Lloyd ran out with the witch and lead her down the hall quickly. Stell could hear the others run after them, but she didn't look back. She was too focused on getting to Celeste.

Even from a few doors down, Stell could hear the queen's painful cries. Lloyd busted into a room where Celeste was lying on a big king sized bed with the white curtains over it opened all the way to the wall. Mrs. Lilypad was dabbing the elf's forehead gingerly and moved aside when Lloyd ran to Celeste's side, taking her hand in his.

"Get him out of me!" Celeste pleaded. "Get him out!"

Kabuto, Carla, Tak, Unie, Alia, Reuben, Farkas, Thorne, and Harry skidded into the room after Stell who felt helpless as she just stood and watched the queen cry out in pain.

"What do you need us to do?" Kabuto asked over the cries.

"Get out!" Celeste shrieked. "Any son of a bitch capable of doing this to women get out! Just the women stay! Get out!"

Stell quickly began shoving Kabuto, Reuben, Tak, Farkas, and Harry out much to their displeasure. She then guided Lloyd out calmly, telling him that Celeste would be fine.

"What do we do?" Thorne asked over Celeste's groans. "I've never helped deliver a baby before!"

"Neither have I!" Alia yelled back.

"Everyone just calm down!" Stell shouted furiously. "Carla, Alia, just hold Queen Celeste's hands!" she ordered, running on pure instinct. The vampire and necromancer immediately obeyed, running to the queen's side and taking her both her hands in theirs. Stell saw the elf clench the girls' hands and both of them flinching from the brute strength and gritting their teeth along with her.

"Thorne, you and Mrs. Lilypad get me some towels!" Stell went on, shooting a look to the young necromancer. Thorne nodded and both she and Mrs. Lilypad ran out the room to gather the towels.

"Unie, take the king and go get some water!" Stell looked to the shaking nymph.

"What for?" Unie asked.

"To keep him distracted," Stell explained, "he's probably worried sick out there and he needs something to do to calm his nerves. Now go!"

Unie nodded and bolted out the room, slamming the door shut behind her. Stell then turned to Celeste, took off her fingerless gloves, and kneeled down near where the baby was supposed to come out. She moved up the queen's dress to expose the opening and gently pushed her legs further apart to open the way wider.

When Thorne and Mrs. Lilypad returned, Stell placed the towels below the queen's bottom and held one out in her hands before Celeste's vagina.

"Okay, Celeste," Stell called over the queen's loud groans, "when I say push, you push!" without waiting for an answer, Stell began counting down to three before demanding the elf to push. Celeste responded with an agonized moan of effort as Stell watched the opening begin to open wider, but there was no sign of the baby's head. Stell then counted down again before telling Celeste to push. The opening grew more and Stell thought she could see the faint sight of something coming out. Stell went on counting and telling the queen to push until she saw the top of the head finally sliding out of his mother.

"You're doing good," Stell called, "I can see his head, just one more, okay? Ready? Three... Two... One, push!"

Celeste let out a scream as she put the last of her energy to push the upper part of the baby out and into Stell's, towel covered hands. The witch gently pulled his feet out cut the umbilical cord off with a pinch of her magic. As he started to wail, Stell wrapped the bloodied child up in the towels and stood up straight, cradling the baby in her arms.

"Congratulations, your highness," Stell soothed, making her way to the panting mother's side, "it's a beautiful, healthy prince."

Celeste opened her eyes and immediately sat up with effort when she saw her baby. Stell lowered herself down and handed the baby to his mother before stepping back to smile down at the queen as she rocked her son in her arms. Celeste's light green eyes filled with tears as she smiled down at the baby, his toothless mouth still wide in a wail.

Stell made her way to the door and opened it to Lloyd and Unie about to reach for the doorknob. Kabuto, Reuben, and Tak standing behind Unie.

"You can come in now," Stell smiled, "the birth was successful."

She stepped aside, allowing Lloyd to walk in and freeze at the sight of his wife with his baby. Stell allowed everyone else to walk in, Unie carrying a bucket of water. Lloyd slowly made his way to Celeste's bedside and sat down next to her, their baby's crying dying down. Mrs. Lilypad bowed with a smile before stepping out the room while the others went to stand beside Stell.

"He's so cute!" Thorne exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

"He's so tiny!" Unie agreed, her eyes wide.

"That's it?" Tak shot. "All that for that tiny, smelly thing?" Kabuto then smacked the back of his friend's head.

"He's perfect," Lloyd sniffed as he ran his hand down his son's head softly. "You did great, Celeste."

"What's his name?" Unie asked excitingly.

"I think I like the name," Celeste trailed off in thought, holding her son's tiny hand in hers, "Troy."

"That's perfect," Lloyd breathed, "our little Troy."

Stell held back the tears that threatened to make their way out her eyes. The weight of Troy in her arms was still heavy in her hands. She never held a baby before in her life, not even when she was living in her hometown with her family. Troy had felt so small and looked so defenseless. Stell prayed he'd lead the future Celeste had seen and that the young witch could watch him grow into the prince he was meant to be. Maybe she was meant to teach him some magic to help his kingdom grow with the pixies. Maybe she could be useful and needed.

"We should leave them alone," Stell whispered to her group, tugging at Alia and Carla's shirt sleeves. The others obeyed, following after Stell softly, Celeste and Lloyd still cuddled in each other's arms with Troy falling asleep in the queen's arms. When everyone was out, Stell shut the door softly behind them and sighed in relief.

"Where did you learn to help give birth?" Kabuto asked quietly as everyone began making their way back to their rooms.

Stell thought and couldn't recall one moment where she learned how birth was done. She had been around when Princess Ameria was born, but she was in the dungeons when Xyla and Alabaster's third child was born. She couldn't hear the Peace Maker barking out orders for the queen to push her child out. She only knew the baby needed to come out, but he couldn't do it alone.

She then shrugged. "Basic instinct, I guess." Stell answered.

"I'm not sure about motherly instinct," Alia gagged, "birth must be the most disgusting and most painful thing I have ever had the displeasure of seeing a woman go through!"

"I thought he was cute!" Carla giggled. "It looks like it's worth it!"

"Yeah, and then you get kids like Tak, Unie, and Thorne!" Reuben laughed.

The three children began yelling at him for hinting at their possible bad behavior as everyone neared their rooms. Stell thoughts, however, swam with all the possible things she'd do for Troy when he was older. She could return to be his personal servant or even teach him some magic from the book.

Her mind then turned to Xyla Mallor. She remembered the day she ran away. The shadow queen had just been told that she was pregnant. The Mallors were going to add another beast to their bloodline. Her heart turned to ice at the thought of herself training Troy to prepare him to fight whatever Xyla gave birth to. That couldn't be her future with Queen Celeste. It couldn't. A child fighting another and possibly to the death because of her? Why would any mother want that? That couldn't be what Celeste had seen, could it?

Keep going...

Stell stopped. She remembered hearing that voice when she was drowning in the river.

Keep going... Almost there...

It sounded so familiar that it felt she had heard it a moment ago.

Keep going... Almost there... Save me...

She gripped her locket tightly. What was that voice? Why did it sound so familiar?

"Hey, witch," she looked up to see Kabuto glaring at her while everyone else continued on to the guest rooms, "rather you before me; I don't need more stab wounds in my back, get moving."

Stell scowled at the shadow before going on to walk ahead. She put her fears aside and did as the voice pleaded. She needed to keep going and help save Trapario from living in fear of Kespain's heartless shadows. If Tak was going to be with Kabuto, people will hate him as well for being in association with a shadow. She wasn't going to let the loyal mage go through that kind of life. As much as she hated it, she needed to help Kabuto get his people to be considered allies instead of deadly enemies. She had to keep going and get the stupid book. Even if it killed her.