"Why are you so interested in the harmful aspects of plants? There is so much good in them." Clair pouted making him frown.

"I am only interested in killing the man after your daughter. I have no other purpose for them." Quinn told her as she stared at him unsure. Finally, she nodded settling in across from him.

"The sap is basically a temporary neutralizer. To use it to its fullest you would mix it with other herbs such as Teeteris for paralysis, Comunira for nerve damage, and possibly Marlintora for organ failure. The four together would work as a hidden cascade. The sap would hide them, sneak them in through a drink or food. Something the person was sure to ingest, then you wait. They won't notice right away that something is wrong, but then their body will start to fail them, one by one." Clair told him as she toppled her tower of fruit.

Quinn rubbed his tingling fingers nodding slowly. He could easily get something like that to work. Though Coleron would think he had won and claim his prize, that would only allow Quinn to have a front row seat to his death.

Quinn proceeded to ask Clair her thoughts on his strategy as they talked back and forth about poisons. She seemed to be very knowledgeable in the subject, shaking her head and correcting the little knowledge he had.

That one is meant to be inhaled so needs to be air born or that one isn't as strong as another one or that only works when paired with something else. Quinn smiled actually enjoying her company as she openly discussed plants and their properties. He could tell she was passionate about the subject even if she wasn't a druid like her husband.

The subject switched easily from poisons to the tending of the herbs themselves. Clair was very eager to help him get started raising his own herb garden. He smiled and laughed with her as she imitated her husband when she shared his thoughts on the subject.

She was warm and friendly, making Quinn feel oddly safe in her presence. He figured it was only because they were talking about the best ways to make someone suffer earlier. Something warm tickled his spine making him squeak as Korbin let out a tired chuckle.

"You about gave me a heart attack! If you were up, you should have said something." Quinn hissed at him with red cheeks. Korbin smiled sitting up and kissing him, watching Quinn turn a couple shades darker.

"Who is she?" Korbin asked wrapping an arm around Quinn's waist. Quinn blushed loving the attention, but not used to it in front of others. Was Korbin... Jealous? She simply smiled watching them happily.

"Kor this is Clair, Hank's wife. Clair, Korbin. He's my..." Quinn stalled not sure how to finish it.

"Boyfriend. I'm his boyfriend." Korbin told her without hesitation. He held out his hand smiling with his teeth. She shook it once smiling brightly before offering him some food.

"Good morning. Sorry if we woke you. I really just had to ask Quinn some questions about his heritage on behalf of my daughter. I wasn't planning on staying so long, but this visit has been so relaxing." Clair told them pouring Quinn another glass of juice.

"She says she'll help me plant my own poison garden." Quinn told Korbin making him frown in surprise. Quinn didn't attach himself to women so easily. If at all.

"You don't grow poison, you grow herbs. And then make poison from those herbs depending on their properties." Clair scolded with a nod as Quinn smiled. Korbin ate his food slowly as he watched Clair and Quinn joke about a deadly flower garden. They all paused when the roots moved to let a tired looking man through. Clair pouted stubbornly, before going to her husband.

"I was in the middle of a council meeting when I got word you were down here. It isn't safe to be talking to prisoners on your own." Hank worried softly as Clair simply pouted at him.

"How else was I supposed to get my own husband away from the kingdom? I mean seriously, since you have awakened, I have spent less and less time with you. We haven't even slept in the same room the last few nights. How can I tell you how mad I am about your lies or how much that it doesn't bother me because it doesn't change the man I fell in love with?

"If you don't have time to make for me then so be it. I am not going to sit in my room and do nothing for the rest of my life. Quinn and I are going to build a garden after Korbin, and I finish planning their wedding." Clair growled stubbornly making Hank blink at her in shock as he stalled his argument. Korbin and Quinn exchanged looks confused but decided to go with it.

"Woman you can't adopt every stray we pick up." Hank started as she stuck her nose in the air. Hank rubbed his face frowning when Korbin offered him a drink.

"Come on dad. Rest a little. Mom's been worried about you." Korbin told him making Hank glare at him.

"You are too old to be our brat so don't even try. I don't even like you kids." Hank huffed taking the juice and going to sit in the small sitting area. In fact, they were old enough to be his younger brothers, being somewhere close to Ivy in age. Clair wandered over climbing into his lap.

"I'm sorry everything has been like this. I never wanted the throne. Only you." Hank whispered as he held her close. Clair snuggled into his arms with a sigh.

"I know. I just hope one-day things can return to normal. At least a sort of normal where we can be together again. You me and the kids." Clair sighed making Hank lean back to frown at her.

"Kids?" Hank asked glancing at the two on the bed. He took a heavy sigh shaking his head. "Those boys aren't our kids, Clair. You can't just adopt them because he looks like Raven." Hank grumbled trying to keep their conversation private. Besides, those two were still in trouble with Welpion and Salvino. Wanted assassins for murder. Clair stood up from his lap placing her hands on her hips.

"Quinn is an orphan just like Raven. Their mothers are dead, their fathers left them. You can't say you don't see it as some sort of coincidence that Quinn and Raven are the only ones we have ever met with their physical traits. Dark black hair, pale skin, deep colored eyes. There is a reason the seer took interest in him like she did our daughter. I believe they are related somehow, and I'll be damned if I let my daughters blood family not get adopted into this family." Clair growled, her voice bouncing off the walls of the room. Hank rubbed his face agitated leaning forward in his seat.

"You didn't tell me you might have a cousin." Korbin mumbled as Quinn shrugged.

"It is just a theory. Nothing has been confirmed. We just know that Raven takes after her mother, and I take after my father. We don't know if they are related or even how." Quinn told Korbin as he nodded. Quinn seemed anxious about the whole situation making Korbin lean into him to give him some comfort. Hank sighed glancing at them and getting to his feet.

"I spoke with the seer briefly, but it seems her time is short. Basically, she feels your future pivots on the name of your father. Depending on your answer, I can choose what to do with you." Hank told him standing at the edge of the bed.

"Well,6 that seems awfully vague and weird. What does that have to do with anything? And wouldn't the seer already know that?" Korbin asked as Clair shrugged just as confused.

"Arthon. His name was Arthon." Quinn mumbled making Hank frown. He turned on his heel, grabbing Clair and pulling her along.

"I need to talk with my wife. We will return once we have decided your fate." Hank grunted leading his wife out of the cell.

"You think that was the wrong answer?" Quinn asked softly as the vines resettled. Korbin shrugged, pulling him down onto the bed. "Kor?" Quinn asked confused as Korbin sighed.

"I don't know if there is a wrong or right answer to that question. To know the seer is only interested in the man that left you behind kind of pisses me off." Korbin growled hugging Quinn close.

"Are you embarrassed to be seen with me? As a couple I mean." Korbin asked changing the subject. Quinn's pale skin darkened as he shook his head.

"No. It just I am not used to your affection. Alone or with an audience. Plus, I wasn't sure how you might feel..." Quinn stalled as Korbin placed a finger on his lips.

"I love you, Quinn. That isn't going to change. I want people to know that I love you and I consider you to be mine. So, claim me. I like Clair. She has the right idea. I think we should get married. Then I can call you, my husband. It sounds more permanent than boyfriend don't you think?" Korbin asked watching as his nervous lover blushed happily at the thought.

"Yeah. I like Clair too." Quinn grumbled burying his face into Korbin's chest. Korbin laughed hugging him close as they quietly worried about the future.

* * * * * * *

Hank walked slowly beside his wife, holding her strong hands in his. He wanted to make sure they were out of hearing range before discussing the matter with her. She walked beside him like a little fuming storm cloud making him smile. He was glad she wasn't changing too much with the sudden pressure placed on her head. But she was always stubborn his beautiful, sweet gift. Hank opened the door to his father's study letting her inside before he closed the door. She hesitated before marching up to the desk.

"The last time I was in this room, I was chewing out the king of Trayson. It seems different now knowing he was your father. And I would still punch him in the nose." Clair growled.

They had just been recently married. She had decided to surprise Hank with lunch at work only to find him arguing with the king. Clair had hidden to stay out of the way only to overhear some of the conversation. The king was trying to pressure Hank into sleeping with other women so they could have his children. Hank had refused, but the king wouldn't take no for an answer.

"I still remember the love of my life storming up to him and hitting him over the head with a basket of food. You tried to pick a fight with anyone and everyone. Who they were didn't matter. Not when it threatened our happiness." Hank sighed as he wrapped his arms around her.

"My father didn't want me to marry you because he worried our offspring, if any, would turn out like you. Not a single ounce of druid gifts. I told him to fuck the kingdom if I couldn't have love. I wanted you more than anything else. I gave up my right to the throne by sealing away my druid blood. Becoming just a man, madly in love with a beautiful girl." Hank sighed as he rested his chin on her head. She hugged his arm across her chest.

He had already sealed part of himself before it got to that point. Trying to hide from his mother. Moriah hadn't handled him growing up and becoming his own person well. And his father had been too lenient in in her abuse to care about protecting. However, it seemed Trayson had wised up enough to protect Ivy. Mostly. He still wasn't a good father to either of them.

"I love you Hank, but you are pushing yourself too hard. You need to rest before you break. Raven is strong and she has friends. Framtida has confirmed that. Let us wait for her to arrive in Welpion. Pulling back the search will help take some stress off you." Clair told him as he pulled away leaning against the desk. He nodded slowly in agreement before looking at her directly.

"Quinn?" She asked leaning into his arms. Hank sighed hugging her close and kissing the top of her head.

"Framtida thinks he would be a great help to Raven. I think she means for us to send him to her." Hank grumbled making Clair look at him.

"So, what's the problem?" Clair asked as Hank pet her face gently.

"I have to go to Welpion first and visit with Suzy. Honey, no matter how much you have attached yourself to these young men, they were still violent killers before us. If Korbin wasn't already so injured and Quinn had metal arrows, they would have killed me. They had intentions to kill you too." Hank told her as she rolled her eyes.

"Do you hate Rosila?" Clair asked making Hank hesitate. What did she have to do with what they were talking about?

"Rosila tormented Raven emotionally through most of her life. Do you hate her for it?" Clair asked again making Hank shake his head as he got to his feet.

"That wasn't her fault since Kielia forced her into it, but even then, Rosila tried to look out for her. Not hurt her." Hank huffed as Clair nodded.

"Rosila did mean things because her mother forced her into it. Korbin and Quinn are both orphans being raised by a merciless killer. From what I understand, they have been living with this Coleron person for years being bullied and manipulated and just out right abused. You said they have been killing for years, but they are only in their early twenties. Are you telling me that those two lovesick boys are cold blooded killers at what? Thirteen? Fifteen? If they only had assassins to raise them, then no wonder they turned out so dark. But they had to be trained that way. They weren't born that way." Clair growled in their defense.

"Less than a day. You have spent less than a day with them and yet you act as if you raised them yourself." Hank sighed as he leaned against the desk shaking his head. She sat beside him leaning her head on his shoulder.

"I will always defend my children. They are not bad guys, Hank. Just boys who made bad decisions. They can be saved if you allow yourself to save them." Clair told him lacing her finger through his.

"I will talk to Suzy. See what he says, but no promises. While I am gone, maybe you can look at getting them some clothing. Get them at least looking the part of the good guys you think they are. I will take Elaine with me so that she can see her son and grandchildren. It's been a while since I talked to Finn. I hope he isn't mad about the whole sending his daughter to him thing. He will probably be freaking out once Raven gets to town." Hank grumbled making Clair giggle.

"Don't worry, I can manage things here. I will wait for Elaine to get back before I start planning wedding attire." Clair mumbled thoughtfully. Hank frowned at her as she glanced at him innocently.

"If the men want to get married, they should be allowed to. Plus, it will be the perfect preview for Ravens wedding." Clair nodded making Hank groan as he rolled his eyes.

"Fine. Let them marry. What will it hurt anyways? But nothing is happening until things are under control and our daughter comes back home. You can't have a wedding without the whole family present." Hank grumbled sarcastically though it was lost on her. His wife smiled happily as she bounced over and hugged him.

"I knew you would understand! Come back as soon as you are able. I miss you when you are gone for so long." Clair told his chest. Hank hugged her tight kissing her curls.

"One day the madness will end, and things will be right again. I promise you that." Hank told her. "In the meantime, if you want to help Quinn with some gardening, feel free to ask Sherry for help and advice. Just remember they need to stay in their cells till I return." Hank cautioned her as she nodded.

"I understand. Go be king and say hello to Rosila for me. I want updates when you return." Clair told him. He paused to kiss her deeply, before pulling back and kissing her forehead.

"Whatevermy Queen desires. I will try to return quickly." Hank whispered, turning, andstalking down the hall to find Elaine so they could be on their way. Clairsighed deciding to busy herself with her new son's. Though Hank was right. Little brothers then, she decided. Maybe they would plant someflowers for the wedding. It was still spring after all. A summer wedding wouldbe magical.