He could feel the children, and their comforting embrace. It was Teu's scent, her voice and soothing touches that helped tame the raging, flamelike anger inside. Kieran knew Elwin would pull something of this nature, but he had not expected the blinding rage, the instant desire to murder him, end Elwin's existence and prevent him from harming his family again. He hated to admit how much self control he required just to hold back from doing more damage than what was done. ”I'm sorry I brought you to this. I shouldn't have, but I did. I was selfish, and I apologise. I'm so sorry, Teu.” Overhearing his mumbled self-pity whisperings, his father chuckled. ”This brings back memories of an uncle of mine doing exactly the same thing when I introduced your mother to the family. It happens all the time, Kieran. The fact you finally stood up to your brother is not something to apologise for. Now sit back up here like the man you are and let's get back to eating!”

Reluctantly, Kieran extracted himself from his mate. Righting Elwin's chair, Kieran took his place next to Teu. Alicia brought Kieran's plate before him, yet he didn't have an appetite any longer, instead favoring the imported mead his mother loved. ”What of your parents, Teu? How did you come by a remarkable set of manners? You hold yourself as that of a noble born.” Conversation slowly resumed, and Kieran idly listened to them all as he played the scene of Elwin's advance and his reaction over and over again in his mind. There was no shame, but a new growth in the hatred he harbored for Elwin. He had been unaware that he was grinding his teeth periodically. Would he have to stand next to Teu for their entire duration? Elwin would do nothing to the children, he was not that kind of man, so he had no fear for Dae or Alairia. As he pondered, glaring at his mead glass, he was unaware of his mother’s watchful eye on him.

All of her offspring were unaware of the scrutiny of her gaze, the way she was constantly waiting for something to happen. And it finally did. Krizira had wondered if one of her children, and future generations would exhibit the marks of her sins. Now that she had witnessed firsthand the blossoming of the magic, the frigid ferocity, guilt threatened to overwhelm her, though she did not show outward signs of such. The elf would need to steal some time alone with her son before he left. Her thoughts were interrupted when the meal was finished, and the staff brought out the cake Kieran had always loved. While it was already sliced and on plates, all could see the moist yellow cake, the frosting a pale, almost creamy yellow. It had the smallest bits of pineapple and oranges, being not too sweet, yet no where near tart. The frosting was a delicate balance between creamy, and fruity, that it was almost perfection.

While it understandably bothered Krizira to see Kieran barely touch his cake, she was glad to see her two newest grandchildren enjoying themselves. As the staff began clearing things up after the desert, Krizira stood. ”Now, my dearest ones, it is time for a delightful magic show that my husband has set up for Dae and Alairia. We shall adjourn to the next room, as the show is soon to start.” The family went to stand up, except Kieran who was still lingering on his brother. Krizira made her way over and leaned in between the newly mated. ”Kieran, dearest, and sweet Teu, perhaps I can steal you away momentarily? I would very much like a conversation with you. While it can wait, I would rather it not.” Should they agree, she would shoo out any lingering staff, choosing the dining room as a perfect spot to empty her chest upon them.

If Kieran had not been in such a state then Teu would have handled Elwin herself. Anger subsided as she continued to work to settle her fiancé. Hands gently ran through his locks in order to bring a sense of calm. ”Do not apologize, my heart. Wanting for me to meet your family is not a selfish act. I wished to meet them as well, so don’t blame yourself for something another has done. You protected me,” she whispered into his ear while curling herself around his head that lay upon her lap. ”His behavior is not excused and is lucky he has not lost a hand for his unwanted touch.” Teu laughed against her fiancé’s ear before kissing the nape of his neck. ”There is not guarantee that he won’t by the end of the night.” Teu lifted her gaze to Kieran’s father and half frowned at the nonchalant reaction to such a behavior. If this was a common occurrence in this family, then she did not want her daughter or son around it much. Green eyes flickered over to her children. They nodded at their mother before taking their seats again.

”It is good that you stood up to Elwin,” Teu commented as they arranged themselves at the table again. A pitying look fell upon Elwin’s wife and child as they had to endure the behavior of such a man. She pulled her gaze back to her own mate and smiled at him softly he managed to take a drink of the mead. As the questions continued in order to bring some normalcy back, Teu reached over to hold Kieran’s hand while they sat. ”My parents? Well, my father is Kiba Balatro. An honorable man, but I did not know him until my late teenage years. My mother hid my existence from him unfortunately in her pettiness towards him. I was raised in an arcane library by scholars. They taught me many things.” She had not thought about those days in a long time. Teu gave an almost forced smile to hold back the true feelings about her mother and the abandonment. ”Anyway, my father finally found me and brought me to live with him. From there he kept me at his side along. Together we ran a guild that he put together to help others. I learned my healing talent within those walls.”

Teu glanced back at Kieran who remained quiet. She squeezed his hand to reassure him. The children enjoyed the cake to their hearts content. The mother smiled gently at them as they finished the pastry to the last crumb. Teu enjoyed the dessert as well, but Kieran barely touched his. Teu stood up from her seat and motioned for her children to go as directed. They hesitated for a moment before getting a final reassuring glance from Teu. After that, they both bounded out to watch the magic show that was to put on for them. Teu continued to hold her mate’s hand as they walked over to Krizira. Her gaze flickered between Kieran and his mother. She was fairly certain that this was going to be in regards to the magic that had suddenly begun to grow in the man. Kieran had talked about it before, and the lack of it but when certain times appeared he was able to wield a powerful magic.

The half elf stood beside her fiancé and wrapped her arm around his to show her support.

Krizira seemed to fidget as Kieran gazed at her. She could feel the weight of his eyes. With a heavy sigh, the woman moved to sit down. ”Of all the possibilities, I was hoping it’d be you if it must be one of you. How long ago did they wake?” Kieran frowned, understanding the implications of her words. ”You knew, but you never once thought to tell us?” He wasn’t angry as he asked, but she flinched as if he had shouted at her. ”And have my war driven son search and yearn for a power that may never develop? Have no doubt that in his conquest, far too much blood would be spilled.”

She was right, and he realized that her withholding the information may have saved hundreds of lives. ”A week ago. To save Teu.” Kieran grasped Teu’s hand, giving it a light squeeze while Krizira nodded knowingly. ”My past is complicated, Kieran. My people were just short of being cultists in the worship of our faith. I was the priestess in training to replace the High Priestess when the time came. For a long time, I was enthralled, it was all I knew. All of those rituals, constant cleansing and purification, to prepare me for the divine gift. A week before the ritual of ascension, I met your father. It was he that opened my eyes. He saved me, though he did nothing heroic.”

Kieran struggled to follow along. For years, she remained quiet, yet here she sat, finally revealing her secrets unbidden. ”And what does that have to do with me?” She gave another sigh, all but refusing to look upon her son. ”I am the firstborn of twin daughters of a priestess. Our blood is laced with draconic blood. Dragons, Kieran. A child of the dragon born with magical capabilities is sacred, revered as a dragon incarnate. I was afraid when I left, terrified when I had you all.” Krizira took a long drink of her mead. She appeared close to tears, but Kieran was almost too confused to move.

”I thought, when you boys became men, I could relax until grandchildren were born. While they have left me alone all these years, I know they are watching. If they take you, I’d lose you forever!” She buried her face into her hands, which had Kieran move to drape his arm over her shoulders and pull her into a protective, loving embrace. ”So, what you’re saying is I am human, elvish, and dragon?” Kieran gave a devilish grin to Teu ”Well, that explains some things. But mother, why hesitate till now to tell me? Why not before I left? And why haven’t they approached me yet? Whoever these cultists are?” His expression fell to concern. Would Teu and the children be safe should they come to collect their god reborn? Even as he asked, he knew she had refrained from fear. Why tell him if he didn’t show signs of it? Why lace him with needless worry?

Emerald gaze flitted between the mother and son as Teu was not about to insert herself into the situation. At that time all she wished to do was learn all that was possible in order to support her future husband. That evening had made it clear that there was more to the family than Kieran had originally let on. From what she could tell, none of them truly would admit the dangers there were to the twin brother. He was a chaotic element that appeared to have no care for others. What was even worse, it was something that the family had become tolerant with over time. Teu lightly tightened her grip on Kieran’s arm as the thought crossed her mind of potential retaliation. The Balatro family had a tendency to find enemies wherever they went, but they handled these well. This would be the first time it would involve family itself (save for Ethan, even if that was a different story all together).

Focus was once again brought back to the matter at hand, and this time she made sure every detail was absorbed. Gaze remained upon Krizira as she began to open up about the abilities that had begun to shine through from Kieran. Her head tilted to the side as her hand was grasped for support. Shoulder leaned against her fiancé’s to show another level of care. As the story unraveled, things started to make more sense. It was amazing what certain races were put through just for the sake of the masses. Diowolves had been revered by a culture, but it had been at a distance. The natural order had not been messed with for the sake of the wants of the people who admired the superior wolves.

Teu lightly bit her lower lip as the realization hit her before her betrothed. She was used to being a hybrid child from two powerful bloodlines. It had been something she had to come to terms with once her father had come into her life. Kieran was learning later than Teu, and it was not going to be easy to digest. The healer remained where she was as the son went to comfort his mother. Her gaze had softened while looking at the pair come to a new point in their relationship.

As Kieran questioned his mother, she watched him closely. The devilish grin flashed across Kieran’s face, which made her sharp inhale while shaking her head. ”Naughty,” she whispered in response with a half laugh. It did not surprise her that he was able to think about those things even at a time like this. Teu crossed her arms over her chest with a hand raised to cover the smile on her lips. He was trouble in many ways.

”I can see the worried questions on your mind as if they were written on your forehead,” Teu laughed gently. She shook her head lightly as if that would help push away the concern. ”We will be fine. The children and I have survived quite a bit. Besides, we are not of normal blood ourselves. Dae and Alairia have hidden capabilities that we still have not seen yet tapped. Myself….well I am only half elf. We will be safe from anyone that attempts to disturb our happy times.” She moved across the short distance to place a hand on Krizira’s shoulder in an attempt to reassure her. ”His powers are impressive. When they appeared, they were absolute. What is needed is the controlled element. He was knocked unconscious from the drain.” Teu looked at Kieran. ”Can there be training here? You need to learn, my love.”

Teu was mostly silent as Kieran talked with Krizira. Somehow, she could read his mind. Chalking it up to motherly instincts, Kieran frowned at Teu and shook his head. ”But this would be needless dangers. I don’t think…” He sighed and sunk into a chair. If he tried to keep them safe, they would be too far away. That was not a life he envisioned for them when he asked to be her mate.

But this was also partially hypothetical. Chances remain where Kieran may yet be undiscovered for a long time. Krizira’s eyes grew wide with horror at Teu’s questioning. ”I agree on training, what happened is normal for stressful or abrupt use without proper preparation and guidance. I can show you some meditative exercises, but I cannot recommend doing anything here. That would only provoke Elwin. Balance has always been difficult. This will tip him in the wrong direction.” Kieran gave a scornful guffaw.

”Be wary of Elwin. Don’t provoke Elwin. Do you want to know why he is so hateful? Because he despises the ease of my personality. He believes you both favor me. And all you do is coddle his behavior! Twenty years and I abandoned my home! Because of him!” Kieran burst and spilled far more than he intended. Krizira gazed up at him shocked. ”No, mother, I won’t apologize. I grow very weary of being timid, walking on eggshells, and being walked over by my increasingly volatile brother.” He interrupted her before she could utter a single word.

She slowly nodded and returned her gaze to her hands. ”I know. Which is why I have sent word to my sister for assistance.” Kieran was floored. He had an aunt? An elvish aunt! It was far too much to try and contemplate. ”Send word to the children. I am retiring for the night. Have Alicia escort them to bed when they are ready.” His words were dry as he held his emotions back. Kieran stood, ready to brood on his way to his room. If it wasn’t for business with his father, Kieran was tempted to say coming here was a mistake, forgetting the necessity of this conversation with Krizira.