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I awoke naked in Luminista. The welcome chamber was thankfully empty.

For a moment, I was tempted to go to Lucian, to see if I could convince him to defy the matriarchs and live in Medicia with me.

Maybe he could help me with the Aztecs on Earth.

But then I remembered the betrayed look in his eyes whenever I said I wanted to stay in Medicia, and the shocked and hurt way he’d said “if” when I’d referred to the possibility of wedding him.

Like he’d assumed it was a foregone conclusion that I’d abandon my home, my birthright, and my work to be trapped in a world that was too perfect to need any help.

A world without challenge, adventure, and fulfillment.

Quickly I grabbed one of the many robes from the nearby rack and willed myself to return to Medicia.

I was just in time. Nik and Delgarias had returned from their adventures in Shellandria and both welcomed me with warm embraces. The two were so clearly in love, being around them was bittersweet. I missed Lucian. But Luminista held him in a grip I refused to grab onto me.

When Delgarias departed to fulfill more duties as Keeper of the Prophecy, I took Nik to Earth. I listened to Kokopelli and found a tribe that indeed needed our help. Their shaman had a vision of Mephistopheles taking their land, their people, their animals, and their magic.

That was the first whole tribe that chose to go through the portal to live in Aisthanesthai.

When we got back home, Nik was immediately off to Shellandria again with Delgarias. For the next few weeks, I vacillated between waiting for Lucian and watching my mother hold court and all her other royal functions. If I would be Queen of Medicia, I’d learn everything there was about ruling.

I was off in the village, taking inventory of all the households that were in need when Nik returned. I found her in the garden, waiting for me.

I immediately recognized the pensive look in her eyes and walked beside her. “Is everything all right?”

“Not really,” Nik grumbled. “Del had two visions. The first was about blood drinking monsters attacking a village. The second was a mage finding the secret to immortality. He already left to find out more about that and I don’t know when he’ll be back.”

I patted her shoulder. “Maybe the time apart will be a good thing. You’re both moving so fast.”

“We already mated and our magic coalesced.” Nik argued. “Besides, Delgarias is courting me in both mage and faelin tradition.”

“That’s wonderful!” I abandoned my pessimism.

If they’d already progressed that far, there could be no doubt they had a true-bond.

“If he’s the man you want, you have my full support and blessing.

Especially since Delgarias doesn’t seem to be the type to expect you to abandon your pursuits and dedicate yourself to being a pleasing wife. I’m not sure I’m ready for marriage.”

There it was. I’d spoken it aloud. It was real now.

Nik’s jaw dropped in shock. “I thought you wanted to marry Lucian Jagwolfe. You told me you’re considering mating with him.”

“I would marry him if I wouldn’t be expected to move to Luminista and live with him there.

I cannot do that. Not when there are so many people on Earth who need to be saved.

Too many territories have developed religions that forbid magic.

Even worse, they’re reducing women to chattel.

And then there’s the tribal countries. Their magic is more alive than in Europe, but Mephistopheles is chipping away at their strongholds every decade.

I think the Aztecs are next. They need my help.

” I heaved a regretful sigh. “It is a tragedy since I do so look forward to having children.”

“At least you have the adoration of every child of every species of every world.” Nikkita’s envious tone made me squirm with discomfort. She was almost a hundred and fifty years old and had yet to find her bond.

As always, I reassured her. “I’m sure you hold a bond with some type of being. You just haven’t found out which yet.”

“We’ve traveled between three different worlds and encountered almost every creature among them.

I’d think that if something was drawn to me, it would have made itself known by now.

” Nik sighed. “Face it. I’m a luminite without a bond.

Mother and Grandmother agree. That is why they do not see me as a viable heir to the throne. ”

I raised an eyebrow. I never imagined she had any interest in ruling Medicia. “Do you want the throne?”

Nik shook her head. “No, but it hurts that I’m not seen as good enough.”

“You’re more than good enough.” I hated seeing her doubt herself like this. Silvara was probably to blame. “You’re stronger and have more capacity for leadership than I do.”

Nik’s eyes widened. “What are you talking about? You’ve led whole tribes of people to Aisthanesthai and found them homes.”

“That’s not leadership, that’s mothering. Which will come in handy when I raise the next heir to the throne, but does little good for a kingdom.” I sighed, overwhelmed with the enormity of the future. “Hopefully Mother will rule until one of our children are ready.”

“One of your children,” Nik countered. “I’m not sure I’ll ever try to have one, and if I did, Mother would never accept a half-luminite as our successor.”

As much as I wanted Nik to be wrong, she was sadly proven right after Delgarias asked our parents for permission to marry her and was told that unless he could become immortal, the answer was no.

Back then, none of us expected him to find a way to accomplish that impossible feat.