The Son of Artemis and Fenrir

Chapter 48 - The Grand Reunion

"You called!" I declared as I crossed through the rift and into the large, empty cavern. I immediately saw both of their faces light up. Before I was even able to say anything else, Robyn leapt onto me and pinned me to the ground in a tight hug.
"Stephen it's you! You came! You are here! I mean like physically here!" She practically screamed in excitement when she eventually let me stand back up. 
"I told you I would come didn't I." I said whilst smiling warmly at both of them.
"Good to see you again Stephen." Sparks greeted warmly as he rubbed his snout into my side.
"It's good to see you too Sparks." I replied as I patted his jawline.

"So are you two ready to come with me and properly rule your kingdom without having to name someone as an honorary ruler?" I asked jokingly as I made my way back towards the stable rift.
"I've got all of my possessions in these five sacks so yeah!" Robyn replied enthusiastically.
"Just a heads up I changed my mind and formed the other end of the rift in a large, spacious bedroom I have. Just so then you two can get settled in before I show you everything." I explained as I hoisted all five of Robyn's sacks over my shoulder.
"Which castle is the room in?" Sparks asked as he neared the rift.
"Depends which castle you want. I can easily change the end point from being one or the other." I replied as I stopped to give them time to think.

"I know I would like to be in your castle. For the time being at least." Robyn blurted out before a soft blush bloomed on her cheeks.
"What about you Sparks?" I asked as I turned to get his opinion.
"As long as it has a large enough stone slab, I will sleep wherever the queen does for the time being." He replied before giving me a stout, stern nod.
"Alright in that case no alterations will be needed. Heads up the room is next to mine so if you will. Follow me." I said before leading them through the rift.

Once we all were through, I shut the rift with a satisfying pop!

I gently placed the sacks on the bed that sat in the centre of the far wall. In a way this room was almost identical to my own, except for the colours and unexplainable veil of magic that hung in the air.
"So this is your room. I am literally just next door to you. I am going to leave for an hour whilst you can sort through your stuff. I only ask that neither of you leave the room until I return. I have not told anyone that you are here and I intend to keep it that way until the feast tonight." I asked as I headed towards the door. As I was reaching down for the handle I turned and said, "Welcome home you two" before leaving... for now.

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After Stephen left, I started sorting through and unpacking my sacks. It was quite a nice room. A large set of double doors on the wall opposite the bed opened up into a small hall with large windows. This room was practically perfect, it was much nicer than my old one. I sighed as I threw myself onto the mattress as I allowed my brain to settle. The half year spent apart had had a terrible toll on me. I was constantly cloaked in self doubt, fear and guilt. All these feelings attached to me, like mind forged manacles.

Still I was safe. He was safe. We were safe.

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Whilst walking down towards the great hall, I ran into both Taylor and my son Rowan. Without revealing too much or spoiling the secret, I was able to convince them to guard the room next to mine and not to let anyone in nor out and to ignore anything they may hear until I release them of that duty for the feast. They eagerly agreed before I continued on to the great hall. I had insisted that both the banners of my house and the recently obtained banners of the dragon house be placed in a sequenced pattern, I also requested that the decorations be a mix of the two where they compliment each other best.

Despite the oddity of my requests, no one dared to ask why. I was feeling happy and complete for the first time in almost eight months. However that feeling fled as sudden as thunder when I was walking away from the hall and out to spread the word to the dragons about a feast. It started with a relatively insignificant cold breeze that nipped at my neck but quickly grew to having knives being dragged through my back.