5: Darken Star

24: time alone

after the family dinner, Robin carried me back up to my room, setting me gently back onto the bed. the bed had been freshly made by the palace maids while we were gone. 

"get some rest my Star." he kissed the top of my head and went to walk away.

i grabbed his sleeve, "Stay with me."

"i was simply going to read a book at the other side of the room." he smiled at me. "i wouldn't think of leaving you even for a moment."

"no." i shook my head. "i mean. stay. with. me." i pulled him closer.

he leaned over me. "your brother warned me to be gentle with you. and that brother kind of scares me."

"who? Althie?" i laughed. "he couldnt hurt a fly."

"youd be surprised what a brother would do for his sister." Robin's face went sad and he sat onto the bed.

"im sorry Robin." i sat up the best i could. "i knew her for a short time as a child, but that is nothing compared to the amount of time you had with her."

"twins are special in this world." Robin stated. "i see that every day with those around me. myself and Celeste, your mother and uncle, you and your brother. to lose a twin is like losing a part of yourself, none of you have felt that pain."

"Robin." i hugged him, tears going down my own face. "please dont be sad."

"whos the one who is crying?" he lifted my chin to look at him. "i wish for you to never feel my sadness."

"this thing about me living as long as you." i looked away. "i will have to watch my siblings die, one by one. mother and father will live on, but us kids were born being able to die. even worse is that mother will outlive all of her children."

"i dont think you have to worry about your siblings." he smiled at me. "if they are anything like you, they will find a way."

"you think?" i wiped my tears on my sleeve. 

"your twin is to rule the elven kingdom, your brother Althie is to rule the dragon kingdom." Robin started. "both races of people live longer lives, i am sure your brothers will find a way to live longer. Althie is probably already able to live longer, being more then half dragon."

"what about the triplets? or Amethyst and Aurora?" i asked. "with part of me being bound to fathers life, he wont be able to step down like the rest of the kings and queens, so he does not have a throne to pass on."

"the triplets were born after he became a fairy right?" Robin asked and i nodded. "then they will live longer as part fairy. as for the other two... i am sure they will figure something out."

"so all i have to worry about is my own twin and the two that are technically my aunts?" i asked.

Robin nodded. "your family is full of unusual people who always seem to find a way to live on. you have nothing to worry about at all."

"now that is just mean." i crossed my arms. "my family are not unusual."

"The Great Dragon who is married to the Light Fairy King," Robin started listing people, "the other half of the Great Dragon who stepped back to care for your throne, who happened to marry your brothers aunt. he also died once if i have that right, and soul lived inside of your mother for a time."

"The Dragon queen." Robin went on. "The Elven king who married a beast folk, all of your siblings, two of which are actually your aunts. you consider a now cross dressing fairy to be an uncle, who is probably going to end up with Lunar, so another uncle there. then there's you who now holds parts of two fairy kings powers. then there's your husband, the King of the Dark Fairies. did i miss anyone?"

"no." i chuckled. "thats about everyone. when you put it like that, it really isnt a typical family is it?"

"that it is not." Robin kissed me. "and even worse is they do not know how to knock." he turned his head to see Alex standing in the door. "what do you want now?"

"a word alone with my sister." he answered. 

Robin looked at me. "i will be just outside the door." 

"okay." i smiled at him as he left the room and Alex sat where Robin had been. 

"look, i dont like the guy." Alex started, "and i dont trust him as far as i can throw him. but you seem to really love the guy, and he makes you happy. so as long as he does not hurt you, i am willing to accept him as your husband. but the moment he does, i will beat him to that damned fairy law and kill him myself."

"Alex..." i started to cry again. "damn it, you big jerk." i hit his arm lightly. 

"has becoming fairy queen turned you soft on me?" Alex smiled his big, goofy smile that i grew up with. "what happened to the genius sister who used to beat me up for fun?"

"that was one time." i crossed my arms. "and you stole my cookie."

"it was so worth it." he laughed, then went serious. "dont worry about me sister, ill find a way to live even longer then you if i have to."

"you heard that?" i laughed. "how long were you standing there?" 

"since your stupid husband started talking about his sister." Alex answered. 

"hes not stupid." i hit him again, this time harder. 

"Oww." he rubbed his arm. "i didnt know someone who was bedbound could hit so hard."

"just because i am injured doesn't mean i cant kick your ass." i laughed, wiping my tears.

"id like to see that." Robin said from the door, arms crossed.

"i said i wanted a moment along with her." Alex looked mad.

"and you had your moment." Robin replied as he walked closer. "now i would like to spend some time with my wife."

Alex stood, now standing in front of Robin. "just because you are a fairy kings does not mean i wont kick your ass. the only one stopping me from doing so is my sister and her love for you."

"likewise." Robin smirked. "i would love to be able to kick the shit out of your stupid face."

Alex went to throw a punch, Robin caught his hand and began to squeeze. "you are just a stupid human to me, not even a king yet." Robin said with a growl. "know your place."

i sprang from bed, ignoring the pain. i pushed them away from each other. "stop it you two." i fell to my knees, the pain from  my wound shooting through me. "damn it!" 

"My Star." Robin knelt to me. 

"Sister!" Alex knelt as well. 

"you two are big idiots." i said as i held my side, the pain not stopping. "you shouldnt be fighting.... damn it! this freaking hurts."

Robin scooped me up and sat me on the bed, he looked back at Alex. "if you do not wish to see your sister without a dress i would suggest turning around, or better yet, leaving."

"Oberon." i scolded him. "leave him be."

Alex turned away. 

Robin carefully removed my dress and looked at the wound. he looked back at Alex. "go get your father, tell him Astraea is in danger."