Barinthus refused to tell them where they were going. He just told everyone to pack casual clothes and things for swimming. Buffy looked forward to being in the water with him again. She fell asleep as they drove, slipping into a dream. She peered through the fog waiting to see what would happen. The longer she stared, the clearer it became, and then it materialized bright and clear. She realized the brightness came from skin, the skin of two Sidhe lovers caught in the throes of passion. A child's cry shattered the beautiful flashes of silver and darkest red. Hands lay on top other hands until she recognized her own. Buffy startled awake looking around; it was dark out. She had no idea where they were or how far they had driven. She shook her head to relieve the worry that she saw in Barinthus' watchful eyes. The dream flashed through her mind while she stared out the window. Thoughts, memories and phrases ran together when she closed her eyes. She gasped finally understanding as the pieces fit together.
"Buffy, are you okay," Merry asked, turning in the seat to search Buffy's face.
"Yeah, just figured out something I was wondering about. Bar, will we be there soon?"
"Yes, Pixie, we're almost there. We travel differently from here."
She didn't say anything just climbed onto his lap, wrapping his hair around her. He kissed her head, rubbing her back in soothing circles. The others looked away, giving them some privacy. Buffy tucked her head into his neck, putting her hand on his heart and shut her eyes. The cars stopped somewhere off the coastline of Washington and everyone got out. Barinthus stripped down to swim trunks and dove into the water. Buffy stood on the beach, waiting for him to resurface. Three large whale-like creatures appeared and swam up onto the shore. They opened their mouths and Barinthus stepped from the largest one. Several mermen walked from the water to drive the cars away.
"They'll hide them where no one will discover them." He bowed in front of Buffy. "Your chariot awaits."
"What're they? I mean are they like whales?" Buffy asked as she stepped into the creature Barinthus had just exited.
"No, they're whesals. Whales are their descendants."
Doyle and Rhys loaded up one whesal with the luggage. The others stepped into the second one. The mermen returned, bowing their heads to Barinthus before slipping back into the water. The whesals closed their mouths, moving back into the surf. Buffy sat on Barinthus' lap, combing her fingers through his hair. She sucked the saltwater from his neck, causing him to shudder and pull her closer to him.
"How long do we have, Bar?"
"We'll not be long. Whesals swim swiftly," he sighed, as his hands roamed her body.
"You'll just have to make it up to me later. I'll tell you about the dream I had about Merry and Frost. They're going to have a baby, and I know how to help them. I'll need to find out when it'll be his turn next. We'll need to be together right before for her to conceive." He stiffened in her arms and she realized what he thought. "Not like that silly, I wouldn't do that destiny, or not. No, I solved how it's supposed to work. Will you help me?"
"Of course, Pixie, anything for you. We're here. I hope you'll like it and want to return with me eventually."
The whesals opened their mouths, causing Buffy to blink while her eyes adjusted. Her mouth opened as she looked around her. It was a city under the sea with mermaids and mermen swimming in large pools. Others strolled up steep steps that led to a beautiful coral castle decorated with shells, pearls and sea glass. Beautiful merpeople whose skin ranged from a pale blue to the darkest green stood or swam near the entrance. Their long hair matched theirs king's glorious locks although none reached the brilliant hues as Barinthus. Each person they met greeted Barinthus with a bow and a smile. He knew each ones name and asked about their children. He was their parent, their king, and they loved him.
Buffy smiled at him proudly, but Merry gave him a hard frown. He knew she would have questions for him later. Barinthus led them up the stairs, showing Merry's group into rooms. He held Buffy's hand guiding her up another set of stairs. They stopped before a large ornate door decorated with pearls, rubies and emeralds. A little boy opened the door from the inside. He had aqua blue scales and a saucy grin.
Buffy bent down, smiling at him. "What's your name?"
"Sebastian, lady." His little hand reached out to touch her hair.
"Bastian, where are you?" A voice called from down the hallway. He jumped into Buffy's arms. She caught him laughing and instantly fell in love with the little devil.
"Oh, your majesty, I'm sorry. He loves your room and I can hardly keep him out of it," a mermaid, with similar coloring, explained in embarrassment.
Buffy stood holding Sebastian on her hip. "Well, I think he must be very smart. Bar has the best view from his room, huh, Bastion?" She tickled him under his chin, eliciting giggles and wiggles from him. When his mother tried to take him, Sebastian held onto Buffy with no intention of letting go.
Barinthus gave him a stern look. "I may share my view young man, but not my woman." He plucked the little boy from her, tossing him into the air. Sebastian shrieked in happiness. Barinthus put him down and patted his bottom, scooting him toward his mother. He ran off, but turned back to wave at them.
"You steal hearts everywhere you go, Pixie."
"Did I steal yours, Bar?" He picked her up, carrying her into his room, and tossed her onto his bed. "Before I even knew it, Pixie. Now, about that debt I owe you." He stalked over to a giant sea clam bed, and crawled over her, tickling her with his wet hair.
She giggled pulling him down for a kiss. "Yes, you owe me a big debt." She wiggled her eyebrows.
He leaned back to pull her clothes off. Starting at her feet, he licked his way up her body, he licked everywhere but where she wanted him the most. Buffy moaned in frustration; her body burned with need. He started down the other side of her body, flipping her over to start all over again. Barinthus licked up to her inner thigh, causing her to spread her legs wide in invitation.
Merry spoke with her lovers in their bedroom. "I thought he didn't rule the oceans that he gave it up to the Nameless."
"Barinthus is 6000 years old, Merry. Does anyone know how powerful he actually was? He gave up power to the Nameless, we all did. What if it wasn't what everybody assumed it was?" Rhys remembered giving up his godhood, the power to raise and rule the dead. Some of his power returned when they defeated the Nameless, but not all of it.
"What could he have given?" Galen asked in curiosity.
"There's no telling since no one knows what all his powers entailed. We'll just have to wait and speak with him," Doyle said. He didn't understand Merry's concern. Barinthus did what the court asked of him; whatever he retained was his own business. Not telling everyone your strength is power in itself.
They heard a knock at the door, and Kitto went to answer. A merman stood there and when the door opened, he announced, "My lord sent me. Dinner will be in an hour, princess." He bowed before walking away.
"I guess we've got an hour to kill guys. What do we do while we wait? Is there even fresh water for showering, or is it all salt?" Galen jumped up from the bed, going into the bathroom to check it out. He stuck his head back out a few seconds later. "There's fresh water, Merry, and it's even hot. I don't know how, but who cares," he happily told her. "How about a group shower, it's big enough?"
Merry looked at him, her eyebrows rise in surprise. None of her lovers had ever wanted to do anything in more than a group of three, her and two others. She searched their faces and decided. Merry stood up, pulling off her clothes. "How many chances will we get? How many showers could hold all of us? Anyone that's game, come on." She strolled by them nude, her skin glowing as her glamour dropped away. They looked at one another and shrugged. Their time here seemed like a slice out of reality, maybe they should just enjoy it. Merry stood under the spray while Galen rubbed soap on her. Suddenly, there were hands and lips all over her body. Later, they emerged laughing when she stated them she had never been so clean. It was nice to do something silly. They had played and fondled one another. Each found a reason to slap another, so Merry could kiss it better.
Dressing for dinner, she thought about what it would mean for them when she became pregnant. She would lose all of this, all of them, and Merry wasn't sure if she was prepared for that. She had fallen in love with Frost and him with her. Each lover had touched her in their own personal way and she would miss them. But, Merry knew that if she had to give up Frost it would break her heart.
Barinthus and Buffy waited in a large dining room with clear openings where merpeople and creatures swam past. It truthfully was another world. Merry approached the man she thought she knew so well and smiled weakly at him.
Looking at his Merrygirl, he sighed, "Come in Merry, we need to talk. I understand you have questions for me. You probably feel that I've betrayed you in someway. I'd change nothing that I've done. Your father was my dearest friend and you were like my own child. The only reason I became a Raven was to protect him, and I stayed on to protect you." Merry looked at him closely. One couldn't stop being a Raven. If you served the ruler, it was for life. "No, Merry, all things aren't written in stone. I could've left if I chose to. Andais has no power over me and never has. My past is unknown for a reason, I've made it so."
"Barinthus, how can that be? Please, help me to understand," she pleaded.
"I'm an Old One, Merry. I chose to fight with the Sidhe because the others were wrong in what they were doing." He watched her face pale.
"They're dead that can't be. Barinthus, tell me the truth quite teasing."
"Merry, look at me. Have you ever seen a Sidhe like me? Have you never wondered what my weapons were? My hand of power? I don't have one, Merry, because I don't need one. I'm power in liquid form. I'm all the power of the water that erodes the great rocks."
"But, you gave up your power to the Nameless like the rest of them," she protested unable to grasp what he was telling her.
"Merry, how much water covers the Earth?" he asked, like a teacher to a student.
"The majority," she uttered.
"So, if I controlled all that, and say only gave up a small portion. How much power do you think would remain?" Barinthus waited for her to understand.
"Then why don't you rule the Unseelie?" Merry challenged him as her chin came up.
"I don't want to, besides I have my own kingdom. There's more to being a ruler than power. I'm responsible for the creatures and beings here. It's my job to watch over them and protect them. Perhaps, you'll realize this when you're Queen of the Unseelie."
"If I ever become queen, I hope I'll do what's best for the Sidhe."
After a somewhat stifled dinner, Buffy moved over to look out the windows. She wanted to give Barinthus and Merry another chance to mend Merry's hurt feelings, and desired a closer look at the world under the sea. She chuckled when she saw Sebastian swim by and give her a saucy wave. Not too long after, a large merman with dark blue coloring swam after him. They went by once more with Sebastian looking over, Buffy assumed, his father's shoulder when the little merboy threw Buffy a kiss. She burst out laughing, and everyone turned to watch her. His father looked at him sternly, but Sebastian appeared unfazed. He wished to see his majesty's lady once more before bed. Buffy threw him a kiss, causing his chubby face to glow. His father turned, looking at what caused his son's happiness. Buffy waved at him. He bowed elegantly in the water to her. She hoped the little charmer wouldn't get in too much trouble for his antics.
"You like everyone don't you?" Kitto asked, from her side. He had followed her, hoping for a chance to talk.
Buffy felt him approach. She didn't say anything, wanting to allow the shy little fey talk first. "Pretty much, until they give me a reason not to like them, or if they set off my spidey-sense." She smiled at him, trying to let him understand that he had done neither.
"What's a spidey sense? Does it hurt?" His large blue snake-like eyes held curiosity and concern for her.
"No, it's just an extra little 'oomph'. I guess you'd call it. It tells me if someone's evil. The stronger the sense the bigger the bad." Buffy tried to put it in terms that Kitto could understand.
"I don't make your spidey sense go off? I mean the goblin part of me?" Kitto asked with trepidation in his voice. He had no sense of his own self-worth and it broke Buffy's heart.
"Nope, not even a blip. When I first landed in the penthouse, everyone gave off a weird vibe, and then it just adjusted to this world. Count Chocula, now he's a different story, major badness coming from him, not to mention I believe his cheese has fallen off his cracker." Buffy grinned at the face Kitto made, trying to decipher her Buffyisms.
"Huh?" Kitto's little forehead wrinkled as he tried to understand what she had just said.
"She means he's insane," Rhys told him joining in on the discussion.
"Sorry, I'm used to California slang and you're used to, well I'm not sure what you're used to." She wrinkled her nose duplicating Kitto's earlier expression.
"Stop that, Pixie, before you bewitch both their hearts." Barinthus wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him.
Buffy leaned back in his arms, her eyes closed for a moment and her lips turned up in a soft smile. Kitto and Rhys couldn't help, but stare at her. Her skin glowed with a soft golden shimmer, which fed into the opalescence of Barinthus'. Her eyes opened, showing a luminescent golden green; her feelings lay bare for everyone to see. Kitto put his hand out to touch her skin; his eyes grew wide when he felt the warmth emanating from the golden glow. Buffy smiled at the half-Sidhe and he answered it with one that lit his whole face.
"She's taken Kitto," Barinthus' deep voice rumbled against Buffy's back.
She winked at Kitto before turning in her lover's arms. "I need to speak to Merry before she returns to her room. Are you two all right now?" He nodded, although she could see the pain in his eyes. Buffy felt tempted to give Merry a piece of her mind, but didn't think that Barinthus would appreciate it. That didn't mean she had to continue being nice to the other woman. Not if she didn't, pull her head out of her ass, and see the big picture.
Barinthus watched her walked away with a determined stride, wondering if Buffy would still help Merry. He saw the anger in her eyes and could almost hear her thoughts just as she could read what he didn't say.
"Merry, I need to talk with you in private, please." Buffy turned, walking over to where several large chairs stood.
Merry looked from Frost to Doyle in confusion. "Did I do something to anger her?"
They loved Merry, but she had a narrow view of their world. Her father had taught her many things. The problem was that he didn't teach her everything she needed to know. Perhaps, if he had lived, he would have ensured she understood the history behind why the fey became the way they were and how it all came about.
"Well, are you going to tell me? I've had enough surprises recently." Merry arched an auburn brow at them, waiting for an answer.
"Princess, you're wise in many ways, thanks to your father, but in others you're a child. I say this not to anger you or hurt your pride, only to try to get you to understand. She's angered at your treatment of Barinthus for something that was, and still is none of your business, or ours. That he chose to share this knowledge with you, with all of us, is an honor, not a slight. He stayed at court through love of your father and later you. He stayed away from his own court and subjects to protect you. The gratitude you show the man who helped to raise you and has always loved you as his own is anger and resentment. That princess is what she's mad about. Buffy's a warrior, more than that she's a protector. She understands the meaning of sacrifice, and putting others before herself no matter the cost, not even her life as we can attest. So, yes princess I would say you've done something, something indeed." Doyle disappeared from her sight, as Merry stood pale and shaking.
Frost pulled her into his arms, placing a kiss on her brow. "We've seen so much more than you have Merry. Doyle spoke harshly, but he spoke the truth."
Merry turned her face up to his and large tears stood within her jewel-toned tri-colored eyes. "I'll speak to Buffy then I'll talk with Barinthus. That's if he's still speaking to me."
"I am Merrygirl." He stood behind her, causing her to jump.
She turned from Frost's arms, jumping into Barinthus'. He hugged her tight then twirled her around like he did when she was a child. Merry gave him a watery smile before burying her head in his shoulder.
Buffy called out, "Bar, Silver come and join us. I believe we might need some coffee." No sooner had the words left her mouth than Sebastian's mother pushed an ornate coffee cart into the room. Buffy smiled at her, leaning close to whisper, "He didn't get in too much trouble did he? I'm sorry. I forgot to ask your name; I was too busy falling in love with your son."
"My name is Zaniera, lady. No, his father tried to be stern with him. After he saw you returning Sebastian's greetings, he didn't see how he could be," she said, smiling at Buffy.
"I'm just called Buffy, not lady anything. I can pour this. You go tuck Sebastian in and read him a bedtime story, just give him an extra kiss from me." Zaniera gracefully bowed her head then curtsied to Barinthus when he approached.
He scooped Buffy up, causing her to giggle, placing her on his lap after taking her previous seat. Frost and Merry chose two separate chairs but held hands as they waited to hear what Buffy had to say. Merry started to say something, but Barinthus caught her eye and shook his head. He knew his Pixie; she forgave Merry if he did no apology needed.
"You know why I ended up in your world, so I'm not going to go the long route on this. I need to know when's the next time that Silver's on the roster, Merry." Buffy waited to see if Merry caught on; the light in Frost's grey eyes told her that he did instantly.
"That's none of your business? It's bad enough the court speculates on who'll be my child's father. Now, you want to know who I sleep with each night. Why would you possib..." Merry rambled angrily, stopping mid-rant when she realized why Buffy was asked. She looked into golden-flecked green eyes, and swore she felt her womb tighten. "You mean you dreamed about me and Frost?"
"Yeah, on the way here. I also figured out how this works. I need to know when, because I don't know if there's an expiration date. The Powers are tricky and get real pissy if you don't do what they want when they want."
"Sound like the Seelie and Unseelie to me," Frost remarked, trying to contain his excitement.
Merry squeezed his hand. "Tomorrow's Frost's night. What do we have to do? What do I tell the others?"
"We need some candles. I kept seeing lots of skin, and red and gold. I'm not sure if it's the color of the candles, but it won't hurt." She turned to Barinthus. "Do you have those colors?" He nodded. "I think that you should tell the other the truth. It's a ceremony, so they can watch. I'd like Bar to be there, if that's okay with you."
Merry looked at Frost with love, hope, doubt, fear and excitement, all warring against each other in her eyes. "That'll be fine. We've been through a lot and there's more to come. I think a celebration is exactly what we need to get us through what we still have to face." They left to tell the others what they'd learned and to prepare for tomorrow night.
Buffy turned in Barinthus' arms. He held her tight against his chest. "I'm scared, Bar. I don't want to mess this up. Please don't leave me."
"Pixie, I could no more stay away from your side than I from water. You're both too much a part of me and I'll be with you till the end." He picked her up, carrying her to their room and gently laid her on the large clam bed. He undressed her, quickly discarding his own clothes before crawling in to curl up behind her. She intertwined her tiny fingers with his large ones and closed her eyes with a sigh.