Buffy placed a red candle followed by a gold one, alternating them to create a large circle. Her hands shook slightly as everyone quietly watched. She didn't know if anyone could help but didn't want to chance that it could affect the ceremony. Buffy wasn't sure what to wear to a hocus-pocus deal that was always Willow's area. Thinking about her best friend caused her to knock over several candles and Barinthus moved forward to help her but she shook her head. He wondered how she did that and withdrew to watch her resume creating the circle. Finally completing it, she stood and Barinthus noticed her dress for the first time. It resembled a cloud wrapped lovingly around her body. He admired the way the wispy material clung and released itself almost reluctantly from her skin. As old as he was, as much as he had seen, he felt possessive and jealous for the other Sidhe men to see her like this. He wasn't a true Sidhe but rather what came before; their ways born from his. Barinthus wanted nothing more than to keep her under the sea with him, realizing he couldn't, not yet anyway.
"Okay guys, here goes nothing. Merry, you and Frost step into the circle. Careful, don't touch the candles. I'm not sure what they're supposed to do. I guess we'll lean about it soon enough."
Frost and Merry walked up hand in hand. They wore little, Buffy told them that she remembered glowing Sidhe skin so they left as much as possible bare. The others spread out into a circle mimicking the candle circle with their Sidhe bodies. Buffy looked at them, took a deep breath and pulled out a knife.
Rhys leaned over to Doyle, "Where the hell did she hide that?"
Doyle turned his black within black eyes to his friend. "With her and a weapon, I wouldn't ask." They quickly turned back to watch.
"Just call me the stork." She smiled hoping to ease the tension, mainly hers. She cut into Merry and Frost's palms, clasping their hands together when their skin touched they started glowing. The others couldn't stop themselves from reaching out for the person's hand next to them. The urge to touch Sidhe skin overpowered everything else. Buffy sliced the dagger across her palms and the scent of roses filled the room. She clasped first Merry's then Frost's hand and a golden glow surrounded her, spreading down her arms to where her hand joined theirs. The glow ran through Frost's and Merry's bodies, consuming them until it reached their joined hands. The minute it hit Merry and Frost's hands, Merry felt her womb tighten and her breasts grow heavy and full. A red swirl extended from their hands, shooting shot into her womb, causing her to cry out. The others tried to get to intervene, fearing for her safety but the swirls lashed out at them, throwing them back from the circle, leaving cuts and slashes on their skin. Helplessly, they watched the swirls pick up Frost and Merry, holding them in a lover's embrace, facing each other while they still remained attached to Buffy. She was their loadstone, grounding them together, yet keeping them in this world. Golden swirls softly wafted up from Buffy's heart to wrap lovingly around the red swirls, tightening around the lovers as they struggled. When they tried to pull away from Buffy, their hands felt glued together. Slowly the swirls set them down and released them. Finally, able to pull away from one another, they released their hands and the candles flamed to life then flickered out.
"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I think I'd rather do it the old fashioned way," Buffy said shakily. Barinthus strode over to pluck her from the circle and into his arms.
Rhys and Galen started laughing and making snide remarks. Doyle and Nicca never said a word. Kitto walked over to Buffy and held her hand. She quit reassuring Barinthus that she was fine and turned her attention to her little friend. "Will you be all right, Buffy?"
"Yes, Kitto I heal fast and that was a tiny scratch, no biggy." Just then, they heard a loud exclamation from Frost.
"What's that Merry?" His finger pointed to her upper chest.
"I don't know what you mean."
"There's a dove carrying a red rose and a gold rose." Frost's finger delicately traced the symbol just below Merry's collarbone.
"Remember the Nameless?" Galen exclaimed. He knew everyone assumed he didn't grasp the seriousness of court matters but they were wrong. He used his easygoing ways to learn what he needed. "The dove, Merry. You saw the dove and we received powers from the fight. This has to have something to do with that."
"Will it injure my child?" Merry's hand lay protectively across her stomach.
"No, nothing can hurt your child, Merry," Buffy said in a voice that left no room for doubt. "Let's leave the new parents alone so they can at least celebrate the old fashioned way." She shooed everyone out, smiling at the glances passing the minute old parents-to-be.
Merry and Frost gazed into each other's eyes. They didn't even notice that everyone else had left. His hand came up gently to caress her cheek. Her beautiful tri-colored eyes glowed even brighter with the joy and love she felt. Frost's own grey within grey eyes sparkled as brightly as his silver hair.
He bent down and picked her up, carrying her to the bed. Frost laid her down gently, crawling up to lie beside her. Merry turned her body, aligning it with his. The small amount of clothes they wore disappeared as if by magic. His hands swept down her back leaving a heated path from the nape of her neck to the back of her knees. Merry brought her hand up to his face then followed a path of her own. She caressed his ear then trailed down his neck to his sculpted chest. Her nails lightly scratched his chest teasing his small nipples. She plucked at the brown buds then moved over washboard abs to swirl into his bellybutton.
His cock lay full and firm against his stomach mere inches from her questing fingers. Merry gazed into Frost's eyes as she wrapped her hand around him. She circled the engorged head, spreading the pre-cum over the top. Her small hand moved down its length then back up in a leisurely slow movement. Frost's lovingly caressed the curve of her high firm rear. He squeezed a smooth cheek then moved forward exploring her hot wet flesh. Sliding a finger into her, he smiled when Merry's breath hitched.
Their Sidhe skin glowed brighter and brighter as they continued to touch each other. Frost pulled Merry on top of him. She rubbed her wet slit back and forth on his hard cock. Merry shifted her hips and began a slow descent taking him in inches at a time. Pushing her up, off his chest, he seated himself fully inside her. She looked down at Frost with his beautiful silver hair spread out behind him, glimmering in the soft light. Merry thought it looked like someone had sprinkled stars all about the bed. His grey tri-colored eyes showed the passion and the love he felt for her. He spread his fingers over her still flat stomach. They both gasped in surprise to feel a pulse under his hand. The expectant parents looked on in awe when they realized their child's heart had started to beat. Frost tried to move out from underneath Merry but she shook her head.
"No, Frost, our child can feel us this way and we can feel her. Love me, Frost so that our child knows her father loves her mother."
"It's a girl, huh, you know this already?"
Merry moved her hips and Frost pushed up into her deeper. Soon, he helped her move up and down on him. They moved as only true lovers can, knowing precisely what the other required to reach their release.
Buffy and Barinthus decided to take a swim the next morning before everyone woke up. She wore a bikini in gold that made her skin shimmer. He wore trunks the exact shade of the lightest of blues in his hair, which made his skin shine even whiter. Walking down the steps towards the water their hands intertwined, neither felt like talking. They just wanted to enjoy the morning's quiet and the water. They knew this was the quiet before the storm. Barinthus dove into the water and Buffy followed right behind him.
She knew as long as she was with Barinthus that she was safe. Before meeting him, Buffy stayed away from deep water. She still had nightmares of the Master drowning her. They swam out from the protected alcove into the deep water surrounding the Lord of the Oceans castle. When Buffy needed air Barinthus kissed her giving her the oxygen he absorbed through the water. She decided this was the only way to scuba dive. They swam entirely around the castle. Every sea creature imaginable came out to great their ruler. Large sea turtles, dolphins, whesals, octopus and a huge squid, the brightest pink, Buffy had ever seen, played with them in the water. The creatures were similar to the ones from her world but somehow brighter more vibrant, more alive. Buffy fell in love with a brilliant blue dolphin with white markings on its underbelly. Finally swimming back towards the castle, Whistler's words about openings portals flashed through her mind. Buffy grinned when they swam by the dining area and saw Kitto, Doyle and Rhys looking out. She waved at them, pointing them out to Barinthus. She grabbed his hand then shut her eyes. Barinthus wasn't sure what she was doing, but he trusted her implicitly. Their audience shouted as they watched Buffy and Barinthus disappear.
"By the Consort," Rhys exclaimed, trying to see where they went.
Kitto pulled on Doyle's hand. The large dark fey looked down to see what his small friend wanted. He turned quickly when he saw Kitto pointing behind them. A bright blue light materialized and expanded as they watched in amazement. Buffy and Barinthus stepped from the portal completely dry. She laughed when she saw the three men with their mouths open.
"Better shut those boys wouldn't want to catch any flies." She turned to her lover. "Do you even have flies down here?"
He picked her up, so their faces met and kissed her nose. "Pixie, it will never be boring with you around. Now tell us how you did that."
"Whistler told me that I absorbed the portal's power, and that I could open a portal to anywhere I pictured in my mind. I figured why not try it. When everyone joins us, I think I know how we can make sure Merry stays safe."
Half an hour later, everyone gathered around the table as Merry and Frost finished their breakfast. Merry smiled at Galen and Kitto. They were so excited about something they all but bounced in their chairs.
Sage landed in the middle of the table with his hands on his hips. "Are you through Merry? Buffy has news but she wouldn't say anything until you were here. Then she said we had to wait for you to finish eating. So, can she tell us? Please, the suspense is killing me?"
Buffy tried to hide her smile as she watched the little demi-fey pace up and down the table. "Yes, Sage we're through. Buffy, what did you want to tell us?" Merry looked on the first woman to be a real friend to her. Someone who had given her a precious gift, and was about to offer another.
The room went silent and Merry clutched Frost's hand. Buffy smiled at her, trying to let her know that it would be all right. "Merry, I promise you that nothing can harm your child. I saw the same blue flash in my dream that we saw when I fought Count Chocula. It means that whatever's protecting me is protecting it. Somehow, we're bound." She watched Merry heave a large sigh of relief. "I would've told you sooner but my dreams are always pieces, and sometimes they don't come together at one time."
"I'll contact the queen when we are ready and ensure that Cel's aware of the meeting." Barinthus mysteriously left the room.
"How will he do that?" Galen and Kitto asked at the same time.
"For people who are so old, you aren't very observant," Buffy said, shaking her head. They looked at her for an answer to the mystery. "What's he control and what's your body made up of for the most part? Say it with me class - WATER. If you need me to speak slower then I will. He's going to speak to the water in Cel's body and Cel's going to have a sudden urge to see mommy dearest."
Everyone looked at her like she was mad. No one had that much power, if Barinthus was that powerful he would rule them. They came to the same conclusions and looked at one another. Was he really on their side? Was he playing with them, as the Old Ones had done only better and longer?
"You people are starting to piss me off and believe me you don't want that. If he wished to control you, he would. If he played with you, would he protect you one minute then betray you the next. If that were the case then why has he waited so long? Answer me any of you. Has he ever done anything to hurt you? Or has he always tried to keep the situation from growing worse than it was." She glared at them and they had the decency to look away unable to meet her eyes. "I didn't think so. Now, if you have any more questions ask Bar but do yourself a favor think before you speak. Not for Bar's sake, for your own health because I've had just about enough of this crap."
Buffy turned away from them and marched over to look out the windows trying to get her temper under control. She felt someone approach then a small hand slide into hers. She looked down into the Sebastian's worried face. "Are you well Lady Buffy? I'll defend you. Has someone hurt you?"
Buffy smiled at him then bent down to pick him up. She sat him on her hip and asked him to name the creatures that swam by. Barinthus returned to find his lover with Sebastian on her hip. His small head cuddled into her neck as he pointed out different sights. Barinthus looked at the others in the rooms who wouldn't meet his eyes. Deciding to leave Buffy in Sebastian's capable hands, he walked over to join the others.
"What happened?" He looked directly at Doyle, knowing the captain of the Ravens would tell him the truth.
"Buffy grew angry by several remarks made by people who should know better. She set them straight and left to cool off so she wouldn't injure them unnecessarily." Doyle answered, giving the others a stern look.
"What did you say that made her angry?" After hearing everything, Barinthus didn't know whether to laugh or feel insulted. He couldn't help himself and laughter won.
Buffy walked up to him after sending Sebastian back to his parents. She put her hand in his and squeezed causing him to stop laughing. "That goes for you too, Bar. I love you and I won't allow anyone to treat you that way not even if you permit it." She released his hand and moved so swiftly no one could stop her. If they didn't know better, they would swear she had Doyle's power to disappear.
Buffy returned after she got her temper under control. She walked back into the room not saying a word, simply sat down beside Barinthus. Everyone looked at Buffy waiting for her to tell them her plans. She stood up, stepping away from the table and started to pace the room. They noticed the gleam in her eyes; it was feral.
"I understand we need to make a move soon. We don't want Count Chocula and Trainwreck to decide how we play this. This is my idea..." Buffy laid out an intricate plan of how to force both men's hands. Barinthus watched her talk animatedly about handling two of the most dangerous men in the fey kingdoms. He admired her beauty but her sharp mind was just as intriguing.
"Pixie, you'd be alone with Taranis until we could get to you."
"I know Bar, but I'll be okay. His magic doesn't work on me and it's not like I can't kick his ass. I know you'll be right behind me. Plus, the Invisible Man will be there to help you." She grinned at Doyle, who took her teasing surprisingly well. He was just glad she quit calling him, 'Pointy.'
"I don't think they'll try to kill anyone. They'll probably use something that'll knock you out. My guess would be a Calypso conch." Merry thought about when Cel used Bronwyn's Tears, and how they'd made her feel. She couldn't stop the shutter at the thought of being under the influence of yet another mystical object.
Barinthus laughed aloud. They turned to him for an explanation. "What's so funny, Barinthus?" Merry asked her honorary uncle. Her earlier resentment had faded and he once again held a special place in her heart.
"Merrygirl, think about it. Who's Calypso?" His eyes twinkled as he waited for understanding to dawn on her.
"She's a nymph, the daughter of a Titan - Atlas. Oh, you mean she…" Merry's brow wrinkled. "What's she to you?"
"She's my mother, as Neptune's my father. Do you not know who I am yet, Merrygirl?"
Her eyes went wide in complete understanding. "You're Lir. How can that be? He was one of the first Old Ones. They were the first to perish."
"Really?" Barinthus' eyebrow rose in question.
"You mean there are others like you at court?"
"Not like me, most lost all but their own inherent power to the Nameless. They're farther down the chain. A few still remain at court while others prefer to stay hidden from the courts they no longer respect."
"My aunt's, she?" Merry's voice shook and her face lost all its color.
"No, Merrygirl, but your father, now that's a different story."
"What!" Merry shouted and stood straight up. "Explain yourself right now!"
Buffy gave Merry a hard glare at her tone but Barinthus took that opportunity to pull his lover into his lap. "Merry, you should understand that children were more prevalent back then. Your grandmother wasn't married to your grandfather. Your aunt and uncles are the result of his marriage. Your father's mother was Sapas, the torch of the gods. Did you never wonder how he could control two such volatile powers, the Hand of Flesh, and the Hand of Flame? Did you not wonder how you could have a second hand of power the court hasn't seen for thousands of years?"
"Why did I see the doves when we killed the Nameless? What about seeing the Greenlady when we healed Galen? Please, Barinthus explain this to me." Her hands shook so much that Frost reached out to hold them.
"I can answer some of it, I think."
Merry turned to see a man dressed in a green suit with a brown bowler hat on his shaggy head. He spoke with a heavy Bronx accent. Barinthus raced across the room in a single bound. He twisted sat Buffy down then his hands were around the balance demon's throat. "What are you doing here, Bres?" He looked at the former king of the Tuatha. Barinthus' eyes grew hard, and his jaw clenched in his effort to restrain himself.
"Calm down, Lir, I'm on your side. Ask your girl." Whistler tried to pry the fingers off his throat.
"Bres, you mean the King of the Tuatha?" Rhys looked at the small man, trying to see the former king found unfit to rule.
"I go by Whistler now, and I work for the Powers." Whistler's took on a regal air. Even with his feet dangling off the ground, it was easy to see there was more to him than met the eye.