"Why must you question it? Everyone has returned home safely, our cells are full of prisoners to question, our forensics teams have mounds of paperwork and date to sort through. It will be easy to gather up anyone that's left soon enough. It is a victory!" Joreth said as the family was seated for the midday meal the following day.

"I'm telling you, it was all too... easy." Kahal replied.

"I agree." Kietnan supported his brother.

Thala huffed in annoyance at all the bad things that keep happening to her family. "You think there is more at play?"

"I don't know. I just... this group has obviously been around a long time to be this large and organized. They were so careful with Rahn's initiation... it just seemed way too easy for all of us to escape and then raid their facilities and apprehend prisoners. How would a group that has managed to stay hidden from us for so long suddenly become so careless?"

"Maybe we shouldn't question our good fortune." Joreth commented. "I for one am happy my family is home and safe. Poor Halan hasn't let our son out of her sight since she's returned."

"You are just grumpy because that means you don't get any alone time with her." Kietnan snickered and Joreth grumbled something under his breath.

Kahal sighed and leaned back in his chair, staring at his empty plate. Eventually he glanced around to look at his family. They were all talking lightly, seemingly happy. Until his eyes landed on Othen. He was sitting at the end of the table, his fork fiddling with his half eaten plate, seemingly deep in thought and looking miserable.

"Othen." His brother jumped as Kahal said his name. "Don't you have someone you need to go speak with?"

Othen's eyes rounded before he glanced around the room at everyone now staring at him.

"Yes, brother, I think that's a good idea." Kietnan added and Joreth nodded.

Othen opened his mouth to protest, no doubt, but quickly closed it and stood. A look of determination covered his face and he nodded to his family before quickly leaving the room.

He quickly strode down the hall before he would lose his nerve and knocked on Biechta's door. He stood nervously as he heard shuffling within and the door opening. But to his surprise, it was lord Teth who stood before him.

"My lord! Greetings, what a pleasant surprise. To what do we owe this honor?"

"Greetings, my Lord. I wished to check and see how Lady Biechta was adjusting. I take it she is well?"

"Oh! Um..." he glanced nervously behind him before looking back at Othen. "She is as well as to be expected after such events. Of course, her parents and I are taking good care of her."

"Of course."

"I'm sure once she's returned to her home, all will be back to normal."

"Returned home?"

"Why... yes, of course she is to return home with us at once. We wish to put this entire ordeal behind us and go home where she can feel safe."

"She wishes to leave?" He tried to look behind Teth but the man hardly had the door open.

"Of course she is simply shaken after such an ordeal, my lord. All will be well in a few days time, I'm sure."

"Still, I wish to speak with her myself to ensure she is well." Othen stated, trying to keep his voice calm.

"Yourself?"

"Yes. I wish to see her myself." At Teth's nervous gaze, he added. "Immediately."

Teth's eyes rounded and he stuttered. "I..immediate..ly, my lord? I mean... that is to say..."

"Is something wrong?"

"She's not quite feeling well at the moment, my lord. Perhaps we could meet with you tomorrow after she has rested."

Othen stared at Teth for a long moment before he pushed the door open and practically shouldered the male to move him out of the way as he stormed into the front hall of Biechta's guest dwelling.

"My lord, she is unfit for visitors at this time!" Teth called after him.

As Othen entered the main living area, a woman entered the hallway, blocking his steps. "Lord Othen, what a surprise!" She nodded respectfully and he nodded in return.

"I wish to see Lady Biechta is alright."

He began to walk around her but she stepped in front of him again. "She is feeling unwell, perhaps you can see her tomorrow morning before we depart?"

"You plan to leave tomorrow morning?" The woman, presumably Biechta's mother and Teth's sister, nodded.

"If she is so unwell, how could you plan to leave in the morning?" He asked accusedly.

"I..." the woman was lost for words.

"I'm sure a good night's rest is all she needs." Teth tried to explain.

"I will have the medical attendants come see her, after I've checked on her myself." He insisted and stepped around them.

There was no one to be found in the living area, kitchen, or dining areas. He turned to the pair who were still following him, sparing them only a glance before walking to the bedroom door and knocking more forcefully than he meant to.

"I'm sure she needs her rest, my lord." The woman tried.

He knocked again, even louder this time. "Is she so unwell she cannot answer the door?" He turned and asked the woman.

She opened her mouth to speak but the door opened in front of him, Biechta's father standing on the other side.

"What is the meaning of all this noi-" the male's words stopped when his eyes landed on Othen. "Oh... um... my lord??" Was all he managed to say.

"Where is Lady Biechta." Othen asked, done with any sense of pleasantries.

"She's inside, but..."

Othen used a hand to push him aside and entered the room, eyes searching. Every bit of this scene made his skin crawl. Something was wrong and they were hiding it. He knew it in his gut.

Inside the room there was a large travel case with clothes thrown in haphazardly, along with dresses thrown all across the room. It looked like a war had broken out. Yet Biechta was nowhere to be seen. He felt his heart pounding and his anger rising.

He turned to see the large closet was in the same shape, yet still no sign of Biechta. So he crossed the room and banged on the bathroom door.

"Father, I told you I am not going!" Biechta yelled out.

At the sound of her strong voice, Othen breathed a sigh of relief. "It is Othen, my Lady."

Before he got out the last word, the door was flung open in a rush and Biechta stood staring back at him, eyes wide. Her eyes were puffy and wet. His anger rose in him again as he stepped forward and placed a hand on her cheek. "Why are you crying? Are you unwell?"

She stood staring at him for a long moment as if her mind was elsewhere, then her eyes focused and she glanced behind him to see the other three figures in the room. She took in a deep shaky breath and raised her hand to rest on his. "Lord Othen, please." She whispered.

"Yes?"

"Please, I wish to stay."

"You do not wish to return to the east quadrant with your family?" He spoke softly.

She shook her head.

"Then you shall stay."

She closed her eyes and exhaled in relief, just as the older Qarthans behind him all began to protest.

"But My Lord, she needs to return to continue her studies and her training. Her time here has all obviously not gone as planned, it was too soon to send her out on her own." Teth attempted to reason.

"I must insist she return home to my care." Her mother added.

"Enough." Othen said, silencing them. "She is well past the age to make her own decisions. If she wishes to live here in the homeland, she is more than welcome."

"But who will look after her?" Her mother cried.

"Impossible, she needs constant supervision." Teth began. "You do not understand, she is-"

Othen moved his hand from Biechta's face down to grasp her hand within his own and turned to her family. "I understand perfectly. You wish to have her under your thumb to make sure she does every little thing of your choosing and nothing of her own."

"Wha-"

"Silence." He held up a hand. "Biechta will remain here and that is final. You three, however, should stick with your plan of leaving in the morning. I believe that will be for the best. Unless Biechta wishes otherwise?" He turned and looked at her to see her shake her head.

"But, my lord!-"

"Why were you in such a hurry to rush home?" Othen asked them.

The three remained silent so he turned to Biechta. Under her family's gaze, she gripped Othen's hand and shifted to stand slightly behind him. "What happened?" He asked her in a much more gentle tone.

"I..."

"Yes?"

"I was so nervous after everything, I just wanted to do something calming." She ducked her head and looked at the floor. "They found me and they were upset. I tried to explain that I had permission to be there and that the royal family were encouraging me to learn, but..." she drew in a deep breath and he heard her stifle a sob as she began crying. It was so rare for Qarthans to cry, except in deeply emotional events such as the unexpected death of a loved one. Now here she was crying on him for the second time since her arrival.

"My lord, please do not pay her any mind. You see now why we must bring her home under our care."

"No, please explain it to me. What was she doing that made you so upset?"

The three looked between each other nervously.

"I expect an answer. Now."

"She had intruded on my lord's private music room and was touching the instruments, my lord! Please forgive her, I assure you she will be reprimanded once we return home. She knows better than to mess with such things, I must apologize. It is our fault she was sent here with no supervisor. When the queen had insisted she come alone, we should have insisted otherwise. We thought she was ready."

Othen let out a dry chuckle. "My mother is always surprising me with her wisdom."

"My Lord?"

"She wants the ladies to come with no supervisor so she can meet them and learn who they truly are, not what their chaperone wants others to think. In this case, I believe it was a wise choice."

Biechta's mother gasped and Teth complained. "Are you meaning to insult us, my lord?"

"I will speak clearly. The way you have raised this female is appalling. Practically treating her as a robotic slave for your own purposes. She is a sentient being, do you not know this?"

Three mouths shaped open at him but none had any words.

"Although, in the end I must thank you." He turned and faced Biechta again. "Thank you for providing such a beautiful soul and sending her here to meet us." He reached forward with his free hand and caressed her face as she had her eyes rounded in surprise and her crying slowed to a stop. "My mother will happily be her caretaker, as she adjusts to her new life here. And I..." he paused and searched her face, bringing up their joined hands and placing a kiss on her knuckles. She drew in a sharp breath and it took everything within Othen not to kiss her on the lips.

"You were wrong, Lord Teth. That particular room is no longer my own private music room. It is Lady Biechta's as well, we share it. As we will with everything else in life, if I have my way. If... " he bent down slightly to her level and drew in a breath. "I'm getting ahead of myself." He whispered to her. "Will you do me the honor of allowing me to partner with you, my lady?"

"Partn..." she cleared her throat. "You...?" Her brow muscles bunched in confusion. "You feel...?" She shook her head as if the words wouldn't come to mind.

"Yes." He placed his hands gently on either of her jaws, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs, holding her gaze to his. "I was a fool for not telling you how I felt about you sooner. You're so wonderful and special and I have fallen so madly in love with you over these past few months. I should have asked your permission to court you weeks ago. Can you forgive me?"

"You... you? ...me?" She stuttered, still unable to speak.

He chuckled and nodded his head. "Yes. Do you feel the same?"

She saw uncertainty cross his face for a brief moment and it caused pain in her chest. "Of course I do! I thought you didn't feel the same, you always pulled away!"

"I know. I thought that you and my brother... I'm sorry. I was a fool." He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers, both of them smiling wildly, having completely forgotten anyone else was in the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Congratulations, brother." Kahal nodded to Othen as him and Biechta officially announced their pairing the following day after the morning meal. Kahal turned and offered Biechta a nod as well. "I'm happy for you as well, Biechta. You will make a wonderful sister."

Biechta's mouth opened agape, not sure how to respond.

"Brother,I have only just gotten her to agree to partner with me. No talking of Life Partnership yet and scaring her away from me." Then he glanced at Biecha and smiled. "In due time."

Biechta felt like her heart was both melting and beating out of her chest. Could this be real?

"Bi!" Ashima rushed over and engulfed Biechta in a hug.

"I do not know if I will ever get used to these hugs." Biechta laughed. "but I cannot say I do not enjoy them."

"Good. Because I don't know if I will ever get used to how not touchy-feels you Qarthans are." Ashima laughed.

"Congratulations, Biechta." Halan gave her a nod. "It is only fitting that we females remain together. We feel like sisters already, do we not?"

Biechta and Ashima both nodded.

"Where is Lan- I mean, Rahn? I'm sorry, it will take me a bit to get used to her name not being Lana." Biechta asked.

"Yes, we must find her and share the good news!" Halan agreed.

"Kietnan!" Ashima walked over to get her partner's attention as he was speaking with his brothers. "Someone must go find Rahn. Biechta wants to tell her the good news and all of us girls want to see her. In fact, let's invite her to join all of us for a midday meal. We haven't seen her since we returned. I want to make sure she's doing OK."

"Of course." Kahal answered for his brother. "I will see that it's done." Kahal turned to a guard at the door and sent him to give her the message. He had to admit, he was eager to see her again as well.