� � � "Welcome to Ubertas, I understand a reservation was already made for you. Allow me to show you to your rooms," came a feminine voice from behind the desk at the reception the moment the portal was closed. The three couples turned to find a young fae lady walk towards them with three sets of keys. Once they were each shown to their rooms they took their time settling in until someone came to fetch them for supper. Ava, Ries, Hilarid, Myla, Favian and Arrden were all glad to have each other and be able to spend time and celebrate together. They sat around their table by the beach, near the waters of Perditus enjoying a savory meal, delicious wine and good conversation. Once they were finished, they parted ways with a plan to meet at the same place for breakfast. Hilarid and Myla retired to their room seeing as Myla was already past half the term of her pregnancy, not to mention the fact that they couldn't keep their hands off each other either. Favian and Arrden preferred to explore the beach, enjoying the night sky and the cool breeze outside. Ava and Ries, on the other hand, had other plans. Well, mostly Ries. He'd taken Ava to a secluded spot near the water where they undressed and jumped into the sea. They spent about an hour playing in the water as some of the aqua spirituum came up to join them. After a while they returned to the spot where they'd left their clothes, dried themselves and dressed back up. Ava thought they'd be going back to their room but Ries suddenly grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into his arms, his majestic wings popping out, taking off into the night sky. Ava squealed in surprise as they took off in incredible speed. "What are you doing?" She giggled into his neck. "I thought we'd have a change of scenery for tonight," Ries said. Ava's wings popped out as well, their golden sheen glowing in the moonlight. Ries cupped Ava's face in his hands, leaning down to kiss her tenderly. As their kisses became more heated, he picked a thick cloud and stabilized it to allow them to settle on it, lifting Ava by her hips and laying her down onto it as he hovered over, settling between her legs. The two love birds made love over and over on that cloud under the gaze of the moon and the view of the galaxy above them.

� � � It was well past midnight when Ava and Ries finally made it back to their room, preferring to climb into the window. They couldn't keep their hands off each other. Ava conjured up some wine and music and they drank and danced, giggling and playing around. Ava was butt naked and had her wings out as she danced in the middle of the room, jug of wine in hand, while Ries stood shirtless, leaned on the bedpost as he watched her. He could feel himself hardening in his trousers as she swayed her hips, her eyes closed as she lost herself in the moment and the music. Goddess, he loved this girl! He was so lucky to be with her. He couldn't help the grin that took over his face as she spun, giggling loudly as she did. Suddenly she stopped as if remembering something and then waved her hand to ward the room so nobody could hear them before taking a gulp of her wine and closing her eyes as she got back to the dancing, enjoying the cool air on her skin. Ries couldn't take watching her anymore without touching her so he took one last swig of his wine and closed the distance between them in two long strides. He wrapped an arm around her waist and went to take her jug of wine out of her hand to set it down. "One last sip," Ava giggled as she took a gulp before releasing the jug into Ries's hand, wrapping her arms around his neck. She swallowed about half of the wine before bringing Ries's lips to her own and kissing him, spilling some wine into his mouth as she kissed him. Ries felt his shaft jerk as her tongue found his. Something about the taste of wine on her tongue was intoxicating and the way she spilled wine into his mouth reminded him of the times she gushed into his mouth as he pleasured her. Suddenly he was overcome with a strong urge to kiss and lap at her sex until she gushed. He lifted her by her hips onto his shoulders, guiding her to wrap her thighs around him as he stepped to the nearest wall to support her as his mouth latched onto her sex, licking, nipping, sucking and thrusting until she shuddered as she gushed in ecstasy.

� � � When Ava and Ries finally woke up, it was to a knock at their door alerting them that breakfast was ready. They barely remembered how they'd fallen asleep but they were on the floor on a thick blanket, their limbs tangled. Ava looked up at Ries and broke out in giggles at their position. "I can't believe we fell asleep on the floor!" She said getting up and pulling Ries to his feet. Their room was self contained so they went into the bathroom and took a bath which ended with Ries deep inside her as she bounced on him until they both climaxed. Once they were ready, they walked to the table they'd been at the previous night with their friends to find breakfast had already been served. Favian and Arrden arrived just as Ava and Ries did while Hilarid and Myla were already seated, having been the first to arrive. "You ladies must have had quite the night by the rosy glows on your faces," Arrden teased as his beloved nudged his side with a sly grin. "You're one to talk! Didn't you guys wake up on the beach?" Ava quipped laughingly making both Arrden and Favian flush. Myla and Hilarid snorted trying to hide their giggles while Ries simply burst out in laughter. Damn that telepathy and Arrden's teasing, Favian thought to himself. "Touch�!" Arrden chuckled lifting his glass to the group.

� � � The young couples enjoyed their time Ubertas thoroughly for the duration of their honeymoons. Ava's magical friends occasionally popped in to check on them and have fun with them. Ava had noticed that all the people she saw in the island as they explored were Donatus. Not a single mundane showed up even once and she wondered how mundanes never found their way to the island. When the day came for them to return home, they gathered at the reception. "Domina mea, if I may ask, how come mundanes don't come here?" The fae lady behind the desk looked up at her, tilting her head as she searched her eyes before answering. "Our island exists in a parallel realm only accessible to the Donatus. It's a safe place for our people to enjoy themselves and gather, Donatus and other magical beings alike and we took the steps to ensure the safety of our people by putting up a glamor that fools the mundanes." It made sense to Ava, she wondered what exactly the mundanes saw when they came to the shores of Uberta. "Thank you. I look forward to visiting again," she said to the lady with a smile as she turned back to join her now husband and friends. "Ready to go home?" She asked them as she waved her hand, creating a portal just like the one they stepped into when they first came to Ubertas. They took turns going through it, landing in the backyard of the Lucian mansion closing the portal behind them once they'd all made it through. Eva, Janan and Angelina had been waiting for them, having already prepared a feast for their arrival. Their reunion was joyous and emotional as they embraced one another before eventually sitting at the large dining table lined with delicacies of different kinds. It was almost evening when they parted ways. The three young couples were excited to spend their first night back in their new homes. They agreed that if they ever felt homesick they'd call telepathically to meet at the Lucian mansion. Eva and Janan knew they were going to miss their daughter and the boys but nothing brought it home quite like the absence of the noise. They had somewhat started to adjust since the young ones were away on their honeymoons but this first night with them back felt like the first night after they'd first left.

� � � Over the next few weeks, the three young couples made it a point to meet at the Lucian mansion for breakfast and dinner. Living in the same compound gave them just the right amount of privacy and community. Ries, Ava and her parents agreed to share the secret of River Lumen with the others and so they did. Their first visit gave Favian, Arrden, Myla and Hilarid the chance to each connect with the parents they'd lost as well as their predecessors. Surprisingly, they each somehow were connected to Lucjan and Lucia. On their second visit, Ava and Ries gave them the rundown of what they'd learned about what was to come. Hilarid finally understood why Ava mostly seemed to train alone all those times and the seriousness with which she handled her training in hindsight. Hilarid, Myla, Favian and Arrden made a blood pact with Ava and Ries to help them do whatever they needed to do to protect their people with the deities and their ancestors bearing witness. Upon Lucia's advisement, the two couples often joined Ava and Ries in training on the river's banks in preparation, learning how to use their abilities in different ways, learning how to use their connections to their beloveds and the bond that was formed between them in the blood pact. They learned how to use the waters of Lumen for healing, how to draw on its magic to nurture the land and how to use it to access other realms and places where Donatus towns and villages existed. In their training the discovered that all Donatus towns and villages had streams of River Lumen running underground just like Ortus, with specific families tasked with guarding the sacred river. One of those places was Ubertas, where they'd spent their honeymoons.

� � � Over the next few weeks, the three couples often visited other Donatus towns and villages, sometimes being accompanied by Eva and Janan. As Myla's pregnancy became heavier, Hilarid would stay behind in Ortus with her to ensure her wellbeing whenever she was too exhausted or unwell to travel with the others. The average Donatus pregnancy terms was seven months and Myla was close to her due date. One day, the group was visiting a village called Conlis when Myla went into labor. She had insisted on going on the trip not knowing that would be the day she'd end up giving birth. An old lady had given Myla some tea before she went into labor. By the time the group portaled back home, Myla's water had already broken and she was bleeding. Eva, who'd been trained to be a midwife called out to Angelina telepathically when the group arrived. Something was wrong with Myla, her bleeding and her level of pain seemed abnormal. Hilarid was going out of his mind with worry as was Favian, more than anyone else. When Angelina arrived, she did an inspection on Myla, her hands emitting a violet glow as she scanned Myla's body. The light showed dark veins on Myla's lips, neck and abdomen which seemed to be spreading quickly. "She's been poisoned," Angelina said worriedly. "Ava, I need you to get me a bowl of water from Lumen now," she said turning to her granddaughter. Ava rushed to do just that, her heart racing with panic. Myla's condition was worsening quickly and by the time she got back, Myla was unconscious. Angelina grabbed the bowl from Ava, pouring some of it in a cup and instructing Hilarid to make sure Myla swallowed it as she rubbed the rest of the water onto Myla's rounded belly, muttering under her breath in her ancient tongue. Myla sputtered as she awoke with a start, her belly shining with a white glow as Angelina rubbed the last of the water on her. Angelina knew Myla didn't have much of a chance. The poison that had been used was extremely deadly and infused with strong magic.

� � � "We don't have much time, please save my baby," Myla muttered weakly. "No, amica mea, we can save you," Hilarid cried, holding her face in his hands. Myla's labor didn't last long or take much effort or struggle before Angelina pulled her baby out from between her legs. Ava suspected whatever Angelina did somehow made it possible for Myla's baby to be born without much effort from Myla. Angelina tied the umbilical cord while Eva helped her cut it, quickly cleaning the baby as it let out its first cry before wrapping it in a blanket and handing it over to Myla as if sensing her time was near. "Congratulations sweetheart, it's a boy," Angelina said softly with a smile that didn't reach her glistening eyes. Myla held her baby and smiled weakly, tears pooling in her eyes. Her baby had sapphire blue eyes just like her with specks of the green in his father's eyes. His curls were midnight black like Hilarid's, contrasting against his caramel skin with a small patch of sapphire blue just above his forehead. "We'll name him Mateo," she said softly looking up at Hilarid and placing her hand on her husband's wet cheek. Hilarid was doing his best to be strong for Myla and their son and so was Favian who stood behind Hilarid, one hand on his sister's shoulder and the other on Hilarid's. They could all feel Myla's strength waning through their blood bond. "I want you all to know that this is not your fault, especially you two," Myla said as her eyes scanned around the room and finally settling on her husband and her brother. "There's nothing you could've done, you couldn't have known someone would poison me and there's no way you would have stopped me from going with you," she added weakly. She handed her baby to Angelina. "Thank you for saving my baby," she said, tears now freely flowing down her paled cheeks. She grabbed Hilarid and Favian's hands and spoke, trying her best to steady her voice, "I want you to take care of each other, all of you," she said looking at her family. "Thank you all for giving me the family I never dreamed of before. I love each and every one of you," she added with a soft smile. "I'll always be with you, this isn't the last you'll see of me," she said to them, her voice growing weaker and her eyes drooping. "Oh, and if you don't find that traitorous crone and make her pay, I'll come back and haunt you," she added faintly, her chuckle turning into a series of tired coughs. She took one last breath and went still while Hilarid held her in his arms sobbing, begging her to come back to him.

� � �� They held Myla's exequiae seven days after her passing. Ava, Ries, Favian, Arrden, Eva and Janan took turns staying close to Hilarid and helping with the baby, making sure he was never alone. Most times they were together in one of the mansions, sometimes for days at a time, only taking breaks to sleep. Angelina made sure to come around as often as she could as well as they grieved together. It was about six months before the group finally hunted the old lady who'd poisoned Myla down. Eva and Janan took care of the baby while they were away. They tried to question the old crone on why she'd poisoned Myla but she wouldn't utter a word. They tried to use telepathy on her but she was a Donatus and had warded her mind extremely well. Ava was the last to try and read her, finally succeeding in breaking through her wards to find the answers they needed, knocking the old woman unconscious in the process. From what Ava had gathered, the old crone had been working for the Venator Order as a tracker until she was discarded due to her old age. She seemed to have an inherent hatred for her own people. She had wanted to gather information from the group when they arrived so she could offer both the village she was in and their town to the Venator Order for a reward. Ava was disgusted by the woman's hatred and greed. Luckily for them, they hadn't given her any information on their last visit and Ava always warded her portals to make sure they couldn't be tracked. The old crone stirred awake after a few minutes and upon realizing she had been found out, she pulled out a small vial and skulled it before the group could do anything. In just a few seconds she started convulsing, foaming at the mouth and keeling over. Soon the wicked crone was dead. None in the group sympathized with her given that she'd killed their blood sister and almost succeeded in killing her unborn child at the time. Hilarid and Favian felt nothing save for a twinge of disappointment at not being the ones to finish her off. They portaled back home where the Lucians and Angelina were waiting. Hilarid was glad that he had his son. Mateo gave him hope and helped his get through the grief of losing his beloved because he knew that a piece of her lived on in their son.

� � �� It had taken Hilarid at least six months after they'd hunted down the wicked crone who'd killed his beloved before he went down to Lumen. His family went down with him when he was finally ready. Angelina had insisted that he bring Mateo with him, which he did. When they finally got to the bank of the river, Ava stepped forward, crouching down and dipping her hands into the water as she muttered in their ancient language. "I told you I would see you again," a familiar voice rang from behind Hilarid. He froze in place with his son in his arms, closing his eyes as if not believing his ears. "Is it really you?" He asked as his voice broke. He'd recognize that voice anywhere. "Yes my love. Please turn around," the voice spoke. Hilarid finally turned around and opened his eyes. There she stood, beautiful as ever, her form emitting a soft glow and a warm smile on her face. Hilarid rushed forward and then stopped, furrowing his brows. "Wait! C-can I touch you? Can I hug you?" He asked softly. Myla stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, kissing all over his face as she embraced him. Hilarid sighed in relief, his body relaxing against her. "I've been waiting to see you but I knew you needed time to grieve," she whispered to him. The rest of the group stood back to give them time. Hilarid nuzzled his face into her neck, breathing deeply as he cried. "I've missed you so much." "I know, I've missed you too." Myla whispered to him, stroking his curls softly. They must have stood there for a while before Myla pulled back slightly to look at her son. "He's grown so much!" She whispered, her eyes welling with fresh tears. Hilarid handed Mateo to her as he wrapped his arms around both of them, savoring the moment. After a while Myla turned to the others and stepped forward. "Thank you all for coming and bringing Hilarid with you," she said with a soft smile. She embraced each one of them, holding them tightly before moving to the next, savoring the feeling of being able to embrace her family again. They spent most of the day together before Myla stood and stepped towards the river. "It's time," she said with a slight smile, her eyes betraying her sadness. She embraced her family again, holding her husband and her son last before she stepped into the river. "It'll be a while before we meet again but know that I'll be watching over you. Take care of each other, be happy and live," she said, her last words directed firmly at her husband as she widened her eyes in emphasis. "Don't be afraid to love again," she said to him as her form faded into the glow of the river.� �

� � �� Hilarid couldn't stop thinking about Myla's words after that day. How could she say that to him? How could she think that he'd even be interested in anyone else after her? A fortnite later while the family was gathered for dinner, Ava and Ries announced that they were expecting. Everyone congratulated them and insisted on having a celebration the next day. Hilarid had been doing better, thanks to the support of his family. He'd even moved back into his home even though they all still spent a lot of time together, making sure to check in with each other every morning and evening. They even made sure to take turns popping in in the middle of the day to help with Mateo. Eva and Janan were the most regular visitors since they had more time on their hands. Their help and support especially with Mateo gave Hilarid the time and space to slowly start going back to training and working with the others. Sometimes he even brought Mateo with him and his blood brothers and sister took turns holding and feeding Mateo while they trained and worked. The magical beings that lived in the compound helped tend to the gardens around his home while his family chipped in in helping him keep his home clean and making sure he always had plenty of readily available food for him and Mateo. On the other hand, Ava, regardless of her growing bump was still very active. Ries would often try and fail to convince her to lay off the more challenging activities especially in training. The two love birds still had their spark, still couldn't keep their hands off each other and had only grown deeper in love with each other.

� � � When Ava was just about halfway through her pregnancy, she started glowing. At first it would only be while she slept, the glow mostly coming from her abdomen. As the days went by, the golden glow coming off her would appear randomly throughout the day as she was up and about. One day, in the backyard of her and Ries's home during training, she slipped and just as her body started to descend downwards, that same glow appeared again forming a force field around her, pulling her body up, only this time it was brighter. Not only did it pull her up, she ended up floating a few feet off the ground for a while before she floated back down, the force field only seeming to fade away once she was firmly on her feet. Everyone looked in shock except for little Mateo. If anything Mateo, who had been wailing before the incident was now silent fascinated and almost entertained. He looked on with his little mouth hanging open and started giggling and clapping as Ava finally came down, making the group chuckle. "What was that?" Ries asked as he rushed towards her, pulling her into his arms as he sighed in relief that she was okay. "I'm not sure but I think it's the baby," she answered as she leaned into her beloved. As the days went by, the glow seemed to no longer be random but starting to become Ava's permanent demeanor, glowing brighter whenever she needed protection or whenever her emotions were heightened. Due to the changes, Ries and Ava agreed that it was best for Ava to stay within the compound until they figured out what was happening. Ries had gone to see Angelina at the Fanum, asking her to come home with him to examine Ava. When Angelina came over and did her examination, she simply smiled. "What are you smiling about? What's happening to me?" Ava asked, her voice heavy with worry and impatience. Angelina closed her eyes, remaining silent for a few minutes before opening her eyes. "When was the last time you saw Lucia?" She asked calmly. Ava didn't understand what that had to do with anything. "Have you seen Lucia down at Lumen since you found out you were pregnant?" She asked again. "Uh, no. Only in my dreams," Ava answered slowly trying to figure out what the connection was. Just then the glow from her body brightened, her eyes shining a pure golden light that covered the entirety of her eye balls as she seemed to go into a trance for just a few seconds before returning to normal. Well, at least her new normal. "What just happened?" Ries asked. Ava simply took his hand and they seemed to communicate with only their eyes as Ava showed him the vision she'd just had. Angelina simply watched them with a knowing smirk as they finally pieced it together. Ava was carrying an incarnation of Lucia.