That night Lage and Ni were settling down for bed when the door opened. Oribella peeked in.
"Daddy?" She whispered, "Can I sleep with you?"
The door opened wider and Rara was revealed. She had lost most of her usual spark.
Ni ushered them both inside.
Rara collapsed to the floor tears running down her face. Lage went to her side to comfort her but nothing she could say would make it all disappear.
"I kissed him back," She cried out.
Lage backed away waiting to see how Ni would react.
Ni huffed in anger but took Rara's hands in his, "He is a trickster and a troublemaker." As he spoke Rara leaned into his shoulder, he rocked her gently, "There, there my love. He shall not lay another hand on you."
"He is staying in the castle Daddy, how will we be safe?" Oribella shivered.
Ni looked around at his whole family, his two wives and five children.
"We must stay close, no one is to go anywhere with this man," Ni instructed them. "Uncle Kithel and Aunt Kinntho will help protect our children."
With that Ni tucked each child into their bed, and then he settled to sleep with Lage. Rara felt odd being in the room and unsure of where to go.
"Come here," Lage said.
Hesitantly Rara lay next to her.
"Like when we were children," Lage smiled, "We embraced among the stars. Do you remember?"
"Always," Rara replied, feeling homesick.
"It's okay to be scared sometimes," Lage whispered.
"I'm supposed to be the strongest one," Rara admitted, feeling overwhelmed.
"Even the strong get scared," Lage put a hand on her sister. "Not one of us is meant to do this alone, that's why we have each other. We are each other's blessing."
Even though they whispered their voices drifted.
Ilor, lurking just outside the door listened keenly. He had been disappointed Ni wasn't more angry at his unfaithful wife, but no matter.
With each word they exchanged, he was forming a plan.