The night passed with a lot of drinking, but luckily, Sith alcohol had no hangover symptoms. The next morning, Mars watched as his mother ordered several servants to pack mementos and souvenirs for him.
"No, no. That's too big. Maybe the one over there. Oh, and don't forget the pies. I bet the human boy will love my home baked pies!" Mars groaned as she strutted back and forth happily. "Mother," he interrupted. "Yes, dear?" She glanced inquiringly at him.
"I thank you for being so thoughtful, but I don't need all of this."
"What?" she floundered. He felt guilty, but pressed on. "Nathan doesn't know anything, and I intend to keep it that way. I'm returning as a cat to the human world, so taking all this baggage with me will only make things more complicated. I'm sorry, Mother."
Everyone stopped and looked at the queen. She sighed but gave in. "What a shame. Everyone, you heard the boy, put everything back!"
"You want to continue living as a cat? I can't understand how you bear it," a deep male's voice said. It was Finvarra. He watched while the exasperated servants returned everything to their previous place.
"It's not as bad as you make it out to be, Father. It has many advantages." Like being treated as a pet, he thought secretly.
"Really? If it works for you, I won't argue. But when you return, remember that you won't have as much luxury as you have in our world."
"I appreciate your understanding," Mars replied gratefully.
"Ha! In truth, I feel grateful to you. I feel sorry that you couldn't get married now, but the thought of that dandy becoming indirectly related to us gave me goosebumps," the king scowled.
"Luckily for you, we have time. So unless there's an emergency, your marriage and main duty can be delayed."
"What do you mean?"
"It's nothing! He's being overly serious, that's all," the queen abruptly interjected. Mars looked at them suspiciously, but his mother blinked at him innocently.
"So Ailbhe. There are many evil entities on earth. Please be careful and take care of yourself and that boy. Continue to teach him about 'Feile Maor'. You said he had learned four abilities so far, is that correct?" Finvarra questioned Mars.
"Yes sir."
"Hmm. Will you teach him the last ability?"
"I'm not sure. Neither his grandfather nor father were capable. And considering Nathan's personality, he might even reject it."
"If his personality is as you say it is, then maybe not," Finvarra denied. Mars looked at him questionably. "What do you mean, Father?"
"Narcissists love being the main figure of attention and power. They adore themselves. Your half-sister, Aoibheann, is a perfect example. I promise you, Nathan won't reject this last ability. Shock him, but he won't dismiss it. Teach him."
"Yes, Father." Mars said so obediently. He couldn't wait to see Nathan's face when he activated the last skill.
"Aw, honey, I'm going to miss you so much! Sob, sob." His mother cried as she hung around his neck. He hugged her softly as she sniffed.
"I'll miss you too. Please don't tug so hard, Mother." It took almost an hour for him to reach the portal gates. By threatening to remove her favourite pastime, baking, the king managed to force the queen to release him.
Mars waved at the teary Queen and the stern King of the Fae as he returned to the mortal world. The portal opened inside Nathan's kitchen, and Mars transformed back into a ginger cat.
The guard, the same guard as last time, quickly removed the clothing. He bowed and murmured a quick, "My Prince" before leaving.
It was quiet in the house. Nathan had most likely gone out on a case. So Mars decided to surprise him as he leapt onto the island. He waited anxiously for his partner of four years to come home.
His tail quivered as he heard a bike pull onto the pavement. Did Nathan get a driver's licence? How long was he away? He sat up as the key turned in the lock. Wait. What should he say?
Oh, no!
Nathan came in with long hair tied in a ponytail that hung across his shoulder. He wore an outfit of blue jeans, black boots, and t-shirt. He held a biker's helmet and a file in his hands, with a blue jacket slung across his shoulder as he walked in.
Mars almost leapt happily at him but resisted the urge. He waited for Nathan to notice him. And waited. And waited. But Nathan started reading the file while sitting in the hallway.
Frustrated, Mars yelled, "Are you doing this out of spite? How long are you going to make me wait!"
Nathan started and twisted around, his eyes wide. "Mars? You're back?" Mars snorted. "Of course. Who do you think I am?" He jumped off the counter and trotted towards Nathan. "I've returned. Aren't you happy to see me?" he beseeched softly.
"You freaking cat! Do you know what I went through while you were missing? I totally nearly died several times. Dad wouldn't shut up about it. And it was too quiet.
How am I supposed to get a compliment when my partner isn't there to tell me how good I look?"
"So, am I to assume that you missed me?"
"Shut up. And why didn't you tell me you were a deity?" Nathan demanded. Mars shrank back. "How?"
"Grandfather's notes. Or did you forget we must chronicle everything?" Nathan said it smugly. Mars cursed his first student inwardly. "I'm not a deity, exactly. I'm a Sith. A Fae. But is that really important to you?"
"Naturally, it is! How could a badgered cat be better-looking than I am? It's impossible," Nathan concluded.
"And? What do you want to do?" Mars asked warily. Nathan stood up with his hands on his hips.
"Competition. My birthday is coming up in August, remember? That's next month. We'll return home to Scotland to celebrate my birthday with my parents.
A competition will be held to see who looks the most handsome," he announced with satisfaction.
Mars just gazed at him. Not the warmest welcome he expected but... Good old Nathan.