New Beginnings Same Old Problems

Uncle Alexander leans in to whisper, "don't worry I still have a few years before joining them."

That's right in this world Uncle Alexander is Mother's brother but, in the Underworld, he is father's twin sister and the Deity of Mischief and War. She'll probably reincarnate a few years after father and mother. If my calculations are correct, they should be reborn in a hundred years, that is wagering the Celestial Realm doesn't intervene.

Ruby scrunches her nose at the bickering Regents, the look on her face when I told her she couldn't sleep in because we needed to attend this meeting was priceless. I'm sure the look on my face when she puked all over me was even more amusing to her.

"Uncle Enrique this is your Realm how about some order," I say earning a smirk from the old King he used enough of his essence that it's a miracle he didn't go back to the Underworld. He is the Deity of Winter just like the Realm he currently precedes over. It's amazing to see someone who's always looked, old enough to be my older brother so weathered, he doesn't have long to go.

Uncle Enrique taps his staff on the ground causing frost to come up to the table, "you and your mate are the new keepers of balance."

Ruby smiles at him the way she did when she threw me into the bathing pool, "Royal Uncle hasn't long to go before he returns to, he's Devine Rest, why not help us just this once? I'll name our firstborn after you."

The old man laughs, "will he approve?"

"The name we'll give the child is not your earthly name," I say, "would you like us to announce what your true name is?"

"Now, now, let us be civil," Uncle Feng the only Shadow Phoenix to date steps from between the Shadows and Darkness, "the solution is simple, all the old Monarchs are gone should the people be willing to follow their dependents nothing can be done."

"What of us?" One of the mortal merchants asks, "who should lead us?"

Ruby cracks her neck before answering, "have the people decide any that want a mortal ruler may have one so long as it's not within Fay lands."

"Then how will…

"I wasn't done," Ruby lets out a sigh before lifting herself out of the chair, "I was taking a breath. Now mortals and immortals alike will have the opportunity to attend the Academies free of charge. Varying on the professions of choice some will master certain skills while others will be taught the concept of them."

"What about science and….

"Would you stop," Ruby slams her hand on the table causing frost to crack, "I swear you mortals don't listen you only wait for your chance to speak; in one ear out another," even though she's seven months pregnant there's still something deadly about the way she looks at anyone who crosses her, "now your science will be taught to an extent no capturing immortals to try and learn why we're born the way we are. No trying to create synthetic life and before you argue giving a portion of once life force to help someone gain human form is not the same as genetically modifying a living being. Night."

"If you do not like the restrictions you are welcome to find a Pirate that will cross you to another world. Granted there is no guaranty you'll like where you end up," I say while Ruby rubs her belly, "Now, as long as your science doesn't harm the earth nor any living or undead being you may practice it. All crimes against humanity will be punishable by death."

"Night," Ruby's hand wraps around my forearm claws digging in, "I think it's time."

"You're only seven months," I say.

Uncle Alexander laughs, "didn't you two spend some time in the Nether?"

"Yeah, why?" I ask lifting Ruby into my arms.

"Time moves differently there," Ruby says claws digging into my shoulder.

"I say she's overdue," Uncle Enrique comes to stand by us, "I guess my times up, just a reminder Pearl is not just the new Healer on High she is also the new Winter Queen."

The Winter King's essence starts to flow all around us and then he's gone. Pearl appears as if summoned, perhaps Ruby called for her.

"Pearl it feels worse than being stabbed," Ruby clutches her sister's hand, "why?"

"You're used to being stabbed," Pearl runs a hand over Ruby's belly, "your water broke some time ago."

"Yeah, I know but we had this stupid meeting," Ruby lets out a growl, "at first they wouldn't speak then suddenly everyone had something to say."

"That's not important now," Pearl snaps her fingers and healers rush into the room.

"Make sure her Majesty and the child are well," I say, handing her over one of Ruby's shadow hands claws around my ankle another around my waist.

"You did this to me," she howls, "don't think you get to escape it."

"Pearl…

"My sister's right," Pearl pushes me towards Ruby's levitating cot, "the Dark King will return when his Mate and child are well. In the meantime, behave," with that we are whisk away to the old Winter King's chamber. The room has already been prepared with basins of warm water, piles, and piles of blankets and towels.

"I really should…

"I swear I will kill you," Ruby snarls as she's placed on the bed, she lets out a howl followed by a blast of darkness and waves of shadows.

"Everyone out," Pearl's voice is steady yet stern, not a single one of her acolytes' protest, "not you Night, I need you to help contain her magic while I help her deliver the baby."

"You did this," Ruby whispers claws tearing the beading.

"You let me," I mumble only to be blasted against the wall, "that was stupid of me to say."

Pearl laughs, "try not to kill him, now I need you to wait until I say push okay," she lifts the bedsheet to Ruby's knees at some point Ruby's clothes were switched into a light gown. Pearl moves it to the side nodding her head once she spots whatever it is, she's looking for, "take a deep breath through your nose exhale through your mouth and push."

###

Half of the Royals stand outside the Queen's chambers some seem more curious than others. Whispers of the first Royal of the new world being born along with a few undesired ones go about the hall. If the Queen were to see this, she'd scold them for disrupting her patients' rest.

"What's taking them so long?" the one known as Alexander asks. When I don't answer he goes back to pacing, "tell me, Feng, how long is labor?"

Feng just shakes his head and continues to sit on the ridge, eyes closed in meditation.

"Healer girl, you should know right how long those it takes," Alexander nudges my shoulder, "well?"

"I've never given birth my Lord," I say, "therefore I do not know," I go back to looking ahead, a Healer must always be ready to help not that the Healer on High would need any help.

Alexander sucks on his fangs, "you are a Healer therefor you should know."

Before I can answer the door opens and the Healer on High steps out, "would you stop making so much noise, and why are all of you here?"

A faun looking female steps forward and inclines her head, "Greetings, your Majesty, the Folk have come to bless the new Prince and Princess."

"I have yet to announce it and already you know," the Winter Queen smiles, "mother Agate truly is gifted, you'll have to forgive me but it must be the Queen of Assassins and Dark King who allow you near their children."

The faun inclines her head, "of course your Majesty."

"They had two," Alexander seems to deflate.

"Alexander I was told to tell you because it is the birth of their children, they will spare you, but should you bet on what the Queen is having again I'll personally take your head."

"You're a Healer you can't do that," Alexander somehow seems smaller next to the Winter Queen.

"What to find out?" She asks before heading back into the room.

###

Pearl closes the door and lets out an audible hum, Night lets out a low chuckle as he cradles our daughter, "marry him already."

"What?" Pearl glares at Night.

"Pearl would prefer Alexander in his other form," I say, "you know when he was a she."

"Oh, I see," Night taps his chin, "he doesn't have long to go before reincarnating, juts wait till then."

"I think as the new Winter Queen I'll start my Reign by keeping the Dark Realm out of the Winter Realm," Pearl winks at me but doesn't move from the door.

Night snorts before turning his attention back to the twins, "let them in," he says. I nod when Pearl looks at me for confirmation.

The Folk, scurry in beating Alexander who wipes imaginary dust from his lapel before striding over.

"I don't see what's so impressive about a bunch of babies," Alexander scoffs.

Uncle Feng smacks Alexander upside the head, "manners, they are no ordinary children."

"Oh, do tell," I straighten Midnight fast asleep in my arms.

Uncle Feng places a hand over Midnight's head and another over August after a few seconds and onyx and amethyst stone appears on Midnight's forehead, "she is quite strong for someone so young," when he removes his hand from August's forehead a sapphire and emerald rest atop his brow, "they will need guidance and possibly more than two conduit stones."

The Folk, are giddy with excitement as they bestow their gifts a dagger carved out of a ravens talon, an obsidian arrow with hawk feathers, two crowns of pink and purple heather entwined with baby's breath, "may they live happy and eternal lives," the faun says placing a crown on either one of the babies brows.

Once they step away the others follow suit giving their blessing to the first children conceived in the old world and born in the new. Two of the many to come in a once-dead bloodline.