Dmitri staggered a bit. His vision cleared within a few seconds. Everyone around him became alert and surrounded him. The invisible security of the wizards started appearing one by one and surrounded the King. 

Dmitri’s throat was dry by the time he became okay. Adrianna took Ileus from him. He rubbed his throat and licked his lips. His breathing was ragged. 

​​

Adrianna was extremely concerned. “What is it Dmitri?” she asked, knocking on his blocked mental shields gently. “Let me see what is making you so troubled.”

A security gave him water, which Dmitri gulped in one go. “I will tell you later,” he whispered. Let’s go to the restaurant. Inyanga must be waiting.” Dmitri straightened up and took in a deep breath. This was a horrible dream that bothered him last night and its vision in his mind was worrisome. At first he disregarded it, however, now that it was again there, his mind was into an overdrive of various kinds of thoughts. Was someone trying to contact him again? He had to discuss it with Adrianna.

“Are you sure?” Adrianna asked again.

“Yes,” he nodded. 

Ileus watched his father with a fixed gaze. His golden yellow eyes didn’t leave him even for a second. 

The group walked silently into the portal with Haldir becoming extremely vigilant. Dmitri’s behavior was not normal and as the Military General of the Wizard Kingdom, he created a thin electric field of invisible protection around him. He warned everyone around about it. The guards became invisible again. 

Soon a portal was created in the alley that they had walked in. It was already evening when they all stepped out in front of the restaurant that was located on the outskirts of the town, on the verge of the forest. Niiya was already present there. 

“Niiya!” Adrianna exclaimed and went to him. She was extremely glad to see him because she was not sure that he would even come. 

Niiya hugged her and looked at Ileus. “So that’s him!” He couldn’t help smiling. 

Adrianna giggled and said, “Yes!” On the inside she was dreading how to tell him the news about the fact that he had been removed from the Council position. Her reaction was a mix of nervousness and happiness upon seeing him after so long. 

Niiya stroked Ileus’ hair gently and said, “He is breathtaking Adri.”

“Thanks,” she replied while Ileus ducked his head inside his baby carrier like a turtle. 

Niiya looked at the rest and asked, “Where is Ookashi?” 

“She will be joining us soon,” said Dmitri and shook his hands with him. Liam and Fleur nodded formally and so did Haldir. Haldir couldn’t forget the way Adrianna pulled out Pryce from the bed naked in front of him and killed her. He shuddered to even think about that. He pitied Niiya for having undergone so much in so little years of his life. But the gist was that when you held those positions, people were attracted towards you – some as your flatterers while most as your enemies. Only a few remained your friends through thick and thin. And Adrianna was one such friend, which Niiya had to understand. Haldir wished him well internally. 

Niiya smiled and said, “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go in!” 

“Sure!” said Dmitri. 

The place was surrounded by thick foliage of oak trees whose leaves looked dark in the evening. The waning gibbous moon was hanging over the trees. It was still dull because the evening hadn’t set fully. Few stray stars had appeared in the sky near it and they looked as they were pulling the moon up to dazzle the night as it should. 

The restaurant was beautiful from inside. Adrianna gazed around and was captivated by its interior décor. “This is a lovely setting,” she said as she walked inside. It was kind of a place that was so exquisite that she knew that it wouldn’t have been possible to get a place here had these people not booked in advance. The large mullioned windows were draped with white gauzy curtains that were drawn on the side with golden tassels. The dark oak tables with beautifully embroidered tablecloths looked splendid. Adrianna smiled as she recognized the origin of the embroidery. They screamed loud about the Orient. In a corner there was a piano on which a pianist was already playing soft Beethoven tunes. The long tables were arranged in the corners for groups to sit while small round ones were in the center. Plenty of golden pots with ferns were placed at regular intervals. 

Adrianna’s breath was caught for a moment and she asked, “Who is the owner of this place?” 

Niiya chuckled. “Nate and me.”

“What?” Adrianna was startled. “How come I don’t know?” 

“Yes!” Niiya grinned. He walked away to the corner where the table was reserved for them. 

“There is no one else?” asked Dmitri as he settled himself next to Adrianna. Ileus had started with his gimmicks. He took the spoon and banged it on the table repeatedly. 

“No. I have this for ourselves for the evening,” Niiya answered. 

Impressed, Adrianna flitted her gaze around again. She asked Dmitri, “Didn’t you know?” 

“I knew,” he said lazily. “But they wanted to keep it as a surprise for you and Ookashi.” 

Adrianna jerked her head. She opened her mouth to ask something but closed it upon a second thought. She also wanted to indulge in the surprises today. 

Ten minutes later Ookashi came along with Nate and their baby girl. Niiya got up immediately. He looked at his twin sister with hope. They were meeting after so long that none of them moved for a while and then Ookashi started to cry. She was so overwhelmed by the surprise that her lips trembled and she couldn’t speak a word. Niiya rushed to her and gave his sister a bear hug. He said, “Hush, Ookashai, hush.” He caressed her hair. “Good things are going to start now.”

Adrianna couldn’t hold herself and she went to her old friends after giving Ileus to Dmitri. The three of them hugged tightly. It was a moment of so many emotions that everyone else in the restaurant became quiet. Dmitri took out his phone and took pictures. “See that is how friendships work,” he said. When he looked at his son, he found him staring at him as if reminding him that he was one of the reasons for the crack in their friendship. “Oh hush!” Dmitri harrumphed.

The friends walked to the table and sat next to each other. Nate was grinning when he went to Dmitri and Liam. “Congratulations!” Liam said. 

“Thanks,” he answered feeling so proud. 

“There’s another surprise for you Ookashi,” Nate said holding his daughter’s hand. 

— 

On the outside the Shadow had come out again as soon as the moon came up in the sky. He sniffed the air and was startled. Its maroon eyes rotated in its socket. The smell of the Master was so strong. It was as if he was outside the Wizard Kingdom. He couldn’t believe it. So he sniffed again. The scent of his Master was indeed too strong. He followed it. 

— 

“What is it?” asked Ookashi. “I don’t think I want anything else,” she replied with a smile at Niiya. 

Niiya shook his head. He said, “I have missed so many occasions that I was waiting for this moment.” He dug his jacket’s pocket and took out a small blue box. He gave it to Ookashi and said, “Open it.”