The queen whispered in his ear, and he nodded. "Felix, can you come here a moment?"
Felix made sure his brothers were safely within Meryn's arms and flew over to the witch. The queen took Law's hand, and Law whispered low as he reached forward and tapped the small amulet hanging from Felix's neck. When he moved his finger back, she heard two tiny clinks. Duplicate amulets fell to the floor.
Felix's eyes widened. "For brothers?" he asked reverently.
The queen nodded. "It will never make up for what they experienced, but I hope it will help them in their new home."
Felix immediately flew back to his brothers and gently slid the necklaces over their heads. He showed them how to rotate the stone.
"Now everyone see."
Finley and Feris looked around. "All see?"
"Yes, all see."
They looked at each other, then laughed joyously, making everyone
around them smile.
Cord re-entered with a plate full of honeycomb, cheeses, bread, fruit, and little cakes. "Come here, little ones, time to eat."
Finley and Feris swooped down to the table looking for Felix. When they spotted their older brother, they beckoned him over. "You eat." Felix shook his head. "Not hungry, Meryn feeds me."
Meryn dipped both pointer fingers into the icing and held it out to the small sprites. "Is it okay that you stay with us?" she asked.
Each sprite gently took the sugared confection from her. "We stay."
"Good." She turned to the queen. "Oh, Aleks..."
"Yes, dearest?"
"Can you help me buy some sprite sized clothes?"
"I'd be delighted." She tapped at the crystal on the side table. A moment later, Portia's voice was heard. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Portia, can you arrange for a wide selection of young, male sprite clothing to be delivered to my quarters. Oh, and can you also see about getting a sprite built home sent as well, large enough for at least five."
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Portia replied, then the crystal dimmed.
Darian looked down at Felix. "Why did the colony send Felix stuff when he moved in with us if his brothers were being shunned?"
Vivian held out a spoon of honey to Finley. "I think they didn't want our colony to show them up."
"Little douchebags," Meryn said quietly.
Feris shook his head. "Not all bad. Some help."
Finley wiped his mouth on his sleeve. "When they could."
Felix picked up a napkin and handed it to his brother. "We protect Meryn."
The boys nodded. "Okay."
Meryn shook her head. "No. They are going to school or whatever baby sprites do."
Felix looked confused. "We no school."
Feris pointed to his chest. "Not baby. We is fifty."