Four years passed and Syryn remained asleep; four years since Milky's unexplained disappearance. Altaire, now a permanent fixture at the palace was engaged in discussion with Rowan who visited the palace as often as was possible.

Their first exchange had been filled with animosity, especially on the anti mage's end since he believed that Altaire was a hindrance to his plans, but the years had mellowed down their sharp words to blunted and friendly conversations about worldly affairs.

Today, Lucien had come with Rowan. The teen was a ravishing sight to behold, a seductive red siren that turned heads every time he stepped out of his house. Over the years, Red had become a part of Luci and he longer made an appearance on his own. Luci had thus become just as barbed, crafty, and wicked as his counterpart had been, though he retained a charming kindness which could be attributed to Rowan's influence in his life.

"Syryn, I'm back," Lucien announced to his sleeping brother. His voice had gotten as deep as he had gotten taller. Rowan was still the tallest in their home but Lucien was gaining on him very fast. "I have a lot to tell you. You'll be shocked to know that Magnus has returned."

The fire mage had avenged his family, installed his mother on the throne as queen, and had abandoned the kingdom so he could return to Elysium where his happiness lay. News about his arrival had reached Alka from his older brother.

Over the years, Artemus remained busy under a load of stress trying to catch the still active perpetrators of a case that had begun with the dead travellers whose bodies were rejected by carrion eaters.

"I heard he's been spending time at some guest house. He's got a lady with him," Lucien scoffed when he said that. The one-sided crush he had been nursing on Magnus wasn't dead yet after all these years. An ember remained and it didn't hurt him too much when he came to hear of Magnus with a woman. He recalled what the fire mage had told him so many years ago.

Toddlers are not my type at all, Lulu. I only like big sisters with curvy bodies.

It was too bad for Magnus then. Lucien was a hot unsold commodity in Elysium. When the redhead stepped out, it wasn't uncommon to see his admirers get trashed for stalking and annoying him. The girls he didn't lay a hand on because chivalry wasn't dead yet. But once he announced his gayness to the world, it was over for the ladies. Truth be told, Lucien thought men and women were both delectable, and he had sampled a few. None though could hold his attention for long.

"Anyway, we miss you, Syryn. I don't know when you're coming back but I hope you do before I succeed at stealing Rowan from you."

Lucien let out a soft sigh and turned from the face of his brother. He didn't know what Altaire was feeding his brother, and how, but Syryn was growing and he looked healthier than he had any right to be.

"I'll see you in two days, Syryn," Lucien told his brother before he stood up to leave. Rowan and Altaire were still conversing about the wars that were being waged by Sigil's neighbours and how Sigil itself was getting dragged into the chaos.

"Rowan, Altaire, I'm leaving," he told the duo.

"Where to?" The blond enquired. Rowan wasn't yet ready to leave. Altaire and he were in the middle of an important conversation about the uneasiness that permeated the atmosphere in the pond. He had grown to trust the alchemist whom Syryn had admired deeply. Altaire's presence beside Syryn allowed the blond to travel more and investigate the shadows whose reach included all the kingdoms that were at war.

"Off to hit on Mu-Mu," Lucien cheekily replied.

"Artemus?" Rowan raised a brow. "Or the other anti mage you've been sneaking around with?"

His blond guardian did not approve of the older gentleman that Lucien had been seeing for a week now, and he had made it abundantly clear to the teen. Rowan wanted Lucien to stay away from the casanova who was going to break Lucien's heart. Alka had dissolved into laughter when Rowan had made his feelings about it known. He was taken aback by the plant mage's estimation of Lucien's wickedness but he couldn't be blamed. In Rowan's eyes, Luci could do no wrong. Luci was an angel.

"I swear I'm meeting Artemus. Why won't you believe me, Ro?" Lucien, almost an 18-year-old adult Lucien, made a pouting face that melted the frown off Rowan's face. Altaire had been seeing this play between the blond and the redhead for about three years now. He rolled his eyes and decided to keep his counsel to himself.

____

Lucien hadn't been lying when he told Rowan that he was meeting Artemus. The older anti mage tended to forget food these days. Alka, Sebastian, and Lucien often visited him with hot food from the anti mage's favourite restaurants whenever they had the time to.

When he arrived at the Sanguine HQ, Artemus was in his office, poring over a report from the team that was investigating the latest spate of magical murders in Sigil.

"Mu-Mu," Lucien greeted the anti mage. "I brought you food."

"Just a minute, Luci."

The teen folded his arms and leaned on Artemus' chair. He could smell strawberry scented shampoo on the anti mage's well-groomed hair.

"Been spending the night at Sebastian's, have you?" Lucien said with a light chuckle.

"Maybe."

"I'm telling you, Mu-Mu, Sebbie won't mind a threesome. Just let me know a date and time and I'll-"

"Tomorrow, seven o clock," Artemus replied. He wouldn't be home and neither would Sebastian so Artemus was happy to have Lucien over to accompany and feed his five big dogs.

"Eh?" Lucien flirted with everything that was attractive and looked human. That included his housemates, Artemus, and Sebastian. What he didn't expect was for them to positively respond to his advances. It left him bewildered because they weren't supposed to agree with him.

"Cat got your tongue?" Artemus asked, amused by the red head's silence.

"Artem-" the door to the office opened up and a newcomer arrived.

Lucien recognised that voice and turned around so fast he almost had whiplash. His blood-red eyes took in the tall figure of a man he hadn't seen in many years. Smirking at the shapeshifter who was struck dumb at seeing him, Lucien folded his arms and leaned back against Artemus' chair. He was going to have so much fun.

"Magnus.. What a surprise."