Darion actually had us, his sisters and I, escorted to the Underworld on one of those old fashioned carriers. The ones that are lifted and carried on men's shoulders.

Darion and his army were on horses and there were three carriers total in the line. All were equally gaurded. That way no one would know which one the princesses were in. He also turned us invisible, something I didn't know he could do. I thought he was being paranoid.

Because the men carrying us had to walk, the way was long.

Riding on Inferno it had only taken me about an hour and a half to get to the Underworld. It took us three hours this time.

I reclined comfortably on a thick bed in the carrier, blankets wrapped around me. My fever had rised another two degrees.

Darion's youngest sister Shana, who was twelve, was pressed against my side, her small hand flat on my stomach as she slept soundly. She was panting hard. I didn't blame her, considering Darion had made us all wear heavy, traditional gowns, including corsets. I of course had not been asked to wear one, considering my 'delicate condition' as the seamstress said. Instead i was wearing a gold and white gown that had a thick ribbon just under the chest that tied in the back, loose pleats fell from the ribbon showing off, rather nicely, my very slight rounded belly.

I felt sorry for his sisters. They all wore the same gown. Deep royal blue with gold edging. A very tight sleeveless top with gold flowers and a long, puffy, heavy skirt, with a long train also decorated with gold flowers.

The reason we were dressed like this was because, as was customary, Darion and all members of the royal household, plus his army must have a friendly confrontation with the Prince Constantine, all the members of his royal family, and their army.

Darion and I would be seated on thrones in the middle of Constantine's throne room, while his poor sisters knelt on either side of us on cushy pillows. Directly across from us would be Emporer Vladmire and his wife Empress Melinda with their sons on smaller chairs to the right and left of them. If they'd had wives or children, they'd be kneeling on pillows similar to Darion's sisters'.

I marveled at the whole process.

I was, also, still marveling at the idea of carrying a child and the grief over Shahana filled me. The two emotions clashed and left me feeling numb. Shahana had been six months pregnant, according to Darion's time line, when the plane had fallen. I still could not fully understand her position, but I was beginning to know why she had not gotten an abortion when she'd first learned of her pregnancy. Both Thebes and I had been against abortion but we would have understood.

In the three hours it took to get to our destination, I had a lot of time to think. I thought of the new life I carried in me and quickly found myself everlastingly in love with the child. She or he would be a produce of Darion and I's love for each other, a testiment to our glory. My hand closed over Shana's as I imagined the child in me. I hoped for a girl.

Sadda and Shina were brushing my hair as Serene sat brooding in the corner, upset that she had been torn from her boyfriend, a human, who wouldn't understand. I giggled at the look on her beautiful face.

As the first hour led into the second, I tried communicating with them. Scribbling on the pad of paper, I tried to learn more of them.

I must be boring, I wrote, lying here being a lazy lump.

I passed the note to Sadda who read it and laughed.

"Oh no, you're not boring. We've all got short hair and yours is so pretty and long, it's fun to brush and play with."

I sighed.

Wouldn't you rather be doing something else like, bowling or dancing or something?

"No, we like being here with you." She eyed me up and down. "You're our brother's wife and he loves you desperately. Even if we thought you were boring, we would make it work between us. Besides it's not your fault you're boring. You're carrying our neice or nephew and Darion is bound to be overprotective. Long after you're healthy again, he'll have you on bed rest."

I giggled, that was true.

Do you accept me, even though I'm not one of you?

Her hands stilled in my hair.

"You are one of us Aidan. Don't ever think you aren't. We love you." Sadda, Serene and Shina pulled me into a hug.

"Yeah, you've always been one of us," Shina said. "You were stuck the moment my brother laid eyes on you."

I blushed.

"Face it, girl. We're sisters now," Serene muttered. "You're stuck with us."

Tears flooded my eyes at the thought.

Darion scooped me into his arms, rousing me from a deep slumber.Carrying me into the trhone room, I was half out of it. Demons and shadows plaid havoc with my mind as Darion settled me down into the throne.

My eyes flew open as he sat down next to me, holding my hand. I hoped I wouldn't fall over before the ceremony was over. I felt so weak, I could barely keep my eyes open. Then something made me widen my eyes in shock. I became furious. Darion had told me Shahana and Constance were missing, but I could see them before my eyes.

Constance was on his smaller throne, grinning at me, as Shahana knelt next to him on the pillow, clutching a new born baby wrapped in a black silk blanket to her chest. She wore traditional princess garb as well, and was smiling right along with Constance. They were holding hands and looked to be in love.

Darion's lips grazed my cheek.

"Surprise," he said. "This was all a set up. Emporer Vladmire invited us down to tell us that his sons have been married. Constantine to Thebes, Constance to Shahana."

Then I saw Thebes in the corner, kneeling next to Constantine, neither looked at me, they were smiling to each other.

And I could only think one thing,

WOW!!!

And then Darion whispered to me,

"They've signed a petition to name us Emporer and Empress of the Upperworld. Legally, we have to be accepted as such, but we still have to fight the war."

His hand came over to settle on my stomach. "Don't worry, my sweets," he whispered. "We'll own everything one day."

I kissed him there and I never felt better.