"Aiyla Tatitana Maoilriain, jus' wha' in the Red Court's name do ye think yer doin'?" Came the snapped demand from over top of them.

A 17 year old Aiyla came to her feet with wide light green eyes, staring at the young woman who was older then her by at least seven years. She was standing there with her hands on her hips, staring at Aiyla with a narrowed gaze, completely ignoring the fae young man at their feet who was laying on his elbows grinning. Her hair was a white blonde, like Aiyla's and worn in a hundred tiny braids, leading to one long one down her back.

She was a couple inches taller then Aiyla, but she always had been. Aiyla gave Maya a sheepish smile and glanced at the boy she'd been kissing before her older sister had interrupted. "Um...practicing." Aiyla answered cheerfully.

The boy at her feet, who'd rolled over, and kissed her calf, grinned up at them.

"Practicing WHA, exactly, Aiyla?" Maya asked, crossing her arms. Despite the stern look, she was highly amused by her baby sister's actions. Aiyla had ALWAYS done what she wanted to do.

Aiyla's face went red and she fiddled with a lock of equally white blonde hair. "Does it matter? Get up, Gallagher." She kicked playfully at the boy at her feet, until he climbed up. He was taller then her, with dark hair and eyes, handsome like a fae should be.

"Gallagher, if Gwyndion finds out ye've been kissin' our sister, it'll be him who kicks yer ass from 'ere until next millennium." Maya said, finally smirking.

Gallagher raised his eyebrows amusingly and replied in his gentle voice. "I wouldn't exactly complain, now.."

Maya barked a laugh, seeing Aiyla go even redder. "Be that as it may, get outta 'ere, he's lookin' fer her too."

Gallagher saluted her, picked up his cloak, stole another kiss from Aiyla and was heading into the shadows of the night. Aiyla had her fingers resting on her lips and quiet a puppy love look on her face as she turned back to Maya.

"Aiyla, you know Gallagher's reputation with the ladies, WHY are ye out here kissin' him?" Maya asked slightly irritated.

Aiyla took a deep breath, then shrugged, saying. "I wanted to know what kissing was like, he agreed."

Maya put a hand on her face and shook her head. "Lordy, girl."

"He's a good kisser..." Aiyla put in.

Maya snorted. "Oh yes, one of the best. And how would you know how to rate a kiss if ye've ne'er kissed any one else before him?"

Aiyla's blush kept growing. Only Maya could ever put her on her spot. "I'm just sayin', he seemed t' know wha' he was doin' so I assumed that he was in fact and good kisser and there for..." She trailed off as she watched her sister fall into silent laughter. She crossed her arms over her chest indignantly and waited.

Maya managed to get a hold of her laughter and took Aiyla by the arm. "Come on Ai, mum wants us and Gwyndion." She led the younger woman back through the garden toward Queen Aisleen's study. The pages opened the door, just as their bother joined them. The three entered Aisleen's study.

She was sitting at her desk, looking over some papers when they entered. "Record time in finding your sister, Maya." Aisleen said softly with out looking up.

"Aiyla's not hard to find if you know where she's hiding." Maya said with a grin, glancing at the youngest sibling. Gwyndion chuckled.

"I'm sorry, mum, I wasn't aware you were lookin' for me, or I would have been here sooner." Aiyla said, taking a seat near by. Maya flopped down next to her and Gwyndion leaned against the wall next to them.

No one said anything while Aisleen worked. Finally she sat down her pen and raised her blue eyes to her children, looking at each in turn. Gwyndion, her eldest, from her only marriage...to Vladislaus LiVed. Gwyndion was lucky, he looked more like his mother. But he was a fine lad, fast, and quick with a sword. Excellent with a staff and bow. A brilliant strategist mind. He'd be a truly wonderful red king some day.

Her adopted daughters...she remembered the night she found them. A six year old Maya, clutching her infant sister. The baby hadn't had a name. Aisleen had named her, herself. Maya had grown into a quiet, serious young woman, a lover of knowledge, more traditional then even Gwyndion. In a few more years, Aisleen intended on making Maya a Red Bishop, when she made Gwyndion a Red Knight.

Then there was the baby. Aisleen turned fond eyes on the youngest girl, little Aiyla. Named after Aisleen's mother. She reminded Aisleen of herself. The youngest child of three girls, Aisleen had become Queen of the Red court upon her marriage to LiVed. Her second sister Aerith was queen of the Blue court. And their eldest, the Spider Queen. Aisleen had always been the rebellious child. She could remember climbing trees with her big brother Estehl and his friends, taunting the hounds and riding the pookas. Aisleen smiled slightly at the memory, watching Aiyla.

She sat swinging her feet off the edge of the settee and looking all the world a wild tomboy, her long braid full of leaves and twigs and there was grass stains on her knees. Aisleen chuckled. Aiyla would hold the rank of Red Rook. Aisleen wouldn't impose upon the child, an arranged marriage, like her mother did. She would not try to control her life...yet. "The three of you have proven your loyalty to this court for the last couple of months. I have a task, that I need only the trusted to under take. And I trust no one more then my own children." Aisleen said finally.

All three looked up with full attention now. Aisleen watched them. "The onyx has been stolen. I'd like you to retrieve it. Gwyndion knows who took it and how to find it. He'll explain it to you girls."

Maya and Aiyla glanced at Gwyndion who nodded. Aisleen turned back to her work and the three left the room very quietly. They lingered in the hall outside the study. "Think ya can handle a retrieval job, Ai?" Gwyndion asked.

Aiyla playfull kicked at her big brother with a look. "What do you think?" She asked dryly.

Gwyndion chuckled. "As long as she's not out kissin' Gallagher and all's fine." Maya said softly, with a wicked smile. Aiyla's eyes went wide and she glared at her sister. Gwyndion turned around to look from Aiyla's wide eyes, to Maya's devious smile.

"Kissin' Gallagher?! Wha' in the name o' Avalon?!" Gwyndion folded his arms over his chest and gave Aiyla a look.

"I was just tryin' it out." Aiyla mummered, still glaring at Maya who was silently snickering.

Gwyndion could only start laughing at Aiyla's reply. Only Aiyla would put it in those terms, trying it out. Aiyla grinned. then took off running, while laughing.