Queen Victoria delicately sipped her tea. After the building had been evacuated, a portable throne had been set up on the platform, as well as a table with additional lower seats, and a full silver-service tea set. Prince Albert had left to oversee the incarceration of the traitors, leaving his Queen to enjoy her tea and explanations in the ruins.

‘What an incredible story,’ she said. ‘It seems that We are indebted to all of you. We shall bestow our royal favour upon you all. What do each of you desire? Come now, speak up. Do not be shy.’

‘A place at your royal court,’ blurted Lord Edwin. ‘So that I may serve at Your Majesty’s side.’

Queen Victoria inclined her head. ‘Granted.’

‘Your Majesty, with Lord Edwin at court,’ said Archie, tentatively, ‘I would very much like to assume custodianship of the Royal Cryptozoological Society.’

‘Granted.’

‘I would like to help you, Your Highness,’ said Tesla.

Victoria looked surprised.

Tesla indicated Xandra, who stood and lifted her skirt. Archie blushed and turned away.

‘This is an exoskeleton of my design,’ explained Tesla. ‘It allows Miss Volodin to walk even though her muscles to not work properly. I believe with a device such as this fitted to your legs, you too would be able to walk.’

‘We would be honoured,’ said Victoria. Then she directed her attention to Xandra and Lex. ‘And what of our two not-so-mythical human beings?’

Xandra gasped as she felt a sudden desperate tugging.

‘Are you all right?’ asked Lex.

Xanda nodded, but staggered to the edge of the platform, leaning down over the railing. Her eyes focused on the remains of the fountain and a strange shimmering in the water. All thoughts of Queen Victoria, Tesla and Archie were driven from her mind by a yearning for home. It was as if, now that their adventure had come to an end, she needed to leave.

‘My brother and I would like to go home.’

‘That’s it,’ said Xandra, as she approached the wreckage of the fountain, the urge almost overwhelming her. She felt her breath quickening, her heart racing. They were so close.

The stone hemispheres of the structure were little more than a pile of rubble and the bent copper pipe sprayed water in all directions, forming mini waterfalls and rivulets in the debris.

‘The fountain?’ asked Tesla.

‘Yes’ said Xandra with excitement, ‘there in the water. Can you see that shimmer?’

‘I thought it was just a trick of the light,’ said Archie.

As they got closer the shimmer became more distinct. And an image began to form. Grass. Trees. Tall skyscrapers in the distance.

‘City Park,’ said Lex.

‘Home,’ said Xandra.

‘Fascinating,’ said Queen Victoria, as her bison put down her portable throne. ‘This is where you come from? A world within a fountain ruled by mythical beasts.’ She paused. ‘Today has been the most extraordinary of days. It shall make an ever-so exciting entry in Our diary.’

Xandra hugged Tesla as Lex shook Archie’s hoof. Archie held out his hoof to Xandra. She gathered him into a hug instead. Lex didn’t even have the chance to extend his hand, before Tesla hugged him.

‘I apologise,’ said Lord Edwin, ‘for the locked room … for the implication that you should be pets … for everything. You have more than proved yourselves. Can you forgive me?’

‘You came good in the end,’ admitted Lex.

‘Kneel,’ demanded Queen Victoria, looking at the children, ‘and bow your heads before Us.’

Victoria extended a claw and tapped Lex and Xandra on their heads. ‘Arise Lord and Lady Volodin, honorary knights of the Royal Guard. Should you ever return to Our world, you will always have a place at Our court.’

Smiling, Xandra and Lex rose.

The Queen beckoned Xandra to her side. ‘Every creature,’ she said in a low voice, ‘be they royal or not, has the capacity for bravery. But sometimes, one may require a reminder. And for that, I thank you … most sincerely.’

Xandra curtseyed one last time, then joined her brother. They gave a last wave of farewell and turned to the fountain. Xandra took her brother’s hand, excitement building, and the two of them ran for home.

‘Oh no!’ Xandra heard Tesla call out, as they leapt into what was left of the fountain. ‘The water. The exoskeleton. The static power.’

Electricity crackled. Water hissed as it evaporated into steam. And with a blinding flash Xandra and Lex were gone.