Wings, Beasts and Claws: Violet Embers

Ch. 2 : Tension

*Queen Amara*

I hated seeing Dorian so worried and tense while he tried to help our people. And a part of me wanted to help him in any way I could, even if I needed to go out and help the Knights protect the city. But I knew that if I tried to insert myself into the situation, it would just cause him more worry and I didn’t want that when he was already so tense.

So, I had made it a habit to stop by the office throughout the day to keep him company and give him some respite. Bringing tea, lunch and even our kids along with me to give him a break from all the stress. It warmed my heart to see him relax and smile after dealing with that damned Order and their growing number of criminals. And my brother Arden had even joined us with Morina and their kids a few times to escape from the tension in the Knights quarters, since they were all filled with anger towards the Shifters that were attacking their own over a gift that the All Mother returned to us.

“How is he?” I turned to smile weakly at my father-in-law who walked beside me, his ruby red gaze filled with concern.

“Stressed and tense about Cal’s banquet.” He nodded as I spoke, his gaze turning to look ahead of us at all the children that were playing beside Ivy, Morina and my brother. “He’s worried that a member of the Order will somehow manage to get inside and use what he sees against us.” I sighed as I looked at my children, worry and fear for their safety bubbling in my chest. “Even knowing what the Royal children look like is valuable information.”

“I know this isn’t something you wish to hear,” He said, pausing as we neared a large willow tree that the kids loved to play under. “But if anything should happen during the banquet, I have told Ivy and the children to come to me so you and my son can handle it without worry.” He took my hand in his and smiled softly, my heart clenching at the earnest and tender look in his eyes. “My grandchildren are dear to me and I will do anything I need to, to ensure their safety, should danger come knocking on our doors.”

“Thank you, Drako.” I gave his hand a squeeze before we joined the kids under the tree, smiling as they ran around.

I stared at my father-in-law as he sat across from me on the small outdoor table, following his sad and longing gaze to the young Winter Solis tree that was planted near the entrance to the Rose garden. This eight foot tree had been planted in memory of his late wife, Queen Avelia who passed away last year. And, as was tradition within the Royal Fafner family, after her funeral she was cremated and her ashes were mixed into the soil and roots of her favorite plant: the Winter Solis tree.

After the tree was planted Drako no longer wished to be addressed by his former title, saying that without his Queen, he was no longer King of any kind. And since then, I and everyone else within the Palace have addressed him by his middle name. He also stated that, when his time came to be reunited with his one and only love, that he wanted the same plant to be used and that it must be planted beside hers. Their souls forever next to each other as their bodies fueled the growth of the yellow flowering winter trees.

“Amara.” I jumped as my brother approached me with Morina beside him, smiling when we locked eyes. “Will you be alright if we left our kids with you for a bit?”

“Of course, but where are you going?” I asked, seeing Morina as she kept glancing back at the kids.

“We want to go pick up our nephew's gift from the shop in the city and have it wrapped before our kids can see it.” He explained, chuckling as he glanced at our children play. “Rhoda will try to take it since it’s shiny and Pallas will end up telling Cal before it’s time.”

I laughed along with them and looked over at my nieces and nephew. Reya, the eldest, always played with Cal and stuck close to him no matter what game they played. Pallas was my brother's only son and a year older than my twins who preferred to play with him and leave the older two to their own games. And Rhoda, being only two, would just sit and talk with Thea and Ivy, occasionally joining her brother and the twins if they were playing something she liked. Both the younger two had my brother’s dark brown hair and their mother's pearl pink eyes, leaving Reya as the only one with black hair and amethyst eyes like her cousin Cal.

“Go ahead, I was going to take them all inside for dinner in a minute anyway so come find them in my rooms once you're back.” They nodded and hugged me before waving to their children.

We stayed there under the willow tree for a little while longer, the cold of winter beginning to bite under our clothes as we finally made our way back into the Palace. But before we could reach the side doors that led to the dining room, all the children stopped and squealed as they caught sight of the first snowfall of the winter. They jumped and tried their best to catch the fluttering white flakes, turning it into a contest that had them huffing and panting when we finally got inside.

“Go bring that son of mine down here.” Drako said, nodding towards the stairs as Ivy and the kids entered the dining hall. “I’ll help Ivy get the children seated and eating.”

I thanked him with a soft kiss on his cheek before turning towards the stairs, taking them two at a time to reach the office faster. Sadly, I was met with an unpleasant guest a few feet outside the office doors and my excitement to see my husband died.

“Your Majesty.” A man in a dark brown suit called out once he saw me, his dark and critical gaze eyeing me up and down as I neared him. “Just the person I was hoping to see.”

“Duke Zenan,” I started, my tone cold and emotionless. “I’m insulted that you would think it proper to call out to me without a proper greeting.”

He smirked and raised his hands in defeat as if I were some unruly child that was acting out in front of him.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I have urgent news that I simply must report to you before the day's end.” The sarcasm dripping from his words fueled my anger and I squared my shoulders to look him dead in the eye.

Duke Zenan was from one of the four Dukedoms within the Fafner Kingdom that provided not only a large supply of much needed resources, but a great number of Knights that assisted our Kingdom in serious situations. He was also one of the main leaders among the Nobles that were openly against my marriage with Dorian, as well as my Coronation. And it was all because I was a NonShifter, it didn’t matter to them that I was his fated Mate.

They believed that I was going to weaken the Royal family as well as the entire Fafner Kingdom because of my weak blood and lack of a Soul-Animal. And in the early months after I became Queen, they had tried to convince Dorian to take on a concubine to ensure that he would have a dragon child. Since they wholeheartedly believed that I wouldn’t be able to do so. In fact, Duke Zenan even went so far as to bring along his eldest daughter Norena whenever he had business in the Palace. And I had even overheard that not-so-innocent daughter of his talking to her Handmaid about seducing Dorian and taking my title as Queen while ‘graciously’ allowing me to remain as his concubine since I was his fated Mate.

“Report what you must and return to your lands.” I said, fighting back a smile when he slipped and glared at me. “And perhaps you could use those manners you so proudly claim to have and proceed accordingly the next time you wish to have an audience with me.” I stepped closer and allowed my hands to become engulfed in my deep purple flames that were the mark of an elementally gifted NonShifter. “Lest I lose control of these flames and educate you myself.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” His jaw clenched and he bowed to me, his fists visibly shaking before he straightened out again. “Please, forgive this humble vassal and allow me to make amends.”

“I don’t wish to waste anymore time, Duke Zenan.” My flames died out and I stepped back a little, waiting for him to say what he needed to say.

“Very well,” A dark gleam flickered in his eyes before he continued and something twisted in my stomach at the thought of what he might have to tell me. “I regret to inform you that the decor and winter flowers you had requested of the Zenan Duchy have reached a critical limit and I cannot complete your order without suffering a great loss.”

‘So, that’s what you were planning.’ I thought to myself, seeing the growing look of malicious pride behind his pale brown eyes.

Duke Zenan, along with all other Nobles that were against me being Queen, had been doing anything in their power to make me struggle with my duties when it came to celebrations of any kind. And it looks like he was going to try and hide the fabric and flowers that I knew his land produced and have me scrambling to find replacements at the last minute for my son's banquet. With only two weeks left and many other deliveries already arriving with the things I needed, having something as crucial as the matching decor and flowers present to honor the birth of my son was a huge hit… or at least, it would have been if I hadn’t anticipated his underhanded attack.

“Thank you for alerting me to such… bitter news, but you needn’t worry.” I smiled openly as his own gleeful expression dropped. “I had already received another set of flowers and decor items from my father’s Duchy just last week.” He struggled to control his anger and I couldn’t help but poke at his wound even more. “The quality of the items he obtained for me is far better suited for my son and of a higher quality as well, since he had them imported from the Kingdom of Azuren. And he personally selected each piece himself.” The hostility in the air grew thicker as I walked past him and placed my hand on the doorknob, looking at him from my periphery. “As you know, Duke Du Pleasant is the very proud Grandfather of the Crown Prince and father of the Queen, who else would I trust with such an important task.”

Duke Zenan growled softly before marching towards the stairs, his faint words about making his daughter Queen no longer surprising me as he faded from view.

“Amara?” I sighed as soon as I stepped into the office, finding myself in Dorian's arms within a minute of closing the door. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.” I muttered, resting my ear against his chest and letting the rhythmic sound of his heart calm me. “I just dealt with Duke Zenan out in the corridor and he soured my mood a bit.”

Dorian tensed and a low growl started in his throat, making his arms and shoulders tremble.

“What did that bastard want now?” He asked, tightening his hold on me.

“He tried to lie to me and say that the things I had ordered for our son’s banquet wouldn’t be available to me.” I pulled back and smiled up at him, seeing him relax as I continued. “But I was one step ahead this time and already had the things I needed brought in with my fathers help.”

He stopped growling and smiled, leaning forward for a small kiss before pulling back.

“Do you want me to punish him for blatantly trying to trick you?” He asked, a dark look taking over his eyes. “I could even have someone plant evidence of a crime in his home if you want the punishment to be more severe.”

I shook my head, “No, you can’t go around framing everyone that doesn’t want me to be your Queen.” I reached up and locked my fingers behind his neck, pulling him closer. “You know each one of them provides something valuable to our people, and we can’t let them suffer just because a few Nobles don’t like me.” I teased him a bit as I spoke, brushing my lips against his while his body relaxed against mine. “I am your Queen, your wife and the mother of your children… no one will change that.”

“Yes, my Queen.” He murmured, closing the tiny gap between us and helping me chase away the last of the tension within me.