The Wolves of Ossory

11. Royally F*****

Maeve

 The burning of my skin caused me to jerk my head up. My eyes met with Almas and my parents. Something was wrong. The crowd became a wave of confused panic, voices rippling through the air and causing the pit in my stomach to deepen.

I used my free hand to smash the ice encompassing my father and I's hand, the shards cutting my skin ever so slightly. I didn't care though; I couldn't focus on anything but the urge to break free and run as fast as I could.

This was humiliating to say the least! Gritting my teeth, I pounded the remaining ice, setting myself free, and I turned to face the gathering of people, the angry flames of fire engulfing my whole being.

"Silence!" the king bellowed, his aura washing over the palace grounds. He looked behind him at his queen and my sister, still freeing themselves from the black ice. They seemed to share a brief mind link before the king returned his gaze to our people.

"What happened tonight has us all in a state of shock. It seems as if the High Chamber has made a mistake. Until we have had an official meeting with them, please refrain from panic and also from gossip. Anyone who decides to speak ill of the queens will answer directly to me! Please, enjoy the rest of your night and if you need to make arrangements to stay, know you are welcome to remain here for the night. Excuse my family and I as we have matters to attend to at present." He commanded, not standing down until everyone had filtered back into the main body of the palace.

"Benson, you and Grady keep an eye on our guests. Find Alpha Daniel and his son Felix to help out and please, oh Goddess please, apprehend anyone from speaking of this until we find a solution," Magnus instructed his beta. Benson nodded curtly and jogged across the yard to round up the other three men.

"Magnus, what does this mean?" Amber questioned, tears brimming her eyes. "Everything was perfect! And now? The whole day is ruined and what's worse is we look weak!"

"Ha, thanks mom," I grunted under my breath. Aila was itching to claw her way into control and run. It took everything in me to keep her restrained.

THIS IS B******T! HOW COULD THEY?! I WILL KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF THE CHAMBER MEMBERS AND SWALLOW THEIR STILL BEATING HEARTS WHILE THEY WATCH!!! She howled, echoing around in my mind.

I pivoted around to investigate the frozen waterfall, trying to distract myself from my world crumbling around me. Alma ripped a piece of her dress off, wrapping her still bleeding hand in the fabric.

"Alma May! What do you think you're doing? You are a queen, young lady, and queens do not sully their dresses when things go wrong!" Amber scolded her daughter.

"Why not mother? Didn't you hear? We aren't going to be queens. Ha! Can you believe that? So no, I will not act like a queen when the High Chamber decided themselves that we are not fit to be the heirs," Alma snapped back, earning a growl from my father.

I tried to link her but she had shut me out. I could feel her anger rolling off of her, and it was hard not to give in as well! I mean come on! We were f****d! Royally F****d! And I wanted answers!

After calming Alma down a bit, my father called us into his study. It was difficult to hear everyone having a good ole time downstairs when we were stuck in this miserable mess. I couldn't slip up now. Not when my family needed me to be strong and reserved.

We sat in the two chairs on the opposite side of the king's desk, our mother standing behind him with her hand resting on his shoulder. I realized they were trying to soothe each other as this had also been a huge embarrassment for them as well.

"The High Chamber reached out to me a few minutes ago, and they have requested an audience with the four of us. They believe they have made the right choice and feel you two deserve an explanation," Magnus started, pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes briefly.

"They would like to meet tonight, but given the situation at hand, they would be willing to wait till the morning," Amber finished, looking at us carefully. Alma's eyes were red with tears. She was livid and in no shape to face the High Chamber, but I was.

"I can go to represent us both," I offered, and Alma snapped her head at me, glaring daggers into my soul.

"Ex-f***ing-scuse me? I must have misheard you, Maeve. It almost sounded like you think I am not fit to confront the High Chamber, as if I was not robbed of the crown as well. Please elaborate further, sister." She growled, her eyes glowing.

I met her gaze evenly, even though her hostility shocked me. "I did not mean it like that. I only offered if you weren't ready," I replied.

"Oh, I am more than ready," Alma shot back, the only trace of emotion on her face was pure determination. "I want to hear what these old fogies have to say,"

"If you are sure, I will let them know and they will send for us," Magnus crossed his arms, a bit of hesitation clouding his eyes. I assured him through the link that everything would be fine, and I spent the next hour telling myself this repeatedly to convince myself and Aila. Magnus entered the room after what seemed like a lifetime, and a portal opened next to him. It glowed a deep red and black, wavering slightly.

"Alright ladies, mantles off. Let's go," Amber sighed, helping us remove the heavy death traps. Alma and I entered first, the king and queen following.

I had never portal jumped before, so this was a very new experience for me. After stepping through completely, it was as if we were stuck in a void of sorts until everyone had come through. Then, another red-lined portal opened, a dim-lit cobbled stone room lying just beyond. I passed through, followed by Alma and our parents and the portal snapped shut with a small flash of light. Intriging, and a good distraction for a moment.

Before me, a long half oval black wood desk stood, surrounded by seven members dressed in deep gray cloaks. At the head of the table, a very old looking man sat perched like a bird, watching our every move.

"Well if it isn't our favorite red-headed duo!" He clasped his hands together, standing and bowing respectfully. The latter followed, bidding us their greetings. "It's been many, many years since I have seen you girls. I am Maury. It is so nice to see you again,"

"Yes, a true misfortune given the circumstances, though," Magnus said before Alma or I could reply.

Maury did not seem impressed by them being here. "Respectfully, my king, I would like to discuss this matter with the two ladies here," Our father growled at that, causing a slight shift in the surrounding members as they felt the power omitted from him.

"Can we stay and observe? We believe we have a right to be here as this affects OUR kingdom," Amber rested her hand on Magnus's, trying to calm him down as she sweet talked Maury. He seemed to enjoy her attention and raised his hands in a slight surrender. Maury seemed like a raunchy old man.

"Please, be seated in the chairs provided, your grace," he gestured to two cushioned chairs to the right of the room and our parents obligued. "Alright, my dears, let us begin. I am sure you have many questions."

"Why did you reject our ceremony when you knew about our plan to rule together since we first shifted five years ago? What changed?" Alma blurted out, balling her fists at her side.

"Alma, sweet, graceful Alma. You see, when we had originally discussed this arrangement, you were both very young. We had hoped that over the years you would find mates, so we entertained this idea until then. However, you both have not found them or even have picked a chosen mate. Maeve, if I remember correctly, you were matched with Prince Dominique from Gale Kingdom. A very good match, in my opinion! Why did you not accept him as your chosen mate?" A man sitting next to Maury spoke, and I felt my face flush.

Amber gasped audibly from across the room. S**t s**t s**t. I had never told anyone Dom had pitched that offer to me. I kept my face stoic as I had a slight mental breakdown, trying to come up with a good excuse.

"You see, I believe in fated mates. It felt wrong to accept that offer when he has a fated mate out there and so do I. I don't believe mates should be used as politically-backed propaganda, either. I am not goods to be traded in hopes of remaining in good graces with our allies. Is that so wrong of me?" I retorted, holding my chin up high. Alma looked shocked beside me.

"What Dillon is alluding to is you had an opportunity but denied it, which, as a princess, it is your duty to maintain those relations, even if they go against your personal beliefs. Your kingdom comes first." Maury responded, turning to Alma next.

"Princess Alma, you have failed to even make tactical matches. We have never seen you take initiative and date. In fact, while at university, it was relayed to us that you had s****l relations with other species with no intention of mating. Do you really think this reckless way of life would be appropriate for a queen?"

"I dated a few men, but as Maeve said, I also believe in the bond of fated mates." Alma slowly responded, looking a bit unsure of herself.

Another man spoke up. I believe his name was Gregory? "You see, this problematic behavior is why we need balance in the royal family. We have come too far to let this kingdom fall with the carelessness and inconsiderate behavior you two women have displayed." I listened to them very closely, picking up on very subtle hints and verbiage that seemed to continue to slip out.

"Sir, if I am not mistaken, you have referred to our gender numerous times throughout this little encounter of ours. Is the problem with our behavior or is it the matter of Alma and I being women and not taking a man by our sides to lead?" I c*cked an eyebrow at Maury. A sly smirk spread across the females present as if they silently approved of my direct counter.

"Absolutely not! Of course that isn't the case! We just think, given this unique situation, maybe we should look for another option to see if it would be a better fit? Also, someone who has a mate to produce an heir. Be real, ladies. When you have found a mate and have pups, who would take the crown then? Which one of your first born is the rightful heir? Do you see where I am coming from? This whole idea is illogical; there are far too many flaws that could occur in the future." Maury started to sweat just a bit as he quickly covered his ass.

They know that I am knowledgeable about all our guidelines regarding discrimination based on gender and equality. This is a subject I am well versed in.

"So let me get this straight," I paced slightly, pressing my hand together with my fingers resting on my lips. "If I am hearing you correctly, our gender isn't the issue, it's our behavior and also the predicament of which one of our pups would take the throne. But you are willing to let someone else step in to, in a sense, usurper us out of our rightful place because of this minor inconvenience of 'who's pup gets the crown'," I couldn't help the sarcasm dripping off my last words. This was ridiculous.

"You rejected our coronation based on a whim. The future you talk of, respectfully, you may not even live to see. These are problems my sister and I would face together. We have trained for this for the better part of 23 years. Are you just going to sit there and take it all away because you don't want to deal with an inconvenience? You have humiliated us in front of our kingdom, you have made a joke of us to our friends and family and, worst of all, you summoned us here to have a discussion where the only thing out of your mouths has been, 'ladies, you didn't quite act like a queen when you were 19'. If I were a man, you would not be here degrading my sister and I based on our choice of mates and how we choose to find them. Men take the crown without a mate and rule for years! King Magnus ruled for two years without a mate, and then they ruled together even longer without an heir! Tell me again, why did you actually reject us!" I couldn't help it. Aila was pushing forward and we were using our royal commanding voice on these asses. Some submitted, some looked away, but Maury held my gaze head on.

Let me out! Let me chew that sack of bones to pieces! She howled in my mind.

A handsome man with a kind face stood up and faced me, grabbing my attention. "Maeve, it wasn't just us who rejected you. The Moon Goddess also did not give her blessing..."