The Future King and the Commander's Daughter

Blood Ball Pt. 2

The King, Queen, Crown Prince, and Crown Princesses had different courts. There were joint courts and individuals. The main court was technically the joint court for us all, but mostly Titus heard cases there. Veronica often sat back him or came in to hear though. We had individual ones because someone could request them. Plus, for Bjourn and I we weren’t King and Queen yet.

My secretary, Celeste, handed me the case. She pursed her lips, “They refused to give more details than previously given. I have logged paperwork for King Titus to make fields on the case document mandatory so this won’t be allowed in the future.” I scoffed, “No one ever needed it to be mandatory.” Celeste pursed her lips, “Yes, well these two do. Most of my day is finding out how to swat them away from your schedule.”

I laughed, “Is it?” She grumbled, “Yes, they make nuisance files a lot. I finally got Rhett to stop because I told him I was a hair’s breadth away from telling Crown Prince Bjourn’s secretary he was obsessed with seeing you. Magically, he has no more issues until this.” I told her, “You are very good at your job.”

She replied, “I know. Jenkins wanted me to tell you that he had Crown Prince Bjourn’s tux you want him to wear at the ball dry cleaned.” Jenkins was Bjourn’s secretary. It worked out for us that we selected secretaries completely unaware they were best friends from the time they were ten. They went out on a mission that bonded them for life strictly as friends.

I nodded, “Good.” She added, “And your dress was delivered last night to my house. I have it on the way to your room now.” I grinned, “That’s probably going to be the best news of my day.” Her sister designed my dress and I couldn’t wait to see what she came up with. She was quite the up and coming designer in our realm and the human one.

I sat on my throne and she motioned for my guard to open up the door. Lagatha rolled her eyes then opened it. Briar and Rhett stood on the other side glaring furiously at each other. They stomped into the room and took a seat at the table before them. I waited for several minutes but they didn’t say anything. It was customary for those entering to greet me before I greeted them and asked them to present their issue.

Celeste said, “Now is when you greet the Crown Princess.” Rhett cleared his throat, “Hello, Astrid.” Celeste curtly said, “That’s a one thousand dollar fine. No one is allowed to call her by her given name without title in this room if they are not family.” Which they both knew. Both bristled. I greeted, “Hello Rhett and Briar. What brings you in today?”

Briar exploded, “He knocked up his w***e and refuses to insist she get rid of it.” I already wanted to rub my temples. She could not seriously be suggesting a woman be forced to have a procedure she didn’t want. Celeste stiffened beside me. I asked, “Did you bring the woman in question?” Rhett answered, “Yes, she’s waiting outside.” He went to get her. I didn’t recognize her so she wasn’t from the capitol more than likely.

I asked her, “What’s your name?” Before she could answer, Briar scoffed, “Whore.” I curtailed that, “You will shut up and that’s also a fine. We don’t use that term for consenting adults. Was this child conceived during an on period?” That would be cheating, and Briar would have a right to be upset. It would be unlikely the woman knew that though. Rhett would’ve lied.

Briar shifted, “No.” I replied, “Then you literally have no reason to be upset. Be quiet.” I repeated, “What’s your name?” She answered, “Jolene Hastings.” I greeted, “It’s nice to meet you, Jolene. What are your thoughts here?” She frowned, “I don’t understand why this has turned into such a toxic situation. They were on an off period. We didn’t try or anything to have a child, the condom failed.”

Briar cut in, “So fix your mistake.” I ordered, “That is ENOUGH!” Jolene shot back, “He brought the condom not me. At this point, I want to go home. I was visiting the capitol and you’ve kept me here past my stay. My parents have sent me money to stay.” I held up my hand, “I’m sorry, they kept you here?” Jolene frowned, “Is that not protocol?” I scoffed, “No.”

She turned red in the face and gave both Rhett and Briar scathing looks they deserved. I pointed out, “You can portal back for court on any given date.” She blew out a breath, “Look, I’m thirty and I haven’t met my mate. I want this child. I’ve said I don’t need anything from Rhett. I’m only short on liquidity right now because I bought the farm beside my parents place and I haven’t harvested my first crop. When this became an obvious issue, I said that was the only reason my parents had to send me money. I have enough to raise this child without them. This b***h practically wants to hold me down and have a procedure done against my will.”

I wanted to punch Briar. I replied, “She doesn’t have the physical strength to do so. Nor would any doctor in this realm do that to an unwilling patient. Briar, what’s the issue? Because as far as I can see you’ve lost your mind.” She scoffed, “She can’t have my mate’s firstborn child.” Rhett sneered, “You don’t want kids.” Briar retorted, “Which means you don’t get them.” I was getting a headache.

I said, “So, Jolene wants to keep her baby and is requiring nothing from either of you. What’s the issue? Other than Briar being obstinate and unreasonable?” Rhett said, “I want to be involved.” Of course he did. I clarified, “So, the issue brought to me is Briar wanting to force a medical procedure on someone?” Jolene crossed her arms, but no one said anything.

I replied, “And here I thought this would take all day, request denied. Jolene is of sound mind to make her own medical decisions, and if she wasn’t you’re not family or her mate. Nor anyone she named to make those choices for her if she was unable. Briar and Rhett are ordered to pay her parents back the money she spent to stay in the capitol. Both will do community service for lying to this woman and not letting her return home.”

Briar yelled, “Rhett, this is YOUR fault! I don’t want her to have the baby! You’re my mate. This hurts my feelings, and you should care about that.” More like her pride. Jolene stood addressing me, “Crown Princess Astrid, I want to do this on my own. I don’t want my child in their toxic web. My family is more than ready to help me. I met Rhett’s brother in the hallway and he seemed lovely. I’d be willing to let them see the baby. Just not these two.” Rhett argued, “You can’t do that.” I disagreed, “She can certainly request that, and I would do the preliminary hearing. This would be heard by Titus and Veronica with my recommendation.”

Briar scoffed, “Now, you’re getting fined in your own court for not using titles. You’re such a good Crown Princess.” My guard drew their swords. I held out my hand as Rhett grabbed Briar, “Shut up.” He ordered.

Jolene muttered, “That will be the day and I haven’t known her that long.” Briar hissed, “You shut up, w***e!” I ordered, “CEASE using that word in my court. She f****d Rhett when you were on an off period. She has no mate to have an on or off period with. She has done nothing wrong.”

Jolene pursed her lips. I knew the look. She wanted to say sleeping with Rhett had been a mistake, but she didn’t regret the child she was carrying. Plus, I doubt she knew him that well when they had s*x. He could be pleasant for an evening. I’d heard plenty of girls say he was a sweet talker and a liar. None of that surprised me.

Celeste said, “Briar, your fines have increased for disrespecting the Crown Princess. She is allowed to use the given name of her family; including the royals as she is one. One more disrespectful comment and I will inform Crown Prince Bjourn’s secretary. You will get a summons and Crown Prince Bjourn always deals with those first. I’ve never seen someone come out of those court days with him unscathed. I’ve also seen them cleaning toilets in the gyms and scrubbing the mats off at the end of the day. You don’t strike me as someone who wants that to happen. So, I’d start hoping Crown Princess Astrid’s guard doesn’t report it to his.” Briar went to say something but Rhett put a hand over her mouth.

He said, “Apologies, her emotions are running very hot over this situation as are mine.” He was blaming their bond? I didn’t know they had one. I clarified, “Your bond is intensifying your anger?” He ground out, “No, we don’t have a bond.” Jolene dropped her water and gaped at them. Briar hissed, “Stop looking at me with that judging look! It’s our choice.”

I cut in, “That’s a strange stance to take by someone looking to strip her choices away from her.” Briar snapped her jaw shut and glared at me. Rhett declared, “I want to know my child.” Jolene asked, “Why? Your mate would hate said child, and you told me yourself how little free time you have. You’re working three jobs to keep up with her spending habits instead of talking to her and asking her to stop.” He replied, “I can come get the baby on my apartment nights.” She blinked at him.

I asked, “Where would you have things for the baby? You share the apartment and house with Briar. I’m not getting the sense she will accommodate…” She interrupted, “Hell to the f**k no. He can’t fill OUR homes with baby things for another woman’s child.”

Jolene asked, “What is wrong with you? This is very common among our people. You’re acting twenty times worse than humans who are mated with Hackura. Some struggle with them having a lot of kids with several different women because it’s a different way of thinking. NONE of them take it out on the kids. For god's sake human’s handle this better.”

She was right to a degree. Most Hackura with human mates didn’t have off periods once they met. To her point, they did struggle to see their mate having five kids all by different women. That was frowned upon in their society so that was a strange adjustment for them. Jolene continued, “You don’t even want kids.”

Briar pointed, “Exactly! I don’t want them AT ALL and Rhett knows that. I don’t want to be stuck with his snotty, runny nosed, can’t wipe their own ass kid! He works so he can’t be around all the time. I’d have to watch the kid, and I refuse. I also refuse to let my house get cluttered with s**t for a baby.”

I didn’t have a problem with people who chose not to have kids. It was hard being a parent. I actually respected Briar on one level for knowing she didn’t want to be a mom. If she wasn’t so hateful and awful I’d be more sympathetic. You didn’t have to want to be around kids, nor was anyone required to have one. That was fine, but she didn’t even want Rhett to know his kid. She was being so hateful any understanding I had for her knowing herself enough to make the choice not to have children was fading. Honestly, I couldn't blame Jolene for asking to raise this child solo at this point.

I asked, “Could Rhett solely take over the apartment? You could stay in the house in whatever arrangement you have.” Rhett argued, “That’s not fair! I pay for both. They are mine and I like the house.” I blinked at him, “Fair kind of goes out the window when you become a parent.” He said, “The baby would need a house, not an apartment. They need to play. She should move into the apartment and I get the house.” Five seconds ago the baby things were going to be in the apartment. Now, he wanted the house? This was going to take all day.

Briar’s face contorted in rage. She yelled, “I’m not leaving my house!” He replied, “Great! Get over your bullshit about my kid then.” Their attitudes were all wrong. Hackura couples would’ve called the child theirs. Jolene shot me a look of confoundment. Honestly, I shared it with her and I’d know them both my whole life.

Rhett spat back, “It’s MY house. I pay for everything! You don’t even have a job! You’ve been living off me for years. Then you decide I can’t even have kids after I tell you I got someone pregnant.”

I asked, “What?” Rhett whirled, “She said SHE didn’t want to give birth. I’ve tried to change her mind, but she refuses to budge.” I wanted to punch him. Her body, her choice. Briar scoffed, “You sent your sister to our house with all those kids thinking I would decide I wanted one. You have everyone tell me how rewarding being a mom is and press me when we are having them. You told them I was getting ready to go off birth control when you know it’s not true.”

He yelled, “They are your nieces and nephews, not random kids!” She shrugged, “And you keep saying I’ll feel differently about our child, but I don’t want one. You’ve known that since we were children.” He scoffed, “I thought you would change your mind once you matured. Everyone wants kids.”

I interrupted, “No, they don’t. Her feelings about having children are her own. She doesn’t have to have kids. You thinking you could change her mind isn’t her fault or problem.” f**k him to the pits of hell for making me defend her. Briar flipped him off, “See? Your precious Crown Princess Astrid even agrees with me.”

I chuckled, “Let’s not go too far with that. I think you’re very hateful in this situation. I’m simply saying you are perfectly entitled to your feelings about having a child. You are not required to and it’s your choice. You have no rights over Jolene’s body to make that choice for her though.” She took a deep breath and sat down, “I’m not moving out of our house. He can buy a house in whichever bumfuck farm she lives in the realm.” Jolene turned red with anger.

Rhett scoffed, “I’m not living there. I can’t afford the apartment, the house, and another house. Especially with a baby coming. Besides, I don’t want to live in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nothing in the hovel she lives in.” HOVEL?! No where in the damn realm was a hovel. Jolene’s jaw dropped along with Celeste.

Rhett continued, “Or so far from the capital. She’s from the other side of the realm for god’s sake. I’m not moving there and nothing can make me.” He said it like a curse word. Jolene rubbed her temples.

I warned, “We live the way we do because they supply us with fresh fruit, vegetables, and even meat here. They portal in which means nothing is forever away when you can portal.” Jolene hit the table, “THANK YOU! They refuse to be even somewhat reasonable.” She wasn’t wrong.

Rhett yelled, “You want to keep me away from my own kid!” She pointed to him and Briar, “You’ve both been HORRIBLE to me. She’s obviously been worse, but you’re no better. You let her go on and on and do nothing but stand there with your thumb up your ass. You’ve blamed me for buying a farm and not having money to stay past the end of my trip. You told me my morning sickness grossed you out and requested I pay to have your bathroom deep cleaned because I happened to get sick there. It didn’t even get on the floor. You acted like no one has thrown up in a toilet before. I was feeling awful and you shoved me into the hallway as if I had a contagious disease. Then you slammed the door in my face. Your neighbor picked me up off the floor and helped me. I was so sick I could barely move.” Rhett should be punched repeatedly in the balls.

An alert went on my phone. I pulled it out and read the alert and fury filled me. Some fallen Angels had threatened to kill Hastein and make Hugo watch before beating him and leaving him for dead. How dare they utter my sons names let alone make threats. My dad was tugging on our connection. I ordered, “Celeste, get Jolene’s case together with her. I’ll put this to Titus and Veronica. Jolene, go home. You can return on the court date set which will be communicated to you by Celeste.”

I noticed my guard had stepped out. That was good for me. Celeste agreed, “Right away. Miss Hastings, come this way.” They left. Rhett asked, “What was that alert?” I replied, “Dead fallen Angels threatening my children.” I grabbed my weapons from behind my throne and opened a portal. Briar huffed, “You didn’t even dismiss us. Now who’s rude.” Rhett huffed. Jolene asked, “Aren’t you guys going to tell someone? You said you were friends with her. Someone should go with her. Aren’t you in the army, Rhett?” I didn’t stay to listen to the rest. I went through to the area where the threat was overhead.

I found a gathering of thirty Angels. One said, “How would you get the Crown Prince of the Hackura?” The Angel answered, “We can get in if we have a Hackura.” I let my eyes blaze. I said, “Well, that’s bad for you because NO ONE threatens my sons.” They whipped around and I beheaded the first one near me. That caused chaos. I yelled, “COME ON THEN YOU COWARDS!”

They rushed me and I handled five before I took a hit to the back of my head then my eye. s**t. If Bjourn came home he was going to be pissed. I killed two more before my legs were kicked out from under me. Which helped me cut them down at their legs, literally. They seemed to realize I was deadly on my back as well as my feet. One jumped on me and I took several shots to the ribs before pulling my dagger to kill him. Someone jumped on my ribs and I felt the air leave my body. If they stop fighting, they were wrong.

I felt Bjourn’s concern, but I told him to stay where he was. I was fine. Aaron was sending me his anger with my parents. The man stomping on my ribs was cut in half. Marcus offered me a hand. He yelled, “What were you THINKING coming here alone?!” I was finally able to take a breath. He put me behind him and I watched Evin, Drake, and Titus cut through the crowd.

I told Marucs, “The two on the stage need to be blood eagled. They were the ones saying they’d kill H and make Hugo watch before beating him nearly to death.” Marcus’ eyes blazed brighter. He grabbed my arm, “You stay on my goddamn six. Do you hear me?” I nodded.

We cut through the crowd where the two men waited on stage. Titus was throwing Angels through a portal where I knew my brother, dad, mom, and likely Veronica were waiting. Heaven help them if Kashe was there too.

We made it to the stage. I sheathed my weapons and screamed in rage and jumped on the Angel who’d been speaking about my sons. He said, “Lucifer will have your head.” I scoffed, “Lucifer would have yours. He loves Hastein.” He blinked, “What?!”

Marcus chuckled, “Lucifer is friends with my brother. He’s met my oldest nephew.” They blinked, not expecting that. Marcus let me get my anger out beating the crap out of this Angel. When he went unconscious I got off him and kicked him in the ribs for good measure.

I looked around, “For thirty on one to start out, I kicked ass.” Marcus stared at me blinking rapidly. He said, “You have a guard, this is a thing you remember in the recesses of your brain. Right?” Before I could answer he gaped, “Did you take a hit to the face? Holy mother of god we are dead.” I said, “A blindside hit. I repeat it was thirty on one, and for the record I was going to kill them all. I noticed some got thrown through to our realm.” Marcus sighed and opened a portal.

I walked through then asked, “The hospital?” He answered, “Yes, because I will tell my brother I checked you out when he tries to hit me or after he’s done beating the s**t out of the Angels we have left. Someone killed a lot of them.”

I flipped my ponytail and smiled, “Someone awesome.” He shook his head, “It was impressive. Sit your ass down.” I did and he checked me over. He sighed, “You’ve cracked two ribs, but they should heal before the ball. The bruising will hang around until tomorrow. f**k us all.”