Phoenix rising

High Court indeed

*****Kayla*****

The limo drove us towards the Small Council's mansion and all I could think about looking out the window as they driveway unfolded, was Beyonce's Yonce... Not shitting you, Phoenix now played a soundtrack. I wonder, would shooting my brains out make this insanity stop or would it make it worse? Well, the car and anything on a mile radius would go up in flames as I revive, but... would it make it stop?

"Drink?" Tris asked with a lovely smile handing over a glass of champagne. 

There's not enough booze in the world, but the tranq seemed to had worked its magic. I wasn't getting out of my skin anymore. Made it difficult to keep my eyes open or my mind focused enough to form a thought, but hey! Still better than the past days had been.The old heat trick worked! I just had to be careful not to touch any dudes. According to the good doctor of the compound, it'll bring all back with a bang! Shouldn't be difficult! I was a Halfblood and hated enough not to be touched by any noble in the Court. As for my Coven representatives.... They weren't touching me period. The only one that did, Blackfire, was otherwise engaged. He an Tris became a thing a while back and well, since her uncle would be here, both wanted to make a point out of it.

When the car stopped, there was a butler looking dude opening the door for us to get out. Since this entire skit was a Court scene, we had a procession in getting out. First came the lower ranks and last me, the Leader. By the time I came out, the butler made a point out of not being anywhere near the door, though he had been helping Tris like a perfect gentleman and paying Blackfire the attention one should give to the Leader.

Given my temper I should've said something by now. They all waited for me to comment, but then again, I couldn't care less about their attitude. I was just happy no moron approached me. They were doing me a favor tonight and I couldn't exactly afford to f**k up. One reason to hate politics... you had to gag yourself!

"Try to open the door for our Leader, runt." Blackfire nearly spat at the butler assigned to us as I just passed them and took the front as was the custom. The butler eyeballed me something fierce, but he did as Blackfire asked. At this point, one of us should make small talk, according to the Court manners. I wasn't bothering with that s**t and by the looks of it, neither did he. 

"After you..." he looked like he ate s**t as he kept the door opened for us.

"Try not to look like you've ate a pile of shit." this time I did answer as I passed back. Tranq or no tranq this was getting annoying.

"Mind your tongue, butler." Blackfire warned the man as he opened his mouth to say something.

"Now, now, let him speak. I'm just itching for a reason to burn this building down." I said as I took off my white shall and threw it at the butler's face "Be a good laddie and find a good place for that!" I added all cute and fuzzy. "And don't bother, we know the way to the Courtroom." I turned making my way there as my possy followed like the good and faithful team they were.

As soon as we entered the Courtroom the man with the staff in his hand banged it several times on the floor, having the chatter stop and shouted loudly enough for all to hear "Leader Kayla, Halfblood Phoenix of the Warrior Coven and her procession!"

When he was done with that one insult he just had to add in that presentation, whispers begun going in the room as I just kept my head high and walked on, ignoring every single one of them fuckers. There was one thing I did agree on with my Phoenix tonight... Imagine all their faces should I act on the bond! Then again, none of really counted the fact that the King could always reject the bond. Talk about sexism. Males could reject the bond, females couldn't. How f****d up was that from a female deity, huh?

"Approach, Kayla, Phoenix Warlock and Leader of the Warrior Coven!" Wrath's voice boomed from across the hall as he stood in that sorry excuse of the throne the Small Council cropped up for him. He made a point out of correcting their insult, which sent another stir in their direction. My skin begun itching again, lightly, but it was itching! f**k! Doc said not to touch men, he never said Wrath's voice would activate this crap again! And why the hell did he look so damned comfortable! This was not fair! So not fair!

"Your majesty." I said as I reached that one spot far enough from the throne but in the center of the Court. All the other leaders, as I noticed, were displayed on one side or the other of this circle like order of the Court. She noticed they were positioned according to the strength and magnitude of their Covens.

"Take your place among the Coven Leaders, Phoenix Kayla. Blackfire, as her second in command you may stand behind her." Wrath ordered and this was... well, Blackfire grinned as if he just won the biggest victory while I was currently struggling to keep the heat from emerging once again. It would be rather awkward... inf front of all these judgemental freaks! 

Honestly I was wondering where the f**k would that place be? Among the rebel Covens? Just behind me to the left, last one? Closing this circle?! Looked back at Blackfire nearly screaming for help, but the man seemed to be just as confused as I was. Where the hell did we stood in front of the Court?! That was never a question we had to ask ourselves.

"Kayla." Wrath called out my name and showed the first spot next to the throne to the right! Holy s**t, that was like the most important Coven among them!!! The Hell?!!? Was he possessed or something?!

"Your majesty..." some voices protested, but he seemed to stifle his anger before he lost his s**t. No really, for a second there it looked like he was about to blow up, but he closed his fist and squeezed it tight as he looked back at me somehow calming down.

"Kayla might've arrived last in our Court meeting, however, that does not change the fact that her Coven is at this very moment the one with the most potent military force, financial and has the largest group of followers, declared or undeclared spread across the globe in various compounds."  Wrath spoke donning that crown of his like a boss ass b***h. Is it just me or did his handsomeness got boosted by that kingly armor he wore, all decorated by runes, stones and ancient spells? Or was it the crown that did it? Kayla, seriously, get a grip!

On the hindsight Blackfire all but skipped all the way to our seat. He was radiating with pride and victory! All a smug f**k! That's how happy he was about Wrath's decision. Funny... where were the Small Council members? If I raise my hand like in the human schools, can I pose a question? I should've paid more attention to Tris's lessons about the court mannerism... But, I'm pretty sure the general rule was women don't speak unless spoken to and even then they keep it short unless they'll kiss the Council's ass.

"Good, now that we're all here..." Wrath got up from his Throne and looked at no one in particular but pretty much everywhere. 

Oh, come what does a girl have to do get his attention?! Phoenix, SHUT IT! 

"We can begin." he added and stepped down the stairs reaching us.

"As you all know, I've been away for three centuries, leaving our kingdom in our late Archduke Seether's capable hands and the Small Council's hands." that last part there he made it sound like an affront. Okay, now this just got more interesting. Wrath, you have my undivided attention! Well, however much of it I can muster. I was still seeing all sorts of bullshit I was pretty sure didn't belong to the reality. Really, otherwise why would Wrath have a pink bunny dry humping the back of his head with rainbow sweat drops flying out artistically or Daffy Duck doing the same with his leg with his tongue all stuck out? Didn't made much sense, right?

The image did made me stifle a laughter and Blackfire kicked my chair which made more noise than my amusement. Everyone looked at us all horrified that we interrupted the king, Wrath turned and looked at me, but I just had the worst time keeping a straight face. Man, I hope Charlie the Unicorn behind him won't lose his liver for Wrath or I'll be done here! He looked at Blackfire and the man didn't say anything, but the King turned and resumed his speech, ignoring my extreme challenge here!

"I've come to see the error of my decisions and how badly they've affected our race. As such, I called you all here to rectify some of those mistakes." he went ahead with his business while my drugged brain came up with all sorts of bullshit... Ever seen a King in a pink bunny lingerie? You know the fluffy ones? I did... You try keeping a straight face to that one!

"First and foremost, Archduke Seether's position and ranking shall be given to him posthumous as a way of honoring his many centuries of serving the crown and the sacrifices he had made for our race's continuity in the previous war against the Demon scourge!" Wrath stopped at the head of the circle, his bunny ears playing all cute as f**k. Not disturbing at all! "Secondly, the Night Covens peace treaty has been revised, rectified and as such resigned by each Coven present by the end of the night..."

The King went on and on, his words losing their meaning as my attention span was indeed limited. I wish this wasn't the case, I could've used this opportunity for something else entirely, but before I knew it, papers were distributed to all of us with the new rules to the game. Blackfire, bless his soul, whispered that I had to read these damned papers and decide whether or not I want to sign them. Soon, I'll have to step up and speak, but for the life of me I could barely read one word properly!  I swear I was sweating bullets by the time I was done with them. The worst of it all, i had to actually understand the hell was written on them and for a while there I thought all was lost! You don't want to know the hallucinations I had with that...

Whispers rose between the coven leaders and their seconds. It was clear from their expressions they won't agree to the treaty anytime soon. Some of the new laws, amendments and terms we had to apply the changes were quite outrageous for this entire society. This was a major reform and not one easily obtained. They might sign it by fear now, but as soon as they'll be back home, they'll be planning ways to overtake the throne now more than ever before simply because the King did not had the physical possibility to be everywhere on the globe.

"What say you?" Tris's uncle asked as it was demanded of me to get up and give my answer. He held the paper on which the treaty laid to be signed. A tradition, really... I got up from my seat, handing the papers to Blackfire, before I walked towards him. 

"There are two ways in which I would sign off the strength and resources of my Coven..." I said and looked at the Coven Leaders now "By right of conquest, in which case I would lose my position as Leader, should you win, though, while I have no doubt your majesty will eventually win the battle, the blood shed within our race would be monumental.

"Or by marriage the alliance between the Covens would be eternal." I said and looked at the King as the entire Court went up in an uproar. I know it was insane, what I was doing and it went against everything I believed in, but the truth was simple. If I was to ensure the safety of my Coven I had to use the advantage I had while I had it. If he was true to his amends, then this marriage alliance wouldn't bother him much, nor would it affect the line of succession.     

"Or you could simply sign the treaty." Tris's uncle nearly hissed at me, just as outraged as everyone else in the Court.

"And I should simply the word, written or otherwise, of a Court which had us, Halfbloods and women of the nightdweller race, subjugated for so long?" I asked the man hoping he had some sense, but I should've known better...

"How dare you question..." the man begun through the uproar.

"Quiet!" the King boomed and somehow I felt the terrible need to be quiet, but something in me rebelled enraged. 

Felt pins pricking my skin as I fought the King's Thrall, but I'll be damned if I'll get caught in that order! Even the Phoenix roared in complete outrage of his order! How dare he, our Mate, order us?! Fire ignited from the mark on my back and the Phoenix's flaming wings emerged, my own magic firing up, breaking the Thrall with that act alone.

Everyone went quiet feeling the Phoenix's magic, a hot wind, hitting them! They were afraid! But, if there was something my mythical bird didn't enjoy was the lack of freedom! And sure, my act could be easily interpreted as an act of war against the crown and maybe it was, to a degree.

"You would chose death to protect those of your Coven?" the King asked coldly. I wasn't sure if this was some play, or if this was him finally showing his true colors, but I didn't exactly care.

"They took me in when no one would, taught me all I know. I may have my magic from my father's bloodline, but it was the Coven which made me who I am today. I won't just die for them, your majesty, I'll do all in my power to ensure their safety and the continuity of it." I answered pushing my chin up all proud "While your new treaty sounds nice, they are words on a piece of paper. To prove the meaning of my words, imagine how easily this temporary peace between us can crumble should I chose to walk out the door at this very moment. See how many of them would sign it." I added and turned to leave, but Wrath ended up laughing so heartily it stopped me... and all else in the Court. Why the hell was he laughing again?!

"I commend your Coven for their choice of a Leader!" he spoke and did the unthinkable, actually bowed his head... that was... unseen before! "While you not wrong, Leader Kayla, you do realize that by marrying me you would relinquish your rights to your Coven." he was playing his cards as if the papers he just gave us all weren't even written.

"That may be so, but my power, my Coven would be yours to commands and yours to protect as much as it is mine." there was that one hitch in his plan, the treaty would be in effect.

"The matter shall be discussed in the Small Council..." the witch begun and this made me laugh now.

"Is he not your King, Witch?" I asked more as a provocation. He wanted a reform, he outta make it real.

"Then so be it." Wrath agreed too easily "The announcement shall be made in the morning and the marriage shall be officiated on the sacred grounds of your Coven, where the Royal Court shall relocate come morning. The responsibility of the event shall befall on both our Covens.

"Your coronation shall happen within the month. Time in which I trust you would be ready for your role, Leader Kayla." the King said and shocked gasps still went through the Court. All I got to answer was a simple nod "Blackfire, I trust you would ensure she would pass through the royal wedding trials as is our tradition." he added and I saw Blackfire bow as a response, shock written all over his face.

"Alright then..." I sighed retreating the wings back where they belonged. Heart pounding in my chest for this f****d up decision I just made, I walked back to Nicholas, Tris's uncle, taking the small letter opener from his hand, cutting my thumb with it and pressed it to the treaty where my name laid written: Leader Phoenix Kayla of the Warrior Coven. First in the list of fourteen other Coven Leaders. Not all of them spread across the globe, just all present in the room. 

*****Night King*****

It was long before she walked in the room that he could feel her presence closer and closer, her scent like perfume calling to him unlike anything on this god given Earth! He was so enthralled by it all Nicholas's voice just trailed off somewhere in the back of his head. If he listened hard enough, he could hear her steps on the floor as she entered the manor. 

When he heard her words to the butler, he made a mental note to teach that bastard a lesson. Imprisoning half of the Small Council hasn't been enough for these fools to learn apparently! However, when that i***t at the entrance insulted her in front of his High Court, he knew that not only the changes he would bring to his race, but enforcing them accordingly was an action long due!

He made a mistake going to slumber for three centuries, nothing but a broken man. However, he has risen and he was their King! The strongest of all! They will do as he orders or there shall be none of them left! Wrath's blood boiled enraged at their blatant disregard and lack of respect! They were all so wrong to think he would ever condone such behaviour! 

Not that he didn't anticipated such brazen actions from them. Blackfire's words and Kayla's warning had proven themselves to be the truth. His High Court was now just a pile of blood sucking leeches feeding on his people, his race! And yet, he found himself distracted by her apparition. She looked positively stunning in that dark green dress of hers! Royal... She'll make a good Queen. All his instincts told him that. And yet... he couldn't help but think there was something wrong, something off about her, as if she was distracted by her own thoughts so much she couldn't much focus on the matter at hand. Didn't she see that this was the turning point of their race's future?!

Wrath would've proposed the marriage to Kayla in due time. After all, he had his own plans. He wanted to gain her trust and that of her Coven, show them all and his race that change and peace could be had. Truth be told, her Court was one which could bring the reform he wanted for his people, while his needed some reschooling! 

To think she proposed it in such a brazen manner... He wasn't sure if she realized she had undermined his authority in his Court. A good an invitation at war as any and for a moment there, he believed the treaty to be faulty. Didn't she want the freedom and choices of a human woman to any nightdweller female or Halfblood? Didn't she wish for equal rights for all? He had composed a treaty, one in which the woman of their race and the Halfbloods would have the same rights to education, to access the positions of power of their choice, to open their own businesses... so on so forth?!

However, that's when he realized that she had made a choice for her Coven. For all the lives she was responsible for. She wasn't making the alliance by marriage proposition because of their Mate bond, she was using it to earn the protection her Coven would need in the future should the treaty fail and their world, their entire society succumb to turmoil. A very real scenario.

Well, be it as it may... He thought looking out the window at the first crack of dawn, a small grin appearing on his lips. She may think of it as a sacrifice for her Coven, but he had all the cards in his hands and he'll be damned if he would ever dishonor his Mate or Mates, as the Moon Goddess would have in any form or manner! After all, the bond was just a matter of time, a week at best. For the rest of their lives, they'll worry about keeping the race safe and evolving in the direction they all wanted, that of progress, not involution to the bloody Dark Ages as this damned Small Council had it for too long!

"Your majesty, it's time..." Nicholas came to announce they were ready for the relocation. Good! At least they learnt not to keep him waiting. Now, let's conquer the shrew!