Secrets of a War God

15.

Tarnon

Calissa was sitting frozen in her chair as her mother's words sank in. Mate. She was going to have a mate. She had already met her mate. Her mate was out there right now.

"Wait! You said I have already met my mate...how do you know this?"

Her eyes bore into her mother, pleading for an answer from the older woman. Teresita was wringing her hands, not wanting to admit that she had known about this since Calissa was a toddler. The thought of lying to her child had sat heavy in her heart, but she dared not disobey the king's orders.

Rounding the table, Calissa knelt before her mother and grabbed her hands.

"I realise now that you have kept things from me for either my own benefit or because you were ordered to. Please, mother. I just want the truth now. I will not be angry or mad with you because there is no reason for it." Squeezing her mother's hands twice, Calissa tried to give her some reassurance. "Just the truth."

With a heavy sigh and a squeeze of their hands, Teresita started to relay what she had been wanting to tell her daughter for years.

19 years ago.

The biggest celebration that the Wolf Kingdom had ever seen was underway. Everyone in the palace and the streets were celebrating the first birthday of the first Princess of the Wolf King. After a nervewracking year of wondering if the weak babe was going to make it, the King and his woman had been given the all clear by the doctors, thus, resulting in the big celebration for her birthday.

The celebration had garnered such a massive turnout, that even their neighbours in Arelya had decided to come and see the newest addition. The King and Queen had made the journey with their second-born son, who had turned 5 not too long ago.

"Why do we have to go?" Wailed the small child. He had never been outside his country before, and thought this long journey just to see a new baby was pointless.

"They are our neighbours, my boy, we need to have a good relationship with them. You will learn this in time, and you may even find a friend in one of the princes." His father looked him over as he said this. Wondering if his son would actually behave today or not. He was known to be a bit of a rascal.

The Queen smiled at the small interaction as she looked out over the kingdom. Visiting Tarnon always brought her happiness, as she loved to see her old friend. Finding that he was still unchanged behind closed doors with his own family and friends filled her heart with joy. It was always tough to run a kingdom.

As the party of three made their way through the halls of the palace, they were met by the various families of the King. Each Prince that looked upon them turned their nose up at the small boy. Not wanting to create a friendship with the Southern Kingdom if the Prince looked so weak. Tyrone remained unbothered. Simply walking along with his mother, and occasionally pulling at the threads of his cuffs.

By the time they had made it to the main hall, he was bored out of his mind and wishing to create a little mischief. His mother had sensed this, however, and pulled her son's hand to take him to the front of the room. Right to where a small babe was crying.

"She is restless, my love, let me take her." The King's strong voice was gentle as he took the baby from his woman's arms. His eyes had filled with love, his demeanor had softened slightly, and he had never been this way with any of his other children.

As he looked up towards the room, Uther's smile grew more seeing his friends. The parents embraced each other with hugs and claps on the back, congratulations being shared. No one had noticed the silence of the little boy as he stared at the little bundle held in Uthers' arms. As the conversation continued between the adults, Tyrone slowly made his way up to the great Wolf King until he pulled slightly on his trousers to get his attention. Uther looked down at the child with confusion. The child wasn't looking at him, but rather at his daughter.

Bending on his knee, the king took his daughter face to face with the Prince.

"Tyrone, I would like you to meet Calissa." As the name left the King's mouth, Tyrone took his hand up to stroke the young girl's cheek. A glow was formed when their skin touched, but Tyrone did not seem fazed by this at all. He continued to stroke the little girl's cheek and look at her in awe.

All whilst the parents looked on in shock, realising that the fates had started to play with them.

Arelya (Present)

"He should be here!" Damien had screamed at the council. None of them could find a reason why the second Prince had not returned home at their Kings' orders, but none dared to voice this.

The spies the King had sent still returned with the same result, and no new information on the female shadow and supposed 'dragon'. If what he was told was true, then everything changes. His wife had told him about what happened between Tyrone and Calissa.

This plan he had put in place, would come crumbling down if his niece realized who Tyrone truly was to her. These dragons always caused issues for his family.

Moving away from the throne, Damien started to pace through the council room. His council members staying quiet, none wanting to incur the wrath of the King. All had known he was trying to bring the second son home, but none knew why.