The Whisperer

Chapter 9- Dinner After Dark

I hadn't seen my mother all night, not that I was complaining. I needed to know if she talked to the king and prince of Funa and what their response was.

It pissed me off that she didn't include me in the conversation. I was one of the top leaders of my country but I'm still treated like a child. Jarred was just one example of this. The only people that treat me with respect are my soldiers, my friends, and my brother. 

I never knew how much I would hate the leaders of this country that I'm so loyal to until my eyes were ripped open. My father was a beloved and fair king. Even in a time of war, he was still respectful of his enemy and I try to do the same. But when my mother took the throne many men and women tried to cut their way to the top. Their treason was soon caught and they were punished but it made my mother build walls and only let certain people in her heart.

I was one of those people but I had my own walls and no one, not even Jax, could fully get through them. At least not after my dad died. I remember being a happy child, well as happy as one could be when your sister hates you and was your mother's favorite. 

I felt a push on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to bump into you," a deep voice said.

I looked up, still a little dazed. I was so busy thinking that I didn't see this tall man in front of me.

His dark skin looked as if he was made of raw Braune* and his eyes were as dark as smoke. He had a tattoo of a pure black galaxy stretching from his wrist to what seemed like past his shoulder and when he flexed his arm the stars seemed to move. His curly hair was cut short with the sides buzzed. He was a very handsome man and he was the King of Muetona.

Muetona was the kingdom of reality and space. They could morph your vision to see what they wanted and they could mold any solid object into any size and shape. They are also very good fortune-tellers. Muetona is a peaceful country and isn't known to be social. They are very secluded people. Their kingdom only talks to the kingdom of Lotoni.

"Hello King Malcolm, it's wonderful to see you again," I say with a big smile trying to hide my embarrassment.

"Likewise General Siren. Are you alright, I hope I didn't hurt you," He says with a gleeful tone.

I laugh. "No need to worry your majesty, I'm completely fine."

Out of nowhere, I hear a loud "Siren" from a few feet away. 

A woman with fawn-colored skin and very dirty blonde hair came rushing towards me.

"Madrena, how are you," I say as I hug her. I could smell her lavender perfume on her beautiful curly hair.

"I'm wonderful, it's nice to get out of Muetona even if it's for a day," she giggled.

I pulled back from the embrace and held her at arm's length. Her toxic green eyes shimmered with happiness. Madrena's pink full lips balanced her face perfectly. She had no mark anywhere on her glowing skin. 

She was wearing a black lace dress with flower details. The corset was built beautifully around her small waist. Solid black material only covered her bust and made a high-waisted pantie, the corset and the skirt were just that beautiful lace. 

I smiled at her. "You look lovely as always."

She blushed, "I'm so happy my bump isn't showing just yet." Madrena rubbed just under her belly button.

"When this baby comes," She jabbed her finger gently into Malcolm's side. "I will finally be able to beat you up."

She looks back at me with a fake mad expression. "This man," she jabs him again before putting her hand on her stomach. "and this baby have caused enough trouble already."

Malcolm laughs and puts his arm around his wife's hip. "You already beat me up enough," he bent down to kiss her.

She chuckled while they kissed. 

Malcolm, with love written all over his face, turns to me. "So my queen tells me you two are pen pals."

I nod. "Yes, a few days after the last ball I got a letter from her. Since then we have written to each other constantly."

Madrena looks at me beaming. "She was one of the first to know I was pregnant."

Before I could respond both Malcolm and Madrena look past me, their expressions changing from joy to neutral.

"My lady," Malcolm says as he and Madrena bow.

I turn to see my beautiful mother and her seafoam dress. Her thin almond eyes were lifeless and cold. 

"Dinner is being held soon. I hope to see you there," then she just leaves, not even glancing at me. the irritation builds in me. The heat is unbearable this time.

Two hands are placed on my shoulders. "Siren, Siren take a breath. You are okay."

Madrena moves her hands up and down in a soothing way. "Has anyone told your eyes to turn a pretty blue when you get mad? It reminds me of lightning."

I took a deep breath letting my body feel the air pushing through my lungs. 

"But your natural eyes remind me of that beautiful lake in Erani with the waterfalls," she held my face between her hands.

She, of course, was talking about the natural green lakes of Erani. The green color was caused by the earth magic around the place. The magic made the water green with hints of teal and yellow.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to get so angry," I say with a sigh.

She shakes her head. "You can't control it so don't be sorry but keeping so many emotions bottled up doesn't help you control your emotions, it only makes it worse."

"Yeah," that's all I could say. I knew she was right and I wouldn't admit it.

Malcolm put his hand in between my shoulder blades. "We should probably head into the dining room before all the good seats are taken."

Both Madrena and I smile at each other, then we head to the dining room as Malcolm instructed.

Once again I saw the mural on the ceiling. I breathed a little easier now that Aquana was watching over me. I saw Thalia and Jason talking with an empty seat between them. They also saw me and Thalia waved then patted on the empty seat.

My mother was at the head of the table nearest the fireplace. Jax sat to her right and Jason sat next to her left. Eleven seats were open, most of them in front of where I was sitting.

Madrena and Malcolm sat on the other side of Thalia. Cain sat next to the twins, Cadence and Cora, of Atreostia. They were around the same age as Cain. The king and queen of Atreostia sat to the left of Denali, who was on the other head of the table.

More Aerials started to pile in. King and Queen Regent of Muetona, Harold and Nikolett, sat across Cain and Cadence. Malcolm's parents nodded to my mother and then smiled a toothless smile at me. I was surprised because they rarely talked to me. I smiled back.

The queen and king of Erani, Thalia's parents, walked in with King George and Queen Fortuna. George and Fortuna were the leaders of Icen and Jason's parents. They sat in the last four chairs in my row, next to Denali.

"If Funa sits across from us I think I might throw up," Jason whispers to my ear.

I smack him softly in the chest and laugh silently.

"You and me both," I respond.

Thalia moves closer. "Jay, did you watch Sea dance with the Prince?"

Jason scoffs and gives me a wink. "I sure did. Making moves on your sister's man," he nudged me with his elbow.

I laughed. "She can have him for all I care."

And at that moment the devil himself walked in. His long legs caring him gracefully. Every move made his shirt release and constrict. The muscles pressed against the fabric. 

I tore my eyes away from the man to Jax. He was making a slitting throat motion with his thumb while sticking out his tongue.

I laughed silently and mouthed "stop". He, in response, flipped me off.

"Good evening, Lana," A pepper-haired man said.

"And to you Fernando," slight venom lined her words.

Jax made his eyebrows raise and that was enough to let me know what he was saying. That little movement said 'Oh s**t here we go'.

As I was having my nonverbal conversation with Jax I saw Damon looking confused at the sight of my best friend.

"Uh yes, Prince Damon this is my Lietenite, Jax," I say with a polite smile.

Jax nodded to the Prince as he sat down. 

"Harsh Sea. That hurt," Jason whispered.

This man is such a baby sometimes. "I thought we were family," I say.

Jason didn't say anything because he knew I was using his words against him.

The servants brought out the food for the guests. Holly, the girl that served me, gave me a lemon chicken with rice and vegetables. I thanked Holly as she walked away.

I ignored the uncomfortable heat I felt.

The voice that was laced with a slight accent spoke. "Your majesty, if you don't mind me asking something that I've been wondering all day."

I looked at Damon hoping he wouldn't say something to ruin this already uncomfortable night.

My mother looked at him cautiously. "Ask away," she said bluntly.

He looked at me quickly then back to my mom. He took a deep breath as if he was trying to remember something. "When we were driving through your capital I heard a crowd chanting 'Sarini'. I've been wondering what it means."

Jax, my mother, and Jason looked at me. when my mom saw that I didn't speak up she did. 

"Sarini is the General's Aquilian given name. Just as Denali's is Alda and Cain's is Cinie," She gestures her hand to me.

Damon looked at me again making me hide my eyes. "The people are happy to have the Princess back in the capital. She is very loved by the people much like her father," My mom adds.

The prince slowly looks back at the queen. "And what do their names mean in Aquilian. I haven't had the chance to become fluent in the langued," he sighed.

"That's quite alright. Denali's name means 'Great one', Siren's is 'powerful temptress', and Cain's name is 'Giver'. It has taken my children many years to become fluent in the other tongues. Siren is actually fluent in all," She points at me again.

Damon looked surprised then he did something I didn't expect.

He spoke Funan to me.

"Perla davvorno fluenta? Neun pessa pui parlen ul mian lengia mandree ena gira pere ul famigilia Aquilian?"

'Are you really fluent? Can I no longer speak my mother's tongue around the Aquilian family?'

I scoff and looked him dead in the eye. "Depindia alian gestlo chon dencia."

'Depends on what you say.'

His face turned determined and impressed.

He looked hungry, like a predator stalking its prey. Was I the prey? Or was I the other preditor fighting for the same prey- intimidation over the other? 

He stabbed his fork into his steak. Looking at me the whole time. I knew my eyes had changed when he matched me. Those golden eyes looked like a fire pulling you in with warmth just to burn you like a siren would do to a sailor in the New Age. 

"Sea I noticed you aren't eating," Jax pointed out. I knew what he was asking.

"Take it. I'm not hungry," I said. 

Jax looked at my mother asking if it was okay to do so. She nodded for the servant standing on the wall behind her. He took my plate and placed it in front of my friend.

Damon stared at Jax then me almost asking why I wasn't eating.

"So Princess, why do people call you 'Sea'," He asked.

I glared. "Only my close friends call me by that name. As I am the 'Sea Princess'," I made air quotes with my fingers. "and my name starts with an S the nickname just stuck."

I wanted to turn the tables, I wanted him to squirm this time. "Prince Damon if I've heard the rumors correctly, you have a fascination with exotic pets, is that correct?"

He nodded. "Yes."

My mother stood up and we all looked at her. "I'm so sorry, please continue, I'm just going to check on the ballroom."

Perfect, just what I wanted. I didn't know that she was going to leave but I was praying to the gods she would.

"I have a pet myself. He's a wild Icen wolf. Mother would never let him in the castle with guests," I say with a cold smile.

A loud, deep yip echoed behind Damon making him slightly jump. Everyone but me looked at the noise, I just kept my eyes on Damon.

Kyrin stood behind him, green eyes flaring.

"But of course he always finds a way back in," I leaned back into my chair. "I hear Icen Wolves are just as big as those lions you have in the Fuono forest."

Instead of Damon answering, an auburn-haired girl spoke up. "You have a black wolf? I thought they were rear, like one thousand years rear."

Jason stepped in."Yes, you are correct, they are only born every thousand years. When Kyrin over here was born, my kingdom celebrated for two weeks straight. Siren was born the same day he was. We knew he'd be our gift."

"Icen always gifts wolves to the royal children. Including Kyrin, there are three roaming around the castle," I added.

Damon was still looking at the wolf. Never turning his back to Kyrin.

"He won't attack, not unless I say to," I smiled.