AN: I'm not dead! I just happened to get a job and have a baby! So finding some time to write got a little harder but here you go, only 2 years later _
Emily woke up wrapped in her lover's arms. She smiled at the familiar sensation, for nothing else around her was that way. She hated waking up away from her home, but sometimes it was necessary. She had been meeting with the Queen once an annual, for the past four, since Jeb had convinced her to make their presence known. He told her that Queen Dorothy Gale was a strong, yet compassionate leader, and that her support of them would go a long way to keeping the peace between them and the humans. Dorothy Gale hadn't let them down yet.
The meeting they where at now had be a bit more impromptu. The annual meeting was not set for another half an annual, but the Queen had insisted. There was something starting to brew for them, Emily could sense it and she was sure the Queen could sense it as well.
She felt Zero move beside her, bringing her thoughts to something more pleasant. She smiled when she saw his gray eyes open, a lazy smile spreading across his lips.
"Good evening, my love," he said softly, moving to nibble at her bottom lip. She let out a light laugh.
"Not that I'm not tempted, but we have business to attend," she said before slipping from the bed. She felt his arms wrap around her middle, pulling her to his chest, nibbling on her ear.
"She can wait, my lady," he purred into her ear. Any other time she would have taken him up on his offer.
"The Queen asked for me as soon as we awoke. She was quite insistent on that matter love," she warned. He sighed.
"I know. This is about the missing people isn't it?"
"I'm sure, as well as other things." Emily got up from the bed before turning over her shoulder to look at him. "Help me get dressed, love?" She asked.
"I would rather help you get undressed, but sure," Zero said before helping her into her dress, hands teasing her all over as he worked to complete the task.
"You're so incorrigible," she sighed out, smile bright on her face.
"You love it, don't deny it," he teased as he laced up her dress, before one of his hands slipped within her red hair. "You're so beautiful. It's hard to keep my hands to myself." She purred lightly, his other hand began to caress her neck.
"Adrian," she warned again.
"I know, my love," he said before leaving her only to come back with a brush in hand, as he slowly brushed out her red locks. She closed her eyes; loving the feeling of his gentle strokes, taking such care not to hurt her. He got up from the bed when he was done, smiling. She moved to the vanity mirror in the room, finishing up getting ready, watching Zero in the mirror as he dressed.
There was a knock on the door. Jeb was there telling them that the Queen asked for their presence in the conference room. They hurried themselves along. She looked into the vanity one last time, placing a necklace on, the one that Zero had given her on their fifth anniversary. It was a pendent, a golden key. The key to his heart he explained. She never went anywhere without it.
The three of them left, Emily in the lead with her protection detail on either side of her. It was always just the three of them. Emily would have been happy with her and Zero, but Jeb had always insisted on going with them. She knew it had nothing to do with wanting to protect her and everything to do with visiting his friends from his mortal life. She didn't mind at all. He was a great liaison between her and the humans but most of all, Zero enjoyed the boy's presence.
They entered the conference room to find Queen Dorothy Gale waiting for them, smiling warmly. Beside her was her prince consort, Jacen, a nobleman from the Gillikin Country and her royal guard, Helena. Emily nodded to the Queen before she sat at the end of a small rectangle table, as Dorothy sat on the other end. Her consort sat to her left as Zero did the same with Emily. Jeb and Helena stood behind their charges.
"How have you been, Dorothy Gale?" Emily started with the pleasantries.
"How many times do I have to say it, call me DG, we are family after all."
"We maybe, but you are still Queen. You deserve the respect that comes with the title."
"If Az and my mother called me anything but DG I would lose my mind, please."
"As you wish, my Lady. How are the girls?"
"Amanda is a terror but that is what you expect at three and Mira is just starting to walk," DG beamed.
"And what about the littlest one?" Emily asked. DG looked at her puzzled.
"She can hear the second heartbeat," Zero explained. DG blushed slightly.
"Well, it will be announced officially next month." DG said, looking at Jacen. Emily smiled.
"Well then, that information will not leave this room. To business now? I'm guessing we have been called here because of the missing people?" Emily asked.
"Yes, I was sure it wasn't you, but I still need to hear it." DG said, her voice becoming serious.
"It was not I, nor any of my kind. I know the people have gone missing, but have some been found? Is that why we are suspected?"
"Just a few, they had bite marks, but most where killed in other ways… almost like the person or persons were playing with them."
"I can understand why people would suspect us."
"People aren't just suspecting you; some are out right blaming you."
"I know, we have heard. They have been blaming us for the disappearances for months now. We may not leave our home that much, but we still listen to what is going on."
"I don't want an incident to occur, on either side, but I can't control everything people do. I can try to prevent them before it happens and I can punish them once things have started, but by then some thing irreversible might have happened. I want to avoid that at all cost."
"What do you want us to do about it?" Emily asked.
"You are under the protection of the royal family. We can offer you protection at the castle until we find out what is happening."
"We do not hide from our problems," Emily said sternly. DG gave her a worried look but nodded.
"I thought you might say that. I have to ask you a favor."
"And that would be?" Emily asked.
"Will you help us find out who is doing this? The more quickly we find the people responsible, the quicker we can clear your name," DG offered. "With our help of course." Emily looked at Zero who looked worried.
"We appreciate your help, DG, but we can handle it on our own," Zero said.
"If you're going to investigate, people might get… upset at your presence. At least with some of my men there, it could put the people's fears at ease."
"You mean your men are there to protect the people from evil vampires," Zero snapped.
"Adrian, bite your tongue," Emily said quickly. "I'm sorry for his outburst."
"No it is fine. He can talk freely here. Adrian? Is that how you would see our presence?" DG asked.
"Yes. It would be a sham. We don't need your protection. We never go looking for a fight, but we can damn well protect ourselves if it comes to it, without your help."
"Jeb? What do you think about this?" Emily asked. Jeb stammered for a moment, not expecting Emily to ask for his opinion on this situation.
"I see both sides. I understand that the Queen's guards would put people at ease, but if they are truly looking for a fight, those men would just be in the way. We can and will defend ourselves if necessary, with or without help. I would rather not have any innocent blood on my hands, if I can avoid it," Jeb answered.
"I guess that settles it. We will investigate the suspicions made against us, on our own. I thank you for wanting to help us, my Lady, but we can handle something like this."
"I don't want a war over this, Emily." DG stated.
"Violence will only be used as a last resort, you know that. We want to live in peace. We're not going to spoil that over some paranoid mortals. When we get to the bottom of this, we will let you know."
"That is all I ask, Emily."
"Then we are free to leave?" Emily asked.
"I was hoping you would stay the night. I do love your company."
"If that is what you wish, my Lady, but we need to get back soon, to get this investigation started, but I guess we can take another day to relax. Are the girls asleep?"
"They should be, but I allowed them to stay up late tonight. I know you would want to see them," DG smiled.
"Thank you," Emily nodded before they all left the room, heading to the nursery. DG walked beside Jeb.
"How have you been?" DG asked him.
"Happy. Blissfully so," Jeb answered.
"And Molly?" Jeb blushed slightly at that.
"She is… wonderful."
"Are you ever going to bring her? I would like to meet the woman that has captured your heart." DG said, shoulder bumping Jeb's slightly, like she used to do when he lived in the palace.
"Molly doesn't like to travel. But I will ask her to accompany me next time."
"And are you going to wait tell the next conference, or are you going to come visit more, like you promised me." DG asked.
"I know I promised DG. I just love it there. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy visiting you, very much so, it's just that…"
"It's hard to leave home when you are so happy." DG said with a knowing smile. "I am happy for you, I really am. You of all people deserve happiness." Jeb blushed deeper.
"Thank you." Jeb said, as they made their way to see DG's children.