Disclaimer- I don't own the FSOG characters.
Also, I just want to thank the people who reviewed. It definitely helps boost my motivation and encourages me to write more. It also doesn't hurt the fact that people like the story so far.
Enjoy!
Valeria
The councilors from the five cities were sat within the throne room of the Citadel, gazing at the screens which held live feeds of the simulation happening below.
"Some of the new choosers are out of their simulation already. There's a lot more of them than I thought there'd be this year." Raymond Steele, the head of council and King of Valeria stated.
"Maybe it's because they are held within Valeria this year, sire." A councilor from Bravos mused.
Raymond laughed, "Maybe, my friend. I am glad, however, to see a change of setting has boosted such motivation, especially from the choosers."
"Yes, sire."
"Among other things," Zohan, King of Yasaro spoke. "The rain from the past few months has caused flooding in our lands, we might need help from Illios to clear it out by next season. It will give the prisoners a good opportunity to find some work."
Philip, Head of Illios, replied, "Of course, we'd be honoured to send help after you offered your assistance during the drought in our region."
While the councilors discussed other things concerning their cities, Raymond stayed quiet, leaning back in his throne with his chin resting on his hand. His eyes intently focused on the simulation happening below the Citadel. He waved over his serve and asked him to tell his daughter to be ready to meet the new choosers once they are released from the simulation room.
"My Lord, I do not want to speak on your daughter's behalf however, I think that she may not be all that keen to greet the new transfers," his serve informed him with his head bowed.
Raymond's eyebrows raised in confusion. "Pray to tell, what happened, boy?"
"One of the transfers had gotten spooked by my lady's dragons, sire. He managed to launch an arrow at one of My Lady's dragon's head."
"I see," Raymond mused. "Well, my daughter has a forgiving nature when it comes to people's mistakes. Therefore, please proceed to relay my message to her."
The serve nodded his head and left the council room in search of the King's daughter.
King Raymond's daughter truly was forgiving and he took pride in her upbringing as a kind, strong woman. However, when it came to her dragon's she was far less open-minded.
Let's just hope all is well for the ceremony.
Anastasia's POV
The bell sounded the end of the simulation for the choosers. I was already out of the citadel and on my way to the castle together my mind before the ceremony. Should I tell someone? More importantly, should I tell him? One thing I did know was that he needed to choose Valeria. If anyone was trying to sabotage him, he'd be safer here, he'd receive more training and the guards could keep an eye on him.
But it's dangerous here. He's going to be closer to the source, my subconscious whispered.
It's true, but what better way to get rid of a weed than by pulling it out by the roots.
"My Lady! My Lady!"
I sighed and instantly knew who it was. It was my father's servant. He's on my back five days out of the seven because my father is too lazy to find me himself. Poor guy.
"Good afternoon, James. Is there anything I can help you with?"
His servant uniform drowned his lanky form and made him look smaller than he actually was. It's kind of hard to believe that his brother possessed the power of strength and shield. Oh well, he'll probably grow into it.
"Yes, My Lady. The King has instructed me to inform you that the ceremony for the new transfers is approaching and that he insisted that you must greet them upon arrival."
I was confused in his message since I normally serve as a teacher in the programmes held for the new transfers. It's quite repetitive, I admit. However, all I want to do is help, especially with the new transfers. This also meant that I knew when the simulations were ending.
"I am fully aware of that, James."
He ran out of things to say and the silence got a little awkward. James is often rendered stiff due to my intimidation of him. He didn't exactly tell me but I read his mind once when he was sent on another errand by my father. I'd never really been fond of my powers as people generally feared or adored me due to the amount I had and judged me on that rather than my character.
"Umm... My Lady, the ceremony is now." He said tentatively.
"I know," I gave him a knowing smile just as I heard Balerion and his two brothers approaching. They landed in a circle around us and James looked like he was about to soil himself from fear which was a bad idea since dragons can smell the terror in their victims.
"I'll make it in time, James. You can go now."
A resounding roar from Balerion got him up and running.
I giggled, "He's a good serve, Balerion. Albeit small but he'll get there."
The three dragons collectively snorted as if they didn't think so.
I shook my head and mounted Tezarion, "Come on, we have more pressing matters to deal with."
Christian's POV
Beep. Beep. Beep.
"He never gets knocked out this easily. The last time, I think, was when he drank too much and challenged one of the bulls in the val- ouch!- okay, I set the bull off on him. I just thought it'd be funny!"
"Shut up, babe."
That was Elliot and Kavanagh, for sure.
"I don't understand it, wasn't everyone in our column sent to the same place? didn't everyone get practically the same test?"
That was Taylor.
"We're running tests on him now and his helmet, but he should open his eyes in about four minutes."
Okay, I didn't know who that was.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Can someone make that stop?
"Hey, wake up, dummy. You could give sleeping beauty a run for her money." Elliot poked me in the face.
My eyes met a bright light and they stung from the overexposure. Elliot, Kavanagh, and Taylor stood around my bed, along with some doctor.
"Hey, man. Welcome back to the land of the living.," Taylor greeted me.
I looked at his face intently, remembering the last time I saw him in that simulation. I laid my eyes next to me and saw my simulation helmet on the side table being pried into by the doctor.
"You okay, Christian?" Kavanagh asked.
The doctor looked up and gave me a once over, if it wasn't from the green beams scanning my body, I would've thought he was checking me out.
"He'll be fine," he answered her. "A little confusion and headache are normal but you should all make your way to the ceremony. It's starting soon. I shall inform you if I find anything out of the ordinary with the helmet."
"Thanks, doc." Elliot shook his hand and we all went towards the great hall.
Taylor stopped me, "what happened in there? None of us saw you in the valley."
"What valley?" I asked. "My necklace was at the Pandora Cliffs. I had to go through some shitty village."
His brows furrowed, "that can't be right. Everyone's objects were found in the dark forest, just after the Meadow Valleys where we dropped."
"GUYS! COME ON!", Elliot shouted through. "You can have your lover's quarrel later. I wanna see my fucking animals."
I hope his animal chokes him in his sleep.
It was strange, though. What was I doing in another region of Restoria? Could there have been a malfunction? I doubt it, I thought. Valeria was run tighter than any facility in the five realms. I definitely would have to investigate this later.
The great hall had the same feel as the rest of Valeria. Imposing. Strong marble pillars that held up the room were decorated with pink and white flowers and the centrepiece included a huge staircase beveled with more flowers. Elliot made a beeline to the food and refreshments while Kavanagh told him off for stuffing too much food in his mouth at once. Some girls were standing in the corner, hoping to catch my eye and were smiling flirtatiously at me but all I could think of was her bright blue eyes.
I wonder if she's gonna be here.
A screech interrupted my thoughts and everyone looked up to the open skylight in the ceiling. The biggest dragon, all black and red fury, was perched up and was looking down from the skylight. From the size of its head, its whole form was not going fit within the great hall. It leaned further down until its snout was a few metres from the ground.
And there she was.
Her graceful and lithe form jumped down from behind the dragon's head and she thanked it. Her sweet voice filling my ears and I wondered how it would sound when she'd scream my name as I drove into her. She was the centre of attention and Jesus, why wouldn't she be. Her red bondage dress was sinful and it should've been illegal to have someone as gorgeous as her on this unworthy earth.
My blue-eyed Goddess then looked up and stared at me long and slow through half-lidded eyes effectively creating bedroom eyes which got me instantly hard. Her eyes focused elsewhere as the King and Queen came into view. The Queen flittered to the girl and by the way, she hugged her- they obviously shared a connection. Little did I know how big of a connection it actually was.
"Welcome!" The king's booming voice greeted us, "I am so very glad at the number that prevailed through the simulations. There are more of you this year than we expected. Nevertheless, you are all welcome. All of you standing here have proven your place as strong, skillful warriors. We, at Valeria, would be delighted to welcome you all with open arms, if you decided to choose this kingdom. There also won't be any hard feelings, if any of you chose otherwise." He finished with a hearty chuckle.
The atmosphere within the room lifted after that, with most people finding the King's joke amusing. My eyes were once again drawn to the dark-haired beauty standing side by side and in deep conversation with the Queen. She seemed quite placating like she was trying to ease the Queen's worries.
Is she some sort of ward? A friend? A niece, perhaps?
Anastasia's POV
Everyone was mingling with each other but there was a force in the air, an excitement, which they were rightful to have. It seemed to stop after I arrived as everyone's eyes fell on me and I stood up straighter because of it. I looked up at the florals floating in the air, courtesy of Ella and her mother. My eyes scanned the room for the man who clouded my mind for the past 24 hours, only to find that he was already looking at me. His eyes were filled with lust and I matched him feeling for feeling.
"Anastasia?"
I looked towards the voice and noticed father and mother arrived. In an instant my mother was right beside me, holding me close.
"You look beautiful." She smiled at me.
"Well, I take after you, do I not?" I kissed her cheek.
My mother laughed, "You'll have to stop deferring all my compliments to you back to me, in the future, or it'll get to my head, my love."
"Never, Momma. You've always been the most beautiful."
Her eyes welled up, "Are you sure you'll manage on your own for the ceremony?"
My father had instructed for me to gift the new choosers their animals for today, a privilege passed down from the King to his children. I didn't really have much choice on the matter seeing I was their only child.
"Of course, momma."
"Are you sure? Because I could always help you." My mother hugged me again.
I rolled my eyes at her antics, "Yes, I'll be fine. Stop worrying, please."
I know the welcome speech is done and I turn and see my father, laughing at me with his arms held out.
"You know, my love, you are stunning. I cannot wait for you to gift these children their lifelong companions. Also, if you don't mind, my child, see if you could cool the wine that's about to be served. You know how I despise warm wine."
I laughed, "It's good to know where your priorities lie, Father."
"Are you ready to start the ceremony?" He asked me, "because you know I could always do it in your stead, my love."
My parents were one and the same.
"Yeah, I know, but it is okay. I can do it." I said with determination in my steely eyes.
He hugged me tightly, "That's my girl."
He abruptly turned to face the new transfers and said in his bellowing voice, "Attention, everyone! Tonight is the lucky night! Tonight will be presented by my only daughter, Princess Anastasia. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and may God be with you all."
After that, everyone started to come up and one by one, the new transfers came and chose which city they belonged to, which house they wanted to serve for the rest of their lives. Their blood oath to the lands sealed their fate and their future and as promised- their spirit animals were presented to them by me, through the royal gift of spiritual sight.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Princess Anastasia." A voice like honey melted through my ears, I looked up through my eyelashes and saw the person whom I wanted to meet. Officially, that is.
His grey eyes pierced through me like ice but they warmed my body like fire. His intense gaze unbroken, even when he kissed my hand in greeting.
"Thank you. I am equally delighted to meet you, sir." My cheeks blushed like the colour of a million roses.
He smiled, "My name is Christian Grey."
I smiled back, "Well, Mr. Grey, are you ready to choose?"
His eyes lingered on my lips for a few seconds before settling on my eyes, "Yes." He whispered to me.
I took a deep breath and willed some air to course through the venue, the room was getting a little too hot, he raised his eyebrows like he knew my intentions. I was slightly embarrassed to have gotten caught, he must've been a cold element. He was led to the table where he had to take a blood oath and after he chose, he would come back to me to meet his animal.
"I choose Valeria." His strong voice echoed throughout the venue.
My father came over to him with a boisterous laugh, "Welcome, my son! You shan't regret this decision, I promise you!"
Once again, his eyes landed on my form and in a soft voice filled with conviction, he said, "I already know I won't, Sire."
Fuck, I'm in trouble. How can a man as sexy as him exist in this world?
"Princess Anastasia" his voice caressed my name softly as he stood in my presence, once more.
"Valeria is not an easy challenge, sir." I raised one of my eyebrows at him.
He did nothing but smile like he knew of a secret but did not divulge.
"I'm sure I can handle it."
"We shall see."
I put my hand towards his chest and placed it above his heart and he got mildly startled at my gesture. I summoned the light between my fingertips and it expanded. I needed to know if he was strong enough to make it, I needed to know his spirit.
A large screech rang in my ears but I was determined not to let go. Soon enough the ball of light turned into two wings, talons, and a tail and came together to be an enormous gold and copper Griffin with grey piercing eyes.
"The body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle," I whispered to him, the griffin's meaning and the combination of lion and eagle maximises in courage and boldness, and it is said to be always drawn to powerful, fierce monsters. The Griffin is said and used to denote strength and military courage and leadership. Like my dragons, no one has ever seen a griffin before."
He glanced at me, awestruck, as I continued my speech.
"I think your decision to serve Valeria, Christian Grey, was a perfect one."
There's chapter 4 for you, guys!
The next chapter should be up sometime this weekend, thank you so much!
Also, I would quite like to make a Pinterest page for this story, just for that extra image and a little boost to bring the imagination to life.
