I should be updating Beholden first, but at the moment I just have more inspiration for this story. Sorry for the long wait. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter; hope you enjoy this chapter.
Warnings: evil OCs
Completion
Chapter 6: A Spark of Heavenly Fire (1)
"Ishizu! I would have had a warmer welcome if you gave me a warning."
"Which is why I didn't warn you," Ishizu said, a smirk on her face as she and Bakura walked through the halls of the palace of Kul Elna.
Bakura chuckled. "Can't say I blame you. Here," he said, opening the door to his personal study for the dark haired woman. As the two sat down a servant appeared with drinks, tea for Ishizu, ale for Bakura. "What brings you here?" he asked once the servant disappeared.
The smirk vanished from Ishizu's face. Bakura noticed immediately and sat straighter, although he remained silent, waiting for her to speak. "I'm on my way to Kaiba, to see Ryou."
"What's wrong with Ryou? Is she safe?"
Ishizu shook her head. "No."
"Damn it!" Bakura shouted, slamming his drink down, most of the liquid sloshing out. "I knew I should never have resigned that treaty! Damn Kaiba!"
"It's not Kaiba's fault," Ishizu said. Even though she spoke softly it was enough to make Bakura pay attention. "Whoever is after Ryou is trying to kill Seto and Mokuba as well. If they succeed they'll use her to destroy the Seven Kingdoms. I don't know who," she said, answering the question before Bakura could speak it, "but my guess would be either Pegasus or Dartz."
Bakura started down at the dark wood of his desk for a long moment. Eventually he said, "What do you suggest?"
"That's why I'm going to Kaiba, to help Ryou in whatever way I can. If we do anything to Pegasus or Dartz right now it will start a war."
"So we just wait around until they kill Kaiba and take my sister?"
Ishizu shook her head. "Whatever is happening will come to a close at the Winter Feast. In nine months, we will know the truth."
"The Winter Feast," Bakura muttered. "Isn't Kaiba playing host this year?"
/
Ryou released the breath she had been holding as the silver and sapphire coronation circlet was placed on her head. She felt Seto lightly squeeze her hand, for reassurance or anticipation she wasn't sure, as the silver and dark blue velvet crown was placed on his head. (2)
"Rise," Akhenaden said, the only command he would ever issue to the new king. Turning to the gathered crowd he said, "I give to you your new King Seto Kaiba and his Queen Consort Ryou Bakura."(3)
The crowd cheered as Seto and Ryou stood. For the second time in three days Seto lead Ryou from the Temple of Horus and into the sunlight. Seto let out a deep breath as soon as the rest of the couriers were behind them. "It's not so bad," Ryou said reassuringly. "Think of it this way, there's only one more feast to survive."
"True," Seto sighed. "But the most annoying nobles are the ones who never go away."
"Well, at least you can retreat to your study after petitions in the morning. I'm stuck entertaining."
Seto chuckled. "I think you'll be able to handle it."
Ryou blinked in surprise for a moment before smiling up at her husband.
/
"Well, I can say one thing for you," Malik said as he leaned back in his chair, "you're doing well with the petitions for the last three weeks."
Ryou scowled at him. The two sat with about thirty other nobles, watching as soldiers and some of the more rowdy young noble men showed off their horsemanship. "What does it matter? Seto or Akhenaden have to approve my decisions. They're the ones doing the work, not me."
"Yes, but you're showing them you're interest are not just in parties and fashion. Seto may be cold but he's not unfair. If you show you are able he will give you more responsibility."
From the table next to them Natasha sneered. "Someone needs to remind the new queen of her duties," she whispered loudly to Clarissa and the rest of the ladies at her table.
"With the way she's doing things now King Seto might think she's trying to take over his duties," Clarissa agreed.
Ryou grabbed Malik's arm as the blond began to rise. "Ignore them, Malik," Ryou whispered softly.
"They're accusing you of treason!" Malik hissed back.
"Sit down, Malik," Ryou said sternly. He stood frozen where he was, eyes locked on the two jealous women. "Look at me," she commanded. It took a moment but Malik finally complied. "Sit down." There was something in her look and the tone of her voice that made the ambassador relent.
"Your wine, my lady." As Malik looked up he saw Mai serving drinks to Natasha and her 'friends.' He opened his mouth to ask Ryou why her maid was serving other ladies, but Ryou just shook her head, silencing him. In a moment Malik was glad that she had done so. Mai let her hand slip, anyone looking on would see it as an accident, spilling the drinks all over Natasha and Clarissa.
"You stupid, fat cow!" Natasha shouted, jumping up. "How could you be so careless?"
"Maybe," Ryou said in a mocking whisper, "someone should remind the Ladies Natasha and Clarissa and the queen's handmaid only serves the queen."
Malik couldn't help but laugh as Mai came to stand behind Ryou. "Well done," the white haired woman whispered. Mai smirked, nodding her head slightly.
"Ryou!" Mokuba shouted. The queen looked up to see the prince smiling and waving at her, standing next to a tall chestnut gelding. "I'm going to race Valon!"
"Good luck!" Ryou said, ignoring the glares she was receiving from Natasha and Clarissa.
"I don't need luck!" Mokuba shouted back before mounting.
Immediately the horse snorted, backing up."What..?" Mokuba muttered to himself. "Hey!" he shouted as the gelding threw his head forward, ripping the reins out of the young boy's hands.
"Mokuba!" Ryou shouted, standing up quickly, tipping over her chair. "Get down!"
"Huh?" But the gelding let out an angry neigh and started to buck. Valon's mare, standing near Mokuba's, shied back, making it impossible for the solider to get down, let alone help the prince. At some point Mokuba slipped forward, bashing his head against the gelding's neck.
"Mokuba!" Ryou shouted, running forward.
"Ryou!" Malik yelled after her. "Stay back! It's dangerous!"
Ryou ignored him, snatching up the fallen reigns. She used her own bodyweight to pull the horse back down, even though he still threw his head back, trying to make her let go. "Get off! I can't hold him long!" She cried out as the gelding bite her shoulder, but managed to hang on.
Mokuba didn't need to be told again, sliding off. His legs gave way as he hit the ground. Valon, who had finally calmed his own horse down, yanked the prince from under the dancing hooves of the chestnut. As soon as Mokuba was safe Malik grabbed Ryou around her waist pulling her away. The gelding let out a few more neighs, but quickly calmed down.
"What happened? He's never done that before," Mokuba said, dazed. Blood dripped from nose.
"Mokuba, your nose." Ryou knelt next to the boy, examining the damaged cartilage. She tsked softly shaking her head. "It's definitely broken."
"It's all right," Mokuba tried to reassure her. "It doesn't hurt too badly."
"Just wait until the adrenaline wares off."
"You should be one to talk," Malik said. "Look at your shoulder."
Ryou turned her head to look her injured shoulder. "Well now, that doesn't look good," Ryou commented.
"Would you at least act a little worried?" Mai asked. "We aren't commenting on the weather here. And what about your hands?" She knelt down, forcing the queen to show her palms. Everyone, including Valon, flinched a little. They were red and bleeding, the reigns having cut deeply.
"How'd you manage to hold on?" Valon whispered.
"Where is he?" Everyone turned to see Seto running toward the assemble, Akhenaden following at a fast walk. The crowd parted to let the king through. Seto rushed to his brother. "Are you all right, Mokuba?"
"Yeah," the prince said. "Ryou managed to hold him down so I could get off." Seto looked up sharply, taking in his wife's bloodied shoulder and still upturned hands.
"Doctor coming through, out of the way." An old man pushed his way through the crowd until he reached the small group, Alister carrying his supplies behind him. "Prince Mokuba, I thought you promised I wouldn't have to see you again for at least a month?"
"Sorry, Doctor Lee," Mokuba said, trying to look sheepish.
The doctor just shook his head as he knelt beside Mokuba, giving Seto a slight shove so that he could examine his patient. After a few minutes he pronounced that besides the broken nose Mokuba was fine and left Alister to patch him up.
He then turned to Ryou. "Hmm, you'll need some stitches in that shoulder," he said. "And your hands will have to be cleaned. I have a salve that will help them heal faster, but you'll need bandages on them for a couple weeks. Can you walk, my Queen?"
"Yes," Ryou said, nodding.
"Good, then come to the clinic. We can take better care of those wounds there."
Malik helped Ryou stand up, following Doctor Lee. "Ryou," Seto called after her. The white haired woman paused, tilting her head slightly. "Thank you."
/
Ahhh, sleep, need sleep. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I'll try to get the next one up faster than this one was. I'm going to get some shut eye now.
1. Part of a quote by Washington Irving. "There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity."
2. I will post links to the pics that I used as inspiration for the crowns. Just remember, everything in Kaiba is silver and sapphire.
3. The set up of Kaiba's government calls for Ryou to be a consort queen, not a queen regent. That will be important to remember later on in the story.
