Chapter 9

Poison, Queens and a Sweet Sixteen

Eira

Uh... What hit me? I felt like I'd been hit by a moving train. My back hurt really badly, and I felt like I'd left part of my body on the bed. I got up out of the bed and looked around the room. There was a chair in the corner of the room, and now that my focus was clear, I realized that I was in Tetra's room. I walk over to the chair and put a hand on the seat. It was still warm, as if someone had just gotten up. I got up to go find the elves but blocking the door and staring at me was Tetra, looking as worried as I felt. "What's wrong? You look as if you've seen a ghost." I asked.

"One of those, a couple of angels, and a certain angel fall not so gracefully off stage in front of every single angel in the place." he answered.

"Okay, I don't even remember anything that you just said. I feel like someone took a bat to my head."

"Have you taken a look into a mirror lately?"

"No, should I? Is there something wrong with the way that I look? Do I have messed up bed hair?"

"There's nothing wrong with the way you look. You look as beautiful now as you ever have. If fact, now more than ever."

I just looked at him funny and went back to my bedroom to get a look into my trusty full-length mirror. When I reach my bedroom, there it is. The gilding seemed to wink at me as walked into the room, and I hesitated in front of the mirror. I almost didn't want to see what was wrong, almost didn't want to see what was happening to my body, as that was probably what it was. When I finally looked into the mirror, I was shocked to see the golden iridescent wings sticking out from either side of my body. They were like something out of a children's book, a picture in the bible. I had always wished that I could just fly away, but never wished that I would actually have the chance to. I was so wrapped up in the sight of my wings that I didn't hear or see Tetra come back behind me. He wrapped his arms around me and carefully avoided my wings. "Are they still sore? You mentioned that they were sore when you fell off the stage."

"Yes, they are sore. And thanks for catching me, or I would have even more sore that I already do."

"Hey, no problem. Just another chance to have something to blackmail you with later."

"Very funny. It's a good thing that I have a couple of things against you, too."

"Like what, princess? As far as I can see, you didn't even give me a chance before I brought you here. And, if I recall, I had to force you to do that one."

"You know, you're really funny. Having your cousin for a best friend helps me get all the dirt on your screw-ups. The turkey getting stuck on your head might be a good start, then I could follow up with the time that you mmmm..." Tetra muffled me with his hand as the elven princess and her hand maiden walked into the room with a quick Hrethen, one of the few words that I can recognize in my foggy state.

"Hello to you, too. I'm getting kind of tired of asking this, but how long was I out?"

"Quite a few hours. Your watchdog here..." Elesmerdia pointed to Tetra, and he slightly tinted. "Wouldn't let us in here until you woke up. You know, the current high priestess said that it's not uncommon to pass out when you grow your wings. Every angel does it. It has something to do with all your past lives connecting at the very moment that they sprout from your shoulder blades. You immediately have a jolt of energy pass through you, and that is what produces the wings that now reside on your back."

I just sat down, rubbing my head. I could feel the tension start to build up in the back of my neck. "I used to be normal. I just thought that I was a freak. But, I never knew just what was ahead of me, so I tried my hardest to look forward. Little did I know, my future contains angels , elves, and for heaven's sakes, wings!! Now, it is official. I am a freak show."

"Oh, stop it. You are not a freak show. If you are a freak show, then what am I? A three-ring circus?" Tetra just started to laugh, and I almost joined him, but the tip of my wing caught

inside the chair. I squealed in pain, and jumped up. Was I ever going to get used to them? I sure hoped so, because they were awkward to get through doors with. I got stuck coming into the room, even when it was built for winged angels! Oh well. I guessed that they are a part of me now, whether I like it or not.

"These halls were not originally built for angels. They were originally built for humans. They were the vampire's form of a joke. When the angels expelled them from their halls, they made the door smaller than what they were when they had lived there. Now, the angels have to fold their wings in when they walk through a door. See, you can retract your wings into a fold of skin that blends into your regular skin to appear as if there were no blemishes there, let alone wings. This may save your life one day." The head angel, Theia, said in a calm voice, alerting us to her presence. Tetra, surprised, jumped back, loosening his arms from where they were still wrapped loosely around my shoulders. I jumped slightly, and hovered there for a second before touching down again.

"We better go, Eira. There is breakfast downstairs for when you woke up. Alya and Elesmerdia, would you care to join us? I would enjoy your company, and I'm sure that Eira would too." Tetra jumped in before anyone could ask about my hovering.

I looked at him with my eyelids heavy. I was just sleeping for a while, so why am I still tired? When I went to stand up, I walked about for a few seconds and collapsed. Still semi-conscious, I saw Theia smirk in a contented way, and then walk swiftly out the door. The words in the ancient language screamed in my head so loudly that they were almost inaudible. In my last few seconds of consciousness, I screamed Piero, Lepus Merand. I slowly began to regain what I hoped was reality.

Tetra

One minute we were conversing and getting ready to eat, and the next Eira was stumbling over herself. I took it for hunger at first, until Theia excused herself from the room with a smirk. Eira, still staggering around like a drunk, looked at me with empty eyes that nearly broke my heart. They seemed so lifelike, so unreal, yet so familiar. Like something out of a dream. I snapped out of my own state of cloudiness when Eira collapsed. That girl must have bruises up and down her body, from all the times she's fallen over in the last week and a half. She was about to pass out, you could tell, when she screamed, and she fell asleep. At least, I hoped that was sleep. God, I'm so stupid.

Like an angel, especially one that had been ruling for quite a lot of years, if the rumors are true, would give up her seat of power to a fifteen year old girl that barely even knows what it's like to be an angel. Not many people are generous enough to do that. So, once again, I walked over and picked up Eira's seemingly lifeless body. Thankfully, her eyelids were still fluttering open and closed, so I know that she is alive, if only barely. Alya and Elesmerdia have returned to the room, with the Queen of the Angels hog-tied by their feet. I lay Eira on her freshly made bed and walk over to Elesmerdia, who looks furious, blood trickling down her face from a cut on her forehead. "She sent a few curses and a hex toward Alya as she ran at her. Alya dodged them, of course, but I go hit head-on by the hex. She tried to curse our ancestors. We had to fight back not only for the Oly wre dilect, but for our people. If she had not been defeated, the elven city would crumble, and our people would lose our immortality," I must have looked confused as she continued. "Our ancestors are what keep us alive forever, and as we are all descended from the Gerato Muleit, then our entire civilization would simply fall to its knees."

I looked back at Eira, who was now sitting up dazed, her hand sitting elegantly on her head, where a large bruise is developing from hitting her head on the table when she collapsed. What would she do if she couldn't train with the elves? Would she want to go home, or go back to Tiaren? I was starting to think that we should stay here, together. I didn't know, but it feels like there is something that we need to do while we're here. Like we're meant to be here now. Eira spoke for the first time since waking up, "Can I speak to her? Alone?"

At first, I saw the elves flinch, and look at each other skeptically. Though it was against my instinct, I left the room and the elves followed me. I closed the door, blocking me from sight and sound of the woman I love and the angel that just tried to kill her.

Eira

"Well, Theia, I could have you killed right now. But, I'm not going to. I understand why you did, and I might have done the same if I were in your position. Might. See, you're lucky that you didn't hurt any of my friends, or I would have seen to it personally that you wouldn't have been here for this nice, little discussion." I really sounded more terrifying than I felt, as I was still disoriented from my hit to the head. "But, as for right this instant, I will let you go. But, one more attempt on my life or my adopted family's," I waved my hand around to the door where I was sure that Tetra and the elves had their ears pressed, "anywhere in this castle, and I will kill you. Whether or not you're responsible. And, if you succeed in killing me, there is always Tetra. Alya has already cut off your last assassin's hand. Do you think that she would as much as hesitate to reciprocate what you could do to me?"

Theia just sat there, looking up at me. Then, suddenly, Tetra burst through the door. We looked at each other for a second, and noone spoke. The only sound in the room was the whimpering queen of the angel. Pathetic. " Tetra, I thought that I asked to deal with her myself."

"You did. But then it got quiet, and I assumed that something had happened."

"Nothing happened. It's just that our little friend here," I paused for good measure, "just agreed to give up her little treasure hunt for my life."

If looks could kill, I'd be dead a thousand times over. There wasn't much but glaring going on in that room. Tetra and myself at Theia and Theia at me. I signaled for Alya and Elesmerdia to come in and untie the newly humbled queen and accompany to her to the breakfast hall. "Tetra, please, just stay here."

He just came over, and held out his arms. I folded myself into them and welcomed the warm electricity. If only I could spend eternity like this, just being in love for the first time. We went to go downstairs, but were met by many curious angels, silver wings glistening in the morning sunlight. One ambitious angel approached, her short brown hair and hazel eyes prevalent amongst blond haired and blue eyed dominance. Her voice was soft, barely loud enough to hear, and what we did hear was beautiful, like music from her mouth. "Girent, reterno ola. May peace be with you."

"And with you. Tell me, what are all of you doing out here?"

"We came to wish you a happy birthday. Your friend said that today was a marvelous day for you. That you shared a mutual birthday."

I whirled around swiftly, nearly knocking over the first row of girls that stood before me. I had forgotten, with all that we had been through this month. Wow, I'm sixteen. Tetra just smiled, and I smiled back, because it was just another thing that we could experience together. "Well, thank you. Could one of you please ask the cook to bring up our dinner? I would like to spend Valentine's Day in my room, if you guys don't mind." And with that, I grabbed Tetra's hand and led him back into my room, where we could talk and not be disturbed in the slightest.

Chapter 10

Coronation, Celebration, and a Big Mess-up

Eira

There's not a lot that I can do while there is so much pressure on me! After our little "talk," Theia ran away. I suppose that it happened while Tetra and I were talking in my bedroom. Oh, that cake was so good! I wonder how they knew that angel food is my favorite type of cake. Maybe they just guessed. It's something that Tetra would find funny, me being an angel. Ha ha. But, I'm getting off topic. Back to my stress. Well, since Theia ran, I'm expected to take over Mt. Olympus! This is not what I wanted. I just wanted to be a simple, normal girl. But no! Of course, I have to be the queen of all angels in Attilica. I just wish that I could go home. Teira must be worried sick. Speaking of Teira, I should call. I haven't talked to her since the first night in the hotel room. I whipped out the phone, and dialed her number slowly.

"Hello?" Even confused, her voice was relief. I missed that voice.

"Teira! You won't believe what is happening!"

"Eira? Is that you? Where have you been? There are rumors that you and Tetra ran away and eloped. It's not true is it?" There were sounds of vomiting in the background.

"No. Are you okay? You sound sick."

"I'm fine. Just a little bit of the flu. When are you coming home? I have so much stuff to tell you!"

"Soon, hopefully. But it will only be a visit. That's what I'm trying to tell you. I have to stay here. I'm the Queen of the Angels now."

"Here. Where is here? And what do you mean angels?"

"The Chosen One, Queen of Angels, and a Magic User. Yep. And did I mention that I have wings? Yeah, and still looking for that brother."

"Well, I guess I'll tell you here. But don't tell Javar!"

"What and why? Is something wrong?"

"Eira, you have to come back within the next month. You'll have to meet your niece."

"Niece? I don't have a niece. I can't even find my brother!"

"Yeah, about that. Eira, I'm pregnant. And Javar is your brother. He just told me yesterday. He found your mother, Eira. He found her. She lives right here in Tiaren. And you couldn't even begin to imagine who it is."

I was dumbstruck for a long moment. When I finally regained my voice, it was shaky. "When did he find out, and why didn't he tell me? All these years of searching and my brother was right underneath my nose? How did he find out? Who is she, and how are you pregnant? When did this happen? And why didn't you call me?"

"Eira, you're doing it again. When you get excited or nervous, you tend to make every sentence a question. And you're doing it again."

"Fine."

"He found out yesterday. He didn't tell you because he didn't know. She found him, and she wants to keep her identity secret until she can tell you herself. And I got pregnant the normal way, and you know what I'm talking about. It happened nine months ago and I did call you, but you didn't call back. So now, she's due in a week and you're going to be her aunt and godmother. We both want you and Tetra to be the godparents."

I just stood there, speechless and trying to absorb all of the information that I had just been told. Tetra took the phone out of my hand and began talking so fast that my already overloaded brain had no time to process what he was saying. Just as I managed to take it all in. I hear Tetra say, "We'd be honored."

Well, I knew what he was talking about, but he didn't even seemed shocked. I held out my hand, motioning for him to give me the phone. He gave it to me, and looked at me expectantly. "Teira, what does your mum think of this?"

"She's fine with it, considering."

"Considering what, Teira? Don't keep me in suspense."

"Considering that Javar and I are getting married! When you get back, I want you to be the maid of honor. When are you coming back? Tetra said that it may be soon."

"Don't worry. We'll be back before she's born. I want to be there for the birth."

"Okay, just make sure to get here safely. You're no good to your niece dead."

"We will. Just make sure that she waits for me. Wouldn't want her to be born without her aunt, would we?"

"Okay. I miss you, Eira. You have been gone for almost a year."

I felt my eyes go wide, and I quickly said, " I miss you too, Teira. Hopefully, we'll be there soon."

After hanging up, I turned to Tetra, and he knew what to do. He turned to the wardrobe, and asked it to pack, laughing while doing so. I went to the door, only to find that all the angels in attendance were leaning on the door. "We'll be gone for about a month. Be careful who you let into the gates, and make sure that you listen to Elesmerdia, who I'm placing in charge until I get back. Don't let anyone disrespect you. Alya, we would be honored if you accompanied us back to Tiaren. Perhaps you could find your tree. There is one in Nagiala's backyard, in the area designated to me. It's possible that it's yours."

"When I get back, the place had better be in the same condition that it is now. Have Anedal send me her spiritual form using," I plucked a golden feather from my wings, which was extremely painful, "this. It should send you right to me. There is also the possibility of a courier. Please, try not to disturb me, unless it is an emergency."

"Okay, ma'am."

We set off later in the day, traveling quickly and trying not to run directly into the vampires. Alya seemed to be on constant edge. When we reached Ishiomara's castle, she was waiting outside for us. I wasn't surprised, due to her psychic ability, but she looked worried. "Mara, what's wrong?"

"You need to get to Tiaren immediately. The baby will be coming in a hour. Teira will need you. If you want to get there in time, you will have to freeze it, Tetra. I don't suggest it, but that is the only way. Because of the area that you will have to stop, it will be harder than anything that you have ever done before."

"Thanks, Mara. Eira, I'm sorry, but I can't try. If I try to use too much of my powers, it could drain all of my life force and it could kill me. I don't know about you, but that is enough could's that I'm not willing to risk it." Tetra looked embarrased.

I walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "I don't want you to ever do anything that would put your life in danger. Teira will have to wait a little while. Just, hopefully, while in labor, she isn't wearing her combat boots."

Tetra laughed, kissed my cheek, and we began to ride as fast as we could in the direction of the barrier. We only hoped that the barrier would sense our urgency, and allow us through. Teira isn't a very patient person.