A/N: The ages are now as follows:
Karma 21
Mara, Nahun, Naosis, Acelan 23
Aleya Kai Callar 6
Iris Kai Callar 6
Daela Velar Cobriana 18
Barian Velar Cobriana 6
Kamala Lakeyi Cobriana 16
Sorry if this isn't my best chapter, it's just to fill in things!
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Karma's POV
It's been six years. Six years since Cadence Lakeyi Cobriana was condemned and unwillingly put to death by her own Aunt Chu'si, at the age of sixteen, for more then forty-five counts of murder— and that's including Iris'. Her sister Kamala, now sixteen herself, is still grieving for the shame that it brought her family and the doubt that still lingers.
Ramla since has fled and hasn't been seen. Mara and Nahun's relationship has progressed since she revealed it Acelan and I and they are soon to have a quarter-blood child—regardless of Mara being half-falcon. Naosis is yet to find a sweetheart but I have hope for him.
Despite me being only two years younger then the rest, and still unmarried, I am the first to become a mother to Acelan's twins. Nahun and Sheila assisted with the birth of my two girls: Aleya and Iris. The names weren't hard to choose, and had special meaning. Aleya meant gift in Ha'shmla and Iris was obviously chosen to remember her namesake and aunt, Iris.
When I first held them, I felt so overcome with emotion that I laughed and cried at the same time. They were the loveliest little things that I'd ever seen.
And they still are.
Out of Karma's POV
"Iris! Wait up!" Iris Kai Callar turned to see her twin run after her, the blue silk of her slacks soiled with mud. Pushing black-blonde bangs from her amber eyes, Iris rolled her eyes and leaned against a tree, waiting.
Aleya laughed and caught up, panting, "I bet I can beat you in a race." She whispered, pink-violet eyes alight, blonde-black hair blowing wildly in the wind. Iris regarded her twin skeptically and grinned, "Go!" Both girls giggled as they took to the sky, golden phoenix wings spread out.
Karma watched them from below and sighed. Her girls were handfuls at times, but she loved them anyway. Iris II and Aleya were so similar yet so different. While both had a mix of blond and black hair, their eyes were the only way to tell them apart. Since taking control of the Howlkin, Acelan was very protective of his children and he knew that any attempt for the throne would be to get at his twins—two of his weak points—first.
The Lupine people didn't mind mingling with the Howlkin tribe, and often they traveled back and forth, trading and strengthening friendships so that, when the time came for Acelan and Karma to be crowned, their alliance would only support both tribes. Sheeva Intre helped often with matters concerning Wyvern's Court and the Nest.
Her friends had moved to the Howlkin palace and had created their own sort of 'Nest' of their own, naming it the Den, where they and the wolves could dance together. It was a beautiful place, so similar to the Wyvern's Nest, that Karma almost missed the Court. But she still had contact with Princess Daela, who had just turned 18 and her six-year-old brother, Prince Barian.
It was a good life she had.
But still, something troubled her…
