Bonus scene: What happened before the throne room scene. (This is pre-chapter 6).
It wasn't that often that the dark queen deigned a visit with the child worthy of her time. In actuality, it wasn't often since he was born that the child even crossed her mind. She'd left her white wolf the responsibility of being his nursemaid and guard. It was her intent that it stays that way until he is of more interest. However, that didn't mean she hadn't kept tabs on the child. On each of his birthdays she would visit and command an update from Fenrys on her heir's developmental progress—primarily hoping to hear of a sign of his magic. Sadly— but not unexpectedly— he's been still too young for it to show up thus far. Impatience bit at her as the years passed without him showing a trace, but she has ignored it by focusing her attention on the child's mother. Well, surrogate mother really.
A headache crept up her neck as she walked through the halls. The alternative subject tested her patience even further. Four years and she still hadn't gotten the information from her that she's sought. But she could play the waiting game. Even Mala's heir surely had her breaking point. As she turned the last corner, she permitted herself a smug smile. Yes, she'd wait. And in the meantime, if she couldn't have what she so sorely wanted, at least she could continue returning the favor to the Fire-Bringer.
Maeve found the bedchamber's door already open upon her approach and looked in on the inhabitants. The child sat on the plush rug in one of the setting sun's beams that fell through the arched window. A couple of clumsily made stuffed animals sat beside him. The child rambled on to them, as though reading, flipping through a thick sewn together book that spilled over his legs.
Her blood sworn turned from his task of folding clothing upon her enterance. His expression going from alert to confused. "Your Majesty," He said with a bow.
"Fenrys," She acknowledged, heading for the rocking chair in the corner, "Before you ask, I am aware that today is not his day of birth." The chair creaked feebly as she sat. Her gaze returned to the toddler who was now looking at her, mouth open, before going back to his book. "But a year is quite a long time to go without seeing one's heir, wouldn't you agree?"
It was silent for a long moment and Maeve shot her gaze over to Fenrys in expectation of an answer. Poor veiled defiance tightened his jaw but he tonelessly responded, "Yes, Your Majesty."
The valg queen ignored the lie and leaned forward in the antique chair. "Child, come here."
Rhoe glanced behind him to Fenrys, unsure, before grabbing the book and all the stuffed animals next to him. He got to his feet with some difficulty and lugged everything over. Shifting his bundle, he looked up at the queen and asked sweetly, "Who you?"
Maeve frowned at the impertinence, and returned a question, "We've met before, child. Do you not remember me?"
Rhoe shook his head. He looked back at Fenrys and hugged his things tightly to himself.
The ancient female opened her mouth to reintroduce herself but the toddler turned back first and held a stuffed cloth—that Maeve assumed was supposed to be a frog—up to her face.
He chirped, "This is Ribbit! Ribbit's—he's so brave! Hes go wayyyy—!" The child lifted the frog in an imaginary jump before landing it on her knee. "—way up!" He reached for another toy in his arms, pulling out a lopsided furry gray bear, "And this is Prince Button! He looks—we—we watch the stars! Out the window!" He pointed to said window with the bear excitedly then set it tenderly next to the frog on her lap. Next he reached for a stuffed sheep, "And this—uh-oh!"
Maeve leaned down and picked up the book that fell out of his grasp. Her brow creased as she saw it up close. She hardly knew every book in the palace's library, but there was something unusual about this one. For one, there wasn't even a spine.
The toddler ceased the introduction of his animal friends at the distraction of the book. Laying his hand on it endearingly, he said, "This my storybook!"
The female studied the lettering of the odd title. It seemed far too messy to have been done with a proper writing instrument. She looked at the child and asked, "Where did you get this?"
Rhoe beamed innocently, "Mama gave it to me!"
A/N: Hello hello everyone! Just poppin in here with this bonus scene about the first part of the moment that led to the last chapter's throne room scene. Chapter 7 and 8 will be up very soon, I'm almost done writing them. Hope you enjoyed this little scene! Until next time~ V