Chapter 23
Avalon, castle, dining room,
The battle was over and they had won. The Demons had been executed and the remaining Langkingdom soldiers were either in the castle dungeon or if they were willing to doing work under surveillance of Luthorkingdom soldiers. Lana Lang had of course been locked up in a private cell. As much as Chloe hated her she wouldn't allow Lana to be put in a cell with men so that she could be raped or use some ability on them to turn them in another pet demon. Although Chloe hadn't sensed any more magical presence in Lana Lang's body she was still cautious. Before celebrating the victory Chloe had ordered to bury the dead men and women and toss the demons bodies in a lonesome field to be burned. She had also asked for the woman to prepare a meal for everyone. After those orders Chloe had retreated herself in her mothers and fathers old room. Clark and Pete had helped bury the bodies and Lex supervised the burning of the demons bodies.

The old woman, Agatha, came into the dining room where large tables were decked nicely "Dinner will arrive shortly." she announced to the still quite large group of soldiers, the male local residents, the prince of Luthorkingdom, Pete and Clark.

Shortly after Agatha had left the doors opened and Chloe dressed in a stunning light blue dress, her hair combed neatly, she was also wearing a pair of long white gloves and there was a crown on top of her head. Having passed the royal test Chloe was now officially the new Queen of Avalon. The old woman who she had saved her life of, along with Amelia had reminded her that she was now queen. Chloe had been dead tired and slept a few hours only to be awakened by Amelia who told her that the old woman, Agatha was taking care of the food situation while she would help her prepare, telling Amilia she would been fine doing it on her own Chloe had sent Amelia to help Agatha in the kitchen of the castle.

Next to Chloe stood prince Whitney dressed in Chloe's fathers...or rather Chloe's stepfather's old clothes so he would come over as the prince that Whiney was. He held his arm out and Chloe allowed him to escort her to the table where a larger chair then the other chairs stood, since she was the queen, next to hers were two also decorated chairs and on the left side there was another slightly decorated chair. someone, Kyla came in with a tray of wine cups followed by other girls with trays of wine cups.

Chloe took a cub as did everyone else, the room was silent as it awaited the new queen's speech. Chloe refused to say anything until all the women were in the dining room as well so when they were she started "Today has been with a great victory, and with great loss of the people who didn't make it. I owe you all my deepest gratitude for fighting as bravely as you did." she stopped smiling and then continued "The battle may have been won but the war isn't over. tomorrow I shall leave and go back to the Kent farm to cure my best friend's sick mother. Then I shall visit the king of Luthorkingdom, who I have also learned during my test of royalty to be by biological father. I will discus an alliance with him between our kingdom, Luthorkingdom and Burmicia, the kingdom of Prince Whitney's father. This discussion will take place here in Avalon, for I shall orb them both here after my business with Martha Kent. With the new alliance we will liberate Langkingdom and the demonic ream Acathla of the evil that is in both realm now. Lana Lang will remain here at the castle during my absence. I've asked Prince Whitney to stay as well because after the story I have to tell the king of Burmecia he will want to see his son and let him confirm Langkingdoms betrayal towards them. and finally I hope that Prince Lex will look after things here until I return." she stopped looking at Lex who smiled at her and nodded "Good, now let us toast." Chloe said raising her cup high in the air "To the new alliance, this victory and the end to demon kind" she said and was about to drink when Whitney added.

"To the new Queen" Chloe smiled and they then drank from the wine and the celebration dinner began.

----

Avalon, castle, dining room,
Chloe was seated in her royal chair eating hungrily from the food that was served and at the same time trying to eat decent. She looked to her left where Lex was talking to Clark As if Clark sensed her gaze he looked up their eyes connecting. Chloe quickly averted her eyes and turned towards Whitney "How are you feeling?" she asked him.

Whitney looked at her and said "Aside that I found out that my ex turned me into a demon, ok I guess." he smiled at her then asked "And you, giving what you must have gone through these past couple of weeks you must be dead tired of all of this war"

Chloe smiled at him and said "If I let myself I think I could sleep for a week. But I'm a queen now, and I have to put my people's needs above my own. And what they need is me making decisions to ensure the safety of the kingdom. Which means I have to confront my biological father and trust him to hold up his end of the alliance. I don't even know him how am I supposed to trust him. And he's my father, I also have to convince your father who I don't even know or have any kind of connection with other then him being your father." she let out a deep sigh and added "I'm scared, but determined to overcome that fear"

Whitney took her hand and looked deep in her eyes as he said "You can do this. I've been a prince all my life and you've just become a Queen and I hope when I become King will do as well as you, putting my people's wellbeing before anything else."

Chloe blushed at she looked into his blue eyes and saw truth in them. "thanks" She said to him and gave him a kiss on his cheek. surprising them both. Quickly recovered and gave him a friendly smile before standing up and excusing herself from the table.

Lex was talking to Clark but Clark only heard half of what he was saying his eyes on Chloe and Whitney. When Chloe kissed Whitney on his cheek and excused herself he said "Excuse me" to Lex and followed her out of the dining room towards the main hallway.

Lex watched Clark go and shook his head smiling.

----

Avalon, castle, main hall,
"What is it Clark?" Chloe asked him as she stopped walking halfway through the main hall and turned around.

"how did you know it was me?" Clark asked her.

"I just did" Chloe answered him.

Sensing she didn't seem to want to talk to him but wanting to know what was going on with her, especially since he saw her kiss Whitney on his cheek "we need to talk" he told her.

Chloe turned "no we don't" she said and added before she walked away "I appreciate your help Clark, but this doesn't change that I feel guilty for bringing you into this life. tomorrow morning I'll cure your mother and you'll be able to go back to your normal life. You're better off without me."

Clark stood there a second before blurring in front of her and blocking her path. "Clark" Chloe said but stopped when he pressed his lips against her kissing her passionately. She kissed him back then realizing what she was doing pushed him off her.

"You can't deny what's between us Chloe." Clark told her.

"I can't deal with this right now Clark. I'm sorry but I can't be with you, it doesn't matter how I feel about it, I just can't." Chloe replied.

"Is this because of Whitney?" Clark asked her immediately regretting he asked.

"Whitney! Clark, Whitney and I are just friends. I can't be with you because I can't risk you getting hurt. Because if you do I know I won't be able to do all the stuff I have to do as Queen." Chloe said tears forming in her eyes.

Clark moved closer to her attempting to comfort her but she stepped back "don't Clark. Just...don't." and with that Chloe ran off up the stairs leaving Clark standing at the bottom of the stairs watching her go.

----

Avalon, Castle, Chloe's chamber,
There was a knock on her door "go away" Chloe yelled at the door.

"Chloe are you ok?" Whitney's voice asked through the door. When Whitney didn't get an answer he opened the door and looked inside the chamber. he could see Chloe lying on the bed where she had obviously been crying. Chloe quickly sat up and wiped her tears, she looked at her the pain clearly visible in her eyes "What is it?" she asked him trying to act natural.

"Chloe" Whitney said in a tone that said not to hide behind a mask for him.

Tears rolled down her cheeks "I hurt him." she sobbed and as Whitney sat next to her on the bed she threw her arms around him hugging him tight searching for the comfort she always found in Clarks arms. "I hurt him" she sobbed again letting the unfamiliar arms close around her and comfort her.