Note: None of this is mine – Most is Anne Bishop's. Well, the characters of Dustivar, Kaetlin, Satine and Chelsian are mine.
Lucivar stood with Marian, Daemonar and Chelsian to one side of the large room where Orian's ceremony was about to take place. He suppressed a grin as he felt his son shaking with nerves beside him. He knew how badly Daemonar wanted to be in this Court and which position he wanted to hold.
"Fancy seeing you here," someone said, tapping him on the shoulder. Immediately ion his guard, he slowly turned around and to his surprise, saw Khardeen smiling at him. Khardeen was a Sapphire- Jewelled Warlord had been First Circle of Jaenelle's Court and was married to Morghann, a member of the coven that had become Territory Queens and who were also Jaenelle's friends.
"Hello, Khary. I didn't expect to see you here."
"I didn't expect to see you either. But I am one of Orian's first friends in Kaeleer so you must understand why I'm here."
"Of course. Well, I believe Marian, Chelsian and I are here as a favour to Endar and Dorian, as are Daemon, Jaenelle, Kaetlin and Satine, who aren't here yet." Lucivar shifted to a Sapphire thread to keep their conversation private. But Daemonar here has recently become reacquainted with young Orian and his newly matured senses have gone into overdrive.
Hell's Fire, Mother Night and may the Darkness be merciful, Khary sent, the grin leaving his face. A love sick Warlord Prince. This could get dangerous.
I agree. I'm hoping Orian has similar feeling and will make it easier for him.
Just then, Daemon, Jaenelle, Kaetlin and Satine arrived, and as they joined the small group, Orian entered through the large doors at the front of the room. She was dressed in a long green dress that showed just enough skin to make Daemonar's mouth water. Mother Night, he wanted her so badly.
His temper rose, but he leased it once he received a sharp jab from Lucivar that made he snarl.
Behave, puppy, Lucivar sent along the Gray.
Orian sat down on the throne and began to speak, quoting the words spoken by each Queen forming their Courts. "The time has come for me to take up my duties as Queen of Askavi."
"She looked over the assembled crowd and began asking all the Queens who ruled Districts and Provinces in Askavi to be in her First Circle. Once she had done this, she continued.
"Lady Dorian, will you serve in the First Circle?"
Orian's mother knelt down in front of her daughter. "I will serve."
"Lady Kaetlin, will you serve in the First Circle?"
Surprised, Kaetlin knelt down also. "I will serve."
"Lady Satine, will you serve in the First Circle."
"I will serve." Kaetlin's twin knelt down.
"Lady Chelsian, will you serve in the First Circle?"
"I will serve."
After asking a few more females to join the First Circle, Orian began asking the males. Daemonar didn't know most of the names she called out, but as she called more and more out, he began to worry, as she had paid no attention to him.
Finally, she stood up. Approaching Dustivar, she held out her arm. "Lord Dustivar, will you serve as First Escort of Askavi?"
Daemonar watched as the young boy knelt down and accepted the blood from his sister's wrist. "I will serve," Dustivar said.
She then went to Alanar. "Lord Alanar, will you serve as Master of the Guard of Askavi?"
Alanar did the same as his brother. "I will serve."
Daemonar's knees shook violently as Orian began to move again. Walking in his family's direction, he almost screamed as she came level with him and showed no signs of stopping. But then she turned to face him, and she looked straight into his eyes. As she came towards him, he could do nothing but watch her.
"Prince…"
She couldn't be talking to him. It had to be his father or his uncle Daemon, she wouldn't be addressing him. She wouldn't, she…
"…Daemonar, will you serve as Consort of Askavi?"
He almost cried. She must care something for him, otherwise why was she asking him? It seemed too good to be true. This was his dream, had been all he could think of since he had met her two weeks ago.
"I will serve," he said, his voice sounding choked in an effort to hold back tears. He took the blood she offered, in his heart, offering complete surrender to her. He could not hear what else was going on as she left him and continued to walk the room.
He heard Lucivar's voice on a Gray thread. Well done, puppy. You've done well.
The tears began to roll silently down his face. Two pairs of hands grabbed his arms and pulled him up. Raising his head, he stared into two sets of pleased gold eyes.
"Well done, boyo," Uncle Daemon said. "Now come on out with us. It's time to go home and celebrate. You report to your Queen tomorrow."
As they half-dragged him from the room, Daemonar smiled. His Queen, Orian was his Queen, and he was never going to leave her.
Ok you probably noticed, I've added new characters. If you want to know a little more about them, read the previous chapters, particularly 1 and 2. R & R please!