Here is another chapter.
Emotional growth is much akin to physical fitness, in that the more you practice being empathic and kind, the more you do the right thing even when it's the harder thing, the easier it gets. But it's also "no pain, no gain," because you gotta be willing to look at yourself with that "no excuses" attitude and be willing to make the changes you need to make. I was making changes and I knew deep down she noticed them, I sit in the Red Room with the Queen, the rest of her guard, Gale, Kylie, and Ophir waiting for the clan's leaders to arrive along with Keziah and my wife.
Her soft voice drifted to me, "I am most glad to have seen you and my angel speaking at least, this is progress. Right now I fear I must say something the separation is causing discord," I knew that it was, that whispers ran ramped in every holy place it has nearly been a single year and rumors spread like wildfire in the brush.
Ophir gave us a look as he gave words, "I do agree, they feel Commander should be banished or she takes him back and they form a united front once again. I suggest Princess Shaylee and Commander Gideon talk with another, not you my Queen someone who can see both sides and consul the young couple through this," yes, a brilliant idea and I say as much. "I fully agree with Ophir, but this is also up to Princess Shaylee," my voice cutting off when the doors opened and she and Keziah walked in, but Kylie her eyes are daggers on us knowing this would be brought up and soon.
Behind her, a legion of leaders walked each bowing before our Queen and Princess, before the took their place at our table. Queen Lenore spoke when the double doors closed, "Thank you for coming, let us get to business," it began, reports on activity, request, and missions are delegated but none of that got my full attention.
The woman a seat away had it, she always has, I knew I was so angry with her for making the separation so prolonged but deeper down I was the one who caused the rift in the first place. But after Isle came and saw her, she also saw the connection that I had with the little troublemaker things shifted and we started speaking more.
It was Draco who asked for permission to have the floor, it was granted, "With all respect my Princess, I feel it time this be brought up. Most feel you're right in your actions with your husband of choice due to his disturbing actions. Rumors and rifts are being caused by it though and in turn that is not good for our people to not be united," the room, grew colder with his every word.
She just smiled a fire in her eyes, I waited for her words. "And what is it being said, Draco? And what do you men think I should do to remedy the dire situation?" she to them sounded as if she cared for their words and advice, but Keziah smirked, Princess Shaylee cared not she would only do as she saw fit but knew who to act in such situations like this.
Draco smiled that cat and mouse grin he had, "Banish him but that is me, his actions speak loud. But most think you should forgive his past actions. That he is not worth you, he brought blood and lies into such a holy union. He was engaged when you had chosen him, he is negative and toxic," this I was guilty of but I never told my wife that I had indeed been engaged to Helena once.
She ran her fingertips over her scroll her eyes on Draco, her patience was tested and it was directed to many. Her mother sighed her head in her hand as she gave me a loathing look, "Draco my friend, thank you for caring so deeply. I must agree something final must be down about this separation for it has caused such discord in every holy place, and even I must do what is best for our people,"
I stood, "May I have the floor,"
"You may," Queen Lenore was more frustrated this was never how we wanted this spoken of. I start, "Draco, I will end you as I did Naul when he crossed me long ago. I have only wronged my wife; I have shamed our marriage and should never be forgiven but no man will ever love her the way I have and still do. I have loved only her since right before she stopped aging, I was engaged to Helena so when Princess Shaylee married, I wouldn't die alone. Do not mistake or twist anything with me, or you will pay the price like so many before you,"
Ophir with his hand on my shoulder spoke, "Many act as if negativity is bad, sometimes it is, but sometimes it's how we truly connect to another person because we see that they care. To say I must always be positive, never express a downward emotion, anxiety or fear, is a sort of toxic positivity that isolates me. If I can't be the real me and say what I really feel in a safe space with people who respond with empathy, I am alone regardless of how many are around me. Most of the time I am a positive person who helps others and is optimistic. Most of the time I'm working well and looking for chances to help the humans and myself, to develop my talents and be a positive contributor to Michael and our Holy place. But... sometimes I'm having a bad day, or worried about something, or needing to vent. At those times I'm simply looking for the emotional equivalent of a hand on the shoulder, not a miracle for the other to solve my problem. We all need a sense that we are in this together as a great race, that we are not a team of one, that our existence matters and our efforts are appreciated. We need a sense that others see us, the triumphs and the challenges, and love us just the same. So those who will never tolerate a negative emotion, who act as if bad days or anxiety isn't acceptable, that's toxic positivity and it needs to stop so we can be real and make honest connections. My Princess will do as she sees fit, I say learn and let go but never forget, but forgive. But in the end, none of us or what we wish are important, only Princess Shaylee's feeling are," I was so grateful to Ophir his words would go further with her than anyone, her mother kept silent just observing the chaos.
She just kept her face devoid of anything, "Another mistake, the meeting is over. All but my husband please take your leave. The morning feast is to start please stay and enjoy," she was ordering our Queen away and the was overstepping, but her mother stood Barachel helping her as I stayed seated. Draco smirked along with a few others and they might just get their wish but all file out one by one leaving us in private.
She was angry it was clear now, her eyes narrowed in anger as with a hiss she spoke, "You forgot to mention you had been with Helena, you said I was the only one,"
I say, "You're now, and you were then for me there has never been another. I didn't love Helena she said yes to me because I was having a mental break, in no way did I ever think it be me you said. I didn't want to die alone that was it, I was so in love with this angel and never thought you could feel the same. Damn it Shaylee," my temper getting the best of me when I knew I was the one making the mistakes and continuing to do so.
She didn't flinch, her face stayed the very same as before. Her fingers tap in rhythmic motion the purple current just running over her hand. "Make no mistake, Commander, I am in no way forgiving and never forgetting. But for the good of our race, for the love we still have for the other this is your single allowance of such actions because the next instance of it you will be banished from this place back to Perth. I will not divorce you but you will never see me unless it is a gathering such as today, is this clear?" she was playing her cards, and I had none to combat her and if she was giving me this chance I was taking it and would crawl to her on hands and knees if she so wished.
I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
I asked her after taking a knee in front of her, "May I move back into our chambers,?" her face was colored in blush. Nodding her head, "At your leisure, and do not think I didn't understand Draco was urging your banishment," I was ready to leave and move into our chambers but she wanted to make a point to those who had crossed her.
As she walked, she took my hand into hers, my heart finally at peace. Her hands were smooth and pampered, just like the rest of her. Pianist's fingers with cool white skin and perfect manicure. To the touch, they were soft and warm, but I have seen her kill and fight, she was a Princess but also a warrior. Draco was red-faced when we walked in as such, hands clasped together united once again, I was a danger to her but she loved me as I loved her.
My hand braced on her lower back while helping her into her throne, but her last small act had Draco storming out in a rage as Queen Lenore smiled. Princess Shaylee's palm caressed my cheek, the lines on her hand catching my attention. They swirled on her hand like an unfinished drawing. Her long bony fingers were stroking my cheek, but all I could see were her stunning eyes she acted as if it was only her and I in the room.
"I love you above all, my love, my wife, my life," was all I could mumble to her.