Chapter 18
-6 Hours Later-
Xander and Fallon Starjax were dead. Auron was injured and being treated by a healer in the medical tent. Xanthan and his sons took over Xander's fortress. They began the process of re-organizing Xander's soldiers under Xanthan's command.
Byakuya had carried Myssa all the way to the camp, using shunpo to cover the distance quickly. Kendra, the healer that had cared for him, took charge of Myssa's care. Byakuya stood close by and refused to leave. He watched as Kendra closed Myssa's wound with her rare elemental power of spirit. She assured him that Myssa would be all right. She told him that Myssa would be asleep for a while and that he should get something to eat and some rest too.
Byakuya left the tent to bathe in a nearby stream and change his clothes. He joined Rukia and Renji for breakfast with Tamor and the two dozen knights that were left in camp. After breakfast he went back to keep vigil over Myssa. He wanted to be the first person she saw when she woke up. Kendra laid out a futon for him next to the one that Myssa was laying on. He settled next to her, reaching over to lay his hand on her, needing to touch her to reassure himself that she was safe. For the first time in months, he relaxed and had no trouble falling asleep.
Later that evening, Byakuya awoke. Myssa was still sleeping. Kendra told him that Xanthan was expecting him to join them all for dinner. She promised him that if Myssa woke up, she would immediately get him.
As camp dinners went, the stew and bread that was served was really good. The mead they drank was even better. Xanthan delivered the news that Xander's fortress and those under his command were getting settled under new administration. Easy conversation followed. Reminiscing by Xanthan and his sons even had Byakuya chuckling. With Auron and Myssa safely returned to them, the Starjaxes were a happy bunch and it was infectious. Auron, now healed, was the focus of much of the conversation. He was the only brother that Byakuya hadn't had a chance to get to know yet. Auron's easy-going nature reminded Byakuya a lot of Myssa. Of all the brothers, Auron was the most calm and laid-back.
After dinner, Byakuya went back to the healers' tent to check on Myssa. She should have been awake. Xanthan joined him. Kendra was sitting next to Myssa's futon.
"What news of my daughter?" Xanthan asked. "Has she awakened?"
"No, sire." Kendra replied. "I was about to send someone for you and Lord Kuchiki. The princess does not merely sleep. She cannot be roused. Somehow, she has fallen into a deep coma and I cannot reach her. She has slipped beyond the reach of my power."
Byakuya went to the futon to kneel next to Myssa. "Have her wounds healed?" He spoke to Kendra, but he was looking for any clue that might suggest why Myssa wouldn't wake up.
"Yes. They vanished completely about an hour ago." Kendra said. "Prince Auron told me that the princess was given a drug everyday during her imprisonment. Perhaps this is the cause."
Byakuya shook his head, "Myssa told us that she had built up a tolerance to the drug. It's how she kept her wits. It would be too soon for her to go through withdrawal."
Kendra shook her head slightly, "Then I have no idea what could be causing the coma. Sire, I need to take the princess back to the palace as soon as possible. Lab tests and scans should help me figure out why she cannot wake."
Xanthan nodded, "Rygar and Auron will carry you both back." Byakuya stood, about to speak. Xanthan held up a hand, "Easy, son, I know you won't be separated from her. Tamor, Maycen, and Jaycen will carry you, Rukia, and Renji back with them. I must stay and oversee the final tasks of the take-over." He turned to Kendra. "Get my daughter ready. You will be leaving soon."
The moment Myssa's brothers learned of her condition they all began squabbling over who was going to carry her home. Rygar pulled rank. Byakuya and Kendra strapped Myssa to Rygar's chest in a sling. The entire flight back to the palace, he kept his arms protectively around her. His rich voice carried on the breeze. He sang to her in dragonspeak all the way home.
-The Next Day-
Upon their return to the palace, Kendra began taking steps to solve the mystery of Myssa's coma. The results all showed that she should be awake and back to normal. Kendra seemed to be trying everything to help Myssa. The other royal healers had all pitched in to help, but no one could figure out why Myssa wouldn't wake up.
Byakuya stayed at Myssa's side only leaving to tend to his personal needs. Tamor was the same, he stayed curled next to Myssa or on the pillow around her head.
A steady stream of visitors kept interrupting Byakuya as he tried to read to Myssa. One of the healer told him that she could still hear him and that hearing his voice might help her. Each time he would settle into a poem or story, a new visitor would want to see Myssa. He expected her family, Rukia, and Renji to come check in, but he hadn't expected all the others that came to see her. All the servants managed to find time to stop in for a few minutes. Knights, foot soldiers, villagers, a few of the nobles and courtiers – Myssa's influence seemed to touch everyone regardless of class.
Byakuya learned a great deal about Myssa from the people that visited her. So many told him of how she had helped with a problem; spent time with them; treated them with respect and kindness. The list went on as many shared a memory of her. Two things were very clear to him: she had made a difference in a lot of lives, and she was dearly loved by these people.
Byakuya met Omija. She was just as Myssa had described her. Black hair, deep blue eyes, and a smile that spoke volumes of comfort and care. They spent over two hours talking while Omija brushed Myssa's hair and fussed over her. He liked her very much. She had a calming presence and seemed completely unflappable.
That first night that Myssa was home, Queen Abigail joined Byakuya for the overnight watch. He had had short encounters with Abigail before, but this was the first length of time that were alone and had a chance to really talk. She was an ethereal beauty with honey colored hair and blue-violet eyes. She kissed Myssa's forehead then sat down next to Byakuya. "How are you holding up, Byakuya? You must be very worried."
"I am, your highness."
She waved dismissively, "None of that "highness" talk. You're family." She gave him a smile, "And I much prefer plain talk to all that stuffy, rigid court crap. Just call me Abby."
"You sound like Myssa, Abby."
She chuckled softly, "Her plain speech does have quite the appeal."
He chuckled just a bit too, "Indeed, it does. It tends to rub off as well." His eyes shifted to Myssa's face. "She certainly turned my world upside-down."
Abby smiled. "Head of the most powerful clan in the Soul Society and a Court Guard captain, I imagine she challenged everything you know and think."
"She has had a profound effect on me."
"When Xanthan first brought her here I hated her."
His eyes sought hers, "Tangible proof of your husband's infidelity. I would expect no less."
Abby nodded. "To make matters worse, he doted on her – went on and on about how special she is." Looked fondly at Myssa, "'Singular in all creation' he said. I was consumed with jealousy because I had not given him that child. I spent six years avoiding her, referring to her as 'that thing'. Every chance I got, I punished Xanthan for bringing her here. I was angry all the time. And when her brothers fell in love with her instantly, that made my anger burn all the brighter." She paused. "One day, Myssa came to my private garden. She asked if I would help her choose a birthday because she didn't know what day she was born. I was so shocked that I couldn't speak. She mistook my silence and began explaining how she understood how I must feel. She knew exactly why I avoided her. Then she said it was all right, she was used to being hated but she hoped that maybe I could tolerate her questions when she needed a woman's advice of something. I told her to sit down and tell me about her life." She shook her head sadly. "I almost didn't believe the things she told me. I couldn't believe a mother could be so cruel to a child. But, I realized that the proof had been in front of me all along. The way Myssa held herself, the haunted look of fear that was ever present, the scar on her back – the truth had been there all that time and I had ignored it because I was angry and my pride was wounded." She reached over and lifted Myssa's between hers. "I told her to pick that day as her birthday. It was the day I decided that she was my daughter, that I would be the mother she deserved." Tears shimmered in her eyes, "She changed my heart in an instant."
"What day did you choose?" He asked.
"December 1st. That is the day my daughter was born." She stood and motioned for him to do the same. "Come with me, Byakuya. There is something I want to show you."
She tucked her arm into his and led him out of Myssa's room. As she led him through the palace, she kept easy conversation flowing, telling him about its rich history and sharing memories of Myssa antics. According to Abby, Myssa is quite the prankster and practiced often on her brothers. Byakuya knew very well what mischief Myssa was capable of – her war on the potential brides was proof enough.
They reached the depths of the palace where the vaults were housed. A vault keeper led them down a well-lit hallway to a huge door. The keeper unlocked the door and pushed it open for Abby and Byakuya to step in.
Byakuya's eyes were wide and he gasped. The vast chamber was filled with treasure. "All this belongs to the royal family?"
"Oh, no, this is just my hoard. Xanthan's is one level down. Myssa's is down the hall. Once she wakes up, she'll bring you down here. Her hoard is very organized, it's a lot like visiting a museum. She has gathered so many fascinating objects as a relic hunter." She moved to a table with a large carved box sitting on it. She opened it to reveal a gold crown. Dragons were woven across the band, each had an amethyst in its mouth. "When you wed Myssa, you will become a prince of this realm. This is your crown. Xanthan had it made for you when he returned from his visit to your home." Byakuya looked shocked and Abby smiled, "He knew then that you and Myssa were destined for each other. After all, you were the one to trigger her puberty." She paused slightly. "We were so worried that she would never find someone because of her past."
"What do you mean that I "triggered" her puberty?"
"Dragons reach the final stage of maturation when we fall in love for the first time. Most of us go through it very early in life. It causes a storm of power for those with a birthright. It also brings on hormonal changes." She closed the box and began moving to a large cabinet a few feet away. "We were very worried about Myssa. She's had suitors, spent time with some men, but still no puberty. Xanthan was beginning to toy with the idea of an arranged bonding." She stopped at the cabinet. "She's waited a long time for you and I must say, she chose very well." She smiled and opened the cabinet. Gem stones were laid out on silk-lined boxes, so many it was mind-boggling. Abby picked up one of the small boxes containing a few dozen gems all of varying size and color. "Tell me, Byakuya, when couples in your realm bond for life, do they exchange rings as a token of that bond?"
"Not traditionally. In the world of the living that is a common tradition. Rygar has told me about bonding traditions here. I plan to present Myssa with a ring when I ask her to marry me." He answered.
Abby placed the box in his hands. "These are the rarest gems in my hoard; the rarest gems in all the realms. I would be honored if you would choose a stone for Myssa's ring from them."
"The honor would be mine, Abby."
She smiled at him and squeezed his arm affectionately. "The royal jeweler can craft any design you want." She led him out of the vault. "I assume you will want a ceremony in the Soul Society with your family, clan, and friends."
He nodded. "Once we return home, we will plan our wedding."
"You will have a ceremony here too. A royal bonding is a major event here and your coronation will part of the ceremony. It will take some time to gather the other royal families of the realm. You and Myssa will have to return here."
Abby escorted Byakuya to the royal jeweler's shop in the village. The whole journey there and back, they discussed wedding plans in both realms.
