Nixiesocean: (sigh) So I haven't updated in forever. Sorry! Anyways, here my newest chapter is.
Responses:
Oh. Darn. There aren't any
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Chapter 24: Bad Words
"A…" He blanched, and I prayed he didn't think this was a joke, "a… father?"
I held his hand, "Yes." I met his jade eyes. "As in a child." His grip tightened. I gently placed his hand on my stomach.
"Child?" He gaped.
I smiled, "Yes." I slid my hand out of his, and gently stood on my toes to place a kiss on his lips. He didn't respond.
"Are you sure?" He asked, his eyes not focusing.
I laughed lightly, "As sure as anyone can be!" More seriously, I added, "There's only been you, Ade, there can be no other."
His eyes finally came into focus, "Why did you leave?"
I sighed and leaned up against his hard body, "I was scared."
"Of what?" I heard the vibrations in his body.
"Everything," I whispered, "Your parents' reactions, Aram, Jade, my uncle… everything."
He laughed, and his hands made circles on my back. "How much longer?"
I smiled and wrapped my arms about his neck, "Five months or so."
"But…"
"Shorter maternity." I mumbled, intoxicated by his presence. "I've wanted to tell you for so long…"
"About you being the ruler of Dragonhold?" He asked with sudden fervor.
"At the time, I was only Heir Apparent, but, no, about me and you." I felt him wrap his arms around me and take us to couch. He sat and laid my head on his lap. His fingers gently stroked through my hair.
"I found Fiona." He told me. "I brought her, Everett and the twins." I felt him tense again; "Your liaison chased us like the fury of the Goddess herself."
With that said, we caught up on all the happenings in our separate lives, until they became twined tightly once more.
"Will you stay with me, at Dragonhold?" I asked. His fingers stopped fingering my silver hair.
I heard him breathe inward. "Why can't you come home? To Furde?"
"I can't, Ade." I whispered toward the window. "I'm the queen here. That's like asking your mother to leave her station, and go home to take care of her lands."
"Abdicate." He said that one terrible word so simply that it made me shudder. "Kings do it to allow their sons the throne."
I sat up and looked him in the eyes, "Do you know who the next in line for the throne is?"
"No." He said. "But I love you, I cannot live here, in this scintillating prison."
He called my queendom a prison. I bit my lip. "Then maybe we should part our ways. My rule is being shaken by a madman and you're worried about being uncomfortable?"
"You aren't Human," He hissed. "You don't know how horrible the ever-changing walls are to me!" I was speechless. For once, I could say nothing, "They are unnatural, not to mention the lack of greenery."
I started to cry, "Ade…" I whispered, "I have a little brother, not even a month old."
He was unfazed. "Even more reason to release the throne, allow him rule. Let your parents rule as reagents."
I took his hand. "Draconic rule doesn't work like that, love."
He sighed, holding my hand tightly, "Who is the next ruler, after you, then?"
I shuddered as I said the name. "Lord Matk Coven."
- - - - - - - - - -
Is it ready?
Her lover has come.
Good. They will die together.
Revenge is sweet.
Ah, yes. It is. When do we strike?
While they are asleep.
Matk…
Tonight. And then I will rule.
Beware.
Of what, Asnarinith?
Her.
Which 'her'? There are only a few hundred in Dragonhold!
You will know of whom I speak when we strike. Beware, though, of a female with connections.
And this is all you'll tell me?
Yes, Matk, that's all. You will need to discover – and eliminate – her yourself. The magic on me is too strong to break.
And I can't break it now?
You cannot as surely as the Goddess herself.
- - - - - - - - - -
Mira awoke suddenly, the pain of her connection reforming pushing her limits. It was dusk, and she had left Ceara alone with the black-haired Human she could only assume was Prince Ade, Ceara's lover.
She quickly ran to her queen, afraid of something indescribable. She found the door connecting their rooms, and burst in.
"Ceara!" I yelled. "I – I need you."
She stood. "The connection?"
"Yes!" The lady-in-waiting responded. She clutched her head. "It – It hurts!" Ade seemed worried, but the girl was too absorbed in her own pain to notice much.
"I can't do it today." Mira heard her say. "Wait…" She turned away. "Ade… can you help me?" She reached out a hand, "I just need a little bit." She breathed deeply, and the pain started to subside just as Ceara's fingertips touched her skull.
A soft light glowed around the room, pale blue, washed-out gold and pulsing silver. Ade gasped, but Mira focused on breaking the link with her father. As she went further inward, taking a little brick and stone out each time, she found herself inside Lord Coven's mind.
Beware, a deep voice echoed.
Of what, Asnarinith? She heard her father reply.
Her.
Which 'her'? There are only a few hundred in Dragonhold! He yelled, frustrated.
You will know of whom I speak when we strike. Beware, though, of a female with connections. Mira wondered which 'she' was the one they spoke of.
And this is all you'll tell me?
Yes, Matk, that's all. You will need to discover – and eliminate – her yourself. The magic on me is too strong to break.
And I can't break it now? Coven seemed irritated that something was more powerful than himself.
You cannot as surely as the Goddess herself. The other voice – the one called Asnarinith – said.
Mira was ripped out of his mind by a rope of pure silver. She found herself breathing raggedly, and holding her head. She looked around, and saw an unconscious Ceara in Ade's arms.
He looked at her savagely. "What have you done?"
She quaked. "Nothing, Your Highness! I – my father placed a connection between us, and I – it hurt me."
"And you had to demand the release now?" He demanded, cradling the lithe body to his chest.
"Yes." She said solemnly. "My father used it to spy on me, and in turn, spy on Ceara."
His eyes softened slightly, "How old are you?"
"Ten, Your Highness."
He nodded, still holding his lover tightly. Mira couldn't understand his protection of her. Ceara was breathing, only knocked out. She was even beginning to come around. She opened her eyes slightly and Ade leaned over and gently brushed her lips.
She gasped. "My Goddess!" She tried to scramble to her feet, but Ade held her fast, "We've got to get ready, Ade!"
"For what?"
Ceara said one word with such utter hatred that even Ade was stunned.
"War."
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