InSpire (12 page)

“Please have a seat.”

They all walked into the Prin’s small office. He had large windows, a big metal desk and not much else. Athena by passed the seat and walked right over to the window. She stood there staring out it for a few minutes before anyone spoke. It was obvious the events of the past few days were weighing heavy on her. Darian would take her burden if he could. He would die for her.

“We need to know if you have noticed anything significant.” Darian sat squarely in front of Garrin. He leveled himself two inches higher. If he had learned anything through the years it was always be bigger than your opponent. It didn’t matter if they were friend or foe. You wanted them to be intimated by you.

“A few of our demons have requested not to go outside during their regular exercise time and I have had a few come to the infirmary claiming to feel drained. But all this has happened in the last twenty four hours.” He flipped through a book on his desk looking for vital information. Apparently he kept very immaculate records.

“That would fit the time frame.”

“Are you going to tell me what is going on?”

“My father was taken by a group of witches.” Athena never even turned around. The sadness dripping off of her tongue was so heavy it made the air in the room go cold. Both men knew what she was feeling. It was clear.

“That would explain your sudden arrival as Queen.”

“Yes.”

“I haven’t seen any witches or your father, but I don’t think they would risk getting close enough for me to identify them.”

“We will wait here until my scouts report.” Her white wings hung down on the floor. Even they felt her sorrow. She kept her focus on the demons pacing outside. One in particular made her skin crawl. He was about six foot tall with blood red hair. His eyes were yellow within yellow and glowing. His skin was orange in color and looked worn by time. She watched him walk the circle with his head down. On his second loop he looked up to the director’s window. She swore he made eye contact with her though she knew this glass was smoked and shielded by a charm. He licked his lips with a forked tongue then went back to pacing. It set goose bumps all over her skin.

“Sir there are soldiers at the gate demanding entrance.” A disembodied voice came through the speaker on Garrin’s desk.

“Send them in.” He put his hand on a button on his desk and then let go. Darian shifted in his chair when Garrin did this. Garrin moved a little slower removing his hand. He had no doubt how lethal Darian was now.

They all waited silently for the soldiers to climb the stairs to the office. Darian got up and moved next to Athena. Her eye color had shifted once again. He didn’t want her to accidentally hurt anyone in this room. He figured if he were close to her she would be in better control.

“My Lady.”

“What do you have to say?”

“We could find no trace of them. We followed the small amount of scent we could pick up all the way back to the cave. This time the scent went all the way through.”

“What does that mean?” Athena turned and looked at Darian. He was pacing away from her now. She knew this wasn’t good.

“They must have gone back to the human realm.” He was pounding his hand into his fist. The pieces of this puzzle just weren’t coming together.

“None of this makes sense to me.”

“They have a readily available power source and easy access. Why stay and risk imprisonment or worse?”

“But why keep father?”

“He will be able to enter the cave. Remember it’s charmed against strangers. It can only be opened by those of royal blood. They have to have him. At least in that you know he will be taken care of.” Darian was still pacing. His mind was moving a million miles a minute. Athena had turned to look back out the window. The demon was still roaming around the pen. He looked up and caught her eye again. She knew it was impossible, but it seemed he was.

“The general is right.” Garrin stood and walked over toward Darian.

“Then your advice is?” Athena was fixated. She didn’t even turn to look Garrin in the eye. It wasn’t like her. Darian moved in her direction. When he reached the window the demon had moved on. Athena shook her head. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but there was something there.

“We should post centuries at the cave. They can inform us when or if the witches try to return.”

“I agree again with the General. I will also step up patrols around the fence line. If they do return we have no doubt where they will be headed.” Garrin was already giving out orders to do just that.

“Then this will be the plan and Darian is Your Majesty.” Athena needed to correct Garrin. Darian’s uniform said General, but he was the King. She didn’t want anyone doubting his role in all of this. The soldiers and Garrin bowed as she took Darian’s hand. They headed out the door and took off. She was actually looking forward to some bloodshed. It was clear she was disappointed there was no fight. She wanted her father back and wanted to kill to get him back. Her own feelings on the matter where very confused. It had not been but a few days since she became a Prin again. Her human nature shied away from the blood and gore. Her Prin nature reveled in it. They were both warring inside her head. Perhaps that was why Darian looked at her the way he did. She really hadn’t thought about the eye color until now. She must have looked quite crazed.

CHAPTER NINE

“Your Majesty, welcome back.” Ubrene was still in the throne room where they had left him.

“Thank you.” Athena stood waiting for the servants to remove her armor. As the breast plate came off she heaved a sigh of relief. Her bump wasn’t large yet, but the armor made her feel very constricted.

“There are several matters that need attending.”

“I am sure. I would like to dress more appropriately if you don’t mind.” Athena wasn’t raised to be on the throne in leggings and a t-shirt. She rushed passed Ubrene to her rooms. Darian was tight on her heels. They head toward the guest suite only to be stopped by Ubrene’s voice.

“We have moved you to the royal wing, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you.” He bowed then they turned to the left instead of the right. The royal wing was at least three times the size of the guest room they were in. The door opened to reveal a long hallway with five doors on the right and six on the left. She didn’t have time to explore them all today, but she made a mental note to go back later.

She remembered from childhood the bedroom door was the fourth one on the right. Her father thought it would confuse anyone trying to kill him. They would have to go through a lot of doors before they found his bedroom. It was really a clever idea. Darian opened the door and stood there with his mouth open. She had only seen this room a few times. Her father liked to keep it private. The walls were deep red and the floors were a rich mahogany. The bed was done all in gold as were all the other furnishings in this room. There were four floor to ceiling windows. Each one had heavy long red velvet drapes. The room really spoke to the fact that it was for royalty.

“I love this room.” Darian flopped down on the bed.

“It was my mother’s favorite room.” She admitted walking to the closet. Athena found many of the gowns she remembered her mother wearing in the closet. Apparently her father was far more sentimental then he let on. She found her favorite purple high collar gown. In the human realm she always went for comfort, but that would not be fitting of her new status. Her father always wore royal garments. She couldn’t remember ever seeing him in relaxed clothing. Thankfully the bodice on this gown could be loosened. She couldn’t handle another round of pressure on her belly. She finished dressing and walked back out to the bedroom.

“Can you lace me up? Don’t do it very tight, please.”

“Certainly, but why not too tight?”

“Pregnant.”

“I have been meaning to ask you, how do you know you are pregnant? I mean I didn’t see you buy a test or go to the doctors.”

“I didn’t and it isn’t like I could do that now. You know our chemical make-up is different than the humans. Their tests would show nothing. I know because the witch told me before she made me drink the potion.”

“I didn’t hear her tell you.”

“You wouldn’t have. She told me telepathically. It was actually a question. She wanted to make sure I really knew what I was headed toward. I knew it as soon as we stepped into Spire.”

“I can’t tell you how many times I have prayed that our son would be returned to you.” He spun her around and kissed her passionately.

“I would never choose a life that separated me from you. Even if I weren’t pregnant I would have still taken the potion. My life is nothing without you.”

“Good.” He wrapped her up tightly. It was moments like this he knew his life had a purpose. He was hers as she was his.

“I love you.”

“I love you.” His hands wandered around her body. He loved the feel of her soft curves. Her body could drive him crazy. When she looked into his eyes they were fast approaching a deep purple.

“That is going to keep us from the throne room for a while.” She spun out of his arms and swatted his back side.

“So will that.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her back into his chest.

“It would be a shame for you to have to undo all this work.” She spun around showing off the lacing he had just tied up.

“No need.” He hiked the skirt up to her waist. He pulled her undergarments down quickly and picked her up. He walked them over to the wall and pressed her back firmly into it. He undid his jeans quickly.  Then he slammed himself into her hard. She let out a cry of relief and agony. He filled her up. She looked deep into his eyes as he thrust in her. They didn’t kiss or say a word. They both just focused on making love. Her legs were wrapped tightly around him pushing him to go harder and faster. She felt her orgasm building. After the last few hours she needed to release. Darian’s jaw clinched and she knew he was almost there. She closed her eyes and put her head back as her orgasm slammed her hard. She screamed out his name as he clinched and let go inside her. He leaned all his weight into her as his body lets go nearly as violently as hers. They embraced tightly and then passionately kissed each other.

She leaned on his shoulder and then turned her head toward his ear. She let out in small whisper of breath, “Feel better?”

“If I could live inside you, I would.”

She smiled and laughed. He released her from the wall and slid out of her. She pulled her undergarments back up after a quick wipe off. She adjusts her gown and messes with her skirt as he darts to the closet. By the time she was all straight he was back out and ready to rule beside her. He was wearing one of her father’s robes. It was dark red and black. The color was amazing on him. It made him look menacing and sexy at the same time. He unfurled his wings and gave them a good shake. Athena had to catch her breath. She could have him again right now. He looked over at her.

“Now, now. We had our fun. It’s time to be rulers.” He winked at her.

“Then don’t do that.”

“This?” He winked again and then raised an eyebrow. Her eyes were dancing between green and purple. She was struggling to keep control of them. Her lust for him was strong, but her desire to keep things in Spire calm was more potent.

“Shall we?”

They walked back to the throne room hand in hand. Before the crier announced their entrance she straighten up Darian’s crown.

“Presenting their royal Majesties, Queen Athena and Prince Darian.” Darian squeezed her hand as her eyes were red. He knew she was angry at the announcement. It didn’t bother him in the least. He never aspired to be King. She was the Queen and that was all he needed. He knew she would punish whomever was responsible for the mistake. For now he needed her to be calm. These people couldn’t see her anger. They only needed to see the polished calm woman he knew and loved. She looked at him and slowly her eyes faded back to green. When he was confidant she was under control they walked in. She took her seat on the main throne. Darian sat beside her without letting go of her hand. She wasn’t sure how he kept constant contact with her, but she was grateful he did. It kept her centered.

“Who comes before my royal court?” Athena was surprised she remembered the pomp and circumstance of court. It was her least favorite thing to do when she was a Princess. Her father encouraged her to run the throne room once a month. She understood why for the first time.

“Lord Garrin of the Prison camp is first to be heard,” the crier announced.

“I had not expected to see you soon.” Athena smiled pleasantly at him.

“Your Majesty, I must have a royal warrant to add guards to the duty roster. I assumed this was of high importance to you.” He bowed deeply to her. She wasn’t sure he knew how to be this formal. It was all informal in his office.

“You will have it.” Ubrene brought her a document to sign.

She did so and gave it back to Ubrene. He handed it to Garrin, who bowed then left the throne room in a hurry.

“Next to be heard, Lord Malvaroy of the lower guild,” the crier announced.

“Lord Malvaroy, I have not seen you since I was a child.”

“Your Majesty has a good memory.”

Lord Malvaroy was a short, fat gray haired man. He was a blacksmith and led the members of the guild. The guild were the workers in their society. They weren’t servants, but they were just above. They did the things the palace required to survive. The last time Athena saw him she was still a very young Prin. He helped her when her blade broke. Her father had given her first blade only a few days before. She used it on a rock. She never did that again.

“I hope there is no problem with your business.”

“I have come in my official capacity as the leader of the Guild. There are fears of a raise in taxes on guild members.”

“I have no designs on raising taxes presently, but I can’t swear this will not happen. As you know there have been recent developments which will require a strengthening of our defenses. If we need funds for this taxes will be raised for all. I will not punish the men who arm my soldiers and keep them safe.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” He bowed deeply then slowly backed out of the room.

“We will most defiantly have to raise taxes, Your Grace.” Ubrene was standing close to her so no other would hear him speaking.

“I’m aware of that, but I refuse to make them feel as if they must shoulder the burden alone.”

“Lady Elizabeth of Hiver,” the crier announced.

Athena looked to see a beautiful woman with long white hair. She was wearing it straight and it nearly hit the floor. Her ice blue gown and pale features confirm what her name had already suggested. She came for the land of winter. Her people were not Prin’s but a close similarity. They were called Indries. They commanded any cold or water. They also had wings but didn’t hunt the demons Prin’s did. They mostly controlled things of nature in the human realm. Darian stared at the woman with intensity. He was leery of other beings being in Spire. Rarely did it mean anything good. Athena looked at him and cleared his throat. He looked at her and she could see the tinge of red around his blue eyes. She knew he didn’t trust this woman.

“Lady Elizabeth, how may we be of service?”

“My Queen, I have come to honor the long pack between our people. Your father had a peace with us that we hope to extend with you. If you need them our powers are at your service.” She bowed her head and curtsied.

“I will uphold my father’s treaty and do offer to keep your people safe when they travel through Spire.” All of this was an act for both parties. There had been a long standing peace, but they didn’t completely trust each other. Prin’s were manipulative by nature. Indries were sneaky by nature. It didn’t inspire trust either way.

“You are a gracious Queen.” She bowed and backed out of the room.

“That is all for today, Your Majesty.”

“Good, Ubrene. I’m extremely hungry.”

“Set the royal dining room.”

Athena stood and took Darian’s hand. The court bowed to them and they moved out of the room followed by Ubrene. When the doors closed to the throne room she spun on her heels and confronted him.

“Why was Darian referred to as Prince?” She wasn’t as tall as Ubrene, but he could feel every inch of her anger. It was taller than the ceiling.

“Because that is his title. He can’t be called King unless he is of noble blood.”

“Then is he just to be arm candy for me?”

“No, Your Majesty. He has power too. Just not as much as you do.”

“So it makes no difference this title offends me?” Her hands were on her hips and her feet were firmly placed in the tile. She wasn’t going to give an inch. Darian simply chuckled by her side. This was her battle. He could care less what they called him. He only wanted to be her husband. That was the title he cared about.

“It does, but we are simply sticking with tradition.”

“It makes no difference to me.” Darian decided he should join the conversation before Athena killed Ubrene.

“I will think on it.” She waved Ubrene off. He bowed and walked away with his wings tucked between his legs. He learned right there never confront the Queen. She could kill you without giving a second thought.

They walked together to the dining room. It was the second door on the left in their new wing. When they opened the door they found the servants busy setting the table and lighting candles. It was all very romantic even though the table was long enough to seat twenty. The servants had put the two chairs on the very end side by side. Athena smiled. She remembered her father would sit on one end and her mother would sit on the other. She would split the difference. It was nice she could sit next to her husband. She hated being parted from him and didn’t understand why her father had always separated himself from his loved ones.

Darian pulled out her chair as the servants started bringing food in. Athena was starving, but when they put the food down she couldn’t eat. She sat there watching Darian load up his plate. When he looked up to see her with an empty plate he became concerned. She put her hand up to her mouth and held back a wave a nausea. He put his hand on her other hand and looked into her eyes.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m feeling a little sick.”

“Is that okay?”

“It’s pretty normal for my condition.”

The servants placed bowls of soup in front of them. It smelled good and gross at the same time. Darian waited for her to eat before he did. It was the custom, but he was worried there me be something more wrong. He was experienced with human pregnancy, but Prins weren’t the same. She took a spoon and brought a sip of soup to her lips. The look on her face could have been amusing if he wasn’t so upset. She sipped it slowly. When it didn’t come back up he tucked into his food as well.