by Honor James
The guards at the doors thumped the staffs they each held. The wide doors were pulled open from within and the guards all turned so they formed a corridor facing one another on each side of the doorway. “Please, enter this place with peace in your heart,” a Spiryte woman said from inside. She bowed and swept a hand out to invite them in.
Luna moved along into the large courtyard between Kris and Volker, her head high and back straight. She was the Queen of these people and even though she hadn’t born the heavy weight of the crown yet, she had been raised and taught from the cradle how to act. Seeing her brothers ahead she bowed her head slightly to them in greeting and stopped before the Council, newly formed as they were.
The Council, as one, stood and bowed to her. Then they all sat down. Two Luhpynes, two Spirytes, two Vhampires, two Ahnjels, two of the elusive race known as the Raythe and one member, dead center, who was fully cloaked. The mystery mediator, the one who would break any ties and the one who no one could ever learn the identity of.
“Greetings, Luna Black, Queen of the Spirytes,” the one in the middle spoke. The voice was deep, as in the bowels of hell deep. It rumbled, it grated ever so slightly and everyone in the room had a reaction to it. Most shivered while others looked about ready to crawl out of their skin. “We thank you for joining us here today. Sit.” A gloved hand emerged from the cloak and waved toward a chair set out, alone in the midst of the room.
Luna took the seat offered to her and she felt her mates settling at her sides as well. “Greetings to you, Council.” She gave back formally. “Thank you for coming to attend to this matter on my home world. And I thank you in advance for ensuring that justice is served.”
The hood in the middle nodded and then waved to another member, an Ahnjel. The woman stood up. “We the Council have been convened on the matter of Alphonse Black and his activities. Said activities include two counts of murder, confirmed, one count of assault causing bodily harm, confirmed and many counts of bribery, blackmail, kidnapping and abuse of said kidnapped individuals. The charges have been read in full to those being charged but, if the Queen wishes, we can read them again for her review.”
“I have reviewed all charges and there is no need to waste the Councils time with rereading the charges as we all know them to be.” Luna spoke softly but with full authority. “If you will proceed please,” she said simply. “We should get this distasteful business out of the way so that we are able to go back to our lives.”
“As you wish, your highness.” The woman nodded. Sitting down she nodded to the man in the hood, and it had to be a man given how deep that voice had been.
Another wave of his hand had a male Luhpyne standing. He tipped his head to her before facing the cage with a datapad in hand. “Alphonse Black of the Spiryte Realm, you are hereby stripped of all royal stature, titles and lands. All said titles and lands revert to their proper holdings in the care of her highness, the Queen of Spiryte. Domnik of the Vhampire Realm, you are hereby stripped of all standing, titles and lands you claimed falsely. All said titles and lands revert back to the original holders forthwith. Alphonse Black, this Council has found you guilty on all charges and you have been sentenced to death. Domnik, this Council has found you guilty on all charges and you have been sentenced to death. May the Gods and Goddesses have mercy on your souls.” He sat down and handed the datapad toward the hood.
Reaching out a gloved hand the large male in the hood gripped the gavel before him and brought it down on the table three times. “So we have spoken, so shall it be. Executions shall proceed immediately upon disbanding of this Council meeting. Does anyone have anything to say toward leniency for those condemned?”
As much as she would have liked for Alphonse to have been granted leniency Luna shook her head. It was as it should be. Alphonse had killed their parents and would have killed her without a second thought. She looked to Volker however, wasn’t certain how he would take his brother being sentenced to death, again.
Volker was staring at the cage, his expression hard. She could see his jaw clenching and releasing. Finally he looked to the Council and shook his head. “Nothing,” he said clearly. “All my people request is his head for proof,” he stated, his voice chilling.
Luna slipped her hand into Volker’s and gave it a light squeeze. “As we request of Alphonse Black as well. We request proof of his death,” Luna stated coldly as well. “We will assume that this will take place forthwith?” The sooner it was all over the better in her opinion.
As one the Council rose and bowed to her. “Remove the prisoners and commence with the executions,” the hood said. Then the dark cowl turned to face her. “You will have your proof before you reach the Palace, your highness.” Turning, all eerily in sync, the Council filed out from behind the long table and headed for a door to one side.
Luna waited until all of the Council was gone and she sighed. “I can’t believe it’s over,” she said softly. “Now do we go to our home?” she asked with a hint of fear tingeing her voice. “And that is the new Council? Is it just me or are they dreadfully terrifying?”
“We go to the Palace,” Kris said gently. He stepped closer and rubbed his hand over her back. “You have to be formally crowned and we need to wait for your requested heads. Which, honestly you two, could you be more disgusting?” he asked making a face. “That is just fucking nasty.”
Volker shot him a look and shrugged. “No head, no chance of popping back up to make our lives miserable again. As to the Council,” he turned his head toward the door long since shut. “They will not suffer fools lightly. Their mediator though,” he tipped his head slightly.
“What?” Kris asked curiously.
“I don’t know. There is something about him that is,” he frowned. “I want to say familiar but that isn’t quite right. I don’t know him personally, his psychic energy isn’t one I’ve come across before. But the general feel of it is really, really familiar for some reason.”
“I felt the same,” Luna said quietly. “It’s as if he is someone that I’ve met before, as if I recognize the signature of his soul but I’ve never met him before.” She didn’t understand it, it was odd and she didn’t like that feeling, at all. The feeling of uncertainty, the feeling of unknowing. It was uncomfortable. “Let’s go home shall we?”
Nodding Volker lifted their joined hands and kissed her fingers. “You look tired. We should get there as quickly as we can so you can rest. And you need to eat, you are looking peckish I think,” he said with a grin.
“I am feeling more than a little peckish, I am also tired.” Two things that it seemed she was a great deal of lately. “Okay, take us home? I am ready to eat and then sleep. After that we will worry about other things but for now I’m ready for those two things.” So that she could ensure to remain healthy for her pregnancy and their child.
Nodding he reached out for Kris. “I will get you both there and then return for the others.” He looked to one of the Luhpynes who stepped forward and put his hand on Volker’s shoulder. “Deep breath, love,” he said to her quietly.
Luna took a deep breath and grinned up at Volker. “Take us home.” She trusted this man, she trusted her mates and knew that no matter what they would always keep her safe. Such was how their life was, trust in each other.
One moment they were in the Council chamber and the next they were right outside the front door of the Palace. The Luhpyne stepped back as did Kris. Volker leaned in and kissed her. “I’ll be back soon,” he rolled his eyes. “Actually, I’ll be back several times. Go and find a room for us to hide out in for a nap.”
“Food first,” she said with a grin. “I will see you in a bit. I’m sure that you will be able to find me quickly, won’t you?” She leaned into Volker and gave him one last hug. “I love you.”
“Of course I’ll find you,” he said, hugging her back. “I’ll just follow your sweet and too damned sexy scent.” He dropped another kiss on her lips and then stepped back with a wink. “Go and fee
d the bean darling, see you soon.” Then he was gone.
Luna shook her head when he disappeared and laughed. “On parting lines that man certainly has them down good doesn’t he?” she asked Kristjan and then took his hand in hers. “All right, you heard the man. Time to go and feed the bean.” Relief. Intense relief filled Luna. It shouldn’t. She shouldn’t be happy that her brother was going to be dead soon but she was. She was very happy that this was all finally over and done with.
“He does at that.” He grinned. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders he hugged her close. Then they faced the front door. “Uh, any idea how we get inside?” he asked her with a chuckle.
“We walk in the door,” Luna said with a grin and then waved at the now open door. “I think that they were waiting on us to actually finish chatting, what do you think?” she teased him. “Come on Kris, if we time this right Volker will be home right about the time that we sit down for a meal.”
“If we’re lucky we’ll get through the meal before he’s done,” he said.
“I heard that!” Volker said. He’d just reappeared with four other guards. Winking at her he disappeared again and left the guards looking a little unsteady.
“Maybe we should see about getting some barf bags instead of a meal,” Kris murmured with a snicker.
“Good point.” She looked at one of the guards and said, “You remain outside of the doors and ensure that no one comes inside unless they are completely steady on their feet and not about to toss their cookies.” She wouldn’t handle it if they did. “Now, come on Kris. Volker will find us.” She wasn’t worried about barf bags, not when there was the entire outdoors for the guards.
He hooked his arm through hers and tugged her forward. “All right, I hope you know your way around here. Because I’m starving and if we get lost my stomach and I will be most displeased.”
“I grew up here so of course I know this place,” she said with a wink. Her hand in his Luna led Kris toward the kitchens so that they could find some food. “I hope that he finishes soon and gets his butt back here.” She knew why he was bringing so many new guards to the Palace. It was because most of her guards needed to be replaced.
“He’ll find us when he’s satisfied with however many he has to bring. And, really, a lot of them will be temporary. Some will likely stay on but we’ll have to look into hiring locally to keep your people happy too. Though we’ll be keeping on a couple of the Luhpynes and definitely a couple of Volker’s creepier Vhampire pals. They are good for scaring off the riffraff.”
“Sounds as if we have our lives planned out and ready to live them,” Luna said with a grin. “That makes me happy, all kinds of happy. I think that we should eat, find Volker and then ensure that everyone has their working instructions and we go and find the Royal Suite.”
“Works for me.” He smiled. Sliding his arm around her shoulders he drew her to a stop in a hallway. “We’ll be just fine, Luna. We’ll get your realm back to the way it should be, get your people all happy with everyone else and have a baby. Hell, we’ve got this. After all, we have a Vhampire on our side.” He chuckled. “Even if he is a little cranky.”
“I heard that!” Volker’s voice reached them, bouncing off walls.
“Holy shit,” Kris looked around. “Sound seriously travels in this place. Did you hear the echo off of his voice? This place rocks!”
Luna’s laughter spilled out and around them. A sound that had been long missing from the palace, the laughter of love and happiness. Shaking her head she wrapped her arms around Kristjan and looked up at him. “You are too funny. I hope that you never change.”
He was grinning right back at her. “Not a chance in hell of that ever happening. I like who I am and as long as you adore me, life is great.” Leaning in he pressed a kiss to her lips and then lifted his head suddenly. Sniffing the air he turned a bit. “Oh Gods, tell me that I’m not hallucinating and I’m actually smelling fresh-from-the-oven meat pies?”
“Yes honey you are.” Luna winked at Kristjan and continued to the kitchens so that they could get fed. She was looking forward to eating as well, especially from her own home world.
Bumping her lightly he smiled at her. “I love you, Luna. No matter what comes in the next few weeks, remember that Volker and I love you. You and the little bean are everything to us. Now and always.”
“Just as you are all everything to me as well.” Her two men and their little bean, they were her life. “I’m happy. I’m glad that you are happy as well. We are going to make this all work. One way or another, we will be able to make this all work out.”
“Of course we will, we’re determined,” he said softly. Pressing a kiss to her lips he tugged her the rest of the way to the kitchen. He was obviously following his nose now. In the kitchen he stopped and grinned at the chef who paused mid-motion, a pan of meat pies in hand. “I’m sorry, Luna. But I think I’ve just met my newest love,” he said, the woman blushing furiously as he winked at her and wiggled his eyebrows.
Snickering Luna wrapped her arms around her middle and said, “Well go. Go and eat. Just make sure to grab food for me too.” She looked to the cook and smiled. “It’s wonderful to see you again, Camilla. Thank you for ensuring that food is all ready for us.”
“Of course, your highness,” Camilla said. She swung the pan of pies out of Kristjan’s reach and glared at him. “Wash your mitts or you get no food,” she said.
Blinking Kris gave the woman a pout and then shuffled off to the sink when she didn’t cave.
“I can see you’re going to have trouble with that one, your highness,” Camilla said. Clicking her tongue she set the pan down on the counter. “Come and give me a hug and then you need to eat.”
Luna did just that. She hadn’t seen the woman in years but she was still the same. “I’m glad that Alphonse didn’t run you off.” She said as the woman hugged her. “I’m happy, he’s a funny man but he’s more than what you think. He’s an exceptional man as well.”
“He would have to be to have caught your eye, your highness.” Camilla collected two plates and, filling one, passed it to Luna. The second she handed to Kris when he joined them again. “Go, sit and eat,” she ordered.
“I think she likes me,” Kris whispered, very loudly when Camilla walked off.
Luna snickered and leaned into Kris. “Isn’t it enough that I like you Kris? Aren’t I enough to adore you?” She was teasing him, something he would be able to easily ascertain with the way she was leaning into him, teasing him and touching him.
“A man can never have enough adoring females in his life,” he said with a snicker. Pressing a kiss to her hair he guided her over to the table and pulled her chair out. “But, for the record,” he said softly. Leaning in he brushed his lips to her cheek. “You are more than enough woman for me, Luna Black.”
“That’s a very, very good answer, Kristjan,” Luna whispered back to him, impulsively giving him a kiss before pulling back so that she could actually begin to eat. “I certainly hope that Volker returns soon so that we can all view our people together for the first time.” She knew that they would have to make a formal statement before their people, but she wanted to have both of her men at her sides first.
“Talking about me when I’m not around?” Volker said from behind her.
“Jesus!” Kristjan slapped a hand to his chest. “We are so putting a fucking bell on him.”
Snickering evilly Volker leaned down to kiss her. “Hello again, darling,” he said softly. Slipping into a chair beside her he shot Kris a look and then rolled his eyes. “Quit being a drama queen, Kristjan. Sit, eat and then our little mate needs a nap to refresh herself.”
Looking up at Volker, Luna smiled. “I think so as well. I look forward to our own personal happily ever afters. After a nap and shower. Life can wait for another couple of hours, right?” She was teasing and both of them knew it. Something that they would all always do with each other. Tease and make the others smile. It was going to be a
damn good life with her Vhampire and Ahnjel and she looked forward to every single day that would come their way.
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in the mid-seventies Honor has always had a love for the written word. Whether she is reading a book from another author or writing a story of her own, she is always letting her mind expand and delve into possibilities. It all started off as scribbles for her, then a phase of poetry before she found her true calling in the erotic paranormal genre where her imagination is only limit.
Since beginning her journey as a published author in 2011 Honor says she has learned a great deal about herself and writing. She believes that it’s a never-ending journey, the mind always wanting to learn and to grow. With that comes a better skill and smoothness to her writing she’s discovered and begun to enjoy more with each story she creates.
Thankfully, as she puts it, she has a job that gives her plenty of opportunity to write whatever comes to mind with very few interruptions. Her biggest supporters are, as always, her family. Her two children and her husband are continuously providing her with laughter and joy, making the time she takes to write a little bit easier. Without them and their support she knows she wouldn’t be half the author she is today.
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