A new friendship

Ayla POV

I could feel something different as I approached the Hall of Thrones and when we entered it became clearer why there was music in the air, something like what I've heard in some Soul stones, but this one is different.

There are so many different voices and I don't understand what they're saying, but I don't need to, because I can feel the emotions they want to convey and as I looked at the Rulers it became clearer that the music came from them and was made for them.

The pain is hidden behind happy, fast notes, with a lively beat that the other fairies follow instinctively, and it's almost impossible to perceive the undertones of sadness and melancholy.

The voices want to cheer up their Rulers after a sad event, and I can connect with that because I feel their pain at the same time as I know that I will never have the opportunity to have children born in my belly.

Not that I want a child now, but in the future, when the war is over, it would be nice to have a child running around the Castle and driving the three of us crazy. Their words are polite and I smile.

"I hope that the time you spend in this place will be one of comfort and joy, for there is always hope for both of you and if the Gods will it, a new life will be born." I winked at them mischievously. "I'm sure you'll find many ways to be inspired."

I saw them both smile and look at each other.

"Your Imperial Majesty is very frank in the way you act." The Queen said. "And it's a breath of fresh air in a Kingdom that was marked by its rigidity."

I laughed quietly.

"All those titles are extremely tiring. Although I love learning, I almost fell asleep in etiquette classes on this subject." I replied, feeling at ease talking to them.

Even though their auras are gigantic, they don't put pressure on me. Unlike when I dealt with the Dwarves and Elves.

"We cannot differ from this statement, as we maintain a strict protocol when introducing ourselves to other nations." The King said.

"Well then, I believe you have failed," I commented, and I could see the slight shock on their faces. "After all, even though you know my name, even though you haven't used it, and my title, you haven't introduced yourselves yet." I stopped talking for a few seconds. "But don't worry, I won't consider that a fault." I finished before the rulers could answer me.

The Queen let out a low laugh, the sound more like small crystals moving as a gentle breeze passed between them.

I can feel through the link that Soren is shocked by the whole situation.

"You can call me Novus and this is my husband Bracken. Our capital is called Planthea." The Queen replied. "But if we're going to point fingers, Your Imperial Majesty should know our names."

I laughed out loud, loud enough to echo throughout the hall.

"But I just told you that my least favorite subject is history and etiquette." I smiled. "I don't even know the names of all the Heads of Houses in my Kingdom... Each Head has his second in command and third... followed by the head of the guards and soldiers. It will probably take me a century before I learn about them all."

"Once again, you leave me speechless," Bracken replied with a slight, almost imperceptible smile on his lips.

"I didn't mean to... Or did I?" I asked jokingly. "And please use my name, Ayla. Perhaps my mates prefer this stricter approach, but for me, I'd rather we were friends and that the alliance between our races was more than just a contract." I finished in a more serious tone.

"As you wish, Ayla." Novus bowed briefly. "And we will certainly be friends with someone who can hear the songs of the immortals, for only those with a pure soul can do so."

"Well then, they'd better not read my thoughts when I'm lying in the arms of my mates." I joked.

This elicited a laugh from Bracken too and despite his suggestive and sensual clothing, I saw him turn slightly red.

"Ayla," Novus speaks in a serious tone, his gaze passing between the three of us. "I know that my next words will make you uncomfortable, but as a friend, I need to warn you. The bond between you is very weak and easily broken. Your soul is fragmented, I can't identify why or whether it was a natural event or someone else's creation. What's holding you up is your mates' connection to the divine plane, but the golden thread is thin and almost dull."

Soren and Victor's aura increased, they weren't happy with this statement, but I just raised my hand, stopping them from getting up. It wasn't something I hadn't already thought of, let alone a revelation the two of them hadn't expected.

"Hermaði was one of the guardians of the Moiras," I said calmly. "Victor told me about the divine encounter he had with the Goddesses who look after the Loom of Fate. There's no mistaking those who sing that song."

I stopped talking to think about my next words.

"And that's why I don't mind you talking about it." I looked intently at the rulers. "For I am absolutely certain that you are not connected to our enemies. I'm grateful for your words, as they confirm our suspicions, but it's something Soren has already explained, that for the link to close, we need to mark each other and for now only I'm marked."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to find the strength to continue this painful conversation.

"But as you said yourself, I'm not complete and that's why it's too dangerous for me to mark you," I said as I opened my eyes.

"The splitting of the link has been accepted by the Gods," Bracken confirmed. "But part of you is still connected to the past, marked by the years you were a slave, and there were many more than you remember."

"You're older than you think," Novus added. "There's no way of knowing your real age, simply because your soul isn't complete."

"It's a defense mechanism." A different fairy took a few steps forward, her hair blue, her clothes reminiscent of the never-ending winter. "Many people do this when they suffer traumas beyond imagination, separate themselves from that event, and create a new version of themselves that doesn't remember what happened. More commonly called multiple personality syndrome."

"This is one of my counselors, her name in the common language translation would be Winter." Novus introduced.

"As Your Imperial Majesty is connected to the Vampire and Lycan Kingdoms, these personalities have taken on the abilities of the races in question. The road to recovery is strenuous, as you'll need to remember everything you've forced yourself to forget." Winter informed.

I smiled sadly.

"If everything I remember is nothing compared to what I chose to forget, then my life has been much worse than we know." I lowered my gaze and stared at my hand, feeling fear, pain, anxiety, and above all sadness.

"Ayla..." Soren's voice echoed for the first time. "We'll be by your side, every step of the way."

I raised my head and saw my two mates standing in front of me, their hands outstretched, and I took them. These two men enveloped me in a hug, while their auras helped calm me down and gave me confidence that we would come out stronger in the end.

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