Chapter 31

David

By mid-afternoon, David had been holding court for hours. It seemed that the line of subjects needing to meet with the crown was never-ending. So many sought judgments, favors, or even just an opportunity to rub elbows with royalty. David loved his people, but sometimes it was all very exhausting.

David sat alone as his mate was off at training and Daniel had wandered off to do whatever he did when no one was watching. Moments like this made him long for Stormy and her reassuring touch. Almost as if she had read his thoughts across time, he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

He glanced around the room and realized it was full. People were everywhere and he became concerned that having the queen teleport into their midst, might be a bit unsettling for them. He gritted his teeth and braced for the worst. However, instead of appearing in his lap as she normally did, he saw her step into the room from a remote unnoticed corner.

“The queen, the queen,” Argus called as he announced Stormy’s presence. He pounded his staff against the floor. The room turned and bowed in her honor as she skipped to David’s lap and cuddled against him.

“Welcome home, My Sweet,” he said as he kissed her. The room erupted with cheers, breaking them apart.

She bit her lip as she turned and gave everyone an enthusiastic wave. Stormy made a small horizontal circle with her hand that David interpreted as an invitation to continue with sending in the diplomats, dignitaries and lobbyists.

“Are you going to help me hold court, Sweetheart?” David teased her as he kissed the tip of his nose.

She bit her lip happily and nodded her head. She made an upside-down U between her eyebrows. David furrowed his brow as he tried to figure out what we was saying.

“I don’t understand that one. I need more hints.” He told her as she stiffened in his lap and her breathing changed. She instantly buried her nose into his neck and hid her face.

“Wisdom,” a deep husky male voice called from the back of the room. “The queen believes you are wise.”

David looked up and watched a tall, muscled, dark-kinky haired man approached. He had skin the color of milk chocolate with a small five o’clock shadow and a short goatee. His deep blue eyes sparkled as they locked on the queen.

He stopped before the throne and got down onto one knee. “I am your servant, your majesty.”

“Do you understand the queen, friend?” David asked cautiously.

“Yes, your majesty,” the man said as he stayed bowed low before the queen. “She is using a version of human sign language. It is utilized by the deaf to communicate.”

“The queen isn’t deaf.” David said hoping to correct the man’s assumptions.

“Yes sir, but she has obviously been around someone who is.” The dark-haired man answered respectfully.

David considered what the man was saying. “Is that true, Sweetheart, are you using the language of the deaf?” He asked her as she tucked her nose even deeper against him. He felt her nod against his throat.

“Arise friend, tell us who you are and how you came by this knowledge.” David said as he gestured for the man to stand.

“Thank you for your kindness, but I do not answer to you. Only her majesty, my mate, may command me.” The man said.

David’s eyes went wide. He looked down at Stormy who was beginning to shake in his arms. “Sweetheart?”

She simply nodded her head against his neck but didn’t look up. She wrapped her arms more tightly around David.

“Don’t worry your majesty, I see that you love the King and I would never aspire to separate you from him. I only wish to serve you, and hope that one day there might be a small space in your affections for me as well.” He said as he stayed on his knee in front of her.

David rubber her back. “It’s okay, My Sweet, we talked about this. A new mate changes nothing between us.” He reached down and peeled her from his neck and put his hand under her chin. He lifted her face so he could look her in the eye.

She bit her lip and furrowed her brow in frustration. She pointed over her shoulder to the man and made the sign for no and finally the one for dragon.

The man chuckled. “You are right, Love, I am not a dragon.”

“Shall we at least meet him? If you decide he is unworthy of you, I’ll shift and eat him.” David said with a wiley smile

Stormy looked at him with wide surprised eyes. She used her hand to make a snout, made the no sign and then food. Then she stuck her tongue out like something tasted terrible.

The new mate began to laugh. “You are right, thankfully wolves don’t taste good. I’d rather not be eaten by a dragon, especially before I learn the lady’s name.”

Stormy cracked a smile and slowly turned to look at him. He bowed low to her. “Let me introduce myself, My name is Alpha Dean of the Crescent Moon Pack. I am yours in all things.”

She glanced to David and back to Dean. “Her name is Stormy.”

“That’s a beautiful name, my queen.” Dean said as he remained where he was.

Stormy smiled and bent her fingers into a chair shape by placing two of her fingers from her left hand over two on her right, and pointed to Dean.

“Thank you for asking me to have a seat.” He nodded to her and walked to the corner of the room. He came back carrying a low stool which he placed next to her feet.

David raised an eyebrow to him. He motioned to one of the chairs used by most dignitaries. Dean shook his head. “It is a greater honor to sit at the queen’s feet.”

“How did you come to speak the same tongue as My Sweet?” David asked.

Dean smiled. “As you know wolves are not as segregated as dragons. In our human forms, we pass easily. We have many operatives hidden among the cities of men. We trade openly with them and then bring their products to the other races. Most of the human products you use, have been provided to you through wolf shifter trade routes.”

“I trade with a school for the deaf on a regular basis. I have learned the language over time. Now, that I have met the queen, I see the provision of the goddess. I am honored to understand her.” Dean said.

Stormy eyed Dean carefully and began to sign so quickly he couldn’t follow.

“Yes, Love. I would be honored to call you by your name. I promise that I will respect your other mate bonds. I would like to be your guest and get to know you.”

She prompted reached up and drew a heart on David’s chest before placing her hand over it.