Chapter 10

Harmony

I lowered myself in the pool-like tub. It was three feet deep, and my feet didn’t touch the sides. It had to be at least over five feet long. Honestly for this bathroom to have been so big, I knew this place originally had three rooms, and this used to be one of them…

“Ah.” I moaned to myself quietly…. And in the silence, my thoughts ran away with me.

The Old stories, of all things kept coming to mind. I felt like I was missing some kind of piece of the puzzle about him…. He was gentle, and smiled almost whenever he spoke, but something was telling me that I was missing some detail… I searched my memories, thinking about all that’d happened in this short time, and all what’d been told to me growing up.

I remember the old tales, but in all of them, he was the most violent monster of them all. Entire villages were vaporized, cities burned…. Supernatural creature and human alike were killed and eaten during this time. There were times when Grandpa Jerold or my grandfather the Wolf King spoke of the old stories, and they would stop. The war may not have damaged them physically, but mentally it took its toll on allot of good supernatural creatures. And what of his underlings? Where were they?

Things weren’t adding up.

I had never been around someone who turned off my instincts. I didn’t feel danger like I should. I Should be terrified, I should be kneeling, and if anything, … I honestly Should have rejected the idea of leaving with him, but doing so because of the authority I felt off him. Those feelings would have been normal, expected even. Wolves are sensitive to the auras of power that come from ancients… Yet here I am… mated without regret….

Only half the ceremony…. Thinking that made my gums itch. It was normal to do one and not the other, but usually it was the other way around. Usually the male marked his mate, then let her get comfortable with the idea of mating… but I had it in my head that I would mate with him the moment he held me with his enormous hands so tenderly under the moonlight…

I leaned back, glad that there was a step to sit on at the bottom for my sake, trying to figure out an answer for my wolf, who didn’t care anymore. She enjoyed the hot water, as did I, but I guess I worried only because of what I was told. I never expected to ever meet the High King, yet alone share his bed. He was a force of nature, one who could not be killed. I couldn’t even mark his skin if I wanted too. As it was, I dug my claws in as hard as I could, but he did not bleed. It wasn’t a bad thing, but when we did mark each other, I would have to try harder.

It didn’t make sense either how I was born of the royal house of Charred, yet none ever pushed me. I learned Luna duties, and leadership platforms because I wanted to. No one ever forced me, but I did because I thought it was a good idea along with them… something I knew I wouldn’t have with other royals. How much did the Wolf King’s council know? Because all of them were old… with old traditional mentalities on princesses.

I wasn’t raised to be the perfect mate for him… I was raised to be myself…. But I Knew my family had to know. It wouldn’t make sense if they didn’t. I could only assume they wanted me to live my life without the weight of being betrothed on my shoulders, and for that I was grateful. Though knowing the way they all ran the council, I’m sure they had to have kept me a secret from the other kings… I doubt they would have agreed on my independence, getting a job and going to school. I probably would have been encouraged to have no mind of my own.

Why did you not want pups? Asked Lummi suddenly, and I frowned at her.

It’s TOO soon! I mean like if it happens I wouldn’t mind but I was hoping that would be a little later when we got to know each other better….

She didn’t understand, but chose to be quiet the remainder of the time I was in the tub.

I stayed in there until I was a prune, scrubbing myself good with the fruit scented soaps he had in there. I grabbed a towel and when I dried off, I put on some green turtle pajamas. I peeped my head out, realizing that the TV in the living room was on. He was watching the news on a cable channel in one of his big chairs, and I hesitated, choosing to observe.

He let out a gentle sigh.

“I see you. Come join me.” He patted his lap… and I reluctantly came. I was shy with him. It didn’t matter what he said or did; I just felt really pulled to Xaxas. I sat in his lap… he was warm, and even though I was outside the pack the first time in my life… I felt like I never left. I guess this would be the mate connection at work… I certainly welcomed it.

He rubbed his hands through my hair while I watched the world news. There were reports of natural disasters happening all over every continent… I wondered was my mate’s presence causing this.

“Do you think the Old Ones are awakening?” I asked, but his face looked like he was debating something. He scratched behind his horns and snorted.

“Some seem to stir.” He mumbled, stroking my hair. “Don’t worry about it. They will not act without my consent.”

“Xaxas, my friends and family watch your generals… You may have woken peacefully, but I don’t know if they will.” I said quietly, but he closed his eyes.

“I understand your worries, but I ask you to drop this.” He said sternly, and Lummi submitted immediately. He didn’t express dominance over me, but he honestly didn’t need to. It was something passively done, as all he needed to do to my wolf was give her a stern tone of voice. To us, he was Alpha. However, I could overrule this sensation. I felt like I had to; it was my family I worried for.

“…. No. I can’t.” I protested, he sighed.

“Little mate, you play with fire. I didn’t mean to scare you….” He held me gently, seemingly debating on something.

She growled. I am not scared…. I tactically displaced for a second.

“You made her submit. Something easy to do when we see you as Alpha.” I said with a small smile.

“Apologies, that wasn’t my intention. I just didn’t want to spoil our honeymoon…. I was hoping if I woke quietly, they would not notice. I sense none are awake at the moment, so please, let us enjoy each other’s company.” He said planting a small kiss on my forehead.

I rested my head on his chest, not necessarily satisfied with is answers, but in time, I knew he would open up. I could feel his worry. He was my mate, and with that came many dangers from his underlings possibly.

-----Xaxas------

With my mate asleep in my arms, it was all I wanted… I could spend the next thousand years like this, though I don’t think she would be able to hold out as I could. I brushed some of the curls out her peacefully resting face.

I could see her still worry in her sleep, but I wouldn’t allow that. I kissed her on the forehead, that she would dream of the wilds and her people, so I could go about protecting her. She was completely right… but they were not waking. Some stirred these past few days knowing that I was awake; but the more immediate threat were the mortals.

The priests have gotten much to bold in my absence…I would put them in their place. I looked on my phone for where they worship, the oldest building in the area, as it would likely be where their leaders were; but it was on the other continent. I couldn’t risk leaving her here, even with her family.

I was only promised a mate; the deal said nothing of what could happen to her if she was killed the moment I allowed rebellious humans to let me be careless…. And I would not have access to her soul. She would dwell in my mother’s realm…. One none had access to, save Arviel and mother but I would tear the veil completely apart if it meant I had a chance to stay with her... or cut a deal. As a god I understood deals well. Anything not specifically mentioned was possible. Anything, including having a mate taken away because of incompetence on my part…. I sensed the area for threats, and felt none at the moment.

She wanted to work with mortals, and I would not allow myself to let a threat so great linger if I honored that. I would try things the peaceful way. Then if not, I would gather my strength and force it. I got up, carrying her to our room. I put thick sheets on the bed using my power, and laid my mate down; sleep was something I did not need, and I stepped back into the living room, turning the heat up with the thermostat to the gas fireplace. I figured she might get cold when I left tonight. I had 15 generals, but I could not feel any of them. To be safe though I created a barrier around the building after I felt the bull’s presence enter the parking lot. She would probably be upset if something happened to them or the humans that lived here, seeing as how she looked at everything with so much wonder this morning.

There was a knock on the door.

“It’s unlocked. If you wake my mate, you’ll regret it.” I warned getting into my plush reclining chair. Having my feet propped up was nice, but I knew this conversation they would share with me would be serious. They had cake and some food supplies, though I could only assume it was for Harmony.

“You know it isn’t safe enough for that.” Said Noah, the curly headed human. He smelled very much of the minotaur today.... though they were still in uniform. I almost chuckled, but it would probably embarrass the only mortals I trusted.

“I only do that when I’m here. Don’t worry. I don’t take risks on her wellbeing.” I mumbled.

Aeschylus cleared his throat. “Noah, I told you to wait in the car.” He said sternly crossing his arms.

“Jerold, we both know that wasn’t going to happen.” He giggled bowing his head in respect and putting the cake on the table along with a few other things. Noah cut me a large slice, damn near a third of the chocolate goodness….. He was trying to get on my good side, but he didn’t realize he was there the moment the plate was put in my hands.

“I assume you’re here to check on your grandchild.” I said stretching and getting up to shake wrists.

“Yes, your grace.” He said letting his horns spiral out.

“Any other reason why you’re here?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“The cake is for officially finding your mate. The second…. My grandcalf. I see your mother’s mark on your mark spot….” He paused. Whatever it was he didn’t say. I didn’t know she had branded me for my mate’s sake. I would thank her for that as well… her energy was precious…. I subconsciously put my hand on my neck, feeling a small crescent moon slightly raised on the skin. It seemed to feel as if the moon was only half-filled in. Mother probably ran out of energy… But Jerold was a Minotaur. He probably smelled the sheets in the laundry basket as well, but out of decency he mentioned something else.

“She could not pierce my flesh; I assume then my mother will place one on her as well.” I mumbled. She dug her claws into my arms and sides, but she was mortal, she would never be able to.

“I know you will treat her well. I see the effort you are going through.” He said looking around.

“Any suggestions?” I asked, motioning them to help themselves to his liquor cabinet. It was there when I bought this place, though I do not have the ability to get drunk. I never intended on really bothering it. Noah got himself a glass of rum, and it was immediately snatched by Jerold. He then picked him up, sat him on the couch, and served him juice.

“I’m a grown ass man!” He protested, and the minotaur chuckled.

“My only suggestion would be to understand that she is a sweet soul. She loves helping others, that’s why she worked at her pack’s clinic. She values life, and loves humans. Also, she is very small.” He admitted honestly and sat on the other end of the couch, next to his stubborn beloved.

“What of the force?” Asked his mate to slightly change the subject. “Will you join it now that she’s told you of her interest in the mortal world? Help us with what is to come.”

“Your beloved speaks true… but I am not sure.” I said looking at her direction. I was selfish. I couldn’t keep her here, isolated from the world, yet here I was debating on if I should. I wouldn’t…. but soon she would want to venture out and see this world now that she was in it.

He looked at me sternly. “More than beloved, more than husband, he is mate. I would kill and have been killed for my Noah. There is nothing in this world worth looking for than the love of who sits beside me at this moment… even if he is very rebellious.” He said grinning and rubbed his hands through Noah’s curls, who pouted with a blush.

“I experienced that today. She wonders about my generals.” I grumbled, though he hummed deeply.

“That was another thing I wanted to bring up. They all are waking or doing their best to come out of their confines your majesty…. What will you do?” He asked with a bow.

I closed my eyes; I did not want to deal with this yet. I was still regaining and suppressing my strength.…. and I didn’t want Harmony to reject me. She will see me at my worst; I was hoping that it would be later, after she’d fully accepted not just ceremonial tradition. After she’d see that I would be her protector always…

“What will be done, cannot be undone. I am awake now, and they will come to me.” I said quietly.

“Then I would ask again that you join the force with me. Harmony is safe in your arms; I don’t worry for her… I worry for the countless lives waisted in a third war since the Church is keen on not recognizing your reign.” Said Jerold.

“If there is a third war, whoever started it will receive the first punishment that comes to mind.” I grumbled.

I looked at him; he was serious. There was no reason to join other than keeping the peace… a ‘nuclear deterrent’ in his words. I looked toward the doorway of the room again. She was frail as they come. It wouldn’t take much to hurt her, but I didn’t need their protection. She did. If I joined, it was more than just a formality; she would be protected from the Church even more so than my title alone, as they refused to recognize my status. There were bylaws on simply breaking into my home and killing her, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried.

As much as I hated Arviel; he wasn’t one to bend rules. He would not interfere with this world so long as he ruled the other gods. It was why he betrayed my father… It was the only thing he cared about. Me joining them could take his eyes off me… I’d felt them since I came out the mountain. To be honest he was the only real worry I should have, but I’d never had to deal with caring for anyone so frail… All of this was so new, and I already felt as if I were making poor choices.

“Your Highness, please consider it.” Said Jerold, and I looked out my glass door.

The hail and heavy snow poured in the darkness of the night, and the wind beat the frozen droplets on my balcony. I went outside, knowing that my actions would probably cause deeper ripples than I’d planned. I stood out there looking at the downpour, then down on the mortals in their cars. Traffic was light, but there was a lighter hand placed on my shoulder. It was the mortal to Jerold’s horror.

“Your highness, each one of those cars is a family… my people are small, weak… arrogant, but they deserve to live undisturbed. They knew nothing of you, yet the governments of entire nations respected the words of the other kings… and I know they will stop the Church.” Noah said quietly.

I sighed. “I know. I suppose neither of you will leave me alone until I come to a decision.” I gave Jerold a small glare, and he stiffened. It seemed he still feared me. “I’ll think about it.”