Chapter 16

Harmony

“Anyway,” The Wolf King dismissed his statement entirely, probably because he must have known… but didn’t want to let on that he did this entire time. “This meeting is not about speculation, but rather confirmation and acknowledgment. There is to be a ball to commemorate the peace of this realm next full moon at my estate, along with the crowns made by the Elf King, King Sagrinal himself.” He was handed a large black velvet box by a red headed Omega. However, he made no attempt to open said box.

“Yes, magic is worked into the gold, and the gems were placed with absolution magic from all the Queens and Kings of this court who draw from the ether. It will shift with you, as we didn’t know if you could or not. It took 20 years to make, and we didn’t know who he would pick, so we made yours for anything, including the ability to shield you from magical attacks, but also to hide in plain sight to mortals as a headband.” He looked stoic, and sounded it as well.

“Thank you.” I said with a bow, but he waved his hands in front of himself to stop me frantically.

“No my Lady, it is never your place to bow.” He said with a nervous chuckle. There was agreement among them, but I wasn’t so sure. I wouldn’t question it though.

“Why are we not celebrating at the palace? I refuse to send human servants on grounds that he is a man eater.” Said the Holy Seat, interrupting everyone’s good mood.

“Because you just want to know his majesty’s location to blow it up. It will only piss him off.” Mumbled the Wolf King.

“Get on with it.” Said the Beast King scratching the head of some kind of porcupine maned crocodile that had long legs.

“Um I assume the next part is me introducing myself; I’m Harmony Charred, Daughter of The Third Prince Caleb and Minneta Charred. I was actually hoping to join the local At-Risk program to volunteer, but it seems I might need to postpone my interview.” I smiled, but the Holy Seat sat up.

“What are your motivations for working... I assume with humans?” He asked.

“I’ve always liked humans… I figured while I live here, I could help them. I may not be able to perform magic or healing by miracle, but good old-fashioned medicine, food, and a shoulder to lean on are things I can do.” I smiled, but he didn’t return it. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to mention that. Honestly, I figured no matter what I did, I would be wrong, but I was honest. He scratched his chin.

“Don’t try anything human.” Warned the King of Vampires. I only knew that because I saw him maybe once or twice as a child, but I wasn’t allowed to be around him or his prince when he did come.

“The humans do not recognize her nor her dark counterpart as our ruler, we do as we please.” He said with a growl.

“You do too much mortal. He conquered the realm entirely, though You would not remember, nor those before as the Replacement short lived and Short Sighted champions of the Light. It would be wise not to say things to raise his ire. You’ve never tasted his wrath. We have. I for one motion the mortals be removed from this call.” Grumbled the Vampire King, though the houses were split in indecision.

“The only thing he will taste is defeat if he attempts to attack us again.” He growled, though he was human, so it was only grumbling.

They were suddenly silent, and I spoke up. “I heard the news… and he didn’t attack you… Xaxas retaliated because he feels I’m not safe… and he’s right. But I know if anything were to happen to me, there would be all out war, which would benefit no one. I am a grandchild to the two strongest members of the King’s Council… and mated to its head… If he attacked anything seriously, I’m sure he would have really… really hurt a bunch of people.” I said a little quieter than I should have, but I would do better the next time I spoke… I was messing up, and he took my politeness for weakness.

He scoffed. “And I suppose you’re an expert?” He said with crossed arms.

I mentally readied myself. I would not waver my words… but I would still speak with etiquette. “No, but you speak from a place of stubborn jaded-ness. Not ALL supernaturals are evil, just like not all humans are good. I know you’re defensive because you’re the only one like yourself on the council. But that doesn’t give you the right to act so belligerent to everyone else.” I said loud and clear. I was taught to be a leader by my grandpa Kaiden, and one thing I must not show is weakness…. Especially since even to my people, I’m only as strong as a regular she wolf.

“As nice as your false sentiments are, you see us as food. I defend who I can, with what I have, and right now this church’s power from the Light are my sword and shield.” He said with narrowed eyes.

“No. I don’t…. I’ve actually never killed anything.” There were groans from the other supernatural kings and queens, though I ignored them. “But even still, humans Are food for some creatures…. You have a right to defend yourselves, but not acknowledging my mate will only eventually lead to him seeing your people as rebellious… By Alpha rules he would feel more pressured to deal with you. He retaliated to your priests harassing us the morning we’d just met. It isn’t right that you even say that when it was your people who started all the friction. Also, rules are set in place that only humans who break the treaty get hurt.” I crossed my arms.

“There is no registry. No indications that you people follow that either. We do what we Must. To recognize the Adversary’s son is to bow to the Night itself, and I commend them for being preemptive in showing that monster we do not fear him nor his father’s creations.” He said with narrowed eyes.

“Like supplying Hunters with weapons that shouldn’t exist.” Blurted the Goblin King, with a tall blue skinned Troll standing at his left side in his office.

“…. you did that? That’s horrid.” I growled, not able to hold back Lummi because I agreed.

“We were audited for it… and there is no evidence this continues.” He grumbled, but I interrupted him before he could say anything else.

“Hunters are illegal for a REASON. They don’t follow the laws… and I assume for the Goblin King to say something the damage must have already been done. But punishing a second time won’t be right either.” I said quietly.

“For now, your highness, maybe put this on the next meeting’s topic after your ceremony… this call was meant to be a joyous one.” Said the Unicorn Queen. Her voice was clear and sweet… she sounded soothing.

“I agree. We didn’t meet to rule the humans, only that they renounce this folly from their representative.” Said grandpa Jerold.

“If they don’t recognize my mate as King, then as long as they don’t make trouble I don’t have a problem with it…” I said somewhat quietly, and the rude old man sat up a little bit.

“I did not need your input. We will not recognize the son of the Night Harlot or his bitch who sports their sin upon her neck so freely.” He slammed his hand on the table, but I stood.

“I am many things, but I am no bitch.” I growled proper, shaking the windows a bit as I showed my fangs. “I bet you don’t even know the insult you spew. I don’t expect you to apologize, but know I won’t allow name calling, and you disrespect yourself, your God, and your own teachings with your nasty attitude.”

“…. Ugh… chastised by the Night Harlot’s spawn…” He mumbled. “I suppose I should apologize. Forgive my attitude.” He said half-heartedly.

“And she isn’t the Night Harlot. She is the Pale Lady. Had her own father not imprisoned her, we would not crave man flesh once we taste it... This war started because of the same intolerance you show, but to others you spew false love. If You are the head of the Church, I hate to see your subordinates.” I snarled, though this time I had a better handle on my wolf.

“Your grace….” Said the Vampire King with a bow. The other kings, even my grandfather looked nervous, but I stood firm. I would not show weakness.

“I was being polite, but Lady damnit I will not allow someone to talk ill of me, my mate, my people, and my Goddess in front of my face. I am a Proud Wolf-Dog.” I hung up the call, upset and I began to cry frustration tears. I was legitimately angry, so much so that I wanted to shift and rip that old man to shreds. I stood there with my fists balled, staring at the screen of them attempting to call back, but instead I ignored them. I closed the lid of my laptop, and growled legitimately…

I hated that man for being so ignorant.

I felt large hands on my shoulders, along with my mark tingling. “My little Queen, you did well.” He said turning me around to hug me close. He growled softly, pressing my face into his chest.

I could smell his anger, and that he was seething, but I wouldn’t let him do anything more. If I did, it would be as if they’d won. “Xaxas, I know what you’re thinking. Drop it. No one should die for words.”

“I will not forgive them for this.” He hissed, but I hugged him as tight as I could. I buried my face in his chest, afraid for what he would do if I let him run off after hearing that… For the sake of that stupid old man, I would calm down. “I heard everything from the beginning. He will not go unpunished.”

“He only made me mad. I’m fine.” I growled, and he paused.

“I don’t understand… He insulted you, your people, and my mother…yet you choose to allow them to breathe? Why?” He asked, while I continued to hold him. He smelled like burning wood, while his heartbeat like a war drum in his anger. Lummi whimpered, but I would have to soothe her after I stopped him. I could tell he was ready to go on a rampage, however that would only make things worse.

“For peace.” I said digging my claws into him. I wanted to look up at his face, but he took his hand and held my head firmly, but gently in place with one hand.

“No, you mustn’t look. You are not ready.” He mumbled, smelling my hair, though it seemed to take a little effort on his part since I was so short…. Or maybe he was taller?

“I can… I don’t want to be babied. I don’t need to have things withheld from me.” He snorted through his nose.

“I don’t withhold things from you if I can help it… I just… Just…” He was frustrated, unable to word what he wanted, though he slowly released his slightly clawed grip on me. I arched my head up to see that his pupils created their own crimson light… he looked … much fiercer. Lummi whined, already upset with his aura, and I had to admit, even I was a little intimidated.

His head held a three-pointed black floating, flaming crown between his horns, though it seemed not to be made of anything… It too was flame. The cabochon in the center was carved into the symbol of the Horned One, made of possibly polished ruby …. He looked like a man hardened by war, and it submitted Lummi. He submitted me too, but I wouldn’t show it if I could help it. “I can tell my anger is a bit much for you, but until this moment I’ve never actually had to calm myself from this much pure rage.” He closed his eyes.

“What did you normally do?” I asked, holding his hands. He chuckled darkly, and I frowned at him a bit… it was one of the times I was thankful for the Lady turning off my instincts of fear…

“For starters, I would have flayed that old human, ripping the meat off his bones while he still screamed. Bleh.” He grumbled. “The old taste the worst… along with do-gooders.”

“Well we aren’t doing that.” I said looking at him.

“I could fuck your brains out again?” He suggested with a sinister grin, though his eyes dimmed.

“Xaxas!” I screamed blushing. Lummi changed her mood completely, perking up, and I had to shove her down… I knew he saw.

He laughed, content that he’d teased me. “Or maybe let’s go somewhere? It’s only nine.” He mentioned, but I had questions.

“Where were you last night?” I asked abruptly changing the subject to further keep him from being infuriated.

“I don’t sleep, so I went to the precinct and got this.” He rummaged around in his pockets and showed me what looked like an application for the police force.

“This is good…” I mumbled. It really was. Hopefully soon I would work at one of the charity program locations, and he would be an officer, so we would have jobs here to invest us in this area….

“But why is that important?” He asked, putting his car keys on the wall.

“Because… I kind of don’t want to leave this place. At least not until I get to see it a little more.” I smiled.

“As I said, I won’t take you until you’re ready, but trust me when I tell you it isn’t a death sentence.” He chuckled.

“I know you can teleport… How else were you right behind me?” I complained jokingly. His crown disappeared, as well as his bad mood. I was kind of thankful.

“Oh then if that’s the case, close your eyes.” He smiled.