Chapter 13

***2 years later***

Immyrias POV

Training had finally finished over the last two years training has greatly intensified for both me and Celia. She had been promoted to a captain of the guard. Since I’m a royal and engaged still I couldn’t move up the ranks. One of the downsides I suppose of being me. Prince Garret has been visiting frequently since our engagement and he was doing very well as king. I realized how alike we were about a year ago, we were on a picnic and we were talking about training. He actually challenged me to a duel, he lost naturally but we had fun and went for a swim after. I think I was actually starting to fall in love with him.

“Hey Imms!” Celia shouted coming up from behind me. She startled me and I dropped the apple I had been eating. “Celia you scarred me!” I said when I shoved her back. She dramatically flew to the floor and pretended to be hurt but after I just stood there and stared at her crossing my arms and tapping my foot, she finally burst out laughing. I helped her up and we laughed for a minute. I picked up my apple and wiped it with my shirt then began to eat it again before it bruised. “How’s the training for the new recruits?” I asked her. “They are drama queens! They have no endurance or stamina and most of them can’t even do any push ups yet because they’re afraid to pull a muscle or they’ll be sore.” She responded while rolling her eyes. I laughed at that and we did some small talk while walking to the library.

Tiberius was waiting for us there. He never stopped doing research into the royal families after I got engaged. He actually found out quite a bit about our heritage. Apparently the reason our family were called the high royals was because the ruler and the heir could transform into dragons. They’d gain powers as well and both would be used to protect all the kingdoms, not just ours. But if that’s true then either our family somehow lost the ability to gain that or it just died out as the dragons blood ran out over generations. No one has seen or heard of a dragon for almost 500 years. I bet it would be great, although it would be Tiberius since he’s the heir it would still be cool to see.

“Immy!” Tiberius exclaimed, “I’ve been waiting for you guys all morning! Father has called a meeting with the family in his office.” “When?” I asked. “In 20 minutes. We should start heading there now.” He responded. Celia looked at us, “I’ll be at the training ground. You guys come get me when you’re done. Love you both!” She said and started down the hall, it was still super weird to me that her and my brother started dating. We walked to my father’s office in silence wondering what he could be calling a meeting for, when we got just outside the door I smelled something rotten. “Do you smell that Tibs?” I asked my brother. But he looked at me confused. “Smell what?” He asked. I guess it was just my imagination. “Never mind, let’s go in.” Was all I could say.

We went in and sat down waiting for the rest to arrive. We were having small talk when my mother and sister walked in and sat down next to us. “Do any of you know why we are here?” I asked them. They shooks their heads and gave a grunting sound. When I was about to ask another question, my dad walked in with a hooded figure. “Thank you all for coming. Please close the door rose.” My father said while making his way to sit down at his desk. Rose did as he asked and sat back down. Then my father continued, “I know you’re all wondering why I asked you here. I know I’ve been keeping this guest a secret from you all for a while now but I figured it was time to tell you.” We all starred at him with questioning glances and started looking between the hooded figure and our father. When the man took a couple of steps towards us and removed his hood. When he did that I smelled something so rotten I couldn’t stop myself from gagging and then I heard my mother gasp.

“Tobias!” My mother exclaims, you could hear the disdain in her voice. Almost a violent tone then she continued, “You were banished! How dare you show your face here again! What is the meaning of this?!” She jumped up and practically ran over to my father’s desk, slammed her fist on the table and asked again, “I asked you what the meaning of this is and I demand an answer!” She was practically yelling at my dad. My siblings and I exchanged confused glances but we didn’t move an inch. Not with the atmosphere and our mother this upset.

My father rose and finally spoke, “Dear, I’ve been seeing him in meetings for the past two years. He’s been giving me information about King Garret’s kingdom and his father before that. I needed to know if they would honor their agreement for piece if we allowed the marriage. And he’s been completely honest and forthcoming about everything so far. I’ve lifted his banishment, and felt it was time to reunite him with the family.” My mother looked as if her head was going to explode and she started again, “Honest with you? He is a liar! A thief! He’s done unspeakable things! Who knows what he’s really been doing in the shadows when he hasn’t been watched! And you want him around our children? Have you completely lost your mind? After everything he did?” By the time she was finished she was breathing hard and she was really, really mad at my dad. “He’s done his best and everything I asked of him without question for two years.” My father was trying to be calm and continued, “I know his past better than anyone. I would not be doing this if he hasn’t been exemplary in the time he has been doing recon for me on the kingdoms. As the king I have already done this and his room is being prepared as we speak. The decision is final.” He finished and my mother looked like she was going to fight my father. She turned and stomped out of the room grabbing rose on her way.

“Well now that that’s over with, Immyria, Tiberius is like you to meet your uncle. My brother Tobias.