Chapter 193: Homebound
\[Carnelia\]
Ona and I began to make plans immediately. We would all leave under the guise of returning Ona and ensuring her safety. Because our children are so very young, we would be taking them with us as well.
Once returned, we'd close the gates again. As far as we understand, the Moon Dragons cannot phase into the Celestial Kingdom. The only way to get to the Celestial Kingdom without the gates being opened is by using a 4th form.
Yes, the Moon Dragons have a 4th form, but that doesn't mean they'd just be able to enter the Celestial Kingdom without resistance. There are other defenses in place as well. They'd have to bring an entire army of Moon Dragons.
And there is no reason great enough for the Moon Council to approve such an open act of war against fellow Celestials.
The plan wasn't bad for one cobbled together from excuses, driven by hunches and fear. Elfholm isn't safe for our family anymore, not with the Elf King so determined to keep me here. A drake like him wouldn't hesitate to use my family as collateral.
The next morning, however, Ona and I received shocking news from Undersea that derailed our plans. Orion has been taken. Three bodies have been found. Nobody knows who took him or remembers anything unusual happening the night before, and without witnesses or any proof, Kora has only conjectures on which to base her decisions.
A Queen who acts on guesses cannot expect to keep her crown. Especially one who is so new to the throne.
Not unless she has allies.
"Please, King Thalan, Undersea needs your aid and support," Kora begs, her face drawn and tight. "Our numbers are too few. We are a country of scholars and sailors. There was no reason for anyone to take Prince Orion, Undersea prefers to govern itself and leave the wars of Terrans and Celestials to them."
"Are you sure he was taken by the Terrans?" Thalan asks crudely. There is an audible gasp from Ona, and she glares at him, stricken and surprised by his words. "You have no shortage of enemies in Undersea. You stole your throne by killing your brother and most of the council. Surely any of those disgruntled families could have taken him, and they are much closer to you than anyone on the continent."
The look that Kora gives through the large screen could scald someone from across the planet. "Do you not think that I didn't start there first, before taking this matter to you? Besides," she growls, "Two of the bodies died from asphyxiation. Stealing the air from someone's lungs is a very unique trait belonging to one very specific group."
Air Dragons. She didn't say it, but we all know that she is speaking of Queen Eleanora.
"You and I both know who is responsible for his disappearance," Kora looks regal as speaks, glowing brightly with the righteous indignation of the truly wronged. "This is an act of war. My mate has been kidnapped. This cannot go unanswered."
"Of course not," Thalan tries his best to reassure her, "But are you sure that you want to take this course?" He pauses, giving her a chance to speak, "Do you want to cause a war?"
"They already have," Ona contradicts him. "And if a war comes of this, it isn't her fault. The Terrans have been sticking their noses into all of our affairs for generations now without much resistance." Ona tries to sit up but with her healing "When they stole my son from his mate. They made an enemy of both Undersea and the Celestial Kingdom."
Thalan nods. "I am willing to support you, but it is not my decision alone. You will need to present yourself to the Moon Council. Would it be possible for you to come here to present your case?"
Her arm rests protectively over her small belly, which has begun to protrude under her rich, emerald-green robes. It must be taking all of her willpower to remain standing and not lying in her own misery. I know what it is like to have the enemy holding onto my husband.
"I am still recovering," she admits sadly. "I cannot fly nor take my 4th form while my eggs are so unstable. Otherwise, I'd have already hunted them down and eviscerated them for touching him. He's mine." Her eyes flash bright blue and her nails start to elongate, long and black and dripping with poison. "Attacking him is the same as attacking me. He is the father to my heirs and my beloved mate. I will burn the world if I must to get him back."
A predatory edge to her tone makes me wonder if she isn't already planning something. She isn't the type of drakaina to sit still and allow the world to solve her problems.
"Have you considered contacting the Terran High Council?" Primus queries, speaking up from his knowledge and experience working within Terra. "They rule over all the Terran Kings and Queens, in Luxandra and beyond. Luxandra is one of the cornerstones of their power, and it is in shambles, with the false queen in hiding and the capital undefended. Between the rebellion and the Walking Illness, Luxandria cannot afford a war right now."
"I agree," Thalan pulls out a map and shows us all the places the rebellion has struck, mostly along trading routes and in the locations of known sun dragon containment facilities. "The Solar Rebellion is attacking the Luxandrian infrastructure. Their attacks have been decisive and in many cases brutal. In addition, there's the Walking Plague," he looks to the side, the bright blue light of the glowing starstone bouncing from his eyelids and I remember again why we all wear robs of glimmer while living within his halls.
The plague? No, he wouldn't allow that...would he?
"Primus," Thalan turns to my husband. "You should be the one to bring her case to them. You are the rightful king. The High Council thinks you're either dead or in her thrall," he points to the screen where a silent Kora is clasping her hands so tightly her knuckles are white. "Tell your tale along with Queen Kora's, and not only am I sure that your throne will be returned, but you will have your revenge on the false queen."
"I'll come with you," I declare, taking my husband's hand. Thalan flinches and then relaxes. Interesting. "Right after we return Ona to the Celestial Kingdom."
The Elf King's spine straightens as he stands a bit straighter. "You're returning?"
The room is silent for the space of several breaths. "Yes."
"Ah." His lack of words speaks volumes as I watch the thoughts circulate within him. Shivering, I hold onto Primus tighter.
He was planning something.
Thalan's eyes swirl and his voice holds an edge of its original seduction as he projects his will toward mine. "You do realize that you must stay."
"No," I think of my husband, my children, anything to give me an anchor to my real life. "I will be her companion. I must see to the safety of my Sister Queen and our children. They are too precious to travel unattended."
"Too many important people at one time traveling together," Thalan argues "And Carnelia, you still need to speak with the Moon Council. You cannot go."
"Am I your prisoner," I turn towards the Elf King. "Uncle?"
He takes a deep breath, allowing his body to relax as he replies smoothly, "No, of course not."
"So there shouldn't be any problem with me escorting my injured sister?" I raise an eyebrow. "Since we are all allies, correct."
"Yes, of course," he answers quickly. "Please let me know if there is anything I can do to ease your journey home."
When Primus and I leave the chamber, neither one of us feels good about the direction this is headed. We know that Thalan is up to something. He wants me to stay here until the Moon Council meets next which can be at any moment, but even that feels like a rouse. He needs me for something bigger, but what?
We gather our younglings together along with our limited number of staff and belongings. Our numbers have dwindled since our band left to reclaim Primus. Now that we have managed to do that, we should really go home before this becomes even more complicated and deadly than before.
We need to leave this afternoon before Thalan has a chance to bring any plans to fruition.
Pulling Primus towards me as we leave our chambers for the last time, I give him a kiss that is long and deep.
"No matter what happens, you make sure our babies return home and you lock the gates," I demand. "Do not risk them for my sake. The Elf King wants me. I don't trust that he's going to let me go easily. And this," I look over his shoulder towards our party, "This feels too easy."
"I will not leave you," his eyes burn. "Don't ask me to."
Smiling, I kiss him again. "If all goes well you won't have to. But if it doesn't, just know I'll be fine. He needs me alive. If I'm alive I can come find you. Not even death kept us separated," I reminded him. "I will find my way back to you."
As we head out of Elfhom and the gates shimmer around us, allowing us to pass onto the surface, I look back and feel an edge of fear.
"Primus..."
In a flash of smoke, I am gone.