Chapter 30

Grace

I pranced through the black grass. It was always fun having these dreams… though this time I thought I was missing something…

I saw a copper dragon flying overhead, and figured it was probably a guard to make sure I was fine. I knew grandpa knew I was here… so long as grandma didn’t know, I was fine.

I don’t get why she didn’t like me down here anyway.

I was Right outside the black gates, while demons watched steadfast and at attention. The city behind the black transparent walls was roman styled, though many of the signs and such were neon.

There was a strange mix of old and new here, as this realm even had a sun. It was black while the sky was red, but the top layer was for good souls. They were either reformed, or didn’t do anything to be here other than be at the wrong place and time.

That used to be a large issue during the war, as many good people who died by demonic hands were taken here…. But it wasn’t all bad. They could live almost normal lives in this layer…. Food and commodities like clothes and places of entertainment were in the city, but I’d had the displeasure of seeing… and smelling the lower ones occasionally on the wind..

Those people down there deserved it, and this realm was almost as a buffer so grandmother wouldn’t see what grandfather did to sinners….

“I know I don’t see my Little Grace Down Here!” She shouted on cue, floating down as a glowing blue orb of light. She landed in the grass but I was already booking it to the gates

I bolted for the city.

“Don’t you run from me! What did I tell you about coming here without permission!” She yelled shaking her fist. She floated after me… incredibly fast. She was the moon given form, and as light if not for her being able to only shoot in straight lines, I’d be caught.

“GRACE!” She yelled.

I said nothing weaving between streets and jumping over people. She didn’t like me here because she thought hell was a bad place for us….

It really wasn’t! I only stayed on the top layer… I always wanted to just Look at the Layer for sex before I got my mate... … and she heard that.

“I heard that!” She screamed.

I ran Right into grandfather.

He sighed. “My dear do not worry. She is a good child.” He said patting my head…. I was probably the size of a puppy… and when he picked me up, he carried me like a baby.

[I’m an adult.] I complained.

“I don’t understand what that has to do with anything.” He said shaking his head. He tossed me in the air. “Don’t come back unless you have permission.”

I laughed waking up…. And it seemed it was my turn to encase my mate in a ball… I shifted…. He smelled of blood… He’d gotten into a fight, but he seemed completely healed.

Why was the Royal Symbol of the Dragons at our bedside…? Why was it copper…?

The sun was up… I’d slept the entire night and so did he. It was 9:34am....

“Good morning your highness…. The other Lords wish to see you both on floor 25.” Said wyn. She looked almost worried of my mood, and even more when Aureus nakedly stumbled around, rubbing his eyes. He looked at the clock, and yawned.

“Wynnie be a dear and start the coffee maker. Make it as black as possible.” He slured. “I’m taking a shower.”

“Yes, your highness!” She shouted.

“Don’t call me that!” He shouted back, turning on the shower.

“…Highness?” I questioned.

“You weren’t there… but I was… he killed King Saiyatok…. They were the same size and everything.” She mumbled.

“… Then I will support him as best as I can. In the meantime, I got the coffee, you tell the lords he’ll be down shortly.” I said encouragingly.

She left, while I made the coffee. It was so dark I think I accidently made expresso… but he came out the shower steaming. He kissed me gently on the forehead.

“Morning.” He said huskily, still tired.

“Morning.” I said a little shyly… He scented stronger…. His disheveled face and smokey breath flustered me… He’d mated my heat into submission… but the gentle touch of his hand under my chin made me growl softly.

He chuckled. “I didn’t want to, but for the sake of peace, the Copper King was put down… and I want you to wear this.” He said giving me the amulet. “It was only a lump of copper last night... but now it looks like the royal seal.” He had it on a gold chain and placed it on my neck…

I… I don’t know if I wanted this… It seemed almost sentimental, like an urn that held the ashes of a loved one…. I could feel the magic radiate from it too… Xaxas’s magic.

“I only accept this because I fell like it’s almost bonded to me…” I mumbled.

“I wouldn’t be surprised.” He said holding my hand, but keeping the coffee pot. “Want a swig?” He asked.

“No thank you…” I said shaking my head….

We went to the forest floor, 25, and it was Beautiful. It was designed to emulate the ancient groves guarded by elves. The trees were honestly large, about as big around as old redwoods, yet the river that flowed between them all was pristine and blue. I could see the stones and fish below, going around the large loop. The interesting thing about it though, was that the way it was designed, was that the only way you’d know that it looped, was by realizing there was no way the water could go anywhere.

This space was I believe 50 acres or so, but it was preserved in a way that when I closed my eyes, I could hear the wind. The gentle breeze felt like an almost summer, late spring day. It felt like that turn of the season, where you knew it was about to get hot, but the weather, for now, wasn’t too hot or cold…

They also seemed to have birds, squirrels and deer up here, being a demi-realm. By magic, it was managed by Mr. Matthews and his kin, though, even with the false sky so blue, and the sun so warm… you would forget that this place was completely created.

There was a little cobblestone path that led to a gazebo, and at it were all the high ranking officials that I’d seen before in passing, being of royal blood. I didn’t know any of them well, but their bowed heads as me and my mate casually sat told me that they accepted his reign… at least… outwardly.

His stern gaze on them before they spoke also told me that he was already fishing for treachery. He seemed almost frustrated that he didn’t find it, but he spoke first.

“From what I hear, you all seem clean. I know you all have at least met my mate in passing, so let us skip the pleasantries if my mate desires.” He said taking a swig out of his coffee pot.

“No, I’m fine.” I said being served tea and little cakes from an Omega. I think that was the same one from yesterday. He stood firm, but he was nervous that he would make a mistake. He really shouldn’t worry though. As an employee of Aureus, he would be protected.

“Then let’s begin.” Said my mate. “A toast to my father. May he get the rest he deserves…” He said raising his coffee pot. The others raised it with him.

They all seemed not to hold a grudge… apparently they were the same size according to some of them, so that was already a death match… Same sized males often kill each other.

“Alright. The first thing we need to do is to figure out how you want to do the royal den. Do you want us all here, or do you want to move to the castle?” Asked Crown Prince Saiyoken… if he was still prince.

“I don’t want to uproot all your lives for my sake. Send a representative to liaison.” He said firmly. “For now, your ranks and titles should remain as well. I need to not only secure my position, but also the confidence of my people.” He said scratching the stubble on his chin.

“Very well sir. As you know, my father, Lord Silver gave the title of Prince to me so he could care for mother. Does that still please you?” He asked.

“Silver uses that as an Excuse, but I get it. He can remain a retainer, and I figure since you worked directly with father more, you’ll actually know what you’re doing. I’m going to have to also speak with the All King soon, and make sure all father’s accounts are either settled, or made peace with.” He said as if he already knew.

“The only Real problem we have is as you said, quelling the hearts of the noble dragon lines. Though father’s last breath was claiming you, so even if you didn’t defeat him… you’d still be higher than everyone except Lady Grace.” He mumbled.

“I hold no official royal duties other than being my father’s daughter.” I said firmly. “Though it is nice to know that I hold rank among your people without my mate.”

“Well… you’re a demigoddess… it wouldn’t make sense for a mortal to be below you ma’am.” Said Saiyoken.