Dogara beamed as she watched her sons line up accordingly with their women. Her joy only increased when she discovered that Sia stood alone, in the purple wear she had picked out for him, the wolf girl nowhere in sight. Maybe she had finally taken her advice after all. Dogara didn’t feel any sort of remorse for chasing the wolf away from the palace. She felt that she was only doing what her husband failed to do.
Speaking of Thjis, where was he? The Fae Queen was bound to show up any moment from now, and the Lord of the Icelanders was nowhere to be found. Wherever could he be now?
“Ruarc darling, where’s your father?” she called out coolly. The Crown Prince turned to his mother, annoyed. “How would I know? I’m not the one who’s married to him remember?”
Dogara cursed mentally. He was insulting her! She would deal with that later. Now, she had many more important things to do, like finding her husband.
The moment Dogara gathered her skirts in an attempt to leave, the horn blared, announcing the Fae Queen’s arrival. Dogara cursed again, in her head of course, when she heard the sound of hooves. The guards positioned at the gates drew them open and the carriage rode into the courtyard. It was only one and she was a little pleased that it was only the Fae Queen. But if that was true, why hadn’t the guards closed the gates? She got her answer sooner than later when two black carriages rode into the courtyard as well. Dogara could never forget the symbol of fangs on those carriages. That meant one thing.
Her brother was here.
Dogara tried not to shake in her heels as the guards closed the gates. Her brother, who had always made it clear that he didn’t need any servants, kicked open his carriage door, the first black one. He had a black hat secured on his head, a thick black cloak covering his tall frame. His white hands were encased in thick black gloves and his eyes were shielded from the sun by dark sunglasses.
“How do you people walk around with all this snow?”, the vampire king hissed, flicking snow off his cloak.
“Maybe if you start wearing boots and abandon those loafers of yours, you won’t have a problem,” a cool voice replied.
Dogara turned to admonish the Fae Queen. She wore a silvery knee-length gown with black boots. Her skin was glowing and Dogara guessed she was happy. Her silver hair was in a single braid down her back, and her pointy ears bore silver earrings. Her makeup was light, and Dogara was surprised to see her without a necklace, for she has never been without one before. Perhaps that was a sign that today was not going to end well. Dogara didn’t know whether she should be glad or worried.
“Good afternoon, King Hanos. Good afternoon, Queen Avetha. You are welcome to our home,” the royal family chorused, just as Dogara has taught them.
“You Icelanders never change,” Hanos mused. “How many times will I tell you that the formalities are not necessary? We’re family,” Hanos grunted.
“Well, if you don’t need the greetings I do,” Avetha countered. “You all look lovely but I’m sure Mosle would look dope if he had his arm intact.”
Dogara frowned. Avetha always did this. Reminding their royal physician of his disability. Dogara found it absolutely childish and unnecessary.
“It’s not Mosle you fool. It’s Izal. And my father doesn’t need two arms to look dope. He’s fine just as he is,” Yale spat out angrily. How could this glittery woman insult his father? He couldn’t let it slide.
Avetha gasped. To think that this was the child she had blessed years ago.
“Fool? Who are you calling fool you arrogant little…”
“I think it’s pretty obvious Avetha,” Dogara chided. “I won’t have you insult my children. We invited you here against our will on Nasia’s behalf. Having a ceremony as important as the ritual bath will simply be incomplete if a presence such as yourself is absent. “Do not, on that accord, abuse our hospitality.”
Avetha just stared. Dogara had grown wings! Where was the little Delta she knew, a thousand years ago? Thjis was to blame for this. He shouldn’t have let a woman become Delta, and neither should he have married her. Plus, getting rid of such titles that still held importance in the animal kingdom was absolutely ridiculous.
Avetha opened her mouth to speak but Hanos beat her to it. “It’s too early for an argument. How about we have lunch? I’m starving.”
Avetha was the last to enter the dining room. She had taken her time to admire the well decorated palace, but she still felt they could have put in a little more effort. Then it would have been perfect.
Avetha paused as she saw Thjis climbing the stairs. He was dressed in purple regalia, hair neatly combed back.
“Ah Avetha. ” He says coolly, stopping before her. “Of course, I had to come. You Lancasters need to be set straight.”
Thjis rose a brow. “Do you know of any Lancaster that is bent?”
“This is not a funny matter Thjis. How could a royal prince, an embodiment of your people’s culture and traditions, be with only an arm? I say you disown him.”
Thjis rolled his eyes. “Avetha, Lord knows I wouldn’t have invited you here but I did it for my son. You can leave once the ceremony is over. Until then, try to keep your opinions to yourself. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to eat lunch.”
Avetha was baffled as she watched him walk away. The nerve of this man! Dogara was to blame for all this. Sia frowned when Avetha walked in instead of Crinka. Where was she? The other concubines were seated behind his brothers, but Crinka wasn’t among them. She had left him two hours ago saying she needed to freshen up and he hadn’t seen her since then. He just hoped that she hadn’t left the palace, and she was safe wherever she was.
“Now that we’re all complete, honey please lead us in the grace,” Ruarc’s first wife, Armaddan said sweetly as she turned to her husband.
“But we’re not complete,” Waxlyn interjects as she chewed on the meat, she had snatched off the table.
“Just look at your granddaughter Thjis. The grace hasn’t been said and she already has something in her mouth! That’s not even the proper way to eat. She’s behaving so unladylike!”
Thjis sighed. Maybe this was a mistake. Inviting her to his palace. “Avetha, she’s just a child. And you can’t fault her for being hungry. She’s a growing child!”
“Well Yale is a growing child too Thjis and you don’t see him eating,” Avetha countered.
Thelia held in her sigh. She loved her queen dearly, but she was just behaving badly! Her attitude had made her and Plankton less respected among other council members. Rifera just rolled her eyes. Avetha loved to create a scene.
Waxlyn swallowed the meat. No one had ever faulted her for eating before the grace, and she felt so embarrassed. Thane noticed, and reached for his daughter’s hand under the table. He squeezed it gently, assuring her silently that it was okay.
“That’s enough. If my daughter wants to eat before the grace, she will eat before the grace,” Thane said angrily.
Avetha gasped. “Thjis, do you see how…”
Hanos slammed his hand down on the table. “Stop! Just stop it Avetha. Leave the ice beings be! We’re hungry and you talking nonsense won’t allow us eat lunch. You’re a queen so behave like one or better still learn from Dogara.”
Avetha quietened. Thelia gasped. Plankton frowned. Avetha stood up angrily. She would just have her lunch somewhere else since it was clear her presence wasn’t welcome here.
Just then, the door opened and Crinka walked in.
“Sorry I’m late.”