Fucking prick. Why did he have to put that image in my head right before meeting a group of subjects for the first time? Although I do agree, this dress does make me appear fierce. He put me in a sharp business dress with crisp lines forming perfectly to my curves. It covers just enough to be completely professional but leaves enough to the imagination to give a flirty suggestion. The only accessories I’m wearing are a high-waisted belt and the necklace from the tree, which I haven’t taken off. If we weren’t in view of the gazebo, I’d give him a solid smack for nudging my rampant libido, instead I settle for smoothing out some non-existent wrinkles in my dress.
The crisp white framing of the gazebo stands out against the lush vibrancy of the garden surrounding it. In between each supporting column are my intricately formed wrought-iron vines. Under the roof is a crossing pattern of fairy lights and comfortable seating covered in plush pillows. Acting as invisible walls is a spell repelling all bugs. I abhor mosquitos, but those blood-thirsty motherfuckers find me to be a yummy snack.
As the gazebo grows closer, those waiting inside finally spot us. A large group of thirty spills out of the opening, each presenting various signs of nervousness. How the gazebo is able to hold so many is beyond me, it’s notthatlarge. One of the guards standing post along the walkway announces our arrival. “Her Majesty, Queen Cecily of the Shifters, and her mate, King Derrick.”
Those standing before us offer bows and curtsies, some dipping down halfway to come up again just to dip down again, as if they aren’t sure if this is a sign of respect they should be showing. Not wanting them to feel uncomfortable or awkward in the situation, I quickly put an end to their indecision. “Please, rise. I’m so thankful to see you all here today,” I address them, as a mature woman steps forward. She has a youthfulness in her eyes while her hair is mostly silver now.
“Your Majesty, my name is Melody, and I’m the High Priestess of our coven. I brought with me members who are practiced in the use of magic and own a family grimoire. We’ve received many messages from the world around us, all demanding we come here. The pull was too hard to resist. So, respectfully, Your Majesty, why are we here?” She folds her hands together in front of her, and holds her head high as she stares at me. The glint in her eye says she’s trying to use her age against my title. Trying to force a Queen to bow to her will due to her flawed impression of her being older than I am.
While she outwardly shows her respect, it wars with the superiority she throws off. Derrick’s back stiffens, just waiting for her to cross a line so he can put her back in place. She holds my gaze and I allow a pregnant pause to grow between us as she awaits my response. One minute, two minutes... a shift in her stance begins to show her doubt the longer I refuse to respond to her question.
She may not know the underlying animalistic instincts she carries, but the challenge she’s throwing off causes the air to thicken with tension. Unlucky for her, she’s challenging an Alpha far stronger than her. Although she isn’t weak either. I’ve been impressed with how long she’s able to hold my gaze. Finally, her eyes lower, and I begin my explanation, “The Fates have ways to express their desires that far surpass my ability to comprehend, nor do I desire to disrespect them by speculating their ways. What I do know is that our people have been affected by a tragedy causing consequences to ripple throughout every aspect of life. I’ve dedicated myself to restoring the unity we once knew, which includes welcoming back those who’ve been lost to us.” She raises an eyebrow, more confusion marring her features than she displayed before.
The tension in the air waned when I began speaking, but it comes roaring to higher levels as four wolves prowl into the open area of the garden. Each witch before me stiffens with the instinct of becoming prey. Of course, Derrick would immediately notify the rest of my mates of the showdown for Alpha status going on between myself and Melody. Knowing them, they are here for equal parts of protecting me, and being able to watch my display of power. For some odd reason, nothing turns them on quite like watching me flex my abilities. Something quite clear by how handsy they become after our training sessions with my mother.
Marcus lets out a warning growl as he and Will flank me on either side. My fingers run through the fur on their heads as I reassure them of my safety.“Loves, I thought you were all busy this morning. Did you really find it necessary to raise the tension around here?”
“Too busy to make sure the witches didn’t get any ideas about you being completely protected at all times? Not to mention the opportunity to watch your glorious spark coming to life? As if.”Alex scoffs.
I barely hold myself back from rolling my eyes, knowing Melody will assume it’s directed toward her. “You keep pet wolves? Really sticking to trying to sell the shifter idea of your title, don’t you find it to be a bit over the top?” she asks me, sounding more like an angsty teen than an adult.
“You’re part of a coven of witches, and yet you find it hard to believe in the possibility of shifters?” I throw back at her. She’s too smart for this show of ignorance, and I can’t decide how much is real and how much is her not wanting to believe what’s right in front of her.
Her eyes narrow and she rolls her shoulders back. “I believe in a tangible display of the unexplainable. Light where there was none present before.” An orb of light appears at her side as she continues, “The manipulation of nature around us to help preserve it.” Droplets of water are lifted from the stream traveling through the other side of the garden. “And a line is drawn when someone tries to manipulate those I protect,” she finishes, as a line is carved through the grass between us. With each show of her power, members of her coven behind her use subtle hand gestures to help guide their magic. They worked together to accomplish her goals.
Derrick lifts a hand to hide his smile, knowing she’s in for a surprise. I pointedly fold my hands in front of me, making sure it’s clear they aren’t being used. Staring her down, I manipulate the slow breeze and intensify it until our hair and clothing is whipping about. Clouds roll in to fill the once clear sky. The sun is blocked out as the clouds grow heavy with rain. It becomes so dark it appears to be night. Her coven starts glancing around with a mix of fear and wonder.
Freezing cold rain slowly pelts us, growing in intensity until big fat drops are soaking into the ground. I don’t move an inch as Melody’s gaze darts around. The strings of lights decorating the garden light up, and to prove it's magic, I intensify the brightness to unnatural levels. “I understand your desire for proof. You’ve experienced unexplainable messages lately, sending you to meet with a Queen who you’ve never heard of before. You may even find it hard to trust the situation and feel your people need to be protected,” I tell her, my voice raised just enough to be heard over the screaming wind and crash of rain.
Our clothes are soaked through, and thunder shakes the ground we stand on. Rivers of rain are running down our faces, and Melody has to wipe a chunk of wet hair sticking to her cheek. “We share the same desire to protect those we rule over, but I’ll protect my people above all else, even when they refuse to follow what their instincts tell them. Even when their ignorance and stubbornness inspire them to challenge their Queen.” Lightning flashes before us, striking the line she drew in the ground. Electricity sizzles through the air. The moment the bolt finishes traveling into the ground, a second hits the same spot. This time with the blinding flash before us, I set our surroundings back to the way it was before.
The sky is once again a bright blue, sun shining happily. Everything is dried, the lights are off, and the line in the ground appears as if it was never there. The light breeze returns to teasing the strands of our hair. The coven members search their surroundings, heads whipping around, trying to make sense of what just happened. Emotions flash across their faces, some doubting if they really just experienced a sudden storm, wondering if they can trust what they just saw. I had no plans of posturing my power, but as I said before, we all have underlying animalistic instincts. A challenge was charged against me, and I’m not one to allow any doubts to remain as to my status within my people.
Melody opens her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. She swallows, and her mouth opens and closes a few times, not knowing what to do or say. Alex and Klaus utilize this moment to come up from the back of the gazebo, sliding around the side of it to flank the twins. “Shall we put the challenges aside, Melody? Or do you need more proof?” I raise an eyebrow in question. Without waiting for her response, my four shifted mates all switch to their human forms.
The High Priestess stumbles back a few steps before dropping to a knee. “Forgive me, my Queen. There’s been those in the past who tried to manipulate us with lies and deceit. I just sought to protect those who rely on me.” Her coven quickly follows her lead, all taking a knee where they stand. The tension in the air dissipates, allowing my mates to relax with the retreat of danger.
I step forward and lay a hand on the top of her head. “All is forgiven, my child. Please stand.”My child?Not sure where that came from, although I suppose I do possess a fierce protectiveness over all my subjects.
A squeeze of my hand draws my attention to William. “We’re going to head back to training. Next time, reach out to us at the first sign of tension,” he reprimands me with a kiss to the cheek.
Marcus presses his kiss on my other cheek but slides his lips along my cheekbone to my ear where he growls under his breath, “Next time you forget to call us, your ass will be redder than a cherry, and I won’t let you heal it so you can feel its heat for days afterward.” For some reason, his threat of punishment has my thighs pressing together. I swallow before letting out a nervous chuckle. A gleam in his eye says he isn’t fooled, though.
The twins leave my sides, both shifting to run off to the training grounds. Klaus and Alex don’t waste a moment to swoop into the vacant space. “I’ve made some progress and need to get back to work. Love you, Angel,” Alex announces before smacking a kiss to my lips and striding off at a fast clip.
Klaus’ hand lands on my lower back and I smile up at him. He leans down and nuzzles his nose to mine. “I’ve got nothing going on, mind if I join you?” Warmth blooms in my chest. I love each and every moment I get to spend with my mates. Even more so when they ask to join me in my duties.
“Of course, handsome.” Our lips meet in a soft caress and as he consumes me with the kiss, his hand presses me even closer.
He speaks into my mind as we kiss.“Good, because I can’t concentrate on anything else anyway. My mind is consumed with plotting out exactly what Derrick and I will be doing to you later.”His lips curve up in a smile as we kiss and I only pull away when I hear a throat clearing.
Melody glances between me in Klaus’ hold, to Derrick standing next to us. I realize with a start how lost I was in my mates. It’s so easy for us to retreat into a bubble where we’re the only ones who exist. Her eyes are wide and it occurs to me that I didn’t introduce the rest of my mates.My bad.Would I be a horrible person if I just let her speculate the worst for a while? Just so I can watch how uncomfortable she is?
“Melody, this is one of my other mates, Klaus. The other three just left. I’ll introduce you to them later. Please join me for a walk and I’ll explain to you some of our history.” She steps up next to me and we make our way through the copious garden beds we’ve worked on restoring over the past few weeks. To say she’s shocked upon finding out her history, is an understatement. Every so often, Derrick joins the conversation to discuss family lines and exactly at what point each line lost their immortality. She comes off as mourning those she’s lost needlessly all over again.
“We aren’t sure yet if it will be reversible, but we’ll do everything we can to find out. We would also like to extend an invitation for you to join us here at the castle, as well as training to further your knowledge,” I say in conclusion of everything we’ve told her. “We don’t need an answer right away either, if you need to speak to your other coven members.”
She offers me a short curtsy, having been overly respectful since she lost the power exchange of an Alpha challenge. “I can’t speak for everyone, but I want to accept your offer. I would also like to request the honor of joining you when it comes time to face Silas. My ancestors need to be represented in the fight for everything they’ve lost.” Pain causes her eyes to shine.
