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"Isn’t that a common occurrence these days?” Mother didn’t even hide her dismissive tone. "Which father have you upset after enjoying another fling with their daughter with the promise of commitment, only to move on to the next target of your hypersexual activities?”
The way I gasped at her statement had me slapping my hand on my mouth to try to muffle my snicker. Ruby, however, went on a hollering spree.
“Even Mother, the a queen, knows what a damn player you are!” Ruby slapped her chest and crouched over to laugh. "May all the fae gods and goddesses help you because your reputation is going to reach the very galaxies at this rate!”
A few people snickered, which made Prince Alywn’s face burn red with embarrassment.
"In regard to the culprit behind the potential hex against my daughter, we will investigate immediately. We should have the information by the end of the show and an arrest will be made,” she stressed, which forced everyone to focus on her once more. “Let me announce this here and now, for it seems many in the shadows have enjoyed the idea of my daughter being but a punching bag for you all to abuse. Tonight, that will end, and she will gain immunity like all future queens and kings carry once officially appointed in the presence of their forefathers and foremothers. Any act against Willow with the intention of harm will be met with public execution so everyone is reminded of their place as we shift out of this cycle of trials. Remember and remind those who have forgotten: an act against my own is a direct attack on the Phoenix Empire.”
Her eyes clouded over with anger then, and many were left trembling in actual fear.
"I will no longer tolerate any bullshit done against my family. That includes my husband, Roberto. The majority of leaders are well aware of why we took these steps to raise our daughter into her birthright, and though some tactics will be deemed cruel in mundane and shifter protocols, to the fae and those of royal hierarchy, the suffering of our child leads to their salvation in a world that’s not meant to work in their favor. That’s a decision we parents are obligated to make, but no one else has the right to contribute to such challenges. Let my words be but a reminder as we transition toward a new year,” she explained with utmost seriousness. "Over the next few days, the word will be spread through the kingdoms and across the mundane lands, which includes the shifter community. If anyone has bad blood with my daughter or husband, you may gladly attempt to fix it in the next few days, as the new year will ignite a new beginning and nothing will be tolerated in the new cycle.”
The room was silent as her words loomed in the atmosphere.
“Excellent." Mother wasn’t going to wait for anyone to say anything in rebellion. “Can we return our focus to the event, please? We’re awaiting one more fae kingdom representative and then we should be good to begin.”
“I’m here!”
Rows of golden knights with metallic teal designs across their armor emerged at the top of the stairs and proceeded to walk down in formation with trumpets in hand.
Once in position, they turned to be parallel to one another before performing a melody that thrummed through the massive room to ensure all were peering up at the woman making her grand entrance.
When she walked out of the shadows, I felt the shocking rush through the pack bond, but I knew the flooding emotion wasn’t from any of my men.
The wave of shock was coming from me as I stared at the woman who looked far too familiar to all of us.
“That’s…”Onyx’s voice whispered into the pack bond, and his shock was just as paralyzing as mine.“No fucking way.”
"It’s such a pleasure to finally make it here! I’m terribly sorry for my tardiness, Queen Elphaba. I got separated from my dear brother, Theo, and you know how directionally challenged I am. It’s a shame with how powerful I am that I can’t read a compass to save my life!”
My eyes locked onto the glimmering ones of brilliant lime green and they widened in surprise before flooding with happiness as the woman squealed.
“My dear Willow!” She rushed down the stairs of red, her dress twinkling like it was made of magic itself as the fabric of teal and gold fluttered behind her. She made a beeline straight to me until her arms were around my neck and she hugged me so tightly I could barely breathe.
“How many years has it been?!” she shrieked and pulled back to look at my stunned eyes. “Ten? Fifteen? Oh, I suck at tracking things, but how I’ve missed you so! I’ve at least attempted to keep track of your activities in the mundane world, but ah. It felt like eons patiently waiting for your ascension!”
If her declaration wasn’t surprising enough, it was her next actions that left everyone speechless as she pulled me right in for a firm kiss.
I was going to push her away, at least that was the thought that rushed through my mind while I experienced this sudden public display of affection, but the kiss ignited an odd sensation through me—making me feel like I was in the right place and moment.
It really felt like a mind fuck for a second, but I did the unthinkable by kissing her lightly back. My cheeks began to flush though my eyes closed, and I enjoyed the moment of blissful enlightenment.
Breaking the kiss, she giggled and hugged me again.
“Ah, Willow! I’ve truly missed you! Are you finally going to keep your promise and date me? Hmm?” She pulled back to see my face grow even redder while I tried to remember what she was even talking about.
“I-It’s been a while,” I admitted and actually managed a smile in hopes of her forgiveness for my forgetfulness. “My memories from my childhood are a bit wonky since the cliff incident, so . . .”
“Ah, of course!” Her expression was filled with empathy as she held my hands. “Don’t stress your pretty little head! I’ll gladly remind you now that you’ll have access to all the resources and archives! Our father is really good at unlocking submerged memories! He can assist, but I can also be of aid. I’ve been his apprentice for the last few years now. I’ve been training really hard in various areas so I could be of service when we met again!”
"Um…” It was Arthur, whose voice seemed far too loud in the deafening room of complete silence. "Does Sweet Domino know her, or are we being pranked? Cause if we’re being pranked, I just want to be the first one to say that I totally like her.”
Loki groaned. “Arthur, you really have to keep your thoughts to yourself.”
“Why? I’m curious! Don’t tell me none of you are curious. C’mon! She looks just like mddjldslss.” He didn’t finish as Saint placed his hand over Arthur’s lips to silence him.
“We’d love a formal introduction if that isn’t too much to ask,” Saint humbly requested as he bowed his head. “Unlike Willow, who may have some memory discrepancies, most of us do not know about the current fae kingdoms and the rulers. I’m sure you’re aware that the mundane books are rather outdated in context.”
