6. Play the Field

“Aqualia, your behavior has been unacceptable.” Merol said and clenched his jaw. Clearly he was ready to just tear in to Aqualia for her behavior. Aqualia just stared toward the back of the room. Ky tipped his head slightly studying her. She reminded him of Adele the first time he met her. A woman that had learned to close herself down. To not meet the gaze of others so they would not see her defiance. Even her tone was different, he truly would never know what it was like to be dictated too. To be treated as less, but ever since Adele he’d noted this behavior in others more. Was this truly how most men treated the ones that carried their children? That gave them life? Ky realized that he himself had been turning a blind eye to this until Adele. He sighed inwardly, that woman was changing him.

“I wish to speak with Aqualia. Alone.” Ky said sharply. “You can wait in the hall, it’s not a suggestion.” Ky was tired of the pompous elves and the two men moved to step out. He was surprised they didn’t protest. However Ky was sure that Merol believed Ky was about to tell her she wasn’t going to come here anymore as he asked.

Aqualia felt the tension in the room, she could sense their auras. Ky’s was rather loud at the moment and almost harsh. However she expected that. He was an alpha and his aura would attempt to subdue and over shadow the other two males. She was happy inside to see that Chei’s did bend to Ky even if he didn’t realize it. She hoped whatever they talked about, the elves would give the support to fight. This was a serious matter, Chei was a liar. Always had been, he did what suited Chei best.

“We are going to have a very serious discussion Aqualia. You can’t keep ignoring your duties and running away.” Aqualia didn’t say anything to Merol as he passed her and stepped out into the hall. Merol had the same silver blonde hair and green eyes she did. It was clear they were siblings. Chei however paused for a moment next to her. She did not look at him either, just straight ahead.

“The sooner you learn your place Aqualia the better.” Chei spoke quietly to her, very softly. He had copper colored eyes and light brown hair that fell to his shoulders. So many she elves found him attractive, appealing and he was talented. All Aqualia saw was a poisonous snake, and one that she was starting to fear would be her husband. He slid the backs of his fingers along her cheek bone and touched a bit of her hair before moving to leave.

His touch disgusted her, all she could feel was his lust. His lies, he was never going to love her. He loved the power he’d have over her. He enjoyed the thought of having her at his beck and call. That he’d gain the throne and have a female of royal blood to breed. To give him heirs, his touch told her all of this and he did not hide it. She would know her place, even if he said sweet words to try and bring her to him. The door closed with a thud.

“Aqualia.” Ky said with a stern but tired tone and then motioned for her to follow. She did and they went through another door into a smaller sitting room. He gestured for her to take a seat and he closed the door with a soft click. The room was pleasant and felt warm. She sat rather proper on the edge of one of the chairs smoothing her skirt and stared at the fire in the hearth.

“This room is hard even for my kind to hear through. So we can speak a bit more freely.” She glanced at Ky and then back to the fire. He moved and leaned against the desk but did not sit. She noticed that he preferred to stand rather than sit. She was sure it was his wolf, it wanted and needed to be in a defensible and higher position.

“Why would you not share that you are of royal blood Aqualia? We could have had a far different conversation. I would not have wasted my time speaking with your brother and this Chei if you are the one with the power over your people.” Ky was irritated and she looked up at him shocked. Aqualia blinked and met his gaze.

“I… I don’t have power over my people. My husband will.” She said quietly. Ky raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.

“What a foolish thing to say. Right now you are the one who technically owns the throne Aqualia. Do your people know this?”

“It has been shared yes. Chei announced that we would be wed, but I have not agreed. I have received a great amount of visits and letters from my people. Those who support and strongly oppose the union. Though currently the seat is vacant. A she elf can not hold the throne.” She said and so many wanted to vie for her hand. She wanted none of it.

“Then you hold the power. You get to choose who rules your people. That is power Aqualia.” He rubbed his forehead.

“I do not want a king for my people. I want more for them, I want my kind to stop pushing others down. However war is coming and we must be united.” She sighed and Ky watched her.

“I can’t tell you what to do Aqualia, from what I was just told you are a queen. So I suppose all I can do is advise. You would be very unwise to choose Chei, but I understand you may need to make a choice to untie your people.” He commented to her. She swallowed and looked at the fire.

“What about the dragons? You haven’t said a word about them yet. I thought that was going to be this conversation.” Which she did, she thought he was going to tell her she needed to take this Xev that was coming.

“That’s up to you, but I can tell you the dragons are like wolves. Once we see our mate it’s impossible to look anywhere else. I think you would be foolish to not at least speak with Xev and see Aqualia. Besides, who said you had to stay faithful to an elven husband? That is just ceremony like humans no? I see no use for it, though Adele thought differently. To my people we share a soul bond much like dragons.” She wasn’t sure why he was telling her this, but she was meeting his gaze now. Not being submissive.

“You are telling me to cheat on my husband? That is ill advice Ky. I will be faithful to my mate or husband.” Ky had a darker smile and light to his eyes.

“Play the field Aqualia, let them think one thing but do what you know is right. I would like to have an ally I know I can trust implicitly in the elves. You are that ally, but you are going to need to learn to fight and stand up when they knock you down. It is not easy, take it from one who knows. I lost family because I did not stand up to my own soon enough.” Aqualia was silent for a moment.

“I appreciate your talk Ky, and I would like the elves and wolves to have an understanding too. Still you did slightly plan to sell me out to these dragons. I’m not sure how I feel about this.” She expected anger from him but he laughed a bit.

“Adele filling your head is she?” Aqualia raised an eyebrow this time. “I will tell him of you Aqualia. You’ll need to go from there. I wasn’t going to hand you over. If I had to work for my mate’s acceptance then he is too. You women are difficult, it is annoying some days.” Ky commented and Aqualia felt an odd smile.

“Men need a lesson in humility sometimes. If I may say so.” Ky shrugged.

“I have to ask, are you going to run Aqualia? Time is growing shorter, this is serious. If you can’t stand up now and take actions I will move against the elves if they are a danger to the valley and us. They are a loose wild card at the moment.” This time his voice was dark and serious.

“No I wasn’t planning on running.” Even with this talk she however did not see much in the way of escaping the fate of marrying Chei to get the elves to follow a decree of war.

“Good, so you are aware, the dragons will be here in an hour. They speak to me via mind and have informed me of their arrival soon. I will suggest he wait till morning to speak with you if you’d like. He will however demand to speak with you. That I can’t hide. I did give my oath in blood as did he.” She gave a nod.

“I understand, war is a dangerous time. I will do what I can Ky to make sure the elves are on the right side of this war.” Even if that meant she had to swallow her pride and choose what she hated.

“Then I will see you out. If you have need Aqualia you have but to ask. I’d like to continue this positive relationship.” He opened the door for her to go and she moved past him.

“Or you’d like to keep Adele happy.” He gave a rather dashing smile.

“Maybe. I like you Aqualia. Don’t change that. There are very few people outside this keep I can say that too.” She gave him a slight smile and moved into the common room. He did not follow her but watched her from the doorway as she went to where she knew her brother and Chei were waiting. A conversation she was not wanting to have, but was not going to get away from.