Chapter 16

The next day, Thea, wearing leather pants and stiletto boots along with a black lace tank top and leather jacket, her long pink hair flowing straight with a mix of braids and loose curls, looked at herself in the mirror. Something was missing. Something that reflected her new status.

They were about to meet with the soon to be disbanded council and afterwards head out to the various Dark Realms. She needed that something extra. But what? A crown or tiara would be just too much. “What’s missing? I need something!” She murmured to herself.

“May I suggest that black diamond hair chain from last night?” Galena suggested as she appeared by her side and placed it onto her hair. “There. It reflects your status without being too over-the-top.”

“Perfect! It’s exactly what was missing! Turning to her sister-in-law and friend she said to her, “Thank you for everything you have done for me over the years. I couldn’t ask for a better sister and friend.”

“You’re welcome, my Queen. Your rule will be such that Innara’s name will be forgotten and when anyone thinks of the High Queen of the Dark Realms it will be you they think of,” Galena smiled at her.

“And what of you dear Galena, when will you find your happiness?”

Galena smiled as she said, “That is why I came. I wish to travel to the human world for a time. I’ve met someone.”

“You’re our most valued and trusted seer. Have you talked to Damian?”

“Not yet.”

“If he agrees and you keep one of your mirrors with you and return to us should we need you, you’ve my blessing. You deserve your happiness,” Thea granted as she hugged her.

“If I agree to what?” Damian asked with a scowl as he appeared.

“I wish to travel to the human world, brother.”

“No.”

Thea rolled her eyes at him. “Seriously, just no? You don’t know why or anything. She has met someone. Let her find her happiness, Dnirya. She’ll keep a mirror with her and come to us should we need her.”

Damian’s scowl deepened as he looked from one to the other. “Fine.”

“Really?” Galena asked, excited. “Oh thank you!” Hugging first Damian and then Thea before she quickly left to get ready.

At Damian’s continued scowl, Thea said to him, “She will be alright.”

“I know.”

“Then what is it?”

“I wasn’t going to win that was I?”

A giggle escaped before Thea could stop it. “Dnirya, Ikisat is your domain and I’ll always try to leave it to you. Galena is as much my sister as yours, thanks to how many times you sent her in your place to me as I was growing up. She deserves to know love. Let her find it.”

Damian sighed deeply as he relented, “I know.” As Thea hugged him he looked down into her eyes. “When did you become so wise, Zoqa?”

“Must be Chaos or Lucifer’s fault.”

“Must be,” Damian agreed as he kissed her. “Are you ready?”

“Not yet. There is one thing we forgot. We need an assistant. I will not remember every issue and complaint the Princes are sure to have without someone writing everything down. Any ideas?”

“No, but I know someone who’ll know of one who can be trusted. Amelia?” Damian summoned. His former Palace Housekeeper was now in charge of the High Queen's Palace. They’d transferred many from Ikisat to have those they trusted around them. As she appeared, she answered with a bow of her head, “Yes, my Prince?”

“We need a trustworthy scribe. Is there one you recommend?”

“Azor, my prince. He’s still young but eager to please you and our Queen.”

“Have him prepare to leave at once. Tell him if he does well for us we would consider him in the position permanently.”

“Yes, my Prince,” Amelia replied as she left them.

“Well, that was easy enough. Now a truly important question for you... how do I look?” Thea asked with a smile as she spun around for him.

“Like a High Queen ready to kick the Council’s ass and some Princes into shape,” Damian smirked. “And sexy enough to make me consider ripping those clothes from you and making you scream in pleasure, Zoqa.”

“I seem to remember lots of pleasure last night, Dnirya.”

“You bring out the beast in me. But alas, we’ll save that for later. Now, we must work.”

~~*~~

Thea sat on her throne at the head of the council. Damien stood to her left as he glared at the bickering males. “Enough!” Thea bellowed with a slam of her hand on the table. “I don’t know nor do I care about how you did things with Innara. I am NOT Innara nor will I ever rule as she did. Every single one of you served in your position since the council was formed by Lord Lucifer. With Chaos’ authority I’m making changes around here.”

“My Queen, we maintain the peace between the realms, we have important contacts outside the Dark Realms, we gather important intel for you.”

“Shut up and sit down, Donuthian. Your Queen is speaking. Disrespect her again and see what happens,” Damian growled.

“My Queen, Princes aren’t allowed to attend council meetings.” Mezial dared to say.

“He’s my mate and my advisor. He’s here on my authority, Mezial. Wait a minute… you were the weasel that dared to speak when I first arrived. Yeah, just keep that mouth closed permanently,” Thea commanded with a flip of her hand. Mezial’s mouth closed and could not be opened again much to his dismay.

“Now, back to what I was saying, there are going to be changes around here and that includes the council. Going forward, there will no longer be a council to the High Queen. Instead, I’ll meet regularly with my Princes directly.”

All except Mezial stood up and started to yell and complain to Thea. Narrowing her eyes, she stood up, and using her power ordered, “Shut up and sit down you old fools!”

As Thea’s anger continued to rise, Damian silently signaled to Hezin. Hezin had his men surround the table silently in the background. They wouldn’t like what was coming next.

With her eyes glowing with her power, Theanna snarled at them, “I’ve decided that due to your position at Innara’s side, that you’ll have a choice. You either swear to me your loyalty by blood oath and only by blood oath, willing to take whatever job I decide to give to you, or you’ll be executed as traitors to the Queen.”

“My Queen, we cannot offer our blood oath. Innara demanded it from us a millennia ago,” Donuthian tried to explain as he looked at the guards who were holding their swords at the ready.

“Well, then, that answers that.” With a nod to Hezin she turned to Damian and as he took her hand in his they left the room to head out to visit the various realms. Hezin blocked the door as they left, removing his sword as the council members begged for their lives, knowing they could only be loyal to Innara. This was bloody work, but unfortunately necessary in the transition of power.