Chapter 24

Avalina leaned up against a column on one of the patios that overlooked the gardens of Theanna’s palace. She smiled as she watched Theanna walk with Damian. Occasionally a giggle would filter up to her and her smile would widen. She loved watching them. They had so much responsibility but when they were alone they relaxed and the love she'd seen between them made her envious.

She prayed that one day she experienced such a deep love, perhaps with Ajax. She was so very worried about him but she knew that what he was doing was important.
She just missed him more than she was ready to admit.

Quietly Amelia joined her on the patio. “I never knew such beautiful gardens existed in the Dark Realms,” Avalina murmured when Amelia didn’t say anything.

“Before Theanna they didn’t. Most believe the Dark Realms are only filled with evil and suffering. And yes, that is the case to some extent, but not entirely. The Dark Realms provide an important role in the universe. It gives justice to those that have been horribly wronged. It rights the wrongs in the universe. It also provides hope in the darkness and that hope gives life to the beauty that is here as well.

“It was almost lost but when Theanna became High Queen it flourished once again. The flowers that bloom we call the Juaar or Queen flowers. They bloom because of her and because of the love she and Damian have and the hope that the Dark Realms now give to the innocent,” Amelia explained softly.

“That flower is gorgeous. I love the dark blues and purples in it. It wasn't here with the previous Queen? I mean their love is beautiful to behold! I'm just surprised that the Juaar is linked to Queen Theanna.”

“Before Theanna the gardens, if you could call it that, were simply filled with dead plants and weeds. When we set about cleaning them up within a day or two we suddenly discovered the blooming flowers everywhere. Flowers that no one had seen before. Watch when they walk past them, the flowers turn toward our Queen. They bloom as if they want her attention.”

Avalina watched the flowers as they acted like excited children vying for her attention. “I wonder where they came from.”

“There are many unique aspects to the palace itself. In a sense, it's living, but not in the way you think of something being alive. It's very hard to properly explain, but it's linked to our Queen and it’ll protect her, I've seen it. There’s no need to be afraid or nervous though, unless you mean our Queen harm,” Amelia chuckled.

“I have sensed... something. It's a gentle feeling though,” Lina commented. “Almost like a calming power emanating from it.”

“Yes! That is it exactly!” Amelia smiled. She watched as Damian held Theanna in his arms and hugged her. “Many see Damian as less than. What I see is the strongest, smartest, and most confident of Daemoni Princes who loves his mate without measure. I also see a Queen who depends on her mate completely.

“Their love gives many of my kind hope, but it wasn’t always so. They fought against their love, hid from it, even denied it. They fought and doubted and were hurt because of it. Have you heard of the tales of the feared Nihasia?”

Lina nodded. “Stories of Nihasia are used to scare children in my clan when they misbehave.”

“Nihasia is our great High Queen in full uncontrolled Daemoness form. She was first released as a result of that pain that she experienced while fighting their love and working against it rather than with it. They didn't give up and were able to work through it, they fought for the love instead of against it and once they did, they truly found each other and Nihasia was healed and no longer a threat.

“Innara, Theanna’s grandmother and our former High Queen became lost to the darkness and became a threat not only to humans but to the Dark Realms as well. She set out to destroy Theanna but what she didn’t realize was that inside Theanna was great strength and power but most of all, love. Because of that love Theanna was able to fight back against Innara and then win.

“I've served Damian my whole life and now I also proudly serve the High Queen. She loves the Dark Realms and it’s thriving because of that love. I know you worry about your wolf, but Hezin will keep him safe. I know you fear for him with Theanna’s decision to move forward with their plan but there is a much larger picture at stake. Should the Dark Realms fall, the human world would fall, too. Trust in our Queen as your wolf does. Our Queen cares more deeply about all the Realms and all of worlds than even you could imagine!”

Avalina nodded as she listened to the very wise and knowledgeable Amelia. It made her think about Ajax and while she worried about him, she found that Amelia words made her feel better. She continued to watch the Queen and her mate with a smile. With them on their side she somehow knew that they would succeed.

~~*~~

Theanna giggled as she saw the irritated look Damian gave her as they walked through the gardens. “I’m serious, Dnirya. I want you to be known as the High Prince of the Dark Realms. You work harder than I do. This is important to me. It would also help me. It would have you sit at the head of the Princes with authority and power not just because you're my mate.”

“I don’t need a fancy title, Zoqa,” Damian sighed with frustration. “I'm proud to be your mate, that you're High Queen. My place is by your side no matter what. A title won't change that. Now you need to rest.”

“I want to walk a bit more and stop changing the subject. I know you don't need a title but I WANT you to have it.”

“Fine... fine... fine since I’m obviously not going to win this,” Damian exclaimed as he threw his hands up.

Theanna stopped walking and stood in front of him as she became serious. When they were alone she always made sure to put the Queen side away and treat him as her mate and equal. It helped their relationship thrive.

“Damian, we went from you being in charge of Ikisat and little ole hybrid me being your mate to suddenly me being High Queen and you supporting me as my Daemoni Prince mate. You've been and always will be my alpha male, my Prince, my partner, my mate and my love. But I’ve heard the snickers, the comments about how you simply ‘service’ the Queen. I want you to have a title that commands respect when all hear it. It’s very important to me.”

Damian sighed as he gently pulled her into his arms and said, “Alright, High Prince it is then. I’ve been considering something anyway that I wanted to talk to you about. It goes along with this in a sense. I think it’s time to pass on the mantle of Daemoni Prince of Ikisat to Lazerin. He’s been doing all of the work and it seems the best path especially since it seems that I’m about to be promoted.”

“He’s loyal and trustworthy and has already given us a blood oath. I think it’s a good move.”

“There is one small issue, he doesn’t want it because he says it's my title and he proudly serves his Prince. I believe you'll have to give it to him as High Queen.”

Theanna nodded. “I can work with that. Damian, my love, I couldn't do this and be the Queen I am without you. We rule the Dark Realms as a team and because of that we're winning this battle and the Dark Realms will come out better than ever. That's why I want you to have that title,” she further explained as she wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him.

Damian nodded. “I wonder what Lord Lucifer will say?”

“He'll agree with me.”

“You sure are confident about that,” Damian said with a raised eyebrow as he looked down at her.

Thea shrugged, “How often does he not agree? He’s very proud of the fact that I’m ‘just like him’.”

“That he is,” he chuckled. “Drives Darius nuts, too, which is pretty funny.” Looking down at the amazing woman in his arms he leaned down and kissed her tenderly. “Azrith is going to finally win our ongoing little battle of wills it seems.”

“Oh? Why are you in a battle of wills with our Chief Armorer?”

“He’s been wanting to change my armor. I didn’t see a need. With the new title, he’ll insist,” Damian explained with a roll of his eyes.

Thea giggled. “I love you.”

He leaned down and captured her lips as he replied, “I know.”