Chapter 113

She watched as her sisters started to get ready. Lily and Casey would be wearing matching gowns for this ceremony. Her, Kalani and Lukas all hated that Lily and Casey would have to bow to them today, but it was customary. Every other dragon would see them as lower beings and it would make the trio look weak if they didn’t bow. Or so she was told. Sasha shook her head to dispel the negative thoughts. They were going to change these stupid laws soon. It was at the top of their to- do list. The girls were their equals and they wanted to show the world. Sasha smiled at them softly.
“You girls look so lovely,” she told them, running her eyes over their simple dresses for wrinkles and imperfections.
There was a gentle knock on the door and it was immediately opened by Raven to reveal the rest of Soma team. Sherri walked beside Raven with Melissa waddling behind them. Sasha rushed over to her and put her hand on her stomach.
“How is our niece or nephew doing today, Melissa?”
“Good. I, on the other hand, am completely exhausted,” she replied.
Sasha giggled. “In the next few weeks, you will see how worth this whole thing was when you finally have your baby in your arms.”
Melissa carefully lowered herself into a chair. “Man, Sasha, we really need to start yours and Kalani’s training. You two don’t even realize how powerful you guys truly are.”
Sasha rolled her eyes. “I know, but I am so busy right now.”
Melissa laughed. “As queen, you will always be busy. You need to make time.”
“Fine, fine. After this ceremony, I will make sure Kalani and I each set aside an hour a day for training.”
Melissa clapped her hands in excitement. “Yes! I am going to teach you guys how to use your powers so well.”
Kalani groaned. “But Sasha,” she whined, “I want to be queen, I swear I do, but I want to be a lazy queen.”
Everyone burst out laughing. Sasha smirked.
“Don’t whine, Lani. It’s not cute,” she chastised playfully, making everyone laugh harder.
Sasha stripped her jeans and spaghetti strap shirt off to put a regal white, flowing gown on. It swirled around her ankles and Sasha growled, plucking at the dress.
“I hate dresses,” she complained.
Another knock came and Sasha spun around to glare at the door.
“WHAT?! WHO'S THERE?! GO AWAY DAMNIT!,” she screamed.
“Baby? Can I come in?,” Aiden called softly.
Sasha looked around the room and after making sure everyone was decent, she gave him the okay. He walked in followed by Gregory and Lukas, who immediately went to their mates. Aiden walked over and took Sasha in his arms while Gregory copied his movements with Kalani. Lukas slowly walked around Lily, taking in her attire. He nodded his approval.
“Stunning,” he said.
Casey giggled. “Thank you. Now tell Lily something nice.”
Lukas raised an eyebrow at their youngest sister. “Say something nice to Lily?,” he repeated questioningly.
Casey nodded, trying to keep a straight face. “Doesn’t she look gorgeous?,” she asked him mischievously.
Lukas circled Lily again. “She looks very much like a queen.”
Lily blushed and shifted her weight. “Thank you,” she whispered shyly, twisting her skirt in her hands.
Lukas took her hands and kissed her knuckles. “Don’t fidget, Lily. There’s no reason to be nervous.”
“But.. you’re king and I am just a lowly human,” she said, pulling her hands away from him.
He sighed. “Lily, just because you are human does not make you low.”
“If you say so.”
He looked at them, begging for help. Casey grabbed Lily’s hand and started to drag her out of the room, screaming for their father’s.
“DADDY! PAPA STERLING! LILY IS TALKING BAD ABOUT HERSELF AGAIN!,” she yelled.
Lukas hurried after them and the rest of team Soma quickly excused themselves. Gregory shut the door, leaving Aiden and Sasha alone in the room. He kissed her softly.
“What’s wrong, my queen?”
“This whole dress thing. I hate dresses. I have had to wear dresses or skirts my whole life and I am sick of it.”
He let her go to walk over to their closet. He disappeared inside of it, coming out a minute later with a beautiful white body suit in his hands. He tugged her dress off, before kneeling at her feet to hold the body suit open for her to step into. When she didn’t move, he looked up at her.
“What?”
“I can’t wear that to the ceremony. It’s against the rules,” she told him bitterly.
He smirked. “I’m pretty sure if anybody has the balls to complain, Irina will eat them.”
Her mouth dropped open. “But customs-”
“Do not matter. You are the Mother of Dragons. Not even the king of kings can outrank you. What you say goes. If you want to wear pants, wear pants.” He paused. “Anything you say, I will fully support. We all will. If someone tries to start something, I will kill them.”
She stepped into her new outfit. “You don’t have to suck up, Aiden. I already told you I forgave you.”
He slid the body suit up, stopping for a second at her pelvic area to sniff her purest scent before pulling it up over her body.
“Let’s go announce your betas so I can ravish you.”
She giggled and leaned against him. He guided her out of the room and down to the dining hall where the small ceremony would take place, before the bigger celebration would begin. Everyone bowed as they walked in, except her father, Lukas and Kalani. She stopped in front of Slonsky and her little sisters. She pulled each of them up, before leading them to the front where the other three stood next to a kneeling Gregory. She pulled him up, too. She turned to face the other royals gathered in the room. Her eyes lingered on Luis.
“Rise!” She waited for them to do so. She pointed at the four she had stand. “You bow, they don’t. Family is family and they will never be held below us again. Now, for the announcement of betas. JoAnn, if you would escort our team in.”
Everyone fell silent as Jo went to get Raven, Sherri and Melissa. Melissa looked confused as she was brought into the hall, too. They came up to kneel in front of them. Sasha tipped Raven’s face up to breathe fire onto her. Raven inhaled and sucked her fire in. Power surged around her and she bit back a gasp.
“My beta is Raven.”
Kalani did the same with Sherri, before they both took Melissa’s hand.
“We have also decided that there will be a new position. We have decided to make Melissa the witch beta, second only to the witch of Deegan who has already agreed to train her.”
Sasha breathed out around Melissa, who closed her eyes as the warmth surrounding her was absorbed into her body. Javier stepped forward and knelt before them.
“It is my honor to train her, My Queens,” he told them.
Sasha breathed out on him, too, and he shivered as the power coursed through him. Sasha dismissed them and pulled Casey forward. She backed away to let Kalani come forward.
“Casey, do you wish to have a dragon?,” she asked.
Casey hesitated, before nodding. She glanced at her father who nodded in agreement. Kalani smoothed her hair back and put her hand on her forehead while her other one went over her heart. Kalani’s power connected the two of them for a few minutes, before she pulled away. She breathed out and fire leapt from her lips to Caseys, before Casey’s legs gave out. Aiden caught her and lifted her up into his arms.
“Donald Slonsky,” Kalani said, raising her voice slightly. “Kneel.”
He looked confused, but did as she asked. “I have seen into your mind and I have debated since then if what I am about to do is a good idea.” Sasha and Lukas moved forward to put their hands on her shoulders. “I have decided, after talking to my siblings, that you deserve a second chance at life.” She laid her hand on his chest and started pulling on Lukas and Sasha’s power. “We have decided to give you back your magic.”
Slonsky’s body jolted as energy was pulled from the trio and pushed into him. His hand came up to cover hers and his eyes closed. Their father moved behind him as he started to slump over. Gregory helped their father keep Slonsky upright until Kalani pulled back.
“You will be our messenger and assist in training all new witches.”
Kalani took his hand and began to tug him up with their father and Gregory’s help. She looked into his eyes and her warning was clear. ‘Don’t make us have to kill you.’ He gave her a faint smile as he wobbled again, lowering his head.
“I am honored,” was all he said, before collapsing.
Gregory picked him up and carried him out of the room with their father following them. Kalani clapped her hands together.
“Now that this is over, we will meet you all at the party after we make sure our little sister is safely in bed.”
Sasha didn’t wait for any other goodbyes, before walking out with Aiden carrying Casey by her side. Lukas led Lily out behind them. They went to the adjoining room to Slonsky’s that Casey was using to put her in bed. They left her inside and when they exited the room, Gregory was waiting for them.
“Is Dad staying?,” Lukas asked.
Gregory nodded. Lukas’ eyes glazed over for a moment before he groaned.
“Alright, Jo and Ethan will be here in a few minutes. I suppose we should go get this celebration over with.”
Sasha cursed. “It better hurry up. I am ready for bed and dessert.”
Kalani smirked. “Milkshake?”
“Definitely a milkshake,” Sasha agreed.