Chapter 18

Samira
“A shame Heidi had to go home Right after the party!” Complained Isabelle… “You’ll love my big sister, she’s a half witch…. And she knows the ritual better than I do.”
“It’s alright. We don’t have to do this if you aren’t comfortable.” I said as she shook her head.
“No, I’ve done this a few times now; I’m just not as good.” Isabelle beamed.
“And I have a slight magic allergy.” Complained Harmony.
The Queen’s Quarters was where all the Lunas of the Alpha Council met. Currently, they were dismissed, since Isabelle wanted to do the ritual for my mother… Nixxia made tea from glowing water, while the rest of us waited for it to be ready. I was giddy about that. I shouldn’t be, but I wouldn’t let myself be a stick in the mud!
The room was golden accented with black floors. The white walls were perfect…. The paintings almost looked real. There were areas to sit and have tea, about 7 tables that sat 2 people, and cushions on the floor in a huge circle. The gold trimmed pillows were silk, spotless, and ornate. The edges were depictions of pine trees, and the black carpet’s gold accents showed something similar to match the pattern, though it held more detail.
In the center of the room was a white stone fountain. A wolf howling was at the top of the multi-layered fountain, and the water glowed silvery blue. The water in the basin was also the same glow… It was a moon blessed Soul Well, something that even my mother didn’t have.
Though she had a Sun Fount… It was bathed in sunlight from its magic properties, and many flowers grew around it. I half imagined that if this was outside, it would be the same. The difference is its use though. The Sun Fount is used to bless silver… this is to bless people, and connect them to their past loved ones. It’s to heal broken bonds, yet the Sun Fountain would not be able to do such a thing.
I was hugged by Isabelle on the biggest center pillow. She pretty much held me in her lap and petted my hair… She really did like unicorns.
“Tell me, how was the Unicorn Court?” She asked, and I was hoping that she wouldn’t ask that…
“Um… it was nice except for the pressure to be ‘the perfect princess’…. They don’t even approve of Tyson.” I mumbled.
“I imagine so. I won’t sugar coat it… Allister and Tyson don’t…” Isabelle paused. “They Hate each other.”
“Really?” I said sitting up. I was pushed down back into a snuggled ball… I was her pet unicorn the way she loved on me.
“They hate each other because of Tyson’s comments. He didn’t think Allister would be a good King at all, and actually spoke with Sky about it.” Said Isabelle.
“I didn’t hear any of this.” I said being allowed to sit up this time because Queen Harmony rescued me! She pulled me to a pillow so now I could sit cross legged with the other Queens and princesses… I felt like a Little kid!
“Allister’s upset because he got called out. He was weak, *timid*, and indecisive before Tyson’s harsh words… My son’s been training under my grandfather, the Sleeping Wolf King, since he was a boy… He’s always looked up to King Ashital… We all do. He wasn’t a perfect man, but he put his people’s interests before his own.” Said Isabelle.
Nixxia muttered into the fountain, taking another scoop of water to add to a tall glass. “Shit.” She muttered.
“You need to add the green lavender.” Said Isabelle.
“I almost can’t believe it.” I grumbled. “….He acted like sour hay because of a little reprimanding that he *earned*?!” I yelled. “Typical Allister! I KNEW something was up!” I yelled. “He also kept trying to shove Lord Redmane down my throat!”
“That part I get though.” Said Harmony. “I saw the census numbers… But he should have dropped it once you got a mate. He should be happy!” She yelled.
“The Tea’s ready!” Shouted Nixxia. “Asanguis said that if your mom wants to talk, she has to get permission to leave Haven.”
“I’m sure she’ll get it. I bet money Arviel wants to know all about the Temu unicorn his brother made.” Said Harmony. “Sorry…. Blame Xaxas; he thinks it’s the funniest thing since MAD TV reruns.” She rolled her eyes.
“That’s what the demons heckled me with.” I pouted, but now that I was here... I had to admit that *was* a little funny. “I take it they shared the joke.”
“The Herold of the Horned One …. He’s a close friend, and a damn clown.” Said Harmony. “I can’t tell you his true name out loud though, it’s a spell.”
“He is the Pit given form… I half imagine that’s why.” I said being handed tea. I sipped it.
I blinked, and I stood in front of mother… She was beautiful, as her winged horse flying to me… I felt like an ant when she landed. Her horn glowed white, as did her coat… she glittered like a diamond. Mother was a full 30 hands high right now… and I bowed. She bowed too.
[Is something wrong?] She asked in unicorn. [Is Allister picking on you? I’ll kill him!] She snorted, *Already* seeing the ‘secret’ I tried to keep. I didn’t want her to know he was behaving so childishly….
“No mother, that isn’t it… I … I just missed you.” I ran and hugged her neck, and shook it to make me let go. Mom reared back, then stomped her foot three times when she came back on all 4’s. Each one made a little rainbow under her white hoof…
[What did I tell you about crying so damn much?!] She stomped her hoof one last time with a neigh, and a glittery sparkly sound went with it. [Do you want to get kidnaped?! That’s how you get kidnapped!]
“Sorry!” I said crying harder and she shifted, somehow being clothed in a white robe. She was a taller older version of me… with much bigger breasts. Mine were Big… but hers were watermelons.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” She asked, nearly two feet taller than me still... “You scent… less impaired.”
“No….” I half lied. Mom didn’t physically hurt me freaking out so close, she’d never do that… but it did hurt my feelings.
“Oh my sweet little Samira… I miss you too… Tell me what troubles you.” She said sweetly.
“I’m mated to Tyson.” I said smelling her sugar cookie scent…. She always smelled like baked goods, even though she didn’t really cook.
“Really?! That explains a lot…. Why you were so small… Why the master commented how he didn’t want his secrets getting out…” She crushed me in her boob prison. I couldn’t breathe! “My smallest little filly.” She kissed my head. “You both have my blessing.”
“Thanks mom.” I wiped my eyes. “I try to be strong; I really do but it’s *so* hard…. ”
“I know dear. You favor your father…” She motioned her head in his direction.
“Tell me she isn’t dead. I came as fast as I can.” Said dad in an absolute panic.
He scooped me up, also wearing a white robe. His sword was on his side, but it seemed longer than I remembered. Dad’s hair was loose, and ivory blonde… His eyes were the brightest blue I think I’d ever seen, as his elvish form could actually be seen now. Elves often complained about being in flesh, that their spirit forms are better… I wouldn’t know.
If he were this beautiful on Urth, I doubt the thirsty elves in court would have given him peace.
“She mated Tyson. We will never see her again.” Said Mother.
“How bittersweet… I’m so proud of you my little one… My smallest child is a *Queen*.”
“What…?” I asked dumbfounded…
“We will not come to your summons ever again my child. You belong to the Night Court… This will be the last time you see us.” Said mother. “Next time you will be in trouble with the guards… the Lord of Bounty takes this Very seriously…” She mumbled.
“Aye…. Though I am glad the Horned One kept you pure…. At least if you visit if we wake, the castle won’t burn you.” Said father. “Nanatori isn’t bullying you, is he?”
*Their wording? …Were they not planning on coming back?*
I chose to ignore that; it isn’t right to ask anything of them, nor would I share that with anyone…. They served… it’s our responsibility now.
“No dad… He is coming to challenge Tyson though.” I said quietly.
They both looked at each other.
“… Those are not the creatures to challenge… I doubt you see it, but the children of the Lord of Retribution have no self-control. They cannot bend… their minds break. Should you EVER be in danger, many will die that day.” Father warned.
“…I wonder is that what happened with Kaizen?” I asked out loud, not meaning to.
A gong was rung… I assumed that was for them. They both hugged me one last time… They both felt of love and light….
Mom snorted. “And Tell Allister if he makes trouble because he’s still butthurt that I *know*, I’m going to wake up and stomp that stallion into the fuckin-”
The connection was cut, and I was surprised mom would say it that way… The alarm on my phone to fly back to Origon was what did it… so it was 4am…
My brother would be here soon… I wasn’t looking forward to that.
“Your mom’s sassy.” Said Harmony. “Don’t look so worried.” She said that gently, and I assumed they didn’t hear that last thought.
“Probably just as sassy as my mom.” Isabelle looked like she held a giggle.
“Mom was always the tough one.” I admitted… Dad might have scolded me, but mom was the one who dished out punishment. It would be terrible, like no sweets. Who does that?
“Sorry about not seeing your family.” Said Nixxia. “Mother said the same thing to me…. But the way I see it is that she’s happy. On Urth, she was a blood slave… now she’s free.”