Chapter 22

Samira
He had a thick cut of pan fried, T-bone steak with baby spinach as a side, and I had smoked, cubed tofu rice balls with pepper stir-fry. The tofu inside the triangular rice balls were smokey, and heavily seasoned with spices… It complemented the plain rice and salty seaweed…
He used a knife and fork, sitting across from me.
“Thank you, little mate, for staying.” He said suddenly.
“My lord…Why would I leave?” I said putting both my hands over his right. I massaged his knuckles, and he approvingly hummed.
“I didn’t intend for you to see my nature, at least not for a while.” He admitted.
“Trust me when I say that I’m over that already.” I said this looking him in the eyes. He flashed them to be all black with red dots. He tested me it seemed, and I smiled despite how surprising that was. “Well when you do that, of course I’ll get a little nervous, that’s natural.”
His actions set off my instincts… but I could fight that. Now that the bond had solidified, I knew he wouldn’t take any of his aggressive nature out on me… I would never be a target, but I would never purposefully antagonize him either.
We ate until we were full... Then Tyson’s phone went off. I didn’t see when he’d made that alarm, but we entered back into the grand council room the same time as everyone else.
I had cushions to sit on now, so I could see over the table if I chose to sit on my Throne…Beforehand, I would have been too short.
I put on a glare. I doubt it fooled anybody.
“What proposals are left?” Asked Tyson getting right to it.
“The Omega prisoner who killed a priest is left, as well as Alpha Cunningham of CunningMoon of Paris France.” Said his second.
“Ah yes, him.” Said Tyson. “Bring in Prisoner 12442-128, the Omega first.” Said Tyson.
Within moments, a wolfless man in chains willingly walked, but it was clear he was heavily sedated…. His eyes were a mix of blue and yellow, I think his eye color and his wolf, though it didn’t make green like it should.
His eyes looked wrong… patches of the iris were those colors, like stained glass, covered loosely by curly mahogany hair, and light cinnamon skin…
“What’s this?” Growled Tyson.
“He still isn’t sober from the fairy dust found in his system…. As well as dried unicorn blood…” Said the female guard with ‘Shakira’ on her badge. I believe she was captain of the royal guard.
“The Priests of the XIII Sect as well as the Man King are here my lord.” Bowed Shakira.
Tyson looked stern. He seemed to mull over what to do, but ultimately, he waved his hand. “Then the accused will have a little mercy.” Said Tyson. He seemed dissatisfied that he would have to judge someone who would ‘get away with it’ in his mind, but other parties were here.
They wouldn’t wait either. I knew that much.
The Man King, Rodrick, came in first. His 7 elders walked behind him in a V formation in black priest’s robes with white collars, though unlike the old men, this human looked no older than about 40, wearing all white.
It is said that since he dies and can be reborn, that he has had many different appearances. This time his hair was a rich black, and his eyes were a grayish green. Though now that I think of it, the last time I saw them, they were brown.
It’s also said that he is one of the greatest holy magic casters this world has ever seen.
He nodded his head as a king would, and introduced himself. “King Tyson…. Princess…no… *Queen Samira*? This is what I get for leaving the coronation as soon as it was over.” Rodrick smiled.
“I didn’t know either King Rodrick.” I said and he chuckled.
“I wish I was here for more pleasant affairs… though unfortunately, I, the Man King Rodrick, the Left and Right Hands of the Light have come to address a most troubling problem.” He said walking past, and in front of the wolfless man. He’d given the traditional introduction, meaning business. He looked disgusted with him, while the man only kneeled while in chains.
“Yes. It is disheartening to know one of your men were killed by my wolves. I, The Horned Wolf King Tyson, the Charred One, offer his head to your people, though if you leave, know he will be pardoned.” Said Tyson. “Blood for blood.”
“Blood for blood.” Said Rodrick, looking at the inmate with disgust. “Wolf, do you even understand what’s happening? Or *what* you did?” He demanded.
“I do.” The man giggled. It was a nervous one, the kind you’d make if you were trying to play off how distraught you were… Though his face was twisted into the euphoric daze of unicorn blood…. “I plead not guilty, if only to waste time.”
“May a seat be prepared at the bottom of the Throne Table.” Said Tyson.
A solid white throne made of silk and polished gold was brought out for him to sit. It looked to be made for a supernatural being so big… Rodrick was only a foot taller than me, and it almost looked comical that he couldn’t fit in his own chair.
This place is the meeting venue for the King’s to meet, as the Realm King’s palace is on a magical island somewhere in the middle of the North Sea, hidden with said magic.
“It won’t be justice…. But I can at least give comfort to my chapter.” Rodrick said sitting.
“Aye. Bring him Lawyer Nelson. He’s been tasked with working on his case.” Said my mate looking down on the man as if he were an ant.
… I knew he would find him guilty, and he’d be beheaded anyway… but appointing a lawyer for the guilty wasn’t something normally done.
After all,… in this world, most Kings can hear the commoners of their kind… Tyson can hear nearly everyone so long as they aren’t another King.
The vampire came in with his head high, holding an air of confidence. His pinned back black hair made his pale skin look *actually* whiter than me, a unicorn with white fur…. Wow. He also was slightly… too long. His neck, arms, torso, and legs looked the slightest bit off…
“Your highnesses,” He bowed. “I am Nicolas A. Thosrepo, the Obscure One.” Nicolas smiled, rolling his R’s with a thick Italian American accent.
…Even looking directly at him, I had a hard time paying attention to his features... I knew he was nearly a stereotypical vampire, but oddly enough, I forgot what he looked like…. And sounded like looking directly at him.
Fading into the background must be useful….
“The charges of murder of a priest, supernatural activities near mortals, dealing, possession, distribution, use of illegal narcotics, and public intoxication; what say you in his defense?” Said Tyson.
“On behalf of my client, I plead insanity your highness. Even now, his blood is not purged from the poisoning he encountered.”
“If you can prove he was poisoned on purpose, rather than go on a fucking spree of ranting and raving… and killing my people I’ll extend mercy to his life, and hunt the actual culprit.”
“I have more than evidence, I have a witness.” He snapped his long fingers. Bound before the court was a goblin in cuffs. “He’s the one selling. I haven’t worked out *who* he’s getting the unicorn dust from, but if you give me-”
“Find the bastard.” Said Rodrick and Tyson at the same time. Jabari came to make sure he wouldn’t make trouble. I didn’t see any links; I bet he came because he was likely the one guarding him originally.
Tyson continued. “Unicorns are becoming rarer by the day. Their numbers are only in the millions now, about 2 million… The only population smaller would be the minotaur.” Said Tyson.
“I pardon the Omega.” Said Rodrick, though I could see his priests upset. He was the one who killed their men, so I could understand why they still wanted Blood for Blood enacted on them.
But only one person was killed, so Rodrick was saving his ruling for the actual culprit. Smart.
“Now squeal, you little shit.” Said Tyson. “You have until the time I get to you.”
His growl intimidated even his council. They bowed their heads low as he walked around the table. I could scent their actual, genuine fear…
“Uh your highness, I know you’re from Below. I’m in good with your pops.” Said the little green man… They are the reason my people are dying out… yet I could not hate him…
“I’ll start with the ears.” He said letting his horns and flame come out.
My mate extended claws that were black, though they looked edged like a sword… Those ‘blades’ had red glowing edges… He caught his hands on fire, and each step he became scarier... .and more like his true height. He breathed hot black smoke.
“Your highness, we can talk about this.” Said the goblin.
“Then why aren’t you telling me what I want to hear little creature?” Asked Tyson.
The light breeze in the room shifted … I could smell the magic from at least 100 of my people. I shed tears for them. I know I wasn’t supposed to… I know it was *weakness*.
I am weak.
Had I been a real warrior, maybe those poor people would be alive.
“Forgive me little dove.” Said Tyson. “You have caused my mate tears.”
“It’s the King’s nephew! Gab’wizzy the Unlucky One, Sire Please! “He screamed. He was held firmly in place by Jabari... He wouldn’t escape…
“He’s said the information my lord…” I said standing, but I was so short I felt like a gosh darn moldy child since it went to about my breasts….
“I will not go back on my word.” Said Tyson casually “But I will read his mind. May as well. You took so long, that I’m already here.”
As he put his hand atop the goblin’s head, guards had to restrain the Omega. Had he been able to shift, I know in my heart he would have attacked me.