Chapter 86

Samira
It was just a glance, all it took was his brief glare into my eyes and I could only watch.
He stood in front of Flora, and she kneeled on hands and knees. She shook as she disappeared out of sight, while the beast-man was silent. He tapped his foot with crossed arms, shaking the earth ever so slightly with the motion. I couldn’t find myself sitting up enough to see the details of that… but I could tell by his body movement.
Willow could too… but she couldn’t do anything either.
I can’t find myself feeling ashamed for this. If I knew him or not, he was too hostile, and I’m too horseish… that’s my literal nature… 
“King of the Flame, allow my-”
He scoffed. It made Flora Silent.
His five steps. Each one left a barefoot, flaming pile of ash where the grass was…
“You ask for Any beyond yourself to breathe? Have you been given my permission to do such a presumptuous thing?” He boomed. It broke the windows of the car. 
Willow screamed as we both ducked from the rain of glass.
He sighed. 
“I should not hold a temper at *you* …. The hot tongue lashes of my master have left me a little cross. … and I came making a grand entrance.” He said the last part sheepishly…. That the Bird King come so angrily… he must be in trouble for Flora..
Now that I saw them both and I started to Try to relax, the resemblance was uncanny.
I don’t know what she said; unfortunately I don’t speak eagle.
“I am Eternya, the Flaming One, son of the Volcano God Apolis, more importantly, General of his majesty, the Realm King…. And I have come myself to see my folly.” He sneered. “Rise. I am not here for violence.” He chuckled. He kneeled down. “I am here for peace my child. Forgive such harsh words… the harshness is more for myself you see.”
“How do I know this isn’t a trick?” she hissed. I don’t think Willow could hear them.
“Because in your fear, all of you misread me.” He sighed. “It happens a lot.”
“You literally had to Just fix the volcano you made in the yard my lord!” Flora whisper yelled.
I could literally feel the heat radiating off him from here…. I don’t know how she did it, but Willow got out of the car before Jack could stop her!
I had to muster whatever will I had for her sake. If he isn’t hostile… then her being out here or something could start a fight none of us can win. 
We’re the priority… If our guards think we’re in danger, they’re attacking him if they can win or not… 
I could tell.
“Then if you are here for peace, Stand Down.” She shook like a leaf while I opened the door. Jack disappeared as a puff of smoke, and I left him to it. Her defiance of her fear encouraged me.
I need the Shifter Queen… not a Timid Horsey!
Within an instant, he was in front of us. He caught all three arrows meant for his back, shot by the centaurs, and they became ashes in an instant.
“He told me you were as fiery as your hair, little vixen.” He grinned ignoring the growing number of hostel guards. “The Master is unable to be involved you see.” He snapped his fingers about five times. “What is the mortal saying? ‘Put his foot in his mouth’….?” I nodded, being behind Willow now. “So I am here, in his stead…. And to handle my bloodline.” He bowed. 
“Your bloodline?” I asked. “I know him…” Now that I was sure, I could calm everyone down. “I’ve only met him once, but only as a bird…. Eternya can be trusted.” I stood at her side now, and I tried making my glare harsh…
All he had to do was come in a car or something! Powered down not a big angry chicken!
He chuckled.
Damn it….. At least I didn’t offend.
“Allow me entrance that I see my other blood.” He said as a king would. There was no option to say anything other than ‘yes’ as he looked at Flora.
“No.” She said in English.
“And Why Not?” He demanded. “Is it my visage? I asked Lord Asanguis did I look approachable, and he said I did.” He grumbled. “Perhaps I look unnaturally so… He did say I looked too hot for my own good, but I thought that was just a pun laced joke….” he scratched his chin. 
Bird kin do that when they’re upset; It’s like preening.
“Your *tone* is too hot.” Willow growled… It sounded like a fox.
His smile was genuine, as if he was holding a laugh….
“You remind me of the young master’s mate, Isabelle.” He said shaking his head. He bowed to us.
“Willow’s right.” I said firmly. “I can’t lie; you came so angered I didn’t recognize you at all.”
“I suppose.” He said scratching his head. “How have you been since last I aided Lord Tyson?” He asked, referring to him saving me in the spirit world…..
“Fine without being scared half to death!” I complained. “I vouch for him. He flew around the castle to protect me, and offered his aid to my mate…. ” If Willow asks, I’ll tell her about the marketplace, but maybe it’s better I keep that to myself?
“I will not disappoint my lady… Now let me see him. I would not harm my own bloodline for no reason.”
“….no….” Said Flora quietly. “You’ll see he has no wings and behead him.” 
He laughed a boom that rattle the windows. “I knew that before I left. Of Course, as the Fucking Bird King, I’d want my clutch to have flight, but I won’t kill him for it. That isn’t some crime so long as he isn’t a featherless chicken; then he’d be a jay bird.” He joked… It did make Flora smile a little. “My last brood were traitors, and this one is unpledged.” He huffed. “I just want to see him, speak with him. So long as you hail to the master, I have no issue with anyone.”
“He doesn’t know English yet.” Willow blurted.
This is her pack… and I am her Queen. Whatever she needs I will back her up… but I had a feeling this was something that she needed to do on her own, or with minimal interference from me…
When I leave, she will still be Luna.
When I go home, Ellio and the other minotaur will live Here. She must decide their fates.
“I know most major languages, albeit older words…” He said scratching his chin, preening himself again. He must be genuinely upset.
“…. Swear you won’t harm any of them.” Flora said standing, glaring him in the eyes. 
“What of yourself?” He asked. 
With one swift motion, he grabbed Jack from thin air, and slammed him to the ground… He was unconscious from the impact, but otherwise was unharmed... I could hear his heart, though it was slowed a bit.
“I don’t care about myself.” Flora said firmly, looking at Jack so simply defeated… Regardless of my words, Eternya wasn’t trusted… who would?!
Until the invitation to the crowning, and Tyson I’d Never met an Old One…..
And I Never would have.
“I want no ill of either of you, or any you house, but I won’t allow mortal hostility.” Eternya said becoming duller. The heat that radiated off him was gone, along with the aura. “It has been a long time since I’ve had to restrain myself so tightly.” He sighed. “Also… can someone at Least get me some pants?”
Willow gave the order. He shrank in the meantime about 5 inches… still having to borrow Kaizen’s clothes because I’m sure nothing else would fit. 
The Old Ones were literal forces of nature. He didn’t Have to ask Anything. He could have just gone inside.
He is so strong, that he could accidently destroy the entire town. He was the one sent to rain literal fire and create volcanos…. Because of him there are places that Don’t exist and Can’t grow crops.
We speak to a force of nature… one who only bows to those marked. Everyone else is fodder.
Jack was knocked out so bad I ended up taking him to the clinic with Shakira…