Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Chapter 39: Nikolai
“Everything is ready for the coronation,” Draq advised me as he and Dru entered into my office.
I was relieved when the nurses told me that the twins would make a full recovery. We had been in each others’ lives for so long that I couldn’t imagine not having them by my side. Even though their wounds were deep and their powers almost non existent they recovered quickly, showing the true power of a dragon. The nurses watched in awe as they began to shed their damaged skin, and new skin emerged, this skin appearing slightly scaled, a clear indicator that their life force had merged with that of their dragon.
“Before the coronation there is something we must tell you. Something about your mate.” Dru expression solemn.
“About my mate?” I asked in confusion, I wasn’t aware that my mate had such a strong relationship with the twins.
“We met her once.” Draq speaks up seeing my look of confusion, “A very long time ago.”
“Before we knew you.” Dru replies before he begins to tell me the tale of how they met my mate and revived her family, and how an orb had told him that Mary was destined for greatness.
“So what does this mean?” I ask looking at both of the twins.
“We aren’t sure.” Draq responds, “Dru never saw the orb again and we didn’t know who Mary was until i remembered the day Dru had saved the lives of that family while we were being held as prisoners.”
“So you have no idea what this power might be?” I ask as I pace back in forth in my office. If Mary had an unknown power that would make her an even bigger target that she already was.
“I have a feeling I know what it is, but no evidence to back up that feeling.” Dru responds. “Her magic calls to mine, I thought it was weird, and I tried to ignore at first, I didn’t want to overstep. But I think the reason my powers were being called out hers was because they are similar. I think Mary might be a phoenix,”
“A phoenix? That’s impossible phoenixes are extinct.” I reply, “The last phoenix lived over a ten centuries ago.”
“Can Phoenixes ever die?” Draq asks inquisitively.
“Phoenixes regenerate from their own ashes. Each time they die their regeneration is slower and slower, but they still manage to come back.” Dru replies.
“But an ten centuries without one? It makes no sense.” I respond rubbing my temples as my head began to pound.
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If Mary was a phoenix her life would be in even more danger than if she was a human. Every supernatural being feared phoenixes. A phoenix could slaughter a thousand supernaturals without
blinking an eye. There was a war over ten centuries ago, that killed off the last phoenix. The phoenix had sided with the humans and had become their protector against all other supernatural beings. We were being slaughtered by human hunters and there was nothing we could do to retaliate. Any time we tried to fight against the humans the phoenix would swoop in and destroy our kind. One day enough was enough. The Kings and Queens of the supernatural races met together and began to plan for a war. It would be a battle against our strongest fighters and the phoenix. Many of the warriors were slaughtered. The dragon race was almost extinct after the war and the faerie race had to go into hiding. My father was
one of the strongest warriors on the battle field. He had struck the killing blow to the phoenix. The other vampires swore fealty to him, making my father King of the Vampire race. The other leaders of the war had gone on to become rulers of their own race. Their united front during the battle brought each of the leaders closer together forming a bond of friendship. The bond that cost my father his life. I push those thoughts back down, now wasn’t the time to think about my father’s betrayal.
I cleared my throat hoping to rid any trace of sorrow from my voice, “The coronation will be taking place soon. Let’s reconvene on this matter later. As for right now, this stays between us.” I state looking at both Dru and Draq, thankful the clearing of my throat had helped in ridding the sorrow.
“Of course your highness.” The twins say in unison.
I would like you both to stand at the alter beside Mary and I; Kade and Nevaeh will be up there as well. I want double the protection for Mary; so Kade and Dru will be on her side, and you will be with Nevaeh and me,” I indicate to Draq.
“Understood.” They reply again in unison, following me out to the courtyard.
Our guest have already started to arrive. I smile as I see Ambrose and two of his most powerful warriors sitting up front. They have a shield up around them protecting them from any unsuspecting attacks, I had warned Ambrose that there may be a coup. We had assigned the witches and the wolves to the very back seats in the courtyard, the furthest away from the altar and as I had suspected the dragons were not in attendance. The other small races sat in the middle of the courtyard, making their space neutral territory.
There were even some humans in attendance, Mary had insisted on having some of the free humans attend the ceremony. She wanted them to be aware the world was changing and to not lose hope. I couldn’t have been more proud of her. My thoughts flickered back to my conversation with Dru and Draq, maybe Mary was a phoenix or had at least been blessed with the spirit of a phoenix. She had already started to restore some of the damage that was occurring in this world.
I stood at my place on the alter waiting patiently for the ceremony to start. I could tell the instant Ash walked into the courtyard, there was tension so thick in the air that I could smell it. My vampire instincts kicked in as my vampire tried to take control. I felt my chest vibrate as I let out a low growl at the sight of him. Ash was accompanied by the witches Befana, Baba Yaga and Circe, he had a smug look on his face as he strutted towards his seat at the back of the courtyard. I wanted nothing more than to tear him to shreds but right now wasn’t the time nor the place.
A long forgotten melody started, the music telling a tale about the power of being united as one being, about the strength your partner can lend you. It spoke of the power of love, the power of passion, and
the power of faith in one another. Just as the last tune played, Mary began her walk towards the courtyard. She was absolutely divine. Her beautiful red hair was pinned up and she was wearing the emerald dress that I knew would look radiant on her. My family jewels; the blood red rubies glistened against her pale skin. Nevaeh escorted Mary into the courtyard and I couldn’t help but grin as I side eyed Kade. He looked like his eyes were going to pop out of his sockets and I could’ve sworn I saw drool coming from the side of his mouth. Hopefully one day, mate bond be damned, he’d be willing to make her his. Nevaeh was wearing one of the lilac gowns I had had made for Mary. She looked beautiful in it and my heart filled with love at my mate’s generosity.
Mary and Nevaeh were flanked by some of the castles strongest guards, if anyone attempted to harm them as the walked to the alter they wouldn’t be able to get past the guards without a fight, and if they managed to get past the guards it would be too late, because Kade, Draq, Dru and I would be there to protect them.
Alpha Ash stood up as Mary passed him, he bowed deeply to her before taking her hand into his, his eyes devouring her like she was a ribeye that he wanted to devour. “Mary, you look absolutely breathtaking today.” Alpha Ash smirked, brining her hand to his lips and kissing it.
“Why thank you Alpha, but if you don’t mind my mate is waiting for me, I am eagerly awaiting to greet him with a kiss, so if you don’t mind.” Mary forced out a grin, causing Kade to chuckle beside me as he failed to cover it up with a cough.
“Why of course, my lady.” Ash gritted out trying his hardest not to snarl.
Mary continued towards me, stopping every other row to talk to the heads of the supernaturals. It seemed like almost everyone was besotted by her, even the faeries. Prince Ambrose’s wings glowed with desire as Mary walked passed him and if his wife hadn’t have smacked him then I would’ve let my vampire have him, draining every last bit of his blood. Friend or not, Mary was my mate and only I was allowed to become aroused by her.
Mary finally closes the gap between us and I take her in my arms and kiss her throughly, the majority of the crowd breaking out in cheers. Kade cleared his throat bringing me back to the matter at hand as I withdrew from Mary.
“My subjects, my friends, my family.” I spoke facing outwards towards the crowd, “The day has finally come, the one that my council has been hounding me on. A few people in the crowd including my council chuckle. Today is the day I give this kingdom a Queen, the day I secure my hold on the supernatural kingdom and continue to bring peace throughout this nation. Today, before all of you, I will take Mary, my fated mate, as my Queen.”
The crowd erupted in cheers, Ash took my moment of silence to interrupt the ceremony. “And when will you tell the kingdom, that their new Queen is a human?”