Kastali Dun

Claire entered the dining hall, her arm linked through Talon's. Voices faltered. Chairs scraped as everyone surged to their feet. Talon's steps did not slow. His posture remained proud as he led her past the threshold and down the central aisle.

Every pair of eyes felt like a weight. She placed a hand over her stomach, then dropped it. A queen did not show nerves, even if tonight was a good reason to be nervous.

Her gown swished, brushing against her bare legs. Miera and Selphie had taken yet another and modified it to look more Spriten. This one had come from the vast supply in the queen's wardrobe. It was a vibrant, royal blue, a color reserved for royalty alone, with layers of skirts. Her handmaidens had removed a large portion of the corset bodice from her hips to her ribs, replacing it with a matching tulle, over which they'd sewn swirling patterns of glass beads. They'd also removed the sleeves, usually attached with ties and laces, and swapped them for tulle sleeves of the same color, also covered in glass beads.

It showed her Spriten markings without being obnoxious.

Her eyes darted down the length of herself before lifting. Like the others, it was exquisite. How they'd managed in such a short time was a mystery. As they'd settled in over the past three days, she'd tried to catch them at it, to learn their secret. But each time she spotted them, they wielded a needle and thread like anyone would, albeit more deftly. Still, she stood by her theory. They had to be using Spriten magic.

Near the side of the hall, she caught Saffra's gaze and bowed her head. Saffra offered her a small smile, a tiny lift of her brows. They hadn't gotten to spend much time together these past few days. Saffra had been helping Mage Marcel with some of the younger mages, and she'd been too busy simply adjusting to life in the keep again.

The head table loomed before her. Talon led her up the steps and around the back. He'd insisted she sit beside him. It had been a point of contention their first night back, but he'd won the argument with his usual logic. After all, the head table was a place for royalty.

He pulled out her chair, helping to get her settled. It was where Reyr usually sat. Talon had already commissioned a new table, one that would seat his Shields and her Queen's Guard. The massive piece was due to be finished two days from now.

"My queen. Looking ravishing, as ever." Koldis bumped his shoulder against hers. He sat on her right. Talon settled in on her left. "Doesn't she look ravishing, Your Grace?"

"Always," Talon said, winking. Her smile wobbled; she tightened her lips, trying to hold it fixed, fighting against her nerves.

She glanced about the dining hall, watching everyone get settled, watching her Queen's Guard take their the seats closest to the head table. She caught Feowen's eye. He grinned, wagging his eyebrows. If it was meant to be reassuring, the gesture failed.

Her stomach fluttered.

"They appear to be settling in," Koldis mused, following her line of sight, perhaps ignorant to her inner turmoil.

"I think so," she managed, finding her voice. "We had fun at the market. I wish you could have come along."

"Believe me, I would have preferred the market to sitting in that stuffy throne—" A throat cleared loudly. Talon's. "—to listening to the rightful requests of our people, as is my sacred duty as a Shield."

"Not much better," Talon growled.

She and Koldis shared a silent look, mirth dancing in their eyes.

Clink. Clink. Clink. She jolted. A ringing chime filled the air. Talon's cutlery clinked against his goblet. The tinkling sound silenced the dining hall.

Her stomach dropped. Oh, gods. Was it that time already?

She shot her mate a look. He held her gaze and nodded, then stood. She swallowed against the sudden dryness creeping up her throat. If it weren't for the style of the rigid chair, she'd have sunk down, down, down, and slid right under the table, disappearing. Instead, her wide eyes turned towards Koldis, as if he could save her from this. "Relax," he hissed, then reached for her hand under the table, lacing their fingers together, squeezing.

How the hell was she supposed to relax?!

"Good evening," Talon said, his calm, eloquent voice carrying. He'd done this a thousand times, made announcements, proclamations, speeches. But he'd never once said what he was about to.

"I think I'm going to vomit," she muttered.

Koldis snorted, squeezing her hand more tightly. "You're overreacting. They're going to love you."

"Would you both be quiet?!" Talon's silent scolding speared their minds, his tone firm, unyielding.

She pressed her lips together and shared a knowing glance with Koldis, like they were two errant children.

"Tonight is especially special," Talon continued, looking upon the crowd. Most fidgeted, glancing down, too afraid to make eye contact with the frightening, scarred king. Only her Queen's Guard held his gaze. "Our success with Squall's End has given us much to celebrate. But tonight..."

And here, Talon fell silent. His eyes turned upon her, throat bobbing once, then twice. Like he was also nervous. Perhaps just as nervous as her, but better at hiding it.

She quickly recovered, nodding to spur him on.

"Oh, gods! He's getting choked up," Koldis said, for her mind alone.

"Yes, thank you. I think I can see that." She paired the thought with a kick under the table.

"Ow!" he hissed, aloud.

"It's okay, love," she silently said to Talon. "Keep going."

He nodded, steeling his nerves, turning his gaze back to the waiting faces. His shoulders pulled tight. "Tonight, I wish to announce something very important. Life changing. As you know, I have been mateless a long time." A short hesitation. "I promised you once, that I would rule just as well, if not better than, any who had come before me, all without the help of a mate. But, it seems fate had other plans, after all. I have found something I never believed existed—someone I never knew I needed. My mate." Her eyes began to fill, heart beating faster and faster. "This is not merely a love match, but a true matching, a mateship, the recognition of my other half, of my soul."

Muttering broke out, racing around the hall like falling dominos. "Is it Claire?!" a voice shouted, laced with excitement. "The Spriten queen?!" another clarified.

Suddenly, the entire hall erupted into speculation. She couldn't help the small smile spreading across her lips. Her nerves began to fizzle. She relaxed a measure. There wasn't an ounce of disdain in their voices. No. Instead...there was hope. Koldis squeezed her hand as if to say, I told you so!

They already love you, Cyrus said, choking her throat with emotion.

"Yes, yes." Talon lifted a hand to quiet the audience. "It came as a shock. But Claire is, in fact, my mate. We have touched skin to scale. A bond was realized. Now, all that is left is to—"

"Seal the bond!!" several raucous voices shouted. Talon opened his mouth. It did little good. Whatever he might have said was drowned out. The sudden pounding of fists and cups, feet stomping, loud cheers, and whistles, exploded into the air. Beside her, Koldis drained his goblet, then began pounding it against the table. A chant rose, lifting into the air. It took several seconds to make out the words. "Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss—"

She opened her mouth, eyes darting up to Talon, who looked as shocked as she felt. He stood frozen, his lips parted, blinking at the rambunctious audience, taking in his people's acceptance. She surged to her feet, chair scraping behind her, grinning as she grabbed Talon's scarred face and pulled him in for a kiss.

Where had this boldness come from?!

The hall erupted, the noise lifting to unimaginable heights, catcalls joining the din. Talon barely responded to her kiss, his eyes still open, wide with surprise. Had his people ever acted so excited over something like this?

When she broke away, she couldn't help her laughter. Talon was stunned. What had he expected? Rejection? Then again, that's partly why she'd been so nervous.

With her king struggling to recover, she turned towards the crowd. "Do you accept me?!" she shouted, smiling wide. "Will you take me as your queen?"

"Yes!" came the cry, mixed with more pounding fists and feet. Someone else took up the kissing chant again. Just for the hell of it, she turned back to Talon and pulled him in again. This time, he was ready. A slight laugh burst from his lips before he wrapped her in his arms, lifting her off her feet.

The noise faded to whispers, replaced with "Awww" and breathy declarations.

When she reclaimed her seat, she felt ten times lighter. "See?" Koldis nudged her again. "Told you you'd be fine."

"I am not so sure Talon is." She smirked. He still looked gobsmacked.

"Now," said Talon, shaking himself, regaining control. "The date for the ceremony has yet to be finalized, but it will be announced in the coming days. In the meantime, let us feast tonight."

Another excited cheer went up, this one not nearly as hearty as the others, but still, reassuring. This was the cue for the servants, who rushed forward holding platters laden with delicious food. She'd missed the keep's cooking, after spending so long in the forest. Thinking of the cookery reminded her of Tess. She made a mental note to visit the head woman as soon as she could.

"Sarah!" She waved at Desaree's friend, depositing a tray at their table.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" Sarah said, beaming.

"Thank you. You are well?"

"Aye. I'll be better when Desaree returns, though." They shared a knowing grin.

"Me too," she agreed.

"Enjoy your meal." Sarah bobbed her head, then rushed off.

"Skittish, that one," said Koldis.

"They all are, usually," she pointed out as they began dishing up plates of food. For a short while, silence fell as they ate.

Then, Koldis said, "So, has the king showed you your surprise yet?"

"Koldis," Talon growled, a hint of warning in his voice.

"What?" he scoffed. "I was merely curious."

Beside Koldis, Jovari chuckled. "He loves making trouble, this one."

"One more word," Talon said, "and you'll be the next one I send out for those unfavorable journeys you all despise so much. Or perhaps I'll make something up, and send you up north, to Mesdon, or some sort."

Koldis groaned, sinking in his chair.

"What's in Mesdon?" Claire asked.

"Nothing," Koldis snapped as Jovari said, "An ex-lover he spurned a few years back."

"Oh?" She sat forward.

When they refused to tell her more, she was forced to draw her own conclusions, and with someone like Koldis, those conclusions were creative.

As dinner came to a close, Talon waited until most of the hall's patrons had filed out before turning to her. "Koldis was right, I do have a surprise for you. I wanted to wait until after the announcement." Talon's eyes shot towards Koldis and they exchanged some silent, unspoken communication. Her stomach leapt. When she next blinked, Koldis was racing away.

"Is it...a good surprise?" she asked, watching his retreating figure. They were up to something.

"I certainly hope so. Come." Talon held out his hand and led her down the central aisle, through the keep, and back to the tower. Her guards and his had already filed in behind them, following.

At the tower, the tower guards saluted, then opened the door and he led her into the main room. Servants stood about, blending into the walls in their livery. Talon quickly dismissed them for the night and they rushed off to enjoy dinner. Her eyes found Koldis, standing with a large box. It was topped with a bow.

Her gaze narrowed. The box made a sound and she gasped, heart leaping in her chest, head whipping around towards Talon. "Is that...?"

He dropped her hand, a grin transforming his scarred features. "Why don't you go and see."

She rushed to Koldis and removed the lid, looking down into its depths. Meowwwww.

"Oh my gods!" She backed up a step, placing both hands over her mouth, eyes darting between Koldis and Talon.

"It was Talon's idea. I mearly helped him track the thing down while you were at the market."

Her mouth gaped. "I thought you...I thought you were at court."

Talon strode to her side, placing a calming hand on her back, rubbing circles with it. "Well, we were, for a time. We needed you out of the tower so you wouldn't be suspicious when we ran off on our errand." Still, she made no move to reach for the little black kitten staring up at her. Her eyes were already filled with tears, too shocked to do much else. "Well? You said you wanted a kitten, did you not?"

"I...I..."

"I think you've positively shocked her," Jovari drawled. Beside him, Bedelth chuckled.

Meow! The little black kitten rose on its hind legs and reached up the box for her. She burst into tears, racing into action, snatching it from the box, cradling it to her chest. "Come here, you darling thing," she cooed before turning to Talon. "It's...it's precious!" She detached its claws to hold it up. "A little gentlemen," she announced, looking him over. Meow! "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Here—" She cradled it once more, then began walking it back and forth, bouncing it like a baby.

A deep rumble of a laugh sounded from Koldis. "Look at that, she already knows what to do. Just think of how doting she'll be with your child—"

"Don't you dare!" she screeched, whirling around to face the unruly Drengr. "We haven't even, we're not even mated yet. Gods, Koldis!"

Koldis merely grinned.

The kitten settled against her, beginning to purr. Her heart cracked open. It was barely old enough to be without its mother. She glanced about. "Did you get supplies for it?"

The Drengr standing in the room—Bedelth, Dallin, Jovari, Koldis, and Talon—exchanged questioning looks. She glanced over to where her Queen's Guard stood, taking up a vantage point along the wall. Feowen looked immensely entertained, his mouth twitching. Jeanine looked bewitched, her eyes locked on the fury black bundle cradled in her arms.

"What...what sort of supplies?" Talon asked at last.

Her eyes narrowed. "Cat supplies, silly."

"You never said I needed supplies." Talon shot to Koldis, who merely shrugged.

"You don't want it pooping and peeing all over the tower," she said.

Talon's eyes bulged. "Wouldn't it just..."

She cocked her head. "Just...what?"

Talon ran a hand through his hair, forgot about his crown, and knocked it off. He reached out, inhuman reflexes, and caught it before it dropped to the ground. "Go outside?"

She barked a laugh, clicking her tongue, looking down at the furry bundle. "You hear that, darling? He wants you to treck all the way through the keep, through all those confusing corridors, to find some courtyard where you can bury your poo. Silly, silly male. He has no idea what it takes to have a kitty. But that's okay. Your mommy knows just what you need."

"Gods above," Koldis muttered. "She doesn't even coo that tenderly at you, Your Grace. You're already being replaced by a cat!"

She speared the Shield with a glare.

Koldis lifted his hands. "All right, all right. Tell us what you need and we'll go collect it." Her eyes narrowed. "Directly, my queen," Koldis amended. "Immediately."

She shook her head, suppressing a laugh. "I'll need a littler box, for starters." When they stared at her she said, "A cat toilet?"

"A cat toilet?" Talon's brows rose. Talon turned to Koldis and whispered, "What in the name of the gods' is a cat toilet? Do you know?"

"It's a box with litter, well, probably dirt, since I don't think they make such things here."

Koldis squared his shoulders. "There, see, my king? They don't make such things here. How were we to know?"

At this, she could no longer help it. A laugh burst from her chest, and a moment later, everyone in the room was grinning.

"A box with dirt then, something intuitive so our handsome guy can burry his poo. It will have to be cleaned daily—"

"The servants will love that," Jovari said, smirking.

"I will manage it," Claire said, paying him a scolding look.

"That's rather undignified, don't you think?" Feowen drawled, breaking away from the wall, coming over to run a hand over the kitten. "Aya kunyn en calinah shaah." You are a pretty thing, he said to it.

"He is, isn't he? And, as for dignified, I am a queen, but that does not mean I am above the lowest."

"My, my," Koldis said. "Rulers around the world could learn a thing or two from her."

She looked up and grinned, welcomed the burst of warmth his words brought.

"What else do you need, love?" Talon asked, voice softening as he took in her protective stance, cradling the kitten.

"He'll need bowls for food—and food, obviously. Some cat toys—"

"Cat toys?" Bedelth's nose wrinkled.

"Honestly, have you never had pets? Any of you?"

The Drengr in the room exchanged dumbstruck looks. "My queen," Koldis said at last. "We are Drengr—Dragons. We...we eat things like that for breakfast. Metaphorically speaking."

She sucked in a shocked gasp, arms tightening around her precious bundle. "Keep your sharp teeth away from him."

"Well, not things like that, obviously," Koldis amended. "Not big enough."

"Hardly enough meat or fat," Talon added, nodding with a serious expression, studying the little thing like he was appraising prey.

"Gods! You're all awful. Don't listen to the mean males," she cooed, rubbing her hand over the purring kitten. "They won't harm a single hair on your soft furs. They're just trying to be ominous and frightening. That's what dragons do. But really, they'll all be cuddling you in no time."

A snort sounded, but she wasn't sure who.

After a few more explicit instructions, the tower emptied out, both Talon's Shields and her Queen's Guard, off on errands to collect all the things she'd need. It was just her and Talon, then, sitting side by side on the sofa before the fire.

Meow!

The kitten began crawling all over her, along her legs, stretching its little kitten arms out. "It looks kind of like a little bat, don't you think?"

Talon made a humming noise. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders, and he leaned in close, observing the kitten's movements. "It's so small," he mused. "I'm afraid to even touch it, for fear I might crush the thing."

She huffed a laugh, petting it as it nestled into the groove where her thighs met, purring loudly. "It does that when it's happy, or wants attention," she explained. He'd never had pets, apparently, certainly not cats, so he probably didn't know all that much about keeping them. "You won't hurt him, Talon."

Hesitantly, he reached out and stroked his pointer finger down the kitten's back. The kitten stretched into Talon's touch, purring louder. "There, see?" She glanced up to find a soft expression on the king's marred face. "He likes you already."

"Of course he does," Talon huffed.

"You know what is wonderful about animals, pets?" she asked, quietly.

"Hmm?"

"They don't see scars, Talon. They don't care for such things." He blinked at her, taken aback. "They only see a person for who they are on the inside, for how they care for them. Pets make the best companions."

He blinked again, then seemed to regain his composure. "Are you saying I should replace all the people in my life with cats?"

She burst into laughter. "Oh, come on. You know I care nothing for your scars. I just mean, that's what's so pure about animals, pets like dogs and cats , horses, all that."

"I like my horse," he mused. "Though I've gone through too many of them now that I don't let myself get close."

She nodded. "That makes sense. Human lives are short, animal lives, even shorter."

"Unless you're a dragon—Drengr."

"Do dragons even count as animals?" she probed, teasing.

"What are you going to name him?" he asked after a few moments.

She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, contemplating. "He really does look like a bat."

"So...Bat?"

"For a name? Hmm...How about Batty?" As soon as she said it, a laugh burst from her chest. But...as she looked down at the little thing. "That's perfect. Batty."

Talon snorted. "I was only teasing."

"Well, too bad. It stuck. Little Batty."

"Sounds like Bratty."

"Perfect, cause I can already tell he's going to be a little brat."

Talon huffed. "Gods, what did I get myself into?"

She snickered, then turned and planted a kiss on his cheek. Talon froze, then a small smile spread over his lips. He took her chin in his fingers and tilted her head up, sweeping in, kissing her.

When her tongue parted his lips, he groaned—

Meow!

She pulled away, snickering. "Look at that, my little gentlemen is already jealous. Okay, darling. Batty. Here's your pets, little thing."

Talon's arms tightened around her shoulders, and he nudged her hair with his nose, inhaling her in. She was vaguely aware of the others returning at some point, to deposit all the cat supplies they'd acquired. Jeanine, thank gods, directed them in setting everything up. Then, they crept away.

She and Talon remained on the couch long into the night, cuddling with the little black bundle between them. For now, there was only this. No talk of plots threatening to destroy their kingdom, no nerves about planning their ceremony, no fear over what the future held. Just. This.

⭐🌟 DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!🌟⭐

Happy Friday, Bookdragons!

When I was younger, my mom rescued an abandoned kitten in our front yard. It was only a day or two old. She got up at all hours of the night, feeding it and keeping it alive. It's very hard to save a cat that young. The poor little black kitten could fit in the palm of your hand. But she kept it alive. When it would sprawl out, still too young and blind to see, it always reminded us of a little tiny bat. So, we named it Batty-boo and the name stuck. My mom still has the cat, thought she's much older now. So, I decided to name Claire's little guy Batty :) 

Awwwws

I loved writing this chapter. I did NOT forget about Claire's experience when she saw the cats at the tournament and mentioned wanting one. Talon certainly didn't forget, either!

This weekend I'll be at the Conyers Book Festival hosting a fantasy panel with Rebecca Ross and Kaylie Smith (yes I'm freaking out and fan-girling because I own all their books). We're going to talk about all things fantasy to a live audience. I cannot wait!

Hope you have a great weekend and week. See you next Friday.

-Mel