《 THIRTEEN 》

No one was explaining anything to me and it was driving me insane. I stared out the window while everyone was talking and I felt myself slip into a day dream.

I opened my eyes to find a sandy wolf standing in front of me, it's snout sniffing at me. I giggled as the wet nose touched my cheek. "Hey Austin" I said quietly.

The wolf's ears pricked forward before laying flat.  He sniffled in my ear again and I couldn't help but laugh as the air tickled my skin. Austin laid back on his hind quarters, moving his big head into my grasp.

I started to stroke his fur, rubbing behind his ears as the sandy wolf's eyes closed. "Is it better being a wolf?" I asked, causing Austin's eyes to open.

He sniffed once before turning his fluffy head to look at me properly. His golden eyes seemed to see straight through me. I looked down at my hands. "Does it hurt?" I asked, looking back up.

The wolf shook his head no before moving forward and licking my hand. I laughed and pulled away. "Ew! Austin!" I exclaimed before laughing again.

His nose nudged my shoulder. "I could make several dog jokes right now but I decided to keep them to myself" I said, pointedly.

Austin nudged my shoulder again and I looked at him. He flicked his head around to stare at the top of the hill. "Oh you want to go up there?" I asked,  getting to my feet slightly.

I started making my way up the hill and Austin bounded past me, causing me to cough out a burst of laughter. His coat shimmered in the light as he waited for me at the top. I reached the top and kneeled beside the big wolf. I raised my hand to scratch behind his ears. "Thank you Austin" I whispered into his fur 

He nudged his nose against my cheek. I heard a cracking nose and crawled back as Austin transformed again, from the wolf to the man. This time it didn't seem as painful but watching Austin cry out for help was the worst. When the transformation stopped, he knelt panting on the ground, very naked.

He took a deep breath and pushed his soppy blonde hair out of his eyes. He looked up, seeing me. He smiled. "Hey" he said, grinning.

I broke out of my daydream and shook my head. Why would I be dreaming about Austin from school?

"Diana" Keian's gruff voice asked.

I turned around to see Dorian and Taron standing by the door, talking to a man in violet robes. Dorian turned to look at me. "Your majesty, this is Sampson, he is a scholar at the royal Academy for Faeries" Dorian introduced us.

"Your majesty" Sampson said, bowing.

"We have an Academy for Faeries?" I asked, confused.

Dorian and Sampson shared a look. He looked like he was in his early 50's, a long white beard just to the tip of his belt buckle. With a struck of thought, he reminded me of Dumbledore.

"Yes, the students there are very bright, perhaps you will come see us one day" the scholar replied.

"Besides the point, Sampson was there when the oracle gave your mother the prophecy" Taron said, glancing at Dorian.

"I am also very sorry for your loss, loosing your mother and husband, it burdens us all, he was a bright King, so much potential" Sampson said, as I frowned.

"Husband?" I asked bewildered.

I looked at Taron who looked away guiltly. "I had a husband?" I asked, looking at Dorian and then at Keian.

"You do not remember?" Sampson asked confused.

Tears streamed down my face as Marcus knelt on one knee in front of me. "I hope you will forgive me, Diana" he whispered.

My eyes widened, as he took my arm. Marcus caught my eyes and tilted my head to stop me from looking away. "Stop crying" he said.

Something in his voice commanded me and I immediately responded. "You are not hurting, you were never in love with Austin, he was just a werewolf and a guy from school you used to know, you never were pregnant" Marcus said firmly, as I felt a tear leaked out of my eye.

The emotional pain written on Marcus's face wanted me to reach out and hold him. "Everything is normal and you are Diana Greene, Queen of the faeries" Marcus said again as his eyes bore into mine.

Something within me broke and I collapsed against the table. Keian rushed forward, catching me before I fell all the way onto the ground. Tears fell from my eyes.

"He took away my memories" I gasped out.

Dorian looked panicked as he glanced at my brother. "At my request Diana, he did it to protect you.. you were going on about how you wanted to die, I couldn't lose you and neither could he!" Taron exclaimed.

I sucked in a deep breath. "Austin was my husband! And I was pregnant!" I yelled.

Taron flinched. "I needed you, we all needed you and you were sick with grief and I couldn't stand to watch you crumble away.. I did what I thought  was best" he argued, as Sampson looked between us.

Keian helped me stand and I curled my hands into fists. "I hate you" I growled bitterly.

Taron looked down. "Stay away from me, both you and Marcus!" I snapped.

Dorian frowned. "This wasn't Marcus's fault, he didn't want to do this" Dorian argued for Marcus's sake.

"Well he didn't fight hard enough" I replied in a deadly calm voice.

"Your majesty, if I might say that there is an important reason as too why Marcus Reeves is still here by your side" Sampson said, quickly.

I glared at him but he didn't back down. "Your majesty, the prophecy that was apparently made for you when your were born was a lie.. after much searching, I have found the correct prophecy" he said holding out a tied and curled up parchment.

I stared at it. "Prophecy or no prophecy, I loved Austin and you took that away from me" I said, glaring at my brother.

Keian stepped forward. "Your brother's efforts might have been the wrong way to do things but he meant well" Keian said, taking ahold of Taron's hand.

I stared at all four men as they stared at me. I cleared my throat. "I need to be alone" I said, pushing past them all and falling out into the hallway.

I shook my head as I walked away from them, towards my chambers. "Tell the Queen that I'm sorry, but I have duties to attend to back home" a rough voice said.

"Marcus, you cannot abandon her now" Soarise's voice replied.

"Please, just tell her" Marcus's voice said as I rounded the corner.

Soarise straightened and curtsied. "My queen" she greeted me.

Marcus didn't turn around. "Soarise, can we have a moment please" I said before she nodded and quickly scuttled off.

He slowly turned around. "I must say, I'm disappointed that we leave each other like this" I said, looking at him.

He straightened. "You're perfectly capable with handling things yourself" he replied.

I looked down at my hands. "I know you took my memories away and I know Taron asked you to do it" I said, looking back at him.

His jaw fixed.

"I'm afraid I wasn't strong enough to refuse your brother" he replied.

"I hope you have a safe journey Marcus, please visit us often" I said politely.

His expression softened. "Diana.." he trailed off.

"You were right, this is for the best" I replied before leaving him alone as I walked away.

A/N

:(
So now Diana knows. She doesn't feel any emotion towards the death of Austin and her unborn because that was taken away from her. But now she remembers.

Taron's in the bad books, Marcus is leaving and Dorian is only going to get into more trouble.

How will this end?

We shall see.. :D

Don't forget to vote and comment!
Love, Tavana xoxoxoxo