《 THREE 》

I heard fast footsteps follow me. "You are putting the entire faery world in danger if you go through with this" Marcus's cold voice said quickly.

I stopped and turned to look at him, my dress billowing behind me. "I didn't think you cared much for the faery world" I replied, anger evident on my face.

"C'mon Diana, you know I don't" he replied.

I shook my head, scoffing. Marcus moved towards me in a flash, grabbing my shoulders and pushing me lightly into the nearest wall.

"I beg you Diana, don't go through with this, we can find another way" he asked, begging.

I glanced at his hands on my shoulders. "Unhand me and step back" I snapped.

He didn't budge. "Now!" I ordered.

"The Iron faeries will destroy you, do you not remember the havoc they caused when they were fighting alongside you?" he asked, something in his eyes making me freeze.

"Why do you still care about me Marcus?" I asked in return.

I heard the door opening as Austin and the war Council spilled out into the hallway. They eyed us and Marcus let go of me. I straightened my dress and I glanced at Austin who raised an eyebrow at us when the Councillor walked away.

"You cannot let her do this" Marcus said, stepping up to Austin.

"Diana can do what she wants, she's the queen and my wife, I believe in her" Austin replied.

Marcus scoffed. "Than I will not be apart of your suicide" he replied, looking at me.

I bit my lip and looked down, not meeting his silver gaze.

~|^|~

As the sun rose the next morning, I felt Austin's body heat against my own. "'morning love" his raspy voice said as my eyes blinked open.

"Hey" I replied, shifting my head to look at him.

He glanced at me briefly before looking at the ceiling. I frowned. "Is everything okay?" I asked, my hand slowly snaking up his bare chest.

"Yeah" he replied, distractedly.

I sighed and sat up, smoothing my hair back. "Talk to me, what's on your mind?" I asked, worried

"I just keeping thinking about what Marcus said and the more I do, the more I think he's right" Austin said softly.

"Do you not believe in me?" I asked, tilting my head.

"Of course I do, don't ever think I don't but I really don't want to lose you" he said, finally looking at me.

I softened. "Austin, you won't ever lose me, I will never lose you either, I love you way too much" I replied.

Austin lifted a hand and cupped my cheek. I leant down, my hair falling down like a curtain. "I love you" I whispered.

He smiled back at me. "I love you too" he replied.

I pressed my lips to the corner of his mouth and kissed gently. Austin let out a small laugh but I moved my lips again and kissed him fully. Our tongues tangled and I found myself straddling Austin with our mouths still in their dance of passion. Austin shifted and raised his hands to grip my hips, holding me in place. My hands travelled across his bare chest before tangling themselves in Austin's hair. A soft growl emitted from Austin as he nipped at my bottom lip.

I pulled away gently, gazing into my husband's eyes. "Austin, this might be a little too soon but.." I trailed off.

He tilted his head, coaxing me to continue. "I want to have a baby" I said as Austin eyes widened.

"Not yet! but I just wanted you to know that, that's what I want" I said, quickly.

Austin smiled again, his hand twisting through my hair. "We have time" he said before he pulled me down to kiss me again.

~|^|~

"Your Majesty will never be fully protected if you continue to not listen to me" Taron bossed, crossing his arms.

It was the next day and Taron was trying to train me to be the decoy. "I am listening Taron," I replied, exhausted.

He walked towards me and I watched him with curious eyes. His eyes slightly darted to the left and I turned around, raising my hands and blasting Keian back a few feet. I winced when he landed hard on the ground, I turned back to my brother who flung his hands out and I fell to one knee quickly, throwing my arms up in an X to create my magical shield.

I jumped up when the attack stopped and flicked my hand at Taron, he tried to shield but wasn't quick enough. He flew back and landed ungracefully on the ground. I heard clapping and turned my head to see Austin on the edge of the field. I smiled at him and waved, only to drop my arm when a certain dark figure walked out of the castle behind my husband.

Taron had taken my distraction and used his magic to blast me off my feet. My body screamed at me as I sailed through the air and landed on the ground, rolling across small rocks.

I sat up, grinning and touched my lip to see blood on my fingertip. I turned my head to see Marcus talking to Austin. Taron had run over to me and held out his hand. "What are they talking about?" Taron asked, as he helped me up.

"Beats me" I replied, brushing the dirt off my clothes.

Austin glanced at me before focusing on Marcus again. "Come on" I said to my brother before making my way over to the High Councillor and my husband.

They both straightened as I neared them. "Diana" Austin said as I walked over to him.

I glanced at Marcus. "High Councillor, what brings you here? You made your decision perfectly clear" I said, crossing my arms.

Austin glanced between us. Marcus gritted his teeth. "I've spoken to many vampires and they all agree to fight alongside you on one condition" Marcus said, authority leaking from his tone.

I narrowed my eyes. "I never asked for your vampires or your opinion and you've bestowed it most unwillingly" I replied.

"Diana" Marcus growled out as if he was threatening me.

"It's Queen Diana to you, High Councillor and once again you've decided to do your own thing while not caring about the repercussions" I said, sternly and standing up straighter.

'Diana, love, hear him out" Austin said, shooting me a soft look.

Marcus flinched at the word 'love'.

I studied Austin's expression before sighing and glancing back at Marcus. "Fine, tell me the condition" I replied.

"I'm not sure I want to give you any help now" Marcus said, crossing his arms.

"Are you serious?" I asked, bewildered.

"You sure seem keen to not work with us, so maybe I should just leave!" he exclaimed, glaring at me.

"Do you think I could possibly work with you?" I asked, my anger resurfacing.

Marcus took a step forward. "You've never complained before" he bit back.

I gritted my teeth while my husband watched us like a tennis match. "For nature's sake Marcus, this isn't a contest I want to be safe and alive and if you have a problem with that, tell me right now so I can find help somewhere else!" I snapped.

Austin glanced at Marcus who unfolded his arms. "Contest?! I never said this was a contest, this is me trying to prove to you that I'm quite capable of protecting you and helping you" he said strongly.

"Prove? You don't have to prove anything to me, you are the High Councillor for the vampires, it's them you need to prove to, not me, we aren't friends anymore, remember!" I yelled, clenching my fists.

"Diana, calm" Austin said, reaching for my clenched hand.

"No! Don't tell me to calm down when he's here in my kingdom, telling me what to do, it's unacceptable and I will not have it" I said, my rage filling my veins.

"Fine! you can kiss any vampire help goodbye!" Marcus snapped before turning on his heel and storming away.

"Good! I don't need it!' I yelled.

I watched his retreating figure and looked at Austin who closed his eyes and shook his head. "What?" I asked, defensively.

"We do need his help Diana, if the fae against you know that our species; vampire, fae and wolf alike could band together, they would stop their foolish attempt to overthrow you" Austin explained.

"You think I need Marcus to do that?" I asked in disbelief.

Frustration crossed his features. "I thought we were partners in this, Diana?" he asked, his voice rising.

Taron shifted uncomfortably behind me. "Of course we are, Austin" I replied, frowning.

Austin sighed. "You aren't acting like a queen, not even as my wife, stop acting like he did the worst thing ever when he broke your heart!" Austin snapped before storming off as well.

My mouth fell open as he stormed away, throwing the door open so hard it smacked into the brick loudly. "Maybe you could be a bit more open to Austin's ideas, he is also the king and has been by your side since the start of all of this" Taron said, when I turned to look at him.

"It's not like that" I replied, confused.

"But he's right, you've married him but still act like you are over Marcus, and we all know you aren't" Taron said, crossing his arms.

'You're stepping over the line Taron" I warned, turning away from him.

"I just want what's best for you" he replied in defence.

"Yeah well you aren't my mother so stop acting like it" I replied, glaring at him.

My brother clicked his tongue. "No I'm your brother, the only family you have left, you know Austin's right, you need to get your act together" Taron said angrily before coaxing to Keian and they both walked off.

I was left alone.

A/N

I think our Diana is in denial about Marcus. Poor Austin though. I love Austin though, he's one of my favourite characters.

Who's your favourite character from any of my books?

Diana just needs to take a breather or maybe spend a night with Marcus.

hmm.. what could be more interesting to write?

A holiday or a night with Marcus?

Take a vote!

Don't forget to vote and comment!

love, T xoxoxox