Court is where I was raised and trained to become a Trax, protector of the crown and its people. While I had many good memories here this place also held the worst of my memories. I guess I didnt realize the only thing I really missed about court were the people I left behind.

   As we rode in I could see the point of the tallest tower of the palace, its large stained glass windows hidden with red tapestries. I could hear the sound of music echoing all throughout court, music we feared to play too loud only months ago. The tall iron gates built around court during the curse opened up so we could enter. I hoped off my horse, Ash doing the same as he took everything in. I'm sure lots have changed since he was last here but I didn't think much would change since I've been gone. Everything seemed more lively and full of color.

   Stable boys took our horses for some well needed water and food once we got to to the barns. Behind us I took in the town square. The ground was no longer muddy but covered by fresh concrete painted blue and white to match the white shops around the center of town. Today the streets were crawling with sellers. They sold jewelry, animals, food, clothes and even home goods. And right in the middle of town was where the kids played and danced around the gold fountain as parents watched.

   "Isn't what you expected is it?" I asked looking up at the Lord. Today the town was crawling with shoppers and children, all in bright moods. Even with the distraction and lack of supplies they all had one thing, safety.

   "No," his lips parted slightly as if he couldn't believe his eyes. "I don't mean to sound rude but you have a lot of work to do before court could be considered a threat." That's not something you want a powerful man to say. It was clear he saw us as defenses. "Though in these tough times... your people still seem happy," he said in surprise.

   "Its nice seeing people feel so safe and free thats all they care about they could have nothing and still have everything," it made my heart glow. I was proud of my people, I always have been. Maybe court wasn't as beautiful as Dragons Mountain but the people made it just as lovely.

   We made our way to the large oak doors of the palace. I noticed the lack of guards patrolling but than remembered how many Trax we lost defeating Raven. "Where is the King?" I asked a guard as he shut the doors behind us. The inside of the palace was the same. Peeling wallpaper, dusty chandeliers and torn tapestries. I wondered when the palace would get a makeover. When I first came to the palace I was almost blinded by its beauty I hadn't even noticed it held a darkness. With this castle held powerful energies, it was enough to make any king go mad. Perhaps that's what happened to Rones father. Whatever it was... I knew this palace couldn't stay standing forever.

   "He's in a meeting in the throne room."

   "Where is Berella than?" I inquired.

   "She is with Lady Josephine in the gardens," he cleared his throat awkwardly. I guess gossip travels fast.

   "We'll see Berella first," I chirped to Ash as he followed me down the hall to the back of the palace and to the French glass doors.

   "Are you sure this is a conversation I should be here for?"

   "I'm not letting you out of my sight," I bristled as I opened the glass patio doors. "I dont care who she falls in love with it just cannot be her," I knew he was judging me.

   "Because you dont trust her."

   "She tried to kill King Vern, Rones father."

   "And he let her live?"

   "I let her live," I explained which only made things less clear. "She's just a girl after all and she was manipulated her entire life to fight for something she never even wanted. She's useless without her powers, also she doesnt even know how to weld a sword she's pretty much harmless."

   "Then why is there a problem?"

   "She's harmless to anyone who doesnt love her and Berella loves fast. Its a quality thats enduring yet annoying," I was not ready for this conversation... "Josephine knows how to kill her, she knows how to become the next creator and I dont put the thought behind her."

   "See I would have executed her, you never leave any lose strings." I couldnt tell if he was joking or not but I hardly cared.

   "I dont need your advice I'm doing just fine," I said looking through the overgrown gardens. Berella and Josephine were taking a stroll around the maze shrubs and they seemed to be having... fun. "Maybe nows not the best time to talk to her," not with Josephine whispering in her ear. "How about we crash that councils meeting then?" I looked up at him, after all that does sound a lot more interesting.

   "Thats a bit unprofessional."

   I whirled around back into the castle and headed to the throne room. "I am their creator, I will do as I please." He didn't say a word.

   Once we got to the throne room, I couldn't believe my eyes. Rone had lost complete control of his council members. Most were yelling above his commands of silence, I could see in Rones face he didn't know what to do. Whatever they had been discussing had to be serious. My fathers face was beat red as he spat at the man beside him, I walked into a circus.

   "Enough!" I never knew my voice could be so loud, even Rone looked shocked though that may be because I'm a day early. "You are respected men of court, act like it! This is your King he will have order and respect in this throne room." Lux, my father watched me coldly as I made my way to Rone with Ash by my side.

   "Everyone is dismissed for now, tomorrow morning I will let you all know what I decide." Everyone shuffled out of the room, not a word said but I could tell they were angry. Once they were gone Rone stood up, a curious smile on his face as he watched me. He picked me up off the ground and we melted into a kiss. "You are a day early," he murmured against my cheek.

   Reality sunk in... I backed away from his arms and looked him in his eyes. I wasn't here because I wanted to see him, I was here to talk some sense into him. "I seen Orion today and he told me about the woman you've let into our home, is what he says true?"

   He tilted his head to the side in a confused manor, "Yes but you have to understand these are woman and children I cant just turn them away."

   "If they see how weak your kingdom is they could easily betray your misplaced trust."

  "You can't be serious? The Nadia I know would want to help them."

   "We can provide them some food, water, blankets but not shelter. Why do you think we've struck a truce before an alliance with Ash? No matter how innocent these people look, we cant trust them. We can't move backward and we cannot afford another mistake," I took Rones pale hand in mine and laid my other hand on his cheek. "Trust me."

   I could tell he was torn over something else. Normally his soft silk eyes held a softness in them but they were more sharp and wild. "Let me think on it?"

   Ash tensed beside me, there shouldn't be anything to think about but if I were to refuse, I'd be demeaning him as King right in from of Ash. "Of course. In the morning before the festivities between Court and Dragons tower?"

   "If you'd meet them you might change your mind, their leader is so spiritual you'll love her," I didnt yet ask about their late night meetings though everything in me wanted to but not infront of Ash. "Lord Ash I expect you've been welcoming to Nadia?" Ash shook Rones hand giving him an odd look.

   "Everyone's been so nice there," I said giving Ash a pleased smiled.

   "We will have an alliance in no time I'm sure of it," Ash said, his hands now clasped behind his back.

   Rone called over a maid, "I would love to show you around, but I'll have Grace show you to your room to settle in. Ill find you when Nadia and I are done talking," Ash bowed ungracefully at the obvious dismissal, his eyes still on mine until he followed Grace out.

  "So tell me how has it really been?"Rone asked as we walked hand in hand to the foyer to talk in private.

   "Its actually been amazing, they have so many people, so many warriors we were smart to befriend them."

   "What of Ash is he a good man? Does he love his people? Is he honorable?"

   "Yes, he seems to be very genuine in his quest of peace I mean who wouldn't after all these years of suffering?" I asked sitting beside Rone on a velvet red couch, the fire roaring in front of us.

   "And his people? Everyone still welcoming on that front?"

   "They're just people, they work, they dance, they follow Ashs lead without any doubts. Could you imagine? Fae, Dragons, and elves all working together."

   "Its everything we've dreamed," Rone said smiling lightly.

   "I do have something to ask you and I want your complete honesty, you know I can tell if you're lying... Orion told me he's seen this leader you speak of visiting your chambers late at night, he wasn't lying so I want to know why?"

   "She's been coming every night to try and convince me to let them stay for good, all the men in their group died protecting them, they're weak and she's just trying to do whats right for her people."

   "So she does this in her nightgown, at improper hours at night knowing you are devoted to another?" I frowned, "Seems normal."

   "Thats the thing, these woman aren't normal most of them dont even speak our language, they know nothing of whats proper or improper, they live in the nude."

   This seemed to take me back slightly, "That is different..."

   "You see why I offered them shelters? They're babies are covered in their own filth, sun and sand is no place for the young."

  "I see," I paused I guess sometimes you need to see things with your own eyes to make a decision. Rone is gifted with empathy, a gift that will rule him as being a king. He sees the good in everyone, he feels their pain and in return he wants to heal them. "Well they cant stay in the palace anymore, maybe we can build them tents for now? They'll have to be taught our language, our laws before they can roam free for their own protection and ours and the next time I hear of these late night chats I will not be so forgiving."

   "Are you jealous?" Rone asked pulling me in closer.

   "Never," I scuffed pushing away from Rone, the king will be the death of you... The witches words haunted me. "I need to go find Berella, you go show Ash around and make good conversation. I think the two of you have a lot more in common then you think," I received a skeptical look from Rone as I kissed the edge of his lips playfully.

   "I will see you tonight?" He asked hopefully Holding onto my wrist.

   "I cant sleep with you tonight..." I blushed as he kissed my knuckles. "Not again, not until we are married that is . You know my name will be ran through the mud if maids started babbling of our late nights." He was a King, there were rules and standards we both had to obey and also... it was an excuse, a cowards way out. "Ill meet you here after dinner?" I was disgusted with myself for not telling him what I discovered but I was even more worried if I wasn't doing the right thing or not. I prided in the fact that Rone and I could talk through anything, beat any high and low but I cant control time and we didnt have enough.

  "Of course," his smile was forced as he finally stood up and kissed me. His lips were soft and eager against mine, his tongue lightly brushing against mine. "I could kiss you all day," he murmured against my lips, his hands lost in my hair.

   "If only we had the luxury," I said shoving him away playfully. "I love you," I said to myself as I watched him walk away.

   Now it was time to settle things with Berella.

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