September 30th, 2019

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Sheila

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The door opened, someone shouted my name, but I couldn't hear anything but silence. My soul was silent, my brain, my body, as I stared down at my blood-covered hands. I felt strong human arms wrap around me.

I looked up to see my mate looking down at me with fear in his eyes. He was talking to me, but it was like I was underwater. Who did this? What did I do?

I just wanted to live a peaceful life. I didn't want to be a queen. I didn't want to have a threat on my life. I didn't want any of this.

I saw the shadow flames start coming up from my body. My mate pulled me into his chest. The only sound breaking through my ears was his heartbeat.

His heartbeat was pounding loudly like he had just ran. I raised my hands and I gripped his shirt. I didn't know if I was the one shaking or if he was the one.

Then it all hit me.

"Get her into the bath! She is in shock!" Xion.

"She's not responding when I call her. I don't want to move her if she doesn't want to move." Zaiventh argued back.

"There is blood all over her. How the hell did this happen?" Xion was in panic, I heard the balcony window shut. Then there were footsteps coming towards us.

"I don't know. I don't know. Sheila. Sheila, please look at me." His plea kickstarted my brain back into motion. I raised my chin to look at him once more. Our eyes met and he took his two large hands cupped my cheeks. "We have to get you into the bath."

I nodded and started to stand. Vince wrapped a hand below my shoulders, helping me up. "Is it her blood?" Xion followed after us into the bathroom.

"No, I have no idea whose blood this is." The bath turned on, the sound filling up the entire bathroom.

"The Raven," I stammered out, "on the ceiling." I saw Xion dash from the room, then I heard him gasp.

"Call the guards!" I heard him shout. "It's a Warlock!"

—

I was sitting in a dark room, no sunlight, only candles. The kings looked grim and glanced at me every few seconds.

I sat to the right of the head, my mate at the head, across from his brother in arms. His hand was on my thigh, I'm a protective and soothing manner.

"Is everyone here." Xion's voice echoed in the hall. The kings glanced up and down the table, their head bobbing.

"I'm sure everyone has heard, and for the sake of Sheila we won't repeat it." Chills rolled down my body. "This is an act of war, we assume it's Kolgrim. Though we aren't for certain." There was a pause.

"What we do know is that whoever 'they' are, have decided to crossed the truce between the dead and undead. 'Thy shall not cause the endangerment of peasants through curses.' The fifth amendment of the warban." I cringed, what curse could they have put on me, did I have a curse on me.

"Stop all this chit chat." The Dwarven king slammed his fist on the table. "You want us to vouch our alliance to you." His eyes glanced between my mate and Xion.

I saw Xion bob his head. "What if I don't want—" the dwarf started.

"You are with us or against us." I heard my mate growl, he leaned forward. "And I promise you, that if you don't join us now, once we are done with the threat I will light you and your kingdom up like a firework." Chills rolled down my skin. His voice was as cold as ice.

"Well! Kolgrim is already knocking down my door." Azai sighed his pointer fingers to his temple. His green eyes opened, he opened his eyes to speak, though he was cut off by Herus.

"If they are using curses on the dragons, one with the strongest army out of all of us, they must be pretty confident." Waves of nods rolled over the table. "What's stopping them from laying curses on our loved ones."

"Exactly my point." Xion held out a hand. "None of us are safe anymore. We need to join hands for our families and people."

"We know nothing about them." Someone across from me splayed their feathered wings. The wings were black as night, it startled me. I've seen too many black wings today.

"Another reason we need help. I already have rangers out in the field, scouting them. They will be back in three days." Xion made eye contact.

"We will help." The man with the wings. "You have our loyalty." He must be speaking of him and his people.

"Mine as well." Azai raised his hand, the other on his chest.

"We are kings of the bow, we will happily lend you our hooves. We owe you." Herus looked to my mate. "For that aid all those years ago."

What is my mates history that I didn't know about. All the kings pledged their loyalty until we hit a rock in the road.

"What am I to gain from this?" The dwarf was so stubborn.

"The protection of your people!" I shouted, splaying my hands. "Set whenever you have with these people to the side, we must protect the common people. There are other times to settle scores!" I had turned in my chair to face him.

"There is other time to settle scores." He scoffed, "I will settle them with you after this war, elf!" Xion roles his eyes.

"Everyone in agreement then." Nods all around the table. "Discussion dismissed." We all stood and left.

—

It was nighttime now, the fire dogs crackled and howled in the candles flame. I was looking at my bedroom door, my mate behind me. He was walking me to my room for the night.

He grabbed my hand, making me look up at him. "Goodnight, my love." He kissed my knuckles once more.

"Goodnight." I've been dreading this moment, I didn't want to go back into my room. Is that me being weak?

I put my hand on the handle. The cold handle sending a shock to my nerves. I didn't want to go in. I didn't want to go in. I didn't want to go in.

He was still behind me. He would probably wait till I was safe in my room. Is this a sign of weakness?

I turned on my heels. I watched his eyes widen, his brow raised. "Yes?" He questioned, curious to what I had to say.

"Can I sleep with you? I can sleep on the couch. I just don't want to be alone." I fessed up, putting my pride away. I felt safe with him. I knew I would be protected with him.

I watched his features light up with joy. "Queens don't sleep on couches." He chuckled and opened the door to my room.

"What are you doing?" I followed in behind him. He closed the door behind him.

"I'm escorting you to grab your nightgown. Because I guess you can't be alone without me." Mischief gleamed in his eyes.

I smacked his shoulder, "stop teasing me!" I rushed to grab my nightgown. Even though he is joking about it, he hit the nail on the head. I didn't want to be alone. Just not tonight.

He was waiting by the door, his eyes on the window that lead to the outside. He saw my movement and his features lit up. A smile grew and he opened the door for me. With the nightgown tucked close to my chest a walked into the hall.

Once the door closed behind us Zaivinth began, "I'm proud of you today." I raised a brow.

"Few Kings have little guts to stand up to the Dwarven king, though you did it effortlessly." He walked a door down, to his room. He opened the door once more.

"Desperate times create desperate measures." I chuckled as I walked into his room. I started walking over to the couch though he grabbed my hand.

"You sleep on the bed." He pointed to the bed.

"That's not fair to you." I pouted.

"Life's not fair, Princess. I don't mind." He purred wrapping his arms around my waist. I froze up, my embarrassment heating my cheeks.

Then I was lifted off the ground. I yelped as I hit the bed. Then his body was covering me. "What are you doing?" I stammered, pressing my hands to his chest.

A second later I was wrapped up tight into a blanket. I tried to move in the blanket but he held it tight. "Zaivinth!" I laughed, though his laughter overtook mine.

"Sleep!" He joked, his moonlight laugh filling every corner of the room.

"But I still need to change!"

—

Heeeeeelll yeaaaaah (Jenna marbles)

Who's this crow guy?

Do you think Sheila is being a drama queen, or is she being strong?

Did Xion and Zaivinth react as expected?

COMMENT AND VOTE PWEASE!!