SWNOVELS Chapter CHAPTER THIRTY
The howling and wretched roaring in the Glass Fortress of the Realm of water was overwhelming as Tyran stood in front of the three Seers of the Realm. The females were unearthly beautiful with tall elegant figures, pale white skins, dark eyes and pale hair cascading down their backs. They sat up on what looked like a crystal podium, their expressions grave and their pale pink lips set in thin lines.
“I knew of this to come.” One spoke, her voice like dripping water over a creek. “Our beloved queen; gone from this world.”
Tyran went down on his knee and bowed his head to show the utmost respect to the Seers. They were like gods in the enchanted world. They saw the past, present and future. They were eternal virgins, always secluded from the others.
Seers were born with the gift and no one could foretell when it happened. It was rare to find them anywhere yet the Realm of Water had three of them!
“You are at fault, Lord Mage.” The second Seer looked down at Tyran then her eyes darted above him. “Yet you are not.”
The hallway was filled with members of Court, the royal army and several other nobles Tyran didn’t know of. They all mourned for their queen who was still in his arms but no one made attempt to come and retrieve her body from him.
“You have my deepest condolences.” Tyran managed to pass through his thick throat.
“We know.” The first one Seer answered then waved her hand and four guards came forward, taking the body from Tyran. The females around him shed fresh tears and some even collapsed at the sight of their queen wrapped in Mayolin.
“This is all your fault!” someone yelled. “If you didn’t insist so much of that stupid conference this wouldn’t have happened.”
Tyran felt the entire world weighing heavily on his shoulders. Suddenly a warm comforting hand landed on his back. It was Drake and he looked as graved as he did.
“Claus and High Lady Oriel still live.” The last Seer sat forward. “Why haven’t you brought them back to their rightful home?”
“They are gravelly injured and are being treated for their wounds--”
“It’s not your decision to make.” The second Seer snapped.
“It is mine if the attack occurred in my lands.” Tyran answered.
The second Seer hummed. “Well stated, Lord Mage.”
Tyran felt as if the Seers were testing him or taunting him. He knew sometimes they could read people’s minds, see through their lives, past, present and future but they needed permission into the mind and that only happened if the person gave in to the trigger to allow them inside. He had a nasty feeling they were looking for that trigger to enter into his mind but it would be a cold day in hell until he allowed it. He knew all the tricks because he battled them throughout his life.
“The Coral Spear is lost to us.” The first murmured sadly.
There were murmurs in the hall as everyone went into panic.
“Hush now!” The last Seer raised her hand. “No need to panic. All will be right in due time.”
“The Lord Mage should be killed for his treachery!” Someone exclaimed.
“Wouldn’t that be the easy way out?” The first Seer muttered sadly again looking down at Tyran. The entire hall approved darkly. They wanted to see blood spill for their dead queen. They wanted to see him follow their queen to the afterlife. “Then again, we will all condemn ourselves to a future full of blood and darkness.”
The hall went silent as for the first time, Tyran lifted his head towards the Seers.
“Yes, Lord Mage.” She smiled almost maliciously at him. “The future of the enchanted world intertwines with yours and a few brave others. You live yet another day.”
Tyran inclined his head to them. They spoke in riddles but they never lied. They also found entertainment in others’ misery and Tyran had a sinking feeling in his gut that what they saw of his future was something he didn’t want to know.
“Lord Mage,” The last Seer trilled in. “You will stay here for the cremation tomorrow at dawn.” Protests rang through the hall but the Seer lifted her hand and hushed them once more. “You were honorable enough to bring her back for a proper ceremonial cremation, we have to respect that honor too.”
Tyran wanted to return back to his female. He longed to feel her warmth, hear her voice and taste her kisses. He needed her because only she could keep the demons that threatened to swallow him at bay but he had duty here. Another day without her was a lot to ask from him especially now that the mating bond was pulling hard against him but he had no choice. He had to stay.
“Seth, show them to their chambers.” The first Seer said.
A foul-mood, dark haired merman shuffled forward and led the males and females of the Realm of Spells across the hall. Hisses and curses were thrown their way as the mer-people mourned for their queen. Whatever talks of peace and unity they had with the Realm of Water was long gone. Now, hatred and hostility bombarded them from each corner.
Tyran’s eyes snapped open when he felt the energy swell in his chambers. He was not back in his own quarters with his queen. He was still in the Realm of Water awaiting the cremation of Queen Seranis that next morning. So, who thought to enter his chambers in the middle of the night? As he forged an energy blade, a familiar feminine chuckle filtered into the room.
“No need for that, Lord Mage. I come unarmed.”
A swish of material went past his bed and suddenly the second Seer appeared in front of him. The moon shone brightly that night and it outlined the Seer’s body leaving nothing for the imagination underneath that gossamer flowing gown she had on. Tyran watched as the female hypnotically walked towards his bed. Seers were virgins, untouched by any male and never mated. They had to stay pure if they wanted their visions to continue but he did know of fallen Seers banished from their homes when they succumbed to the sexual hunger gnawing them for thousands of years!
“You shouldn’t be here.” Tyran watched her warily. Not that he was pulled in by her sexual web and her beauty. She could be the most beautiful woman in the world and could be the most sexual alluring but Tyran didn’t feel a thing for her. There wasn’t even a twitch in his shaft. There was only one female for him and she was waiting for him back in his Realm.
“I shouldn’t get too close to males, I shouldn’t make eye contact, I shouldn’t turn my back on them—I have heard all that...and more and yet here I stand in front of you, curious about you Lord Mage.”
“What do you want?” Tyran asked.
She shrugged her slender shoulders fingering her gown. “I have never been outside these walls ever since I reached my peak as a Seer. I have heard of stories from the helpers about what is happening. I even see them in the Sight but I have never seen them in reality. I’ve heard of your—bravery in the battlefield.”
Tyran quirked his eyebrow at her. She woke him up in the middle of the night so he could tell her bedtime stories? “How do you expect me to help you?”
She grinned. “I want to see your Realm. I want to go with you back to the Realm of Spells. I could be your Seer.”
Though Seers were mostly treasured among their Realms, they could choose who to serve at any time they wanted. Tyran was already in deep shit with the mer-people as it was. Taking one of their Seers was only going to put a strain on the bare threads holding their relations together. Even though the Realm of Spells had not had a Seer is a very long time, he was not that desperate.
“I can’t do that and you know why, Seer.”
The Seer hummed lightly and sat on the edge of the bed. “My name is Sarafia. See, we Seers have names too.”
“Sarafia, as it is, we’re on the verge of a war with your Realm, taking you with me will only make the situation worse.”
“You are afraid your mate will not like it.” She smiled at him. “I understand. Then again, maybe I’m tired of being a Seer.” she sighed softly and slumped her shoulders.
“Your sisters will not let you.”
“My sisters have no say in what I do with my life.” She assured him. “I would have seduced you into taking my innocence this evening but you are reeking, Lord Mage.” Now it was her turn to quirk her eyebrow at him. “You are reeking of your mate’s essence on you. So, I’ll have to go take other measures. It was nice chatting with you, Lord Mage.” She got up abruptly.
“Sarafia!” Tyran called her back but she was long gone. He cursed out loudly and slammed back on his bed. He couldn’t stop her. He already saw the resolve in her eyes. She was going to go through with it. Good thing he didn’t come with Ruvin that dog-whore or he would have done Sarafia outright! He tried to make out which male was vulnerable in his convoy. Zach would never accept it nor would Drake. Amun and Galea were mated. Dawn and Sheila were females which left Tron, Byron and V. This reeked!
Tyran pushed the covers aside and pulled on his pants before he stalked out knocking hard on each of the chambers he knew his convoy was occupying. Even the guards standing in the hallway straightened up and took on the warrior stance.
His croaky convoy came out, some rubbing their eyes, others trying to cover up their yawns.
Tyran eyed all of them for a moment then lowered his voice so that the guards didn’t hear him. “A Seer is planning to...shed her duties, be alert of her. Don’t fall for her charms.”
“I thought that was a dream.” Tron droned in, his face turning beetroot red.
Tyran narrowed his eyes at him. “What did you do?”
“Nothing.” Tron raised his hands up. “She appeared from nowhere and...and...man, she’s fucked up.” he rubbed the back on his neck.
Tyran hummed grimly. “Be on alert. Don’t do anything to her. We don’t want a war we can’t win at the moment.”
They all nodded and went back to their chambers.
The Mage Court members were slowly dispersing to their rightful districts with heavy hearts on what happened. Noelle also had a heavy heart but it was not on what was happening around her but rather if Tyran was alright in the Realm of Water. Another morning had passed without him beside her and her loneliness was slowly eating her away. She tried to keep herself busy by visiting her father in the infirmary and found that they had moved the king to a private chamber on the first floor. With Esmira beside her, Noelle made her way upstairs and spent a few hours with him, trying to get Tyran off her mind. There was hell to pay for leaving without telling her.
“You look very worried my dear.” Alston observed.
Noelle sighed and rubbed the space between her eyes. “I have yet to hear news from the Lord Mage...any news for that matter.”
Light twinkled in Alston’s eyes. “You are just like your mother. When I went away for long periods of time, she worried herself senseless to the point of falling ill. That kind of love is unimaginable yet I was one of the few lucky ones to have had the chance to bask in it. The Lord Mage is lucky to have you beside him, Noelle. That way you can worry for the both of you!”
Noelle felt a smile ease on her lips. “I wouldn’t be this worried if he told me about it.”
Alston bobbed his head to the side in agreement. “Well, that would have helped a lot but do remember, he has been without you for a long time. He is used to being in charge, making decisions and carrying out things alone. I think he didn’t tell you because he knew you would have tagged along with him.”
“Sure as hell I would!” Noelle found herself exclaiming.
“Hmmm.” Alston pursed his lips. “No one knows in what state the Realm of Water is at the moment and the last thing a king needs is to drag his queen into danger.”
“So he can die but I shouldn’t.” Noelle asked bitterly. “I’m his queen. I have every right to look after his wellbeing as much as he does mine. I don’t want a dead mate, father. I want my Tyran beside me.”
Alston nodded and sighed softly. “Spoken like a true queen. But know this, nothing has happened to the Lord Mage. If it had, the news would have traveled here by now.”
Noelle agreed with his father. If anyone managed to bring down the Lord Mage then the news would have traveled to all the corners of the Enchanted World like a wild fire. “Let’s not talk about that anymore. Your health is improving by the day.”
Alston stretched his large body and smiled. “I was fortunate to have good royal blood running through my veins. The faster I get better, the faster I can get back to the Realm of Light and help Alana bring back the harmony we once had.”
“You can’t leave. Tyran and I are....” Noelle’s cheeks bloomed with color. Becoming one thing with Tyran was not as light as a marriage back in the Human World where you could get divorced if things didn’t go as planned. A union in the Enchanted World was a permanent bond done only between mates. It was most intimate where the mates swore beneath the Heavens and in front of the High Priestess to stay together forever and in the afterlife. It was witnessed only by the immediate family members while the rest of the world waited outside the holy chamber. After the union, there was a big celebration for everyone. “We are having the union performed in a few days. I want you to be here as my witness and my father.”
Alston took Noelle’s hand and clasped it in his. “I would love to witness your union with the Lord Mage though you sure took your time with it.”
Noelle couldn’t help but laugh. “I was young and stupid back then. I was angry at both of you because I felt the union would have robbed me of my freedom and my soul. I thought only duty would keep us together and I always wanted an ending like that of you and mother.”
“Uniting with your mate is not only duty but unconditional love that will have you surrender almost everything just for that person. That love grows with time, a bond so strong that not even the heavens can break.” He looked down at where his hands were holding Noelle’s and smiled sadly. “When your mother died, I thought it was over for me too. I felt incomplete and the large hollow space in my soul was waiting to swallow me whole. I lost part of myself and the pain was physical. I had every instinct to follow her to the afterlife but then you stopped me.”
“I did?”
“Yes.” There was so much love glowing in Alston’s eyes. “How selfish can a male be, leaving his mourning child to follow his mate? How cruel would it have been to leave you here mourning for the both of us? Though it took me long, I made a promise to myself and to your mother. I was not going to leave this world until the day you found a male worthy of your hand; a male that will look at you with love and compassion, a male that will lay his life for yours, a male that will forever be on your side.”
Noelle grinned feeling like she was the only female in the world to have such a loving father. “And when did you know that Lord Mage was my mate?”
“After your mother’s cremation, the Lord Mage together with several members of his Court came to give us condolences for our loss. You were very young back then and grief-stricken, I don’t think you remember. Lord Mage saw you then and he knew immediately that you were his mate.”
“That’s the reason why you’ve always favored him more.” Noelle pouted.
“I was giving him the benefit of a doubt. I wanted to learn about the male the Heavens chose to my be only daughter’s mate. I needed to see all the way—right into his soul.” Alston defended himself.
That was so much like her father. The King Fae never made a decision until he was thoroughly sure of what the situation was.
“Don’t tell me it was his possessiveness that you liked more,” Noelle said then shook her head. “No, I bet it was his brooding-self that won the cake—wait! Wait! Could it be his manners and the way he likes to growl at everyone?”
Alston laughed loudly. “It can’t always be that bad.”
Noelle bit back a smile. It was never bad with Tyran. Even though he was moody and too commanding for his own good she loved him. “No.” she muttered.
“That’s my daughter.” Alston patted her on her hand and suddenly the door swung open. Esmira’s dark eyes peeped inside.
“My queen, it’s time for your lunch. And the healers tell me that the King Fae needs to rest.” Her small voice came through.
“Give me a minute.” Noelle turned to her father and tucked him back in his large bed. “I’ll see you in the evening, father. Try and get some sleep.”
Alston only smiled and allowed Noelle this one thing of tucking him in like a child.
Noelle placed a kiss on her father’s forehead and went out.
Just as they turned towards the dining room, Noelle heard the familiar flashing telltale and whipped her head back to capture Tyran returning with his convoy. A myriad of emotions ran through her. She was relieved to see him unharmed yet angry that he left without telling her. Then she saw the sorrow in his silver eyes and felt pain jerk in her heart for him. Food was forgotten as she walked up the hallway towards the male with a silver wary eyes. He had every right to be wary of her because her palms itched to punch him and kick his shin just to make it clear to him that what he did was not right.
“Noe--” He began but Noelle quickly placed her hand over his lips and shushed him.
“I don’t want to hear it.” She breathed and darted her eyes to all who went with him. They looked well and unharmed so she turned to him and said. “Upstairs...now.”
A sexy and wicked smile appeared on Tyran’s lips as he pulled his queen closer and flashed them up to their quarters.
“Are you okay?” He muttered in her hair once they were there.
Noelle nuzzled Tyran’s neck, his scent of dark spices and storm giving her a measure of assurance that he was there and he was alright. “Do I look okay?” She looked up at him. “You up and leave in the middle of the night and don’t breathe out a word on your whereabouts leaving me here with the option of whether to grieve or pray and you are asking me if I’m alright?”
“Princess, I didn’t want to worry you. I saw how that evening’s events weighed heavily on your shoulders and I didn’t want to add anymore burden on you.” He touched her cheek and Noelle’s eyes fluttered closed.
“I was so worried.” She whispered. “I didn’t know what happened in the Realm of water or if you were alive and on top of all that, I missed you so much.”
Tyran grinned as Noelle’s wings buzzed behind her excitedly. “I can tell you missed me by your wings.”
“Don’t you ever do that to me again. Please tell me and if I make a fuss...” She stopped to think and snapped her head up, lifting her chin at him. “If I make a fuss then I have every right to.”
“I’m sorry.”
Those words brought Noelle’s world to its knees. The Lord Mage didn’t argue with her this time. He apologized! “Will you tell me what happened there?” she asked softly.
Tyran nodded reluctantly as he enfolded his queen into the warmth of his arms and drew her close to him until they were almost of the same body. “I will but right now I want my female. I need my female.” He bent down and kissed her long and hot making all the bones in Noelle’s body melt like warm honey on her skin. Her blood fizzed and her head spun with loving Tyran. She accepted every kiss he gave her, returned every lick and nip with the same intensity.
Tyran picked her up like a baby and took her to their bed.