Rising from the Ashes

Dinner in the great hall is an odd thing. Elenora sits right next to the royal family in the fancy gown Elenora had settled on after goofing off with Lydia who Elenora secretly plans to pull towards Mia to start a beautiful friendship. They would get along great. Perhaps she can convince King Stavros to pull Lydia over to Bloodmoon for a visit. Not a bad idea. Call him father and he’d probably agree instantly, “I do not know what you are thinking but yes.” Princess Lydia whispers in her ear, eyes moving across the great hall before landing on a certain warrior she seems to have a thing for.

“I’m thinking about corrupting you. You should come to Bloodmoon sometime. Meet my friend. She would love you.”

“As I said.” Lydia grins “Father will be hard to convince-”

Elenora finds herself standing immediately. Based on the judgmental looks coming from the ladies of court Elenora suspects this is not usually done. Still Elenora pays them no mind and leans down to speak with Prince Ardon who sits on the King’s right, the queen on his left.

“Usually people do not stand until the King stands.” Prince Ardon grins. “You do provide great entertainment. The court will be talking about this for days!”

“Happy to provide amusement brother dearest.” His eyes widen at the name but Elenora immediately gets to her point “Care to trade spots? I would love to sit next to my father.” King Stavros starts to choke on his drink and he turns to her with a red face and wide eyes. I vaguely hear Lydia snorting her amusement.

“You want something.” Prince Ardon sighs before he himself stands from the table. There are gasps and the whispers get louder. Something along the lines of she will be the death of this kingdom! Which seems rather dramatic but what can you do? Prince Ardon sits next to Lydia while Elenora takes the seat next to King Stavros who has his full attention on her.

“At this point we will need to take you to classes on how to behave in court Muriel.” The queen jokes though Elenora suspects she is slightly serious. Sounds miserable and completely unnecessary.

“I do not believe that is necessary, my queen. She will learn without the cotillion class.” This is one of the few moments she will be caught agreeing whole- heartedly with King Stavros.

“Ki -Father is right. I do not need cotillion classes.” Elenora agrees to which the queen shakes her head and leans closer to the Queen.

“You cannot give her everything she wants in hopes of winning her favor Maverick. I mean that. Now what is it you do want Muriel. You are being awfully nice to your father.” Queen Stavros narrows her eyes and that is Elenora’s que to turn her full attention to the King who waits patiently for her favor.

“My father. My king! My favorite person in the entire k-″ Lydia’s very unlady like snort is the reason for Elenora’s pause. The prince seems more than amused at her display. In fact the only person who is not amused in her family seems to be the queen. Elenora is quickly figuring out who the tough love parent is “Father, I would much appreciate it if you would allow Lydia to go with me to Bloodmoon. I would love for her to meet my best friend.” The queen practically melts. It is definitely not what she thought Elenora would ask. Elenora suspects she is both worried at the aspect of Lydia leaving the Kingdom and ecstatic that Elenora wants to spend extra time with Lydia.

“You have a mating ceremony coming up do you not? Can it wait until then? I feel it would be the safer bet. Traveling can be dangerous for the royal family.” The king seems reluctant to share this news most likely because he knows it is not exactly what Elenora wants to hear.

“I do not plan to have my mating ceremony in Bloodmoon.” Elenora smiles, “With your permission I want it to be here, in the royal garden.” The queen tears up at the very thought. Elenora has never seen her smile so wide. Even she must know what Elenora is offering. It is a peace offering. She is asking for the king’s blessing. For him to open his home to her. She is accepting this family. “This is Nakoa’s home. This is the place he lights up at.”

“Of course.” The king nods, gripping his fork. He looks on the edge of control. “I would be honored to host your ceremony.”

For a moment the three of them are silent, staring at each other. It is enough for Elenora to realize how silent the rest of the room had become. Listening to the conversation. The lack of privacy is enough to drive her insane and so she clears her throat “So that is a no on Lydia coming to Bloodmoon then?” Elenora does not try to hide her disappointment.

“We will see what we can do.” The queen offers before reaching to grab the plate Elenora had left next to Lydia. She switches it with Ardon’s plate before changing the topic to lessons “Let’s talk about how your fire training is going. I saw you lose control in the fight with Warrior Dennis. How frequently does that happen?” It is not a favored topic with Elenora but still, she gives in.

“More often since I met Nakoa. It feels like I am just getting more powerful.” The queen eyes her for a good moment. It is the King who speaks up first.

“How is your relationship with your wolf? Bad?” Elenora does not respond. Her relationship with Marcella couldn’t be worse. Though Elenora has started accepting her there are still days she is tempted to kill the beast off, “Then your main problem is not controlling your fire abilities, your main focus should be learning to accept your wolf. That is the key to controlling yourself, Muriel. That is why you are struggling so much.” It sounds a lot easier said than done. The conversation stays on that up until the King stands and dismisses the hall.

Elenora seizes the chance to leave. It is Charlotte she chooses to follow “Mother. You sure know how to make a scene in the great hall though it all turned out rather touching. The mating ceremony will be here then?” Charlotte grins, Elenora merely rolls her eyes and shrugs. It seems like a good thing to do and Nakoa will appreciate the gesture.

“Let’s not talk about me right now. Instead it is time for you to go home. You are leaving tonight after all. How did you like eating in the great hall?”

“It was amusing.” Charlotte admits and jumps when princess Lydia throws her arm over Charlotte’s shoulder, “Princess Lydia.” She utters, eyes widening slightly before she returns to normal.

“Please, call me Lydia. Or Aunt Lydia. Does that make me sound old? No aunt doesn’t but I just realize Charlotte makes mother a grandmother. Grandma Vanya. Grandmother Vanya.” Lydia gasps playfully “Grandfather Maverick. Oh this is great! He really has been dreading the day he would be called that.” Charlotte seems to love Lydia instantly, much the same as Elenora.

“Can I really call him grandfather? He wouldn’t mind?” Charlotte questions.

“Mind? He would probably rejoice if my daughter calls him grandpa.” Elenora tells Charlotte to which Lydia nods her head in agreement. The conversation carries on to Charlotte’s room which is rather fancy. There are several bags packed and ready to be taken down to whatever vehicle they are taking.

“Will Alpha Bardrick have enough room for all this stuff?” Elenora remembers the small cabin Nakoa had marked as his own. It was cozy and it seemed like enough room for one, even two. Truthfully Elenora doesn’t know if he will have enough room for all of it. She doesn’t even know if there are two bedrooms in that small cabin. She didn’t think so. “Lets hope.” Elenora offers, certain her doubt is more than visible.

“He will.” Princess Lydia tells her before quickly changing the topic “Tell me about Bloodmoon? Surely you must know something about the pack and the inner workings of it?” Elenora narrows her eyes at Lydia who is definitely hiding something but resigns to letting it go for now. She tells her about the ruins and what little Nakoa had told her about the system and how Bloodmoon is run. It is a fun last night spent with her daughter. When two warriors knock on the bedroom door to fetch Charlotte, Elenora is more than reluctant to see her go. Elenora does not care if the warriors see her vulnerable. She pulls Charlotte close and squeezes her in a hug, the tears burning in her eyes. “Be safe Charlotte. I will see you in a week’s time. Show Mia my love and try to go easy on Nakoa.”

“I will be okay Mother.” Even Charlotte doesn’t seem sure. There is fear in the air, in her voice. Elenora does not know who is more scared. Charlotte or her. Probably her.

A warrior steps up. The one she had fought and won with “Every warrior who is traveling with Charlotte had grown to love and respect her. All of them, including myself, will die before letting anything happen to her. Not only that but six more had volunteered to go and the King agreed. She will make it safe and sound Princess Muriel.” It is enough to ease her mind just a little and after bowing to both her and Princess Lydia the warrior takes his leave. When Elenora turns to face Lydia, she is blushing a bright red. “Am I the only one who thinks Dennis is super cute?”

“Am I the only one who thinks the princess of the werewolf kingdom is boy crazy.” This earns Elenora a pillow to the head.