The High Warlocks Queen

Part Two: NTC

I jerked up from my sleep and glanced around. Sweat beaded my forehead and wet my back. Tears filled my eyes once more and I felt a sob hitch in my chest as I remembered where I was.

I'd almost forgotten.

Prince Knox' fortress in the desert wilds. A thriving, bustling city surrounded by an open, desert waste. Sweat dripped from my forehead, neck and shoulders as I shoved my light silk sheets away. The heat was unbearable, boiling my skin. I longed for the coldness of Vendera. And I yearned for Emris in a way I never would have thought.

Hali and Cienna were both tucked in the bed across from me, both of them sound asleep. Knox had gifted Cienna to me, as a possible marriage gift. Only he had never intended it to be for my wedding to Emris. Knox wanted me as his bride for himself. When I told him that I had already married Emris he did not seem happy. He peppered me with personal questions and demands of my relationship with Emris. I knew exactly what he was asking and I wasn't going to answer. Emirs and I had hadn't yet been intimate with each other. Not really. When I stopped answering his questions he had stopped asking. Instead he of answering my questions, Knox insisted I learn my Subjects at Court. I need to know who is where when and why. Many of the Lords and Ladyes don't travel much. They either raise if their Lands or at Corut, like the Lady Drodic did. She resided in Negera Woods but also spent much of her time at Court.

"My Queen?"

I turned to look at Cienna, the black eyes, raven haired beauty who seemed to glow from with in. She had some type of Magic, I was sure of it, I just couldn't say what type. And I was positive she didn't know she possessed the gift either. Whatever it was. Knox had locked her up in here as well. No telling how much power was brewing under the surface. I still had a very hard time with it myself. I was so spent most of the time because of energy build up in my body that I didn't know what to do anymore.

I rolled my neck a little and cleared my throat, trying to focus.

"I'm fine, Cienna, go back to sleep," I told her. Cienna shoved her sheets aside and joined me at the window. "You are still trying to reach His Majesty's The King?"

I sighed and nodded. "If I train myself enough, I will be able to reach him."

I'd said the words now so many times that they had lost all meaning. It had been five days. Emris should have been here by now. I didn't understand why it was taking so long. Perhaps he didn't know where his brother was hiding out. This desert wasteland was the perfect place to hide. No one would think to look for me here.

"I told you it doesn't work like that," she reminded me and I turned to face the window once more. "It's been to long." Fear was bubbling in my belly again. "Emris should have been her by now."

Cienna nodded. "If I could help you I would -"

I shook my head. "Knox planned this with Graven Melbourne," I reminded her. "Knox told me so himself and then he locks you down here because you disagreed with him?" I shook my head.

"Sorry if I have a hard time believing you." I didn't trust her. I wanted to. Big my gut was telling me to keep her at arms length. She had been helpful when it came to teaching me what she knew of magic but I was even going over every word she had over and over again at the end of the night, looking for hidden messages, double meanings and phrases. So far I'd come up blank. I couldn't read Knox like I could Emris. I didn't know him like I knew my husband. My heart seared at the thought of him and my chest rippled in an odd, pleasurable pain. I missed him. I missed him dearly and it pained me physically to me parted from him.

"Cienna... when you fell for Knox, what was it like?"

She frowned. "I haven't felt that way about his Majesty for a long time-"

I shook my heard. "I'm sorry- I shouldn't have said anything."

Cienna shook her head. "It's fine, Nalia. It is but a memory now. Something I conjured in my mind." Cienna had confessed to me that she did in fact once love Prince Knox but after she birthed him a son, he hadn't touched or bed her since the birth of their son. He had g as much said two words to her when alone. He spent his nights away from her, leaving her alone I. Her chambers. Evidence of an affair with other Dark Fey eluded her. Knox never really gave her reason to believe he cheated on her and she never found reason to believe he did. The fear had just always been there.

"I wish I could say it didn't hurt.... Knox, believe it or not is a loving Husband when he wishes to be."

I shook my head. "How old is your son?" I asked her in a low voice.

Cienna narrowed her eyes at me. "He is seven," she said and crossed her arms. "Knox has what he wants from me. He just doesn't want the repercussions of having murdered his Mutt wife. Bad for politics."

I wrinkled my nose. "Politics are messy-"

"Be happy you won't have to mess with that much once Emris comes into power."

I shook my head. "What are you talking about?" I asked her.

"Well, Emris is King and your are his Queen but in name only."

I shook my head. "What does that mean?" I asked her. It couldn't mean what I thought it did? Did it?

Cienna shuffled uneasily beside me. "It is what it says," your Majesty."

Before the I could demand an answer from her, the door to my left opened and Lnox walked in.

"Good, you are awake," he mused as he waved a handful of maids into the room. "Emris is on his way to retrieve you," he said. The serving girls, dressed in transparent dresses and fine silks, stripped my bed and pulled the long sleeved summer gown from the dresser by the window. Knox narrowed his eyes at me and then back at the lavender colored dress that was spread acoss the bed.

"I implore you once more, Princess, you should reconsider-"

"Stop it!" I snapped at him. "And it's Queen Nalia now. You knew Emris was coming for me. He is on his way-"

Knox laughed at me. "Do you really think you can stop me from getting a few drops of your blood?" he mused as he tugged a dagger from his belt.

I smirked. "No, but I can assure you any harm that come to me, Emris will unleash upon you tenfold!"

"Oh, I am sure he will!" Knox chuckled at me as he crossed his arms. We stared at each other. "Very well... attended one last meeting with me then, as my sister in law and new Queen. And my Lady Cienna needs all the training she can get."

I raised an eyebrow. "I already told you, Lady Cienna is welcome to remain at Court."

Knox scowled at me. "She is my wife," he reminded me. "Why should she attend court when she already has a Husband?"

I sighed and shook my head. Knox had been very clear that he didn't want Cienna at Court but had been tight lipped on why. The reason that she was already wed seemed to matter little to him.

"It's a matter of education, Lord Knox, and I think she would benefit greatly from it."

He glowered at me. "Perhaps the desert heat is getting to you, Your Majesty, but I remain firm in my decision for the Lady Cienna to remain here."

I clasp my hands before me. It's not like I could force them. I knew Knox wouldn't follow my authority. The authority of a woman. "Very well," I said and nodded to Cienna. "Know you are welcome anytime, the both of you."

Knox turned and headed for the door. "Do no fool yourself into thinking my brother will be anything but angry when he arrives. He may even try to kill me."

I felt my heart sink. That couldn't happen. Knox had told me that a Priest in his Temple back in Star Hill had found a way to know if I am immortal. All they needed was a few drops of blood. But I wasn't fool. I know blood magic was powerful and dangerous and even deadly if you didn't understand it. There was no controling it. It was a delicate balance, between lofe and death. Or ao injad read. It was extreme Necromancy and not easily explained or learned. One of the many things I'd read in the deep libraries in the Halls of the Vendera Citadel when Emris was out roaming the woods hunting and patrolling his boarders.

I didn't trust Knox and I wasn't anywhere close to where I needed to be in to even considered trying that kind of Magic.

"I understand your eagerness, Prince Knox, however I do not trust it. Or you, for that matter."

"Yet you haven't made a single attempt to flee or even overpower me. If you are truly a Moonblood, you are even more powerful then Emris himself. He will not take to that kindly."

I smirked and remembered how Emris had said he saw me as a head strong and powerful Queen. Knox didn't know what he was talking about.

"You are mistaken," I assured him. "You had me kidnapped from my home and brought out here to Gods knows where!?"

Knox smirked at me. "I'll admit I went about it the wrong way. Not that you would have come willingly-"

I scoffed. "Willingly sail off to who knows where for a blood test for something that may not even work?" I demanded outraged. "I would have said no! And the King would have said no-"

Knox scoffed and waved his hand. "My brother is wise beyond his years and would make a fine ruler for a generation that wasn't about to go to war-"

I shook my head. "What are you talking about?" I demanded.

Knox glanced at Niko. "When you return to Vendera you should insist on sitting in on a council meeting. See what your subjects are up to."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why should I believe anything you say?" I demanded. "You did kidnap me, after all."

Knox pursed his lips. "My Queen," he dropped his gaze and bowed before me and after a moments pause he straighten.

“You are free to go. I apologize for any inconveniences I may have cause you." Knox straightened himself. "I humbly offer you my services."

I raised and eyebrow at him. "Your services?" I echoed. "You insult me upon our first meeting, have me kidnapped and thrown onto a slaver ship- which by the way, you should be ashamed of, Lord Knox-"

He cleared his throat, cutting me off mid rant. It was purpose for me to shut my mouth now. What had I just beeen rambling? Like I could really stop Knox if I wanted to.

"I do apologize, My Queen, I was just very eager to offer you this information. I may have been overwhelmed by my ambition."

I sighed. "I want to go home," I instead. "Can you manage that?"

Knox straightened himself and offered me a small smile.

"Consider it done, my Queen," he said and then pressed his lips together. I glanced at Niko and Hali who were both glowering at Knox.

"I will be along for the Council meeting in a moment."

Knox smiled a wide smile and closed the bedroom doors behind him. I turned to face my companions. "Before either of you speak a word-" I stopped and held up a finger when Niko opened his mouth. "Emris is on his way. I know he is." Hali shook her head at me. "How do you know?"

I glanced over my shoulder and then back. "My Mark burns when he is close- ... I just know. Just help me get dressed please, Hali."

Niko grabbed his cloak and retreated to the hallways, closing the door behind him. Hali hurried to the dresser and helped me dress in what I found to be a whores dress. It was skimpy and see through and I hated it. I knew Emris would not approve of this if he saw me in it.

"Isn't there anything else?" I demanded as I shuffled through the mess of silks and satins inside the drawers.

"There in the wedding dress-"

I nodded. "That will have to do," I said and walked to the walk in closet. Knox had had a dress made for me for my wedding. When I had told him I'd already had one, one that Emris liked, his face had turned sour and he he had ordered the maids to store it in the adjoining room. Hali pulled the navy blue dress out, still attached to the mannequin. "Are you sure?"

I stared at the dress and nodded. We don't have a choice. Let's get this over with so we can go home," I said.

The inside of the Council Chamber wasn't like the one in Vendera. It was bright and hot. The desert heat and sun bettering down on the cracked glass of the high, arched, cathedral like windows.

Drydalien woodworking and furnishings decorated the room with a massive round table and decorative, hand crafted chairs. The thorns and ivy leaves were so beautiful and precise, the carvings giving so much detail it was hard to determine exactly how old the room really was.

Lady Cienna remained beside me, having changed into a light blue, see through dress, her dark, raven hair pulled up into a high ponytail. Her ears were adorned with gold, heavy earrings and her neck was lined with a golden choker.

Niko had changed into a dark leather vest, Knox having 'gifted' him the delicate Naska skin vest. It was an insult to any native Vendarien to receive anything to do with a dead Naska as they were protected in Vendera under Emris' law. Niko had been extremely insulted when Knox had presented him with the vest. I didn't blame him. I found myself upset as well. Who would want to kill such a beautiful and elegant creature? Niko had remained resolved and thanked the kind Prince for such a generous gift. We both took pleasure in the sour face Knox made at us, disregarding Niko's grace and honesty.

Now he walked beside me, looking bare as we headed toward the Courtyard where most of Knox's Court was waiting for us. I was used to seeing him in his full get up of black and silver leathers and decked out with his weapons. Not seeing him with his bow and quiver strapped to his back or a sword at his side made him look impossibly small. When I reached the gate at of the end hall, I stopped in the doorway of the Courtyard. To my surprise and utter dismay, Graven Melbourne stood beside Knox, his hands folded inside his long green cloak. When he saw me he smirked.

"What is he doing here?" I demanded. "How is he here right now?"

Knox turned to face me, his conversation with Graven coming to an abrupt halt. "Your Grace, welcome to Yerza, City of the Sun."

I didn't know my feet were moving until I was standing before him. I didn't understand that my hand was lifting on its own accord. My breath left me in a wild gasp as I swung all of my strength and slapped Graven across the face as hard as I could.

The room around me went eerily still. I watched Graven smirk, reaching up to while blood from his cheek.

"You should be dead!" I seethed. "Because of you I am here!"

Knox cleared his throat as Graven rubbed his jaw. "With all due respect, Your Grace, but since you arrived has any harm come to you?"

I blinked, suddenly confused.

"Have you been neglected in any way, shape or form? By myself, personally, or anyone here, that is?"

I sighed. "Fact remains you did kidnap me!" I reminded him.

Knox pursed his lips. "You are already here, Nalia, why not attend the meeting. I shall escort you back to Vendera myself as soon as the meeting in concluded."

I shook my head. "Emris will kill you if you return to Vendera," I reminded him coldly. I wasn't of course at all sure of Emris would actually kill his brother but it was possible. Emris hadn't hesitated to end Hiram the first time.

Remembering how Emris' arm had moved and morphed into an impossible shape and sliced right through Hiram's throat made me shudder in the hot and humid air around me, goosebumps rippling my arms.

"Is that something you hope for?" he asked me. I smirked.

"No, of course not," I assured him as the doors to the Council Chamber opened. "I would much rather do it myself."

I walked passed Knox and into the Chamber, closely followed by Niko, Cienna and Hali. A smirk plastered to my face that definitely did not fit my ego or my confidence right now. I was talking bigger than I had the courage. Of course I wasn't sure if I could conjure that kind of power. I hadn't had the time to try. Knox didn't need to know that. It made me feel ill to think that I was glad he would be dead. And that I had been the one to have killed him. I was completely fine with it. I took joy In the fact that I could the one to take his life. I shuddered at the memory of his pale, lifeless corse hitting the floor, slippery in a pool of his own blood, smeared red across the white tile doors of the Vandarien Hall. What did that say about me?

I wished I could take it back. I wrinkled my nose a little.

No.

If given the chance I would kill Hiram again. Without a doubt. And I wasn't sure if I was okay with that. It wasn't who I was.

Or perhaps it was? Emris had told me from the beginning that I would that I would change. That I would become powerful. Perhaps he had been right. I needed to use this opportunity and learn as much as I could before I returned to Vendera and had to fend for myself with Lady Cienna. Speaking of, I had one last thing I had to remind Knox of. He stopped beside me as everyone mingled and took their seats.

"Lady Cienna is no longer of my concern," he said before I could speak. I watched his gaze follow her around the room as she helped herself to some food. He folded his arms behind his back. "She is free to return to Vendera with you in search of a suitable match. I'm sure you will to it that she finds one."

I shook my head. "Why would you do that?" I ask him. "I have nothing to offer you in return. No way to repay you."

Knox smiled. "You will be indebted to me until I have something that I want from you."

I felt the blood leave my face. "What do you mean?" I asked him, suddenly feeling sick. Brokering a deal with a powerful Demon Prince wasn't in my to do list. I shouldn't be making arrangements without consulting Emris or at the very least Hali or Niko. They knew better of Court life then I did. Then again, I doubted trading a life for a favor wasn't really the way of things either. I would weed, not for the first time what Emris would think when he arrived and realized they Cienna was cooking back to Vendera with me. "Just make sure she gets someone who will treat her well," he said with a sigh. "I didn't always treat her well."

I wrinkled my nose and felt my face settle into a deep frown. "You seem to have a history of treating people poorly," I remarked. Know scoffed at me but didn't answer, mainly because the Council session had begun. Knox walked to the podium and waved for me to have a seat against the wall. I wasn't here to interfere. I was here to observe.

"As always Niko," Knox nodded his thanks a smart-ass smirk pursing his lips as he turned away. "Always so loyal."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Leave him be," I insisted. Knox laughed aloud this time and bowed gently before me. "Your Majesty."

Knox turned away and brought the meeting to order.

With the meeting almost concluded I stood from my chair when I heard a loud horn sound from outside. People were shouting and pointing to the skin. Naska roamed the hot, blistering skies and screeched, their scream echoing in the hot air. My heart beat erratically.

Emris had arrived. Thank the Gods!

"What news of the main lands?" Knox's voice caught my attention again. He had said I needed to participating in official meetings. The fact that he wanted to inform me of the war seemed questionable. Knox insisted Emris would brush him off and the only way to get him to see straight was to get me in on Council meetings.

"Have we the counts from the Iron Lands?" he inquired. No one spoke. Knox raised an eyebrow.

"Well?" He demanded. Graven cleared his throat and I already knew what was going to happen. The same thing that happened last time. Graven would batter me with question disguised as accusations and remarks to lead the people in this room turn against me. Need to keep my mouth shut and listen. I would give Graven one thing. He was giving me one hell of a lesson. As he had so politely put it, I was 'not minding my pretty little head' about it. Gods, did he have another thing coming.

I sighed.

"What troubles you, My Queen?" Cienna asked me softly.

"How did Graven get away from Emris?" I pondered. There is no way he could have been able to flee Port under Emris' nose like that. At least not without help."

I sighed, remembering that Nikonhad once told me that Yesmina possessed the powers of illusion. I chewed my lip, not liking where my thoughts were going. It was dangerous, ever for a Queen, to make an accusation like this. And of course I didn't have any proof. It would be my word against that of a Lord. I shook my head.

"I'm not sure, My Queen," she whispered. Cienna was seated beside me and were leaving close together, whispering.

"No matter how I look at it, I don't see a way to turn Graven in. He has to much on me."

Cienna shook her head. "What do you mean?" she asked me.

Of course I was referring to the fact that Knox knew that Hiram, my Uncle and Mothers brother, had abused and raped me. I shook my head. I knew that knowledge was out there, floating around out there in the world.

"Graven knows to much," I whispered back. "Emris won't let him live."

Cienna swollowed. "Emris loves you," she insisted. I felt my cheeks burn. I didn't know. At least not for sure. I knew he felt for me-

"What do you mean a rebel?" Knox's voice cut through my jumbled thoughts and I looked up around the room.

Enris had arrived, Yara beside him, her eyes scanning the room. When her eyes landed on me, she leaned forward and whispered in her father's ear. Emris turned his gaze on me, his eyes ice like and distant. His eyes roamed my body, taking in the elegant, printed white dress I was in. Emris dropped my gaze and gave his brother.

"You forget I just spent the last two months riding all over Azga with my wife and there were no sightings of these Rebles you speak of, brother."

Knox nodded. "Knoghts, dressed in white armor, displaying acts of defiance and brutality anywhere they go-"

Emris shook his head. "They have not yet reached our boarders. I would-..." Emris stopped and turned to face me, causing everyone in the room to face me as well. I felt my mouth go dry and my heart sink. "We saw them two weeks ago," I said in a low voice that seemed loud in the deafening silence around me.

"The Knight at the Star Hill Market place-"

I watched realization dawn on his face as he picked up on my thought process. "The one who threatened you!" he reluctantly agreed. He gave his brother again.

"You think they are massing?" he demanded. Knox nodded and leaned over the table in the middle of the room.

"So far they are rarely seen as far south as Vendera-"

Emris shook his head. "Then what's the problem?" he mused. "They are not spread far enough apart to be considered a treat. Their numbers are to small."

Knox shook his head and waved at Melbourne. "They have begun to mass on the Eastern Seafront. At least a few hundred."

Emris pursed his lips and glanced around the room. "I would like to be consulted more on this matter. Would you like to take over the matter, brother?"

I raised an eyebrow. What?

Emris looked up at me, his eyes flashing grey at me. His anger and impatience rushed through me, leaving me almost winded. Oh. Oh no. Was he mad at me? What the fuck did I do?