Family Bonding
Years had come and gone. Levi and I had ruled together, and so much had changed. Beasts now walked hand in hand with their lovers through the streets without fear or shame. As we made our way toward the throne room, I looked through the palace windows and watched the kingdom below. The market was already busy. A human woman stood behind a bakery counter, handing a loaf of bread to a beast who paid her with a handful of coins. Across the street, a beast and a human worked together at a blacksmith’s shop, laughing as they carried a heavy piece of iron between them. Children ran through the streets together, human and beast alike, chasing one another without anyone stopping them. A beast woman passed by with her human husband, their hands intertwined. No guards followed them. No one stared. No one cared. Near the square, former slaves now stood behind their own stalls, selling things they had made with their own hands. Some had saved enough to open shops of their own. With slavery abolished, able-bodied humans and beasts were free to work, earn a living, and keep their profits. The kingdom prospered more than it ever had before. Everywhere I looked, I saw something that had once been forbidden. A human and beast family sharing a meal. A beast working beside a human. A child with both human and beast blood playing freely in the street. The laws we had fought for were no longer words written on parchment. They had become everyday life. Levi and I made our way toward the ballroom when Levianna came running toward us.
Levianna: Mommy! Daddy! I drew a picture!
I took the picture from her. Levi picked her up in his arms and kissed her forehead.
Me: ’Tis beautiful, dear.
She smiled and hugged her father.
Me: She truly loves thee.
Levi: I never thought I would have a family.
Me: And now thou hast one.
Levi: I don't deserve you.
I laugh.
Me: Thou deservest me and so much more, my love. And soon, our family shall grow once more.
He reached over and gently touched my stomach. I was with child once more. And this time, Levi refused to leave my side. I smiled as I watched him hold our daughter. Once, he had been chained inside a cage while the kingdom looked away. Now, he walked through that same kingdom as its king. And no one could ever put him back in chains again.
Me: Levianna, thy mother and father must attend court. We have matters of the kingdom to attend to.
Levi: Hast thou completed thy lessons today?
Levianna: No.
Levi: Then what shouldst thou be doing?
He set her down.
Levianna: I shall go to my lessons.
Levi: That is a good little princess. Afterward, we shall play or go for a walk.
She smiled and ran off toward her lessons.
Me: She truly loves family time. What dost thou two do on those walks?
Levi: She loves finding things. She hopes to find a pet.
Me: A pet?!
He nodded.
Levi: She wants a wolf.
Me: A wolf?! Tell me thou art not seriously going to let her have one?!
Levi: My daughter shall have whatever her heart desires.
Me: Levi!
Levi: Relax. What are the chances she finds a wolf?
I crossed my arms and looked at him.
Me: Should she find a wolf, I refuse to help with it.
Levi: I shall help her with it.
Me: See that thou do.
He held out his hand to me, and we made our way to the throne room. Upon entering, everyone bowed before us. As we reached the stairs, Levi scooped me into his arms and carried me up them.
Me: I can walk.
Levi: You can also fall, and I will not risk my child.
Me: I could fall in your arms.
Levi: I will not allow myself to fall. I will never be on the ground again.
Me: That thou will not, love.
We reached the top of the stairs, and he set me down.
Levi: Rest.
I nodded and took my seat upon the throne.
Levi: Bring him in.
The guards escorted Prince Sebastian into the throne room. He bowed before us, then stood.
Sebastian: Greetings, King Levi and Queen Lena. I come on behalf of my father, King Erik. He is ill at the moment and has asked whether thy kingdom could aid us with medicine and doctors.
I studied Sebastian for a moment. He seemed sincere, and there was genuine concern in his eyes when he spoke of his father. I wasn’t against helping. I looked to Levi, who was leaning back in his chair. He continued to stare at Sebastian.
Me: I--.
Levi raised his hand.
Levi: We will provide your kingdom with aid. Is there anything else thy father requests of us?
Sebastian: No, my lord. My father will be pleased.
I smiled faintly and nodded.
Me: Tell thy father he shall have whatever aid we can provide.
Levi nodded. Prince Sebastian bowed before taking his leave.
Me: Any other matters that seek attention?
No one spoke. Levi stood.
Levi: Then this meeting is adjourned.
He held his hand out to me. I stood, and he took me into his arms again. Once we reached the bottom of the stairs, he set me down.
Me: Art thou off?
Levi: I am taking her to find her wolf.
Me: Levi!
He was already down the hall. He came running past me with Levianna on his shoulder. She waved goodbye to me as they left the palace. I laugh but I pray no wolf came back to this palace.
