The next day
Calliria's POV
I groaned slightly before I opened my eyes. I expected to see Corinne next to me but she wasn't. I sat up and stretched before looking around the room. Her crown was gone so I knew she had left a while ago. I understand now how she felt when left her alone.
I stood up from the bed and ran a hand through my hair. We were so tired last night that we didn't even bother to change, so I still was fully clothed.
I proceeded to do my usual morning routine which took about forty-five minutes. I put my crown on before I walked out of the room, going to check on Corey first although I'm sure Corinne had done that already.
I walked into his room to see that he wasn't there, so I naturally assumed that he was with Corinne. I knew that if anything bad had happened, I would have been informed by now. Corinne's mind link was blocked so I couldn't communicate with her until I physically saw her.
I made my way downstairs where I was greeted by Giles, "Good afternoon your majesty."
I looked down at my watch to see it was in fact past noon. I guess I was that tired last night,
"Good afternoon Giles. I trust you had a pleasant evening with Kiara?"
He smiled and nodded, "I did. She is absolutely wonderful. She said she'll come back later if I have your permission of course."
I nodded, "Of course, she is welcome anytime. Luckily for you, you have the day off."
"Indeed. If you are looking for Queen Corinne she is talking to Miss Cristal in the garden."
I looked at him shocked. Miss Cristal was Diane. I was pretty sure I told her to leave yesterday so the fact that she was still here talking to my wife was a huge shock to me,
"Thank you Giles."
He bowed and I walked off towards the back of the castle. I didn't take me long to find them both as they were sitting on a bench directly by the entrance,
"Corinne." I called and she looked up at me and smiled. She stood up and walked over to me, giving me a kiss on the lips,
"Hey baby, you okay?" She asked. I nodded and looked between her and Diane confused,
"I'm fine. What is going on here?"
She took my hand in hers and led me towards Diane, "Diane came and apologised."
I looked over at Diane and she ducked her head slightly, "I'm really sorry about yesterday. I don't know what came over me. We've been friends for ten years and the last thing I want to do is ruin that over a silly mistake. I don't want to ruin your marriage either and I wanted Corinne to know that."
I nodded, "Okay. Can you stop with the flirting and all that then because it makes Corinne anxious and it's uncomfortable for me. I'm happily married and you have a mate out there somewhere."
She nodded, "I'll stop. I think I better go and pack my stuff."
"You can stay." I stated, "I was angry last night but I'm calmer now so I'll allow you to stay, if of course it's okay with Corinne."
I looked over at Corinne and she nodded, "It's fine."
Diane bowed slightly, "Thank you. I promise you won't regret it."
She walked off back inside and I sat down on the bench in front of me. Corinne sat down next to me and placed a hand on my shoulder,
"I'm really sorry about last night. Sometimes I let my insecurities get the better of me and I end up hurting you in the process. That is never my intention and I feel ashamed of myself for it. I'm truly sorry."
I smiled, "It's okay. I just have to try harder to convince you next time."
"I'll stop. I have no reason to be insecure and I need to tell myself that. We're mates, we're married and we both love each other, that's the only thing I need to remember."
I turned to face her, "Exactly. Nothing else matters."
She smiled and gave me a quick kiss, "We have a meeting today. With the council."
I groaned, "That's today? I completely forgot." I looked down at my watch, "They should be here any minute now."
"Any minute now is correct Queen Calliria."
My head raised towards the source of the voice and I stood up, realising that it was the head council member,
"Madam Victoria." I stated before bowing slightly.
Although I am a Queen, there a few people I bow to. Madam Victoria is one of those few people, along with the rest of the council.
In total there are five council members; Madam Victoria who is the head. Marcus Matisse who is second in command. Killian Jareau. Maria Verdatois and finally Grigori Verdatois, the husband to Maria.
All five of them are a different species and make up the council that technically rule over all the species in the world. They are the Kings and Queens of the Kings and Queens, if that made any sense,
"Calliria. You have grown since we last met."
I smiled slightly, "It was only a few months ago."
She nodded and waved me off while smiling, "True. Please, introduce me to your mate."
I took Corinne's hand in mine, "Madam Victoria, this is my mate and wife, Corinne. Corinne, this is Victoria Cartillian, or more well known as Madam Victoria. She is the head of the council."
Corinne bowed her head, "It is a pleasure to meet you Madam Victoria."
"The pleasure is mine. Although, I ask a favour. Please just call me Victoria. The whole Madam title is extremely long."
I smiled and we both nodded, "Of course. Would you like to take this meeting into another room?"
She nodded and gestured for me to lead the way. I continued to hold Corinne's hand in mine as I led everyone into the meeting room.
Me and Corinne sat on one end of the table while Victoria sat on the opposite, with the rest of the council members sitting in the middle,
"So, you're aware as to why we're here?"
I shook my head, "I know you do a yearly check-up but you already came at the beginning of the year. I'm not aware as to why you're here again."
Victoria nodded, "A war has been waged. Between you and the vampires. I know all, especially since Maria herself is a vampire. We are extremely in tune with our fellow species and with me being a wolf, makes things complicated. I don't like to see different species go to war with each other. We already had a war between Lycans and wolves and you know better than anyone how that turned out. It is in our best interest to stop it before it happens."
I nodded in agreement, "I agree. However, the only way this war will stop is if I marry King Symmon's son."
"Well, have you thought about it?" She asked and I looked at her shocked,
"I most certainly have not! Excuse my tone Madam Victoria but even suggesting that is out of the question entirely. The Goddess chose Corinne to be my mate and we are happily married. I would rather go to war than surrender to marry the Prince."
She put her hands up in defence, "I was only making a suggestion."
"One that has already been made. One that nearly cost mine and Corinne's relationship. One that I will never take into account. If you are merely here to persuade me into that arranged marriage, I do not want to talk any further. I may only be twenty years old but I will stand my ground against anything I dislike, even if it is against the one person who is of a higher authority than me."
Corinne gently rubbed up and down my arm to calm me down but I didn't stray my eyes away from Victoria's. I refused to. In the end Victoria just smiled,
"I like that. A Queen not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. I'm impressed."
I kept my face blank. I wasn't joking around with this, "I'm not playing around. Either he surrenders himself or the war continues. I won't allow mine and Corinne's kingdom to be labelled as weak. My parents would be ashamed. It's not going to happen. As rude as this may come across, if you're here to challenge me about this, you know where the door is."
Maria shook her head, "We are here to make peace Calliria, not war."
I looked over at Maria, "Then why don't you go and talk to King Symmon's. His proposal was outrageous."
She sighed, "We already have. He refuses to budge."
"Then why are you here? Everyone knows for a fact that even before my reign, my parents never backed down from a war, ever. I do not intend to start doing that now."
"What do you think of this Corinne?" Grigori asked and she shrugged,
"War is not exactly my forté, however, I stand by Calliria in terms of not backing down. I know as well as anybody else that if we back down now, the kingdom will think we are incapable. Like always, they will address our age. I'm sick of it. If going to war and winning can prove we are competent and capable enough to run this kingdom, so be it."
Grigori nodded, "Okay. However, as the council, our job is to make peace rather than promote war. We're not here to tell you exactly what to do but we would prefer is this war was not to happen."
I shook my head, "I'm sorry Grigori but it's going to happen. If it's a war he wants, it's a war he shall get. Now, if that is the only reason you are here, I would kindly like to ask you to leave."
Victoria shook her head, "We are not going anywhere. Remember who you answer to Calliria."
I stood up from my chair, "Is that a threat?"
Corinne took my hand in hers, attempting to calm me down. It wasn't working,
"Not at all." Victoria replied, "Merely a reminder."
"Get out of my house before I forcefully make you. Council or not. That is a threat."
Corinne stood up and hugged me. That was when I took my eyes off of Victoria. I leant my head on her shoulder and she whispered in my ear,
"You have to calm down baby, please. You don't want to get on the wrong side of the council."
I sighed and opened my mind link so I could talk to her without the council hearing,
'They are pushing me Corinne.'
I felt her run a hand through my hair, placing a kiss on my neck gently, 'I know, believe me I know but you can't let them get to you. If you stay calm for me, I promise I'll reward you later.'
I growled and closed my eyes at the thought. I then nodded against her shoulder,
'Okay fine but I swear if they say anything I don't like, I will not hold back.'
I opened my eyes and raised my head from her shoulder. She smiled at me and gave me a peck on the lips,
'Thank you.' She replied, making me smile. I loved making her happy.
Corinne let go of me and sat back down and I turned to face the council again,
"I apologise Madam Victoria but you cannot come into my home and speak to me in such a way. Although you are of a higher authority than me, I deserve respect and until I get that, you will not receive the same in return. My choice of words was poor but my intentions were honest. I will make you leave if you talk to either me or my wife in that manner again. That is a promise."
"You threaten the council?" Madam Victoria said with an eyebrow raised,
"Yes. Normally I wouldn't. Normally I give you and your fellow council members the utmost respect but don't come here and disrespect me and my wife. I won't tolerate it."
She nodded, "Fair enough. I apologise for that, it wasn't meant to come across disrespectful. It's just rare that anyone speaks to the council in such a manner."
"I'm aware. Times have changed. I have a family of my own now and no one disrespects them."
"Of course." She agreed, "As for the matter of the war then, it is clear King Symmon's isn't going to back down and it's just as clear that you won't back down either. The council are forbidden to intervene during a war and as much as it pains me to say this, the war will go ahead. I was appointed by the Goddess to prevent war; she will not be happy with this."
I laughed, "That's funny because I remember reading that the Goddess' mate was a Greek God but it was forbidden. She went to war with the Gods in order to be with her mate and yet you are here preaching how the Goddess wouldn't like it. Kind of hypocritical is it not?"
She waved me off and I sat back down in my chair next to Corinne,
"That may be so but my job is to serve the Goddess, not question her. It's clear neither of you want to budge."
I nodded, "You would be correct. Unless you can of course get King Symmon's to realise that his proposal, if you can even call it that, is absolutely ridiculous."
She scoffed, "Doubt it, he's extremely stubborn. Sort of like you but worse."
Corinne smiled. She knew I was stubborn; I've shown that to her many many times previously. Although, all she has to do it give me a single look and I cave. The same thing with Corey. I'm pretty sure Corinne taught him how to do the puppy dog eyes because he seems to do it a lot more lately. It works every time. I know, I'm weak. Corinne and Corey are my two weaknesses, even more reason why we need to go ahead with this war. We need to be prepared and win it.
"Right. If there is nothing to discuss, me and Corinne need to go and drop Corey off at school."
"Well," Madam Victoria started, "When we came at the beginning of the year, you hadn't met Corinne and you didn't have a son. Due to this, me and the council would like to stay a few days to see how you run things."
"I am capable of running a kingdom with a mate and a son, it does not interfere with anything."
"I know but I would like to monitor you anyway."
I nodded, "As you wish. Me and Corinne should be going now. Dinner will be at 6pm sharp, please, make yourself at home."
We all stood up and bowed to each other. I then took Corinne's hand in mine and led her out of the room towards the back of the castle. The playground was back there and I knew Corey would be there. He always was.
Corey started slightly later than every other child who was already enrolled in that school.
When we reached the entrance to the school, we saw Corey playing with a girl named Lyanna on the swings,
"Corey!" I called. He turned his head to face me and smiled before giving Lyanna a kiss on the cheek and running over to me and Corinne,
"Is it school time mama?"
I nodded, "It is, are you ready?"
He nodded excitedly, making me smile. I took his hand in mine and just as we were about to walk back into the castle, a panicked voice called out,
"Your majesties! There is a huge emergency, you have to come now!"
I turned to face the guard, Alexander, before looking over at Corinne,
"Corey has to go to school."
She nodded, "How about I take Corey to school and you sort this out."
I ran a hand through my hair frustrated, "Your majesty, please, you must hurry, this cannot wait!"
I nodded and raised a hand, telling him to wait. I bent down to Corey's level,
"I'm really sorry about this but I won't be able to take you to school today. Mama Corinne will take you okay?"
He pouted, "Why you no come too?"
"I have some stuff I need to deal with here baby, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you later I promise."
"You super pwomise?"
I smiled, "I super promise."
He smiled and hugged my legs before running into the castle. I turned to face Corinne and gave her a brief kiss,
"I'm so sorry about this." I exclaimed and she shook her head,
"It's fine. I'll be back soon, be safe. I love you."
"I love you too." I stated before giving her another kiss and letting her walk off into the castle.
I sighed and put on a straight face, turning to face Alexander,
"What is the matter?" I asked,
"We have a big problem."
I raised an eyebrow, "Explain."
"It would be better if I showed you."
I nodded and gestured for him to lead the way. He walked us through the castle towards the cells. The door was open already when we got there, which made me slightly suspicious.
He led me into the cells towards the back, where Cyran was being held. However, when we got there, his cell door was open and the room was empty,
"Where is he?!" I growled. Alex shook his head,
"I don't know. No one does."
"What do you mean you don't know?! The only people with a combination is me, Corinne and Drayton. I know for a fact it was not me or Corinne so where is Drayton?!"
"We don't know your majesty."
I growled, "Find him and find him now!! I do not care how long it takes to do it, you better find him! Don't you dare come back until you do!!"
He bowed, "Yes your majesty."
He ran out of the room and I kicked the cell door in frustration. Cyran had been locked up for nearly two years and now he's escaped. Well, he was released. I have one of the most secure security systems in the world so there was no way he could've escaped on his own. Drayton had to be the one to let him out and I knew why. He called us traitors and liars once before but the fact that I had stripped him of his title, may have been a bad move. However, I stand by it.
I opened the castle mind link, making sure to block Corinne out, 'Everyone report to the throne room immediately!! If you are not there when I arrive there will be hell to pay!!'
'Yes your majesty!' Everyone reported back. I walked back through the cells, angrier than I've ever been. I felt Corinne push through our personal mind-link so I opened the connection, allowing her to talk to me,
'I sense your anger. Is everything okay?' She asked concerned,
'It's fine.' I replied, but she could see through it. Even when she wasn't with me she knew when I wasn't being honest,
'Don't lie to me Callie, please don't.'
I sighed, feeling guilty, 'I don't want to discuss it through our link but it's bad. When you get back I'll fill you in.'
'Alright. I'll be back in about twenty minutes, try not to loose your cool.'
'I'll try but I'm seriously making no promises.'
'Okay. I'll see you soon baby.'
I smiled slightly, I loved it when she called me that, 'See you soon.'
She cut off the link and I continued my way through the castle towards the throne room. As soon as I opened the double doors, everyone bowed their heads towards me. They only raised their heads once I sat down on my throne. It felt weird without Corinne by my side as I've become so used to her being with me all the time.
I cleared my throat slightly, "The reason why I've called everyone here is because a prisoner has been released from the cells by who I believe to be Drayton Miller." A gasp resonated throughout the room,
"The castle and the kingdom is now on high alert until he is brought to me. He will not get away with this! If I find out that anyone of you has had a hand in helping Drayton, you will suffer. I do not care who you are or what rank you are; I will punish you. If I have no information by the end of the week at the latest, I will not be impressed."
A member of staff raised their hand and I looked over at them, "Permission to speak your majesty."
I nodded, "Permission granted Francis."
"Who was the prisoner?" He asked,
"Cyran Remington."
The crowd gasped again. Everyone knew how deadly and deceitful Cyran really was and they knew just how much harm he could do if he wasn't caught soon,
"He's dangerous!" Someone shouted out from the crowd, "He needs to be caught!" Another person shouted.
Soon enough the whole crowd was shouting out. I growled,
"Enough!!" I shouted, making the room go silent, "He will be caught, that I will make sure of."
"What if he's not?! He is older than you! Wiser!"
I rose from my throne in anger, "How dare you! How dare you question my ability to lead this kingdom based on my age!! I have run this kingdom to the top in two years and yet you still doubt me?! How dare you!!"
Everyone ducked their heads, "Get out." I stated blankly. No one moved so I repeated it again,
"Get out!!"
Everyone bowed before running out of the room and once the doors closed I threw my crown against the wall in anger. We had a cabinet situated behind the thrones, which I tipped over, breaking all of the contents inside.
I could feel my eyes flickering back and forth between blue and yellow. Adeline was just as angry as I was, not only at the fact that Cyran is gone, or the fact that Drayton had a hand in it. She was angrier at the fact that our ability to lead the kingdom was doubted.
I growled and walked out of the room, going straight towards the back of the castle. I needed to go for a run because if I didn't, I would take my anger out on the next person I saw and it wouldn't be pretty.
I shifted into my wolf as soon as I got outside and ran straight into the forest situated behind the castle. It was there specifically for this.
What were the odds that Drayton would help Cyran escape on the exact day that the council were here to monitor? Drayton was one of my most trusted warriors and this betrayal was unforgivable and punishable by death. I would guarantee it.
I ran through the forest for about half an hour before I decided to make my way back to the castle. I knew Corinne was back, our connection felt stronger, meaning she was now closer to me.
Once I emerged from the forest I shifted back to my human form. I let out a deep breath before running a hand through my hair and walking back into the castle.
I could smell Corinne's scent so I followed it all the way into our room. She was coming out of the bathroom as I walked in.
I immediately walked up to her and hugged her. I closed my eyes and felt tears run down my face. She rubbed up and down my back gently,
"Don't cry love, we'll sort everything out." She reassuringly told me. I shook my head on her shoulder,
"This is bad Corinne, really bad."
She pushed me back gently, keeping me at arms length. She wiped away my tears,
"What happened? The throne room is a mess and you've broken a second crown."
I led her towards the bed and we both sat down side by side, "Cyran has escaped and I believe that Drayton has helped him do it."
She looked at me shocked, "Why do you believe that?"
"The cells are impenetrable from the inside and the only people that have a combination is me, you and Drayton. It most definitely wasn't me or you so Drayton is the only one left."
"I see. I know that revoking his title may have upset him but treason? That's on a whole different level entirely."
I nodded in agreement, "I know, believe me, I never thought he could be capable of this. This could not have happened at a worse time. With the upcoming war and now the arrival of the council, this is not what we needed. I had someone doubt my ability to lead the kingdom today, that made me angrier than anything else. Two years I've run this kingdom, two damn years! I made this kingdom great, brought it to the top and yet I still get doubted!"
"No matter what they think, you know you have the ability. I know you have the ability, that's all that matters. You've proved you're worthy enough to run this kingdom and if people choose not to see that then it's their own fault, not yours."
I sighed, "Not only have I brought war, I have also managed to let a prisoner escape."
Corinne looked to the floor confused briefly before looking back up at me, "How did he even manage to get out?"
I shrugged, "Drayton probably disguised him somehow. It doesn't matter how he did it, what matters is that he did it."
She nodded, "Of course."
She reached over and unlocked my drawer with her own personal key and took out one of my crowns. She locked it back up again before sitting back on the bed properly.
She ran a hand through my hair, probably to get it into some type of order, before placing the crown on top of my head,
"That's better." She said with a smile, making me smile in return. She always knew how to make me better, even when she wasn't trying to,
"How was Corey?" I curiously asked. I felt really bad not being there for his first day of school,
"He was fine, he practically ran into school when we arrived, he was that excited."
I chuckled, "Just two days ago he didn't even want to go."
"He changes his mind a lot. I'm sure he'll tell us all about his day when he comes home. Loukas and Maddison are guarding him for the day from afar, a precautionary measure."
I nodded, "Good. After today I should send in four more guards. Cyran will not get to our son. Over my dead body."
She frowned, "I don't like it when you talk like that. You're so willing to give up your life."
"I would a million times if it meant I could keep you and Corey safe."
"Can you promise me something?" She asked and I nodded,
"Anything."
"Promise me that if we're ever in a situation where you have an ultimatum, you won't risk your own life to save me."
I shook my head, "I can't do that, I won't promise that."
"Please! Please just promise me this." She looked directly into my eyes, "Please."
I couldn't resist the pleading look she had in her eyes but I also couldn't promise what she was asking. I closed my eyes briefly before nodding,
"Fine. I promise that if I have an ultimatum, I won't risk my life to save you."
She sighed in relief and hugged me. From that angle, she couldn't see that I crossed my fingers, making the promise void. There was no way I was going to promise that because I knew that if Corinne was in danger and I was given an ultimatum, I would put her before myself every time. No questions asked.
A knock sounded through the room, making Corinne pull away from me,
"Come in!" She shouted out and to my surprise, Killian walked into the room,
"I sense a witch within your castle." He stated, making me look at him confused,
"That's impossible, I only allow wolves within my castle."
He raised an eyebrow at me, "I am a warlock and yet you question me?"
"My apologies Killian but I don't see how you can sense a witch when there isn't one."
"There is one here somewhere, believe me when I say that. Have you had any new arrivals since we last came here?"
I bit my bottom lip, "Other than Corinne and Corey, not that I'm aware of." I stated, before realising that I missed someone out, "Oh! And Diane, she arrived yesterday. However, she is a wolf."
"Are you certain of that? Have you seen her shift at any point?"
I opened my mouth to say yes but then closed it again. Throughout the ten years me and Diane has been friends, I have never seen her shift into a wolf. I think because we were so young, I didn't really take any notice of it, especially since I had other stuff on my mind,
"I have not. But, how is that possible? Ten years she's been my friend."
"She is a witch. There are many ways in which she could have hidden it from you. The main one being that she could've changed her scent to make it seem like she was a wolf. It's been done before, many times."
"Why would she do that? Why not just tell me the truth?" I questioned,
"Witches and warlocks were never accepted as much as they are now. Maybe she was afraid or maybe she just didn't want to tell you. Add that to the fact that a witch's powers do not come into affect until they turn fifteen, meaning you wouldn't have been able to tell anyway. All I know, is that her scent is strong, meaning she is extremely powerful. Therefore, I'm going to warn you now. Do not under any circumstances cross on the wrong side of her. Tread carefully young Queens."
Me and Corinne nodded and he walked out of the room. I ran a hand over my face,
"This is worse than I thought." I thought out loud. Corinne ran a hand down my arm,
"We will figure this out, I know we will."
Just as I was about to reply, Maddison pushed through the mind-link and spoke to both me and Corinne at the same time,
'Your majesties, I have Drayton in my sights.'
I growled, 'Where is he?' I asked,
'He is talking to Corey. Do I have permission to apprehend him?'
'You do Maddison. When you do, I want you to keep him right there. You and Loukas work together because Drayton is not weak. If you cannot physically apprehend him, keep him there until me and Queen Corinne arrive, have I made myself perfectly clear?'
'You have your majesty. I'm moving in.'
She cut off the link and I faced Corinne. She nodded, knowing what I was trying to tell her without even saying it out loud.
We both ran down the stairs and shifted into our wolves as soon as we got outside the castle gates. Normally I wouldn't shift and I wouldn't encourage it either, especially in public but if we wanted to get there fast enough, we had to do it,
'We have him surrounded your majesty.' Maddison reported back to me. I didn't reply because I knew we were only seconds away from reaching her.
Once I had my sights on the school gates, me and Corinne both shifted back into our human forms and walked through the gates. I could see Maddison and Loukas on either side of Drayton and I growled, walking up to them.
Maddison and Loukas bowed to us, "Your majesty."
Drayton looked at me both angry and confused, "Why am I being kept here?!"
"I would lower your voice when speaking to me Drayton. You are lucky I haven't killed you where you stand, do not push your luck."
He raised his hands in frustration, "I haven't done anything. I just wanted to speak to Corey considering you won't let me. I know I went about it the wrong way but I had to do it somehow."
I had enough. I knocked him out on the spot and he fell to the ground. Corinne looked at me shocked,
"Was that really necessary?" She asked and I shrugged,
"If he's not going to tell me the truth willingly, I'll get it out of him myself. Come."
I nodded towards Maddison and Loukas and shifted back into my wolf. I grabbed the back of Drayton's shirt between my teeth and lifted him up from the ground.
I looked to my side to see Corinne had shifted back as well. We both proceeded to run back the castle.
As soon as we arrived back, I wasted no time in throwing Drayton into the cells, the same one he released Cyran from. I wanted answers and I wanted them now. I got some water and threw it in Drayton's face, waking him up immediately.
He looked around the room confused and stood up. I cleared my throat and faced Corinne,
"I don't want you here for this."
She raised an eyebrow at me, "You expect me to just leave you down here?"
"I'm going to ask you nicely Corinne, please, can you go to our room until I'm finished?"
She crossed her arms, "And if I don't? Are you going to make me?"
I looked behind her discreetly to see two guards walking towards us. I called them on our way back home knowing that Corinne would fight me on this but I was not playing around. When I wanted to get something out of someone, I got it, no matter what I had to do to get there.
I gestured to Corinne and they restrained her by her arms. Corinne shrieked slightly and looked at me angrily,
"Are you serious right now?!" She exclaimed and I nodded,
"I'm sorry but if you won't leave, I will make you. I don't want you here for this, no questions asked."
She struggled against the guards' grip, "Just wait until I get out of this, just wait!!"
I sighed and attempted to give her a kiss on the lips but she turned her head, making me give her a kiss on the cheek instead,
"I'm sorry baby, I love you." I stated and she growled,
"Fuck you Calliria." She replied with venom laced though her voice.
I ran a hand over my face and waved the guards off. They walked away from me with Corinne shouting the whole way. This was probably the angriest she's ever been and unfortunately it's directed straight at me. I didn't want to do it but I had to.
I composed myself and walked into the cell Drayton was in, closing the door behind me. I could open it from the inside so it wasn't a problem.
I turned my gaze onto Drayton and he flinched,
"You do recall what I do to those who don't tell me the truth right?" I asked and he nodded fearfully,
"I do." He answered, making me growl. I was done with being nice now. I punched him round the face, making him fall to the ground,
"No matter what you think, I am still your Queen and you will address me in the correct manner!!"
He coughed, "Yes your majesty."
I rolled out my shoulders, "That's better. Now, let's get down to business. I'm sure you know anyway-"
"I don't know anything!" He shouted, cutting me off. I didn't like being cut off.
I kicked him in the stomach, making him cough up blood, "Cut me off again and see what happens. I dare you."
He took in a deep breath and held his stomach in pain. I rolled my eyes and continued speaking,
"As I was saying. I'm sure you know anyway why you're here right now. Why did you release Cyran? You were once my most trusted warrior and this is how repay me?!"
He raised his hands in defence, "I swear I have no idea what you're talking about!"
"And you expect me to believe that?! The only people with a combination is myself, Corinne and you! Who else would it be?!"
"Maybe you should be questioning your mate! Have you done that yet?!"
I growled loudly. How dare he accuse Corinne of this. I walked closer to him and he realised his mistake. He pleaded with me, telling me how he didn't mean it but I didn't listen. I backed him into the wall,
"Place your palm face up on the ground." I said and he shook his head frantically,
"Please don't your majesty! I didn't mean it, please!"
He knew what I was going to do. He had witnessed this many times, hence why he was pleading me not to do it but I wasn't having any of it,
"Place your palm face up on the ground. Now!"
He shakily did I said and placed his palm face up on the ground,
"No one ever accuses my mate of such treason. Ever." I raised my foot above his palm. I was wearing combat boots today, courtesy of Corinne, so this would hurt no doubt.
I swiftly brought my foot on top of his palm, instantly breaking practically every bone in his hand. He screamed out in pain but I wasn't phased. This is what happens when you get on the wrong side of me and my Queen.
Tears ran down Drayton's face and I removed my foot from his palm, allowing him to cradle it in his other arm,
"Now, you have two hands so I really don't want to have to break the other one. Although, both of your legs are still working so I may move to that next."
I grabbed his ankle in my hand. I was strong enough to twist his ankle in one movement and he knew it,
"Tell me. The truth." I growled,
"I swear on the Goddess herself that I had nothing to do with this." He stated through his tears.
I looked down at him briefly before releasing his ankle. You didn't swear on the Goddess if you weren't telling the truth, it was forbidden.
I grabbed his shirt and stood up to my full height, making him cry out in pain. I looked him in his eyes but he avoided all eye contact with mine,
"Swearing on the Goddess. A very bold move. Until I know for sure you didn't do this, you will stay down here. Consider yourself extremely lucky Drayton. Extremely lucky."
I dragged him out of that particular cell and threw him into another empty one. Cyran's cell was the only one that could be opened from the inside using a palm print and a code so I knew Drayton couldn't escape from any of the other cells, especially since he was inputted into the system.
I closed the cell door which locked automatically, "We'll be talking again soon. Count on it."
He cowered away in a corner and I walked away from him. I made sure to lock the cells before following Corinne's scent up the stairs to our bedroom.
I walked in and saw Corinne sitting on the bed angrily with two guards on either side of the door. I nodded to them and they bowed before exiting the room, closing the door behind them.
Walking up to Corinne was a bad move on my part because as soon as I did she stood up and slapped me round the face before grabbing the back of my neck with her hand, tightly may I add,
"If you ever, ever do that again, you'll find out just how dominant I can be, do you understand me?!"
I closed my eyes, both in pain and guilt before nodding, "I understand."
She pulled my head back, making me groan slightly, "Look me in the eyes and say it again."
I opened my eyes and looked directly into hers. Her eyes had darkened significantly, meaning she was really mad right now,
"I understand." I said again and she let go of my neck. I immediately reached up to where she was holding and rubbed it, she had a tight grip.
She moved away from me as I tried to reach for her, "Don't. Don't you dare touch me. What you did back there was completely out of line."
I sighed, "I didn't want you to see me like that."
She growled, "For better or for worse!! Did those vows mean nothing to you?!"
"Of course they did!" I answered, making her shake her head,
"Then forcefully removing me from the room didn't prove that! I wouldn't have cared how you looked and you shouldn't have cared either! I'm your mate! Your fucking wife!" I flinched at the curse,
"Hit me, kick me, do whatever you want, as long as it stops you being mad at me!"
She laughed, but I knew she didn't find it funny, "Mad? Oh, I'm not mad, I'm beyond mad! I'm furious Calliria! You forced me into something I didn't want to do and not only that, you undermined me as a Queen, proving to me and everyone else that you are my superior. Always have been, always will be. So, you know what? I should be the one apologising. Next time, I'll know my place. Your majesty."
I flinched again. That hurt. Bad. I didn't mean to make her feel like I was superior, I just didn't want her to see the dark side that I had. Rumours had circulated around in regards to my dark side and most of them were true. I didn't want Corinne to see that. I just went about it the wrong way I guess.
I got down onto my knees and she looked down at me confused,
"What are you doing?" She asked,
"I said I would beg on my knees to make you stay with me. I said I would lower my head as many times as necessary to make you happy. Now, I'm doing both. I'm not your superior and if this is what I have to do to show you that, so be it."
She sighed and her eyes lightened, going back to the beautiful brown I was used to,
"Stand up, please." I stood up and she took my hands in hers, "Look, you don't have to do that to get me to forgive you, I just- you keep saying how every decision is going to be made by both of us and that we are equals and then you go and do that. I was angry when you allowed Diane to stay here without asking how I felt about it but to forcefully have me removed from a room? That was uncalled for."
"I know, I'm really sorry. I didn't want your perception of me to change and I knew you would fight me on it. That's the only thing I could think of."
She closed her eyes briefly, "I'll forgive you, on one condition... Well, two actually."
I nodded, "Anything."
"I want to be involved in everything. I will never look at you differently and you have to trust me when I say that. Promise?"
"I promise. That will never happen again, I swear it. What is the second condition?"
She smiled, "Kiss me."
She was so cute. I smiled in return and leant forward to press my lips against hers. I was only going for a short, gentle kiss but she had something else in mind.
As I was about to pull away she lightly grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me back to her. She gently bit my bottom lip and I was not about to deny her entrance. I opened my mouth against hers and she wasted no time in meeting my tongue with hers. She ran her hands down my chest, to my waist, making me shiver. Just as she was about to lift my shirt up over my head, the door knocked. She groaned against my lips before pulling away frustrated,
"All the time, I swear." She muttered, making me chuckle. I gave her a peck on the lips,
"Later." I said before answering the door, coming face to face with Ava and Evelyn,
"Hey mama." I said. They both smiled and said hi as I didn't specifically address either of them,
"We have something we want to discuss." Ava stated and gestured for them to take a seat on the bed,
"Go ahead."
Evelyn sighed and started playing with her fingers, she did that a lot when she was nervous,
"We've heard that Drayton is locked up. We want you to release him."
I raised an eyebrow at her, "Excuse me?"
Ava stood up and placed her hand on my shoulder, "He didn't release Cyran."
"Oh? And do you have evidence to prove that?" They both shook their heads, "Then until you get that evidence, he will not be released. Why can no one trust my decision? First the castle staff and now you? Am I not fit enough to be Queen?!"
I took a step back away from them. Corinne walked up to me and cupped my cheek in her head,
"Of course you are, no one is thinking that you aren't."
I went to walk out of the room when Corinne grabbed my wrist and pulled me back,
"No, don't you dare." She turned me around to face her, "Remember what I told you? You're no longer allowed to suppress your emotions. Talk to me. Please."
I removed my wrist from her grip, "I don't want to talk! I don't want to talk to you or anyone else okay?! Just leave me alone!"
I walked out of the room and heard Corinne sniff as I did. I knew I upset her by that comment but I didn't turn back. It's been a while since I've felt this vulnerable. Since people have doubted me. I forgot what it felt like to have the faith be lost. I started off weak but I ended up strong and now I just feel weak again. I feel like I'm seventeen, back to where I started and it wasn't a nice feeling.
I walked into Corinne's old room and took out a black hoodie from the wardrobe. I wanted to leave the castle gates without having anyone notice me. I just wanted peace and quiet.
Walking out of the castle gates was hard, especially knowing that I upset Corinne but I needed to do it. I needed to clear my head before I went and apologised because if I didn't, I probably would've ended up saying something I deeply regretted. I was lucky she forgave me for removing her from the cells but I might not be so lucky a second time. My luck may have run out already.
I decided to take a walk to this bridge I came across when I was younger. I had an argument with my mum one day and I ran and ran until I came across this bridge. I sat on the side of it until one of the guards found me and brought me home. My mum apologised and we hugged it out but ever since then, this bridge was like my sanctuary. A place where I wasn't Queen Calliria, but merely Callie.
I sat on the railing of the bridge, looking out over the water. It was almost midday so the bridge was fairly empty. I looked at the water below me, wondering how deep it was. Wondering how much distance there was between the railing and the water.
I stood up onto the railing and looked down again. It was scarier standing up. I contemplated whether or not to just take a step forward and end everything. Maybe the kingdom would be better off without me. All I seem to do is bring trouble, no matter how much people tell me otherwise. I wonder if Corinne would be better off without me as well. I just seem to hurt her more often now. She could find someone else, someone who could make her happier than I am.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I made my decision. I knew what I had to do.
I jumped...