Chapter 7

~Kamari~

"What? Now?"

Calea's breath quickens. "Yes. I didn't think they would be here so early-"

I interrupt her with a groan, "They did it on purpose." These Councilmen were going to be a pain in the ass for me. "Councilmen," I mutter, my lip curling at the audacity. I grab the red dress and start stripping. "They've never approved of me and damn sure don't want me on that throne. They're just a bunch of old, stuck-up pigs." I sneer. But I will be on that throne. And there is nothing they can do to stop it.

"Ah! Kamari!" Calea tries to grab a blanket to cover me," You should maintain a sense of modesty!" She shouts, but I push it away, "I don't have time for modesty! Get me the damn brush!" I grab my heels and snatch the brush from Calea. "Here, I have a small vial of rose perfume." She splashes it on me. I spit out the bitter taste it leaves in my mouth.

"Come, we must leave!" Calea grabs my hand. I look over my shoulder at Nye, "Don't do anything stupid!" I shout as we climb the stairs. I straightened out my silk dress and ran my fingers through my hair while running in heels, stopping at the Council room door. It was a slight flashback to my mother and me, rushing through the halls like we were on top of the world.

But I must return to reality. I deeply breathe and ask Calea, "Do I look presentable?"

"Like a hot mess," Calea says as she fixes my hair, "But it looks good on you."

"Good." I turn back to the door, and as I open it, I hear voices rumbling. I smell the liquor already on their breath. The room is adequate size for a meeting of people. The smell of old books and dust mixed with different musk of men makes me want to gag. They didn't belong sitting in a beautiful setup like this. The elegant wooden chairs line the matching table, and the purple cloth train goes down the table. A minor platter of food decorates the table like I am dining with them. I immediately recognize the burly gray-haired man in his royal purple attire with the emblem of a dragon's head, Nivillia's emblem. 

"Browen," I greet him as I enter with a slight bow. I didn't recognize the other two men. A man who looked as if he was too young to be a council member smiled warmly at me. The other looks me up and down while drinking from his glass. The silent criticism I knew all too well.

"Kamari, it is good to see you, child," Browen says, and I instantly cringe inside. The word Child is an insult to me. He comes around the table and pulls out my seat; I stop him with a firm hand, "No. I'm fine. Thank you." Browen raises his hands as if surrendering, "Oh, my apologies." There is a mocking tone in his voice. I give him a deadly side eye and make it visible to everyone.

Browen goes back to his side. He gestures at the food, "Would you like anything to eat?"

I smile meekly, "No. I had a decent breakfast. I'm more curious why you've called this meeting with me." I cross my legs.

"Hm. Right to the point then," Browen goes back to sit, then leans forward, "I would like to introduce you to the new member of our council. I would like you to meet Cyvil; he's part of the Ashiane Kingdom-"

"Ashiane?" I interrupt, knowing that the Kingdom is known for its barren and low birth rates. "Why would you be here?" I turn my attention, addressing Cyvil directly. Browen clears his throat, "It's not polite to interrupt a man-speaking child." 

I take another deep breath, but my fist clenches under the table; I bite my tongue for a moment. 

"As I was saying. Ashiane has agreed to merge Kingdoms. Ours and theirs. They have treasures beyond comparison and will make us quite bountiful in return for the merge." Ashiane's Kingdom leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I pause for a second before speaking. "I will think about it," I say. Not sure if it's a good idea.

Browen scoffs and leans back, "It's already happened."

I stare blankly at him, "Excuse me?" 

Browen shrugs, "This is the best for the Kingdom. I think you can agree." I press my lips together. "You didn't run it by me, Browen. I am making decisions for the kingdom. You are advisors. You tell me things that go on in my Kingdom, give your advice and opinions, and I will consider them before telling you to go through them."

I watch Browen as his neck vein pops, "You have just come into power. The throne your father sat upon is yours by birthright since you are the only kin he has, but that is also why we are here."

I knew he had an ulterior motive. I let out a soft exhale. "And what is that?"

Browen smiles like a rat, "And arranged Marriage."

I can't help but chuckle, and then he gives me a stone-cold look. "Oh, you're serious?" I gasp, "Well, Let me get my stuff ready then," I say sarcastically, then I stand and halt, "Oh wait," I sit back down, "I have husbands, so I'll sit my ass down."

I glare at him. "Next topic."

The two other men give Browen a nasty look, and Browen stands up, "You have some nerve to speak to us as you do. Just because you have Dragon mates doesn't mean we can't propose to take you off the throne. Some of your people feel you lack the skills to run a Kingdom." I grip the cloth beneath the table, "And marrying me off to some moron to have his grimmy kids would make me more useful, right?" I stand, "You and your council would rather use me as a bargaining chip. If you have nothing else to discuss with me that isn't a pathetic whim to drag me out of my Birthright, then I suggest you leave."

"Dwen." Browen locks eyes with me and starts thrumming his fingers, "I can't help but notice that your Dragons chose you on the same night Dwen died. Of course, you know who I suspect."

I leer at him. "They were with me the whole night." Deep down, I knew it was a lie, but there was no way I was telling them anything. This man irked me and brought out the worst parts of me.

"I heard something else." Browen steeples his fingers together.

"Oh? And what would that be?" I lean forward. 

"When you fell asleep, your little fire breathers went on a hunt." Browen lips twitch into a smile. My gut clenches. "More specifically, they targeted Dwen," he adds.

I narrow my eyes at Browen, " As I said before. They never left my side. Someone else must have been after him, and I intend to find out--"

Before I can finish, the door opens, and as I turn around, my stomach plummets to my bladder. Nye stands in the doorway, dressed in all-black attire. A long-sleeved shirt that showed a little cleavage, tapered at his waist, and leather boots. Good Goddess, he looked devilishly handsome. I swallow hard as he walks towards me, fixing the button on his cuff.

"Nye," I say breathlessly. I told him not to do anything stupid. I should have known he'd do the exact opposite. Nye smiles at me and kisses me on the forehead. "Am I late, Darling?"