Dinner

Serenity knocked gently on the chamber door before her. She folded her arms behind her as she waited for King Theron to respond. They had not discussed what happened in Southend when they returned. Theron said he had meetings to attend to, but Serenity was sure he had disappeared to his private study to be alone in his anger.

"Enter," she heard his voice from beyond the door. Serenity turned the knob gently and moved into the doorframe. She stood with her weight shifted unevenly on her hips, her hand still on the door knob as she peered into the dark study. Only one candle was lit, guiding Serenity's eyes to the King.

King Theron was sitting across the room in a large puffy arm chair with his feet up on an ottoman. He had a book on his lap and a glass of wine in his hand. Serenity raised her eyebrows at him.

"I've come to retrieve you for dinner," she said coolly.

Theron looked at her with heavy eyes. "I'm not hungry."

"You invited Lord Carter and Lady Amira to join you for dinner."

Theron's purple eyes glared at Serenity harshly.

"We don't have to talk about what happened today," she responded. "But you need to go downstairs and sit with your friends for dinner. It will make you feel better."

Theron stood up and stalked across the room to Serenity. He looked her over as he invaded her personal space, taking in her lovely appearance. She was wearing a navy blue dress that matched her eyes perfectly. The dress rested off her shoulders, revealing her beautiful flesh, collar bone and cleavage. The dress was long sleeved and clung to her curves with perfection. Theron hooked her arm and pulled her into the room, closing the door with a swift kick of his foot. Serenity looked at him with stern eyes.

"Do not tell me what to do," he said quickly. "I'm fine and do not need anything to make me feel better."

"Except wine?" she questioned with a smart mouth. She was not afraid of Theron and knew he needed her to speak to him openly. "You're sulking like a child. All because an old crone told you something you didn't like about your future. The magic of sight and premonitions is not exact, your Majesty. You make your own future—"

"Please stop talking," Theron said sternly.

Serenity glared at him sharply and pulled her arm from his grasp. "You're starting to hurt me."

He immediately turned away from her, ashamed. Serenity wasn't entirely sure what exactly was bothering him so much about their conversation with the falcon earlier. She hoped, with time, he would be able to talk to her about it.

"I'll tell your guest you're unavailable," she whispered. "And apologize on your behalf."

Theron didn't look at her. He rolled his shoulders back and folded his hands behind his back.

"Will you come to me tonight?" he asked with his back still turned.

"Will you still be drunk?"

Theron turned to her with fierce eyes. She stared back at him with her own fiery gaze. His face relaxed slightly.

"No," he whispered. "Thank you, Serenity."

He was dismissing her.

"I will come to you later tonight," she said with a bow of her head, then she left the private study.

She walked briskly to the dining hall, where Lord Amon Carter and Lady Amira were sitting across from each other at the massive dining table. There was a long purple velvet table runner down the cent of the dark wood table. There was an empty place setting at the head of the table in front of the King's high backed chair. Serenity stopped behind the chair and placed her hands on the back. She gave the two tigers a small smile.

"I'm sorry, King Theron will not be able to join you for dinner," she said softly. "He apologizes immensely."

She bowed her head and closed her eyes hoping that neither tiger would ask for her to elaborate.

"Is he alright, Serenity?" Amira asked with concern in her yellow eyes. Serenity nodded.

"Yes, he just asked that I apologize for him."

"Will you join us for dinner then?" Lord Amon Carter asked.

Serenity hesitated. She wasn't sure what to say. She looked at the dark tiger with glimmering eyes. He was peering at her with an intense stare. Before Serenity could answer, Lord Carter asked the robin that was serving him food to set a place setting for her.

"Lady Serenity will be joining us," he said to the robin. "Would you please bring her a place setting and some dinner?"

"Of course, my Lord," said the robin with a bow of his head. Before the robin turned away he gave Serenity a wide-eyed look of surprise. No one had ever called her Lady before. Serenity looked away from the robin to Amira who gave her a weak smile. Perhaps Amira was hoping to be alone with Lord Carter?

"If it is okay with both of you, I wouldn't want to impose," she said mostly to Amira.

"Of course it's fine," Lord Carter said. "You have to eat."

"He's right, Serenity, join us," Amira said motioning to the seat next to her.

Serenity moved away from the King's high backed chair and took a seat next to Amira before Lord Carter could invite her to sit next to him. She brushed her hair over her shoulder as the robin appeared next to her and placed a plate and silverware in front of her.

"Is a cherry salad alright?" the robin asked.

"Of course," Serenity said, even though she wasn't very hungry. "Thank you."

The robin didn't bow, nor did she expect him to. She caught Lord Carter's scarlet eyes for a moment and watched as he stared at the robin who was walking away. He didn't seem to appreciate that the robin was not addressing her as he would an actual lady of the court.

"Even your own people are uncomfortable with your position," he noted.

Serenity bit her bottom lip. "I don't know what my position is," Serenity whispered honestly. "I think it makes everyone uncomfortable."

Amira picked up her wine glass before speaking. "You're an advisor to the King and his betrothed. What is there to be uncomfortable about?" She took a long gulp from her glass.

Serenity's cheeks flushed.

"It's not common knowledge that we are betrothed," Serenity whispered. The robin returned with her food. She was silent as he set the large salad of dark mixed greens, cherries and walnuts in front of her. She murmured her thanks. "And I believe it is simply me being a bird that makes everyone uncomfortable."

"The King has not officially named you as his betrothed?" Lord Carter asked surprised before taking a bite of his dinner. He chewed quickly before speaking again. "I thought it was common knowledge that he intends to make you his mate."

"He is still discussing it with his council," Serenity replied calmly. "There has been no official announcement."

Amira shrugged. "Your personal relationship with the King isn't anyone's business. What matters is that he intends for you to be his mate."

"I would disagree," Lord Carter said. "As King, he has a responsibility to his people to ensure his marriage will be successful for the realm. I think that makes it the people's business and an official acknowledgement would make it much easier for everyone to understand."

"King Theron's marriage to Serenity is very important for the Tigerian Territory," Amira responded. "Even if not everyone sees it that way."

"In which case, it may be more dangerous than important," Lord Carter replied.

"Please, can we speak of something else?" Serenity interjected. "I have been hearing about how my entire relationship with the King is putting the realm at risk all day. I very much would like to speak of something else."

Both Lord Carter and Amira frowned.

"My apologizes, Lady Serenity."

Serenity gave him a weak smile. "Please don't call me Lady, I hold no status at court and am not deserving of such a title."

"I don't agree with that at all," Lord Carter responded with a beaming smile. Serenity couldn't help but smile at his kindness and charm. She pushed the spring mix around her plate with her fork for a moment.

"Do you live in Carna, Lord Carter?"

"Please, call me Amon," he said still smiling. "Yes, I have a home there. But, I have not been there is some time. I've actually been spending a great deal of time in Allur with Lady Amira."

"He says he finds the city much more beautiful than his own home," Amira said giving Serenity a smile. "I think he just likes that there are hardly any people in Allur."

"I'm sure that will all change when the birds are liberated," Lord Carter said.

"Carna is overpopulated?"

Lord Carter shrugged. "It's the largest city in the territory," he replied. "It's home to the court and on the water front. There are a lot of travelers that pass through from other territories."

Serenity nodded. "I'd like to see it someday," she said before taking a bite of her salad.

"You'll always be welcome at my home," Lord Carter replied.

Serenity smiled at him again out of politeness.

"Carna is a wonderful city," Amira responded.

"And Lord Carter has a very beautiful home there."

"Thank you," he said with a bow of his head.

"You've been there?" Serenity asked.

"A few times," Amira said looking at Lord Carter with smiling eyes. His red eyes smiled back at her, but Serenity could sense it was out of politeness. She didn't think there was much emotion behind his stare. Serenity glanced at Amira and was surprised to see her loving expression. Amira was not one to fall in love. She said herself many times that she did not wish to be married to any man; that she preferred to have romantic relationships with men who were already married because it left her free to be on her own. For her to look at Lord Carter with such intent concerned Serenity because she was confident that Lord Carter did not feel the same way about her.

Lord Carter seemed to have finished his dinner. "If you'll both excuse me," he said standing up. "I'm going to retire for the evening."

"Good evening," Serenity said quietly.

"Good evening," Lady Amira replied.

He bowed his head to both of them before departing from the dining hall. Serenity looked at Amira quickly once he was gone.

"Are you falling in love with him?"

Amira hesitated before taking a sip of her wine. "No," she said into her glass. She took another long gulp of her beverage before making eye contact with Serenity.

"I'm a dove," Serenity replied quickly. "I can sense these things—"

"I'm not falling in love with him."

"Then stop staring at him with love sick eyes," Serenity advised with a smirk. Amira shook her head with a laugh before finishing her dinner.

"What happened in Southend?" Amira asked softly. "Did the King take you to see his old falcon?"

"You know about her?" Serenity asked surprised.

"Theron has mentioned her a few times," Amira nodded. "I know her prophecies of his legacy haunt him."

Serenity frowned. "Yes, they do." She looked straight ahead as she thought about what the falcon said. "She seems to think that making me his mate will cause a civil war and destroy the Tigerian territory all together. He is caught between doing what is right for his kingdom and what is right for his heart."

"I still believe that taking you as his mate is right for the kingdom," Amira advised. "And I know it is what is right for his heart."

"Over half the council disagrees," Serenity responded with a shake of her head. "Just before King Terron's death he said to me that he would only make me his mate if it made sense politically. He is beginning to question if it makes sense…"

Amira shook her head and took Serenity's hand, giving it a firm squeeze. "Theron and I have known each other since we were small children. I know he loves you beyond any bond on this mortal plain. He has refused to take a mate until he can have you. When I first met you, I did not think you would have him. I advised him not to wait for you despite the symbol you could be for the kingdom. But he refused to listen to me. He will find away to ensure that your marriage brings peace to the kingdom, not civil war."

Serenity frowned slightly but nodded her head. She appreciated Amira's reassurance, but she wasn't sure if it would be enough.

"Give it time," she whispered with another squeeze to Serenity's hand. "He'll find a way."

"Are you going to give your relationship with Lord Carter time?" Serenity teased with a smile.

Amira rolled her eyes. "He is a very charming man," she admitted. "And very mysterious…I simply find him intriguing."

"Have you two…?"

Amira smirked. "Yes, if you must know!"

Serenity laughed and shrugged. "I was just curious. I just want to make sure you're keeping your feet on the ground."

"How do you mean?"

"I don't want to see you get hurt," Serenity shrugged.

Amira shrugged. "Men come and go, Serenity. If Lord Carter does not share my feelings, then I'll just have to move on and find someone who does."

Serenity nodded, surprised by Amira's confidence and wishing that she had it herself.

"Are you going to see the King tonight?"

Serenity looked at the large bay window in the dining hall. The sun had completely set and darkness was settling over the Den. She nodded to Amira.

"Yes," she replied. "I should probably bring him something to eat. If you'll excuse me, I'll see you tomorrow."

Amira nodded. "Training in the morning?"

"Of course," Serenity said as she stood up. She picked up her dirty plate and Amira's before walking to the other side of the table to retrieve Lord Carter's dirty dishes. "Good night."

Amira bid her good night and remained sitting at the table, alone in the dining hall.