Doubt

Before the women entered the study, Amira grabbed Serenity's arm and stopped her in the corridor just outside the door. Serenity looked at her friend with raised eyebrows.

"I did not tell Theron that I left you with Amon," she whispered quickly. "If he had known you were with him alone…"

Serenity nodded. "I understand. Did he say anything else?"

"No," Amira shook her head. "Just asked for you. The royal guard are with his men, escorting them from the Den. I didn't want to alarm Amon that something might be wrong."

Serenity bit her lip as her mind raced. "Alright."

Amira released her arm, and Serenity reached forward, opening the studying door.

"Theron?" she called as she walked into the study. She was surprised to see Lord Michael, a woman she did not recognize and Jemma, a sparrow from Allur, in the study. Her eyes fell on Theron who was standing at the window, staring out at the graying sky over the Den. He turned when she entered and moved to her easily.

"I was growing worried," he said to her before kissing her deeply on the lips. Serenity smiled at his affection as she pressed her body against his. His dark purple eyes did look concerned, but relieved now that she was with him.

"Yet, you did not come for me yourself," she teased. He smiled at her, stroking her hair behind her ear. "Tell me, what has happened?"

She stepped back to look at the other people in the study. She smiled up at Theron, before moving away towards Jemma. The two women embraced each other tightly.

"Jemma," Serenity beamed. "What are you doing here?"

"I asked her to come," Theron said.

"To be your aid," Jemma beamed excitedly. The round, older sparrow looked simply gleeful at the idea of being Serenity's aid. "I cannot refuse the King."

Serenity looked at Theron. She didn't think any bird from Allur would return to the Den.

"You need someone with you that we trust," Theron said carefully. "I can't be with you all the time."

Serenity nodded and turned her gaze to the women she didn't recognize. She was a young woman, probably about the same age as Serenity, with long black hair and harsh looking stone gray eyes. Her skin was pale and she had a thin frame. Her face was narrow and her lips were just as thin as her body.

"This is Corin," Jemma said motioning to the woman. "She is taking over the staff here at the Den. She was my apprentice in Allur."

Serenity nodded. "Welcome to the Den."

Corin bowed her head. "Thank you, my Lady."

Serenity frowned slightly. She was not used to people addressing her by a title and she did not like it. She wasn't sure if she ever would. She turned her gaze to Theron and Lord Michael who were standing next to each other.

"Amira said you're sending Lord Carter away?"

Theron nodded as he looked at Lord Michael. "We believe he is responsible for destroying your chamber."

"Most likely, he hired someone to do it for him," Lord Michael said.

"How did you come to this conclusion?" Serenity asked.

"We received intelligence in Allur that the Pantharian court wishes to interfere with your marriage," Corin said. Serenity looked at her surprised. She was obviously more than just Jemma's apprentice. "It seems likely, that in an attempt to scare you out of it, Lord Carter or his men would have acted on orders from King Tzvi."

Serenity frowned deeply before looking at Theron. "I ran into him in the basin before Amira retrieved me," she said easily. "He asked me to return to Carna with him."

Theron stepped to her, touched her elbow tightly. "Did he harm you?"

"No," Serenity shook her head. "I asked him why he wanted me to go and he said his King thought that I would be very helpful in bringing the birds of prey to the trade agreement peacefully."

Theron frowned. Serenity stared at him intently to see his reaction. Lord Carter had a point; none of the history books Theron gave her talked about the magic of birds. She wanted to see reaction.

"They seem to think that my magic will keep the birds of prey in line."

Theron's eyes flashed. She had hit the sore spot. He looked at her sharply and she knew he understood what she was alluding to. Did he not want her to know that the birds of prey had killed the doves? Or was he scared that if she learned it was her magic that could save her entire species and keep the birds of prey at bay that she would leave him? She didn't understand why he wanted to keep the truth from her.

"Will you all excuse us?" Theron finally said after a long silence.

No one questioned him. All four of them bowed and left the room. Once the door was closed, Theron relaxed his face slightly.

"Spit it out," he said walking back towards the window. "Whatever it is you want to ask, ask it."

Serenity glared at him as he walked away from her. "Why are you protecting me from my history? What is so awful about it that you don't think I deserve to know where I came from? And why did you give me a bunch of books that don't tell the whole story?"

Theron looked over his shoulder at her. "Why do you believe everything he says, and doubt me?"

Serenity frowned deeply. "Tell me if it's true. Did birds of prey kill most of my kind?"

"Doves?"

"Yes."

"Yes," he said easily looking back out the window. It had started to rain. "You and Cevin are probably the only two left. You are extremely rare…."

Serenity looked at the ground for a moment. She knew she was rare. Her mother had raised her and Cevin knowing they were rare. But she never gave it much thought as to why they were so rare. She never imagined it was because all other doves were killed.

"The history of bird enslavement is debated amongst many scholars," Theron said as he turned to face her. "There is no doubt that birds of prey sold you into slavery, part of the agreement with my kingdom was to ensure that birds were not educated in their history."

This made sense to Serenity. She didn't say anything as Theron walked towards her.

"I do not know what the agreements were with other territories," he said. "I'm assuming that some territories allowed education of birds, which is why there are many different version of history out there. I believe that you are powerful, that your magic runs deep and can bring peace, but I do not believe that it was the Doves responsibility to oversee birds of prey and as a result, the birds of prey killed most of them."

"Why don't you believe it?"

"Because it's not what my research reflects," he said motioning to the books on his desk. "I have spent almost my entire life studying your history. Do you think the old falcon would have seen you in her home if she believed you should be dead because your magic was meant to control hers?"

Serenity frowned. "She clearly didn't like me."

"Serenity," Theron sighed as he took her hands. "Your kind was massacred; there is no doubt of that. But so were cardinals and blue jays. I think it is far more likely that the ones who died fought back the most. You have always been a fighter; you never broke under my brother. Don't you think, it makes a little more sense, that Doves were killed because they were non-compliant when birds of prey enslaved them?"

He had a point. Serenity nodded her head slowly. "Then why is the pantharian King trying to sabotage our marriage so that I will join his court?"

Theron shrugged. "You are a bird of peace. It is in your nature to unite people. The panthers have had bad dealings with the Hawks and Eagles. Perhaps he is hoping that you could persuade them to better business deals." He squeezed her hands gently as he studied her eyes. "I also think Lord Carter wishes to make you his mate and he would tell you any lie to take you away."

Serenity frowned. "I'm sorry for doubting you," she whispered. "I heard you say to him that you didn't want me to be hurt by my history. I was frustrated and angry that it was kept from me, and my people, to begin with. I just didn't understand..."

Theron nodded. "I forgive you," he whispered with a smile. Serenity looked up at him with a warm smile. He kissed her tenderly while cupping her cheeks.

"Tell me about Corin," Serenity whispered as she pulled out of the kiss slowly. Her lips lingered on Theron's long enough to tease him. He looked at her with wanting purple eyes that stirred animalistic feelings in her center. She couldn't help but smile at him. "I don't recognize her from when I stayed in Allur."

"She was there," he said slowly brushing her hair. "She was Jemma's apprentice and trained with Joss for some time. She is very good at finding out any and all information. I think people often forget about people who take care of them. As a result, the servants and staff are usually the ones who know the most about what is going on in any kingdom. Corin headed the staff that assisted the panthers that stayed in Allur since I was there. She is a wealth of information."

Serenity nodded. "You think she'll help weed out who is not loyal to you here?"

"Yes," Theron said as he glided his fingers down Serenity's neck smoothly. "I was concerned that it may be a member of the guard or staff who threatened you. I hoped she would be able to find them. In some way she did, just not as I expected."

"You think I'm safe now?"

Theron looked at Serenity closely. "I don't know if we'll ever be safe."

She frowned but nodded her head. "I understand."

"I think it is best we always keep our guard up," he said. "It is not just foreign territories that do not want to see us wed. Many of our own people are against it. We need to stay vigilant."

Serenity nodded again.

"What happened to your shirt? And your side, you're bleeding?"

"It's just a scratch," Serenity said as Theron lifted her shirt to inspect the cut. "Apparently, Cevin was going easy on me in training."

"With a sword?" Serenity nodded in reply to Theron's question. "He is a fine swordsman. He's disarmed me numerous times."

Serenity looked at Theron surprised. "I did not know you trained with him."

Theron nodded and stared at her with perplexed eyes as if it was obvious that he trained with Cevin. "I always train with my guard. It is important for us to know how the other moves so we can fight well side by side. Your brother is a very strong fighter, Serenity. You should be proud of him."

"I am," she said with a nod. "Why don't you train with me?"

He smiled at her, pulling her into his arms carefully. "I'm afraid I'll go too easy on you. I could never bring myself to hurt you, even if it is in self defense training."

Serenity smirked as she wrapped her arms around Theron's broad shoulders. "Amira says that sword fighting is like a dance or having sex."

"I agree," he sighed with desire as he rubbed his hands down her back and onto her bottom.

"She said I must be good at one of those, so I shouldn't have a problem with a sword."

"You are good at both of those," Theron whispered as he kissed her neck. "I'm sure you're fine with a sword."

"I'm weak," she replied. "And sloppy. I can't seem to find a rhythm. The sword feels awkward in my hand."

"You need a lighter sword," Theron said easily with his face still buried in her neck. "It is a dance." His right hand lifted her left one up and he squeezed her waist gently. He stood up straight and began to lead her in a slow, silent waltz. "You should be able to move with it with ease. If you can't dance with the sword, it is not the right one for you."

Serenity nodded as she gazed up at Theron with loving eyes. She followed his lead in their silent dance easily. Dancing was easy, all she had to do was follow his body. She did not think sword fighting was much like dancing.

Theron paused their movements and leaned down to nibble playfully on her ear. Serenity grinned like a school-girl as his touch sent thrills of longing through her body.

"I'll speak to Amira," he whispered. "Can I persuade you to disappear with me to our chamber?"

Serenity pushed away her hands against Theron's chest. "I'm sure Jemma is waiting for me there. And I would like to take a bath before you kiss me all over."

Theron frowned slightly. "Very well. I believe you are right. She has some dresses for you to look at for the betrothal ball."

Serenity nodded her head. "You're sure it's the right time?"

"To introduce you as my betrothed?" Theron asked. Serenity nodded. "Yes, of course. I'll see you later tonight?"

"Yes," Serenity smiled. She moved away from the King slowly and exited the study, never taking her eyes off of him as she left. He beamed at her with longing in his dark purple eyes. His stare always made her heart skip a beat.

Serenity closed the door tightly behind her once she left the room and made her way to the next floor above where their chamber was.

The door to the bedchamber was opened, which surprised Serenity, but when she walked in she saw Jemma moving a rack of dresses across the sitting room of the suite towards the extensive closets. She was not surprised to see the woman bustling over the wardrobe options. On the bed there were a few white boxes, wrapped shut with twine.

"What's all this?" Serenity asked motioning to the boxes.

"Shoes and jewelry for each outfit," Jemma said rubbing her hands together.

"You haven't been her long and you managed to get all this ordered already?"

"His Majesty asked for me some time ago," Jemma said. "But I had to wait for Lord Michael to retrieve me. I ordered all this while I was still in Allur."

Serenity smiled and nodded as she opened one of the boxes on the bed. It had small silver heeled shoes in it and a velvet blue box. Serenity opened the box and stared at a diamond necklace and earring set.

"This is too much," she said with a sigh as she sunk down onto the bed. "Jemma…I can't…I'm not the type of person who wears all this." She motioned to the boxes and the dresses.

"Serenity," Jemma said with a stern tone. "You are not a personal slave anymore meant to be seen and not heard. You are going to be a Queen. You need to dress as such. And it doesn't hurt to wear clothes that make you look and feel powerful."

Serenity frowned as she nodded her head. She opened another box. It had black heels, a dark silver gray shawl, and another blue velvet box in it. Serenity replaced the lid and pulled another box across the bed towards her. It was longer than the others. She thought maybe there were boots in it based on the size.

She pulled the twine off and opened the lid. With a gasp of horror she stood up off the bed and covered her mouth in disgust.

"Serenity? What's wrong?" Jemma came over quickly. "Oh, lord!"

The box was full of wilted dead white roses. Their petals were stained yellow and brown as if they had been smashed multiple times. On top of the roses were maggots, wriggling around wildly. Serenity closed her eyes and turned away as Jemma grabbed her arms, squeezing them tightly.

"I'm sorry—I don't know where it came from—"

"It's fine," Serenity shook her head. "It's not your doing. Don't apologize."

Jemma moved away, putting the lid of the box back on to hide the maggots and dead roses from view. She picked up the box and moved it to the floor, off the bed.

"Go sit on the balcony, in the fresh air," Jemma instructed. "I'll get the King."

"Thank you," Serenity nodded as she walked out of the room to the balcony, her hand covering her mouth so she wouldn't gag.

Her mind raced as she stared out at the private garden below the balcony. Did Lord Carter send her the dead flowers because she refused to go with him to Carna? Or was it another threat from a different intruder and Lord Carter had nothing to do with the destruction of her chamber? Serenity frowned as she thought. It didn't matter. What did matter was that Theron was right, they would probably never be safe. The thought created doubt in her. How could she be his mate, be the Queen, if she wasn't safe? How would Theron rule successfully if she put him in danger?