New Life

The bustling market made Serenity a little nervous. It didn't matter how many times she visited the vendors and regular shapeshifters who shopped in the market, she always felt a little uneasy. She felt like she constantly had to look over her shoulder whenever she stepped out of her home. It didn't matter how long it had been since she escaped the Den or who went with her, she never felt completely safe.

"Four pieces of silver," the farmer said to Serenity.

She blinked and looked the old rabbit in the face. His face was covered in a thick white and gray beard. His hair was long, falling to his shoulders and matched his beard. He had dark brown eyes that stared at Serenity harshly as he held his hand out for payment.

"Four? For the bread?"

The farmer nodded with annoyance.

"It was two last week."

"I had more last week to sell," he responded shortly. Serenity nodded and handed the farmer four pieces of silver from her coin purse. The farmer thanked her and handed the loaf of fresh baked bread to her. "My wife thanks you. She needs more flour to make more bread."

Serenity nodded. "Thank you," she replied as she put the bread in her canvas bag.

She looked up abruptly when something shinned in the sun, catching her eye. She looked across the court yard that was lined with vendors selling fruits, vegetables and homemade goods, and found what shined in her eye. A small child was running through the market with a shining silver locket on a chain around her neck. She had long blonde hair that was tied back behind her ears and glowing light blue eyes.

Serenity frowned as she watched the child dash through the people in the crowded market. She stopped at a flower stand and offered the vendor her money. The vendor took the coins and returned a bunch of white daisies to the little girl.

Serenity walked across the courtyard and took a seat on a bench as she continued to watch the child. Her heart ached with longing as the girl dashed back through the crowd to a man, that Serenity assumed was her father. The girl held the flowers up to the handsome man, who was dressed in plain clothes, and he beamed at her. He brushed her blond hair over her shoulder and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.

The girl made Serenity think of Theron. Her heart ached more as she remembered his long brown hair and glowing purple eyes. She wondered if their child would have had blond hair like hers, or brown like his? She bit her bottom lip as it quivered. Not a day had passed since Theron's death that she didn't think of him. It didn't matter how much time went by, she'd never stop loving or missing him.

"My lady?"

Serenity looked up into the sunlight, covered her eyes and squinted. "Sonnie," she replied with a sigh of relief. She dropped her hand down and looked back across the market. The girl and her father were gone.

A young woman moved out of the sunlight and sat down next to Serenity on the bench. She was a beautiful golden finch with strawberry blond hair and deep brown irises. Her tanned skin reminded Serenity of warm caramel.

"Are you alright?"

Serenity glanced at the woman. "Yes," she replied. "Just enjoying the beautiful day."

Sonnie frowned as if she knew Serenity were lying.

"Lord Carter is at the house," she said. "I've come to retrieve you."

Serenity rolled her eyes and sighed with aggravation. "The man is persistent." She stood up clenching her bag tightly.

"If I may," Sonnie said following Serenity. "I think he's beginning to harass you."

Serenity frowned but said nothing. She appreciated Sonnie speaking openly with her. She felt it was important that her staff trusted her and knew they could always come to her if need be. But she didn't agree with Sonnie's assessment.

Lord Amon Carter had provided protection for Serenity, and her brother, at a time in their life when they did not have the means to protect themselves. After escaping from the Den, and finding Lennox in Tarzaharth as instructed by Theron, they made their way to Carna. Serenity didn't know where else to go. Lennox was able to provide them a place to stay for a short time but he had only promised Theron to help Serenity get someplace safe.

While Serenity appreciated everything Amon had done to help her build a new life , she reminded him that she viewed him as a friend and nothing more. But, that did not stop Amon from asking Serenity to be his mate on many occasions. She refused him every time. She did not love him and would not marry anyone for any other reason.

The market was close enough to Serenity's own home that she and Sonnie could walk there. The market was surrounded by blocks of well-to-do homes and businesses. The two women walked up the cobblestone street and turned down a side street, moving two blocks away from the market. Serenity looked up the road to see a carriage with two horses standing in front of the stone steps of her tall home. She frowned slightly. A carriage meant that Lord Carter was expecting to take her somewhere.

"Did he say anything about his business today?"

"No," Sonnie shook her head. "He said he would wait for you."

"I'm surprised he didn't come retrieve me himself."

"I insisted you wouldn't be long," Sonnie replied.

Serenity nodded as they walked up the steps into the front door of the house. Sonnie closed it behind them and took the canvas bag from Serenity.

"He's on the back patio," Sonnie motioned to the back of the house.

Serenity thanked her and moved down the hall in the center of the house towards the kitchen and dining room. She walked through the kitchen into the back sitting room. As she peered out the window her eyes fell on Lord Amon Carter as he lounged in a patio chair, sitting with his eyes closed as the sun beat down on his beautiful dark skin. He was dressed in formal military attire; a dark blue double button jacket with a collar and matching blue pants with a silver strip down the leg. His pants tucked into tall leather black boots.

As if he could sense Serenity's stare, he opened his red eyes and looked directly at her in the window. He stood up as she moved to the wide open doors that led to the patio. She stepped down onto the patio, took in her surroundings, then moved to the panther-tiger lord.

"Good morning, Amon."

Amon greeted her with a beaming smile. He leaned in to kiss her cheek gently. She smiled at him. He seemed to notice a moment of hesitation in her though. He leaned back.

"You're being polite today," he responded.

"Am I not always?"

"Some days you truly appreciate my affection. Other days, you are being polite so not to hurt my ego."

"My dear Lord Carter," Serenity smiled. "I can't imagine that your ego is fragile enough to be hurt by the rejection of a woman."

"I'm a delicate man, Serenity," he smiled in return.

She shook her head as she laughed causing her long silver blond curls to twirl around her. She moved to sit down in the patio chair across from him. As she did, Sonnie appeared with a tray of tea. Serenity thanked her as she put it on the table between Amon and Serenity. Sonnie did not linger, she returned to the house immediately.

"What brings you to my home today?" Serenity asked as she poured two cups of tea. She pushed one across the table to Amon who picked it up, sipping it slowly as he stared at her with deep scarlet eyes.

"The King is calling for you," he said softly.

Serenity looked at him with tired eyes. She nodded her head. She thought he might. The carriage and Amon's formal attire told her that they were going to court though she was not sure why.

"I thought you had come to ask me to marry you again."

Amon smirked. "Has your answer changed?"

"No."

"Then I'll save my breath."

Serenity smiled and bowed her head. Amon had come to her many times since she came to Carna and asked for her to marry him. He was very fond of her; and Serenity was sure that it wasn't just his fondness of her that drove his desire to mate with her. He wanted her as his mate because of the political implications it had. She was a Dove, a rare magical peace keeper. Now, as a member of the Pantharian court, thanks to Amon, she was well placed within the Pantharian royal society. Serenity was not particularly proud that she had come to Amon for help after leaving the Den. She wasn't sure at the time if she could trust him, but now she knew she could trust him to put himself first, which is how she knew that his desire to mate with her was self motivated. It was not out of love.

"What does the King want?"

Serenity stared for a long time at Amon, waiting for him to answer. He knew what the King wanted; he was one of the King's most trusted advisors. But also, if he didn't know what the King wanted he would have said so. His hesitation gave him away.

"He's going to send you to the Nest."

Serenity's navy blue eyes opened wide in surprise. "What?"

Amon nodded with a deep frown. "I insisted that it was not necessary for you to go, but he believes it is. Crown Prince Fallon is demanding to speak with you before negotiations on the trade route agreement advance farther."

"Why me?" Serenity questioned. "I am not an expert on trade or the design of the route—"

"—it has nothing to do with that. The Prince is using that to hide his true intentions."

This frightened Serenity but she nodded her head. "Do you think he intends to kill me?"

She peered at Amon with deep navy blue eyes. His piercing red stare penetrated her soul and made her feel hallow. She bit her bottom lip as he stared at her but did not dare look away.

"I don't know," Amon finally responded in a serious tone. "I think first he wishes to assess if you are truly a threat. Our King has always advised the birds of prey that you are a passive dove who does not use magic. It kept them at ease for awhile, but I think Prince Fallon is trying to test that."

"My magic is nothing to fear," Serenity whispered as she looked away from Amon. She looked up to the clear blue sky to feel the sunlight warm her face. She closed her eyes tightly.

Theron had told her that her people were slaughtered because they fought back against the birds of prey, that their demise had nothing to do with their magic. Amon had told her a different story of her history; in his version of avian enslavement, weaker birds and magical birds were enslaved to keep them from overpowering or destroying the birds of prey. Doves, being birds of peace and capable of the purest form of magic, were meant to keep birds of prey in line. They were meant to keep all other birds safe. As a result, birds of prey killed almost all of the doves.

Serenity wasn't sure what she believed about her own history; she wasn't sure if she would ever know the truth of why her species was enslaved, why all the doves except for her family were slaughtered, or if her magic was strong enough to keep the birds of prey at bay. She didn't think she'd know the truth unless she found someone who had lived during the purge and enslavement of her people – but no one who survived it was alive anymore; it occurred generations before Serenity was born.

"When he sees I have no magic do you think he'll agree to the trade route?"

Amon shrugged. "He's going to agree to the trade route regardless. He's testing and weighing you. He is just trying to establish if you are a threat."

"And if I am?"

Amon frowned deeply. "I think it best you not go alone."

Serenity nodded before standing up. "Let's not keep the King waiting."

Amon stood up quickly. "You're not going to change?"

"What's wrong with my dress?"

Serenity looked down at herself. She was wearing a pale pink chiffon dress with bell sleeves that cuffed tightly at her wrist and a tight bodice. Her cleavage was revealed in a tempting manner that drew attention from anyone who may look at her. Her long silver blonde curls fell in twisting waives around her face and shoulders. Serenity placed her hands on her hips as Amon stared at her, captivated.

"I thought you might want to dress more formal," Amon shrugged, turning his eyes away from her.

Serenity smirked. "I'm a simple woman, Amon."

Amon bowed his head and motioned for Serenity to go before him off the patio. She stepped forward and he placed his hand on the small of her back, escorting her. She gave him a small smile. He returned the smile, seeming genuine.

"You do look breathtaking," he whispered as they walked through the hall.

"Thank you," she replied. "Perhaps Prince Fallon will be taken enough with my beauty that he'll not view me as a threat."

Amon laughed lightly. "I wouldn't count on that, Serenity."

Serenity glanced at him with raised eyebrows. Amon shook his head as he continued to laugh at her expression. "Prince Fallon is not taken by any woman. He is attracted to the same sex."

"Oh," Serenity responded. "Even as the Crowned Prince he is open about his sexuality? What of his kingdom? He'll need to produce heirs."

"I'm sure he will. There are many ways to make a baby, Serenity."

Serenity frowned slightly as they reached the front of her house. Sonnie was waiting in the foyer for them.

"Yes, I suppose there are," Serenity whispered. She looked at Sonnie. "I've been called to the palace. I don't know how long I'll be. Cevin will arrive soon I'm sure."

Sonnie nodded. "I'll let him know you've been called to the palace."

"Thank you," Serenity replied with a smile.

Amon escorted Serenity out the front door and down the stone steps to the carriage. Once they were both inside he studied Serenity as they sat in silence. She stared out the window as the carriage moved, ignoring Amon's burning gaze. After a long while though, she could not take it anymore.

"What is it?" she asked not looking at him.

"I would very much like you to reconsider my marriage proposal."

Serenity sighed heavily and looked at Amon seriously. "I thought you weren't going to waste your breath?"

Amon frowned. "It will provide you protection."

"Nothing can truly protect me, Amon. If someone wishes to kill me they will find away."

"I mean politically," he continued.

Serenity shook her head. "The last time I was to be married for politics it killed my betrothed, destroyed a kingdom and I barely escaped with my life."

"You loved his Majesty. Do not pretend that your marriage was only for politics."

Serenity frowned and looked out the window.

"Your country was against my marriage to Theron—"

"Our country," he corrected.

Serenity cast a harsh glare on him as the carriage turned onto the bumpy cobblestone street leading up to the palace where King Tzvi waited for their arrival. She did not want to get into a political debated right at that moment.

"I cannot marry you, for politics, but also because I don't love you," Serenity said coldly. "Doves marry only out of love. I cannot break my species traditions or habits simply for political protection—especially when I don't believe it will truly offer that much."

Amon frowned, but bowed his head. "As you wish."

"Do you actual mean that? Or are you going to ask me again in a few weeks time?"

"I simply thought it would be better to be married to me than to another man."

Serenity studied Amon closely as he looked out the carriage window. What was he suggesting? She didn't have a chance to ask him what he meant by his comment. The carriage pulled to a stop and Amon stood up, pushing the door open. He stepped out and turned back to assist Serenity. She hesitated before climbing out of the carriage and looking up at the large overbearing palace of Carna. What sort of bad news waited for her inside?