Chapter 54

~Kamari~

Later in the day, I decided to stroll through the Kingdom with Ryuu and Calea. I wanted to see them together; maybe it would give me somewhere to start explaining Ryuu's reactions to certain things and behaviors. I checked on certain things while I was out, and I grabbed letters from the Red Stag. Calea came to my side, and I sifted through them. "Anything good?"

"No. It's all nonsense. Most asked if I'd marry into another Kingdom." I scoff. These Kingdoms are ignorant. Hasn't word spread that I have three husbands?" Calea chuckles. I suppose they aren't fond of it." She says, and I watch her gaze at Ryuu as he touches a building. His hand leaves and a flurry of Ivy crawls through the wall. Calea stops. "Ryuu can control plants?"

I chuckle, "No, it just comes with his connection to the land itself." 

"Is this what a Dragonborn does? Their very spirit rebirths the land?"

"Yes. My baby has an affinity for gardening." I playfully whisper, "Oh! But don't let my husbands hear you say "baby" they like the word Whelp." 

Calea rubs her temples, "This is a lot, Kamari. Even their body language is different. I never know if Ryuu will pounce on or hug me." Kamari intertwined her arm in Calea's. She knew it would be difficult for Calea to adjust to Ryuu's way of life, but she sought to teach her at every moment. Ryuu halts, looks behind his shoulder at Calea, and waits for them. Kamari ruffles Ryuu's hair, and he hisses at her, "Oh stop it, you're still my Whelp."

A faint smile appears on Ryuu's lips, and he places his forehead on mine; I close my eyes, feeling his aura. I never knew why they did this until I started doing it myself. You could feel someone's very spirit. But it was also seen as something only done with pride. Suddenly, I see Ryuu stiffen and look up; I look over my shoulder and see Koa striding towards him. I furrow my brows, but when I see the half-smile on Koa's face, I know he means no harm. Ryuu smiles at him, and they start circling each other.

"Oh no! Kamari they're fighting!" Calea clenches her arm. I pat her arm, "Koa likes to test Ryuu's strength. He hasn't done it in a while. It's more of play fighting. He used to do it when Ryuu was younger, too." I watch my people back away from them as they circle each other. I address them, "No worries, it's just a father and son bonding!" I say happily. I see the confusion in their faces, I explain further for them not to worry, and that its in their nature to do things like this. They seem to calm down and take an interest in watching. Calea grips my arm, I lean over to her, "It's alright Calea. This is what you're going to have to get used to."

"They're ruthless…" Calea says in a soft voice. I couldn't help but smile. It's what I thought at first, but I understood why the longer I was with them, especially in the forest. In a world with so many dangers, they never stopped challenging each other, and in a way, they were doing each other a favor to stay prepared and grow. My heart swells with warmth as Koa pushes Ryuu's limits. Of course, Ryuu doesn't win, but he puts up a good fight. Koa grabs his son's hand, cradling his head to his forehead, their breath heavy but smiling. 

"Ryuu grows." Aneth's voice scares the daylights out of me. "Ah!" My heart pounds as I turn to him. "Kadea's hell, Aneth, you scared me." Aneth smirks and tilts my chin up to look at him. "Only prey is frightened. Be more aware, little one," I smirk and greet him with a slow, lingering kiss. His eyes glow, then fade out, and I feel slightly drained of my energy. Aneth's affinity for Magic drew a lot from me. Of course, it wasn't a natural power like Calea's. His came from me; somehow, his defense against magic can now be used against people. Aneth glances at Calea, but he says nothing. I feel a twinge in my gut; I wish they would speak more to Calea. But I couldn't make them. From the corner of my eye, I notice Calea lower her head, catching Aneth's attention. Aneth gazes at her, then stands before her; she doesn't look up at him—a good choice. I stare intently at them.

Aneth smiles, sidesteps her, and walks toward Koa and Ryuu. I grin ear to ear. Calea exhales a held breath, "Good Goddess," She places a hand on her chest, "That was scary…"

"It can be when you don't know their reaction. Sometimes I don't even know." I smile, even though the thought might be frightening to others. "Koa tried to attack me, but Aneth took over," I say calmly. Calea's jaw drops, "Kamari, how can you trust Koa after something like that?"

I shrug, "I remember, they aren't human. What seems normal to you is not normal for them. Ryuu was raised in the forest for a while before coming to civilization. That's why he hasn't taken the throne for a long time. He'll have to listen to his Mother." I cross my arms over my shoulders with a smug smile. Calea's eyes widen, and she double-blinks, "Where is Ignis?" She asks, seeming to want to change the subject. I let her know it can be overwhelming learning all of this, but this is what I have been dealing with for months now, almost a year. "Ignis unfortunately favors her Father. Like all my Whelps." I pout. 

"She's with Nye?! Alone?" Calea shouts. I smile and nod, "Yes. He's a good father despite what you may think. Ignis loves him." By the way, Calea looks at me, and she can barely believe it. She crosses her arms, "Well, I have different opinions about him. He did lock me in a closet before…" I can't help but wear a pressed smile remembering it. Calea rolls her eyes and scoffs, "Oh yes, be amused at your husband's rash and cruel treatment."

I shrug, "I'm sorry. He won't change. You might as well find a way to tolerate him now that you're in a pride." 

Calea sighs, "Of course compromise…"

I suck air between my teeth, "Yeah. It's different when each of them leads. Aneth is more calm, in a way. Nye and Koa. It was a whole different experience. I may have to step in if one of them dethrone Aneth." I swallow hard, knowing Calea can be easily cast out if Nye or Koa gets in that position. Calea's eyes shift with confusion. "But Aneth accepts me. Wouldn't that sway them to accept me as well?"

I shake my head. "No. But don't worry. I'll fight tooth and nail to have you here." I place a comforting hand on Caleas's, trying to settle the nerves on her pinched brow. "Besides, posion annoys them…" I smirk and wiggle my nails. Calea looks at my nails, "That's where your poison lies?"

"Yes." I give her a pinched-eyed smile. "It's safe to say it makes them think twice before pissing me off." Thank Goddess, cause if it weren't for that, the stuff they pulled wouldn't go over well. Calea smiles, then does a double-take at someone coming towards us with a bag of fruit.

"Oh, Mael!" Calea waves him over. It looks like we have a fruit delivery." Calea gets up and starts walking to ward Mael. I gaze at him as he smiles at Calea. His demeanor was always kind, and I was happy to have people like him in my Kingdom.