Chapter 63

~Kamari~

My growing family stands on an altar to address the people of what transformation they're about to witness. Nye holds Ignis in his arms as I speak. "I know the road to get here has been filled with horrid memories that I wish I could spare you from. And apologies can do nothing to mend your hearts. But I promised you a future of a different kind, one where you have to fear nothing and one where we can connect back to the roots of where Nivillia came from. We should never forget the history and whose ground we stand upon. So, one of my husbands will be shifting in front of you for remembrance and entertainment. Let it be a way of remembering our ties to our home." I hold up my glass, "To a prosperous future."

"To the Queen!" My eyes dart to the person who shouted, and I see Mael, who raises a glass as well; he winks at me, and after his words, my people start to chant as well, praising me. I feel my heart swell with warmth. I didn't need their approval to rule over them; hell, I was lucky if I got one person to believe in my rule, but to see that they were praising my rule made my eyes burn. I have to turn away for a second, not to cry tears of joy in front of them. Aneth puts a hand on my shoulder and steps down from the altar. I decided the open fields would be the best place for Aneth to shift since there Is more than enough space. I watch as the crowd moves towards the entrance of the Kingdom, heading towards the fields.

"That Shade wouldn't be so bold if he didn't have poison tainting his veins." Koa's voice is laced with hatred. I turned to see him leering at Mael as he went along with the crowd. I knew how they all felt about me taking lessons from Mael. I noticed Aneth would get up earlier than usual, and when I would peek out the window, I'd see him heading towards the entrance of the Kingdom. I didn't think I wanted to know the answer to what he was up to, but eventually, I would ask.

"I'm learning Koa. Nothing more," I assured him, even though there was a fleeting feeling in my chest. Koa's eyes dragged from Mael to me. Koa stepped off the altar and gave me his hand. I reached for it, and Koa swept me off my feet and carried me bridal style. I chuckled, "What are you doing?"

"Your majesty's feet should never touch the ground." Koa mimics Mael's personality. I purse my lips together, trying not to laugh. "You are such a pain."

We arrive at the meadows just in time to see Aneth shift. It seemed to be a smooth transition from a gorgeous Man to a devilish Golden Dragon. Everything seemed to be falling into place now. My Kingdom could finally see me as someone who could lead them into a new era. Even though Mael's presence shook my husband's, I was rather happy about it. It felt like I was finally getting to know the beast that dwelled beneath my skin for so long. I wondered if my mother could see me, and part of me wondered if she would be proud. Despite everything she did, I knew in my heart that she truly did love me. Sometimes, we genuinely don't know the people we love. But for all of it to lead up to this moment in the present made me feel like I accomplished so much, and I still had a long way to go.

*****

~Javall~

"She drowned to get away from me." Javall's arms rest above his head as he leans against the stone wall. "How awful of person did she think I was?" Javall says more to himself than to Ursula. In the end, Calea screamed for that beast instead of him. And yet, he didn't dive in to save her; what was he thinking? His emotions were all over the place; he was infuriated that Calea still resisted him no matter what he did. Maybe he should have laced his blood with dragons.

Ursula stands beside him, "Calea was unfit for this Kingdom and our way of life. Nivilia tainted her. She would rather run with reptilian beasts than be in her rightful place in Paldania." 

Javall's heart aches. His desperation to be loved got the better of him. He blamed it on his parents, who groomed his eldest brother, Cassian, more than him. The golden child, his brother, was everything to Paldania, and the fact that there was no backlash to Nivilia boggled his mind. He figured it had to do with the fact that Kamari's Father had been murdered as well. But by his own child's hand. 

That's what Paldania didn't know. Kamari had kept it a secret, and Javall only recently discovered it through his investigations. Of course, upon coming to Nivilia, he had ulterior motives; his suspensions got the better of him, and at first, he did coax Calea into his grasp again. He sifted through her mind to figure out what happened. Javall saw that horrid scene that Calea witnessed. No matter how much he envied his brother Javall couldn't stand by and do nothing. Browen had tempted him into sealing Kamari's fate and again taking Calea, his one true love, into his arms. He caved and did what Browen told him, but he didn't expect Kamari to be so forthcoming and admit what she did was wrong. It made him feel worse, but not enough to sway him to give up his wants. For a moment, he had her, and she admitted she loved him, so why did she change her mind so quickly? Javall was now more confident that Kamari had her hybrid claws in Calea. 

Kamari had taken away his brother, his first love, and now his damn sanity. He didn't care what other people thought. Kamari was the real monster, and he was out to slay them. "Paldania has suffered at the hands of that demonic bitch. Aneth is the only one who can defend her without becoming harmed himself." Javall stands tall, his motivation twisted by the yearning for revenge. "Dragons are nothing but primal beasts; they can only wield elements, but we control the very fabric of life," Javall opens and closes his hand, a black mist intertwining his fingers, "No matter how corrupted," his voice strained.

Ursula folds her hands in front of her. "You sound as if you want to plot against the Nivilia. Am I assuming right, your majesty?"

"I'm not plotting." He clenches his fist. I already know what I want to do." His blood races with dark intentions. "What can destroy someone so deeply they may not come back from it? Ever?" He already knows the answer. He knows because his parents went through it and weren't here because of it.

"Sire?" Ursula's face contorts in confusion. Javall pauses and looks up to his family portrait, where the ghost of his elder brother haunts him. But he left it above the throne, as a reminder of why he couldn't give up so easily. "Kamari isn't as strong as she seems. Not without the people who surround her. Without her so-called "husbands," she would be vulnerable. But I don't need to get rid of them." He wears a twisted smile, "All I need to do is take the lives of her children."

Ursula also looks up at the portrait, "Your brother didn't believe in dark magic. His soul was much too pure for it." Javall's jaw twitches as he leans at Ursula, "Are you saying mine was tainted from the beginning?"

"No. Your soul is much stronger than Cassian's, making your power more fruitful now." Ursula places a hand on Javall's shoulder. "But I will suggest adding Kamari's offspring souls to your reptuare. I won't deny the power they may wield."

Javall smiles crookedly. "Wouldn't that be horror for Kamari to know?" He chuckles softly. "I'll take your suggestion. I might as well put them to good use."