Tribal Queen Book 1

Chapter 8

Hunter slowly got dressed, unsure of his feelings for Willow. But he was certainly going to avoid her for a while. He heard the door handle click and Zu opened the door.

"You alright Hunter?" Zu asked him. Hunter shook his head yes. "Alright, let's head to the palace and I will show you to the chambers you will share with Her Grace."

Hunter's eyes went wide when he finally saw the palace, he had never seen anything like it before. But he was informed by Willow on their ride this morning that the Queen travels when the weather is nice, so they will only be here when it is really hot or really cold.

Zu clasped the man on the shoulder, "It can be overwhelming at first... but you will get used to it."

Hunter nodded, "I hope so. I want to make Reyn happy."

Zu smiled. "Good. She deserves it."

Hunter walked into the room that he was to share with the Queen. He had never seen anything like this before. There was a large bed against the far wall... two large floor-to-ceiling windows that were open to let the cool breeze in. And large fur rugs on the floor. There was a fireplace on one wall for both light and heat at night.

"The Queen will be in shortly." Zu turned to leave, "Don't be alarmed, but two serving girls will be in shortly with drinks and some food. And I will be right outside." Zu headed back out into the hall to his post.

Zu let the two girls in carrying trays and they set them down on the table in the center of the room. Hunter watched them nervously. The girls smiled at him and bowed. They each sat on pillows in the corner of the room and bowed their heads as if waiting for someone else.

Before Hunter could get up the nerve to ask them what they were doing one of them said softly, "We hope you enjoy what we brought for you. Those are Her Grace's favorite."

Out in the hall, Zu didn't even have to look up to know when Reyn was approaching, the sound of the chain around her waist gave her away. He held the door open to her suit and bowed his head before her.

"Is he ok?" Reyn asked him.

Zu nodded his head, "Aye, he seemed slightly shaken and nervous."

"And Willow?" Reyn raised an eyebrow.

"I will punish my bride, with your blessing." Zu said with a stern look on his face.

Reyn held up her hand, "No, let's see if she can avoid him. If not then yes."

Reyn walked into her room and smiled as she saw the refreshments and the serving girls in their places. Hunter stood nervously in the far side of the room, so she smiled sweetly at him.

"I heard you had quite the morning."

He fell to his knees, "Will you ever forgive me?"

Reyn walked to him and knelt next to him, "My gentle one, I don't blame you at all. And Willow will be punished."

He had tears in his eyes, "I should have known. She tricked me. She said you told her to teach me. I only wanted to make you happy..."

Reyn kissed his cheek, "I am so happy. I will guide you. And honestly... the fun part is you learning what I like on your own. And I get to find out what you like. But tonight since you have been through so much... we can just hold each other."

Hunter looked sad, "But... if I want to hold you again like before?"

"We can hold each other." She kissed him. "I have to meet with some members of my council, then I will come back here. The girls will serve you food and drink. But they will not touch you. They know better." Reyn looks at the girls, "Don't you girls?"

The girls both nodded their heads but didn't look up out of respect.

Hunter kisses her again, "Come back soon."

Reyn left her room, she smiled to herself. Taking Hunter as her true husband was her best idea yet. He was sweet and in no way plotting against her or looking for power. The other men she took into her favor would be either council members only or the occasional lover. She paused and looked back towards her room, she doubted she was going to want to share her bed with another at this point.

She didn't want to hurt him.... Wait... she honestly didn't want to hurt him! Could she have feelings for him? This wasn't part of the plan. Falling in love never crossed her mind. What was she going to do now? The one person she wanted to talk to about this she was currently mad at. Maybe she would talk to Willow about this in a few days. When both of them had settled down.

She walked into the council meeting chambers and the somber faces were not a good sign. "What is the matter with all of you?" Reyn asked.

An older man looked up at her, "Queen Reyna..."

"REYN!"

"Yes... Queen Reyn, we heard a disturbing report that you took in a slave as a potential husband."

"First of all, he is a freed slave. Second, he will be my true husband. And third, the list of the others have been sent off this morning, so those men should arrive by the end of the week. And my new council should be assembled soon."

The council leader closed his ledger book, "So that is it then... we have no say in this?"

Reyn stood, "You should be thankful I didn't kill the lot of you with Tau! But you pledged to me and I let you live. Take your retirement gracefully and live by our tradition. You are forcing me to take in five husbands. And we all know the choice of the true husband is all mine."

She took out her blade and stuck it into the tabletop, "I have had enough of your meddling in my life. This is the last thing I need to address before I run things my way!"

The older man flinched, "Yes, my queen. When will we meet our future king?"

Reyn narrowed her eyes at his tone, "I plan on presenting him tomorrow at the ceremony that will be held to welcome me back to the palace from my trip. As is tradition, or have you forgotten that?"

The older man bowed his head, "No Your Grace, that is still planned for tomorrow."

Reyn placed a hand on her flat stomach, "Any heirs that I have with my True husband, will be taught how to be leaders. Males will be sent to the tribes. Females will remain here, till they choose a husband. That husband must bring us something in return though." All members of the council agreed. "Our firstborn child... regardless of male or female... shall inherit the throne."

The council leader wrote all of that down. "Yes, Your Grace."