Tribal Queen Book 1

Chapter 16

Zu walked slowly into the council chambers, it was a crowded room because the old council members were there to offer support and guidance for the new members. They were not planning on having to have the council decide on something this soon into them taking the positions. Reyn had also not been able to come and greet them as she had planned. The poisoning she got from the Star metal was very toxic. And her body was just now recovered.

Zu took his seat toward the head of the table, across from him was Willow. They all rose when the guard at the door announced that the queen was approaching. Reyn walked through the door and all eyes were fixed on her. She was practically glowing. They all assumed it was from her happiness of finding her true mate.

Reyn leaned down close to Zu, "Are you sure you should be up and about?"

Zu put a hand on his side, where he was still healing from the wound he got while saving her life. "I could ask you the same thing, Your Grace."

Reyn nodded, "Guess you and I are just going to be stubborn till the end." She slowly stood then took a seat at the head of the table. Reyn was still slightly shaky but she had to get out of bed. Hunter was afraid of causing her more pain so they have only been sleeping and holding onto each other at night. She would rather get the word from Vai she was healed enough to return to the task of convincing an heir. Plus the act of trying for one was extremely enjoyable.

Hunter had delayed the council meeting until she felt well enough to attend. "Welcome to my new council members. I would apologize for not coming to you as soon as the ceremony was finished, but as you all are aware I was kidnapped and poisoned. That is actually the purpose of this meeting. We know the village that needs to be dealt with and wants to know how you will proceed with finding Lau and pushing him."

All members old and new started to talk amongst themselves and Reyn had to slam her fist down on the table to get their attention, bringing them back on topic.

Zu spoke at last, "We need to send a group of our army there and flush him out. We are ready for him this time."

Reyn nodded as she listened to Zu. "I know where they are, I know who they are, and this is very bad news for them. We have scouts making sure that no one leaves the village and starts to travel here. They have been given instructions to take out someone who appears to be traveling here. My concern is that the toxic way of thinking has started to spread like an illness among the other tribes. That must be stopped at once! I just did a tour of all of the villages, and now they are trying to turn on me." Her eyes flashed darkly as she was filled with emotion. "Leave no stone unturned, leave no village unsearched. I want all of the usurpers caught and dealt with."

Zu touched her arm, "Your Grace, we should also send shipments of food along with these men, so that they may offer it to those who have been loyal and willing to talk."

Reyn placed her hand on top of Zu's resting on her forearm. "I like that idea Zu." She then turned to the council, "Follow this plan, with the addition of food and or other supplies those villages need who are loyal and want to assist us in our search for Lau."

One of the elder council members stood, "Your Grace until you have an heir... He needs to name a processor in case something happens to you." This has not been an issue before now, because everyone assumed that Reyn was untouchable since her bloodline was that of the Gods. Reyn nodded her head, she had also been thinking about this as well.

"I will have an answer for you soon on that concern. In the meantime, all new council members please learn from our esteemed elders. You will have to learn to have these meetings all on your own soon." Reyn walked out of the room.

Reyn was almost to the door of her bedroom when she heard a noise inside. When she opened the door someone from behind her poked a blade into her lower back. The fact that she could feel it pierce her skin ever so slightly told her it was made from star metal. Her eyes went wide and she put her hands up signaling that she was not going to put up a fight.

"That is smart." The low voice growled into her ear. "I am going to teach you a lesson once and for all." He shoved her into her bedroom, "I am going to see why everyone finds you so appealing." Reyn's hands were brought behind her and she felt the all familiar sensation of star metal cuffs on her wrists. The metal was already burning where it touched her skin. The man behind her pulled her skirt up exposing the flesh of her ass to him. He pushed her face down on her bed and pulled her hips toward him. He slapped her ass so hard that she was sure it would leave a mark.

Reyn started to chant a prayer asking the Gods to help her, "Koitáxte mas me to symponetikó sas máti. Deíxte mas pós na aneveíte páno apó tous oratoús kai aóratous echthroús. Topothetíste mésa mas mia dýnami apó psilá. mas perikleíei me to paníschyro dexí sas chéri. kratíste mas káto apó tin prostasía ton fterón sas. ochyróste mas me agápi o énas gia ton állon kai dóste mas ametávliti eiríni." (translation - Look upon us with your compassionate eye. Show us how to rise above both the visible and invisible enemies. Place in us a power from on high; encompass us with your almighty right hand; keep us under the protection of your wings; fortify us with love for one another and grant us unshakable peace.)

The man behind her pushed her face further down into the mattress trying to silence her. But a glowing light emitted from the open window. It hit Reyn and she threw her head back, able to overpower him. The chains around her wrists broke and she pushed herself up.

The man was thrown back from her with a force that sent him crashing into the wall. Reyn turned to face him, her eyes almost white, they had been drained of their ice blue color. The man attempted to reach the door and escape, but Reyn leaped onto him, she pulled the blade from his waist and pressed it into his neck, drawing a thin line of blood.

"I am the daughter of Rao, and I will kill you right here right now. I am Reyna, Goddess of war and death." Reyn was channeling something from the Gods, their power surging through her.

The man looked up at her with tears in his eyes. "You will have to kill me. Because I will never stop."

Reyn plunged the blade into his chest, then stood and walked into the hall. Hunter was running toward her, everyone in the palace had heard and felt the power surge. Witnesses outside said they saw a glow from her room. As Hunter was a few feet from her the light that was glowing from her eyes vanished and then she started to pass out. Hunter caught her before she hit the floor. Her skin was pale and she was hot to the touch. He picked her up and turned to face Willow with Reyn in his arms.

"She is injured!" Willow said urgently as she saw the blood from where the star metal blade pierced her skin on her back. Hunter laid her down on their bed and rolled her on her side. Willow pressed a dressing of clean cloth onto it.