The Revenant Queen (wlw)

Chapter Fifty- Three

Samuel, Isaac and a dozen revenants who lived and worked there in the manor stood before Adira, their solemn faces mirrored the woman who ruled and kept them in line. Her majesty sent for them minutes prior as she and the young girl were yet to leave for the lake.

"I'm certain by now you've heard about the friction between the undead," the woman started to say. She paced in front of the people, her hands clasped behind her back. Adira heard a deafening silence, it was so quiet if a pin dropped within the vicinity it could be heard in the entire room. Not even a single movement could be seen either and that's what the queen appreciated, attentiveness.

"Several minutes before I sent for you, word came that some of my revenants went against my orders and retaliated, sparring with the vampires, ultimately killing one,"

The news did not come as a surprise to the people but for Colette a bad feeling that once permeated returned, weighing down her stomach. She understood the severity of the issue and for that, she felt anxious, the girl couldn't believe the two sides were already at it despite there being no need for fighting.

Why were they so truculent?

"You lot can tend to be very, very hard of hearing," the woman said her gaze fixed directly to Samuel and under her scrutiny, the man shifted his stance. Memories of Ra and his sister Apep snapping at him filled the man's head and he swallowed to help with the sudden dryness of his throat.

"The reason I'm here repeating myself once more is that I am adamant about there being peace between the revenants and vampires and everyone else. We've already had years of dispute and I don't want history to repeat itself. Samuel," Adira called the man's name and the blonde's eyes widened.

"Yes, your majesty?"

She'd never seen him act more disciplined and she knew the chiding with her babies humbled the man, though she knew such humbleness wouldn't last long.

"You are not to leave this property unless you're going to take Isaac with you," Adira stepped closer. "Whenever there's trouble you always seem to find your self in the midst and I cannot have that, I already have enough to rectify,"

"But I never did anything," Sam said, his face morphed with sadness due to his biased treatment. In the face, he looked like a child, one that was humbled by his mother's stern presence and indeed he was. The man trod lightly around the queen.

"I know and that's what I'm trying to prevent,"

"I understand, your majesty," the man said, his eyes to the floor.

Turning to Isaac, the queen knew besides Mclean he was the only one she could trust. He was mature, grounded and that's what she adored about him but ever since the situation with his sister the man distanced himself and Adira didn't blame him if he carried some amount of animosity. It was never her intention for the situation to turn to that but Petra did force her hands.

"I need you to bring the rebels to me, Isaac, can you do that?" She asked in a much softer voice and the man nodded.

"Of course,"

"Good. The rest of you don't do anything stupid. Vaquer à tes occupations,"

Quietly the room full of people dispersed.

Allowing Colette to hook her arm through hers, the queen led the girl out of the room. She was worried but for now, they coddled a tiny, tiny flame that could be distinguished easily, she need only to keep her revenants in check and despite how arduous it might seem, she knew she was capable of it.

"I'm sorry you have to tend to me while there are more pressing matters,"

"Nonsense," Whispered Adira pulling the girl closer to her body. "When we come back I'll discipline those wayward ones, for now, I'll take you to the lake,"