Pastel Colored Sadness

CHAPTER 11 Love and Truth

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Chapter 11

Love and Truth

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I woke up to the rush of salty air rushing into the cold car. Mother O'Kelly was getting into the passenger seat beside me. I sat up, wondering what she wanted. "Is there something wrong?" I asked.

Mother O'Kelly sighed, "It seems like Conner has partially bonded with you, and the council wishes to speak with you. This is the strongest dragon child born into the world, and the nine kings have gathered here personally. You are to wear your scales or a traditional uniform, and it will be decided if you are to bond with Conner, or be thrown into the sea," she explained heavily.

I nodded, my hands shaking as I took my newly completed dress from its hiding place. Mother O'Kelly tied me up in the back, and helped me put in the accessories. "These pins are to symbolize purity and matrimony in our people's culture. I'd like you to wear them," she took my hair and decorated it beautifully. I had a feeling that if my hair hadn't been cut, it would have been even more beautiful.

I followed Mother O'Kelly back into the maze of carpet walls, then knelt before the nine kings, the Olms closing the ring around us. To the side was the Mer family I'd seen, watching me as I stood before the kings in my scales. "Rise, Earwyn," the Mer King, wearing a skirt of his own deep blue scales, commanded. He held power over every Mer, and his crown of black coral was enchanted to let him see the names of all his subjects.

I rose, head held high. I noted that Conner was sitting on the ground beside the dragon king, his horns adorned with a crown of red roses. "It was said that you had partially bonded with my nephew, Earwyn, cursed child of the sea. Did you intend to bind him to you such as this for your own gain?" the Dragon King asked.

"No, Your Majesty. I've accepted my fate," I say with as strong a voice as I could.

"You hold yourself like a child of gentry," the Vampire King noted, "Who is your father?"

"My father is Tasman Sinclair. Son of the sea. My mother is Cordelia, daughter of Eve," I inform them. Everyone whispered among themselves.

"It is true, My Kings," the Mer father stood, "Last night, she blessed Conner O'Kelly with the Blessing of the Sea Dragon, and her song did not falter. She is of noble blood," he voiced for me.

The Mer King blinked with surprise. "When were you born, dear child?" He asked me.

"I was born on the night of the full moon, on February 29th," I tell them.

The kings murmured, all but the Mer King, who looked outraged. He stood, and then surprisingly hugged me. He did not seem to notice the tingling pain where our skin touched. Even to me, this pain was hardly noticeable to that of the pain I'd been in when I touched my mother that night.

"Brothers of the Clans. I deem this child worthy of a Dragon's heart. She is my granddaughter and the heiress to my throne. It shall not go to Tasman, who has broken the most high law," he spoke addressing the other Kings, his arm still around my shoulders.

The other Kings looked at each other, then the Dragon King stood, "I give my consent," he nodded, touching Conner's shoulder. Conner rose, his eyes wide as he looked at me. I smiled nervously, unsure of what was going on either as the other Kings stood and nodded their consent.

"Your Majesty--"

"Call me papi," he smiled down at me as everyone talked freely.

"Papi..." I tried, then continued, "I don't understand how you knew I was your heir when I told you of my birth," I whispered.