Mine (Book 1 )

Part 15

The Capital

Djolna waits at court, standing up and pacing in front of his father, irritated that his brother Kal hadn't arrived in time. He felt disrespected that his brother had delayed his arrival at court. "Prince Kal of Gaia and Ayra" the guard announces and in strides Kal. He was more handsome than all of the brothers present there. Djolna was vain and it troubled him that the Gaian Princes who were also his brothers were better than him in every way. But Gaians were weak, Djolna thought. They trusted the minds of their wolves more than their own. They took only one wife in their lifetime and let a wolf choose it for them. 

Djolna would be stronger and would overpower them all if he found Luka's daughter for himself. Kal dressed like a Gaian Prince. His torso bare with only a cummerbund wrapped tightly around his waist. It secured his daggers with only the hilt jutting out. His trousers dark and his back straight with broad shoulders. Djolna had jewels around his neck, his robes were colourful and he was an inch or two shorter than Kal. 

"Your Majesty" Kal greets his father. 

"Kal!" Eckhard smiles at his favourite son. If it weren't the law of the land, he would have made Kal his heir. Kal looked just like his mother. Right from his nose to his smile, everything resembled Evie. He looked nothing like Eckhard. You could tell they were related but Kal was everything Eckhard admired in Gaian Princes. Eckhard had made sure Gaia was troubled and threatened. He knew in order to save its people they would sacrifice one of their own. He had lusted over Evie and made sure she was brought as a trophy to Ayra. Everyone had admired him. All the kingdoms wondered how an Ayrian had broken the Gaian tradition and managed to marry one of its daughters. 

He remembers being scared of her wolf. He remembers her being disgusted by him. He remembered taking her by force. He wanted a son from her. A son like Kal and he got not one, but two. They were his favourites. Kal took his place in court and listened quietly to Djolna's plans. He didn't give away his thoughts on it. He thought Djolna stupid of chasing after the daughter of Luka. 

Kal's mind wandered, he hadn't seen his mother and brother in a long time and was looking forward to reuniting with them in Attyra. He had spent the last two moons at the Lyska border and even spent time with his Aunt Ferra. It had made him less homesick. He then thought of his love Rova. He had sent her directly to Attyra, confident that Evie would take care of her. If he brought her to Ayra, he would have worried for her safety. 

"He wouldn't dare touch the seas" Theffa speaks "He fears the Goddess Taissa" 

"What's a little fear? It wouldn't stop him from finding her." Desta scoffs "Father, may I suggest we start rallying the kingdoms?" 

"What say you, Kal?" Eckhard looks at Kal and before Kal responds Djolna stands up again. 

"Instead of worrying about fighting a war with the Gods, I suggest we find her." Djolna spits. 

"It is your decision Father" Kal speaks courteously "Either way, I stand by your side if you are in the right" he pledges "But a war with Gods is no joke, we would lose" he purses his lips "They're immortal. We're not" he simply says. 

"You pledge your allegiance to us regardless of your opinions" Djolna threatens. "We are not Gaia. Have you forgotten where you come from brother?" 

"Have you forgotten the Gods in the Domus Dei brother?" Kal asks "You think they'd watch over us if you side with their enemy?" 

"Luka is not our enemy" Djolna insists. "Has he not helped us win wars?" 

"Or has he caused them?" Kal argues. Just as Djolna is about to unleash his anger upon Kal, a growl tears the courts focus from Kal and Djolna and lands on the grey wolf that has entered court and is making its way to Kal's side.