The Dragon Queen

Chapter 30

Queen Jemma Blythe of Hosephia

Infernal City, Hosephia

Penny happily skips across the room and jumps straight into Henry's arms. They both saw her coming from her place by Marina. The child may not understand everything, but she knows enough. Penelope never knew her father, and Jemma has no intention of telling her about Brighane until her daughter gets older. For now, she wishes the girl to live in complete bliss in believing that Henry is her father in every way. Since Penny was returned to Jemma, Henry has been by their side, by Jemma's side, and that is what mothers and fathers are, right? According to Penelope, anyway.

"Any regrets?" Jemma questions while gazing up at Henry. It amazes her something to realize how little Henry looks like his brother. She supposes that if someone looks hard enough, they could find some similarities, but Brighane is dead. His memory has faded with his death. She doesn't dwell long on her time spent as Brighane's prisoner and mistress. What she does look back on is Henry being there. Henry couldn't go against Brighane, though Jemma knows he wanted to. If he had, Brighane would have killed both Henry and their sister Betta...maybe even Jemma out of spite. He was always manipulative in that way. Where did that get him? He never got the crown he wanted, despite murdering Maya and Janette. His wife, Alexa, has remarried, and his children don't even speak of him. The surname of Rossi has died out and will no more plague the record books.

"Not anymore." Henry shakes his head lightly, with his dark blonde hair tousling slightly. "Not when everything led me to be married to you." He reaches out and pulls her to him, kissing her passionately, showing everyone in the room that she is his. They kept their relationship behind closed doors, away from the public eye for the most part. She was the queen, and he was the general, and certain rules had to be obeyed in public. Now, he is her king, and she is his queen.

They separate when the small crowd descends upon them. Despite this being a royal wedding, Jemma wished for it to be small. Later in the day, they will make their first public appearance for the kingdom, but right now, the celebrations are for her and Henry.

First to embrace Jemma is Marina, who nearly pushes Felix out of the way in the process. Marina may not be Jemma's biological mother, but she is the mother that Jemma chose. Matylda spends all of her time in Creedian now, at Wesley's side, giving up her crusade of interfering in her two eldest daughters' lives. Now she has Makena around daily, and Jemma almost feels sorry for her young sister but knows full well that Makena can stand her own ground. Wesley is a nice person, kind and thoughtful. Jemma had extended an invitation to Wesley and Matylda. Still, his reply made Jemma realize there is much more love in Wesley's heart for the elder daughters than Matylda has. He respectfully declined the invitation, stating the reason of knowing there is awkwardness and tension between the mother and daughters, that he does not wish upon such a happy occasion for Jemma. They intend to visit later, allowing the newlyweds time to themselves.

Jemma hugs Felix tightly. She didn't know she was until he hugged her back. She didn't have parents growing up. She didn't have people looking after her, giving her affection and guidance. How different her life would have been if she had. She never knew what she was missing until she met Marina and Felix. Even though she had no blood tie to either of them, they treated her more like family than her mother. She supposes that having adopted parents now is better than never having any, and she will take what she can get.

Jaymie approaches next and gives her a tight squeeze. It has been a month since the battle and two weeks since transferring the Phoenix bond. Jemma didn't feel any different, and though it hurt to gain the little bits from Diego and Killian, it was not near what attaining it from Jaymie felt like. She felt bad for Makena, knowing exactly how it felt. Of course, there is no way of knowing exactly how much any of them have, but Jaymie still is on top, and rightfully so. Makena has admitted to hearing Pyro, something she couldn't do before. Jemma and Jaymie admitted to feeling Makena's presence before she received a piece of the bond, but that might have more to do with them being sisters than the bond. Now, Jemma, at least, can always tell where Makena is. She doesn't know how, but it is the same with feeling Jaymie, though slightly different pulls between the two.