10: Darken, DarkHeart

Chapter three: Astraea

Mother had called a council meeting after i spoke to her. much like me, she didnt like it when the men in our lives kept secrets. 

Around the table sat I, the queen of Drakaria; Oberon, the king of the Dark fairies; my father, James, the king of the Light fairies; Althaeon, the king of Ignisfatia; Rose, the queen of El'gorin; and Lilliana, the queen of Lunistar. My mother and uncle Alexander were also in attendance, seated at the head of the table.

The eight of us constituted the Council of Eight. Fortunately, today all of us were present and there was no need to send a representative.

they had Oberon sit across from me rather than next to me as he normally would. 

Mother rose from her seat and surveyed us all. "I apologize for convening this meeting so abruptly. However, unrest within our kingdoms presents the opportunity for issues to emerge. You have each consented to abide by the Twin Dragons' rule, and as such, you are beholden to us."

"You can imagine my surprise when Astraea and Althaeon arrived at my door last night, panicked," she said, glancing at us before turning to Oberon. "Is there anything you would like to explain, King Oberon?"

"I do not have to explain myself," he said, his voice almost a growl as he crossed his arms.

"You do when it affects another one of the kingdoms," Mother said with the voice she once used as the Great Dragon, filled with authority and anger. "Does this choice harm anyone in this room?"

"It does." he answered, unable to lie. 

"who?" she asked.

He gazed at me, his voice a gentle murmur, "If you were given the opportunity to bring back your twin, would you not set the world aflame for it, my Star?"

"I....I...." My voice quivered. "i would do anything to bring him back, but not at the expense of others i care for."

"You seem to forget Oberon," Mother spoke coldly. "I have burnt the world down for my brother. Many in this room are twins themselves; myself, Alexander, Rose, Astraea, and you. But it is not up to us to bring people back. We cannot make that choice; to sacrifice another to save one person, it's not right."

"you brought back people." he pointed out, "you chose to bring back two people who should have remind dead by your own hands."

Lilliana stood to her feet, slamming her hands on the table. "good to know that you think i should have stayed dead Oberon, no, please do tell us what you really think of me? i was one of those brought back."

"Oberon." i spoke softly, "you seem to forget, half of the people in this room have been brought back from death, or near death at some point. i was about to die, when you had Alexander freeze me in time, that was your ask. but if i had to sacrifice another just to live i would say no."

"same here." mother spoke next. "i was dead, twice, i did not chose to come back, that was a choice others made for me, and there are times even now that i wish i stayed dead."

"i gave my life for my sister." Alexander spoke next. "your own sister brought me back, but i would not have chosen that if i could."

"you seem to forget," i stood to my feet, looking down on my husbands face. "we have all made sacrifices, but to try to reverse death.... Oberon, you cant. if you decide to harm my father, and i know that that is who is to be harmed, i will leave you."

"If you proceed with this, you and your Dark Fairies must seek a new home," Mother said icily.

Oberon stood, towering over mother. "if i recall, i have been here a hell of a lot longer then you and your humans. perhaps you should be the ones to leave."

"try it." she dared him, "i may not have the powers i once had, but i can still kick your ass if i must."

"Robin," i spoke softly, "please reconsider, you do not understand what you risk losing if you do this."

"i am leaving this alliance, and council." Oberon turned to face me, "i cant give her up." with that he stormed from the room. 

i fell to my knees sobbing, a pain in my gut that would not go away. 

Althaeon rushed to my side, "why did you not tell him?"

i looked to my brother, "tell him what?"

"Violet told me, i thought you knew." his face looked grim, "Astraea, your with child."

"what.... thats not...." i felt dizzy.

"if we just tell him." Rose spoke finally, "maybe hed...."

"No." i spoke coldly, "if he is willing to go through with this, he does not deserve to know."

i held my stomach and looked at my mother, "i do not think he will give up my palace easily, may i stay with you?"

"of course." she said as Althaeon helped me to my feet, "but my daughter, he should be told."

"i think its too late now." i said, looking at the open door, "i think he attends to go through with this no matter what."