Deadly Beautiful (SuperCorp Medieval AU)

Part 43

or the one where things begin to pick up again, we can't allow them to be happy for too long now can we?

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Kara tucked Lena in against herself and held her close as they walked through the busy market streets. If Lena noticed when Kara brought the cape around to Lena's unprotected flank, she did not mention it. She rather found Kara's overprotective tendencies adorable. Lena giggled at how they walked so closely together they tripped over one another's feet. She held onto Kara's belt to keep herself close.

"What is that?" Kara bent to ask directly in Lena's ear, pointing to the center of the square.

"A herald, come to deliver a message from the king. It likely has naught to do with us. Do you want to go and listen in?" Lena asked, her lip twitching up as she held onto Kara's shoulder and met those amazing blue eyes.

"Yes, just in case. Your situation is as of yet still precarious and I do not want to miss anything. No matter how things are between us or where we may be, your protection will always be my highest priority." Kara replied, placing Lena back underneath her arm and held her close. The princess had never felt so safe as she did when they were so close to one another.

"His Most Royal Highness, Alexander Luthor, has instructed his stewards to announce the retrieval of the King's Ward, Samantha Arias as his bride and long-standing love. The marriage is to be held within a fortnight after her arrival in three days. Prepare yourselves for the celebration and a reign of love and peace in our fair kingdom." the man announced, his voice echoing over the din of the shoppers and the merchants hawking their wares.

Lena's face had gone at least two shades more pale than it had been previously. Kara tightened her grip on the other girl to prevent her from falling. She swallowed dryly as a lump formed in her throat as she tried to process everything she had heard and learned. Kara wanted more than anything to help Lena, to protect her, and keep her safe. She knew Sam had been important to Lena and there was nothing like a first love to get under someone's skin. Kara understood.

"Let us get back then, love. The others need to hear about this. We can come up with a plan then." Kara said in a low voice that echoed with a sense of power coming from deep inside of herself. Lena knew and felt it from before when Kara had felt as though Lena were in danger or even just being threatened in some way.

Lena only nodded in response and held Kara's hand like a lifeline as the blonde pulled her hurriedly through the crowd. They rushed back to Cat's Tavern Inn, calling for the rest of the council to follow for an emergency meeting. When they sat, Kara pulled Lena's seat closer to her own and let her bury her face momentarily in Kara's cape covered shoulder. When the others came bolting in, Lena sat upright and hurriedly attempted to make herself presentable.

"I can... I can handle this part. You take as long as you need." Kara leaned back into Lena and murmured before standing up at the head of the table. Kara tucked her thumbs into her belt and cleared her throat to gather attention.

She looked down the table at all of the expectant faces. At her right hand was Lena and at her left was Alex. Down the rest of the table in no particular order were James, Winn, Cat Grant, who owned the Tavern Inn, and Vasquez and J'onn who had just gotten in that morning. Kara was incredibly relieved. She had the best team she could possibly ask for around that table.

"Were the two of you not supposed to be out on a date?" Alex asked. "What is going on?"

"Lex Luthor has brought Samantha Arias back to the capital with the intention of wedding her. We cannot allow that to happen." Kara said firmly and directly. She gripped the edge of the table in her hands and squeezed, leaning forward to meet everyone's eyes individually.

"Have you considered the possibility he is doing this solely to bring Lena out of hiding?" Alex asked, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms over her chest, brow furrowing in consternation.

"I have, and that is why I have decided I will take a select team back to handle the rescue, while Lena remains here. It pains me to leave her and I know you all know that, but without even having to ask I knew this is what she would want me to do." Kara's tone left no room for argument and her eyes blazed. She looked almost like she wanted somebody to challenge her.

"Are you certain this is a risk we can afford to take?" J'onn asked, his voice careful and measured. Unlike Alex, he did not look ready to pounce. His hands were folded on the table and he seemed entirely compassionate, earnest, and matter-of-fact. Kara saw no hint of maliciousness there. Lena, on the other hand, did not take it as well.

"What do you mean by that?!" Lena stood up so quickly it knocked her chair back across the room.

"I know what Sam means to you, my lady, I really do. Still, do you really want to put Kara and the other members of this 'elite team' at risk for her?" Lord J'onn asked, still in that careful tone. "You care about Kara as well, do you not?"

"You should not begin to dare, Uncle." Lena's voice was nearly a growl. "Do not trivialize my feelings for this woman. I know what is at stake, but I also have carried guilt about Sam's fate for long... and Kara Danvers of all people understands that, and I trust her above anyone else I have ever known. If she says she is going to do this, I say she should."

"I am not doing this because Lena asked me to. I am doing this because it needs to be done." Kara interjected. "I refuse to leave that girl there. No one deserves to be stuck with that man against their will."

"If you insist." J'onn acquiesced.

"Well, as much as I do not like it, I guess we need a plan." Alex said with a heavy sigh and opened a drawer to begin pulling out plans and schematics.