The Lethal Air (Royals of the Realm Series #2)

Chapter 14

"You know I love the players, and you love the game." - Taylor Swift, Blank Space

Air Kingdom
White Castle
The Infirmary

Artemis' POV

Although we didn't have casualties, the attack left most of our soldiers wounded. Right after we arrived from the Chrysanthemum Estate I busied myself tending to our soldiers, even secretly mixing a little amount of my blood in their potions and medications. They needed to heal fast, Air Kingdom can't afford to be defenseless even for a short while.

"Your potions are surprisingly very efficient. By sunset I can feel that they will all be up and in good condition." General Colson commented rather baffled. I was shocked too, further adding fear inside me - fear of being caught by Trevine. I will be of good use to them, dead or alive.

I spared him a glance, lingering on the cuts across his cheek and jaw. "I suggest you get that healed too, and recover as much strength while you're at it." I offered him a vial which he gladly took, flipping the lid off and drinking the contents in one gulp. The effects kicked in, the wounds closed and faded into a light bruised scar.

"Heaven's asked for your presence in the conference room, you know." He started, watching me finish tending to the last soldier in the line of beds.

"Is something wrong?" Worry enveloped me right away and as if sensing it he shook his head with a laid back grin. He motioned for me to folllow him, humming quietly to himself as he led me through the halls and to the conference room. I saw all commanders of every platoon seated at the long table in heated discussions and hushed whispers. I can sense their patience running thin, but confused as hell as to why the Air King still remained seated with a passive expression.

Like he's waiting for someone.

As if sensing my presence he stood, extending a hand towards me and guiding me to a chair just beside his. The whispers turned to disbelief and grumbles of disapproval. Even myself does not know what this meeting is going to be about. He seemed determined today, his stone humming a dangerous melody. Once he was seated, with me and Colson on both sides, everybody fell silent. Only harsh stares were exchanged, most coming my way. I guess I know what this is all about.

Me.

"She shouldn't be here, my king. Someone affiliated from a criminal who killed our former king should not even set foot on the kingdom, much less in this place, if you'll ask me." A man spoke, his confidence reaching the ceiling. Other commanders nodded, fueling his advance. He spared me a disgusted look, before looking directly at his king's eyes.

Disrespect.

In the Werewolf Kingdom, looking straight in the eyes of an Alpha or a person of higher rank means disrespect. How much more to a King? I can feel the stone inside Heaven stirring, awake with hunger for blood. I sucked in a breath, noticing how Heaven's expression turned deadly cold.

Oh boy.

"No one asked you, Connor." Heaven's tone sent chills down my spine, and I bet everyone inside this room felt fear in an instant. "You better keep your opinions to yourself if you still want to have your head attached to your body."

Connor swallowed the lump in his throat before nodding and bowing his head in submission and apology. Everyone else did too, afraid to get caught staring at the Air King.

"This isn't a meeting of ignorant fools. I want rational people inside this room, so we could understand each other better. However, if you're feeling you're not someone who could stay silent for a moment and be attentive, leave. I can easily replace you with more efficient soldiers."

No one dared to speak after his speech. He must've felt it too because he nodded, the stone relaxing, and inhaled my scent a little for further motivation in calming his urge to kill.

"You've been there when both attacks happened, in and out of the castle. Necromancers and rebel air elves working together? I know you find that a bit strange." Most of the men nodded yes as they thought about it for a moment, "Both leaders of the group combined forces to infiltrate us, dethrone me especially. Right now, they're still no match for us. They needed a special ingredient for their ritual. One that we have; one that they must not get a hold of."

"What will happen if they do?" A nervous squeak sounded from the right side, staring at Heaven a bit terrified.

"The whole realm suffers," Colson answered with a guarded expression. "Our army will only last a day in the battlefield."

Admitting that must have been tough for him. However, how do they both know about the ritual? As far as I can remember, I shared my memory with Heaven, not my knowledge. Hushed whispers started again, this time out of curiosity and anxiousness.

"What do they need that we have, king Aer? We weren't guarding anything valuable nor powerful." The question seemed to represent everybody else's confused expressions. Heaven held my hand, firm but gentle.

He's asking for permission.

Understanding what he meant, I nodded at him. He faced the group once more and they waited for his answer. There was a dead air you could hear a pin drop.

"The Blood of the Elixr Rites can bring a dead person back to life. They're planning to perform the ritual, but they'll mess it up on purpose. That way, they will have more than one person brought back from the dead - ghouls from their horde of souls."

There were hushed whispers again, clearly surprised about the news. However, that's not the only news we have.

"In order for the ritual to be done, they will need the Elixr, a witch descendant of Hekate. Which means, someone from the Wiccans."

Gasps of surprise reached my ears, the harsh stares turned guarded and contemplative for a moment. Colson sent an encouraging smile my way, sensing the shift in the men's emotions.

"Artemis Wiccan is the rightful Queen of the Witch Council, the Elixr of our generation." One by one their expression changed as they understood who I am, and why is Heaven keeping me safe. Heaven flashed me his killer smile before his brows met suddenly and a frown marred his face. He turned his head towards the commanders once again, "And if you need further reasons to know why she's here listen carefully: she's my queen, and will be your queen as well. We have a bond, and she is mine."

Right after he said that all men stood and bowed in respect to me. The doubts and bad blood all went out of the window right away.

Way to give me a heart attack, Heaven.

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Hey pixies. :)