King of the Night

Chapter Four

Malikai

We had stayed outside until dawn broke across the sky. We had talked about everything that was going to change in her life and how we would adjust to living together. I knew she was scared to accept her new role. I promised her that I would be there for her through everything that she would endure. It wasn't a lie; I would be there for her through everything she would ever go through. She was mine for life. We would grow together in every way possible. We decided to discuss the in depth details such as a family and her coronation once we arrived back in Maloria.

"Your Majesty, a letter has arrived for you from the capitol." I took the letter from the servant and opened it quickly. I glanced over the words as I read. There was a royal ambassador from Lucinia that was demanding an audience with me. He said it was about our breech of their borders. The last time I checked there was no one from Voightire crossing into their lands on my orders. We had been dealing with a rogue faction for a couple of months before I had left Maloria.

"Will you start packing my things? We are leaving much earlier than planned. Please alert Lady Elayna's ladies that they need to begin packing her things quickly as well. I also need to speak with Lord Ezra immediately." I walked to the writing table to write back to my adviser in Maloria. Hopefully this letter would arrive before Elayna and I did.

There was a knock on my door and Ezra walked in, "You wanted to see me, your Majesty? They said it was urgent. Is everything alright?" I motioned for him to sit across from me.

"I just received word about some vital issues that have risen from a group of rogues who have been trying to sabotage my kingdom. I wanted to discuss some important things about your parents before I leave. They are going to be stripped of their titles, lands, and be sent to the far North. Your father will keep his title of general but they won't have anything close to a royal title. I am hoping that you will accept my request to rule this Lordship. It should stay in you family and you are the eldest so you are the rightful heir. Will you rule the Lordship of Tiberius with honor, loyalty, justice, and dignity?" I stood and pulled my sword from its sheath on the table.

Ezra stood up and got on both of his knees on the floor in front of me. "I will rule this Lordship as you rule your kingdom, Majesty. I would be honored to be given this position." I gently tapped the flat of the sword on each of his shoulders, giving him his title and power.

"Your sister and I will be departing as soon as we can get the essentials packed. Would you have your stable hands ready our horses? We won't be traveling with the carriage. I probably should have asked if Elayna knows how to ride on her own." I chuckled and Ezra stood up..

"She can ride better than any man. She rides better than the knights in our Lordship. You won't have to worry about her abilities, your Grace. She learned everything from me on how to protect herself, ride a horse, and many other talents that I thought she should know if something were to ever happen and she had been separated from her guards." Ezra bowed and I nodded, excusing him. He was no doubt headed to his sisters room to tell her goodbye.

Elayna

I laid on the chaise lounge outside on my balcony, reading the scrolls on the duties of the Niya. Maylee walked out and curtsied at me. "Yes, Maylee?" I sat up and rolled the scrolls back up.

"His Majesty has asked that we pack your things immediately. You and the Aran will be leaving as soon as everything essential is packed. He said that your other things will be brought with your Head of Household and your household staff who will depart a few days after you and His Majesty." She curtsied again and walked back inside, no doubt to start packing my things.

"Did he say why we were leaving so quickly?" He had said we weren't leaving for at least two weeks. Something important must have happened to make him want to leave much sooner.

"No, My Lady, he didn't say." She motioned towards the bed. A pair of riding boots, riding pants, a shirt, and a cloak sat on the bed. I slipped off my sandals as Maylee helped me out of my dressing gown and into my riding clothes. I tied my hair back with a ribbon and slipped my boots on, lacing them up. Maylee had finished packing my essentials and sat the rolled pack on my bed.

A quick knock came from my door and Ezra walked in. "You look beautiful as always, little sister. I'm sorry that you have to go so quickly but the Aran has important business he just received word on. You should be in the capitol by the end of the next week. Keep your sword with you at all times. Use what I've taught you if something happens and you are alone or are separated from the Aran. Protect him as well, he is your future and without him you are nothing." He pulled me in for a hug and kissed the top of my forehead. He grabbed the rolled pack from and my cloak. "Let's get you to the stables so that you can leave. The Aran will meet us there."

I gave Maylee a quick hug, "Be safe and I'll see you soon!"

"I will, My Lady." She hugged me back, wiping away a few tears. Ezra and I walked out of my room and towards the stables. I would miss the ocean so much. The warm nights and the smell of salt in the air. I only hoped that something would be like that in Maloria. The capitol sat by the sea but I had never been there before. I could only hope that the ocean was visible from the palace. We got to the stables and I put on my cloak, buttoning it so it would stay on. The sun was starting to set. My mother and father didn't even bother to say goodbye but I didn't care. Ezra hugged me once again.

"I don't know what I'd do if something ever happened to you, Elayna. I'll see you soon enough, little sister." He helped me get on my horse and handed me the reigns.

"If you keep me waiting for too long then I'll be forced to hunt you down, big brother. I'll be safe, I promise." The horse seemed impatient and was growing restless. The Aran came into the stables and every bowed. I smiled and steadied my horse, petting her mane.

"Lord Ezra, I hope to see great progress with your Lordship. Inform me if there is anything that you need." He gave my brother the Lordship? He would only do that if he had stripped my father and mother of their titles. "Elayna, you look beautiful. We shouldn't waste much time. We need to travel back to Maloria as quickly and safely as possible." Ezra tied my pack onto the back of the saddle, securing it tightly. The Aran mounted his horse and his personal guards followed suit.