Divine Realizations [ Clarion X Milori ]

Chapter 16

Clarion almost screamed when she heard her bedroom door open.
She kept forgetting that she wasn't the only one here for the time being.
Absently, she brushed her hands against her skirt.
She loved her signature golden dress.
Clarion wore it everyday save for special occasions.
It was simple, elegant and tasteful and while she knew her subjects placed bets on whether or not she also slept in it, she didn't care.
But for the record she didn't.
Clarion actually had a multitude of other dresses and nightgowns she wore.
Whenever she was in her chambers for the night, alone and expecting no one (which was usually the case), she would always change into a less conservative, shorter gown.
This one was almost the carbon copy of her classic long dress but it stopped just above her knees.
She also normally let her hair down, an attempt to relax after a long day.
She had just finished changing into her evening dress and was about to undo her twist when Milori came barging in.
Clarion looked at him and frowned but then turned away, continuing her evening routine.
"We may be married Milori but please do knock from now on, one day you just might really catch me at a bad time."
After letting the pins out of her hair Clarion turned around but stopped short and tried not to laugh.
The expression on Milori's face could be described as comical but shocked was an even more appropriate term.
"You look like you did the day Fairy Mary told you global warming was becoming a huge issue." Clarion softly laughed.
Milori must have realized his mouth was hanging open because he closed it and then stammered,
"Sorry I was - well I just had this idea and... do you ever go out like that... in public?"
Clarion felt her face redden as self-consciousness washed over her and she smoothed a hand down her long tresses.
"Well no, but I thought it was quite becoming", she laughed nervously and looked away. Immediately Milori shook his head and took a step farther into the room.
"No I didn't mean for it to sound like that, it is very becoming, I just have never seen you like this before. In all the time that we have known each other I've never seen you look so care free and well, unguarded."
At that moment Clarion looked up and their gazes collided.
For a solid 30 seconds they stared at each other in silence, a mutual understanding passing between them.
However all to soon Milori broke the spell and stammered on.
"I uh, well... I came originally to tell you of a plan I think just might put us one over Kealy."
Initially disappointed at the interruption of their intimate moment, Clarion quickly filled with joy in hearing those words.
Turning to grab her hair brush she said,
"Thats amazing, tell me what you have in mind."
Milori immediately began to pace, his tell-tale sign when he was deep in thought.
"Look, we know we can't stop Kealy from coming here so maybe we can trap him when he does. I propose we plan a big festival or event and move every subject of Pixie Hollow to the Winter Realm for the time being. We would say it was a week long festival and try to coincide it with when Kealy might come, which should be sometime within the next few days. This will ensure all the fairies' safety and the (now) Winter Army can surround Kealy and his soldiers as they enter."
When Milori finished he paused to look at her as she mulled things over in her head.
"It's a great plan and not just because it's the only one we have so far", Clarion chuckled, "But should we be risking the Pixie Dust tree for even a second? Who knows what Kealy will do when he finds out this is a setup. And your willing to take in 800+ fairies for a whole week? Where will they sleep and eat?"
Milori forced a smile,
"Leave it to you Clarion to ask all the hard questions."
"Well someone has to, this will only work if we think through every detail."
Milori nodded his head, conceding;
"Centuries ago when my father founded the Winter Realm, he like I, also had a dream of creating a standing army for all of Pixie Hollow. He built hundreds of barracks and suites connected to the south side of my palace that are currently vacant. They're really quite nice and I could have some servants prepare them. As for the food, this is supposedly a festival, so we will find something to celebrate and our cooks will make as much as needed." Milori stopped then, grinning, and Clarion realized he was very pleased with the plan he had just come up with.
She had to admit that she to was impressed and interested in seeing how this played out. She also realized that she didn't want to be far from him with all that was about to transpire.
"It's a deal then," Clarion said, "We will need to make another decree tonight announcing the festival.
Things will need to be rushed but I don't think anyone will have an issue with it."
"An issue with partying and relaxing?"
Milori laughed,
"No I think not."
Again they met each others gazes and she became lost in the ambiance of having a partner, even if only for a short time.
He was gazing so fondly at her, almost as if he truly cared for her - as if he could love her. Clarion cringed inwardly.
It was now or never she thought because no matter what happened, if Kealy did end up winning and claiming victory, this would be the only thing to save them.
Just as Milori was about to turn to leave the room, Clarions' hand reached out to stop him.
"Milori wait, I... I was wondering."
With curiosity holding him hostage he asked "Yes? Did you have another idea or plan?"
"Uh no, not exactly.. more like a what if - backup plan thought."
Milori laughed at her unique wording and answered,
"I'm all ears."
Hesitantly Clarion replied,
"If Kealy does win in the end and takes over Pixie Hollow, what will happen to me and my fairy subjects?"
Milori frowned at this,
"Well we won't be losing in the first place, but if something were to go wrong I would say anyone from Pixie Hollow can stay in the Winter Realm where it is safe. It would be tough at first to acclimate but I would of course also help you fight back at Kealy. As we speak I am asking for aid from neighboring kingdoms and almost everyone has given support."
Milori then smiled but Clarion still felt uneasy.
"I'm so relieved to hear you say that," Clarion continued, "However... I don't know if you recall but a situation just like this happened to two bordering kingdoms not that long ago and everyone refused to help because it was against the Fairy Code."
Clarion looked at Milori pointedly hoping he would get the gist but he stared back blankly at her.
She continued,
"The Code states that a couple wishing to spar with another realm must be properly and fully married in order to garner support of any kind from fellow rulers."
Again Clarion stopped and stared at Milori who was now frowning.
Finally he looked up with determination and her heart started to beat faster, hoping he was about to deliver the reaction she was praying for.
Milori responded,
"You don't have to worry, we can stay 'married' until this whole thing ends. I promise to always help you when it comes to Kealy."
Clarion sighed.
Not the reaction or even the topic she had hoped he would reassure her on.
Again she continued,
"What I'm trying to say is the Code states that the marriage must be "properly and fully carried out." Milori, consummation is needed for it to be legally complete."
Clarion winced as she looked up to see Miloris' stricken face.
She definitely did not think that it would be that bad, embarrassed that he was so against sex with her.
With a force she had never seen before, he all but shouted when he said,
"Absolutely not! It's only been a month and a half since Arden died, I will not desecrate her memory by having sex with some other woman that soon!"
The tension in the room right then was over the roof and she didn't think it could get any worse until he had said that.
But she was wrong and she exploded.
"Some other woman? I get that you don't like being stuck with me Milori but how dare you insult me like that. Trust me when I say that being intimate with you is a chore for me but necessary so that I can save my kingdom." Clarion instantly regretted the lie she had just said when she saw his face, but now they where even.
Without remorse Milori answered,
"Fine - good, because it's not happening anyway. As soon as this is over we are going on with the divorce and you'll never have to "force" yourself to be around me again. How the bloody hell will they even know if we consummated the marriage or not?"
He threw up his hands as he said the last sentence.
Holding tears back, Clarion replied in a deathly quiet voice,
"Because I'll know."
As soon as she saw that her last sentence had hit its mark she quickly passed him and walked out of the room, out the hallway and into the cool night.