The Raven and the Wraith Book 2 (Completed!)

The Raven and the Wraith 2 Chapter 35

The Raven and the Wraith 2 Chapter 35

"So the black cat that sent me here...he's a Werecat? Why did he choose me? What does he really want?"

Talia picked up a slice of bread and chewed it thoughtfully. I started to get suspicious that she was planning on just how much to tell me.

"If you know anything about Werecats, tell me."

"I know they are the most unpredictable beings in all the realms. And I know the puppets they choose are those that have the most influence in that particular realm, to sway the tide of Fate. And you, child of two worlds, and herald to the Cat, are much more than simply influential. This is why you must marry Luna and accept the mantle of Prince."

"I'm no Prince. I'm just a street boy. Do you have any idea how badly I would mess things up as a Prince?! And I'm not in love with Luna, I just met her."

Talia looked at me with a blend of motherly concern, and haughty authority. "It does not matter what you were in your realm. And a union for the survival of the entire Cha'el race does not need love."

I got the feeling she was trying to encourage me, and yet still place a direct order on me. This entire evening was feeling more and more surreal, like I was watching reality twist into the unknowable, ever-shifting mist of dreams.

"Why? How could the survival of all Cha'el be balanced on me and what I do? It's ridiculous!"

I heard a wave of quiet settle around the long, wooden table as the other Cha'el began to listen to our conversation. I dragged my fingers over the rough wood of the table, a distant part of my mind recognizing that I needed a familiar sensation, and leaned back in my chair, trying to slow my breathing down. I hated this feeling, like the cold steels jaws of a trap were slowly closing in on me.

"In the Cha'el kingdom, the strongest rule. My family line has held the throne for over two thousand years. The Kahlraugh of the current king or queen will rule all Kahlraugh, but if that one is not strong enough to control their Kahlraugh, then all Kahlraugh will rise up against the Cha'el, in a war to the last one standing. There will be no stopping, no mercy, no backing away. The Royal family always passes this strength on to their children. My husband is dead, my only child is dead. So when I die, there will be devastating war. Unless you take Kaviks place."

"Why not just remarry and have more children?"

Talia, and everybody else in the room, gaped at me like I had just suggested something equally horrific, and scandalous. There was a long, awkward moment, where I looked around and valiantly tried to understand what I might have said that would warrant such a reaction.

"Ok, stop! It's not like I just suggested you all go marry your Kahlraugh or something!" I finally yelled.

Everyone looked to Talia, who still looked slightly stunned. Then her expression morphed as she burst out laughing.

"You are a blast of bright air into our old ways! Maybe, with your otherworldly ways, you can bring about the change I could not."

I decided to ignore that. "So...I take it the Cha'el do not remarry."

Talia nodded, though her eyes still widened at the word "remarry".

"We do not even have such a word in our language. Our Ward is what allows you to speak and understand our language, but you still join words in strange ways. The Cha'el memory is forever, it's impossible for us to have another Mate."

Just then I heard approaching footsteps in the hall. I counted 7 Cha'el, not moving with their characteristic silence. Which meant they intended to announce their presence.

"Trouble heading our way." I said, standing and pulling my blades.

That made everyone else stand and pull weapons, too. I grinned, appreciating how battle-ready the Cha'el were in a moments notice. I had lived that way nearly my entire life.

"Who dares to interrupt me?" Talia growled.

"Seven of your own." I told her.

She tilted her head as everyone in the room went perfectly quiet, their slender, pointed ears aimed towards the hallway as they all listened.

Talia nodded approvingly at me as she finally heard them. "You have keen senses. Like Kavik."

Then seven Cha'el filed into the room, to stand in a line facing us. They were all dressed entirely in black, with silken veils covering their noses and lower faces. This was not a comforting sight.

The tallest of the group stepped forward, one hand outstretched towards Talia, his violet eyes flickering with dark power.

"Talia, thirteenth Queen, mother of none, you are unfit for the throne, you aspire to set an outsider in place of the Bond, you are The Downfall, and must be erased from all Memory. I challenge you to open combat."

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