The Blood Heir

Chapter Nine: Old Friends

      As Nyla was washing the blood of the guard off of her hands, there was a knock at her door. She looked at the clock. It was three in the morning. Who, in their right mind, would come the her rooms at three in the morning?! She sighed and trudged over to the door, carefully making sure her robe was closed. Nyla was met with Dante's grim face. "What are you doing here?" She hissed. He shook his head and stepped inside, forcing her to take a step back. "I need to talk to you." She laughed, "Why don't you go talk to Seraphine about it?" He just looked at her like she was speaking another language. She groaned and closed the door, motioning for him to sit down. Dante obliged graciously. He stared at her empty fireplace  for a moment before his eyes settled on Nyla, causing her to shift in her seat. "The Lady Ivy from the Wraith Province in Raidel is to be joining us tomorrow and I hoped you would know what she is like." Nyla narrowed her eyes at him, her mouth twitching, "Why do you want to know? My sister is to be your wife in less than a months time." He grimaced, "Yes, I am aware. And I just wish to be polite and know some of the Lady's history and likes, to make conversation." She studied his face. She found his statement to be truthful, so she told the Crown Prince of Cian about the Lady Ivy.

      Dante waved to her as he shut the door and Nyla fell back into her chair, taking a deep breath. Dante was so different compared to Keirion. His whole being seemed different from how he used to be with her. He had made distance between them. And she wasn't sure if she minded it or not. Whatever she had seen in Dante before was gone and only a cold, calculated distaste for him remained. 

      Nyla grinned as Lady Ivy sat across from her, her hand attached to another woman's. "Who is your lovely friend, Ivy?" Nyla asks, knowing that it was her wife, Annalese. Seraphine, who had, as usual, sat next to her father, leaned forward, onto her elbows, "Yes, who is she?" Annalese blushed and looked to Ivy as she said, "This is is my beautiful, most amazing, wife, Annalese." Seraphine's jaw seemed to hit the table. "Your wife?" The King hissed. Nyla smirked and crossed her arms over her chest, trying to appear amused. But her hand was poised for her dagger. Desatarius's hand slammed into the table, making everyone flinch, even Nyla. "YOUR WIFE?!"  He bellowed, his face turning red. Ivy let a cool smile play across her lips, "Yes, Your Majesty. My wife. My lovey, beautiful, unbelievably amazing wife." Seraphine still looked dumbfounded. "Haven't you ever seen a woman love a woman before, father?" Nyla asked, putting a tone of annoying innocence into her voice. His glare shifted from the Lady Ivy to her. "It is unholy for a woman to love a woman! Unholy! I will not have it in my Kingdom!" He shouted. Nyla looked to her old friend, smiling, "Well, then I guess we will just renounce the treaty we have with their country, causing war, causing death and famine, because Ivy is so wretched. What an unholy Lady you are Misses Ivy." Her father stuttered over his words, his face turning a darker shade. The Lady Ivy tried to hide her chuckle, but failed. A joyful laugh broke out from her mouth. Annalese covered her mouth, but the giggles could still be heard. Nyla fell victim next. Then Dante, his booming laughter echoing in the dinning room. A full minute hadn't passed before the Queen herself was doubled over, holding her growing stomach with her hand. Seraphine's face broke out into glee at the sight of her mother in such a fit. Desatarius's face was stone, his knuckles white. "That is enough!" He interrupted their laughing tantrums and stood. They all looked at him. "I refuse to have such unholy behavior in my castle!" Ivy's face twisted and Annalese's hand touched her, calming her. "Your Majesty, there is nothing wrong with my relationship. We are in love and have no reason to desecrate your lovely home. So we will not." Nyla could hear the restraint in the Lady Ivy's voice. "I do not care. Get out of my kingdom." His words hung in the air like a thick fog. The Queen gently stood and looked at Desatarius, no love or sympathy in her eyes, "I think it is sweet. At least they are not seeing each other in secret." The King's face became concerned, glancing between his guests and his wife. "At least they are pronouncing their love for one another. At least Lady Ivy is not seeing the brothel madam." Everyone went still. The Queen's eyes teared up. "At least she is not to have the child of a man who is not faithful." Anger rose fast in Nyla's chest, "You bastard..." The people's attention quickly switched to her, although she was still staring at the King. Asillin collapsed back into her chair, sobs racking her body. Seraphine was instant at her mother's side. It only deepened Nyla's rage. She stood and the King had his sword drawn not a moment later. "How dare you!" Nyla slowly stepped forward, her hands itching to surround her father's throat. Desatarious made to move backwards and she froze. Everyone at the table seemed to be holding their breath. Nyla felt her heart beat slow and her vision narrow in on the man standing in front of her. Nyla lunged forward at the man who she had been forced to call her father for so many years. A body collided with hers and her hands barely connected with Desatarius's face. Hands wrapped around her wrists and held them against the cold tile while knees dug into her thighs, pinning her to the ground. She gnashed her teeth, roaring at whoever had stopped her attack on the king. "Stop!" A booming voice broke her out of her tunnel vision and she found herself staring at the cool silver eyes of the Prince of Cian. The rush of blood seemed to calm itself and Nyla took a deep breath. "Are you done?" Dante asked her. She nodded and found herself free to move.  Dante held his hand out and Nyla took it, hauling herself to her feet with his help. She nodded her thanks an turned to face the bastard who ruled the kingdom of Keylon. To Nyla's satisfaction, three slash marks marred each side of his face. Blood ran down an dripped onto Desatarius's white tunic. She was so very glad she had kept her nails long and sharp. The bloody gashes brought her much satisfaction, knowing that they wold scar. His face was nothing but shock as they locked eyes. She hissed at him and he stumbled back, falling on his behind. Nyla snorted a laugh. A small noise caught her attaention and she turned to her mother and sister who stared in disbelief at her. Nyla looked at her mothers swollen stomach and felt sorry for the little child growing in her belly. Her mothers eyes met her own and Nyla felt a surge of love for her. Both Asilinn and Seraphine got to their feet and made their way to her. Her mother embraced her suddenly. Nyla gasped as the Queen's thin arms squeezed her tightly. "Thank you." Asilinn whispered in her daughter's ear and Seraphine rubbed Nyla's shoulder in her own thanks. A quiet cough announced Lady Ivy's presence and Asilinn releases Nyla. The Lady and her wife stood before the three Lucien's. Ivy respectfully announced that she and Annalese would be leaving that night and were terribly sorry for causing such a disturbance. They quietly left the dining hall after that. The Queen took both of her daughter's hands and gave the King one last distainfull look before leading them from the room. Ren and Dante followed close behind them. Desatarius was still on the floor, his jaw dropped and his face still bleeding. The King had been caught. And now he was all alone on his throne of lies.