The First Queen

17 - Beacon has Been Lit

The next morning, I woke up with puffy eyes and a tear-streaked face and when my 'welcome parade' waltzed in this morning, they stopped in their tracks.

"What in the Gods' names happened to you? You look like Death." Aliana choked, wandering to the bed and seating herself beside me.

"For once, I'm going to be sincere: Did something happen?" Dallin questioned, crawling onto the bed on my other side.

"It's nothing..." I sniffled, rubbing my eyes.

"Oh, yes, clearly it's nothing. What happened last night, Elia? I don't want to ask again." Xanthe declared, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"It doesn't matter... Just, help me get ready." I ordered and Xanthe and Aliana shared a look before nodding.

It took a little longer to hide my red eyes and I let out a growl once we stepped outside of my quarters.

"I cannot believe I got so emotional! There are more important things to worry about!" I snapped and Dallin nudged my shoulder whilst Xanthe rubbed my back, making soothing noises.

"Well, if you told us what got you emotional then maybe we could help," Dallin suggested and I shook my head.

"You can tell us whenever you're ready." Aliana smiled weakly at me and I gave her a half-armed embrace.

--XANTHE'S P.O.V.--

As soon as we got into the council room, my eyes met Athena's for a moment and for once, I was glad to be sitting in front of her.

Dallin left as soon as Julius entered and Taman gave his sister a confused look.

I eyed Athena and she refused to meet both myself and Elia's eyes.

I kicked her shin under the table and it probably dealt more damage to me but the impact made her look up at me.

When I looked her in the eyes, it was plain to see the guilt and regret in them. Athena's stoic expression doesn't hide everything.

I tilted my head to the side and scowled at her, mouthing 'what did you do?' but she just shook her head and busied herself with applying sugarcane cream to her rough hands.

Eventually, the councilmembers all piled in and we had to begin.

"So, Your Highness, have you come to a verdict?" The High Chancellor questioned and Elia glanced up from where she was burning a hole in the table.

"Excuse me?" She whispered and I rested a hand against Julius' before he could get up and answer for her.

"Have you reached a decision? On what to do for the Deneiths?" He pressed her and she let out a quiet gasp.

"Uh... Yes... We will... Um... Use Mistress Xanthe's idea." Elia answered and everyone nodded their assent.

"Is everything well, Your Highness?" Lady Riva asked and Elia nodded with a big and bright smile.

Oh, Elia... Don't use the barmaid smile...

"Of course... All is well." She gulped and I took notice of Athena burying her face in her hands.

Julius leaned back in his chair with a smirk aimed at Athena and I was ready to gag. Of course, he's involved.

"Court dismissed," I stated and everyone looked at me in confusion. "Leave."

The nobility got to their feet but I glued Athena to her chair with my unnerving glare.

"What did you do!?" I hissed when everyone had left, digging the heels of my hands into the table.