The Warrior Queen

Chapter Eleven

*I posted two chapters. Make sure you read Chapter Ten before you read Chapter Eleven! I love you guys, happy reading :)*
Chapter Eleven

I stood in the middle of the marketplace on a platform my mother somehow got prepared in two hours. People are beginning to gather, their eyes curious. No one knows what this is about.

Cameron stood beside me, his eyes on me. He gave me a large, comforting smile when he caught my eye. I sent him one back and took a deep breath. I can do this. I am their future queen. It's time to start acting like it.

It didn't take long for my mother to finally join the crowd. Everyone parted like the red sea as she glided by. She didn't stop until she was right at front, right next to Amilia, Jeremy, Lily and Liam. She inclined her chin just slightly, the signal for me to begin.

I turned my attention to the large crowd and stood tall. "I have you gathered here today to talk about the war looming on the horizon," I began.

There were a few murmurs in the crowd, but most people stayed quiet.

"As most of you know, the vampires have shown us no mercy in their vicious attacks. They attack not only the fae, but the demons as well. Still, no one took them seriously. That is, until they kidnapped me."

That caused a reaction. Gasps filled the crowd, and many people began to talk at once. I held my hand up to silence them. Quickly, everyone fell silent. "I escaped, and I am okay. But we cannot let these attacks continue. We must stop them before it's too late. However, we could never stop them alone. So I have enlisted the help of the Daemonium kingdom."

I looked around the crowd to gauge their reactions. No one dared speak, but I saw the fear clear in their eyes.

"The Daemonium kingdom has graciously offered their best warriors to help us fight. We will work together to defeat our enemies. Without them, the vampires will tare us all apart.

"Anyone who is willing and able to fight, report to this spot tomorrow morning at 5 am. I will lead the training. No one is being forced to fight. If you cannot, there will be no penalty. If you do not want to fight in the war, but would like to learn how to protect yourself, come here as well. These defense classes are open to the public. It's important that everyone knows how to protect themselves. With or without their powers."

I turned to Cameron then, motioning for him to come to my side. As he did, eyes turned to him as if they were noticing him on the platform for the first time.

"As your princess, I am announcing Cameron as the head of my guard. His father is my mother's guard, and he has far exceeded the expectations of a guard. He will take over his father's place one day, and he should receive the same respect his father receives."

On cue, Cameron bent down and bowed his head, offering me his sword. I already knighted him a long time ago, but these things are supposed to be public. No one will take him seriously without this. So, we repeated the process as if it was the first time.

No tingles erupted through my body to show the binding had been done this time, but no one seemed to notice. Instead, they cheered. Cameron stood up and winked at me before turning to the crowd and giving a dramatic bow. This only made the crowd react louder.

Cameron caught Amilia's eyes amongst the crowd and sent her an award winning smile. She smiled back, pride clear in her eyes. Never once has a crowd cheered for Cameron. Things were never easy for him, despite the respectful status his dad carries. That kind of respect had to be earned. Being acknowledged by a royal seems to do the trick.

If I had known it would be this easy, I would have acknowledged him much sooner.

After a few moments of giving him his glory, the crowd died down so I could finish my speech.