Crown of Purple Fire (English)

~XI~

"You mean to tell me," Tessa started. "That the whole psychopath act was a test?!"

The night passed, and after Efren had laughed hysterically, he whispered something in Matteo's ear that led him to shadowpath their way back to the shore. She and Matteo were given rooms in his real palace, and they spent the rest of the night confused and irritated. Didn't help the fact they couldn't sleep.

The morning came, and Efren had been seen in the courtyard of the palace, barking commands at Tessa's army. He then instructed his son, Jaime (who he TOOK HOSTAGE LAST NIGHT), to take over. To Tessa's surprise, he nodded.

She had sat down with her advisers, Matteo, and Efren and his family. His wife, Tristan, couldn't come because she was with child, and morning sickness overtook her. But his children Danika and his other son, Connor, came and dined.

Efren looked down in shame. "Apologies, my Queen. We had to be sure."

"Of what?" Tessa pressed. "That I had my power?"

"That you would be a good ruler," Efren said calmly. "Rulers discipline those below them and help those in need. You displayed a good deal of both when you saved my children and pinned me to the wall."

Connor choked on his venison. He was a mere pup-a toddler. "You let a bird pin you to the wall?"

"Careful, Connor," Danika warned. "That bird saved my life. And your brother Jaime's."

"I wasn't really going to endanger you," Efren rolled his eyes at his daughter. "You are my only daughter, and Jaime is my heir and eldest son. How could you think I'd ever endanger you?"

Danika snarled, "You cut me and gagged me while I was sleeping. You could have asked us to pretend to be your hostages."

"You aren't that great of an actor," He snapped back. "Now finish your deer, before you train on empty stomach."

His daughter fell silent. Tessa asked, "Why got through all of this just to test me?"

Efren met her gaze. It was still intense and unyielding, like the night before. "When you sent that letter to me and my fellow lords and lady, we were unsure what to feel. Your father had been a good king, but after some incident I don't know about, he began spiraling down. Tamlin was the first king in history to act so hysterical. So we realized, 'Maybe his daughter won't be like that. Maybe she'll make up for the actions of her father.' Then we met with Yasmine, who dared us to follow your orders in the letter. She then made the proclamation that we will be on the losing side if we do follow you, and go to war. So the four of us rulers decided to test you as you gathered us as your allies. If you passed each test, we will yield and bow to you. If you fail...let's just say that the outcome will follow through Yasmine's favor."

Tessa was surprised. Her anger lessened, as she understood their reasons for doing such, but she was still quite furious. "You do realize now that I passed your test, you are to yield your allegiance to me?"

Efren nodded. He gestured to his children to rise, and the three of them bowed simultaneously.

"We pledge our loyalty to you, Thessalyne Aschere," they chorused. "The one true Queen."

Better. But..."Rise," she said. They did, and she told Efren, "Tell Prince Gael and High Lady Jacintha to call off their tests. They either yield their loyalty to me when I enter their territory, or they join Yasmine's side. Whether they like it or not."

"I'm afraid that's not possible, My Queen," Matteo interrupted. "The whole reason we are pondering our choices is that we want to be on the side of this war that would benefit us all. We don't want another tyrant to wear the Crown of purple fire."

Fair. "Then I need to know what tests they have for me. Tests don't necessarily have to be out-of-nowhere, right? So tell me what their tests are, so I may prepare, and not lose my cool."

Matteo and Efren looked at each other. The latter said, "We...ah...don't know what tests we each put forth to you, My Queen. Matteo wasn't aware of mine, which is why he was as surprised as you when he saw me holding my own children hostage."

Let them go, Efren, Matteo had commanded. So he was being sincere all along. Tessa instantly regretted every single time she doubted him.

"Then in what way can these tests work in my favor?" Tessa demanded. "I know it's not designed to, but maybe there is some way so I wouldn't be so...I don't know...caught of guard. Emotionally-speaking."

"Hmm," Lord Efren pondered. "Maybe you could try some breathing control. It's what some of my wolves do when they feel like they might be going insane.

Suddenly, the sound of a bell rang out loud.

"If that bell keeps ringing, I might indeed fall into insanity," Tessa muttered.

"Well," Efren stood up. "It's time for me to make the rounds. Matteo, why don't you come join me? I'm sure Queen Thessalyne could use some...time alone." He said with a wink.

Matteo nodded, and everyone from the table (including the two pups) walked away, leaving Tessa alone.

She sighed, finished the last of her breakfast, and left the room swearing as the bell rang again.

~ ~ ~

The day had passed, and Tessa found herself in the room Efren gave her. Unlike her room in Liazenth, Wolfegar's furniture was much more comfortable. It was far from the softness of Iasshari silk of Ingrith's estate, but it was made of linen and not wood.

She sat on her bed, unable to sleep. Then, a knock came to her door. Tessa responded, "Come in."

The door creaked open, and Rhian's face popped out. Tessa rolled her eyes and said, "Come here to court me, General Rhian? I thought I made it clear that war isn't exactly the most romantic time."

He entered the room, with a lily in his wing. He walked towards her, and settled the flower on the bed. "One, I thought that formalities were forfeit if we were alone?"

"I am your Queen; I can pull up rank whenever I want." She simply bit out.

Rhian chuckled. "Two, I did state that I love a challenge."

"Challenge is an understatement for what I am. You cannot court me, and that's it. End of conversation."

"You keep saying that," Rhian mused. He sat on the bed as well. "And yet the conversation doesn't end, because the other side (otherwise known as Me) hasn't given consent to end it."

"What will it take, then, Rhian Nayelin, for this conversation to end? For you to realize the courting me will end disastrously?"

He moved closer to her, mere centimeters from her face. "Prove you don't have any feelings for me in return. Prove that you aren't in the slightest bit interested. If you manage to do that, I will leave you be."

"And how, exactly, do I prove my disinterest?" Tessa sneered as they were now close enough to share breath.

Rhian grinned. "Well that's up to you then, I suppose?"

Suddenly, Tessa couldn't handle his taunts anymore. She moved forward and kissed him right then and there.

It seems that the eagle male was shocked, as he didn't reciprocate the kiss until seven heartbeats have passed. They found themselves lying down, on the bed, still kissing, a tangle of talons and wings.

"Are you--sure about this?" Rhian asked, in between kisses.

Tessa pulled away a moment to say, "I have never been more sure of anything else in my life." She planted her beak onto his neck. "Other than my Crown, of course."

Rhian laughed, and pulled the linen sheets as they spent the rest of the night making love.