Kingmaker (Ace of Queens #5)

Pt.21 Restless Bird

Chapter 21

September dwindled into October. The Par Ceremony came and went. Even after many requests from Mavi, Maksim did not partake in any of the mate blessing ceremonies with Ella. She was not invited and he was not an attendant.

His mind was still set on rejecting Ella as October turned to November and then November into December.

Owen and Mavi tried to reason with him but Maksim refused to listen to any of their words. Mavi grew more and more worried with each passing day. She did not know how to calm Maksim and his actions frightened her. He had grown reckless and impatient. As a last resort, Mavi had to call in the big guns for support.

As soon as Mavi had called him, Xavier and Rye cut their vacation plans short and came back to town. The great monarch with years upon years of experience under his belt was not pleased with the future king's behavior.

Xavier and Mavi sat Maksim down in the throne room and tried to erase the idea of a rejection. To reject one's mate is to willingly call bad fortune upon yourself. They explained to him his actions would not only affect Ella and him but also the people of his country. For better or for worse, the crown was destined to sit on his head and to disrespect the goddess as the head of state was to invite war and despair upon your whole kingdom. It was simply an unthinkable option for a king or king to be. And to make sure their point was really driven home, Mavi let Maksim know that if he rejected Ella, the next thing he would lose would be his crown.

"You would take my birth right away from me?" Maksim asked his mother trying to figure out if she was really serious.

Mavi took a deep breath as she looked her son in the eyes, "My duty is to protect my people. I will not hand over the crown to someone who is willing to put them all at risk."

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"You stand your ground and you fight," Xavier said sternly. "Giving up is never an option, especially when it comes to your mate."

"You don't get it," Maksim shook his head. "We're not like everyone else. She is n-"

"She is a seventeen year old human girl," Xavier said. His voice low and steady, a mixture of wisdom, danger and challenge. "Her family is all she knows. They have been her safe haven way before you even entered the picture. She does not feel the pull of the bond the same way that we do. Have you ever stopped to think about what it must be like for her to have to choose between her family and you?"

Maksim had no reply. He was angry and upset and he wanted no part in any of this.

"You were blessed with parents that provided you with everything from support to material goods. Think about leaving them. Think about the uncertainty that must be going through her mind. What have you done to gain her trust, Maksim?" Xavier continued. "Pulled a few strings? Brought a few shiny things?"

Maksim looked away from his grandfather. The muscles in his jaw jumped as he tried to control his temper. Growling or snapping at Xavier would not be a wise move to make.

"I suggest you get this idea of a reject out of your mind just because your mate did not drop everything for you in a blink of an eye. She had everything to lose by choosing you. What did you have to lose for her?" Xavier said as he kept his hard eyes on his grandson.

Several minutes past and no one else said a word. After a point, Maksim took a deep breath and looked to his mother.

"Was that all?" He asked.

"Yes," Mavi said with a nod. "You may leave."

Maksim took a step back and made a point to do a grand bow to the Queen and Queen father before he turned and walked away. As soon as he left, Mavi let out the breath she had been holding.