Awakening the Dark Flame (The Dark Throne #2)

19. Chapter 19

Chapter nineteen

B y the time I was finished, I looked like I belonged in a brothel. My hair was slicked back into a tight bun that sat at the base of my neck. Diamonds scattered throughout my dark hair. I wore a formfitting, see-through red dress. There were small pieces of red lace that covered my nipples, bottom, and front, but everything else was on full display. Two long slits rode up both of my thighs to my hips, revealing my hip bones. My arms were bare, and my back exposed. I wore a bright red lip and gold diamond earrings.

I made my way to the door where Therosi was waiting. His mouth fell open as I exited. I smiled, flattered by his reaction.

“Trying to make a statement, are we?” he asked, extending his arm to me.

I took it as we headed towards the throne room.

“Just trying to piss Lyklor off,” I said, walking with pride.

“Need any help from me?” he asked with a wink.

“I’ll keep you in mind.”

We got to the doors as the announcer called my name. I dropped Therosi’s arm as the doors opened. I walked with pride and power to my throne. My father rose, kissing my cheek before we took our places. Eren stood off to the side, shaking his head, annoyance on his face. I smiled, satisfied with myself.

The fairies entered five minutes later and made their way to the platform. Pyra was uniquely beautiful in her own way. The fairy’s sharp teeth were retracted to reveal a set of human-like teeth. Pyra had long red hair that trailed to the floor. Her blue-tinted skin shimmered. Her chocolate-brown eyes took up most of her face. Her features were long and sharp, like most of her race. Her body was lean with not a trace of fat. She wore a thin gold leather dress that accentuated her breasts.

Her brother had long silver hair that trailed down his back. He had thin lips and a strong jaw, with a wider-built body than his sister but still very lean. He wore a black leather vest trimmed with gold and tight-fitting pants. His chocolate-brown eyes, rimmed with silver lashes, locked onto me, taking me in as if I were his favorite dessert. I smiled and nodded at him, egging him on. He smiled back and bowed.

“King Drezmore, Princess Genevieve, thank you for receiving us at your court,” said Phasis.

“We are honored to be in your presence again,” added Pyra.

“We welcome you to Doonak,” greeted my father. “I am glad our friendship continues to flourish, even during these times of uncertainty. Please, join us.” He, gestured to our dining table. They nodded and the servants showed them to their seats. We followed behind our guests as the court began to feast. My uncle sat next to my father and Eren sat next to me. Pyra was across from my father, gazing down the table at Eren, and Phasis was placed across from me.

“What in the fuck are you wearing?” whispered Eren in an aggravated tone.

“A dress,” I responded.

“I didn’t give you those instructions for my benefit. Phasis already wants to rip your skin off by the looks of it.”

“Then we can use that to our advantage.”

He pulled back, looking at me as if I had lost my mind. Phasis was indeed staring with a glimmer of desire and greed. I smiled back, making sure he knew I saw him. Eren kicked me under the table to stop. I took my fork and slammed it into his leg. He groaned, leaning forward in pain.

“Please, tell us what has occurred between you and the nymphs,” said my father.

“They have accused us of stealing their goods and taking their people as food,” started Pyra.

“We have done neither of these things, yet the light court is now involved, demanding justice for the lost nymphs,” continued Phasis.

“We have flown over their lands, yes, but we are not stupid,” Pyra said with a sneer.

“We do not eat nymphs. They are too woody and watery for our liking. Besides fucking, they aren’t good for much else,” added Phasis.

“Now, the light court has begun to send infantries into our lands. They take and beat and threaten our people. They have brought some of our court back to Urial for interrogation,” said Pyra.

“They have disarmed our traps, scared off our animal food sources, and have attacked our hives,” said Phasis.

“We have tried to send our ambassador to their court, but they will not receive us. We’ve heard that you’ve recently made peace with the light court,” Pyra said with a gleam in her eye. She looked to me and smiled widely.

“After the brilliant actions your daughter took against their former king and members of their court,” Phasis said, winking at me with a seductive smile.

“We were hoping you could speak on our behalf. Act as the middle line of communication between us and the light court,” Pyra pleaded.

“We cannot afford to go to war with the light court and the nymphs while protecting our people from the creatures of the rift,” Phasis explained.

The twins’ connection apparently allowed them to finish each other’s sentences seamlessly. It was interesting to watch them interact with one another. I finished my first course and sat back in my chair. I spread my arms across the armrest, arching my back so my chest was protruding out towards Phasis. Let’s see how pissed I can make Eren .

“What proof does the court have of your crimes?” asked Eren, glancing sideways at me.

“Only nymph witnesses. The light court sent a group of their warriors to the nymphs’ village three months ago,” Phasis continued.

“We swear on our treaty, we have not taken their people,” Pyra spat.

“And we should be able to at least fly over their territory. We wouldn’t set foot on their land, but the air is free space. They ask too much,” Phasis growled.

The king looked to Eren and nodded. “I will make contact with both the light and nymph ambassador in the morning,” Eren said. “I will attempt to arrange a sit down with the four of us so we can clear your name and negotiate the terms of your treaty with the nymphs.”

Phasis and Pyra both grinned, looking at each other and then us. It was disturbing to say the least.

“We thank you for your assistance,” Phasis said.

“We remain in your debt, as always,” added Pyra.

Phasis’s eyes never left me, which made eating a bit uncomfortable, but I welcomed the attention. Pyra was talking to my father and uncle as the plates were cleared from the table. Phasis leaned casually forward.

“The black creature, he is yours, is he not?” Phasis asked me.

My eyes widened, remembering Otar’s tiff with the fairies. “He is,” I answered.

Phasis chuckled in amusement. “He is quite entertaining. I think we’ve killed him three times now and yet he keeps coming back for more.”

“Yes, he doesn’t like your kind very much.”

Phasis eyes deepened as if he was trying to devour me. “We can be … misunderstood. As the dark court often is. We are not as bad as other races like to make us out to be.”

“Really? Because I’ve almost been eaten twice, thanks to your kind.”

“Tell me their names and I will deliver you their heads by morning.” He smiled.

“It doesn’t change the fact that your appetite for human flesh is a bit excessive.”

“Princess Genevieve, when I look at you, I cannot deny that hunger grows inside of me, but I wouldn’t eat you. At least, not in the way you are thinking.”

I swallowed hard at his blunt declaration of desire. He smiled, leaning back into his chair as he watched me squirm. Eren looked at me as if to say, ‘you deserve this’.

“Are you usually this direct, King Phasis?” I asked.

“Only when I see something I desire.” He stood, walking around the table towards me. He held out his hand. “May I have the pleasure of this dance? ”

“King Phasis,” my father interrupted in a protective tone, “please remember who you will be touching, and her importance and station.”

“How could I ever forget?” Phasis replied.

I took a deep breath and gave him my hand. He gently wrapped his long fingers around mine as he led me to the dance floor. He pulled me into his chest, placing his hand on my bare back as he began to lead.

“You’re so … warm,” I pointed out. Being this close to him was like bathing in the sun on a late summer afternoon. “I’m sorry, was that rude?”

He chuckled. “No, not at all. I am warmer than humans, yes. It’s how our bodies produce more energy to fly. Do you enjoy it?” he asked.

“It is comforting, yes,” I replied honestly.

“You are stunning, by the way. I am very pleased with the outcome of an alfar and human. They should make more of you.”

I laughed, taken off guard. “Thank you, but unfortunately not everyone shares your opinion.”

“Their loss,” he said, reaching his hand up, drawing a finger along my collarbone. “I want you.”

I swallowed hard again. “I don’t know how to respond to that,” I said honestly.

“Agree, and I will spend what time I have left here serving you in every way your mind can fathom. I’ve never seen anything like you before, and I am desperate to have you. To see how your body moves, what sounds you make, what you taste like.” We stopped moving as his eyes drilled into mine.

“I … I,” I stuttered, uncomfortable by his boldness.

“Please princess. I’ve never begged for anything in my life, but I will beg for you if that is what it takes.”

“May I cut in?” Eren said, bowing to us both.

“No,” snapped Phasis, in the same way Cerci, the fairy I had encountered back at the light court, had reacted to a challenge. The untamed animal underneath the pretty clothes and polite manners made his appearance at last.

Eren smiled, taking my hand slowly as he pulled me from Phasis’s clutches. “King Phasis, King Drezmore would like to consult you on negotiation tactics for the upcoming meeting with the light court. Your presence has been requested,” said Eren calmly.

Phasis exhaled, turning his head back to me. “Consider my offer. Please, princess,” he said, kissing me softly on the cheek with his warm lips. He backed away, not taking his eyes from me.

Eren pulled me into him as we continued to dance. “Satisfied?” he asked.

“More like thoroughly disturbed, and yet slightly turned on,” I said, trying to get a rise out of him.

He started laughing as his grip tightened. “You are going to get killed.”

“Not intentionally. Phasis promised he wouldn’t eat me, so there’s that.”

“He may not kill you, but he will take a few bites out of you. I guess that’s fine if you’re into that.”

“How do you know?” I asked curiously.

He exhaled. “I had just been appointed ambassador. I was young and stupid and slept with Pyra during my first visit to their hive. She took bites out of me so deep that the wounds took days to heal.”

I started laughing uncontrollably. The court looked at me like I was crazy, but I couldn’t help myself.

He smirked, trying to swallow his laughter as he held my shaking body.

“You were an idiot in your youth, weren’t you?”

“I was too smart for my own good. Needless to say, I learned my lesson.”

“Well, maybe her brother isn’t like that. The things he promised seemed enjoyable enough. After all, he did beg.”

“Oh, did he?”

I nodded with a smile.

“You should be honored,” said Eren, before leaning into my ear to whisper, “but under no circumstance are you to be alone with him. I am serious, Genevieve,” he said firmly.

“But he’s so warm,” I said playfully.

He pulled back, looking as if he was offended. “If I remember correctly, we were both rather warm after our dalliance. Heat was not the problem.”

I dropped my eyes, pulling away from him. “I thought we were done talking about what happened between you and I?”

He stepped in closer towards me, taking me back in his arms. “I didn’t realize it was a sore spot for you. I am sorry.”

“Yeah, being called a mistake less than five minutes after the act will cause that type of behavior,” I said.

“You weren’t a mistake, but the act was. I already explained and you know how much I hate repeating myself.”

“I remember.” The turning in my stomach started again. I tried to swallow to make the puking sensation go away. I pulled away from Eren, running out of the room into the hall. I found a potted plant just in time to relieve myself of my dinner. I hugged the vase, feeling like a disgusting mess.

“That can’t be good for the plant,” commented Eren, holding out a handkerchief for me. I took it and stood to my feet. “I’m going to have Vena come to your room and check you out. Twice in one day isn’t a good sign. Also, there will be extra guards stationed at your door. Remember what I told you. Under no circumstance are you to—”

“Yes, yes, I know. I won’t sleep with the handsome fairy king,” I said.

He tilted his head, as if to ask, ‘are you serious?’. “Go back to your room. I will get Vena,” he said, signaling to two guards to escort me .

Atalee helped me out of the dress as I wiped the makeup off my face. I got into my nightgown as Vena and Lily came into the room. Atalee left as I got into bed.

“What is going on? Are you okay?” asked Lily, crawling on the bed towards me.

“Eren says you’ve thrown up twice today?” asked Vena. “Have you eaten anything odd or noticed any other side effects?”

“No. I get a little dizzy before I throw up, but I feel fine otherwise. It started yesterday,” I replied.

“Well, lay back and let me take a look,” said Vena. She started from the top, running her hands from my head, down my face to my chest. She checked both arms slowly and then moved to my abdomen. She ran her hands down towards my legs but stopped before she went any further. She pressed her hands against my stomach while she concentrated.

“What? What is it? Did you find anything?” asked Lily.

“Shh,” demanded Vena as she focused. Her eyes widened before she pulled her hands away from me. She swallowed hard, bringing her eyes to mine, covering her mouth with her hands as a smile sprouted on her face.

“What is wrong with me?” I asked, bringing myself to a seated position.

“You’re … pregnant,” she said slowly.

I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. Lily gasped.

“What?” I whispered in shock .

“You’re about four weeks pregnant. I can hear a faint heartbeat, but it is strong for this early in the developmental stage. I can also feel the dark magic it already contains. You’re going to have a strong one on your hands,” she said, smiling faintly.

I shook my head, reaching for my stomach. “No, no I can’t be pregnant. I can’t. This isn’t happening,” I said, starting to freak out. Lily grabbed my hand for support. I turned back to Vena. “What happens if they find out I am pregnant? I’m not even married yet.”

“Since you are the heir, nothing. The baby will be safe and next in line to the throne, but the alliance your father plans to make with your marriage may be in jeopardy. Unless the child is one of theirs,” said Vena.

“No, it isn’t,” I admitted.

“Who is the father, Gen?” asked Lily.

I looked at her and shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. He wouldn’t want it. What do you suggest I do, Vena?” I asked.

She looked uncomfortable. “We can get rid of it if you don’t want it. It will be painless and quick. If you want to keep it, I suggest trying to move up a marriage as soon as possible so you can pass the child off as your husband’s. Do you want to keep it?” Vena asked.

“I … I don’t know,” I admitted. Lily squeezed my hand. I looked back at Vena with assertiveness. “Vena, please, do not tell anyone about this. I am begging you. I know you are loyal to your family, but please. No one can know.”

“Gen, you are my family too. This is your business, no one else’s. Your secret is safe with me, no matter what you choose. You can trust me,” she said, touching the side of my face.

“Thank you,” I said as a tear escaped my eye.

“Of course. I will give you two some privacy. I need to get back to dinner anyways. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to send for me.” I nodded as she left. I turned to Lily and began to sob.

She took me in her arms.

“I don’t understand how this could have happened,” I whispered. “I was with Gaelin multiple times and never got pregnant. I thought alfar had a hard time getting pregnant. It was supposed to take years, decades even. I was with him one night, one damn night and this happens,” I said, pulling away from Lily.

“Gen, who is the father? Maybe he can help,” Lily said.

I shook my head. “He called our night together a mistake. He regrets it. Plus, he hates children. He’d most likely tell me to get rid of it or even do it himself.”

“Are you going to … get rid of it?” she asked. I squeezed my hand against my stomach. There was something living inside of me that I had created. An innocent child. It didn’t ask to be born, yet here it was growing and thriving within me. Vena said the little one was already powerful. A fighter, just like its parents. I smiled at that fact.

Something inside of my heart bloomed in that moment. Though I had only known of its existence for ten minutes I already loved it. I wanted to protect it and care for it. I looked at Lily and smiled.

“I’m going to keep it,” I whispered.

She smiled, throwing her arms around me with a little laugh. “I’m going to be an auntie,” she yelled, clapping. I laughed at her. “A child is a gift, never forget that.” Her words triggered the conversation from earlier today with Otar. My eyes widened in shock.

“Otar!” I yelled, getting up from the bed. “Otar! Come here!” He appeared next to Lily.

She screamed, falling off the side of the bed. “I am never going to get used to that,” she said, standing to her feet.

He chuckled, turning his attention to me. “You yelled, wicked one.”

“The gift you talked about earlier. It was the baby, wasn’t it? You were talking about my child,” I said in a panic.

“Well of course. It is our child,” he said.

“What are you talking about?”

He grumbled in annoyance. “The bastard Lyklor may have fathered it, but I will take care of it. Take care of both of you. You and I share blood. The child shares your blood. Therefore, what’s yours is mine.”

“How did you know?” I asked.

“I heard it fluttering around in there last week. Very active, our offspring is. I can’t wait to teach it how to rip a fairy’s heart from its chest.”

“Thank you, Otar. You may go,” I said, moving back to the bed. He smiled, disappearing into thin air.

Lily looked shocked as she sat on my bed, eyes locked onto me. “Erendrial is the father? Gen, when … how?” she asked in disbelief.

I held my head, getting back into bed. “I have the worst taste in males,” I whispered, snuggling into her. I told her everything as she stroked my hair and listened. I held onto my stomach, no longer feeling alone.