Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Drayven
I had thought the Kingdom of Pura was stagnant, impossible to change and cemented in its ways, but that was clearly not the case. In fact, I was starting to realize just how much our houses had been holding us back. That would never be the case again.
The war brought about a new era, and it was one led by the beautiful woman sitting on the table edge next to me, looking over the room of leaders and military commanders with interest.
She was serene, her calm presence having a way of seeping into the room and putting those around her at ease.
When I’d been told before that I needed to be the next ruler of the House of Death, something about it had always rung untrue, and now I knew why.
Ama was a natural leader. Did I think I had the capability of doing so?
Sure. But Ama was something else. My princess was this vibrant strong light that had the capability of leading not just one house but an entire realm.
I think a part of me had known it was possible, but seeing it in action was fucking amazing.
In fact, the past three days of restoring the lands around us from the war, had just proven to me that there was so much I still was learning about her and from her.
The way she handled people and interacted with them was like no ruler I’d ever seen, and it had garnered her respect very quickly.
It was one of the many reasons I knew this meeting was going to go so damned well.
She was a natural born leader, forged into an exceptional queen through trials and tribulations throughout her life.
When she had called all of the military leaders and house representatives to the capital, no one had argued, shockingly enough.
And further so, they’d all arrived far quicker than expected.
Even King Cyrus and Queen Safiya had arrived in a bit over a day despite the distance, not questioning why they had been summoned here.
My eyes ran over the crowd gathered, the eight of us sitting on either side of Ama, something that was probably fairly intimidating…
paired with the fact that the devil himself was sitting at the very far end.
Then again, could he be called the devil anymore?
Was it a title or an image? We damned sure weren’t calling Ama the devil now that she was ruling.
So, I suppose he was still the devil to us since it was the identity he was used to, but his magic reflected a different story—now on par with that of a regular Fallen Angel, much to Colt’s satisfaction.
Finias and Colt were the most hell bent on proving they were his equals in power now, which pissed Luce off to no end.
Still, I could see people eyeing him with caution, something I didn’t blame them for because the fucker was scary in his presence alone.
In the crowd, King Cyrus and Queen Safiya sat, watching Ama with a level of affection I knew probably freaked her out a bit, as she wasn’t used to such kindness, but she managed to hide it well.
Behind them was Commander Pandora and her lieutenants, all of whom seemed pretty damned exhausted.
Next to the Kingdom of Impurus leaders sat Ama’s father, who had managed to get a tight reign over the House of Death in about a day flat once Ama came clean about how bad the bullying had been.
She hadn’t mentioned what I’d done specifically, but the disappointment that I’d let it go on had been a gut punch.
I still had a lot of shit to make up for.
The House of Sin and House of Runes were absent of any representatives and military leaders. The citizens had all surrendered, and anyone who hadn’t had been taken into the capital as a prisoner of war.
The absence was very obvious, but Ama had purposefully left those seats open to prove a point.
On the other side were the House of Hellfire, House of Fallen, and House of Shadows.
Their military leaders were present, and for the House of Hellfire and House of Fallen, the current designated leaders were as well.
The most surprising individual who’d joined us was Ama’s mother. I couldn’t tell exactly how Ama felt about that, truth be told. The woman in question sat next to Ama’s father, and while they weren’t touching one another in any way, the interaction they had was very telling.
The doors closed as Ama stood, her voice echoing through the room, “I want to thank all of you for joining me today. I know it's been a really hard past few days…especially with the lives we lost.”
Everyone nodded, a solemn and serious tone filling the space.
“I wanted to meet with everyone so I could explain how this is going to work,” she stated patiently, motioning to the eight of us, “We have established a way that we think is going to work to move the realm forward. I am completely open to listening to disputes, but I want everyone to understand that the goal is to have one realm, one kingdom…none of this pure-blood and hybrid bullshit. Okay? That is done. Over. If anyone has a problem with that, they are welcome to leave.”
No one did.
“As you know, the House of Sin and House of Runes are absent of any leadership. Currently, the other house leaders have stepped up in order to aid in the transition of those houses from previous…leadership methods,” Ama shook her head. “Which leads me to my first decision…”
“We will no longer have houses of any kind moving forward.”
The room was silent as she continued, “The Kingdom of Pura and Kingdom of Impurus, whose names will be changed, are massive urban cities that would both benefit from not only trade, but also diversity in population on both ends. The house territories here will serve as city-states, and the borders will be completely open to whoever wants to live in them. We will be building a road to Impurus.”
No argument so far.
“What about the current leaders of each house, or soon to be ‘city-states’?” Adrien’s father asked, looking pensive.
“If you are currently in a place of leadership and wish to maintain it, I am okay with you doing so. However, once you have retired, a replacement will be chosen to lead each territory by my council,” she motioned to us.
“We don’t want generational family leadership anymore.
We want to make sure leaders are chosen fairly, based on applicants who will be voted on by citizens and a council who makes the final decision if conflict arises. ”
“And we can decide to veto continuing to lead our kingdom and turn the reins over to someone else?” Ama’s father asked, and Ama’s eyes went wide, as if she had been trying to pretend he wasn’t there.
“Yes.”
Her father nodded, and I had a feeling that he planned on doing just that.
“For now, I will live with my—'' she hesitated slightly, a blush invading her cheeks as she grappled with what to call us in front of so many people, “council here in the capital while we get everything in order. We will eventually move somewhere else, but exactly where is undetermined.”
“You could build one along the mountain side,” Commander Pandora voiced, “between both kingdoms.”
Ama looked over at Luce, and they exchanged a look I didn’t understand before she nodded thoughtfully, “Something to think about, for sure.”
Her face grew softer, “I won’t lie to any of you.
I am learning this step by step. I completely know that I don’t have all the knowledge I need to rule a realm, but I will do my damned best to lead it.
I plan on surrounding myself with as many people as possible who have experience. Which brings me to my last point—”
“I would like to bring one additional individual onto my council.” She sat on the edge of the table. “First, Commander Pandora, if you are willing to accept, I would love for you to be my military advisor, when it comes to anything along those lines.”
Pandora stood and stared at Ama for a minute before smiling, “Of course, I would love to accept that.” They shared a smile before looking towards the rest of the crowd.
“This is just the beginning of a new era. We are making big changes, and I expect everyone, especially those in this room, to help me move this realm forward. I need you to listen to me with open hearts, but if there is anything you ever disagree with, I am willing to hear it. Which brings me to: does anyone have an objection to what I have said so far?”
“What is the first step moving forward?” Damien’s mother asked.
“We need to open up the borders between the territories and begin construction on the road between Impurus and Pura,” Ama said immediately.
“We also need to elect new rulers to the territories that used to belong to the House of Sin and House of Runes. This isn’t going to be an easy transition, and I suspect we will be fought on it, but eventually people will realize how right this is. ”
The meeting closed out a bit later, and as some of the others followed the group out into the foyer of the meeting hall, I stayed next to Ama.
It didn’t surprise me that Lucifer did the same, although I had a feeling he was a bit more cautious since Ama’s father was walking towards his daughter before engulfing her in a hug.
I narrowed my eyes at the woman behind him, who had a soft look on her face while staring at Ama. I had no idea what the future of their relationship was, but whatever Ama decided, I was in support of it.
“I am so proud of you,” her father beamed, looking a bit misty eyed. Ama returned his hug before clearing her throat and stepping back.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“You did wonderful, Amare,” Her mother noted quietly with a gentle smile that reached her eyes. She truly did look so proud of her daughter.
Ama stared at her for a minute, inhaling before letting out an exhale, “You can call me, Ama.”
Well shit, that was a big step.
Her mother broke into a big smile, “Okay, Ama.”
Before Ama could say anything else, her father broke in, “Drayven, you and I need to talk later.”
Fuck.
Ama widened her eyes and gripped my arm, “Dad, he’s fine—”
“No, I’m not,” I leveled, “I know how I acted was inexcusable. I know I didn’t protect Ama as much as I should have. I was young, and I thought I was handling my emotions the only way I could. I plan on making that up to her for the rest of my life.”
Her father narrowed his eyes at me and made an amused sound, “I still want to talk later…and you.” His eyes moved to Lucifer, who was trying to look casual and failing.
“Me?” Luce asked, pointing at himself.
“My daughter?” Ama’s dad scoffed. “Really? That’s who you ended up falling for?”
Luce sighed and looked at Ama, “Your daughter is extraordinary, Alaric. I didn’t think I would ever find my mate, and I feel blessed by the Fates that it ended up being Ama.
I know this is probably upsetting on your end, but just understand that I...
” he paused and looked towards me, “we will always protect and take care of her.”
Ama stared up at him with so much emotion that it had me almost smiling.
Honestly, I somewhat understood why she felt the way she did, considering what they had gone through.
Something she had fully explained to me on a late-night walk.
You could hear the sincerity radiating off of him, and Ama’s father shook his head, mumbling something under his breath before looking at Ama.
“I won’t kill them, but that is all I am promising.”
“Okay, Dad,” She grinned.
Her father began walking towards the door with her mother, then he smiled and turned back, “You know what Drayven, I think now is the time for that talk.”
Ama squeezed my arm, “He said he wouldn’t kill you.”
Somehow, that didn’t make me feel better.