Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
TYNAN
In the heat of the discussions, no one was listening to the things that were said.
Not when the voices were getting louder and drowning out others.
I could understand the uncertainty of the moment.
People were used to the way things had always been done.
But, with two clans getting a new leader, the old ways had to shift, adapt, and find a new balance.
I moved my gaze around the room, briefly resting on Sage, then to the group of elders.
The one person I always paid attention to was Kerr.
He was about sixty-five and I could have sworn that he had not changed a bit throughout all the years that I had known him.
He was tall with thick limbs, disproportionate to the rest of his body.
The entire surface of which was covered with light, curly hair, including a massive beard he was so fond of.
“That spineless lot has to know who’s in charge now. The clan of black has finally taken all the power.” He growled.
“Exactly my point. But, are we ready to fight and possibly lose the lives of our warriors to enforce this new order?” Menzies replied.
He was an odd looking, slender man in his fifties.
He always shifted his opinions based on what the others were saying, this time, however, he remained firm.
I had to admit that he had a point. One thing that many of the elders failed to realize was that another war would wipe out our species for good.
No matter what, I was not willing to start another conflict.
“I say, we crush them. With a black king and a red queen on our side, no one would be able to argue.” Brodie tightened his grip on his war axe.
Brodie was not the brightest among the elders, but in his seventies, he was still a mountain of a man, despite the pain in his knees. His long, bushy beard was braided into ceremonial knots.
“With all due respect, my dear comrades, there are more ways to conduct a war than fighting on a battlefield,” Sage interjected.
“What did he just say?” Brodie leaned to the group of silent males who stood beside him.
“Why are we listening to a throwaway drunk?” Kerr exploded.
“I know our beloved queen chose him as her advisor, but surely she realizes how unfit he is.” Menzies was really fast to agree.
As entertaining as all that was, I could no longer agree with the use of force to make the clans bend to my will.
For a moment I was distracted by a tiny kitten that jumped around a crumpled piece of paper. One of the servant’s kids was trying to get the animal to catch a length of string.
No matter what the others thought, no matter what the clan elders said, I was not willing to bring more pain and suffering to this land.
Each of the clans had one common enemy. But in trying to find the superior clan through conflict with ourselves, we forgot that our lands had already been invaded by the crawlers.
Suddenly, the entire room fell quiet. I looked up, noticing Alina standing in the doorway.
She wore a long dress in the color of well aged pomegranate wine, her hair was swept to one side and shined in the light of multiple candles.
Even without any jewelry in her hair, on her wrists, or her neck, there was no doubt that she was the descendant of the sacred clan.
She stepped through the hall with her head raised high.
All of the rough men, hardly educated, callused by hundreds of fights, watched her in awe.
I relaxed, enjoying the calming effect she had on the others.
My wife. My queen.
The only person who truly knew who I was, even if she did not realize it yet.
With her, I could be myself, without fear of being misunderstood.
If the gods really created this world, if they made us in their image, she was the closest to divine among us all.
She was kind, warm, and gentle. But at the same time, she was brave, and strong willed when it mattered.
Her gaze met mine, questioning if she had the right to be here, and I acted without thinking.
I stepped off the platform, shortening the distance between us.
Alina stood patiently, waiting for me to approach her, with so much royal dignity.
Yet her eyes looked at me as if I was the only one who mattered.
“My queen.” I extended my hand and she took it.
“Blood and steel for our queen!”
“Hail the Red Queen!”
“I hope I didn’t interrupt,” Alina said.
“Never.”
I led her to the platform where a second throne was placed. When she was seated, I returned to my chair and surveyed the room. I could not determine what was happening to the entire clan, but all those rugged men, hardened in battles and weatherbitten, worshiped their queen. My queen.
“What do you think, milady?” someone shouted.
“My respected lords, what was the subject of your conversation?” Alina asked.
I fought hard against a smile when I heard Kerr, Brodie, and Menzies tripping and talking over each other to fill her in on the topic.
“This land has suffered so much! Every part of Darragh was affected by the disease. In spending our time fighting each other, we forget about the bigger picture,” Alina said.
“She’s right!”
“The queen knows what’s best.”
“But milady, what about the other clans that are still loyal to the capital? They are a threat,” Kerr interjected in a softer voice.
“I’m going to visit both clans,” I said and silence filled the entire room.
Alina watched me, her cheeks pale, her lips parted.
And all I wanted was to soothe her worries, to hold her in my arms so tightly that she would forget every fear, every concern she had.
I wanted to cherish her, protect her, give her everything I had to give, and if she wanted, to search this land from corner to corner to give her more.
The crowd cheered, and even the clan elders seemed satisfied with that plan.
“I don’t . . . That’s not what I had in mind.” Alina leaned toward me, lowering her voice.
“What’s wrong?” I took her hand into mine.
“I don’t want you to leave,” she whispered.
“You’re going with me.”
Almost immediately, her face softened. She inclined her head as if saying that she would allow that. I lifted her hand to my lips, placing a light kiss on the palm of her hand. Her fingers appeared so small and delicate in mine.
She did not know it yet, but I would never leave her alone, not ever again.