Chapter A New Way
A New Way
Kai
The following day, Siralaine and I both wake early for the meeting that is being held to discuss important matters for the kingdom. Many who had come for the engagement remained behind, wanting to know what the future of Varindor would look like.
All my life, I have reigned with fear as a commander of the most powerful army. That was my duty. But now the time has come to command over the ones who command the armies.
Siralaine and I both walk side by side towards the large hall where the meeting shall commence.
“Thank you, Lord Zeran, for allowing us to do this here,” Siralaine says.
He looks at her, smiling slightly. “Well, I have grown tired over the centuries with what has become of our world. So I look forward to change. How old are you, Lord Kai? You are a duke in Alvazakh?”
“An heir to the dukedom, which I shall forfeit.” Sorry, Jorah, it’s on you now. “And I am a hundred and thirty-five years old.”
Siralaine stops and stares up at me in surprise. “Really?” she asks.
I cock a brow. “And how old are you?”
“Twenty-one.”
“Hmm.” I cup her face and give it a little squeeze. “Well, only about a century difference.”
Zeran chuckles. “I do not remember the last time we had rulers who were truly in love.”
“Well, I’m not here to play politics. As I said, I’m taking over Varindor, whether our interests align or not. I will only be stating facts today, not playing a political game to win favours.” My eyes meet Zeran’s, and he gives a curt nod.
“And yet I still feel confident.”
We enter the hall, and everyone stands. I spot Gideon, she told me last night that he was her uncle.
There are also a few fire fae, ice fae, earth fae, a dryad, and a few other sea sirens.
They lower their heads to me as I take a seat on the large chair on one end, and Sira sits on my right.
Zeran takes the other end as lord of this home.
“Let’s begin,” I command, not even bothering to look at the scrolls before me.
There’s silence as they wait for me to speak.
“Varindor has been under Morcant’s rule for nearly five hundred years, with the last fifty being under Varkhazan’s until recently, when Morcant regained that control.
I have been on Varindor for a mere few weeks and have witnessed many things that should never happen. ”
I take a small break and look over at Siralaine.
“On our journey to Elmeria, we stopped in the village of Ridvern and were told of how high the taxes were, how they barely got by, and despite paying taxes, their land was overrun with bandits who not only stole, but murdered and raped.” My eyes flash as I look at all the nobles.
“You all have jurisdictions that were given to you, and that meant looking after those villages under your care, and yet you failed,” I continue.
“It’s hard to police the villages on the outskirts; it takes a lot more from the coffers than you would think-”
“I don’t care. If you’re a leader, every single person in your area is your responsibility.
Things are going to change going forward.
Varindor will no longer usurp people of their wealth.
For the next fifteen years, the five percent with the highest wealth will pay taxes, and the rest will not, until order and a balance have been restored. ”
A murmur crosses the room, and I observe them all. Some are smiling, some nod in approval, some look guilty as they nod their agreements, clearly aware of how badly they were doing, and others don’t look as impressed. I make a note of all of them. I’ll be keeping a close eye on them after all.
“I will assess and work out new guidelines under what areas come under whose command, and over the next few months, I will be visiting every part of this kingdom until order is restored. For those who wish to remain in places of power, you will pledge your allegiance to me. If you do not agree, leave now.”
There’s silence as no one leaves, and I rest my chin on my knuckles.
“Excellent. And just to be clear, we will not get richer in the coming years. We are responsible for the people of Varindor, and that is exactly what we will do. I am not a political person, but I swear that both I and my queen will do our best to help Varindor prosper.” I take Siralaine’s hand, and she smiles, nodding.
I’m so proud of you, she says through the mind-link.
I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you, I reply back.
“And what of the sea sirens?” one of the siren lords asks. “Are there rules regarding land?”
“Everyone is free to walk on land, just as any sailor is free to travel the seas. We will need to work out rules regarding this, but let’s make Varindor a place that even the gods are envious of,” I say.
“And I will control the sea flow to make sure no village is lacking water. Water is something everyone has a right to,” Sira says, and I nod.
Everyone stands as one, placing their hands over their hearts.
“To the King and Queen of Varindor, we pledge our allegiance.”
“The official coronation is tonight, My King. Will you also marry tonight?”
I look over at Siralaine. This one is her decision. She blushes before she nods. “I’d like that.”
“Then so be it,” I say with a small smirk, rising from my seat. They all follow suit. I take Siralaine’s hand and guide her from the room, feeling confident about the future.
It’s a few hours later, and I’m talking to Jorah through a magical communication spell. He’s seated in the trees somewhere, the warm sun hitting his skin.
I have just finished filling him in on everything. “And so, I’m sorry, but the Dukedom of House Kaldor is now on your shoulders. I will be calling Varkhazan after this and letting him know that Varindor is mine and any breach attempt will be considered an act of war.”
“Well, I have to give it to you, brother, you really did take me by surprise. So where is my sister-in-law?”
I smirk as I motion for Siralaine to step forward. “Sira, meet my brother, Jorah. Jorah, Siralaine,” I say, sliding my hand around her waist.
Jorah smiles, his gold eyes that he, like me, inherited from our father, sparkle. “Nice to meet you, Sira. I can call her Sira, right? Or is that exclusive?”
“I’ll let it slide,” I reply cockily.
“Nice to meet you, too,” Siralaine says. “It’s lovely to see the bond between you both.”
“Yeah, well, we’re pretty much each other’s only family. It’s a shame I won’t get to see you for a while, but when things calm down, I’ll visit Varindor. Maybe by then I’ll have some nieces and nephews.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I reply, narrowing my eyes. Just the thought of kids feels… weird.
Siralaine giggles. “Well, of course, I look forward to having you here, and we will have kids someday, too! Right, Kai?”
“Right…” I say. They both laugh, and I narrow my eyes.
“Are you scared of kids? I mean, Kai the Storm Slayer, Kai the Sky Breaker, all these titles, and yet he’s scared of a little baby?”
“Who said I was scared?” I demand scornfully, but that just makes them both laugh louder.
“Yup, scared,” Siralaine agrees.
I take hold of her chin, kissing her before she decides to agree with my brother again. Looking back at Jorah, I smile faintly. “I’ll have this set up for tonight so you can witness the ceremony.”
“I’d like that. Take care, the both of you,” Jorah says. “It’s good to see you happy, Kai.”
I nod. “I will send some letters to you for my most trusted men, if you can pass them on to them.”
“Sure, I’ll make sure to do that.”
I give him a curt nod. It’s time to talk to Varkhazan…
Ending the call, I place the next one, asking the messenger to connect me to Varkhazan. The image blurs until I am in Varkhazan’s throne room. Siralaine has moved out of sight, her eyes lock with mine, and I give her a small nod before Varkhazan, sitting on his throne, comes into view.
“I hope you have brought good news, Keiran,” he says, sitting arrogantly on his throne.
“Yes and no,” I answer.
He cocks a brow. “Oh?”
“Morcant is dead.”
Varkhazan bursts into raucous laughter as he slams his fist hard onto the arm of his throne. “Keiran Kaldor, the King Slayer! That is the best news. Claim control, you will be my steward!”
“That’s the bad news,” I say. “I have decided Varindor will not be under your control. I will become King of Varindor, with my fated mate, Sea Siren Princess Siralaine Stormborn, Morcant’s daughter, and we will be the true rulers of this kingdom.”
His face changes from shock to anger to disbelief, his face becoming red, and I simply continue, “Any act to infiltrate Varindor will be seen as an act of war. And I know all of Alvazakh’s weaknesses, so don’t test me.”
Not waiting for a reply, I cut the connection, the glowing light disappearing, and I look across at Siralaine.
It is done.
Siralaine
I have just gotten dressed for the coronation and my wedding. Everything seems to be happening so fast, but it’s like a fairy tale. Since the call with Varkhazan, I haven’t seen Kai, and I already miss him.
The dress I’m wearing is a beautiful gold, inspired by his eyes.
I hope he likes it.
A crown is placed on my head, and just as the servants are finishing adding the jewels to my hair, there’s a knock on the door.
“Lord Gideon is here to see you.”
“Let him in,” I say with a smile. The woman bows, and Gideon enters.
“My, you look beautiful,” he compliments.
“Thank you.”
“We didn’t get to talk at the ball, but I do want to talk to you, want to get to know you, not as Queen but as Serish’s daughter.” There’s an ache in his voice, and I stare at him in the mirror.
“I’d like that,” I say softly.
He nods. “I have some photographs, and some videos, they’re something that-”
I laugh. “I’ve been to Earth, does that mean my mother had?”
“Yes, although the videos are nowhere near as good as they are today, they are still a great memory. I had someone bring them to me, since they were stored at the treasury. They would be ruined underwater. I want to give them to you, so you could see the woman I knew before she met Morcant, the woman your mother truly was.” He holds out a box he had been hiding behind him. “Consider it a wedding gift.”
“Thank you…” I say quietly, accepting it.
He nods. “I hope one day you’ll visit the Holerian Sea. I would love to show you all the places where we grew up.”
I look at him and stand up, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I’d like that.”
He slowly hugs me back, his heart racing as he gives me a gentle squeeze. When I move back, his eyes are shining.
“I see your mother in you,” he says, patting my cheek.
I smile, knowing the guilt that we couldn’t protect her will always be with us both, even if there was nothing we could do.
“You have an aunt and three cousins. They are your family, and we would love to have you visit. And without Morcant to threaten us, we will also visit you.”
“I’d love that,” I answer.
He nods. “Good, so will I. Now, shall we?”
“You will accompany me?” I ask.
“Well, I am the closest thing to a father figure, unless you want Lord Zeran-”
“No, this is fine, I’d like that. Shall we?”
He smiles, nodding and offers me his arm.
I take it as we both make our way out of the bedroom and down the hall.
We make our way down the steps, and I can hear the music; the lights are lit vibrantly, and there are plenty of people.
Guards line the stairs as I’m led away, and we pause at the door, waiting for us to be announced.
This is it, to finally be married and to swear our oaths as King and Queen.
The door opens, the dazzling lights blinding me for a moment.
“Her Royal Highness, Princess Siralaine Stormborn! Accompanied by Lord Gideon Tidalwave!”
Taking a deep breath, we step forward, my eyes instantly spotting my handsome man, who is all in black, his pants shaping his muscular thighs perfectly, his shirt tucked in with a black belt that has a gold buckle shaped like wings.
Several buttons on his shirt are open, revealing his golden necklace, which he always wears, and his toned chest. His hair is styled back, a few strands falling across his forehead, his ear glinting with his earrings.
Oh my… he looks sexy all the time, but something about him in those black pants and shirt makes my core clench with heat.
He smirks, his eyes meeting mine as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking. His eyes trail over me, a look of possessive approval in them, and I smile softly.
Fuck, darling, I am going to ravish you thoroughly tonight. You won’t be leaving that bed for days, he growls through the mind-link.
It seems I’m not the only one whose breath is taken. I smile at him, my cheeks burning.
I can’t wait.
A murmur of compliments follows me as I slowly make my way down the steps, ready to begin a new chapter of my life.
One that starts with a woman who never thought she’d find happiness, marrying her beloved king.