Chapter 56 #3
“Mother!” Gareiia complained. “You promised—"
“Enough,” Zathexa barked.
She extended her wings around herself as she straightened.
And somehow, she managed to appear menacing despite her illness.
So much so that the entire chamber fell silent, though Therxian observed that several of the females from the less renowned families were looking on approvingly, even if they discreetly hid their smiles at the right moments.
“There will be no further discussion on this,” his mother hissed.
“My decision is final. And if this is the only reason that the court assembled and summoned me here, then you are all summarily dismissed. I lack the time and interest to entertain or indulge you.” She drew her tail up majestically as she stared down at her court.
“Some of us have more important things to attend to than frivolous gatherings.”
Shalyia scowled, a sneer twisting her features, though she sank submissively lower onto her coiled tail. “You will regret this, my queen.”
Zathexa leveled the female with a hard look. “That will remain to be seen, Shalyia. But I will repay every pain that I endure... one way or another.”
Her meaning was not lost on anyone in the throne chamber.
The silence thickened as the queen stared down the females of the Shel line, her gaze slowly shifting to those families gathered self-importantly around her immediate vicinity.
One-by-one they shrank back until finally there was only Zathexa and the Shel sisters.
Shalyia’s gaze whipped around her, and for a moment there was a hint of uncertainty in her face as she noticed how abandoned they were.
Not even the females of the second, third, or fourth families would meet her gaze, though their expressions tightened, subtly betraying their resentment of the queen’s firm opposition.
The only sound to be heard within the chamber was from Gareiia as the female began to pitifully weep and wail at an annoying volume that seemed to grow by the moment.
Seeing that no one was supporting her family, Shalyia’s face hardened. “Perhaps I was mistaken about the noble quality of this court,” she replied as she slinked back, drawing her protesting sister and crying niece away with her.
“It is good to see you finally admit some mistake,” Zathexa called after her dismissively. Shalyia stiffened in response, but Zathexa did not expend the effort to acknowledge the female’s reaction as she turned away regally and looked toward Therxian. “I wish to retire now. Escort me, my son.”
Eyes turned toward him. He understood their surprise.
Sons accounted for little in the shinara, and to be publicly recognized by one’s mother was a rarity.
The worth of a son among the noble families was only in what his value brought in negotiating possible mating unions for political alliances.
And his mother was acknowledging him in front of the entire court to accompany her as if he were her heir being groomed at her side.
Under their speculative gazes, Therxian lifted his head proudly and moved toward the central platform, reaching for her arm to stabilize her as she glided regally, Jathella at her other side.
He kept his gaze elevated, refusing to lower his eyes as he fell into position at his mother’s side, silently following her from the throne chamber.
She did not speak at all until they were nearly to the queen’s nest. Only then did she look his way warily.
“You cannot return to her just yet,” Zathexa whispered, intentionally keeping direct reference to his mate vague for the benefit of anyone who might overhear them.
“The council will be watching closely. And those families with the most to lose will be feeling especially vulnerable at this turn of events. They will not be in a hurry to depart either. If there is an opportunity at all to catch you alone, they will strike now.”
Therxian inclined his head gravely. “I understand. Mother... thank you,” he rasped after a brief hesitation.
His mother’s gavo lifted slightly in surprise, and she reached out to touch his jaw with one hand, a fleeting look of tenderness in her eyes. “If I were wise, I would have remained silent, but I am tired of failing my sons. Keep yourself safe, Therxian.”
“I will,” he whispered. He pressed his cheek into her palm, savoring the connection that he hadn’t truly felt since he was a nestling until she reluctantly drew her hand away.
She inclined her head, her mouth softening into a smile before she finally withdrew from his side and accompanied Jathella into her nest, leaving him alone with Kitanara to escort him back.
Her eyes flicked to him, and he met them grimly as they turned away side-by-side.
He did not like remaining parted from his mate and held captive in the palace, certainly not for longer hours than he had ever allowed before, but his mother was right.
The council was highly displeased. All he could do was retreat to his nest and wait.