~Mirandiona💎

Lifting my glass to my lips I take an elongated sip to hide the amused smirk on my face.

Mykala was visibly uncomfortable sitting off to my side with Fyko on one side and Katal on her other. The general wasn't helping our goal of swaying the woman's loyalties with her thinly veil hostility and aggravation. Though I wasn't quite sure how much of it was in part to Fyko's presence or the rebel chained to him.

Avar was on my other side sitting next to Serana. A fake smile plaster on his face as he tried engaging either Katal or Myka in conversation in an effort to ease tensions. As much as his political behaviorism annoyed me I could appreciate his effort to prevent a murder.

The nobles from Kenysiz, sitting at the other end of the table, were less than happy at the rebel's presence but did a fairly good job at hiding it; while the lycans sitting in the middle of the table didn't seem to care about much beyond their breakfast plates.

Setting my cup down I lean over towards Serana so as not to be overheard. "Ten gold says someone draws a weapon before breakfast is over." I whisper.

A wide grin spreads over my features as Serana choked on her drink and started coughing and laughing at the same time. By the time she got her breathing under control the entire table was staring at us.

Serana glances at them for a moment and notices all of the stares, causing her cheeks to turn a crimson red, before she turns a glare on me. I laughed at her embarrassment, earning a hard kick in the leg for my efforts.

Stifling my amusement I return to my food. The lycans were quick to turn back to their food as well but the other occupants of the dinning room were still throwing glances at Serana and I.

Serana shifts beside me in discomfort as she glances back up to see the eyes still throwing her looks.

Pressing my lips into a hard line I look up sharply and throw a glare at anyone still staring at us. That was all it took to divert everyone's attention back to their plates.

Breakfast proceeded in an even thicker silence than before, so thick I could have cut it with a dull spoon. Another ten or so minutes passed by when someone at the other end of the table stands harshly, sending their chair tumbling back with a deafening clatter.

The woman who stood doesn't say a word as she sends a hateful sneer in Myka's direction before turning sharply and marching her way out of the room.

A ripple of unease goes through the table's occupants, even the lycans knew what she had done wasn't good. To leave during a meal with a Royal present before being dismissed or before they excuse themselves was a grave insult.

Clenching my teeth I try my hardest not to let the anger roiling under my skin spill out onto my features, or worse my words. Skewering a piece of carbinnox sausage with my fork I gingerly bring it up to my mouth and sink my fangs into it a little too harshly, causing some of the grease to run over my lip like clear blood.

As I slowly chewed the piece of venison, I take care to keep my head up and forward while also keeping my gaze off of anyone. Pink base with a baby blue patch on her upper primaries and a gold one on the interior side of the blue. I mentally note down her wing coloration so that I can pick her out later. Pink , blue, and gold. She's with the Zanary family but those aren't their dominant colors, pink was extremely recessive and meant one of her parents had to have had white or pink wings themselves. White and light blues are the current colors of the Kox family. I'll have to ask Evyo what she knows of them.

~💠~

"Where are we going?" Serana asks as she follows me through the halls toward the northern side of the castle.

"I told you, I need to speak with your nani." I answer for the third time since breakfast.

"No, I got that." She snaps, struggling to keep up with my longer strides. "What I'm asking is where are we going? The guards said she went to the garden which is in the center of the castle, that we just passed." She rephrased her question, confusion painting every word.

Slowing my pace down so that she's not half running, I glance at her for a moment before turning my focus back on the path ahead of me. "She said the stone garden, which is the name of a courtyard on the north side of the castle." I explain, remembering that I've never taken Serana to the north wing and she likely hasn't gone by herself.

"Okay, but why do you need to talk to Nani?" She asks next.

"That woman today at breakfast, she's here with her mate Hanne Zanary, but her wing colors are closer to the Kox family. Pink, light blue, and gold are all fairly recessive colorations and there are only seven family chains that are known to have pink consistently show up in at least one person per generation. The Kox family being the only one from Kenysiz." I explain.

"Hold on!" Serana barks, grabbing my arm and yanking me to a stop. Turning to her with a frown of displeasure on my face I wait for her to start talking. "You're not really that upset about that woman walking out on breakfast this morning are you?!" She questions exasperated.

Twisting my arm out of her grip I bare my teeth, anger broiling under my skin just at the memory of how that woman behaved. Closing my eyes I take a deep breath to make sure I don't snap at Serana. "Sweetheart I don't think you understand the gravity of the action. She might as well have walked over and spit in my face." I tried to find a way to make her understand the true error that woman had made by disrespecting me so harshly and with such a large audience. "She was basically saying that there wasn't a royal in the room. Denouncing my status as Queen."

I could see as the realization dawned over her, her eyebrows rose as her eyes went wide and her moth dropped open in shock.

I waited for the information to sink in all of the way, but I wasn't expecting the sudden response only a couple seconds later. "That babbo's ass!" Serana shouts, her features now clearly giving a look of anger instead of the shock from a moment ago.

I couldn't help when the corner of my lip quirked up at her reaction. It was inexplicably hilarious how upset she was that someone had basically declared me unfit to rule when she had been trying to join the rebellion against me when we first met. I couldn't keep the grin off my face or my shoulders and wing-blades from shaking with silent laughter.

Now Serana was scowling at me with a bemused look. "What?!" She questions defensively, crossing her arms in front of her.

Shaking my head I let a small chuckle escape my throat. "You're absolutely adorable when you're angry." I tease, reaching out to rest my hands on her hips I pull her into me and rest my chin atop her head.

"I'm not adorable." She mutters into my neck, belying her words by nuzzling my throat gently with a soft purr rumbling in her chest.

Smiling softly I let my body relax for the first time since waking up. "Whatever you say dear." I concede. I was still very upset over the woman earlier but my main focus at the moment was trying to find a way to properly hug the woman in my arms without pulling on my injured wing.

Settling for a slightly awkward half hug with only one wing wrapped around her body, I'm content to just stand there gently swaying as she carefully wraps her arms under my wings. Pressing a kiss into her hair I take slow breaths and let my somewhat frazzled nerves settle down and relax.

A slightly cold nose pressed into my jugular causing tingles to run up and down my skin. An involuntary smile spread across my face at the odd sensation. I had to bite down on my lip to keep from laughing as her nose lightly tickled the side of my neck. My shoulders scrunched up and I pulled my head back in order to wedge my chin against her forehead to push her away just enough to keep her from tickling my neck again.

A laugh, that sounded dangerously close to a giggle, escaped her as she opted to tilt her head up and give me a kiss under the chin instead. Tilting my head back I can't help the wide grin that spreads over my face as a soft chuckle shakes my frame.

"You two are something else." A soft voice speaks up drawing our attention back to the way we were headed. Evyo was leaning against the wall next to one of the many statues that littered the castle with a pleasant and almost amused look on her face.

Serana gave the woman a blank glare. "Nani." She calls in a deadpan voice.

"It was just an observation." Evyo defends splaying her hands in mock surrender. Dropping her hands back to her sides. "On a different note, may I ask what you're doing cuddling in the middle of the hallway?" She questions with a raised brow, flicking her gaze between the two of us.

"We were on our way to see you actually." I speak up fully turning my body to face her.

At this her brows furrow into a frown. "Is this about Etria this morning? She smelled my breakfast and started whining at my door..." She starts before I cut her off.

"No, no that has nothing to do with it. It's nothing about you." I assure her. "Do you know anything about the Kox family? Specifically the ones bearing the pink coloring."

At this her expression immediately grew wary. "What happened?" She asks.

So an act like this is expected? I mentally noted the information before launching into an explanation of this mornings events at breakfast. "A woman with pink, gold, and light blue wings left the breakfast hall this morning in a rather undignified manner." I opted for the short version.

Evyo' eyes go wide in shock at the news. "She walked out on a breakfast with you present?" Her voice sounded almost horrified at the thought. "In front of an entire delegation?!" The pitch of her voice rose sharply at the end in indignation.

It was odd how she was just as offended as I was and Serana had become upon learning what the offense meant. "I take it this kind of behavior is common amongst them?" I ask trying to steer the conversation back to the main focus.

Evyo scoffs with an annoyed roll of her eyes. "The Kox family is the most pertinacious and self serving of all the noble houses. I'm not sure of their political influence anymore, but when I lived in Kenysiz they held the most power. Second only to the Zanary house who had control of the government." She supplies.

"The woman here is mated to Hanne Zanary, the firstborn of Governor Emmor." I supply hoping that it would help piece things together.

"I don't know of a Hanne. Emmor was heir to the seat when I left. And I'm afraid Lockren wasn't exactly the best place to keep tabs on political affairs." She admits. "Do you know her mates name?" She switches back topics.

"He." I correct.

At this Evyo gives me a confused look. "Really? It's a man this time?" She looks away for a second, still clearly lost. "Emmor always seemed to favor women more when we were younger. She liked men too so I guess it really shouldn't be that odd." She reasons to herself.

Lifting a brow at her spoken train of thought I opt to ignore it and continue the conversation on a more prevalent matter. "I believe her name is Yimale." I answer her almost forgotten question.

Evyo glances at me before turning her gaze up in thought as she racks her memory. "I don't know a Yimale. If she has pink wings though it is likely that one of her parents is Jait." She scoffs the name with clear distaste. "Now she was a babbo's ass and about as pleasant to talk to as a swarm of angry bees. The most stubborn and self righteous little fuck you'd ever have the displeasure of meeting." She glowers.

I was a bit taken aback by her choice of wording but clearly not as much as Serana who's chin was resting on her chest. "Nani!" Serana exclaimed, her voice shot up to a pitch I didn't know she could reach.

Evyo gave her daughter a withering glare. "If you'd have ever met that woman you'd agree." She states flatly. Her glare suddenly morphed into a wide eyed look of realization. "Is Jait not here?" She asked looking suddenly panicked.

Furrowing my brow I shake my head. "No. Yimale is the only one here I know of that even might be related to the Kox family." I answer not quite following her thought process.

This seems to confirm something for the elder woman. "There is no possible way the Kox family could have lost enough power to not be apart of the Kenysiz delegation without even a word of it getting to Lockren, no matter how remote the village is." She states matter of factly.

Pausing for a moment I think through what she's said and come to the same realization. "You think they're with them?" I ask not wanting to speak too openly whilst still in a corridor.

Serana looks lost for a second before things start clicking into place. "But why is Yim-whatever-her-name-is here? Wouldn't that be a bit... cruel?" She points out.

Scowling I spin around on my heel and start marching back towards the south end of the castle and the throne room. "I know a way to find out." I snarl.

"Guards!" I shout down the hall, letting my voice echo through the labyrinth of passageways until a series of armored footsteps came barreling in my direction. The moment I saw four bodies clad in gold armor I started issuing orders. "Go find a woman by the name of Yimale, pink wings, she's here with Hanne Zanary. Bring her to the throne room and tell Fyko and Katal to meet me there as well." I finish my orders with a wave of my hand to dismiss them.

The guards who had by now skidded to a halt quickly spun back around and took off to do as bid.

"Mira aren't you acting a bit hastily?" Serana calls after me as she half jogs to keep up behind me.

A growl left my throat. Trying hard not to let my reignited furry direct itself at her I don't turn or slow down to answer. "If there is even a chance this woman knows anything about what's going on then I will not let her slip through my fingers like all of the others have managed to do." I still ended up snarling but it was thankfully non threatening toward her. "Evyo you're coming as well." I called over my wing.

I didn't hear a confirmation or argument from the older woman so I assumed she was being smart and following my orders. I will not let another chance to get ahead slip by! I growled to myself. I was beyond tired of stumbling around in the dark, hoping the rebels don't find a way to set off that sapian war machine.

Rounding the final corner that lead to the throne room I march toward the doors which are quickly pushed open by the guards to allow my entrance. I don't pay them any mind as I keep marching through the colossal room toward the lone throne that still held vigilance on the dais at the head of the chamber.

I heard two loud gasp from behind me which broke me from my train of thought long enough to get me to turn around. I was a good wing length from the doors where both Serana and Evyo had stopped in their tracks to gawk at the elaborate room. I suppose the awe was justified for someone who was just seeing the room for the first time.

I often overlooked the true beauty of the chamber I had seen it so many times. Looking up I took a moment to trace my eyes over the silvery white metal coulombs that lines the room and held up the balcony with their swirling veins of gold embroidered to their surface. To the deep almost to he point of black red of the carpet and the glittering blue gemstones that embellished the silver balcony railing casting odd pools of light on the walls like water from the sunlight beaming in through the staggered glass paneling of the partially open roof.

Lowering my gaze back to the two women, I watch Serana for a moment that seemed to stretch on for ages. Her mouth was slightly open and her orange eyes were glittering with the sunlight like the gemstones that decorated the chamber. I felt an unprecedented lurch in my chest as I watched the awe play out on her features.

Before I really thought about it I raised a hand to signal the guards before quickly dropping it back by my side. I can't drag out the other throne. I chastise myself.

Lightly grinding my teeth I make another, probably just as bad, decision. Stepping back towards the woman I was devoutly enraptured by I reached out and took her hand. Before she could even turn to look at me fully I was lightly pulling her through the room toward the throne.

As we neared the impressive seat she slowed and began to drag her feet, pulling against me until she was stopped at the bottom of the steps. Squeezing her hand I give her a soft tug, encouraging her to come up next to me.

I could feel her hand trembling as she took those few steps that separated the throne from the rest of the chamber. Turning to face her I meet her questioning gaze as I walk backwards until the back of my knees hit the edge of the throne and slowly take a seat. As I sit I pull her towards me until her knees are touching mine.

I watched as her pupils blew wide and her breath caught in her throat. I wasn't sure she understood the significance of what I was about to do but it was fairly clear she knew what I was doing wasn't standard.

Releasing her hand I moved my own to her hips and spun her around. Gently pulling her down I drew her into my lap. Her wings were bunched up as she tried not to hit me with them but I fixed the problem by guiding them through the spaces my own wings went through, well aside from the one pinned behind my back. Wrapping my arms around her I press the palms of my hands into her stomach until the base of her wings were pressed against my breast as they were when we slept.

I could feel every slow measured breath she took as she leaned back and ever so slightly turned her head to the side to talk to me. "What are you doing?" She asked, her voice barely reached a whisper. The corner of my lip quirked up in a smirk at the slight tremble in her voice.

Making my voice just as low as hers. "Does sitting in my lap bother you?" I ask instead of answer.

She takes a deep carefully measured breath before responding in that same low voice. "That depends." She begins shifting her weight in my lap. "Why am I sitting in your lap while you're on the throne?" She questions, there was a slight growl to her voice that didn't quite cover the tremble that ran through her body.

Pressing forward I glance up to make sure Evyo was still paying us no mind. She was tense so she knew I had her daughter in my lap but she was firmly faced away from us a good wingspan and a half from where we were. Satisfied that she wasn't going to pay too much attention to us I turn my head until my lips are pressed to the shell of Serana's ear. "I'm prohibited from letting someone aside from my mate sit upon the other throne." I husked into her ear. "No one aside from me or a member of the royal family is supposed to sit in this one, so you're sitting on my lap instead." I murmur softly.

I couldn't help the way my heart leapt as her breath caught in her throat. She turned her head to say something back but was cut short when Katal, Fyko, and the less than pleased woman chained to him entered the room.

Sitting up straight again I watch as Myka stops walking and looks around in unabashed awe at the room she was in, Fyko stopped shortly after so that he wouldn't pull on her with the chain, and Katal didn't make it past the door. Looking across the room at her I set my brow, silently daring her to say something.