Page 153 of Gift from the Source
“Willow, Oakly, Aria, would you join me, please?”
I turn around at the sound of Aurora’s voice. She’s standing at her throne but with the five Primaries still in front of her. I internally groan but keep my face soft.
Yay us…
“I’ll escort you, child,” Gaster says,offering me his elbow.
“Don’t kill anyone without us,” Cas mumbles before lifting his glass to his mouth.
“She won’t be killing in this dress. It’s far too beautiful to ruin with sullied blood,” Gaster says before I can respond, and a surprised laugh bursts out of me. He winks as he pats my hand, and all my guys smile darkly at him.
Oakly and Aria join us as we walk the few feet toward the throne. The setup of this area has us all close enough to one another we’re in the same space, but we’ve also kept our distance to give people room to come by.
Technically, my Nexus was supposed to stand beside Aurora the whole time. My guys vetoed that, and Aurora agreed it would be best for us to be spread out. If asked—which we wouldn’t be, people would just talk—we decided we’d say it’s because we have such a large court and needed the room.
Approaching Aurora and the other Primaries, all heads turn toward us.
Vicki Gale, Kellie Everglow, Tris Drover, Reny Tealwaters, and Aaren Alewood each appraise me. They don’t spare Gaster, Oakly, or Aria a glance and that pisses me plus my dragon all the way off.
“Council-ladies, let me introduce you to our Awaiting Matriarch and her Awaiting Advisors. You each know Master Archivist Gaster Cato,” Aurora says, nodding in Gaster’s direction. The Primaries tilt their heads, and he does it in return. “This is our Awaiting First Advisor Oakly Mercie.” This time they all nod but Kellie Everglow and I narrow my eyes on her. “Our next Awaiting Advisor, Aria Conan.”
Again, they all tilt their heads the slightest, but I can’t take my venomous stare off Kellie. She has one more time to disrespect Oakly and I’m going to blow the roof off this Spring Ball.
“And of course, our Awaiting Matriarch, Willow Vito,” Aurora says pridefully and for the moment, I soften my eyes and smile at her.
Each of the Primaries curtsy. I’m supposed to do a smaller one in return as a show of respect.
I’m not going to do that.
“My Willow, the rumors have done your beauty no justice,” Vicki Gale says smugly, looking me over from head to toe.
“They haven’t. Those heirs are lucky to have such a pretty thing on their arms,” Kellie adds on, and the heat of my flame fills my face.
“You will address my granddaughter properly or you will not address her at all,” Gaster says low, sending a chill through our circle.
Each of the females reacts differently to his authoritative tone. Even I’m caught off guard by the power behind it.
Tris Drover almost makes me smirk with the feral smile that crosses her face. Her aura screams respect but also a little bit of eagerness. I never would’ve thought, what they consider a prey shifter, would be giddy for a fight. It would seem though being mated to all predators have made her a little more vicious.
Both Reny Tealwaters and Aaren Alewood bow. I wouldn’t call it respectfully. More so indifferently.
It’s the traitors in our midst who put on a show of offense. Their mouths fall open and loud gasps pour out. It’s a mockery.
“How—”
“You know, Master Cato, I’d actually like to hear these rumors. Not of her beauty, though. I have eyes of my own. What’s been said of her power? Her flame is quite…unforgiving,” Oakly says, cutting Vicki off as she steps closer beside me.
“Don’t forget the beautiful beast she can shift into,” Aria growls, stepping up on Gasters side.
The first look of unease crosses all their faces. That solidifies that the smear campaign against my ability to shift into a dragon stuck at least somewhat.
For them and their Nexuses, my dragon will be an issue.
For at least two of them, that is.
The rest of Elementra won’t have to worry about her. I’m not a monster. Nor is Draken or Tanith. They may fear what they don’t understand, but they’ll come to realize we aren’t and never will be a threat to those who aren’t a threat to us.
“I’ll put the rumors to rest now and confirm for everyone my daughter is powerful far beyond what you may have heard. More so than me. She is going to rule this realm well with strength and compassion. How lucky we will be to witness it,” Aurora states firmly, holding her hand out for me to take. Which I do immediately with a smug smile on my face. “I’m so happy we were able to make these formal introductions. Now, if you all will go spend time with our people. It is almost time for us to return to the dance floor.”
