Chapter 33: A Royal Raven
King Kaelen was standing close to the window without moving, his hand was resting on of the window of his royal bedroom. His eyes were looking outside the window, his expression were unreadable and just looking at the sky. He was the king and the overall authority that every Viceroy across the entire region answer to.
A soft click sounded and the big bedroom door was pushed open. Kaelen did not need to turn to know who it was because the familiar and rich scent of saffron and rose, a perfume exclusive to the royal court hit his senses. It was Queen Seraphina, she was the daughter of the powerful Viceroy of the West and also his wife.
She took a few steps into the room, her blue royal robe bouncing with her. "Still bothered, my love? I thought your brother and the Headmaster had the Aetherclaw situation at Wyrmwood handled."
Kaelen sighed, that kind of sound that look like he was in deep thought rather than relief. "They did, Seraphina. It is handled." He paused, his eyes still fixed looking outside the window, just looking at nothing in particular. "My brother Valerius... he has always been the strongest."
Seraphina took more steps and closed the distance between them. She rested her head against his back, one hand tracing a comforting line on his arm. "He may be the strongest Magic user, yes," she murmured, her voice very soft. "But you, my love, is the strongest Rider I have ever known, and the the best King too."
Kaelen let out a dry, ’ahem’ sound. "I wonder sometimes, what if he had ever truly shown interest in the throne, and a true contest of strength had been organized... I wonder if I would have won.... if I would be standing here now."
Seraphina drew her head up, stepping around him to stand face-to-face. She placed her hands gently on his rough cheeks, her eyes, fixed onto his.
"Your brother is a master of the Weave and spell, i would give it to him," she admitted, "but he is nothing when it comes to sword fighting and that is a strength you possess that he does not possess. Stop thinking he did you a favour by not showing interest in the throne. You are King because you are worthy of this crown and you earned it."
Kaelen let out a slow, approving ’ahem’ this time. His hand held her cheek, his thumb brushing over her skin, before leaning in and kissing her. Seraphina immediately returned the kiss, her body pressing closer.
The kiss deepened, and Kaelen backed her against the wall, his lips never leaving hers. His hand lift the cuff of her robe catching on her thigh as he pulled the robe up, his fingers sliding down and raising her leg slightly.
A low groan left Seraphina lips.
He broke the kiss only to push her gently back against the cold stone wall beside the window, his body following and pinning her there. His mouth found hers again as his kiss now become claiming and consuming. One of his hand slid from her waist, down over the curve of her hip, his fingers brushing the sensitive skin of her inner thigh and hiking up the layers of her royal robe.
He dropped her onto the big mattress. Kaelen followed her down, his hand grabbing the curve of her hip, the scent of the saffron and rose filling his nose.
....
The silence of the aftermath was later broken only by their soft and fast breathing like teenagers who just finished making out..
Kaelen stood up from the bed, the bedsheet falling from his body as he walked to the side table and slipped into his royal robe back. He then walked to the table and poured a small amount of golden amberwine into a crystal tumbler. He took a slow drink, the fire of the liquor doing little to clear the unease he was filling in his mind.
Seraphina was covered only by the big brown bedspread. She pulled it up to her chest before she shifted. "Kaelen, I was going to say–"
A sudden quick knock at the door cut her off.
"My Grace," a male voice called from the hallway. "Magnus is waiting for your presence in the throne Room. He said it is urgent."
Kaelen set the wine glass down, a small with the glass making a clink sound against the table. He walked back to the bed, bent down, and placed a brief and soft kiss on Seraphina’s forehead.
"Later, my Queen," he said, his voice now soft and caring.
He left the chamber with the big bedroom door closing behind him with a low thud sound, leaving only Queen Seraphina behind.
As soon as Kaelen left his private bedroom, the soft, loving expression Kaelen had on when with his Queen vanished and was replaced by the cool and impassive mask of a king as he entered the huge throne room.
Lord Magnus, the King’s Chief Advisor, personal representative and the Master of Whispers, was already waiting. Seeing the King enter, the tall, grey-haired Magnus stood up straight and gave out a slight and respectful bow.
"Your Grace," Magnus greeted, his voice low and calm.
Kaelen walked past him, his footsteps sounding on the tile floor. He took the three steps to the dais and sat onto the high throne seat, and he rested his two hands firmly on the carved armrests.
"The news, Magnus. What is it?"
Magnus took one step forward. "The Academy bonding ceremonies have been concluded, Your Grace."
Kaelen nodded. "Good. And the results?"
"Overall, as expected. But... something unexpected happened at Wyrmwood Academy." Magnus paused, licking his lips. "A cadet, a first-year named Reynold Starweaver, was bonded to three dragons."
Kaelen felt shiver ran in his body, that kind that hits the chest like a punch but his face remained unreadable as he quickly mask it.
"Interesting," he said. "Three dragons. That is a thing that never happens, Magnus."
"Exactly, Your Grace. But only in reality has it never happened but in theory and history, it is not entirely impossible."
Kaelen shifted slightly on the throne. He steepled his fingers under his chin, his mind working quickly, processing every details. Bonded to three dragons?
"Send out the Royal ravens," Kaelen commanded, his voice gaining authority. "A general council meeting of the Viceroys and all members from the different regions is to be held next week. I want every major and minor council members in attendance." He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"In the meantime, Magnus, look into this ’Reynold Starweaver’ boy. Every history, every ancestor, every strange or unusual event tied to him. I want to know if there is anything... strange about this Starweaver boy.."
...
Everyone at Wyrmwood Academy was very speechless after the Dragon nonding Ceremony. Even the Headmaster could not speak. It was very strange to everyone even the top Professors.
Nymeria quickly msde her way to Professor Valerius’s office. She knocked on the door when she got there.
"Come in." The professor’s voice sounded from inside.
Nymeria went inside. Professor Valerius looked up from the old book he was reading.
"Nymeria," he said softly and pointed to a chair in front of his desk. "Please, sit down."
Nymeria sat straight up, looking at him.
Valerius closed the big book.
"It looks like," he started, leaning back, "that the Starweaver boy is really... A Two."
Nymeria nodded tightly. "What do you think the Council will do to him when they find out?" she asked quietly. She then added, "They lock up people with mind magic because they are afraid of them. What will happen when they find out Reynold is a Two?"
Valerius let out a sigh. He closed his eyes and rubbed his nose for a second.
"Leave that worry to me, Nymeria," he said, looking at her again. "Your job now is to watch the Starweaver boy. If his magic suddenly comes out in public, we need to stop a disaster.
Nymeria nodded. "I can do that," she said.
Valerius nodded shortly. "That is all."
Nymeria stood up. She started to leave, but the Valerius’s voice stopped her.
"Nymeria."
She paused, her hand near the doorknob.
"Thank you... for not telling your father about Reynold."
Nymeria just nodded without saying anything and then left the office.
As she left the office she did not went straight to her private dorm but she made her way to the Rider’s dorm room. Just when she passed the big opened field, she stopped abruptly when she heard Reynold’s laughing. She turned to the direction to see Reynold and Gwyn. He look to be laughing at whatever Gwyn had said to him. She wanted to go over to them but she stopped midway and then made her way back to her private dorm. She opened the door with her nameplate. She had just entered and was pouring herself a drink when a royal flew into her room from the window. She paused, the glass mid-air and she then placed it on the table before walking to the chair the raven had dropped the letter. She picked the letter open it..
She squeezed the letter tightly after reading it with her face turning into a frown and she swallowed.