Niamh woke me up some time in the early morning. I tried to get up, but again Fox’s arms were holding me in place. I started with his lips, kissing him hard. It didn’t take him long to kiss me back passionately. He pulled back, “What time is it and why are you waking me up?”
I chuckled quietly, “It’s around four, I think. I’m waking you up because I need to do some work before I meet with the other rulers.”
He moaned softly, “Or you could stay in bed with me.”
“Oh no. I need to get up,” I tried to push against him but he held me tight to his chest. “You do realize I can get up anytime I want right?”
He grumbled something under his breath, “Prove it.”
I easily removed myself from his arms, “See. Easy.” He just grumbled again and fell back to sleep. I kissed him gently before going to the bathroom. I ran into Josie when I walked into the kitchen.
She smiled, “You look much better.”
I gave her a smile, “I feel much better. I doubt I’ll be sleeping so much once I’ve caught up.”
“Let’s hope. You’re missing a lot of work since you’ve started sleeping so late.”
“Just wait until you meet your mate, Jos. You’ll never want to leave your room.”
“Yeah, yeah. I can only imagine what you’re going to be like once you’ve finally mated. Goddess, I bet you two will be completely unbearable.” She watched as I grabbed a cup of coffee, “Are you worried at all about today?”
“Nope. Should I be?” I looked at her over my mug with a raised eyebrow.
“I probably would be a little concerned about it. You did play a part in revealing us to three humans.”
“Right, but those were extenuating circumstances. Joseph was the reason we were revealed. I did play a part in it, but I had to. Who knows what might have happened if I hadn’t.”
“I know that. I’m just worried for you.”
“I know, but they can’t do anything to me that hasn’t already been done.” I touched my forehead to hers before pulling away, “Feel like sparring?”
She sighed but nodded her head, “Why not?”
We spared for a couple of hours each trying out new moves on the other until we were both sweating and breathing hard. We headed outside for our daily run and by the time we made it back to the complex, there were a couple new cars outside and the scent of various royals who had made the trip. I showered quickly and changed into something a little more appropriate than sweats or yoga pants. Fox was nowhere to be found, so I made my way to the meeting room.
When I walked in, I gave my uncle, Fredrik, a warm smile before acknowledging everyone else. “It’s so nice for the Queen to grace us with her presence,” Beau LeBlanc, King of the Southern Water Dragon Clan, snickered as I took my seat.
I rolled my eyes, “I’m a couple minutes late LeBlanc, calm down.”
He growled quietly, “If her majesty doesn’t mind, let’s get this started.”
I waved my arm, “By all means.”
“Amaya Wardwell, you stand accused of revealing the supernatural world to three humans and of attempting to reveal the supernatural world. How do you plead?” Queen of the Kobuk Ice Dragon Clan, Alasie, asked.
I crossed one leg over the other, “Not guilty.”
“Is it true you used your abilities in front of humans?” King of the North Mountain Lightning Dragon Clan, Garrett, questioned.
“Technically yes, but-”
“It’s a simple yes or no question. No technicalities about it,” LeBlanc interjected. “Is it true you used your abilities in front of humans?”
“Yes, but-”
“Yes or no answers only.” LeBlanc interrupted, “Did you or did you not use your abilities in front of humans?”
“Yes,” I bit out, barely able to keep in the growl.
“Tell us what happened in Venezuela,” Fredrik asked in a calm voice.
I recounted what happened in Venezuela when I got to the part about bending the vines, LeBlanc interrupted me, “So you used your abilities first, not Joseph?”
“Yes,” I responded, fighting back a sarcastic remark.
“Let’s call in the witnesses,” Aaron suggested.
Queen of the Falls Acid Dragon Clan, Bree, looked over the list of witnesses, “I want to hear more on the unauthorized assignment.” She was silent for a moment until Maverick walked in the door, “Mav, tell us about your time working with Amaya.”
Maverick recounted what happened in Arlington, “So she used her abilities to create a suspicious fog bank for cover?” LeBlanc asked.
“I wouldn’t say it was suspicious, but yes she did create it.”
“Is there anything else she did that could potentially expose the supernatural community?” Mathias, King of the Eastern Water Dragon Clan, asked.
“No sir, nothing I can think of,” Maverick responded.
“Thank you Maverick, you may go,” my uncle told him.
Alanza was called in next, “Tell us about Venezuela, Alanza,” Kekepania, Queen of the Hawai’i Volcano Dragon Clan, said once Alanza was seated.
As Alanza recounted the events, Kekoa’s body straightened, King of the Ahihi-Kinau Ocean Dragon Clan, “Your mate was there as well?”
“Yes, sir,” she responded.
“And none of you, including King Daniel, thought even for a second that might cause an issue when facing an unknown threat against your mates?”
Alanza’s eyes narrowed, “No, we didn’t. We are all highly trained to stay in control of our respective inner beasts, and had we not gone on this mission, both of our mates would be dead. We go on these types of missions all the time, and are typically met with humans.”
“So you had no indication you would be facing supernaturals?” Kachina asked her with a small smile.
Alanza shook her head, “No. We knew Joseph would make a move eventually against Amaya’s mate, but had no idea we were going up against him in Venezuela.”
They asked Alanza a few more questions before allowing her to step out of the room. They worked their way through the rest of the witnesses. Jace gave me a squeeze on the shoulder as he walked out as the last witness, and LeBlanc spoke up, “I believe we’ve heard all we need to hear. Please wait outside as we discuss our findings.”
I nodded and left the room. Fox was waiting on me right outside the door, “How’d it go?”
I let out a weary sigh, “Not great. LeBlanc wouldn’t let anyone finish anything. He’s not looking for an explanation, he’s just trying to find a reason to punish me for doing my job.”
He placed his arms around me as I settled my head on his chest, “It will be okay.”
“Amaya we’re ready for you,” Daniel linked me.
I gave Fox a quick kiss, “They want me back in there.”
He nodded and released me completely, “Good luck.”
Author: Kailan Counahan 