The Delta's Daughter Chapter 267

TAWNY

Six Months Earlier

I avoided Kolby Crimson for the better part of two weeks. Although I did have to formally be introduced to him. That was awkward as shit. Shaking his hand and feeling the tingles erupt all over my body. Every time I was in close proximity to him my body would start to heat up, a searing flush racing across my skin and sending flutters into chaos in my stomach. I couldn’t be around him for long otherwise I was sure I would disintegrate into a pile of ashes.

How could he act so casually around me? Did it not affect him? And every time the heat would give way to a different kind of burning, a wave of anger that stemmed from my frustration and confusion. Was he waiting for me to say something? Because that wouldn’t happen. There was no way I was going to put myself on the spot like that. No way I would show vulnerability to a man who was my supposed mate and appeared as if he could care less.

Then there was the odd occasion I would run into him in the palace when he was Gillian or with my grandfather. Apart from those few times, I had successfully managed to avoid all other interactions with him. It was best that way.

I was pretty sure Mason had caught on to the fact that I had an issue with Crimson, but I wasn’t sure how astute to my turmoil he really was or if he knew what the issue actually was. He didn’t say anything that night. Just took me up to my room and then stayed in the sitting area. He didn’t ask any questions, which I was grateful for. Nor did he try and pry information from me. Just gave me concerned looks that night and the day after.

Each night I lay awake, trying to make sense of my situation. Should I confront him? I played out the scenario in my mind over and over and each time, I came to the conclusion that it would be best if I didn’t say anything. I should just leave. Maybe return to MacTire and stay there.

My thoughts were a plague and confusing, to say the least. I felt exhausted just thinking of him. Why wouldn’t he claim me? How could he just ignore our bond? If he didn’t want me then why couldn’t he just reject me, or at the very least give me an explanation?

My fists clenched and I groaned out loudly, punching the soft sheets on my bed as I stared hopelessly at the ceiling. For the umpteenth time.

“That’s it,” I said out loud. “I can’t take this anymore” This place wasn’t my home; I had come here at my grandfather’s request. I had even started to fall in love with Cambiador. I felt like I had found a place where I could belong. Felt comfortable. Like I had always belonged here – I was meant to be here. But Kolby Crimson had squashed those feelings with one look and one action.

I was ready to leave. I had had a lifetime of drama and had no interest in making room for any more unnecessary theatrics in my life.

Juniper prowled in my mind - her soft growling parallel to my thoughts. She too was in limbo of where she stood regarding Kolby.

I launched myself from the bed, making my way from my room down to my grandfather’s office to tell him I had decided to leave. That this place wasn’t for me, and I had no interest in becoming queen so there was no point in me sticking around any longer when I could be of use In MacTire or the New Moon Kingdom.

“Grandfather?” I softly spoke, knocking on the door that was slightly ajar.

“Tawny!” He beamed when he saw my face peeking around the door. “Come in!” He stood as I entered and gestured to a seat across from his desk.

I sat down crossing my legs as he resumed his previous position. This was the hard part. I had come to really like my grandfather now I have seen him in a different light and gotten to know him, so different from the ideas I grew up with.

“I’m leaving Cambiador.” I blurted. No easing into it, no softening the blow I just plowed right ahead.

My grandfather’s face fell. His yellow eyes lost some of that shine and his lips pulled tight and down. His disappointment was evident. “Why?” He asked with a solemn tone that told me he wasn’t just disappointed he was saddened by the news too.

“I don’t think I belong here,” I stated, now unable to meet his eyes. I didn’t want to tell him it was because of a certain werecat, or that my insecurities were driving me away. I didn’t want him to see my weakness.

He leaned back in his chair, and I looked up through my lashes at him. He looked older today, his wrinkles deeper and his long white hair tousled as if he had been pulling on it. “I’m going to be completely transparent with you Tawny. I’m disappointed that you have decided not to stay. Before I sent for you, it was always my intention to make Kolby King – ever since he was a small boy. That’s why I agreed to have him marry Gillian. Her father is the most influential and powerful person in this kingdom after me. It made sense. But one evening, one thought and one picture changed my mind. Kolby is a good person, loved and respected by all. He has plans and ideas to bring this Kingdom forward with its way of thinking and to build alliances outside of Cambiador.

“I had known where you were, what you were doing. And as much as I know Kolby would make a great king, how he is the closest thing I have ever had to a son. He is not blood. You are the end of the Phanton line. My last living relative. As soon as I met you and cast my eyes upon you in person, I knew, that it was you who should rule. You who would bring the change this kingdom so desperately needs.”

He was making this difficult for me. The idea that he had that much faith in me and had chosen me, a stranger who shared the same blood as him, over the man he raised and thought of as his son. It made my heart swell and ache at the same time.

I wanted to tell him who Crimson was to me. To tell him that my heart had been shattered and I couldn’t face the werecat on a daily basis, because Kolby Crimson’s silence and lack of acknowledgment was the same as a rejection. I didn’t want to be reminded every day that he didn’t want me. That I wasn’t good enough for him.

“Stay. One more month. Give this place a chance, give us - me a chance.” There was a deep plead in his voice and when I looked at him his eyes begged me to stay.

“One month.” I resigned, unable to stand the saddening and desperate look in his eyes.

“You would make a very old man happy.” He gave me a weak smile then stood from his chair, rounding the desk, and pulled me up into his arms, hugging me. I leaned into the old man embracing his warmth and comfort. “You are strong like your mother, and you have her courage. Don’t ever forget that my dear Tawny.” He whispered.

*****

I sat on the ledge of the window, my eyes scanning the book I held in my hands A history of Cambiador. It was a stifling warm night, and I had the window open as I read about my family’s history and reign of the kingdom. The moon was full and almost at its peak and the light breeze cooled me down some.

I was having a hard time concentrating on the print, my thoughts wandering to a certain cat called Crimson, then my promise to my grandfather. I should have never agreed to stay for another month. I could have been on the road to MacTire by now.

The citizens of Cambiador were celebrating the Full moon, a blue moon. Each house or street hosted its own parties as they welcomed the full moon that would bring them good fortune and new beginnings.

My thoughts were interrupted when the sounds of screams floated in through the open window. Not screams of joy or excitement but screams that lifted the hair on my neck and arms and sent a warning of goosebumps over my skin.

I slammed the book shut, jumping up and running from my room. Stepping onto the balcony that overlooked the main hall and looking down. Men and women were scrambling, some running for the door, others stopping to look around. I spotted Crimson.

“Crimson!” I yelled to him, jumping over the banister and onto the marble floor of the main hall. “What’s happening?” I asked, casting my eyes at the panicked group of people.

“We are under attack, Princess.” He rushed out. His jaw clamped tight, and his eyes shifted to the door. “I need to go.” He was anxious to go fight with his men.

“Where is my grandfather?” my head moved from side to side looking for him, as if he would just appear.

“He has already left for the front line, Princess.” He was inching to the door, desperate to join the battle, his eyes were almost pleading for me to let him go.

“Then I will go with you,” I demanded, placing my hands on my hips, glaring at him, daring him to stop me.

“But… Princess…” He stumbled and I cut him off.

“You are wasting time, Crimson,” I gritted. And the shithead huffed at me. Goddess Bastet, this was no time to have the 'weak girl' chat, he would have to get over himself.

“Let’s go.” he motioned towards the door with his head, reluctantly, reading the glare I gave him, daring him to say something. Quickly clambering down the short steps. I took a seat in the bed of the truck with other fighters, who were waiting, while Crimson took the passenger seat in the cab.

The Warriors looked at me like I had lost my mind. A were-cat princess didn’t join the ranks.

*Mason, where are you* I opened a mind-link and he immediately replied.

*The Kingdom is under attack, Warriors are heading out now, should I go?*

*Yes! I am on my way; the King is already there.*

I had no idea what to expect, or who would be attacking us but if I could help, I would. I wasn’t afraid of a fight, nor was I afraid to die. This would not be the first battle I have fought in, nor would it be the first time I have killed defending the innocent.

Except when we arrived at the scene - the front line of the bloody battle. The enemy was like nothing I had ever seen before. I don’t think any of us were prepared for what we were facing.

I watched in stunned silence as cats fought rogue wolves and bears. They were few, but that’s not what was tearing our line apart. It was the creatures, the grey, red-eyed and long-clawed things that were leaping from buildings and tearing into our men and women.

“Tawny,” I turned to see Crimson croak “I…”

“Crimson, whatever you have to say can wait. Right now, your fighters need you.” I pulled my arm from his grasp abruptly. I had no time for excuses, and he had no time for explanations. I didn’t care if he felt shitty, that was not my concern, nor was it my problem.

He had made that quite clear, with his hot and cold attitude toward me. I won't play his game. I don't play games.

I turned back towards the fight, and one of the warriors handed me a blade, a short sword. Similar to the one Lamia and Hunji trained me with. I smirked, now we were talking. I took off behind other fighters, in search of my grandfather.

The line was crumbling. “Hold the line!” I shouted and started to direct fighters to where gaps needed to be filled, running back and forth, swinging my blade at wolves and creatures as they darted toward me.

I ducked when one of the things leaped over my head and latched its teeth and claws onto a fellow were-cat, sinking his sharp nails into his flesh. Foreboding horror crept over me when the were-cats skin began to smoke and burn, the were-cat screaming in agony as the creature’s claws burnt him, like silver.

It took me a minute, but when I did find my composure, I pounced toward the unholy thing and lashed my sword at his head. The heavy steel connected, slicing through its neck. There was no blood splatter, the head didn’t even fall. Instead, the creature disintegrated; particles of its once corporeal form floated like cinders from a fire. It was unnatural. I stood there stupefied at what I had just witnessed, stunned beyond words, utterly without words.

'Evil' I heard Juniper stir inside me 'unnatural.' She hissed, adding a sass with a low growl of distaste. I agreed, this was unnatural, whatever these things were.

I think my heart stopped for a second, but it seemed a lot longer until I finally came out of the initial shock and gathered my senses.

I tried to think, think - what would Hunji, and Lamia do? The answer wasn’t coming to me, and I saw another one of these things crawl down the side of a building and began tearing into another fighter. The screams were deafening as were-cats burned and then convulsed before dying, the creatures swarming our fighters.

“Tawny!” I turned to the voice, to see Mason “Let’s go!” He waved to me.

I ran to his side. “Don’t touch those things! Kill them however you can, but for fuck's sake do not let them scratch or bite you!” I looked around for Crimson, watching for more of these creatures. They were sneaky and I couldn't smell their scents, but Crimson, he could mind-link all the warriors and tell them how they could be killed.

There! I saw him mere meters away, fighting a rogue wolf. The rogue getting the upper hand, or so I thought, I ran to go help Crimson and stopped when he leaped up and bounced his feet off the wall of the building, shifting mid-air, in the most fluid of ways and into the most captivating were-cat I had ever seen.

Sleek and lithe, his black spots dotted over a deep rich color inclining from yellow to crimson, a color that was liking to the hottest flames of a burning fire. His fur shimmered under the moonlight and the yellow of his eyes radiated his strength and energy. He was bewitching, stunning. At any other given time, I would have taken a beat to admire his arresting form.

My heart fluttered and my breath caught in my lungs at the thought of how his ‘were’ form was just as handsome as his human form.

His claws dug into the rogue's neck and, with one swipe, tore it wide open. The rogue went limp, and I watched in awe as Crimson leaned over the dead rogue, his fur shimmered to a bright yellow and back to the deep hue of red, right as the rogue gasped for his last breath before dying.

“Crimson!” I called out to him, coming to my senses, wondering what it was I had just seen. This night was full of strangeness.

His large cat form stalked towards me and brushed my leg. I couldn’t help but let my fingers glide along his velvety fur. How I wish things were different, but they weren’t, and we were in the midst of an attack. “Crimson, tell your men; do not let the creatures touch them. Their claws and teeth are toxic. They disintegrate... die easily by the blade.” I hurried out the last part, not really knowing how to explain how they died, I was eager to join the battle and kill all these things, now I knew how.

He gave a low and deep purr in acknowledgment, and then warriors began shifting all around us, picking up weapons that lay on the ground, ones they had dropped from when they had shifted into their ‘were’ forms. Other fighters came rushing with swords in their hands and throwing their extras to fellow comrades, delving back into the fight, weapons at the ready.

“Hold the line!” Crimson commanded, his deep voice repeating my words from only moments ago, taking charge as a true leader should. He suddenly fell to the ground, clutching his chest, “The King!” He hissed, “He has fallen.”

Grandfather! My head whipped around trying to find him, his eyes wide and wild, Crimson stumbled to his feet, moving hastily, determination in his footsteps. I was on his heels as we rounded the corner of a building and we saw my grandfather being mauled, by several of the ugly creatures.

“Grandfather!”, “King!” both Crimson and I shouted, rushing forward and swinging our blades at the hideous-looking things, disposing of them quickly. I dropped to my knees by my grandfather's head, cradling it in my lap, my eyes scanning his body, assessing his injuries.

It was bad.

Four warriors came running to our location and scooped my grandfather up. “Take him to the palace, and have a healer come tend to him there, the people cannot be discouraged and see his ailment,” Crimson commanded the four men. They hurried away into the night, carrying him with speed.