The Delta's Daughter Chapter 276

TAWNY

Present day

For the past few months, Crimson and I have been able to, for the most part, avoid each other. We were getting really good at it by now.

Both of us spent more time outside the palace when the other is there. Mason and I had been traveling back and forth, visiting Clowders and small Prides outside the kingdom as we searched for the missing King of the werewolf kingdom. Kellen Moon had been abducted and shipped to the second continent and we had spent several months searching the werecat kingdom in case he had been brought here.

Eventually, and thankfully, he was discovered to be in a faraway kingdom of Bhakhil and they managed to get him out of there. With his newfound mate, who I couldn’t wait to meet. Hopefully soon.

I was due to visit up north. That, and Lamia gave birth to triplets. I missed not being there for their birth because of my commitment to help search for Kellen, then life happens, and we had things that needed to be dealt with here.

I was thankful that Lamia didn't hold it against me, even though she gave birth in the Moon Kingdom, and had been sent many photos of the babies.

It was a beautiful afternoon, hot, always hot here but today there was a nice cross breeze. Gillian had the maids open all the windows in the palace, so some of that fresh air could circulate around the place. Crimson had left for a few days, visiting a few of the out-laying Clowders working on our mission to better all of Cambiador.

I had just showered and dressed from training when my feline’s ears perked up. Alerting me that we had company. Visitors from outside the kingdom. I gingerly walk to my door, open it and the scent of wildflowers and basil hits my nose, the scent of a familiar wolf.

“Mason,” I call out, “Why do I smell…”

A wide smile takes over my face before I can even register that it happens. I hastily walk down the corridor and lean over the balcony “…Hunji?” I say, Still not believing my eyes.

“Hunji!” I say again this time flying down the stairs and into his arms, wrapping mine around his neck.

“It’s good to see you too little one,” He laughs setting me down on my feet. Holding me at arm’s length by my waist, he takes me in.

I suddenly notice his eyes. No longer dark pools of black. Instead, golden honey brown “Your eyes… their beautiful,” I tell him, stunned at the stark difference.

“It’s a long story,” he tells me “This is Tristan ScarClaw,” he introduces the tall and lean werecat standing beside him. A pale-skinned shifter with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Slightly older than Hunji. I greet him feeling a comforting presence surrounding him. “And this is Gregorio,”

“Very nice to meet you both,” I greet the bulky bear shifter named Gregorio, his skin tone tanned and his eyes a dark hazel brown. Both men have strange accents, but an accent I could listen to all day.

*****

I walk with Hunji, arm in arm through the palace gardens stopping by one of my favorite fountains and taking a seat on the edge. “I have missed you - I’m so happy to see you,” I say, taking comfort in my old friend's presence.

“Me too little Kitty, me too.” He says patting my arm that is still lopped in his as we sit and enjoy the simplicity of each other’s company.

For so long I lusted after this wolf, and dare I say, my feline still purred in his presence. He seemed to exude even more power than he did before. His Aura is one of high ranking and Juniper reveled in his powerful presence.

After everything that has happened with Crimson, I find myself still having feelings for Hunji. Though those feelings have shifted from ones of lust and craving to innocent love and respect. He makes my feline and I feel peaceful.

“What brings you here Hunji?” I finally ask the question that’s been playing on my mind since he arrived.

hours later, after he has given me the dumbed-down version of what he has been through and who he truly is – the rightful king of Eririat – I sit stunned in silence.

“What the shit Hunji!” I exclaim once my brain catches up to the information overload.

“For years Tawny, I have thought about you, lusted after you. You have been the woman in my dreams, the name on my lips I whisper. But…”

I don’t know what to make of his confession, especially now. “But…” I urge him to carry on, wanting to know why now? Why come to me now?

Suddenly his lips are on mine, caressing them, softly. His warm mouth part over mine and he snakes his tongue between my lips. I respond, letting him deepen the kiss, twining my own tongue with his and tangling my hands in his long dark locks.

A few moments go by as we devour each other before I break away.

The kiss was nice, but it wasn’t right.

Not like how it would have been if he had kissed me three years ago.

There wasn’t one ounce of desire between us and I knew he didn’t feel it either. I could tell by the look of relief etched across his face.

“Who is she?” I ask, “You’ve changed Hunji, is it the witch?” The twitch in his features tells me my assumption is right. “Oh, Hunji! What aren’t you telling me?” I urge him to spill his feelings.

“I’m in love with her and I broke my vow, she imprinted on me…” He palms his face “I don’t know what to do,” The lost look on his face says it all. He is at war with himself, and it hurts to see him hurting.

I grab his face making him look at me “Love!” I all but shout “You fell in love Hunji! Pure undiluted and uncoerced love!” I stand and place my hands on my hips. “You fell in love Hunji, just like humans do. From everything you have told me, I believe the goddess gave you that chance to find love outside of a bond. You found that love in Morgan. The goddess is letting you choose your own destiny.”

I had always hoped I would be Hunji’s fated mate, his second chance. But I could see how much he was in love with the witch when I merely mentioned her name. The spark in his eyes said it all.

Our conversation was deep and honest – beautiful. I was truly over the moon that he had found someone to lull the wolf within. If anyone deserved to be happy, it was Hunji.

Underneath my happiness for my dear friend, there was a bitter sadness for myself. If only the moon goddess would allow me to find my own love because, at this point, I didn’t have a lot of faith in fated mates.

I had rejected mine. And still, believe I made the right decision. Since that night, Crimson and I get along quite well. Maybe because we stay out of each other’s way and are hardly in the palace at the same time. Still, all said and done, we work well together and make an excellent team.

*****

Hunji and Gregorio left for Riocht the next day, but Tristan ScarClaw had asked if he could stay and work as my temporary advisor. I welcomed the suggestion and according to Hunji, Tristan was a good man and could be of great assistance to me. Plus, I was told he hailed from one of the oldest lines of snow leopards known to shifters and was a fountain of knowledge. I just knew Gillian would be thrilled to pick his brain.

I smile at the thought of Gillian’s eyes lighting up when she meets Tristan. For the first time in a while, she had traveled with Crimson. Not because she hadn’t wanted to before, but because Crimson allowed her to this time.

Tristan, Mason, and I were strolling back from the training grounds, we were showing Tristan around. Tomorrow he would go with Mason and see more of the Cambiador Kingdom. I was enjoying his stories of Andora, as he painted a picture of his home with wonderous words. So descriptive that I could almost see the Megaron he told us about and the statues that lined the walls outside of the temple.

Tristan ScarClaw reminded me of a much younger version of my grandfather. Wise beyond his years, with a calm and comforting aura. I had decided that Tristan would be my personal advisor, his knowledge and experience would benefit not only me when making decisions but also the people of Cambiador. He is a just and fair person who believes without happy citizens, there is no kingdom. “The people make the Kingdom,” He said during a conversation.

That phrase seemed to resonate with me. He is right, a kingdom is nothing without its people. A king or queen cannot rule if there is nothing and no one to rule. I am starting to see why he and Hunji get on so well, they both have these inspirational sayings or quotes that they throw into conversations every so often.

“So, you grandfather, let me get this straight. Told you he wanted you to become Queen? Then gave you his ring on his deathbed, and this ring is only given to the intended heir to the throne?”

“Correct,” I answer Tristan’s questions. “However, he had named Crimson as his successor beforehand and told me, that if I decide to decline the throne, he wished for me to pass the ring back to Kolby Crimson.”

“What she isn’t telling you,” Mason interjects “Is that Crimson was her mate until she rejected him. And this is where it gets complicated – Now, in order for her to be crowned queen she must have found her mate or taken a chosen male. Crimson is locked into a blood contract with Gillian, the daughter of an asshole Lord who holds many councilmen and other ranking lords in his pocket. At the end of Crimson’s yearlong contract to Gillian, if he wants to contest the right to the throne he must challenge Princess Tawny,”

“I see…” Tristan processes. “So, either way, you have until the contract is up before you or this Kolby Crimson can effectively be named king or queen.”

“Correct,” I state again.

“And I thought Hunji’s situation was complicated,” He scratches at the scruff on his face. “And where is this infamous Kolby Crimson now?”

“Visiting Clowders, just outside the kingdom’s capital,” I reply, my mind conjuring up Crimson’s face. I quickly shake the thoughts of him from my head.

“He’s a good man, a great leader. He cares for the people and the kingdom. My grandfather raised him as his own. He was raised to become king. I was not.” I tell Tristan.

I briefly wonder what Crimson’s reaction will be when he comes home to find a werecat from a faraway country residing in the palace. I dismiss any other thoughts because truthfully it was my decision. Tristan is part of my council. Not his.

I hope Crimson will welcome him, Tristan ScarClaw could be an asset to both of us, not just me.

The next day Mason and Tristan head out early. Mason wants to cover as much ground as possible showing Tristan as much of the kingdom as he can for the next two days. While Mason connects with the citizens to find out their needs and what areas need to be improved, Tristan is there to observe and offer his knowledge.

After seeing them off I go about my day, starting off with the mountain of paperwork that sits on my desk. For the better part of the morning, I approve, reject and revise pending projects.

When I get to the stack of files that have come in from the council requesting funds for various projects, or requests to amend sections of Cambiador’s law, I throw my pen down letting out a big huff.

“Is this really what I want to be doing?” I ask myself out loud. “Signing paperwork all day.” There’s no one here to hear me, which is a good thing because I’m sure they would deem me as certifiable.

My fingers find the ring, hidden beneath the crop top I am currently wearing. The tips glid over the smooth blue stone. I look at it as I lazily stroke over the large round jewel. Peering at the object more closely than I have before.

I sit up to inspect it more carefully when I notice the swirl of silver-looking dust in the center of the stone. I could have sworn that hadn’t been there before. The blue jewel had always been brilliant and bright, clear and unblemished. But now… smack bang in the center of the stone, there was an unmistakable swirl of sliver specs, as if someone had placed a galaxy right in the center of the stone.

My concentration was broken when a maid opened up a mind-link to inform me there was a visitor demanding to see me. *Who is it?* I ask the maid through the mind-link.

*Lord Maydor, Princess* She replies unsure.

And here I thought today was going to be a good day. *Send him in* I reluctantly reply and cut the link.

Seconds later my office door is opening, Maydor waltzing in confidently like the ignorant ass that he is.

I stand “Lord Maydor, what can I do for you on this fine day?” I greet him, not offering my hand to shake.

Maydor seems unbothered by my lack of etiquette as he takes a seat opposite my desk. “Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? I don’t like you and I will do everything in my power to ensure you are not crowned Queen. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t urgent, but it seems Kolby is off gallivanting around with my useless daughter.”

Wow! See complete ass.

I keep my mouth closed, even though I would like nothing more than throat punch him for confessing he will do anything to keep from being crowned. More so I wanted to hit him twice as hard for his attitude towards a woman I consider a dear friend and his daughter, no less!

“Mm. So don’t beat around the bush. Why are you here Maydor?”

He shifts in his chair and unbuttons his suit jacket. How he can wear a three-piece suit in this heat is beyond me, still. He palms the back of his neck, reluctant to divulge why he is here. He was here to ask for something and I could tell it was killing him to have to ask it from me.

“The man you fought, Tomislav.”

“What about him?” I’m already becoming bored with his dance around the subject. “I want him on the Alpha team of your warriors. He will have a higher rank – a commander.”

“You want?” I cut off the asswipe's demands. “What makes you think I will give him any place in my army? I could have him thrown in jail for challenging a crowned princess.”

“That challenge was above board!” Maydor screeches.

“Maybe, but the law also states: that any harm to a crowned royal will result in punishment and or the death penalty.” If I could have a picture of his face at that moment, I would frame it and throw darts at it every day. It was beautiful how fast his face went red, his chest puffed out and the nervous tick in his eye. “Tell me why I would do that for you. Tell me why Crimson would do that for you?”

“Because he is strong and capable. You would be lucky to have a man of his caliber and skills leading our warriors.”

There was more to this, it was so obviously painted on Maydor’s face. “Who is he to you?” I glare at him with narrowed eyes.

Again, his blue eyes twitch, and his jaw tightens “Just do it!” He growls out.

I growl back in warning, refusing to let him talk to me this way. This is my office and I hold rank. Not him. He has no right to try and bully his agenda onto me.

“No,” I tell him harshly.

“You will do it, or so help me…”

“So help you nothing Lord Maydor!” I stand bracing my knuckles on the large desk and leaning forward “I do not take kindly to threats and you will NOT come in here and think you can bully me into getting your own way. Now leave, because you have no authority here. And if you think you can take this to the council or drum up supporters. I swear to the gods I will have this Tomislav in the gallows so fast it will make your head spin! Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?”

With a red face, clenched jaw, and fists, Maydor drops back down into his chair defeated. “He is my son.” He barely mumbles in a whisper.

“Your son?” I ask shocked because as far as I knew Gillian was an only child, her mother had passed from illness when she was a young girl. If Gillian had a brother, she never mentioned it... or she didn’t know.

“Yes, he is my bastard son. His mother was whore.” He seethes “I want him to be in a position where can make something of himself because I have no male heir except for him.”

Maybe the asshole wasn’t as much of an ass. I dismiss that thought immediately, he was definitely still an ass. Maybe an ass with a conscious, but still a grade ‘A’ ass with a capital A.

“I won’t hand him a ranking position. He would have to earn it. Send him to the warriors’ barracks tomorrow morning at 6 am. He can report to Commander Wyvern.” I sit back down.

“Thank… you” I could tell, saying that almost killed him by the bulging vein in his neck and the tightness of his jaw. He stands buttoning up his suit jacket again.

Maydor pauses with his hand on the doorknob “I still don’t like you. And I don’t trust you.”

“The feeling is mutual,” I scoff “don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

Once he has gone, I lean back in my chair. For moon's sake what more drama can occur?

My feline and I don’t get the distinct sense that he is up to something, but I won’t trust him or his son, Tomislav.

Now, worrying about Gillian and her reaction to finding out she has a brother. A werecat that challenged me for my title no less.