The Delta's Daughter Chapter 293

TAWNY

2 Weeks later

“Order! Order!” The squirrely councilman shouts, hammering a gavel onto his bench. “There will be silence in the council chambers or you will all be arrested and thrown into cells!”

I look around, thinking that’s a lot of people to threaten to throw in the cells. I know for a fact we don’t have enough room to hold the hundred or so people that have gathered to hear the accusations against Gillian.

Crimson and I were fools to think when we came home everything would be peachy. Things never pan out the way you envision or hope.

The first night we got back from Tolba, Gillian warned us that she blew up on her father and, also let it slip that Tristan was her mate. She warned Maydor to not say anything.

Like the true asshole that he is, a vindictive, narcissistic, greedy dirtbag, he immediately started to rally the other Lords and high-ranking big cat shifters from the kingdom around him. He then filed charges against his own daughter for breaking her marriage contract.

I couldn’t imagine my father doing something as underhanded as what Maydor has done to his daughter, let alone contemplating having me thrown in cells all because I met my fated mate.

What I couldn’t understand was why Maydor would even do something like this, how he could do it and not feel an ounce of guilt or betrayal.

“High councilman, sir, I have proof that my daughter made a mockery of our laws and the future leader of this kingdom. I am pushing for maximum punishment.” Maydor stands, a foul smirk on his face as he calls for Gillian to be punished.

“Councilman Leer,” Crimson stands, ready to defend Gillian. “My fiancé, Miss Maydor here, has met her true mate. Contract or not, how could I or anyone here defy a gift from the moon goddess? Whether our contract has met its terms or not, I move to release Gillian Maydor from the blood contract and I will be taking no action against her. Instead, I applaud the moon goddess’s choice for her as her mate Tristan ScarClaw is from a high-ranking upstanding, and one of the oldest Clowders in our realm. The snow leopards. Both Princess Tawny and I have asked Mr. ScarClaw to become a personal advisor. With his family history, knowledge, and his status in Andora as one of the most respected scholars and historians – He is unequivocally a great asset to this kingdom and its subjects.” Crimson finishes his statement and sits back down, sneakily putting his hand under the table and squeezing my knee.

Mumbles and grumbles of approval can be heard loudly, but just as loudly you can hear the protests of Maydor’s supporters.

“Princess Tawny, do you have a statement prepared on the matter?” The head councilman Leer asks me.

I stand, clearing my throat. Everything has been as professional as possible inside the council chambers, so far. I look up meeting councilman Leer’s eyes and nodding at him “I do Councilman,” I confirm before looking at the other councilmen seated along the long and high bench that sits center of the room, against the far wall on top of a platform. The councilmen look down at me from their high positions, inquisitive eyes burning right through me.

Crimson and I have kept our mating a secret, only clueing in our innermost circle which was made up of Gillian, Tristan, Wyvern, and Mason. The only people we trusted.

I make sure I meet each and every eye of the councilmen, then turn to glare daggers at Maydor. We all warned him what would happen if he caused commotion and disrupted the palace and our lives. “Councilmen, Lords, and Ladies,” I begin, “When I first arrived in Cambiador I was struck by its beauty, its peacefulness. But then, I was shown the ugly truth behind this kingdom.

“As crowned heir to the Cambiador throne, I was, no am disgusted with how women are treated under your laws. Not only that but how the commoners – the backbone of this kingdom is treated. Before King Armand died, he spoke with vigor about his vision for the future of Cambiador. And it was not this!

“Kolby Crimson was named his successor until I was found and came home. It was the late king’s desire for me to become Queen, if I refused then Sir Crimson would resume the title of King as his named successor. Lord Maydor is only vexed because his daughter will not be queen, and in his eyes, the loss of her role in the palace is a loss to his status and what control he thinks he has over this kingdom.”

“You have no claim to the throne! And no experience in running a kingdom!” Maydor hisses from across the room.

Crimson growls and accompanying him are several other growls of support that can be heard around the chambers.

“You have already tried to challenge my title and authority, Lord Maydor. You have had your chance to speak. It is my turn now.” I snap back. “As I was saying – I have been a personal advisor to King Kellen Moon and a trusted confidant to Queen Lamia Langley. It is because of my relationship with her Majesty that Cambiador has been able to open trade routes with MacTire and the New Moon Kingdom. It is also because of my friendships with these leaders that Cambiador is being rebuilt. Without their aid, the Capital would still be in a state of devastation.

“King Armand wanted equality, a fair justice system for all and to close the gap between the rich and poor. It was his belief that Sir Crimson and myself could bring those changes to transpire. In light of the circumstances, and as the heir to the throne, I declare Gillian Maydor to be free from prosecution and punishment. Finding your fated mate is not a crime, if she was to carry on her relationship with Sir Crimson, that in itself would be a far greater crime. A crime your laws may not recognize, but one the gods will not overlook.”

“Princess Tawny,” A gentleman at the end of the council bench speaks up, one much older than rest with eyes that held knowledge and sympathy, “I hope you have a point? You are only a crowned Princess; you do not hold the position of ruler until you have a chosen male to rule beside you.”

“Forgive me, sir. As Lady Gillian has found her mate and has broken the contract between herself and Sir Crimson, I motion to take Kolby Crimson as my chosen mate and husband.”

A chorus of shocked whispers and chatter fills the room at my suggestion. Little do they know, Crimson and I are mates, and have completed the bond.

Why not tell them, because then we would all be prosecuted and both Gillian and Crimson would be held to the highest standards of Cambiador law. Both would be imprisoned, and the trial would last weeks. Weeks that we didn’t have waste.

It was our secret until the council approved my request. Then we could shout it from the rooftops. Hopefully, this would satisfy not only the council but also Cambiador’s ranked leaders. They would still be getting Crimson as their King, and I would still become Queen. The only person who would not be happy is Maydor. And truly I couldn’t give a shit about his happiness. As soon as crimson and I were officially crowned, I would have Maydor stripped of his title and lands. Everything he owned and controlled would be passed to his two heirs, Gillian and Tomislav.

Tomislav proved most useful to Mason during our abduction and was highly praised for his tracking skills. Mason also said he trusted him a little more after finding out more about him. If Mason trusted him, then I could too. I hope.

Gillian had also been spending more time with him. They were getting to know each other a little better and I think the idea of having a sibling was appealing enough if not for the fact that they both shared a common dislike for their father.

“This is unacceptable!” Maydor screams at the council and then yells at me “We cannot have a hybrid on the throne! She is a disgrace she is not Cambiadorian! The Phanton’s have ruled these lands for centuries and the bloodline is now a mockery of everything we stand for! You cannot allow this to happen! You cannot approve this marriage!”

“This is an outrage! It is time Cambiador saw a new line of successors!” A Lord who I have not been formally introduced to shouts.

“Here, here!” Another Lord shouts when supporters of Maydor begin to speak up. “The Phanton line has come to an end and a hybrid cannot rule the kingdom.”

“I accept Princess tawny’s proposal. So, who here has the guts to challenge me for the right to the princess’s hand and the throne?” Crimson stands, face red and eyes turning from their yellow to the crimson color I love so much. His anger is palpable, and the vicious voices die down to disgruntled grumbles. “That’s what I thought.” Crimson steps back but does not sit back down, remaining by my side instead.

“Order! Order!” The gavel drops again, the sound cracking through the air and killing the uprising voices. “As the head of the council, the charges brought against Gillian Maydor will be voted on. In relation to Princess Tawny’s choice of husband if Sir Crimson has no qualms and accepts her proposal then I see no reason for them not to move forward after Miss Maydor’s sentencing.” The councilman drops the gavel once more “We will reconvene in three days at 7 am.”

The spectators begin to file out of the chambers. While some Lords are still vocally complaining about the turn of events, and their displeasure with my proposal, other Lords and their ladies, begin to gather around Crimson and myself, offering words of support.

“Sir, Kolby,” One Lord shakes my mate’s hand then turns to me, “We have not had the pleasure of formally meeting Princess. I am Lord Carlos Yowler and this is my wife and fated mate Lady Arabella. We supported your grandfather, and we support Sir Crimson. We extend our support to you and are at your service.”

“Thank you, Lord Yowler, Lady Yowler,” I say giving them both a slight bow of my head in appreciation of their support.

“It is unfortunate that it has come to this, I know how hard the late King was working to change some of our unconventional laws and how Sir Crimson here, was going to be the one to bring about these changes. With both of you on the throne, we have no doubt you can bring this kingdom to its full glory and pride. There are other houses of lords whose support you have.” Lord Yowler tells us, leaning in and keeping his voice low. “Maydor was always looking for a way to rule, and now he has the fuel to drive forward. Our house and our soldiers are at your beck and call Princess.”

“Maybe the princess would be open to hosting a luncheon for the ladies of the houses?” Lady Arabella implies, offering me a sly smile “If the princess was to invite me, I would be more than happy to extend that invite to the other ladies in my circle.”

Catching on to her sly meaning I respond “That would be lovely Lady Arabella, how does tomorrow sound? Should we say noon?”

“It would be my honor, Princess.” She kindly replies and says her goodbyes, he and Lord Yowler taking their leave.

Once the chamber is emptied and we have stepped outside, we immediately find Gillian and Tristan and I wrap her in a huge hug when I see the tears in her eyes, stealing her from Tristan for just a moment. “Shh,” I say, “Don’t let them see your tears. You're stronger than them, Gillian. This is just step one.”

“I’m so sorry I caused all of this. This – I didn’t mean-“ She sobs onto my shoulder.

“None of this is your fault. Do you hear me?” I harshly say, drawing her back from my embrace and looking deeply into her glazed blue eyes. “You did nothing wrong, you caused nothing. This all your fathers doing.”

“Yes, my father!”

“Who took it upon himself to act as a dictator. His actions are no reflection on you. Do you hear me?” I can’t help the slither of angry frustration in my voice, though it is not intended toward Gillian. All my irritation and ire are solely aimed at Lord Maydor.

As soon as Crimson and I had stepped foot in the Palace after coming from Tolba, it was a shit show. In less than twenty-four hours Lord Maydor had filed charges against his daughter and tried to have charges stick against Tristan. We were able to get the charges against Tristan dropped as an innocent party. Unfortunately, Gillian had broken a blood contract and even though Crimson agreed to drop charges against her because the marriage contract was initially signed in blood by himself and my grandfather, it was deemed a crime under Cambiador’s current and unfair laws. Their legal system worked in the favor of those who held power. Not for what was fair and just.

Once back in my room, I pulled my mobile phone from the bedside drawer dialing Lamia’s number. Because of all the paperwork and debriefing, we had to do, I hadn’t found time to call her and tell her about my eye-opening trip to Tolba.

Crimson walked in just as Lamia’s melodic voice greeted me “Shit girl, I thought those werecats had locked you up and hidden you away!”

“I missed you too.” I laugh at my friend's attempt to scald me. Crimson wraps his arms around me, nuzzling my neck and planting little kisses on my sensitive skin. I pull out of his embrace because I can’t hold a conversation and concentrate while he has his hands on me. It’s too distracting.

He gives me a pouting look when I peer at him over my shoulder, giving a wry smile of my own. ‘Later’ I mouth to him, and he lays back on my bed, arms folded behind his head, his eyes never leaving mine as I begin to tell Lamia everything, we learned in Tolba.

“And you have one of these stones?” She asks me after I relay everything from when Crimson was snatched and why, the children to Senko, to what Ashe told Althea. And of course, the mirror and the stones.

“Yeah,” I sigh running a hand through my hair, pacing my room while Crimson’s eyes never leave me. “There is something familiar about this library, I just can’t put my finger on it though. Like I should remember it but I know I have never been there or seen it.”

“What does your cat think, how does she feel?” Lamia asks, with a careful tone. I can just imagine her pacing the same way I am and wonder if Mathias is watching her like Crimson is me.

Lamia is smart and trusts her wolf's instincts, she listens to her, and they work as one. I can only wish that as a shifter my relationship with my feline was as close as theirs. But a werecats counterpart worked differently, it’s only because I am a hybrid that I have as much verbal communication with Juniper as I do.

“She feels uneasy, about the whole thing, especially this Senko, there’s too much coincidence that surrounds Orion and Silas.” I take a breath quickly going over everything, trying to see if there was something I was missing or forgot to tell her.

A vision of the library Althea took us down to where the mirror was hidden away, came to life behind my eyes. “The library-“ I whisper over the phone “Something about the library it just so…”

“Can you describe it to me?” Lamia asks.

“Huge, never-ending, old with rows upon rows of shelves full of old books. A fireplace with a stone hearth. Two leather wingback chairs and an antique table sat between them.”

“Anything seem out of place?” Lamia’s tone held a waiver that was unlike her.

“A tea set sat on the table as if waiting for company. Yet Althea said she didn’t go down there very often because time moved differently in the library.”

After a few moments of silence, Lamia’s voice fills the void “I didn’t say anything earlier, because I didn’t want to worry you. Xander and Ria’s convoy was attacked on their way here last week. Xander lost a leg, but we have no idea who ordered the attack or who it was from. Nor do we know who or what they were after. Were stretched pretty thin here. Both Tobias and Hunji have gone to the bear kingdom but… I need to see this library you described for myself.”

“Lamia, you can’t come here!” I protest. “Who will watch the triplets? Who lead Riocht with you gone?” All valid questions. I can’t just expect the Queen of Shifters to leave her castle because of me.

“Lucien can run things while we are gone, and mom and dad are here to watch the triplets. Riocht will be safe with Lucien, as it has for hundreds of years.” She explains. “Besides, I could do with a break. And I’ve missed you so much!”