The Delta's Daughter Chapter 294

TAWNY

At the top of Cambiador’s hierarchy sits the royal family. The King or Queen and their successors. Outside of the capital, the kingdom is split into twelve houses, or twelve separate Clowders, each house controls a large portion of land overseen by the Lord.

Each of those Lords who have control of the land is responsible for overseeing the development and structure of their Clowder and they each have their own warriors and their own elders. One elder is voted on to the main council to act as a judiciary for the kingdom. To uphold the laws put into place and pass sentencing as necessary.

The Lords are privy to sit in the court of councils along with the chosen elders and of course the King and Queen. Much like the Packs in the New Moon Kingdom and their order of hierarchy.

The five women who sit in front of me now would be considered Lunas or Den mothers if we were in the werewolf and bear kingdoms. Here they are just referred to as Ladies. But the same principles still applied.

I had never held a luncheon with Ladies before, so of course I had to rope Gillian into this too. When Lamia and I did ‘lunch’ it was a burger or steak on the grill with our friends. It wasn’t as formal as this luncheon seems.

I had to make a good impression on these Ladies, and I wasn’t sure I could.

“Just be yourself.” Gillian had told me when they first pulled up to the palace in two separate cars.

Arabella stepped out of the first car greeting us with formality. She then introduced us to the other four Ladies she had brought with her. Gillian already knew them and greeted them easily. Me, I was a little more awkward with the greetings.

I had to behave like a Princess, like the Queen I was meant to become. I had no idea what that entailed. I knew I had messed up when I walked out of my room in my usual cargo pants and vest. Gillian gave me a death stare and made me go back in and change into a dress that was more fitting for the occasion.

The parlor room we sat in was prepared by staff members, fancy tea sets adorned two tables and the food was just as fancy. Cucumber sandwiches, orange sherbet salad, egg salad on toasted bread, a chicken wrap, and decadent little chocolates.

At first, the conversation was awkward until Gillian asked how each house was doing and what changes had taken place in their Clowders. Soon everyone was happily chatting away about their own houses and husbands.

Immediately I got the impression that these ladies were as much involved with their Clowders as their husbands were. Not oppressed and kept at home like I thought they would be. It appeared that they had just as much of a voice as their husbands did, just a little behind the scenes.

“Lady Arabella, how are the twins? Am I correct in assuming they have their 21st birthdays coming up?” Lady Mendez asks Arabella.

Lady Arabella is in her 40’s the eldest of us gathered, and the seeming leader of the circle of women gathered. “They are,” She replies. “Invitations to their party will be sent out this week, you are all invited of course.”

It was pretty rare for were cats to produce twins and they both live. Werecats for whatever reason seem to have harder births than other shifters.

“Have you and Lord Yowler found them suitable matches now they are of age to be married off?” Lady Mendez extends her line of questions.

“No.” Is her short reply. At first, I don’t think that’s the end of that until she elaborates “Corbin and I believe they can make the decision for themselves. If they want to be married off, then we will find a suitable match for them. I am not opposed to them finding their own or waiting.”

“Waiting for what?” Another Lady asks.

“For their fated mate,” Lady Arabella directs an encouraging smile toward Gillian who blushes at the hidden support behind her words.

Suddenly the turn in conversation becomes serious, all pleasantries and small talk is pushed aside when Lady Arabella takes control of the conversation again. “Princess Tawny, already Lord Maydor has started gathering his closest supporters. Immediately after we left court he began speaking with other Lords.”

“And you know this how?” I ask arching a brow.

“Our husbands supported King Armand and his vision. In turn, they support Sir Crimson and by extension of both, they support yourself. We like to think our houses-,” she gestures to the ladies around us who are nodding with agreement, “-are forward thinking. Our husbands include us and discuss with us matters of the council, court, and our Clowders. It was easier for appearance sakes for us to meet with you under the guise of a luncheon than our husbands come and meet with yourself and Sir Crimson. Too many eyes would see, and it would look suspicious. This way we can communicate with you, and the Lords will think we are just a bunch of busybody women who know nothing.”

“Ahh, “ I hum understanding her reason. It’s a clever sleight of hand. “Should I be worried, Lady Arabella?”

She shrugs her shoulders, “They have the numbers to rival the royal warriors, but I don’t believe they are as well trained as your teams.”

This was true. Mason and I had personally trained our warriors they were tough, skilled and solid soldiers who could fight. After the attack by the Crawlers, we took no chances and our teams of warriors proved themselves at the battle of Riocht.

“The problem is, although we have superior fighting warriors, those warriors’ families live in the Lord's Clowders. There is a chance that they could deflect if the Lords put pressure on their families or the families convince them to fight with their house.” Gillian explains to me.

I think before speaking, I want to make sure my message comes across clearly. “Let your husbands know that if it comes down to it, Crimson and I have their support, no matter if any of the royal warriors deflect. I will have the numbers to push back at whatever Lord Maydor decides to come at us with. Also, If myself or Crimson are overthrown before we take the throne, Cambiador will lose their alliance with MacTire and Queen Lamia. Along with the New Kingdom who have provided an abundant amount of aid to the kingdom.”

If I needed numbers, I had no doubt that both MacTire and Riocht would be behind me.

“It would be a last resort to bring in outside help, but if it meant securing the future of our citizens, then Sir Crimson and I have reservations about asking for outside help.” My mind wandered to the Tolba Pride, and I smiled to myself. They were eager for an alliance with us, eager to atone for their actions. Maybe this is how they could help.

“Then again, I assume bringing in non-cat shifters may harm our cause?” It’s a question but also a statement of realization.

“The potential damage it could cause is high. Cambiador citizens could see it as an act of takeover. There are those who are discouraged because of your lineage.”

“You mean because I am considered a hybrid?” I scoff.

“Yes,” Lady Mendez contributes to the conversation. “If it comes to a civil war, which I pray it does not, it would be in the kingdom's best interest to stick with our own race.”

“I understand. Even without MacTire or Riocht, I still have the numbers.” I reassure them, my mind still on King Arik and the Tolba Pride.

I didn’t want to show the Ladies my whole hand, but I did want them to know that we had something up our sleeves. If they saw me calm and unworried the confidence would spread and hopefully, scare Maydor off.

Although, I’m thinking Maydor is way too egotistical to know he had already lost before anything had even started. If he thinks he can push either me or Crimson over, he is sorely mistaken. I may not have the connections and friends in this Kingdom, but I have some friends that are pretty high up there.

*****

At the end of the luncheon, I felt like I had gained new friends, each Lady – Arabella Yowler, Giana Mendez, Christina Porteous, Rena Haro, and Jayla Fajardo, showed their support of the crown for Crimson and I. Whatever Maydor was planning, he would not succeed.

Gillian being there was also a huge winning factor as they voiced their support and pledged their husband's support of her being acquitted of the charges she faced. They all agreed that the bond to a fated mate was stronger and held more clout than her blood contract for marriage.

Unfortunately, not everyone could think like that.

It was late when Crimson finally came to my room. We had been sleeping here since the night we came home. The idea of sleeping in Crimson's suite didn’t sit well with either of us, I mean who wants to share a bed with their mate that he previously slept in with his fiancé? I certainly didn’t.

He crawls into bed behind me, tugging at my waist, pulling me snugly against him. “Kitten, why aren’t you asleep?” He soothingly says, burying his nose in my hair.

“I’ve been thinking,” I say, still pondering over my thoughts of the day and Tolba.

“About,” He questions urging me to tell him what’s on my mind - his hand drifts down over my waist and glides past my hip to my thigh which he begins to caress.

“Tolba.” He groans, and the warmth of his leaves me as he turns to lie on his back and lets out an aggravated sigh.

“What about Tolba?” I know he doesn’t want to hear it and I know he would rather not have anything to do with that Kingdom ever again.

“I have to go back there. I know how they can atone for their fuck up.” I tell him.

“Fuck Kitten,” He throws his hands over his eyes, rubbing them with aggravation. “Why?”

I sit up now looking at him and he peers between his fingers at me, “You know why, not only could they help us if Maydor rallies enough houses to go against us, but also… I feel like I’m missing something. I spoke to Lam’s again today. They are leaving tomorrow to come here. We are going to Tolba.”

Crimson bolts upright, a scowl on his handsome face “No you’re not!” He demands and I coil back at his volatile tone. “There is no way in the underworld I am letting you go back there. Especially not without me!”

“It’s not up to you!” I counter with a ferocity of my own. “Besides Lamia and Mathias will be with me.”

“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?” He’s shaking his head with disbelief and through the bond, I can feel his anxiety. I’m suddenly aware of his fear.

“Baby,” I say softly understanding where his anger is coming from, “I will be fine, they won’t try anything so stupid again. They have learned their lesson and besides,” I give a small chuckle “Do you really think they would risk having the Crimson Grimalkin come and fuck them up because they messed with his mate once again? They were dumb but I highly doubt they will make the same mistake again. Plus have you seen the size of Mathias?”

“I have. Only on the battlefield.”

“I can attest that the man is a beast. A scary beast. When I stayed behind at Riocht I had the pleasure of hanging out with him. No one is fucking with Bear King. I assure you.” I try and instill confidence in my mate, hoping he either comes with me or accepts that I am still going back there. With or without him.

Crimson’s hands slide down his face, “I swear to the gods, you will be the death of me. Why can’t you just leave it alone? One thing at a time? Whatever is going on or not going on in Tolba is their problem. W have enough of our own.” He says with a pleading voice, his yellow eyes boring into me pleading as much as his word for me to drop it.

I just can’t though. And when I called Lamia earlier, she admitted it had been on her mind too. So with some convincing and a lot of sexual luring, she was able to Mathias to agree to come to Cambiador and go to Tolba with me.

The goal was to be in and out of Tolba and back home to Riocht as soon as possible because of the recent events that had taken place outside the Riocht borders. There was no fear of an attack on the palace itself, someone may attempt it, but that place was fortified with Lycans, wolves, and bears. The best of the best and surrounded by the Forest Morngord - rumored to be haunted.

Only a fool would attempt an attack on Riocht.

I look into his eyes, the pleading now hidden by worry, “I will be fine I tell him.” Bending to place a soft reassuring and promising kiss on his lips.

“I’m going with you. I swear, I will them all if they try something again.”

I laugh. “You and Lamia both,” I tell him before he captures me in a bruising kiss and pulls me up and over him where I can already feel his arousal between my legs, making my own heat rise, and instantly my pussy weeps to be filled by him.

And although I’m the one on top, it’s him who takes control, making me scream out my release over and over as his hips lift with a punishing pace, pounding into me until I can no longer hold myself up.

“Goddess Kolby! I moan out my release as he empties himself inside me. I collapse on top of him and he gently rolls to my side, spooning me.

His arm snakes under my neck, and his other hand slides over and rests on my belly. “Did you stop taking the medicine?” He mumbles just as my eyes begin to close.

“yeah,” I say back.

“Soon your belly will swell my child,” He presses into my back, and I feel his hard length jut against my ass.

I squirm against him and open my legs, the tip brushing over my entrance. I just can’t get enough of him and the thought of baring his kitten turns me on like nothing else. He slips his cock into me and drops small kisses on my shoulder and the base of my neck. “I want to fall asleep inside you, I want to stay connected to you all night.” He breathes out once fully seated inside me.

“I shudder a breath of desire as tingles erupt all over my body at the thought of having him rock hard inside me all night. I would move if he hadn’t worn me out already. The feeling was comforting, and fulfilling and sleep found me easily enough as his body caged me like a blanket and filled me with his desire.

I drifted off to images of what our child may look like, and what our future could hold. And what I imagined – I liked. And sent a silent prayer to the goddess that I would bare his child soon.

There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted a future with Crimson. If you had asked me ten months ago, I would never have guessed a future with my mate was possible. Now, it’s all I wanted. That and peace in the kingdom.

It was time Crimson met my father. It had been almost a year since I had last seen him, and I missed him dearly.