Chapter Twelve

Niko

For two days I have been secluded in a conclave with the top war strategists of my realm. We have sent reinforcements and extra supplies toward the northern border. More than three hundred of my people lost their lives. More than half were civilians.

The armies and warlords of Quietus are getting brazen with their attacks. They feel nothing for the people of this land, they only want to claim it as their own.

My mother has sent word that the merging ceremony will take place in three days. She has been working tirelessly with Cassandra to get it set up as soon as possible. The sooner we are wed, the sooner I can work to bring about the end of this war. Cassandra is also in a hurry to get married before the full moon. She needs to be matched before the coven so she can ascend to her full powers.

Yesterday, her best friend, Tayla, arrived to help her with the merging ceremony planning. The women have been driving Hayden insane as he is the only person I trust to guard my mother and my future wife. The thought of my bride-to-be seems to conjure her out of thin air.

Cassandra strides into the meeting room that I haven't left for the last forty-eight hours and walks right up to me. She assesses me closely before turning to the men gathered around the table.

"You can all leave," she states flatly.

"What?" General Duram, the highest ranked warlord in Runic asks.

"I said," she rolls her eyes, "you can all leave."

"And who are you to command me?"

I see the purple sparks at the tips of her fingers but don't intervene. "I…" She breathes deeply, getting her magik back under control. "I am the woman that realizes killing your king isn't going to stop a war. Unless that is your intention."

"That sounds like treason," I say nonchalantly.

"I won't be accused of treason by some nobody!" General Duram shouts as he stands, his seat falling to the ground with a loud clatter. "My Lord, you can't take this woman seriously."

A blast of magik shoots past me, hitting the wall behind Duram's head, and shattering the plaster. I know she missed him on purpose. She is trying to prove a point.

"I'm not some nobody. I am the future head of the Panala Coven, a true descendant of a Salem witch, and the future queen of Runic." She holds her head high as she speaks, and I watch the color leave General Duram's face. "What have you accomplished here the past two days?" Cassandra asks scanning the men gathered here.

General Duram stammers, "We sent reinforcements…"

But Cassandra cuts him off again. "Yes. Reinforcements and supplies. If it took seven of you two days to coordinate that, I fear for this realm," she snarks. "No, what you have done in two days is physically and mentally tire out your future king. Not to mention he has only eaten once in that time."

Taking my hand, she pulls me from my chair. She drags me along behind her while I try to keep from smiling at the way the men in the room stare at her in disbelief. She doesn't say another word to them as we exit but it's clear I am done for the day.

****

Cassandra

I can't believe I just did that! But I had to do something. Amara is beside herself with worry. She told me her husband had been the same, putting his health and sanity at risk to tend to his kingdom first. I couldn't stand seeing her so sad and worried, so I did the only thing I could think of.

I also remember vividly the fight we had on my first day here. If Niko expects me to think of myself, he needs to take better care of himself too.

I lead Niko to our room and close the door behind us. I know I will have to explain my actions to him, but this is what he wanted. A wife who would care if her husband was killing himself. But I never get the chance to explain. I am spun around and shoved against the door before Niko's lips descend on mine.

He feasts on me for long minutes before pulling away and smiling at me with affection. He feels pride in my actions and amazement at my strength.

"That was amazing."

"The kiss?" I'm a little confused. The overwhelming emotion from him was arousal clouding everything.

"Well, that too," he says and laughs. "But I actually meant watching you kick some ass in there." He nods in the direction of the meeting room.

I smile as I lead him onto the balcony where I had the cook prepare his favorite foods.

"Eat something," I say as I take a seat at the table. "Your mother is worried out of her mind."

"Thank you, I'm starving."

We eat together in comfortable silence. The first time I saw Niko in my café, I never would have guessed I would end up here. Not to mention everything going on with my mother and my coven. But I find myself more comfortable here than I have been in a lifetime. I know Owen and I would never be able to live like this.

Niko seems to appreciate my hidden sass, encouraging me in his own way to speak my mind. There is also none of the chemistry between myself and Owen that I have with the man seated across from me.

I have met several people these past two days that helped with planning the merging ceremony and everyone says the same thing. He is just and fair in ruling their kingdom. He always puts his people before himself. When I touch people, I find that although there is fear because of the continuing war, there is also peace and hope. Learning about Niko from his mother, best friend Hayden, and his people have given me a unique insight into the man with whom I will be merged. Already, I feel a fondness for him.

"What are your plans for the rest of the day?" Niko draws me out of my thoughts.

"Nothing, really. All the preparations are done for the merging ceremony. I only have the last fitting tomorrow."

"Did you invite your mother?" Niko asks.

"No," I state firmly. "But I did invite Arabella."

We sit in companionable silence enjoying our meal in the afternoon sunlight. A slight breeze blowing in from the east, nature surrounding us, peace filling my heart.

"Come to bed with me?" He draws my attention back to him with a smile. "I would like to cuddle my fiancée at least once before she becomes my wife."