"Go on back to the suite. Getting the witches settled in will take a while." Zion tells me, and I shake my head.
"No way, I'm coming with you. These witches are my people too. If I can help them and put their minds at ease, I will do whatever it takes." I say with determination.
"Very well, my Queen." He says while smiling as he walks me out of the room we were in. As we walk down the hall to the hospital entrance, we meet up with my mom and Lady Nina. Once outside, I see so many scared faces, and feel their sadness. I step up to speak first, feeling the need to calm them, as my mother and Zion step forward and stand on either side of me to show support.
"I know some of you have questions, I understand that most of you are scared, and I know some may be hurt by the things that have happened and then having to leave your homes. I, daughter of Lady Ezmerelda, head witch of the Silver Nyx Coven, and my mate King Zion of the Southern Werewolf Kingdom are here to help and protect you." I say, and everyone claps. Then my mother steps up to speak as I step back.
"Queen Rain, my daughter, will be undergoing the Trials to become Queen of the Witches of the South. A true Hybrid Queen!" She says, and everyone, including the warriors, begins to cheer. Once it quiets down, Zion steps up to speak.
"As my Queen has said, We are here to protect you. There is a war coming. The enemy has almost every species on their side. Now we have wolves and witches! We will house everyone and provide you with anything you may need, but in return, all we ask is that you step in to help anyone in need as you did with our warriors tonight. Combat training will be available for anyone who wants to join in and learn to fight. We will win this war and make this Kingdom, as a whole, a better place for all species!" He says, and everyone cheers once again. Then he asks everyone to line up and follow us to the apartments where everyone will be living for the time being.
As we walk into the lobby of the apartment building, Sam and James walk up to us, both holding a list. Sams' list has the names of witches with children, who will be living with them, and James' list has the names of witches living alone or with a spouse. They then split the group according to the list and start handing out the keys while explaining that there will be a notebook left in the lobby where they can write down anything they need and leave their name and apartment number so someone can get their things to them.
Zion and I talk with every witch and their family or spouse. Finally, after two hours, it's time for us to head back to the castle. As we walk out of the apartment, there's a black Jeep parked right out front of the exit. We start to walk around it when Zion stops and opens the passenger side door, and he lifts me up and places me in the seat, closing the door. He then walks around to the other side and climbs into the driver's seat. He smiles at me as he starts the Jeep and drives off.
"Zion?" I call out to him, and he hums in response. "What are we doing? Where are we going?"
"I'm taking you to my favorite place in the Kingdom. We would usually shit to our wolves and run to it, but since we are both exhausted, I figured it would be better to take the Jeep instead." He says, and I nod with a smile on my face.
"That sound's nice," I say as we ride through the dark trail. I'm glad he knows where we're going cause it's so dark. Even with the headlights on, I wouldn't be able to tell where we are going. After about ten minutes of driving, we stop at the end of the trail surrounded by trees.
"We'll have o walk from here." He says. "Don't worry. It's just past these trees."
He gets out and walks around to open my door, reaching for my hand and helping me get out of the Jeep. We make our way past the trees, and I hear the sound of a small waterfall. Walking a few more minutes, we walk to a cliff overlooking the castle and part of the Kingdom.
"It's beautiful!" I say as I stare out over everything.
"I used to think it was the most beautiful view in the world. Then I met you!" He says, and I smile as I blush. I turn my head to hide my face, but he grabs my chin and turns me to face him. "You're perfect, my Queen."
"I think you're delusional, my King," I say while giggling. He grabs my hips and pulls me closer to him, bending down and whispering in my ear.
"I'll be delusional as long as I can have you by my side." He says before he kisses me. I stand on my tiptoes, wrapping my arms around his neck, and deepen the kiss, not wanting this to end. After a long, passionate kiss, he pulls away and stares into my eyes.
"I couldn't ask for a better mate." He says, and I smile. He turns me around so my back is against his chest and wraps his arms around my shoulders as we gaze out over our Kingdom. "Are you ready for the ceremonies?"
"I am. But I'm really nervous." I say honestly.
"Nervous about the mating ceremony, crowning ceremony, or ruling afterward?" He asks.
"All of it," I answer his question with a laugh as he holds me tighter.
"You will do great, my love. And I will be right beside you the whole time." He says.