Rulers of Mozog
Avalyn
"....which is why Lord Darius and Lord Leikos will be executed for the act of treason," Nik announced to the people of Mozog.
Instead of ordering the guards, Nik took out his sword and walked down the stage.
With a single strike, he cut the head of Darius first, and then Leikos.
He climbed back the stage and stood next to me again. "Today will be the officiating of Prince Vladimir and Princess Sofiya. They will choose new Lords that they think will be fitting for the role. Dismissed." He said and then grabbed my hand before we walked back towards the palace.
It felt so good to walk in the palace without any guards and any fear.
We entered our quarters and Nikolai sat me down in the living room.
"Are you good now?" He asked me. Dimitri, Vladimir, and Sofiya circled me, looking worried.
"Yes. I am fine. You shouldn't be scared of her. She is me." I told them.
"What?" Nikolai asked.
"Yes. I've seen her in my dreams a couple of times before." I told them.
"What?" Nikolai asked again. "And you didn't tell us?"
"She didn't say much. She just tells me that she is me. All she ever said is 'save Nikolai. Lead them all to victory. Brighten the darkness. The time is coming." I told them. "It's the same as the day of me getting accepted in the pack."
"Oh." Nik frowned.
"But what exactly did I do last night?" I asked.
It was like I know I'm doing those things and saying those words but it wasn't me at the same time. Like it was some different part of me. But I trust the lady. And deep down, I think she was me, too.
"Suddenly your hair turned all white and you started floating in the hair and started saying all of those things. It was almost like... someone else was controlling you." Nik said.
"But it wasn't." I shook my head in denial. "It's not someone else." I looked at everyone who didn't look like they believed in what I was saying.
"It's like I was saying those things but subconsciously? I wasn't aware of it but I know it was me." I tried to put the feeling into words the best way I could.
"You passed out after that, Avalyn," Dimitri said.
I shrugged. I directly woke up in the morning and don't remember anything at all.
"Are you sure about the fact that the woman is good?" Vladimir asked.
"Yes." I nodded.
"I felt it too. When you made contact with me in that...form, I felt a sense of calm and peace one would get only after they walk the moon. That kind of peace is not for mortals." Dimitri spoke.
That confused everyone else more.
"I also want to know what happened last night," I demanded.
Nikolai rubbed his face with his hands before he answered. "After Sofiya was kidnapped, I had a hitch that it was Darius or Leikos. We hatched a plan and got them to think Dimitri hates me. They approached Dimitri but they were still wary about it. Everyone knows that a werewolf doesn't betray his pack easily. Dimitri confirmed their doubts by outright telling them that you were a Faye but they weren't convinced of his loyalty."
"That's why you set up an attack on me in the corridor." It suddenly made sense.
"As I said, it wasn't supposed to that far," Dimitri said. "It just had to be convincing. If you used your powers immediately and revealed yourself in the start itself, they would know something isn't right. So I told you to use it later. Once they saw you in full action, I guess they had no use of me and tried to kill me."
"But they underestimated me."
Dimitri gave me a sharp nod.
Nik wrapped his arm around me and kissed the side of my temple. "And that ended up being their downfall."
"We underestimated you too," Vladimir said. "It is unheard that a Faye has healing abilities. It must be because you are a royal."
I looked down at my hands. I still don't know how I did it. Most of the credit goes to Nik.
That reminds me, "where were you all this time?"
"With Darius and Leikos. I called them in for an emergency meeting. The princess of the palace was kidnapped after all." He replied. "It was all a ruse of course. We needed to make sure that they didn't intervene with our plan in any way till we had a sure-shot plan to get Sofiya to safety. We didn't know where exactly they were holding her. While this was happening, we had their living quarters checked as well. She wasn't there at that time."
"There is an underground cell in Leikos's quarter. That's where I was kept." Sofiya said.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through all of this, Sof." I felt so bad.
"It's fine. Thank you for everything." She gave me a small, brave smile.
"Don't thank me. I'll do it all again any day." I meant it.
With the way Nik's arm tightened around me, I knew he disagreed.
'It rather you not, love. I'll come up with a better plan next time. One that doesn't include having you as bait. There was just too little time yesterday and we couldn't come up with anything else.' Nik mind-linked at me.
'It's fine, Nikolai. I'm not mad. I'm just happy to help.' I smiled at him and kissed his jaw.
"I think we all need to go get ready. The coronation ceremony is in two hours." Nik spoke and got up from beside me.
"Yes." Everyone else murmured in agreement.
"Sofiya, wait," I called her before she left.
"Are you okay now?" I asked her. All the marks on her face had healed nicely overnight.
Her hand automatically came up to cover her protruding belly. "Yes. We went to the doctor later and the baby is fine too." She smiled.
"I'm happy to hear that." I smiled. "Now go get ready. It's time to become a Queen."
"There is only one true Queen, Avalyn. And you are here." She squeezed my shoulder before she left.
What's up with her?
We haven't talked much in the last couple of days. I understand we have been busy but not busy enough to not spend time. And now, Nik and I were leaving after their coronation. Dimitri was going to stay for a couple of more days with his sister.
Was she alright?
'Where are you?' Nik asked me.
'I'm coming.' I replied and rushed to our bedroom. I saw no one there but I followed his scent to the bathroom.
He was there, in the milk swimming pool and the slaves around him, waiting for me to join.
Smiling, I took off my clothes and joined him.
The slaves bathed us for the last time like they had done before. I loved it. It was time-consuming but it felt so good. We made love again in the pool. I will never be able to look at a swimming pool the same way now. The blush rose on my cheeks when I recollected our evening here.
After the entire process, I went to the dressing room and chose an outfit. It was a body-hugging red dress with a plunging neckline. I wore the belt, the robe, and put the dagger which was in the scabbard on the belt. I wore my ring and took the Sceptre. Finally, I wore my crown.
I walked out and saw Nik ready and waiting for me, looking like a proud King.
"Hello, my King." I smiled as I walked to him.
"Hello, my beautiful Queen." He grasped my hand and bowed before kissing the back of it. "Since you won't let me ruin your makeup, this is the next best thing."
"Thank you." I smiled at his thoughtfulness.
"Let's go." He offered me his arm and led me outside. We were the first ones there so we waited for everyone on the couch.
Soon, Dimitri joined us, and a minute later, Vladimir and Sofiya joined us.
She had worn a dress which looked like a red wedding dress. She looked absolutely beautiful.
"You look beautiful." I hugged her.
"So do you." She hugged me back. I couldn't help but think that it wasn't a wholehearted hug we usually shared.
"You'll be a great ruler, sis." Dimitri hugged his little sister.
"You look wonderful Sof." Nik hugged her too.
We left for the throne room after that. It was decorated beautifully, much like the time when Nik and I had been coronated.
A Sacredos hadn't been found yet so Nik and I had volunteered to do the ceremony.
"Rise." Nik's voice boomed in the room.
The entire crowd that had bowed down for our arrival rose again.
Vladimir and Sof stood facing everyone and we stood at the side, the Slaves holding everything.
"Do you vow to take responsibility for the welfare of Mozog?" Nik spoke.
"I do." Sofiya and Vladimir replied.
"Lord Rhazien." The Nik said.
Rhazien stood up from his throne and put the robes that were very similar to ours and put them on both of them.
"Do you vow to rule the people of Mozog fairly and justly?" Nik asked.
"I do." They both vowed.
"Lady Ezra." The Nik called.
Lady Ezra stood up and took out two rings, which were similar to ours but just they weren't as red as outs, and put it on them.
"Do you vow to protect Mozog with your life?" I asked.
"I do." They both said again.
I took the sword from a slave and attached it to Vladimir's belt. Then, I took the dagger and attached it to Sofiya's belt.
"Do you vow to use your power as a ruler wisely, to interest the welfare of Mozog?" I asked.
"I do." They vowed.
I took the Sceptre from the slave and handed it to Vladimir. Then I took the feminine version of the similar one and handed it to Sofiya.
"Do you willfully agree to be our Vassals and the Crowned Prince and Princess of Mozog?" Nik asked.
"I do." They both said again.
Nik picked up Vladimir's crown and I picked up Sofiya's crown and then placed it on top of their heads after they bowed to us.
"I, Nikolai Volkov, Alpha of the Rogue Pack, King of Mozog, announce the new rulers of
Mozog." He said, his gravelly voice echoing from the walls. "King Vladimir Volkov and Queen Sofiya Volkov."
Everyone broke into hearty and welcoming claps and cheers.
The only thing I could think was that we are finally going home now. I can't wait.