Ashmaris pov
I fisted my hands as I walked into my study, Ignara right behind me she was also fuming as I am.
There were five Lords from my court,Lord Ishkarune and Lord Serthkaar who were the head of the mob in the front of my palace. I know this will happen soon and I wish I could snap their heads up for ruining my night.
"Your majesty" They all chorus, bowing slightly.
"I see you have brought the people to me" I went straight to the point without greeting them. "I will acknowledge the matter and I will give you what you want."
They murmured between themselves and nodded. I smirked looking at them. They had just fallen into my trap. All I had to do was put them against themselves.
"Thank you, your Majesty, for listening to us, we will go speak to the people." Lord Ishkarune spoke for them.
"No, I will address the people. Do you all have a Lady in mind, one that is perfect to be my Queen." I asked them, knowing this will cause a dispute between them.
Lord Ishkarune opened his mouth to talk but another Lord cut him off. "We will like our daughters to compete in a contest including your mate and whoever wins will become the Queen" Lord Duskwan spoke. He is from a lower house in the court., he looked at the others who also nodded and agreed to what he had said.
Lord Ishkarune didn't say anything, his demeanor changed which I noticed.
'You have now turned them against themselves' Ignara's voice boomed in my head.
A small smirk appeared on her face which I mirrored.
"My sister, Princess Ignara will be in charge of the contest." I told the Lords, they nodded again agreeing but only Lord Ishkarune wasn't fine by the decision, he didn't go against the decision just stood there watching.
I nod at Ignara and step closer and stand right beside me. "When I find suitable activities for the Contest, we will discuss it in the court meeting" Ignara said, lord Ishkarune looked between I and my sister and we smirked at him.
Of course he knew we would also play dirty, we are all going to play dirty.
"Now that we have all agreed to the contest, I will go address the people." I said and walked out of my study, my sister followed.
★★★
I stood on top of the rooftop looking at the retreating people, I heard footsteps behind me, the smell of the person. I knew it was my twin sister.
"I don't think the people care about who becomes Queen, Ishkarune and Serthkaar are crossing the line" Ignara said behind me, before standing next to me.
"Those bastards, They think they are under protection because they helped me to get through" I was angry at them and everything, I hate the fact they had that much power over me.
Ignara placed her hand on my shoulder and Pat it, My anger subside.
Junia came into my mind again, her flushed face and parted lips. I could tell it wasn't her first time sharing a kiss with a man but I wanted it to be better than any other one she had.
"You should rest now, you have things to look into tomorrow and again our cousin and his father are arriving soon here in the capital." Ignara reminded me.
I ran my hand through my face, My cousin and uncle are like bad omen. Those two had caused a lot of trouble after my father died.
Playing games with them is more interesting and dangerous than with the Lords.
"We should prepare a banquet for them," I stated, "Please keep an eye on Junia." I turned to my twin, her hands found mine and she held it, we intertwined our hands and held them together tightly. I don't trust my cousin and uncle, I know too well they would mess Junia.
"I will do that" she whispered, when and went free, A mischievous smirk was on her lips. "I see you enjoyed dinner with your mate." Her nose flared and sniffed me.
I pushed her away and stepped away from her, I knew what she was implying on. She could smell arousal on me.
"Don't walk away from me, Draven. I already smelled it, mind sharing information about what happened" she stepped closer.
"No, get away from me." I pushed her away. "You should go now, don't you have work to do." I quickly brushed past her and she followed me. But didn't question me about what happened again.
We went our different way when we entered the palace. I walked towards my quarter and stopped in front of the women's quarters. I wanted to Junia, one last time this night because I will get busy after tonight.
I don't want her to feel like she has just been pushed apart. The few times I have been in the women's quarters was since when Junia had been here.
It was quiet in the quarters, all the ladies had gone to bed, Except Tavia. She is a middle aged dragon who used to be my father's concubine before he died. Many people consider her unstable.
She was staring up in the sky and when she had my footsteps, her gaze landed on me. "Your Majesty, what are you doing here at this hour?" She asked, and she stood up and walked towards me.
"To see someone." I answered, resuming walking away from her.
"It is good you are going to see her, she had been sad for a while. Disturbing my snort" Tavia hissed.
Sad?
"Do you know why she is sad? Who hurt her!" I yelled, who dares mess with her, I won't spare them.
Tavia chuckled, "No, I don't know. People are sleeping, quit the yelling boy." She waved me off.
In anger I stormed towards Junia's chamber, Tavia started crackling.
I reached Junia's chamber, I could hear her soft breath. I wanted to knock on the door but I didn't want to disturb her. I retract my talon and use it to open her door lock.
I pushed the door open and the sight in front of me was mesmerizing. She slept on her side with her hair sprawled around her.
I couldn't take my eyes off her as I moved closer to her bed, leaning down, my hands found their way to her face and pushed her curls out of her face.
She mumbled something and stirred slightly. I moved her hand out of my face but her hands grabbed mine, her eyes opened slowly.
"Ashmaris" she let go of my hand as she called me, Her eyebrows snapped together. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you," I whispered. She sat up, staring up at me.
"Sit," she said, patting the space next to her. I did as she says, "you can't just creep into someone's room" she said softly.
"I just want to see you" I replied to her, she moved closer and placed her hand against my chest. My heart beats faster than ever.
She withdrew her hand, a small smile playing on her lips. "I would like to go back to sleep and close the door when you are leaving," she said and lay down on the bed, closing her eyes.
I watched her as her chest rose and fell.
"Beautiful."