Catira stepped into her chambers to see gorgeous dresses hanging everywhere while her ladies studied them. "What did I just walk into?" she raised her eyebrows.
"Gifts for the banquet, Your Highness," Lorna grinned brightly. "The red dress is from His Grace, Duke Anian, Prince of Brega. The blue gown is from Archduke Tiberius of Valen and the jewels that match were picked by his wife Duchess Theodora."
"Oh my," she sighed.
"The gold dress was sent by Duke Falon and the pink gown by Lord Bruno."
"Oh, but this gorgeous green gown was sent by Her Imperial Majesty herself," Una showed her as a knock came from the door.
Moira returned with a box, her eyes round like a puppy waiting for a treat. "Highness, this was just delivered by Lord Gannet, the emperor's valet!"
Her eyes widened as she stared down at the box with a note attached. She immediately read the note aloud. "This tiara belonged to Empress Deandra, First Empress of Navan and Queen of the Magi. Welcome home." She opened the box to see an elaborate emerald and pearl tiara as her heart began pounding within her chest. She remembered that very tiara from her memories passed down by the queens as tears filled her eyes.
"My Queen?" Mara checked on her.
"Green," she cleared her throat. "I'll be wearing the green gown and this tiara tonight."
***
"Their Highnesses, Byron and Luanne, King and Queen of Brega!" Guests of honor were announced as everyone waited for the hosts and main guest. "Bright Sun of the Vitellius Empire and its Six Kingdoms, Galba, Emperor, Sovereign, and Defender of Peace, escorted by Our Glowing Moon of the Vitellius Empire and its Six Kingdoms, Claudia, Empress Consort…"
"It seems like he adds more to his title every time they announce him," Virgentarth complained.
"He's probably brought all three wives just to make us wait…" Soraya snickered.
"Livia, Imperial Honorable Consort of the Vitellius Empire…"
"I wonder if he makes his wives greet him with his title?" he grinned as they both burst into laughter.
"Helena, Honorable Consort of the Vitellius Empire."
The royal couple waited and listened for more.
"So still only three wives, thank the Gods," he shook his head as she patted his arm.
"His Grace Tiberius, Archduke of Valen, escorted by Her Grace Theodora, Duchess of Valen!"
"I believe it is our turn," Soraya took and squeezed her husband's hand.
He kissed the back of her hand and nodded as they waited.
"The Great Dragon of the Navan Empire and its Five Kingdoms, Virgentarth, Emperor, Sovereign, and Defender of Peace, and The Silver Moonflower of the Navan Empire and its Five Kingdoms, Soraya, Empress Consort!"
Everyone rose and bowed as the imperial couple entered the banquet hall. They immediately began to greet their guests until the final announcement was made.
"Show your respect for our illustrious guest, The Graceful Raven, Catira, Queen of Midir, Ruler of the Magi!"
Catira entered on her own, her head high and proud as she curtseyed to her hosts and guests. Virgentarth took it upon himself to introduce the queen to every guest before dinner was served. Whispers of her exotic beauty quickly whipped up, followed by how happy Emperor Virgentarth seemed to be while speaking to her.
"I don't remember him even smiling at the empress quite like this…"
Soraya turned her head to see where the comment had come from but rolled her eyes and composed herself. She wasn't new at court gossip, she had just never been at this end of it before.
"The queen seems to be more relaxed with His Imperial Majesty than his current wife…"
Current wife? She was his only wife. Surely they also heard the whispers around them as well? Perhaps they should separate for a moment and allow the flames of rumor to die down around them… but that was apparently not going to happen.
It also did not help when the two disappeared just after dinner. The empress searched everywhere until he found them on the balcony, sipping on wine and speaking so lowly that she could not hear them.
"There you are," she grinned brightly. "I was ready to send out a search party."
"We are once again discussing the events of today," he gently placed his hand on his wife's shoulder.
"I meditated deeply, searching my memories from the great queens before me and discovered a spell that has been forbidden for centuries. I have no idea how this person would have known about it, but I do have a way of detecting the magic once it has been used again. I hope to be able to track our thief the very next time it is used," Catira explained.
"Not exactly something we could speak about inside," Virgentarth explained.
"Of course," she watched Catira. "What does this spell do exactly?"
"It quite literally drains the being of all magical power, and with it a bit of their lifeforce. That may be why they have focused on the young thus far."
"In one day, you have learned more than we have in a month," Virgentarth sighed as he looked out at the night sky.
"This may yet prove difficult. Now that it has been announced that I am here, they may cease their activity."
"Which is still a good outcome," Soraya reminded her.
She nodded silently before relaxing her shoulders and shaking out her hands. "I have a meeting with my high priestesses late this evening, I should return to the banquet for a while longer."
"Catira," Virgentarth stopped her. "You've been working nonstop since the moment I arrived in Midir. Please don't overwork yourself."
"I am thankful for your concern, though I am fine. If I don't speak to you again before I leave, please have a good evening," she curtseyed to them both before returning to the party.
Soraya watched her husband for a moment as he watched the queen walk off before turning to her. "We have known one another nearly all our lives. I have been your empress since I was three years of age."
"You are jealous," he sighed.
"Have you not heard the whispers since her arrival? It's not like you to let rumors spread so freely."
"There is… a prophesy," he wrapped his fingers around her tiny hands and let out a deep breath. "When scales and feathers join in the east, a new era of prosperity and power will emerge and the Laws of Magic will once again rule over the Laws of Man. Only then will Adhara know true peace."
"The Great Dragon and The Graceful Raven," she pulled away from him. "What does it mean by 'join?' It could just be…" she sighed as she looked away.
"The first vision I had when I realized that the block placed on my magic was gone… was of Catira giving birth."
Her eyes filled with tears as she stared into his. "You knew that and yet you still brought her here?"
"Visions are guidelines, outcomes can change according to the choices made. She and I agreed not to force ourselves and to let the pieces fall where they may."
"Am I to sit back and watch my husband fall in love with another woman?"
"Up until a few weeks ago, we treated one another as friends and coworkers who occasionally try to conceive a child. Are you telling me now that what you feel for me is deeper?"
Her mouth opened and closed like a fish fighting for breath out of water as she struggled with her thoughts.
"Tell me you see me as a man and not just the emperor. Tell me that you have a hidden passion within you that you're ready to show me," he slid his hand against her head, his fingers weaving into her blond hair as he looked deeply into her eyes.
"I will… try harder to be a better wife."
He raised his eyebrows, his face falling into sadness as he shook his head and pulled away.
"Aiden," she reached for him, knowing that she had not given him the answer he sought. "Tomorrow evening… please visit my chambers."
He offered her a smile before taking her hand and leading her back into the banquet.