I was pulled from unconsciousness suddenly, choking, coughing. I rolled over to the best of my ability, throwing up on to the floor. The irony taste of blood in my mouth, remained and I blinked. Trying to see my surroundings, I focused on my breathing to slow it back down to a normal sequence. There was a step to my left and my head snapped in the direction, I snarled when I saw the Seer standing in my room.
"Shhhh, child," she put her hands up and a wave of calm rushed over me, "Ares has sent me to you.."
My eyes narrowed at her, "who are you," I managed but my voice was raspy.
"My name is Skade, I'm a seer, and a friend of Ares," she took a step to me, "I can see his name peaks an interest in you."
"What do you know," I gave her another warning snarl, "he's a myth, his name is forbidden. Just like Seers in this part of the world."
"I've come to show you, who you are."
Images of the night before replayed through my mind, Ares' deal, the way his mouth felt on mine. The way the bloody kiss opened my eyes to the darkness in side me. I gagged when I thought of Ambrus' mark. My body ached, my head was pounding. The four wolves in my head were silent, even mine. I slowly sat up, relaxing a bit. I was interested in what she had to say.
"Go on then," I raised a brow at her.
"Do you know what a Moon Queen is, Nike?"
I scowled again, "enough with the phony business, or I'll have the king toss you out."
A smile grew wide on her face, "the king is dead, child."
I was confused, relieved and upset at the same time. Shouldn't I be dealing with emotional turmoil since we were bonded? I looked down at the mark on my shoulder, Ares' request, and his end of the deal upheld.
"He's.. dead?"
"That is what you wanted, Nike," she kept a softer smile on her face now, "so that's what he granted."
I sat, processing. Finally I gave her a gentle nod and she moved on to her next task. She had a bowl of warm water, and a cloth rag. I hadn't realized I'd been laying in a pool of my own blood until now. The pillow and mattress were covered in it. I looked at my arms again, fully coming to my senses now. I was covered in the blood too, and the smell was taking over my lungs.
"Is this mine.."
She nodded, "I've had Callisto draw a bath."
I nodded again this time moving to get myself moved to the tub. I wanted every ounce of Ambrus off of me.
—
Skade had come to fetch me, I'd been sitting in the tub almost all morning. The warmth of the water was soothing to my overly sore muscles. I felt, the same, not any different than I did without his stupid mark on me. The entire time in the tub, all I did was think, was that all that Ares wanted? No, he said he wanted me in his life, but if that was the case, why did I need a mark. He could mark me.. the thought crossed my mind and I felt myself blush. Why was he so interesting, why did Enyo stir in the back of my head at the thought of him.
"My Queen," Skade spoke in a soft tone, "are you ready to get out?"
I shook my head, and slouched down further into the water, resting my head on the edge and shutting my eyes.
"I'm sorry but, we need to tell them about the King.."
"Why isn't my palm healing?"
I demanded the question, avoiding her talking about me calling a meeting for all of the packs. I looked at my hand, the cut from Ares' claw still there, which was highly unusual for me.
"You're fated to Ares now, child."
I inhaled, so he did have something up his sleeve then. That feeling of darkness came crawling back up and it made my stomach flutter, "I like the sound of that." I felt a grin crawl across my face, "call the pack leaders, it's time to break the news."
"Yes, my Queen."
"Skade," and I listened for her to slow down, taking a pause, "when do I get to see him again?"
"When you're ready, child."
"I'm ready now," and she giggled, resulting in a growl from myself.
"No, Nike, first you must have an understanding of yourself, and why you're a very important girl to him." With that she left, and I inhaled. I just stared at my palm, Ambrus had been so oblivious to it last night. I felt no remorse for the King, I was glad he was gone. Finally free of his abuse, finally free of his belittlement.
"I miss you," I continued looking directly at the cut, and thought about Ares, hoping he'd be able to somehow hear my thoughts, "I can't wait to see you in my dreams."
--
"Where's the King?"
"What did you do to him?"
"Maybe he's finding someone better."
I sat on the throne now, listening to the leaders throw questions at me. I felt invincible now, their words didn't mean anything to me. All I could think about was Ares, his fiery eyes filling my thoughts. His lips on mine, his scent. I inhaled deep before speaking, "the King is dead." My statement was blunt, to the point, and everyone fell silent. I clenched my jaw, and looked at my palm again, unamused by everyones presence.
"You killed him," one of the Alpha's accused.
"That's correct," I again made a blunt statement, "though I don't think you mean to accuse your Queen of murder, because if you're found incorrect, I do believe death is the penalty." I eyed him, "unless you'd like to accuse me, of murder?"
The Alpha growled at me.
"I'm sorry, what was that," I raised a brow at him.
"Nothing, my Queen."
"Hmm, then speak up when you're talking to me."
"Yes, my Queen."
"Now, the King is dead, and while I do blame myself, it was really marking me that did it. I guess we just weren't meant to be." They nodded to me, "that means, there will be trials for the new King, but they must fight me." All of the Alpha's cocked an eyebrow, "no I'm not baring a child to raise, and if I was, I'd kill that child for reminding me of Ambrus." I snarled, anger filling me again.
"My Queen," Skade chimed in, receiving glares for being at the meeting.
"Yes, Skade," I turned to her.
"If I may add, there's a very important detail that is missing, that has to do with, Selene.."
"Oh right, Moon Queen." I rolled my eyes, I hated dealing with meetings like this, "yes, go on."
"You're a Moon Queen," she searched my face for permission to continue, "you survived your marking, which means, you're the most powerful being on this world. A Goddess, descended from Selene."
She had peaked my interest, I'd never heard of Moon Queens before, but the sound of it had a nice ring to it.
"It would be silly for anyone to challenge you," she continued, and I wondered if it was because Ares had given her orders.
"Moon Queens don't exist," another Alpha retorted, but that caught my attention.
"Do you wish to exist?," the Alpha turned to me, nodding, "good, then keep your mouth shut. I will show all of you in due time, and if you still think we need another King to deal with these meetings, so be it. Moon Queens do exist."
"Even if they do exist, I will not be ruled by a child. I will split from this alliance." The Alpha continued and I felt my nostrils flare. I took a deep breath to keep myself calm, Enyo stirred in the back of my mind, the darkness rising with her again. I stood now, from the throne and started walking towards him. He was bigger than me, and was able to look down on me. I simply stood, and met his gaze, "is that a challenge," I gave him a sinister smile.
"It is, I refuse to be controlled by you."
"Then it's settled, tomorrow. Announce it to your packs, the coliseum at nightfall." I looked around the room, "to the death." All of them nodded, the Alpha Female next to him, was suddenly very worried, and she grabbed his arm, pleading silently for him to change his mind.
"To the death," he repeated.
I extended a hand out, "do you know how we seal deals here, Alpha?" Enyo was taking over my actions, my words, but I let her. The alpha shook his head and looked at my hand. I simply smiled at him, "let me show you, Alpha."
He placed his hand in mind, and just like Ares did to me, I sliced his palm and then I re-opened my unhealed palm letting us bleed.
"I do not follow someone that makes blood pacts," he said, shocked, but I shut him up and pressed my palm against his mouth. I pressed my mouth into his wound, allowing his blood to cover my mouth. Pictures of Ares looking at me from a far played through my mind, I wanted more of them. I wanted his attention.
I removed my hand from his mouth at the same time I pulled his away from mine, but before he could say anything else, I pulled his head down to me, and pressed our lips together. None of the other Alphas dared to move, but the female that was previously reaching for his arm, gasped.
I pulled away from him smiling, "I will see you at nightfall."