We got to the palace and found a woman probably my mother's age waiting by the entrance.
" Whose that?" I asked Austin as we got off.
" Lady Mari. She's a close friend to the family and comes from Shadowfell..." Austin explained as we closed in.
Austin placed his right hand on his chest and bowed to the Lady Mari while I simply curtseyed.
" You must be the new wife . Jessica Morell isn't it?" Sha asked.
" Yes ..." I said.
Just then a blonde lady joined us. She was radiant and was a sight for sore eyes. Her deep blue eyes clearly stood out.
" Ah . Chloe...pay respects to the Emperor's wife..." Mari said and Chloe bowed.
" It's fine..." I said.
Chloe scanned me from he'd to toe before her eyes fixated on the wolf marking. She then smiled at me.
" You must be exhausted. Go rest we shall talk later .." lady Mari said.
I nodded and left as Austin followed closely.
*****
I had just finished my lunch when I spotted Chloe practicing with a sword. I turned to Austin, " Teach me!"
Austin turned his gaze to Chloe and chuckled.
" That may not be your strength. But you do have other strengths " he said.
I turned to him and saw the smile on his face . He knows! Is he one of them ?
" Then teach me about my strength!"
" His Majesty said not to..."
" Who are you serving me or his Majesty?"
Austin stared at me with his wife hazel eyes. He sighed.
" I really think I...."
" Tomorrow! The Emperor doesn't have to find out..." I said leaving and heading for the garden.
*****
Lily kept me company as she spoke of the different herbs in the garden. She knew each plant and its use. She was really a nature person.
" You really do love plants ..."
" Who doesn't. Nature is beautiful!" She said and her eyes sparkled in delight.
" Tomorrow I'll take you somewhere..." I said. " It's a well know garden..."
" Can I join?" Chloe's voice said and we turned to face her.
" Sure!" I said as Lilly scurried away.
Chloe stood beside me her sword in hand and her blonde hair tied in a ponytail. She was honestly breathing.
" I've known Xavier all my life. Never knew he would get married so quickly and much less to a commoner...no offense. .."
" None taken . Neither did I but here we are..."
They must be close if he refers to him by his name. Chloe turned her head away from me and looked forward.
" So what's your love story? He must have married you for love right. Cause it clearly ain't alliances...."
Oh it's for alliances!
" Well...." I was speechless. I never thought of it that way. I had to talk to Xavier before I said anything.
" It's fine I understand if you won't say ...." Chloe said and I simply stayed silent.
Chloe turned around and left her hair bouncing side to side as she swayed her hips.
*****
" So Shadowfell's King. King Tyra is the Emperor's closest friend...." I said to Austin as I placed around the library.
" Yes..."
Just then my thoughts wondered to Chloe and her fighting skills.
" She's a warrior. Chloe I mean..."
" Yes. She's fought in wars with his Majesty..."
I nodded. " Why won't you teach me or are you afraid I'd kick your ass ..."
Austin chuckled." Don't get a head of yourself. It's not that I won't teach you but I'm afraid you may hurt yourself..."
I sighed. " I won't..."
Before I could utter any word I felt a sharp pain in my body and fell to my knees. I was in so much pain and was very hot it's like I was being burned alive .
Austin rushed to my side and took my hand. He stared into my eyes and was stunned .
" Do you trust me?" He asked .
I nodded and he began chanting some spell and I was enveloped in some power . I was in anguish I was screamed blasting everything in the room.
Soon it was all silent and I sat down taking shallow breaths as Austin joined me.
" You okay?" He asked.
" You... can't...tell ....him...." I struggled to say. I finally took one last breath to steady myself.
" It's not the first time is it?" Austin asked as he stood up.
I looked at him. " I know what's wrong? I unlocked my power and it's just acting up . I'll learn to control it...but you can't tell him..."
Austin sighed. " Fine but if it doesn't work we tell him..."
I nodded. " Now help me clean up. Wait didn't people hear the outburst.?"
Austin snapped his fingers and things returned to their place. I laughed. " Or we could do that!"
" I sound proofed the room . So noone heard anything..."
****
After having a very awkward dinner with the Catrills , I headed to the rooftop of the building and spotted Xavier arriving. Chloe ran to receive him and he embraced her too . He spun her around as I simply watched the two.
" It's probably nothing..." I said.
Besides I even don't give a hoot. Xavier threw an arm over Chloe's shoulder and they went in laughing.
Gosh I've never seen him so happy before. Those eyes . He was happy. Looks like he found his Empress.
" Come'n Jessica you got bigger problems than stupid throne matters..." I said with a sigh heading back to my room but the smile on his face didn't leave my mind.