Nursery Rhyme's and Politics

She knelt behind the intricately embroidered opaque screen. Here would be sat many other daughters and mates of the aristocrats and prince's. Amelia was the only one here today. Only the king was mated and no aristocrat wanted their daughters near any pureblood male. It was said they could seduce a female with only a look.

Amelia didn't believe it, though she wasn't allowed to socialize with the other purebloods. It was a taboo thing. Something simply not done by her class and gender. The blue silken material of her robes was complimented by the gold thread embroidered into it. The dragon symbol of her clan was stitched into it. They were stuffy uncomfortable things.

Every part of her attire told anyone gazing upon her whose clan she belonged to. It told her station and her status. She hated every inch of it. If it hadn't been for visiting her cousin she would have by passed accompanying her father here. It wasn't something she relished. She listened carefully to the conversation as it continued beyond the screen.

She could at times look from the floor to gaze at the group from beneath her lashes. The group was much like seeing a group of male lions sitting together. All of them knowing in full detail how alpha they truly were. She wouldn't ever want to stand before them and tell them of her crimes.

The King was dressed in the black and white of his clan. The tree of life decorating his robes. He wore no crown, he needed no such finery. One look in his fiery cognac colored eyes you knew who he was. His royalty was stamped into his bearing. No he didn't need a crown.

The princes of the clans lounged around in their chairs. Some sat stiff and proper others leaned back unconcerned for their lack of decorum. The king didn't mind. He was open to whatever decorum any de used to show so long as it was respectful.

She admired her king for that. Many previous kings were not so understanding.

The buisness had been concluded and no simple chatting filled the chambers. It was a way to see how the other clans were. What problems they faced. And perhaps to bond with their compatriots. They would never admit this though.

"Dragormira, how is your children, Draconian tells me your sons are doing well learning?" the kings voice echoed deeply through the chamber.

Dragotmira the word used to show her father was not only the leader of their clan but embodied it as well. That was why Amelia herself donned the stuffy robes and veil. She was an embodiment of her clan as well being the youngest daughter. It was through her that her bloodline would be traced. It was a positions with burdens.

"My sons are doing well but I expect nothing less." her father answered obviously proud.

"Indeed" the cool deep voice answered and Amelia knew well whose voice this was. Gideon Argent. He was the most dangerous male here. His clan were made of assassins. Any the king needed dispatched of they would see to it. With a focus and skill that was unparelled in their world.

They never missed their mark. The longest someone had evaded them was 3 days. Most were caught within the first day. Killed or sentanced shortly after. An old nursery rhyme came to mind.

Go to the cross road

Bid the gilded ones come

But be forewarned and for told

you must pay the devils sum

1000 silver coins in a gilded chest

Blood tears mothers are weeping

As cold children in graves rest

Its all in the Argent 's keeping

Run if you surely must

hide in the shadows of day

but you can surely trust

you wont get away

"Isn't your daughters supposed to be presented soon?" the cool voice continued.

"Yes they are." her father admitted cooly

"Isn't one with you today? The youngest no doubt. They say she is a beauty unlike any other." Gideon egged her father on.

"Yes she is with me. As for her beauty that isn't for me to say. A father doesn't think in terms such as that for any of his children."

"Ah well I'm sure she will be wonderous to behold on the celebrated day." Marcus Torin her brother in law broke into the conversation. He was good at stopping the rise in emotion you could feel between her father and Gideon.

"We are all happy for you Dragormira. It is a blessing to have children." the king looked to his wife. She pulled him close to whisper in his ear. A wide smile came upon his face as did a love any could be happy for.

The queen was unvieled she was a mated female. She needed no protection from Nyxria. Goddess of the night and queen of the gods and goddesses. Only young juvinile females wore veils an old tradition still clung to by many.

"Perhaps your daughter could come and be meet by my mate. She has said it has been too long since she has talked with a female of similar station. It would be an honor if you would do this for me." the king pronounced the words so eloquently that it would be extremely rude and improper to ignore them. He used the one pharse to get anything he wanted.

'it would honor me." who wouldn't want to honor their king?

Her father appeared and motioned for her to rise and follow him to the table. He bowed as she curtseyed as he presented her.

"My daughter Amelia Lenora of Dragormira" he stepped away motioned her on toward the queens side.

"It has been a while since I have seen you Amelia. You have grown beautifully into a true Dame." Amaranth said rising and standing before her. She knew her by another name. When they were young. Mira. Her cousin. Too long had they been seperated.

She nodded in answer. It was improper to talk in the sacred chambers of council. Her cousins eyes we're much like her own. Opposites in all honesty. Mira's eyes were gold with blue flecks. Like sapphires gilded with gold. Her eyes were sapphires with a star burst of gold. So similar.

"Oh speak my dear girl. None here would dare give concern for it. I have bid you speak and will you disobey your queen.  . . and favorite cousin." she whispered the last bit. Though there was no whisper a vampire couldn't hear so it was for naught.

What would she say to her queen? She didn't know. Though she knew what she wwould tell her cousin.

"You couldn't write a letter could you? Or come to visit? You should be ashamed cousin." she teasingly admonished.

The king choked on his blood wine. Chuckles were heard from all the princes. Her father though was grinding his teeth in anger. Her cousin laughed loudly and fully.

"It has been too long." Mira pulled her away into the antechamber and on to her own chambers.

*****************************

Tristan Tempest leaned against the column in his study staring at the fire. His mate was happy and so full of life. Amelia was good for her spirits. Any could see that Andre was the only one stuck in the traditional mud of their race. He was after all the oldest council member. He paced in the foyer as was proper a guest. Not a relative. Gideon his most trusted friend and cousin stood opposite him.

His cousin's eyes were like mercury set alight by the fire. It was a warning to all daring to cross him. Such foolishness would bring death knocking at your door.

"It is good to see Mira so full of joy." he said trying for conversation.

"Yes that female is quite. . . how would you say. . . ballsy" Gideon chuckled.

"Andre's daughter is the one vampire able to get a rise out of him. And perhaps to show him he needs to relax. He is far too stiff for these modern times."

"With a daughter like that I would want her veiled too. What of you?" Gideon asked.

"I would agree. Amelia is young and ballsy as you say. Her manner is casual and relaxed and her nature is very well turned. A daughter that is both kind humble and fierce. A daughter to be proud of. A dame not to be crossed." 

Gideon nodded seeing no further reason to comment. His cousin preferred silence over noise. He straightened and walked toward the desk loitered with papers. He sighed heavily.

"Being a king is no easy thing." Gideon said. His silver eyes gazed deeply into his own.

"No it isn't. Here are the attacks we have been following. I first you will put a stop to them?" he reached the report to him as he walked to stand beside him.

"With no doubt I will see it done."

"Excellent."

He left his cousin to find his own way out. He went to find his mate.