CHAPTER 69

SOLLEL WAS kneeling in front of Gatria again, but unlike last time, she knew what she did wrong. She knew why Gatria was fuming mad. I sneaked out and then I made love with my warlord.

Sollel wanted to tell herself that she never regretted anything because she enjoyed the whole night with her Hakkeran who pleasured her non-stop until the enchantment in his room was close to being destroyed, but seeing Gatria's fuming mad face, Sollel regretted sneaking out — thought I don't really regret making love to my Hakken—

"How could you be so hard headed, Sollel?!" Gatria's voice boomed inside the castle that Sollel had to stop herself from flinching in fear. "I know you'll make trouble again, but I want to trust you! And look at what you did! Sneaking out like a child! Sollel, are you even thinking?!"

Sollel always had an answer even before and unconsciously, she answered Gatria. "Of course, I'm thinking. How could I sneak out if I was not thinking—"

"Sollel Vatra Sarragny!"

Sollel immediately closed her mouth shut. That was her cue to shut up for real. I'm so sorry, Hakken. Gatria is just so scary. I will make it up to you later, my warlord.

"And you!" Gatria pointed Hakkeran who was just silently standing near the closet and watching the two queens. He didn't really want to interject because he felt like it was not his place. "How dare you take advantage of Sollel's innocence!"

Hakkeran knew he should be focusing on Gatria and her anger, but he really couldn't help frowning. My Sollel? Innocent? Hmm.

Meanwhile, Sollel frowned at that too. I'm innocent? Since when? She wanted to ask Gatria, but she was afraid to be shouted at again, but Sollel's mind halted and she snapped put from her reverie when Gatria step passed her and her sword appeared in her hand!

Sollel's eyes widened in fear.

Gatria's sword was made from her essence. It was lethal, poisonous and sharp. It didn't have to touch one's skin to wound them, the force of Gatria's slash was enough to cut a person.

And her sword was now aimed at Hakkeran!

Hakkeran didn't even move— no, not that he didn't, but couldn't. It was too sudden! Too fast! Queen Gatria was just scolding Sollel and in a heartbeat, she arrived in front of Hakkeran with a sword in her hand. And with a force that made the whole castle tremble at her movement, she thrust her sword at Hakkeran chest.

Hakkeran was sure that Gatria's sword would kill him, it was too powerful that it even shook the castle. But before he felt the sword pierced his chest, his room became blistering hot and a loud flutter of wings was heard. And as fast as Gatria and her sword, Sollel appeared in less than a breath behind Hakkeran and used her flaming wings to block Gatria's attack and protect Hakkeran from Gatria's sword.

"Don't hurt him!" Sollel never raised her voice at Gatria to antagonize her, just then. "He didn't take advantage of me! How could you even think of hurting my man, Gatria? He was the one who made me happy again! He was the one who brought back my smile! He never gets tired of being there for me and I wanted to do the same for him. He loves me, Gatria! Truly! And I love him too!"

Hakkeran knew he was in an unfavorable situation, his life was literally at the tip of someone's sword, but when he heard those three words from his queen's lips, he forgot that his life was in danger and he just turned around, face his queen, cupped his lady's face and kissed her deeply and passionately.

And Sollel immediately melted when she felt Hakkeran's lips on hers. She wrapped her arms around Hakkeran's neck and kissed Hakkeran back with the same hunger and need. Her wings even started to fade as she focused on kissing Hakkeran back.

Sollel only snapped out when she heard Gatria cleared her throat.

Almost instantly, Sollel pulled away from Hakkeran's lips and then she pulled Hakkeran and hid him behind her back while she used her body to protect her warlord from Gatria.

Sollel wanted to shrink down when she saw Gatria's sharp eyes glaring at her, but she held her ground for her warlord. She was scared, but he will not waver for Hakkeran. She wanted him and she will have him!

"Don't —" Sollel was really scared of Gatria, but her need to protect Hakkeran from Gatria was stronger than her fear. "Don't hurt him, Gatria. He had done nothing, but love me and worship me. He's important to me as I am important to him. If you continue to attack him, I'm sorry, but I will not sit idle and let you hurt my man!" Balls of flame appeared and floated around Hakkeran's room. "He's mine and I'm keeping him whether you like it or not!"

Sollel was ready to fight. She even summoned back her wings, created balls of flame and in a battle stance. But just when she thought Gatria would snap and attack, a laughter rang out from Gatria's lips as if she was happy, leaving Sollel confused that she tilted her head at Gatria.

"What's... happening?" Sollel was genuinely confused.

Instead of answering Sollel, Gatria sobered up and looked at Hakkeran. "You're welcome, Warlord Hakkeran. I think we're now even."

Hakkeran was just as confused as Sollel. "What... do you mean, Your Highness?"

Gatria's swords disappeared from her hand, then she walked towards Sollel and flicked Sollel's forehead. "This Mistress of Flame over here is a happy-go-lucky and a troublemaker woman. Sollel has a bad habit of owning things and then throwing them away when she gets bored." She looked at Hakkeran. "I was afraid that she was just intrigued by you, Warlord Hakkeran."

Hakkeran felt like his heart fell and Gatria, who could read Hakkeran like an open book, chuckled and added. "Don't worry. I'm now sure that she's serious about you. Sollel never raise her voice at me like that nor think of fighting me or Astrid over something or someone. The only time she wanted something and stood her ground was when she asked us to bless the humans with our elemental essence.

"Other than that, she always folds and would immediately listen to us when we told her that we didn't want it for her. Unless she really wanted to own something for a lifetime, that's the only time she stands her ground and antagonized us. If it was just a passing fancy or curiosity, this childish Queen of Destruction here," Gatria flicked the tip of Sollel's nose who was slightly pouting, "will not even bat an eyelash for you, nor block my sword for you."

Sollel glared at Gatria. "So, you're just testing me?!"

Gatria immediately became strict. "Don't shout, Sollel."

And Sollel immediately lowered her voice and asked in a whisper, like a meek child. "So you're just testing me?"

"Yes. Treven told me about everything Warlord Hakkeran did for you and for me, so of course I want to make sure that you're not just going to play with him and throw him away once you get bored with him."

"That will not happen!" Sollel was close to stomping her feet. "I already gave myself to him and he's my future King and husband." Sollel showed Gatria her ring given by Hakkeran. "See? He loves me and I feel the same way."

Gatria shook her head, but not at Sollel, but at Hakkeran who was just silently watching the two queens bantering. "Warlord Hakkeran, I suggest you steeled and ready yourself because the woman you fell in love with is a crazy troublemaker."

"Gatria! Don't talk bad about me! Hakkeran might change his mind. I'm being nice now, you see."

Gatria gave Sollel a look and Sollel immediately became silent and watching how obedient Sollel was, Hakkeran couldn't help chuckling before he kissed his queen's temple and looked at Gatria.

"If it's my Queen Sollel causing mischief and trouble, I don't think I'll mind." Hakkeran said with a shrug and a soft smile.

"I bet," Gatria breath out. "You are after all the man who helped and let the Mistress of Flame caused havoc as you watch with pride."

Hakkeran glanced at his queen and smiled lovingly. "For my Sollel, I can watch her burn Azitera with a proud smile on my lips."

Sollel nodded at that and she looked so proud. "That's the truth, Gatria. He's my knight— no, he's my warlord in blood red armor."

Gatria just sighed, seeing how smitten Sollel was with the warlord and the warlord was even more so to Sollel. That was the reason why she tested Sollel— for the Warlord's sake since she owed the warlord a lot.

But... "You two should control yourselves." Said Gatria before turning around to leave. "Stop kissing everywhere. At least, be subtle. You're making the people around you uncomfortable. And if Astrid finds out that you gave yourself without waiting for her consent..."

Sollel's eyes widened as her whole body went rigid with fear. "Holy deities...! She'll make me kneel for a decade!"

"Yes, she will." Gatria chuckled and turned to Sollel when she reached the door. "Remember little Queen of Destruction, I am the gentle, but strict Queen, Aenwyn is the crazy Queen, you're the troublemaker Queen and Astris is—"

"—is the diabolical Queen..." Sollel shuddered, remembering Astrid's angry face, then she turned to Hakkeran. "She will kill you, Hakken. So before that happens, I have to bind you to me so even if she dropped you from the sky and throw you to level a mountain and make it a valley, you will not die because you are bonded to me. We have to find Aenwyn fast."

Hakkeran was speechless, hearing how he would drop and thrown by the Mistress of the Wind.

While Gatria nodded at Sollel and told Hakkeran, "listen to Sollel. Astrid will kill you for deflowering our little troublemaker, but if you're bonded with Sollel, Astrid will still kill you, but you'll live."

Hakkeran smiled wryly at Queen Gatria. "Thanks for the advise."

Queen Gatria shrugged nonchalantly and gently. "You're welcome." Then she became serious. "Anyway, about Aenwyn and Astrid, we need to talk."

Sollel became serious as well at the mention of the two and nodded at Gatria. "Hakkeran could help. He said he mapped out the route to Aenwyn and Astrid's prison."

Gatria looked at Hakkeran, impressed. "Maybe Astrid won't kill you after all—"

Hakkeran sighed in relief.

"— she'll just beat you up until you crave death." Gatria added with a gentle smile that made it look creepy and more scary.

Hakkeran didn't know what to say so he just closed his mouth and watched Queen Gatria leave his room. When they were finally alone, Sollel faced Hakkeran.

"Don't worry about, Astrid. I'll, um, protect you."

Hakkeran could see how much Astrid scares Sollel, but he still nodded with a smile. "You'll protect me like earlier?"

Sollel nodded. "I'm scared of Astrid, honestly, but for you, I will muster all my courage and I will kneel and begged her to not drop you from the sky or throw you to level a mountain to make it a valley."

What did I expect? Queen Gatria told him already. He fell in love with a troublemaker. But honestly, he didn't care if he got dropped or thrown, what matters to him was he was finally with his queen.

Nothing matters other than being with her.

Hakkeran wrapped his arms around his lady and kissed her forehead and whispered over her ear. "Want to take a bath with me, my lady?"

Sollel wanted to, but she had a condition. "Call me by my name first."

Hakkeran kissed the back of her ear and whispered. "Do you want to take a bath with me, Sollel?"

Sollel swore that her body shuddered when she heard Hakkeran saying her name. There's just something about his baritone voice when calling her name that's making her feel needy and turned on.

"Yes. Let's take a bath."

Sollel let Hakkeran guide her towards the inner chamber in his bedroom where there was a small pool in the middle.

In all honesty, Sollel was not interested in taking a bath, she was more interested who she was bathing with.

And she was not mistaken. Before they took a bath, Hakkeran took her first from behind while her hands were on the edge of the pool. They made love until the water became too hot that Sollel think they broke the bath.

♕♕♕

IF GABIN DIDN'T go fetch his lordship and Queen Sollel in his lordship's room, the two wouldn't leave the bedroom and missed breakfast. Good thing Gabin did and the two went to the dining hall with him.

Upon entering the dining table, Gatria was already there, and also Treven. And when Hakkeran and Sollel sat in their chair, Gabin couldn't help being amused.

Yther and Sappher. Mortal enemies. Yet, one were best of friends and the other one were lovers. And as the four shared their breakfast, Gabin felt like he was lucky for witnessing a history in the making.

After their morning meal, Gabin was told that there would be a talk so Gabin guided the four towards the drawing room that was enchanted by King Tirac so outsiders would not be able to hear what was going on inside.

"You are safe to speak here," Gabin bowed his head. "Some Kings and Queen the allied races have started to arrive. I will welcome them in your stead and I will bring them to the grand hall."

Hakkeran nodded, so did the two queens.

When Gabin left, Treven immediately started the talk.

"The sea has changed since you sailed to map the sea lane towards Aqua Terra." Treven informed everyone, especially Hakkeran. "It had become rougher these past few years. Though sometimes it would be calm when no one is sailing, but when fishermen try to sail, the waves would suddenly just appear."

"It's Aenwyn."

"Probably Aenwyn."

Gatria and Sollel answered at the same time.

"But she's in prison." Hakkeran said.

"No matter," said Gatria as if it was to be expected. "Aenwyn is still near the water. Just like I was near nature in the Hallowed Valley. The moonrite stone may be able to drain our strength, made us weak and made our mind hazy, but when we get used to it and we're near our element, our consciousness becomes clear and we could wield a little bit of our power."

Hakkeran understood. "... the flower in The Hallowed Valley."

Gatria nodded. "Moonrite stone constantly drains me in the Hallowed Valley, but I could still draw some essence from the soil around me and that helped me somehow."

"And Aenwyn is the same," Sollel added. "She might not be strong enough, but she had little strength left."

Treven frowned. "If she still had some strength left, wouldn't it be more, I don't know, important to save it so she could escape, maybe?"

Gatria and Sollel both shook their heads.

"Why?" Hakkeran asked.

"Because she's crazy." Gatria and Sollel answered at the same time.

Then Gatria added. "I will bet that she's enjoying drowning those humans every time they try to sail the calm sea."

Sollel nodded. "I bet."

Gatria and Sollel shared a look before sighing.

Seeing how the two queens became silent and how Treven was shaking his head, Hakkeran shared what he knew. "The route to the Caelum Kingdom hasn't changed, but it's a long way from Adral. You have to pass the Kingdom of Treterra and crossed the sea via boat in a port in the city of Ager and then crossed the two of the three largest forests in Azitera. It would be best if you have a means to fly. It'll make the travel shorter— well, as short as it could be— and it'll avoid trouble too."

"I hate flying," Gatria immediately shot down Hakkeran's suggestion. "Treven and I will walk while you two will sail the sea to get Aenwyn."

Sollel frowned at Gatria. "Wouldn't it be better if you get Anewyn and we'll get Astrid? Hakkeran has a pet gryphon. Nessus could fly us to the floating castle."

"It was indeed a good idea, but," Gatria's expression darkened. "I have a bone to pick with the Kingdom of Treterra. I want to drop by while traveling to Caelum. And you should get to Aenwyn fast before I free Astrid. I'm not kidding, she will kill your warlord."

"I know that..."

"Good." Gatria nodded at Sollel and Hakkeran. "And anyway, the sea may have changed, but it would still be best if someone who already sailed it would go to Aqua Terra. At least they already have an experience and they'll know what to expect."

Hakkeran understood the reasoning, but he also knew that it was not only that. He could sense Queen Gatria's hatred towards humans, but her hatred for the people of the Kingdom of Treterra was much worse and brutal.

Queen Gatria wanted revenge and she will surely make it happy by 'dropping' by on Ager on her way to Caelum Kingdom.

"Then, me and my queen will go to Nayale Archipelago." Hakkeran accepted the plan.

"Then Treven and I will go to Caelum Kingdom." Gatria decided and then asked Hakkeran. "I wield a sword and Treven is only good for defense, against a large number of enemies, I will need help. I hate using nature to kill, unless of course, they deserved it. But as much as possible, I would rather use my sword. I need someone to help me with offense."

Hakkeran was ransacking his mind who he could send when Sollel spoke.

"You can take Zassia and Grath with you," said Sollel. "They're my students. I blessed them my flame. They're very reliable. Grath is a demi-human, but Zassia is my human worshiper."

Gatria's face became expressionless as she looked coldly at Sollel. "Yes. I noticed. The reason why she was still alive is because she helped me escape the Hallowed Valley and that I can't sense any malicious intent from her. She even told me that you blessed her. Sollel, haven't you learned your lesson, yet?"

"Zassia is different," Sollel reasoned with Gatria. "Just give her a chance. Her whole village is my worshiper. They're very loyal to me that they were killed by the empire because they prayed to me."

"Only half, my lady." Hakkeran interject. "Half of the people in Ignis Village were saved by Gabin and they're now in town. Zassia already met them, I believed."

Sollel felt relief that Zassia wouldn't cry and blame herself anymore. "That's good to hear."

Gatria sighed at Sollel. Seeing how much Sollel trusted Zassia and Grath, Gatria knew she couldn't turn down Sollel's offer. Sollel would never hurt her. She will not let Zassia and Grath accompanied her if she was unsure of their character. Ergo, even thought she didn't want a human near him, she'll try to tolerate Zassia's presence.

"Okay. I will take Zassia and Grath if they wanted to come with me and not with you."

Gatria knew she said the right thing when Sollel smiled brightly at her. "Thank you, Gatria! They're really helpful. Zassia is like a little not-so-powerful me."

"Sollel, don't compare Zassia to you."

Sollel's face fell. "Because she's human."

"Because she's not you. She's not a troublemaker."

"Hmp!"

Gatria sighed and was about to scold Sollel again when the door opened and five people entered except for Gabin.

Cira, Xeke, Zassia, Grath, and Naya.

"Mamma!" Naya immediately run towards Sollel and hugged her.

Xeke went to greet Treven since the two were close.

Zassia bowed at Queen Sollel. While Grath bowed at Queen Gatria.

Then Cira run towards Sollel and kneeled in front of her, her forehead was even pressed to the floor. "Your Highness! I'm so sorry I lied to you! I'm so sorry I didn't tell you that Warlord Hakkeran was the one who sent me. I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! You can punish this elf as much as you want, but please believe me that everything I said about you and the Yther Queen are genuine. I love the Yther Queen! But I love you more, Your Highness! That's why Warlord Hakkeran recruited me and—"

"I know, Cira."

Hearing that, Cira's wide eyes looked up at Sollel. "You... knew?"

Sollel nodded.

"H-how? When? Where?"

Sollel shrugged. "Just a gut feeling. Though I didn't know you were working for Hakkeran." Sollel glanced at Hakkeran and it made Cira frowned. "But I figured you were on my side when you were severely injured, so I just let you be."

Cira should be happy that her highness was not mad, but her mind was in confusion seeing Hakken, and her highness was calling Hakken, Hakkeran. What the heck is going on?

To add more to Cira's confusion and chaotic mind, a serene voice spoke from behind here.

"Aren't the Elven race loyal to me and only me?"

The shocked, confused and didn't know what to say or do Cira turned her head to look at the woman who spoke and she nearly collapsed when she saw the familiar face of Queen Gatria! She was too focused on Queen Sollel earlier that she didn't look at anyone, but her highness!

"Q-Queen... Q-Queen G-Gatria?" Cira was stuttering in shock and her mind literally went blank when the queen in front of her introduced herself so serenely while she was still kneeling on the floor.

"Yes. I am Queen Gatria Valen Balsatra. The Krahika of the temple of Nati. The fourth blessed queen of Yther, the Mistress of Nature and the overseer of Azitera."

Cira was too shocked, too stunned, too speechless, too confused, too nervous and too excited that her plan to introduce herself didn't happy. Why? Because she collapsed and fainted. 

CECELIB | C.C.