Jasmin barged into the Queen's private chambers without knocking. Stella looked at her quizzically.

"You are needed in the throne room." She breathed out heavily. "It's urgent."

Queen Stella closed the book she was holding in her hands and placed it on the coffee table next to her. She took in Jasmin's flustered face.

"What happened? You look as if you run here." She stated.

"I didn't run, I flew at lightning speed my Queen," she huffed out.

"Let me put on a dress that is more throne room appropriate and we can head on down." Stella informed her.

"No my Queen. There is no time. We need to go now!" Jasmin squealed her eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.

"What happened Jasmin? Spit it out." The Queen ordered.

"The Kalous people. There was an attack on the King. They believe it's one of our people that did it."

"That's preposterous. Who would even dare such a thing without the King's approval?" Stella blurted out.

"That's what the King wants you to find out. If King Koti is speaking the truth," Jasmin informed her.

Queen Stella got up and rushed to the throne room. She stopped behind the large oak doors, took two calming breaths to compose herself and knocked.

She was ushered next to the King. The atmosphere in the room was too thick for her to handle. The hostile energy radiating from both Kings send shivers down her spine. She gathered all the energy from her core to be able to push down the bile that begun making its way up her throat.

"You summoned me my King," she asked Evelthon.

"Yes." He replied. "King Koti has come to inform us, that one of our royal subjects has attacked him on his ship. He wants us to deliver the culprit, as he calls him, to him or else..."

"I see," she said.

"King Evelthon, I have waited long enough. If you will not deliver him to me, unfortunately you are forcing my hand..." King Koti said with one eyebrow raised.

"Force your hand to do what?" Evelthon growled.

"King Koti, I assure you that my husband would have not invited you to our Kingdom if he had bad intentions toward you and your people. Let me touch your hand, to see the truth," Stella intervened before their ginormous egos got out of control.

"I will most certainly not allow you to touch me," King Koti barked.

Queen Stella winced at the spite in his words.

"My, my, my if I didn't know better I would say that you are afraid Koti." Evelthon mocked him.

"Fear is not a word in my vocabulary Evelthon," Koti spat back.

"Then how come you are not allowing the Queen to touch your hand?" Evelthon enquired.

"I will not be part of this little charade you have going on. I have nothing to prove to you OR your QUEEN. Now, hand over the culprit." Koti ordered as he ironed his shirt with his hands.

King Evelthon's slow steps towards the Kalous King echoed off the marble walls. He stopped. Spread his royal gold wings to their glorious length.

"You will not speak to me or my Queen in that tone. Do I make myself clear?" Evelthon hissed.

The two men stared down at each other as they engaged in a silent battle of dominance.

King Koti was the one to retreat. He steadily backed his way out of the throne room. Evelthon retracted his wings and turned to face Stella.

"Good news is you no longer have to worry about them mining for Phyllo," he smirked. Stella sighed at his miserable attempt to lighten up the mood.

"I know Stella. You don't have to say it." Evelthon said scratching the back of his neck.

Queen Stella contemplated whether to inform her husband of the unknown person she had seen in her vision when they were examining the findings outside the grounds of Castle Silyn. How that man seemed to be favored by IT. She decided it would not be wise at the moment.

"Alright then, so what are we going to do now?" She asked.

"Prepare for battle." He informed her and opened the door. "Guard! Summon my Generals!"

A thousand thoughts were passing through Stella's mind. Will the Kalous people attack only them, or would they go after Silyn as well? Should Silyn be informed? What will happen to IT? Who was the man that King Koti claimed had attacked him? Was this just an excuse that Koti was looking from the very beginning of his arrival to attack the Cloud Kingdom? Did the Kalous time their arrival to Cloud Kingdom closer to the winter solstice when they were at their weakest?

"What's on your mind Stella?" Evelthon questioned.

"I was wondering if Silyn should be informed?" She offered.

"They don't deserve to be informed," he spat out.

"But husband we are only three months away from the winter solstice," she said gently.

"No, I will not inform them and don't you dare reach out to your dear sister," he warned her.

"Leave Iris out of this! You know that I would not go against your wishes. This is for the good of all Cloudpeople. What will happen if they attack Silyn first and capture IT?"

"I said No, and that is the last time we are speaking of this." Evelthon said with a finality in his stance that had Stella shaking in her depths.

________
Hi loves,

Battle is approaching, what do you think? Should Silyn be infotmed or should they be left to fend for themselves?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!!!

Don't forget to vote if you liked the chapter.

❤️❤️❤️
Myro