Serenity

I know they were worried about me, about the babies, but my brother's life was at risk. How could I sit here and do nothing? I sat with the same book I'd told Garen to study, splayed open on the floor before me as I sipped on water and nibbled crackers. Ironically, since my transition, I still ate mostly human food, especially when my morning sickness started hitting. I'd made notes in the margins, filled dozens of notebooks with theories, but none of it got me closer to saving Ash.

"You need to take a break," Daniel said gently as he knelt on the floor beside me. He looked over my notes, then ran his fingers down my arm. "How's the morning sickness today?"

I waved the sleeve of crackers, "Breakfast of champions." He gave me a sympathetic smile. "How long do vampire pregnancies last, anyway?"

The smile turned into a frown, "Well, normal ones are around seven months, but given your Fae nature, I'm not really sure. We should probably have you checked soon. I was hoping to keep this all quiet a bit longer."

"Well, that's not going to be possible," Garen gruffed, walking in. "We just received a summons from the Council." He handed Daniel a slip of crimson paper with an exasperated sigh. "They are demanding we present Serenity as Queen. I hardly think we can keep any of them from hearing the twins' heartbeats." His hand grazed across my already blossoming stomach.

"How did they find out I was back?"

"That's what I'm wondering," Daniel muttered. "Only Matt and Susan knew, and neither of them would ever say a word."

"Danu or your Father?" Garen suggested.

I pondered the idea, but couldn't figure out how my going before the Council would benefit either of them. A sudden shift on the open page caught my attention. Illuminated script began appearing across the bottom of the page.

Witches make strange bedfellows.

"What does that mean?" Garen mused.

"Genevieve," Daniel growled.

"Is the book telling us to work with her or that Danu is working with her?" I asked.

"She was the one who helped your brother take you in the first place," Garen countered. "Maybe she can help us too."

"I don't trust her," Daniel growled again.

"Well, the book doesn't imply trust, just the need to work with her." I scolded him. "Not to mention, my options are getting limited."

"Fine, first we deal with the damn Council, then we talk with Geveieve."

****

Three days later, we stood before the Council. They had conspicuously cleared the chambers just before my arrival. I wondered if Daniel had insisted on it for the sake of the twins. Matt and his small brigade stood guard just outside the doors, and Susan stood just inside. A withered old man stared down at us, his voice sounding like he couldn't quite get enough air in his lungs as he wheezed, "Your Highness, this is highly irregular. First, you demand we recognize your bond with your second in command, then you present us with what you claim as your human mate, who we now learn is not human at all, but elven. Not just any elf mind you, but the damn Princess of the very people who have sworn to destroy us. If your father were alive..."

"My Father was a bloodthirsty tyrant who started the war with the Elven kingdom in the first place, Rodrick. He was cruel and power hungry. Do not dare to bring his name into this matter. I am my own man. I will not follow in his shadow, nor do I wish to carry his mistakes forward."

Rodrick had a look of revulsion on his face as he scowled. Another vampire spoke up, her tone less confrontational, but not exactly supportive either. "Your Highnesses, we acknowledge the situation is unique, but surely you must recognize our concerns. The kingdom faces an all-out war not just with the elves, but with a Goddess. What would you have us do?"

I squeezed Daniel's hand as he nodded. "I may have an answer to that question." Their gazes quickly shifted to me. "While it is true that we have completed the bond, and I have been turned, the truth is, I have not lost my Elven magic. I am not asking any of you to face Danu. That challenge is for the three of us alone."

"We cannot allow our King to go traipsing off on a suicide mission," Rodrick snorted. "For that matter, what of your unborns? If Daniel is the father, they are the heirs to the throne. You cannot risk their lives either."

That arrogant prick was getting on my last nerve. I felt my magic swelling inside me, power dancing over my skin as I spoke. "You dare to have such little faith in your King!" My voice boomed off the chamber walls, magic swirling in the air as the Council struggled under the weight of it. "Do not presume that we are asking your permission for anything."

Daniel and Garen took my hands, our powers combining as the Council shrank back. "Our Queen has spoken. You requested she be presented, and she has been. Now, you will all refrain from exposing her pregnancy until this matter has been resolved, and her brother has been restored to the throne. Once that matter has been resolved, there will no longer be a reason for concern. There will be peace between the two kingdoms," Daniel growled.

"Oh, and by the way," Garen added, "Paternity does not matter. Those children are the future heirs to both the Vampire and Elven Kingdoms, ladies and gentlemen. Perhaps you should think about that before opening your mouths further."