She tried to hide it but I caught sight of the pain in her eyes, I saw the small tear fall from her bright green shimmering glare.

I wasn't thrilled about being married to a stranger but even I knew Katina's words were unnecessary, with so many beings in this world  came so much judgment. Hunters, mortals and other simple minded creatures always judged what they couldn't understand and they thought killing what they couldn't comprehend solved everything.

"Gregory I cannot thank you enough for making time to come to our home, my son and Emerald are waiting in the dining room. Please follow me." My mother's voice chimed.

Gritting my teeth in annoyance, I glanced at Katina to find her sitting in another chair trying to look proper. I licked my dry lips and leaned forward."How are you going to explain Emerald's disappearance? If you tell my mother the words you spoke to her then she will rip you limb from limb." I whispered.

 Katina waved me off with a flick of her wrist, she straightened her posture as my mother entered the dining area and plastered a fake smile on her face."Queen Numissa! You've arrived just in time, that dirty girl you want Cassius to marry had a melt down, oh my the words she spewed at your son." 

My mother held up a single sharped nailed finger and turned to Diana who was helping Gregory with his things."Check the master guest room, simply knock on the door and see if Emerald is there. Report back to me at once." She ordered.

"Yes my queen, I will be back shortly." Diana said.

I shifted uneasily in my seat as my mother slowly strode towards me, she ran her hand gently over my head and sighed."My dear son, did that girl really speak to you in an ill mannered way? Tell your mother darling." She cooed.

Katina shot me looks while my mother slid her hand down to the back of my neck, I stiffened in my chair as her sharp nails slowly dug into my delicate flesh. Leaning her head down to mine she spoke with an icy tone."Did Emerald really say nasty things to you? Perhaps it was your little friend who decided to open her trap and speak foul to our guest." 

I slumped down in my chair and gritted my teeth as the nerves in my neck locked up, reaching behind me I latched my fingers onto her wrist and pulled her hand away."Alright!, Yes Katina said...a few words to your precious guest, she simply didn't know she was a witch and-"

"Enough! Cassius I defended you to your father, I told him not to be so harsh on you because of this arranged marriage but harsh is the least you deserve. This young girl has left her home, her mother and everything else behind to accommodate us. While you, you leave nothing, give up nothing, instead you take and take. I don't know what you let your little friend say to her but you will fix it, I didn't raise you to be so barbaric towards a woman. Are we clear?" She finally questioned.

Nodding my head in an obeying manner, I looked into my mother bright blue eyes and sighed."Yes mother, I will have myself fitted before going to apologize." I said in a deflated tone.

My father may be King of Scalefire, ruler, warrior and loose tempered. But my mother was far more frightening and Katina was not worth her wraith.