Sarina's P.O.V.

I'm so confused as to what's happening, I just watch faintly from the background as Enderson and Garreth look like they want to collectively loose their shit.

I figured that they usually wouldn't hold back and fully scream and blow their lids, I mean they are Kings they shouldn't have to hold themselves back for anyone.

But amazingly enough they both take a calming breath, and seem to contemplate something or maybe they were counting to ten, to I guess bring themselves back to reality?

"Roger we will meet in the entrance in about 25 minutes, prepare the royal carriage, we're going to court!" Enderson says and without waiting to be dismissed Roger turns and swiftly exits the room.

Garreth grabs my hand and starts to drag me away giving me no choice other than to follow, with Enderson following close behind me. With my free hand I gently wipe off some of the food from my face, thankfully and a pure freaking miracle I didn't get any on my stunning dress. I think I would have cried.

I get so caught up in removing the remains of the previous battle that I don't realize where we're going, until I spot my room, but instead we walk right past it and head towards a set of giant golden doors I hadn't noticed before.

Yeah that's right golden doors,"Is this real gold?" I asked breathlessly.

Garreth gives me a questioning look before arrogantly replying,"Of course".

Pompous King

Then they open the doors and...

Not a second later, I'm starring at the inside of their bedroom. And damn I was right!

It was absolutely stunning, most people would create a room for comfort and warmth but this place seemed to be a work of art. I couldn't imagine sleeping in a place like this I would be to afraid I would break something or ruin it. Hell I was even terrified to even take one step in the room.

My room is nothing compared to theirs. Most museums were nothing compared to this.

Damn!

Garreth gently releases my hand, but I don't bother looking towards him I just can't take my eyes off of this room.

I mean come on! They have a freaking mural on the ceiling!

I can't speak I merely stare in wonder at the amazing sight in front of me. I'm probably drooling slightly but I don't care I just can't get enough. I spot out of the corner of my eye, Enderson heading towards a door, I'm not sure what he's doing but the sound of running water quickly tells me he's probably getting the food off of himself.

"Hey," I hear from behind me. I turn and see Garreth sitting on the giant canopy of a bed.

"Hi" I mumble back as a wave of shyness washes over me.

"Don't worry we're going to get this whole thing sorted out," he vows.

I cock my head to the side still not fully grasping what is happening, he takes that as his que to start explaining. "Sorry, I forgot you're new to all this", he's says all apologetic as he gestures to everything around us.

"Well, we have a Council of elders that guide us in all our decisions, even the really personal ones," he starts.

"Why?" I ask not sure they need others telling them what their supposed to be doing if they are the leaders. I mean I can't speak for them but I know I despised being told what to do for my whole life, so I can't image how it must feels to be told what you can or can't do as a leader. Especially because you have the power to change lives, you partially give away some of that power and you just have to hope those peoples motivations are pure and as your own.

"Well... actually I don't know, I guess that's just how it's always been", he states scratching his head. "May I continue?" He asks me.

"I suppose..." I say cheekily.

"Well when we lay claim to someone, if the elders think that they maybe unfit they can over rule it" he says and I gasp in shock,

"How could they prevent you from being with your mate?" I angrily ask.

"They can but they've never done it before", Enderson says while coming out from the bathroom. Which Garreth takes as his cue to get all cleaned up.

He comes over and takes Garreth's place on the bed, I hesitate but ultimately take a seat next to him.

"I'm lost" I say getting confused again.

"They didn't say it, the Duke did" he says gritting his teeth.

"Who is this Duke?" I ask afraid of the answer.

"Victoria's Father and a long standing friend of our mother", he explains. "The Duke is countering our claim because he wants his daughter to be Queen, and unfortunately our mother is backing him because..." he trails off.

"Because what?" I pester

"She doesn't like the spiritless" he says his eyes cast downward.

"Oh she doesn't like me.." I whisper back. I don't know but that really hurt, tears sting my eyes. But I refuse to let them fall, not in front of another shifter, mate or not.

Once I see Garreth come out of the bathroom I make my way towards it, wanting to properly get the food off my face, and well... chest.

And hide the fact that I maybe crying....

I take a quick look at myself in the mirror. I'm surprised at my own reflection, I'd almost forgotten what I looked liked, bruised and battered.

How could they possibly want me as a mate?

Before I can stop myself I'm sobbing on the floor of the beautiful bathroom.

"Sarina..." a soft voice calls.

I'm about to respond but soon enough I'm being hoisted in to the arms of Enderson, while Garreth silently watches.

We walk back over to the bed and I softly cry into Endersons shoulder, once I've calmed down I let out a few undignified sniffles.

"Sorry", I say.

"Why?" Enderson asks.

"I got my tears on your suit", I respond.

"It's fine I'm hoping you'll release a few other fluids on me in the future" he says a grin spreading over his face.

A furious blush spreads over my face.

"Sar, what's wrong?" Garreth asks.

I hesitate to answer for a moment,"I'm afraid", I respond.

"Of us?" Garreth whispers.

"No...maybe...I'm not sure", I answer honestly.

"Well you must know, we'd never hurt you-"

"Yeah we've waited for you long enough", Enderson says cutting off Garreth. A slight chuckle escapes my lips at the look on Garreth's face.

"Is there anything else?" Garreth curiously asks.

Yeah, everything.

"I'm well, terrified... of well everything that's about to happen", I said breathlessly before spiraling," I mean you said this has never happened before so even you don't know what to expect which means we're defenseless and I'm... I'm scared" I end on a whisper.

Big strong arms wrap me in a warm embrace, and my skin erupts with sparks all along the exposed skin.

And it brings a level of peace I hadn't felt in years.

"It's okay we'll be fine" Enderson assures.

An abrupt knock at the door brings us out of the hug I was currently trapped in,"Enter!" Garreth shouts, scaring me slightly at the abrupt noise.

"Your Majesty the carriage is ready" Rogers says as he steps through the door, wasting no time.

"Alright let's do this" Garreth says.

We stand up and make our way down all those stairs again, and through several hallways making me question how they never seem to get lost in this maze like place. We arrived at the front entrance and just as Roger had said the carriage was there waiting for us.

Garreth opened the door while Enderson helped me in.

The drive was somewhat sort, but the view still took my breath away. The city was absolutely stunning and I wished I could see more of it.

We soon arrived to this massive building that I thought was another castle, until Garreth explained that this was the High Court and also housed the Elder council which is another reason its so big.

I hoped out of the carriage, my anxiety practically make me shake.

"Don't worry it'll be okay" Garreth assures me as if sensing my nervousness.

Yeah it'll be okay

We walk through a few hallways, and somewhere along the way both Enderson and Garreth have each taken hold of one of my hands.

Which I was somewhat uncomfortable at first but now, it's kinda nice. Like their protecting me. We come to a set of doors and two spirits open the door, while a third anounses our arrival.

And holy crap, this is one hell of a court room.

We slowly make our way to the thrones at the front of the room, and directly across from us sits a row of very very VERY old looking spirits. One man looking older than the rest.

I lean over to ask Enderson about it, but it's as if he already knows what I'm about to ask,"That's the High Elder he's basically in charge".

"Oh".

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the court I have a dispute to claim", a smartly dressed man says from the center of the room grabbing everyone's attention.

"Thats the Duke" Garreth explains.

Oh the Duchesses father

"And what is your claim?" The High Elder asks.

"That woman cannot possibly be the Kings destined mate!" He shouts while pointing an accused finger at me.

The crowd around us gasps in shock, apparently not aware of what they were in court for.

"Do you have any proof of this claim?" And other elder asks. I glance over to Garreth and Enderson and I'm surprised by the hardened look on both their faces. They looked so cruel, this must be what everyone is used to seeing from them I guess.

"Yes, my daughter! The Duchess Victoria" he says as he beckons her to come towards her.

She looked so sad, but a single death glare sent my way tells me other wise, but apparently I'm not the only one who saw it, because before long two very loud roars and heard.

I thought I might go deaf because the roars came from the two powerful beasts sitting right next to me.

"You will show our mate respect!" The growl out in unison. Which only add to their scariness factor.

But apparently that was the trigger for the Duchess, because in the next second she was practically boiling with anger.

"She cannot possibly be fit to be Queen!" Victoria screeches." She has no spirit how could she guide us, or even protect us? She can't even protect herself!" She continues.

"Enough!" The high elder shouts, grabbing everyone's attention back to him.

"If I may?" The Queen speaks up, making the entire court room go quiet.

"You may your Highness" the high elder responds.

"Perhaps a test is in order, to determine if she is truly fit to be Queen", the Queen states. Garreth and Enderson squeeze my hand, and I can feel sweat dripping down my back at that suggestion.

This cannot end well...