Serenity's eyes fluttered open as she felt the space next to her slightly shifting. Emerald green eyes staring back at her own was enough to completely wake her from her rest.

"Hi" Amanthy muttered shifting closer to her partner, her purpose of return crammed into the back of her mind, attempting to avoid the inevitable.

"Hey" Serenity replied not breaking eye contact as she assisted in closing the distance, pulling the woman in by her waist.

"This feels like some sort of dream" Amanthy said, enjoying the pull between them as Serenity placed a tender kiss on her lips.

"Definitely not a dream" Serenity replied as a smile tugged the corners of her mouth. Serenity knew Amanthy being here now, after what she'd revealed—that there's no way it was a coincidence, clearly her lover has alternative motives. Serenity couldn't bring herself to think too hard about it because despite all this time she still trusts the emerald eyed woman.

"Hm maybe you could ensure me one more time" Amanthy teased as she dipped her head to tease the other woman's neck with her mouth.

Serenity hummed in thought as she enjoyed the assault to her neck. Her mind was conflicted as she analyzed how their monarchy would work now. Despite ignoring her intuition about Amanthys' intentions for coming back, she knew the conversation had to take place, she has to make sure she won't lose Amanthy and her sanity a second time.

"I would love to remind you but there's a council meeting taking place in 20 minutes" Serenity said placing a peck on her mates lips before leaving the comfort of her bed. "And you will be attending."

"You know, the whole council thing turned out better than I thought when you first formed it" Amanthy replied following Serenity's lead. "I'm going to need to borrow some clothes" she mumbled as she began going through the other woman's wardrobe.

"And how exactly did you think it would turn out before?" Serenity inquired as she and Amanthy searched for something to wear.

"A complete disaster, I killed the last council for trying to assume control, along with a few rumors they happened to be the cause of. When you put people in a position of power, they will not hesitate to take advantage" Amanthy explained as she finally decided to keep it simple with black jeans and a white v-neck.

"As realistic as that possibility is, I can assure you my love, that would never happen on my watch" Serenity reassured her as she decided on a outfit. Amanthys' eyebrows furrowed as she processed her words. Although Serenity probably didn't think the same way, she knew the reason it would never happen on Serenity's watch is because she's a better ruler. Amanthy tried to push down her anxiety at the thought but deep down she knew that after over 2000 years of serving this palace that someone managed to be better than herself—a service she was born for.

"I'm well aware of that now" Amanthy replied curtly as she made her way to the bathroom with her clothes and a towel. If Serenity saw the conflict on her face just then, she must've chose to ignore it as the pair decided to indulge in a shower, ignoring the brewing tension they shared.

——

The two were making their way to the door when Amanthy felt an extremely familiar presence engulf her. She quickly swung the door the door open as a set of eyes identical to her own met hers.

"I see nothings changed" Zavarius said with a smirk as he took in the presence of his other half that he'd missed for so long. Amanthy pulled her brother into a tight hug knowing he wouldn't initiate, that's just who he is.

"I missed you Zavarius" Amanthy said breathing in the familiar scent of home. The two eventually let go as Serenity chose to acknowledge Zavarius and vise versa.

"Zavarius" Serenity said with a nod.

"Serenity" Zavarius replied similarly with a nod of his own. The two knew there was always love and respect between them, they simply never showed it.

"Shouldn't you already be at the meeting?" Amanthy asked her brother knowing that she and her companion were late as well.

"I actually came to make sure you two weren't sleeping in, and to see you of course" Zavarius replied as he began to make his way out the room, the two women took that as their cue to follow. They spent the walk lightly catching up although Amanthy is already aware of what transpired while she was gone.

Their steps came to a halt as they stood in front of the big double doors. Amanthy was surprised they hadn't ran into anyone in the halls, someone surely would've recognized her with upmost confusion as to how she's not dead.

"Ready?" Serenity asked turning to her companion. Amanthy was bombarded with bittersweet memories as her lovers words brought her back in time for just a moment.

"Together?"

"Together"

Amanthy shook the nostalgia as quickly as it came, giving Serenity a nod before pushing the door open.

The energy in the room drastically changed as all eyes locked on trio, specifically the individual that's supposed to be dead.

"Someone please fill me in" Zylan said looking around the room in confusion. With him being the youngest to be turned currently, he barely knew what his former queen looked like, especially after Serenity had all her portraits tore off the walls a few years after her death, she could hardly look at them without breaking down back then.

"So I take it mg has favored you as well Amanthy?" Demarkus inquired with a raised eyebrow. His question settled Zylans confusion as he heard the woman's name.

"Oh so this is the ex queen" Zylan said with a goofy smile tugging at his lips. His comment did well to lighten the mood but the tension still hung in the air as the three made their way to a seat, Serenity taking her place at the head of the table.

"Mg favors no one" Amanthy said curtly as she gestured to Serenity to begin the meeting.

"As you all can see quite clearly, my mate and predecessor has come back from the dead, and before you attempt to understand how or why I must inform you that we don't have the answers either." Serenity said knowing she was leaving out the truth. Serenity doesn't have the answers but she knew for a fact that Amanthy did, and for whatever reason, she chose not to disclose anything.

"So we're just suppose to act like she isn't supposed to be dead?" Demarkus asked incredulously. Serenity knew he wasn't just being irrational, but then again she didn't like being questioned.

"Demarkus you should be asking the same question about me. At one point I wasn't supposed to be of this world anymore either, will you seek defiance in that statement as well? Or shall we continue with the meeting?" Serenity asked with a seethe as she felt her temper rising.

Demarkus remained silent and waved his hand in discontent gesturing to continue. Zylan took advantage of the moment of silence and raised a finger indicating he has something to say.

"I assume she'll be on the council now, and if that's the case we'll need another member to make our numbers odd." Zylan said meeting Serenity's gaze.

"Or we could remove someone" Serenity rebutted. Everyone tensed a little at the idea of being kicked off the council, being on it was one of this realms greatest honors.

"And who would you suggest your highness?" Alana asked speaking up for the first time since they began.

"Demarkus." Serenity muttered with no hesitation. All eyes fell on him as he swallowed the lump in his throat. He knew his comments would only get him so far, this was expected. "Leave." She added in.

Demarkus opened his mouth to speak but decided against it. He knew how far Serenity's tempter could go, refusing to be on the receiving end of her rage, he made his way out. Getting up swiftly he left the room in complete silence leaving the other memebers filled with relief.

"Anyways" Amanthy began, "how will the crowning work" she asked mostly directing her question at Serenity.

"The crowning?" Serenity echoed in question.

"When a queen comes in contact with their mate they rule together do they not?" Amanthy asked as she remembered a time she brought Serenity here precisely for that, so they could rule together.

"That won't be happening until certain truths come to light my love." Serenity replied curtly as the energy morphed into something strange. Silence hung in the air as Amanthy took in her lovers words. Both being the intelligent women they were, they knew something unspoken hung between them and even knowing that Amanthy couldn't help but to feel anger rise.

"I know I've been gone a long time, I understand I truly do, I can't just come back and impose on what is now yours, but the thing is, I've built this for over a millennium, who are you to deny me my birthright?" Amanthy questioned, her intensity rising with every word. Mate or not, the other woman's words wouldn't sit right with her.

"You need to calm down and understand your position right now love. You will be known for your time served to this palace, every accomplishment, every honorable glory will be yours, but I will not sit back and act like there isn't a reason you're here, I'm not slow and you won't use your anger to force my hand." Serenity replied.

The rest of the council watched in silence as new waves of anger spilled from the two women who couldn't seem to break eye contact. They never had a true disagreement before, this was new to them as well.

"Are you saying you don't trust me?" Amanthy asked.

"If that's what you would prefer to call it then so be it. My intuition has never failed me in my decade of ruling, why would it now?" Serenity questioned with a shrug. She loved Amanthy to death but she couldn't be naive when so much was on the line.

Amanthy stared in silence as she took in the words. She knew she should just tell Serenity everything but that would mean her dying—again. Which cause was worth more? Her life or Serenity's distrust?