InSpire (15 page)

“I see you want to get right down to business. Fine. I put her in a coma so I could do some digging,” she explained. Her palms were flat on the table. She wasn’t reaching for anything or being aggressive. Darian sat back in his chair after he noticed her body language.

“What kind of digging?” Athena asked.

“When your father was taken I knew it was only a matter of time before someone put the pieces of the puzzle together. I didn’t want them discovering your connection to your father’s disappearance. That would hinder your assent to the throne. I erased the minds of those who had a notion then dug through yours to find the connection. Once I had the information I shared it with my guards. They are actively pursuing the people who took your father.”

Darian and Athena sat back in their chairs. They looked at Liz for a few minutes before either one of them could form a thought. It was Athena that came with the first questions. It was what Liz was expecting.

“What connection?”

“The witch that took your father was someone you knew. She has been in every life you have ascended to. Sometimes she is your friend, others she just watches from a distance. The group of witches you could feel on the train were in her coven. She knew when Darian found you it would only be a matter of time before he would try to change you. She waited then took the opportunity.” Liz remained calm. She didn’t want to add to their stress but letting any unnecessary feelings filter out. She would hold on to the few secrets she kept. It would benefit no one for her to reveal her true relationship with Malaicom. They just needed to know she was going to find him. They didn’t need to know why.

“Why?” Darian saw Athena was still processing. He would ask the hard questions if he had to.

“Isn’t it obvious? They can control the world at this rate. They only need to gather five more demons to have all the power they need. Then they will destroy your father and you. Without the Prins the world would fall in to chaos,” she explained. There was another partial truth, but Liz needed them to help her. She could live no longer without him in her life. She needed him back. She needed her monthly rendezvous back. Her world was starting to crumble. If she could kill the witch herself she would.

“Then what do we do now? We can’t let that happen.” Athena planted her feet firmly on the ground. She would not let them hurt her father.

“You have a good start. In the last few days you have captured several demons. This will make it harder for the witches to find what they need. My guards are also doing their duty. Now they have a picture of the woman they can seek her out. If they capture her we might be able to restore your father.” Liz hadn’t let her posture give anything away, but seeing Athena get excited to return her father gave her hope. She wasn’t sure until now how much Athena was willing to do.

“I want justice for my family.”

“I know you do. If they find her I will bring her to you,” Liz stated.

“You would do this for me?”

“I have seen inside your mind. I know how pure and innocent you are. And I also know that baby of yours will bring a new light to our world. He is the future,” she said.

“He?” Darian quirked an eyebrow at Liz. They had been hoping for a boy neither of them knew yet.

“Yes. She is carrying your son,” she said, smiling.

Darian couldn’t hold back the joy. His face lit up brightly and his hand moved directly to Athena’s belly. Then she saw a tear rolling down his cheek. Darian’s world was finally becoming all he had dreamed it could be. It was centuries of fighting to get to this point. He wiped away a tear and then kissed Athena on the cheek.

“We are having a boy?”

“Yes, my love.” Athena leaned over to his shoulder as the tears swamped her. He stroked her hair and let her cry. Liz sat and watched. She had experienced this very thing several times. She wanted desperately to tell Athena about her half siblings. She couldn’t. Her love affair with Malaicom had produced a few off spring. She kept them hidden today. Their wings would definitely give them away.

“Now you know why I have done this. I want to protect the future and the heir to the throne. I am a constant supporter of your Kingdom,” she replied.

“How can we repay you?”

“Your friendship is all that I require,” she replies.

Athena stand up and put her hand out, “You have it, Liz.”

“Thank you, Athena.” They shook hands then Liz pointed to them door. The guards opened it and they followed them back to the shield. She held Darian’s hand all the way there. Finding out she was carrying Darian’s son was almost more than she could take. Getting to the people that took her father was important, but knowing there was an heir growing in her womb was all she could think about.

“Shall we?”

“Certainly.” They stepped through the door hand and hand.

She tucked her skirt in her waist and they took off. The flight back to the castle was uneventful. When they landed she grabbed Darian’s hand again. They walked into the throne room excited with the information they now possessed. The crier announced them and they took their seats. The advisors came in immediately anxious to hear their news.

“Our meeting with Lady Elizabeth was well worth it. She has sworn to help us find my father no matter what it takes. I welcome her help as should you. Now it has been a long day. I am going to retire.” Athena left no room for any of her advisors to argue with her. She had spoken and that was it. She stood, took her husband’s hand and headed straight for her room.

“That won’t keep them,” he whispered, leaving the throne room.

“It will for tonight.”

“Pretty smart.” He playful patted her behind as they walked.

“Frisky?”

“Maybe,” he snickered.

“Really?” She dashed into the room and went right for the bathroom. She dropped her clothes on the floor and headed into the shower without saying a word to him. She was hoping he would get the hint. She stepped under the water and got her hair wet. Her eyes closed, her hands started to lather up her hair. Moments later his erection was pressing into her backside as his hands grip her hips.

“So my fat body turns you on?” She continued to wash her and kept her eyes closed. She felt hands wrap around her belly then slid down passed her round belly. He kept heading south until he found her pelvic bone. He deftly slid his fingers in between her folds. He starting circling lightly. Then his lips were on her neck. He was kissing and sucking being careful not to get any soap in his mouth. Her mind was getting fuzzy. The skill he had with his hand could bring her to ecstasy within a matter of minutes. He was pushing and rubbing whilst he was sucking. It was driving her mad.

“I think you are the hottest pregnant Prin ever.” His hot breath on her ear was all she needed to release a furious orgasm. His fingers certainly knew their way around her body. He spun her around and deeply kissed her as he helped her rinse the shampoo out of her hair. She could feel him still pressing against her belly. He was ready for her and she wanted nothing more than to feel him inside of her. He puts his hands on her behind and picked her up. She wrapped her legs around him as he backed them into the wall. He tried to enter her but her belly got in the way. He tried two more times before he gave up.

“How about you bend over?”

She slid down him and spun around. She bent over and he slapped her ass. Then he gripped her hips with force and rammed hard into her. She let out a cry then he pinched her nipple hard. That made her forget about the pain of his entry. When he let go of her nipple he started thrusting into her. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she was in ecstasy. She felt another orgasm building already. He pumped hard then let out a growl. She felt him release inside of her then she released hard on him. They stood there joined quivering for a good two minutes.

“That was fantastic.” Darian whispered as he helped her stand back up.

“Yes it was.”

“Feel that?” She grabbed his hand and put it on her belly.

“Is that the baby?” he asked.

“It is. I think we should find a name for him.” The baby was really kicking hard.

“It would be nice to refer to him by name instead of baby or it.”

“How about Bowen?” she asked.

“That is an interesting name. What does it mean?” Darian kept washing her body. He was enjoying himself. Her body was all he desired and thought of.

“I think it means noble warrior. Fitting for our son.” She relaxed and let him worship her body with the sponge. It was times like this she knew he was her forever.

“You are right about that,” he said, bending down on one knee. He was facing her belly. “Bowen, it’s going to be nice to meet you. You are making me the most proud father ever.”

“That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever witnessed,” she said, rubbing his head and crying.

“I love you both.” Darian stood up and kissed her passionately.

“We love you too.” Just then the baby kicked Athena hard. She put her hand to her belly and tried to catch her breath. “I guess Bowen agrees.”

He must pretty smart already. They couldn’t wait to meet Bowen. Two months to go before he would be in their arms. In just two short months her world had been completely turned upside down. Going from a freak and outcast to a Queen had been quite a shock to her system. Marrying the most fantastic man ever was only outdone by carrying his son.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Two weeks later and there was no word from Lady Elizabeth. She was supposed to contact them as soon as she knew something. The raids had been going well. No party came back empty handed. They hoped this was keeping the witches pinned down. If they couldn’t get the fifth demon they wouldn’t be able to do their plan.

Athena’s belly was no longer able to be hidden. She was fully pregnant. She only had six weeks left to go. It was hard for her to get around, but she did it. Darian helped her every chance he got. There were some tasks that kept him busy. He tried not to be gone from her for more than a few hours at a time. The generals really respected his opinion. They consulted him on almost every strategy. They trusted his expertise. He was the only one among them that spent any time at all in the human realm. He knew how they operated and moved.

“Should you still be seeing people, Your Majesty?” Ubrene asked as she took her seat.

“Has pregnancy made me stupid?”

“No, Your Majesty. I just fear for your safety,” he replied.

“I am in perfect health, Ubrene. When the mid wife says I must stop then I will.” She ground her teeth. Darian grabbed her hand in order to calm her.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he replied, deeply bowing.

“You know I can do this for you,” Darian whispered.

“I know. I just love to piss him off.”

“Well you are very good at it.”

“Her majesty will retire to rest. I will hear your cases,” Darian said, standing. Athena got up as everyone bowed. She had no problem letting Darian rule. The larger the baby got the more painful it was for her to sit. She really had to move around too much to just sit and hear the daily cases. She waddled back to her room expecting to lay down.

“Good afternoon,” the midwife said. She was standing in the middle of the room. She was a short woman with grey hair. Her features were wrinkled and well-aged. She had to be well over five hundred years old. Prins lived a very long time. They were not immortal but most of them lived to see seven or eight hundred.

“What do you require this afternoon?” Athena asked, walking to the bed and sitting down.

“It’s time for a check-up. You are only days away from delivering,” she said.

“Days, I thought it was weeks?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Days,” she replied.

“Okay.” Athena was confused. She would do whatever the midwife said, but this wasn’t what she expected.

“Please lay down.”

Athena laid back on the bed and put her feet up. Athena had gotten used to not wearing her undergarments. The midwife had checked her several times in the past couple of weeks. It was just easier not to put them on. She stuck her fingers inside Athena and pressed gently down on her swollen stomach. It was by far the most uncomfortable thing she had ever experienced. She was very tender. Athena wanted to cry but she would be damned if she let this woman have the satisfaction. She pulled her fingers out quickly and wiped them off.

“Well?” Athena tried to sit up but didn’t have much success. She relented and just pulled her gown back down.

“As I suspected it will only be a few more days. You should not go away from the castle or fly,” she stated, picking up her stuff. She curtsied and headed out the door before Athena could complain. As she left Darian came in.

“Can you help me up?”

“And miss this view?” he laughed. He walked over to the bed and put out his hand. She took and sat up. It was a little too fast and her head was spinning. She sat there with her eyes closed for a second. He stood in front of her so she could rest her head on his stomach. He patted her back gently.

“Thank you.”

“So what did she say?”

“We only have a few days left.”

“I guess you won’t be leaving the castle then,” he said, sitting beside her. He put his hand on her belly and started to rub.

“You sound just like her.”

“It’s true. We can’t have you out when…”

“An urgent visitor, Your Majesty,” the page cried. Darian helped her off of the bed and then led her back to the throne room. They both walked with their minds reeling. It was beyond them what could be so. When the doors opened to the throne room Lady Elizabeth was standing there. They took their seats.

“Your Majesty,” she said.

“Lady Elizabeth, what can I do for you?”

“May I speak with the two of you in private,” she requested.

“Certainly. Right this way.” Athena led them passed the throne and to the war room.

She gently glided to one of the seats on the far side of the room. Athena waddled her way to another seat. Her feet were beyond swollen, aching and looked like they could pop any moment. Darian closed the door. He moved quickly beside her as they waited for Liz to speak.

“I have news of your father. I didn’t want to share it in the midst of all of your advisors. I don’t trust them,” she stated.

“Neither do I.” Athena laughed and rubbed her belly.

“My guards have found the coven that took him. They are now only missing three demons to complete their task, but they are very weak. My guards have not moved on them yet. They are waiting to see what your order is. They tell me they can wipe the entire coven out, but can’t guarantee your father’s safety,” she explained. Liz tried very hard to hide the panic in her voice. She was not going to let anything happen to him. Honestly she belied the order for his sake, not Athena.

“I can’t be responsible for my father’s death.”

“I didn’t think so. We can try to capture a few and interrogate them,” she suggested.

“I like that idea,” Darian admitted.

“Then we can do that. We should have them here for you to interrogate in less than a day,” she explained.

“So you will stay here with us until they arrive?” Athena wanted to keep her eye on Liz.

“No. I need to get back to my own kingdom. I’m sure you understand that,” she said, smiling. Once again she was at the door before Athena could complain. She had a habit of stating her view and leaving quickly. Athena wasn’t sure if she admired the talented or hated it.

“Well that was interesting.” Darian was not sure how he felt about the conversation either.

“I can’t wait to see what she brings.” Athena put out her hand so Darian could help her to her feet. They walked back out to the throne room and found an anxious group of advisors. Athena debated what to say if anything. There was news, but she didn’t how wise it would be to share it with them. Darian smiled at her. He was thinking the same thing.

“Her majesty needs rest now.” Darian spoke before Athena even had a chance. He was right on the same track she was. The advisors didn’t need to know.

They clammed up and moved out of the way. She loved to play with these pompous jerks. They thought they knew it all. She remembered every lesson her father ever taught her and then some. Spending several years as a mortal also gave her an advantage. She knew how the world worked and they didn’t. She wouldn’t take their advice over her own and her husbands. That was for damn sure.

“What are you thinking about?” Darian looked at her inquisitively.

“What makes you think something is on my mind?”

“You are walking forcefully. I know you, Athena. You are most definitely pre occupied.” He laughed as he opened the bedroom door.

“I have a lot on my mind right now. I don’t trust those suits back there.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I know.”

Athena walked to the closet for a nightgown. Darian headed to the shower. She laid down. When he came out she was sleeping soundly. He sat down on the bed wrapped in a towel. He couldn’t help but love how his wife looked. She complained about her belly, but he loved it. There was nothing fat or ugly about carrying their son. He couldn’t wait for him to come out so he could hold him. Darian still felt the boy would be born with white wings. He wouldn’t be disappointed if he wasn’t, but the kingdom needed this. Spire needed a miracle right now. He couldn’t help but think of Lord Malaicom. He hoped, for Athena’s sake, he was fine. It wouldn’t be good for her to lose him right now. Darian leaned over and kissed the bump and then her forehead. He laid down and closed his eyes.

“Time to get up.” Darian leaned and whispered so he wouldn’t startle her.

“Already?” She stretched out her arms and legs. She even took time to stretch her toes. Her body could have slept a few more hours, but she knew if he was waking her up there was a reason.

“Lady Elizabeth’s guards are here. I didn’t think you wanted anyone else to interrogate the witches they have brought,” he said.

That made her eyes open quickly. She tried to sit up, but her belly made that impossible. Then she felt a strong hand on her back. She was relieved to have him help her. He knew what was needed before anything was said. Once her feet were down on the floor, she tried to balance. He got up and ran to the closet. He was standing next to her with one of her oversized skirts and shirts. He helped her up and dressed her.

Once he was done he put his hand out. She took it and followed him to the dungeon. It smelled horrible down there. Perhaps that was why she never came down. The walls were cold and wet. The ground was covered in straw. They went down a long hallway. At the end was a room with all kinds of torture equipment. The guards had already strapped the two witches into a rack. They have been stretched to nearly breaking.

“Your Majesty.”

“Have you gotten any information yet?”

“We’ve only begun to stretch them.”

“Good.”

“I’m not telling you a thing, so kill me now,” the blonde one spat. She could have been any human, but Athena’s body new what she was. The vibrations were almost too much for her to bear. It had been bad before, now it was excruciating.

“Oh you will die, don’t get me wrong. But you will suffer much before that.” Athena shocked everyone in the room. She walked right up to the witch and ran her hands through her hair. It was almost seductive. Darian had to control the laugh when she pulled on the witch’s hair so hard it made her head snap. Then Athena spit in her face. It wasn’t the refined behavior they were used to. Athena looked at Darian and smiled. That was when he saw her eyes. They were blood red. He was going to have to keep her in control.

“Piss off!”

“You don’t speak to the Queen like that!” It took Darian two steps to cross the room. His hand was in the air and across her cheek before anyone could say anything. It was hard enough to draw blood from her mouth. The blonde just laid there with blood oozing out of the corner of her mouth. She was going to be hard to break. She was stockier than her sister. Now that Athena looked at her she seemed mousy. It was like one was the master. She decided to turn her attention to the brunette witch.

“Do you feel the same as your sister?”

She didn’t answer her with words. She tried to shake her head but she had been so badly beaten she was having a hard time moving.

“Don’t say a word, Chloe,” the blonde one shouted.

“Shut up Beatrice,” Chloe shouted back. Athena looked a little closer. Chloe was crying. It wasn’t like a witch to cry even if they were being tortured. Athena pushed the sympathy down and decided to pit them against each other.

“Now ladies you shouldn’t fight. That only makes my job so much easier.”

“Suck it!” For such a small lithe creature she had a lot of attitude. Her bones were showing through her shift. She hadn’t eaten in a quite some time. Beatrice didn’t seem like she would have the strength to back up her aggressive words.

“You seem to like to say that. Perhaps I should do just that. Have you ever been sucked by a Prin? I’m told it’s a mind blowing experience.” Athena walked toward Beatrice like she was a steak on the spit. She was going to eat her alive. Darian watched her closely. Her eyes were bouncing from red to purple. He wasn’t sure which emotion was going to win out. He couldn’t help but feel turned on by the situation. He had to fight to keep himself in control. It was apparent Athena had no desire to keep in control.

“Stay away from me you pervert.” For the first time Beatrice was showing true fear on her face.

“Perhaps I will start with you and end with her.”

The guards have stepped back as has Darian. Athena had finally tapped into all of the royal power that was her birthright. It was intoxicating to everyone in the room. Even the guards were spellbound by her. She had never been trained how to control it. She was doing everything she could to make this witch frightened, and it was working. Darian fought against the hold. It was hard for him as well, but he would let nothing hurt her. Not even herself.

“Leave my sister alone,” Beatrice shouted.

“Ah so now she is your sister.” Athena had climbed onto the rack with Beatrice. She was straddling her and rubbing her body slowly on Beatrice. Darian wasn’t sure how far he should let this go. He could still see her eyes were shifting. She wasn’t in control. He didn’t want her to kill the woman or have her way with her. He knew Athena wouldn’t recover from that.

“She is. Please don’t hurt her,” she cried.