The Coven Complete

[Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine save for Ashira.]

Daemon was on the killing edge. Queen Angela’s retinue came in the door greeted very coldly by Graves. Daemon felt Lucivar behind him, also on the killing edge. He felt a dark, swirling and incredibly cold anger beyond Lucivar that was Saetan.

Queen Angela saw him. He saw her tremble a little. Prince Philip stopped short when his eyes fell on Daemon.

A cry from the back of Angela’s entourage and Ashira ran towards him. Daemon fell back from the killing edge, sweeping her into his arms and crushing her in a big bear hug.

“Sweet darkness! You’re here. She’s alive.” Her eyes fell on Saetan and Lucivar and she pulled free of his embrace, going to Saetan. Saetan held out his arms to welcome her. She stopped just short of embracing him, her body radiating distrust, but her eyes shining with hope. “You’re real,” she whispered, looking up at him skeptically, “she calls you Papa.”

“I am real witch-child,” Saetan smiled down at her, “and yes, she calls me Papa. You could do me that honor as well.”

“Ashira, come back here.” Angela’s voice was angry and more than a little frightened.

“You don’t know what it means to me, to know you’re real.” Ashira ignored Angela and whispered to Saetan. Her eyes were overflowing with tears. “I was so afraid I was sick and all those dreams were part of my sickness. Oh, but you’re real, real, and she’s alive.” Ashira broke down, sobbing. Saetan put his arms around her and she let him. He held her, wondering at her strength.

“Hush witch-child.” He stroked her black hair.

“Unhand her at once.” Philip had finally worked up the nerve to speak. “Come here Ashira.” His voice was calmer, sweeter.

She turned towards his voice and left Saetan’s arms. Wiping away her tears with the back of her hand she faced her family, but came no closer to them than Daemon’s side.

“You lied to me, all of you. You tried to make me believe I was sick, but I never was, and neither was Jaenelle.”

“You were sick child. We wanted more than anything for you both to be well.”

“Look around you father,” she raised her arms indicating the hall, “can you deny what you see? Jaenelle is here, can’t you feel her?”

She looked quizzically at Saetan, confirming her feelings, “She is not physically here, but she will be back soon.”

Saetan nodded, Ashira hugged herself, grinning. “It’s all true.” She fixed her blue eyes on Philip, her smile vanishing. “Who am I?”

“Child,” Philip’s voice was anguished, “you are Ashira Angelline, my niece.”

“Who am I?” she spoke louder.

“You are a white-jeweled young queen who is very ill.”

Ashira smiled, “You are wrong. The Ashira you know is what you say, but that is not me.” She took a step towards them and cast off the webs she had woven. “I am Ashira, a gray-jeweled queen who can never be broken. I am Ashira, Jaenelle’s sister and protector. I am Ashira, sword and shield to the Queen of Ebon Rea.”

“What is this?” Angela was astonished. The young woman before her looked like her shy granddaughter, but she was a grey-jeweled queen who radiated power, with none of Ashira’s shyness.

“Lucivar,” Saetan stepped beside Ashira, “please show Ashira to her quarters.”

“Come on whelp.” Lucivar reached out to take Ashira’s elbow. Ashira stepped back, not allowing him to touch her. She looked up at him, “You’re her brother, aren’t you?”

“Aye, and that makes me your brother too.” He smiled at her. “Come on.”

Ashira followed Lucivar through the hall. “I’m going to need lots of help here Lucivar. I have bits and pieces of things I’ve picked up from Jaenelle, but I was never sure if it was real or not. Is there really a Karla?”

“Unfortunately.” Ashira turned towards the new voice.

“Prince Morton.” Lucivar nodded, “I’d like to introduce you to Ashira Angelline, Jaenelle’s sister.”

“Prince Morton,” Ashira held out her hand, “Karla’s cousin. I feel as if I know you already. It is a pleasure to finally meet you face to face.”

“And you Lady Ashira.” Morton held her hand slightly longer than necessary, drawing a snarl from Lucivar. “I had heard you would be joining us one day. You are truly more lovely than your sister described.”

“Come Lady.” Lucivar felt Ashira’s unease and stepped closer to her. “This way.”

“I will see you again Lady.” Morton bowed, his voice was a low, throaty growl. Lucivar growled in response. He was most certainly going to have a talk with the young warlord prince. “If you require anything, please call on me.”

Ashira drew herself up, “I require nothing from you Prince Morton, thank you.” She turned away from the prince and followed Lucivar.

Luciver showed her the quarters that had been reserved for her. They were very near Jaenelle’s, just across from Daemon’s. Ashira gave her rooms brief attention before turning to Lucivar. “Did I just behave rudely?”

“No whelp, he was presumptuous.”

“But he’s Karla’s cousin. He couldn’t have meant…” she could not finish. She could not bear the thought that life here would be much like life in Terrielle.

“No, he didn’t mean that. I’m sure he was very sincere in his offer of service. You are in Kaeleer, and service here has a very different meaning than in Terrielle. Nonetheless, he was wrong to be so bold with you. I’ll see to it that he receives an education.”

Ashira opened her mouth to speak, then cocked her head listening. “Kaelas?” She squealed in girlish surprise and threw herself towards the window. Lucivar was ready to fly after her when she collided with something large and invisible. She squealed again, hugging that large and invisible mass.

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