Sunny - Mona Lisa Craving

“Even the demons know this about you,” Halcyon said.

“What does this say?” I asked, tracing a finger over the characters carved around his likeness.

“The character on the left means royal , the one on your right that you are touching means consort . The dragon denotes my lineage and is the crest of our family line.” His dark chocolate eyes met mine. “Will you wear this?”

The picture of him, the words “royal consort,” and the dragon crest all denoted his claim and protection over me. But the silver it was set upon was a tribute to me, to my individual strength. It was a melding of us both, thoughtfully done.

“Of course.” My fingers fumbled a little as I reached behind, unfastening the silver cross I wore. It had been the only thing found on me as an infant. Something left by my birth mother, I had thought, and had been my most cherished possession, something I wore always. Even after I found out it had been Sonia, the midwife, who had given it to me, who had loved me as my mother had not, I had still worn it as a familiar comfort. I took it off now, a symbol of my past, and fastened Halcyon’s cameo in its place.

I smoothed my hand over the cameo, which I left prominently displayed, not hidden under my dress as my other necklace had been. Outside where everyone could see it and know who I was—the High Prince of Hell’s chosen consort.

“You honor me, ena .” Halcyon breathed the last word out like a soft caress. I knew now that it meant wife . And flushed a little at the meaning of it, the acceptance of it. His light kiss was as gentle and tender as the endearment he had whispered.

“Come,” he said, placing my hand once more on his arm. “Let us go attend to Council affairs.”

THE FIRST ITEMof business we attended to, as it turned out, was the public presentation of me before the other Council members. I entered the large domed chamber on Halcyon’s arm, and all eyes immediately zoomed in on the cameo necklace I wore. And on Halcyon’s protective hand placed at the small of my back as he led me up the tiered steps to my seat. A small collective stirring occurred when he sat, not in his usual place across the room, but in the armchair next to mine. A not-so-subtle political power statement, clearly allying himself with me.

There were over thirty Council members present, filling the chamber almost to capacity. A dozen new Queens numbered among them, and I wondered at the turnout. Wondered if it was because of me. Whether the rumors of the new Mixed Blood Queen and her recent Court antics had drawn them here. Or if it was because of another event unbeknownst to me. The way they were all looking at me, I was laying bet on the former.

The new Queens’ eyes were not all outright hostile like Mona Teresa’s was. I’d mentally dubbed Mona Teresa the Fire Queen for her flame-colored hair and spiteful nature. Nasty would best describe her and most of the Queens I’d met to date, for that matter, all except Mona Carlisse, the only Queen I counted as a friend. Sadly, she was not present.

I was willing to reserve judgment on the other Queens arrayed here. And by the cool reserve in their eyes, they seemed inclined to do the same with me. There were more healers, denoted by their maroon garments, filling out the assemblage, along with a couple more white-robed ladies. All women but for three men: Halcyon, Amber, and Lord Thorane. Amber was new, granted a seat on the Council by his new status as Warrior Lord, one of only two that existed. Lord Thorane, the Council speaker, was the other. Had Gryphon still been alive, he would have sat here among us also.

It was an open session, meaning that guards and other spectators stood back along the walls, watching the proceedings. The Council members were arrayed in rings around a central clearing, the area where the petitioners stood and presented their cases.

Lord Thorane opened the session, and sure enough, I was the first matter of business called. It was actually Halcyon’s name that was pronounced, but since I was the matter he was presenting before everyone, he drew me to my feet and walked me down the steps into the center.

Of everyone present, it was the Queen Mother who dominated over us all. Not just in status but in palpable strength. Hers was a presence I had always felt. But for some reason, I felt her even sharper now. Her power and age tasted acute to my senses, not at all mellow like you would imagine it might be from someone as advanced in years as she was. Unlike everyone else present, the Queen Mother was obviously old. Wrinkles marred her face, testament to the passage of time and her enduring presence through it.

Halcyon bowed and I curtsied before her. Not as graceful as he, but then again, I hadn’t had over six hundred years to perfect the gesture like he had.

“Queen Mother. Honored Queens. Ladies and gentlemen of the Court,” Halcyon said, addressing the others. “It gives me great pleasure to present my chosen mate before you, my royal consort, Queen Mona Lisa.”

Nothing more than that. They were simple words stirring a complex reaction that rippled around the room. The distress caused by the announcement was obvious, but no one dared voice anything out loud in front of the High Prince of Hell. Couldn’t blame them. Never knew when you were suddenly going to find yourself in his realm.

The Queen Mother acknowledged his announcement. “Prince Halcyon, this Monère High Court is pleased for you and your mate, Queen Mona Lisa, High Lady of Hell.” I started a little at that unexpected title. “We wish you joy and happiness,” she said, bestowing the words like a blessing. I bowed my head, accepting it as such, touched by it. Happiness and joy. They were two things that seemed so ephemeral in my life, like precious liquid I could only cup in my hand for a few brief moments before it trickled through my fingers, lost.

“Thank you, Queen Mother, members of the Council.” I inclined my head to the others. No curtseying, you are above them now in rank, Halcyon had told me. Taking my hand, Halcyon led us off the floor, back to our seats.

When the next order of business came up—my petition to have the west Mississippi portion of my land set up as a separate and independent territory, with Warrior Lord Amber recognized as the official ruler there—it passed with not one single opposition.

Halcyon’s amusement whispered in my mind. Why are you so surprised?

I didn’t expect it to be that easy. Not even Mona Teresa opposed it. I think I like being your mate. Everyone is being much nicer to me.

Halcyon’s mental laughter rolled richly through my mind.

And so they should. But it is in their own interests to agree with your proposal. It is only your land being offered up, not theirs. They do not have to give up any of their own territory. Why should they not agree? Likewise, they would see separating a powerful Warrior Lord from your side as to their benefit.

A part of me was saddened by the accuracy of Halcyon’s words. My intent had been to elevate Amber, to align him beside me. But in doing so, I had separated him from me. Put physical distance between us.

Do not be so sad, Hell-cat, Halcyon murmured as he tasted the melancholy lacing my thoughts. Amber knows and appreciates what you have done for him. You have not lost him any more than you have lost me simply because I cannot walk beside you every day or be with you every night. You are our home. We shall always return to you.

His words and the honest emotions behind them—feelings that he could not hide from me when we were linked this way—comforted me. I was blessed despite myself.