Queen Bellatrix stared at them.
Serena took a breath, and dipped respectfully with Elara.
"Please excuse us, Queen Bellatrix," Elara said. Both girls turned to leave quickly.
"I asked a question. And you are not dismissed," Bellatrix snapped.
They froze, and turned back to face Queen Bellatrix. Mean or not, she was their queen and they understood. Her tone was sobering.
Serena swallowed, first feeling like she had her emotions under control. She opened her mouth, but the words never came. She shut it.
Eyes going red.
Bellatrix narrowed her eyes, in not a kind way.
Elara squeezed her arm.
"I'm sure you already know, Your Highness," Elara said. "We should be on our way."
"Enlighten me," Queen Bellatrix snapped.
Serena took a breath and tried again, finding her voice.
"Your efforts have paid off." Serena's tone was composed with no malice. She thought she'd say more, but that was the only thing that came out.
Bellatrix's lips twitched, like she was enjoying this.
"Then why do you have a crown on," she hissed.
"I am serving Drakenfell first as I gave my word I would do. Rest assured, it will be returned to you in three days." Serena answered, keeping her voice level.
"My presence is required somewhere. Please excuse us."
She moved quickly, head held high, not flinching.
An hour later, they stepped into the Battle Address. The dreaded meeting that Serena would be so relieved once this was over.
She entered with Elara by her side.
Immediately, every member of the Brotherhood of the Hidden Flame lowered to one knee.
Not a bow. A full knee, head dipped.
The Hidden Flame members were some of the most respected in Drakenfell. When other warriors around them noticed, they followed.
That was new.
Great, this will make annulling things slightly more complicated.
When they arrived at the front of the room, Hale and Gav both kneeled.
Elara stepped by Hale and kneeled as well, lips twitching in pride.
Serena stopped, and gave King Tiberon and Queen Bellatrix a respectful dip. Bellatrix's expression was unreadable.
Then Dexmon walked in. Her back was to him, but she recognized his scent. And based on the whispers, she assumed he was not alone.
She closed her eyes and swallowed.
When she opened them, Queen Bellatrix's composure faltered for a moment. Triumph? Shock?
King Tiberon glanced upward but didn't react. He then did something no one expected.
He kneeled, bowing his head to Serena.
Then, Queen Bellatrix dipped respectfully.
"It is Drakenfell's honor to fight for you," King Tiberon said, his voice proud as it carried through the auditorium.
Serena's instincts took over. Her thoughts went quiet, narrowing to a single, steady line.
"Thank you, my King and Queen," she said clearly. "You honor me beyond measure."
"Already spoken like a queen," King Tiberon said.
She could tell Dexmon and Agnes stopped in the middle of the aisle on their way. Probably just as surprised as Serena was to witness it.
King Tiberon rose, and the room rose with him.
Serena was supposed to sit next to Dex, but if Agnes was here, she would gladly not.
She moved towards the side meant for the Beta, Gamma, and high ranking officers.
Sure enough Dexmon entered the front of the room. Agnes was on his arm wearing a crown that matched his. The one he had given her last night.
The one he had picked out as the counterpart to his own. The one that meant she was supposed to be his queen.
It looked wrong on Agnes. Too delicate for her sharp features. Too soft for someone who had tried to poison her twice.
But it fit perfectly with his.
The room seemed to recognize it too. Serena swallowed for a moment, just surprised, but did not comment or acknowledge the whispers.
Gav caught her eye. He genuinely looked pissed. She was glad he didn't do an 'I'm sorry' look or she would have burst into tears.
"No one is going to remember anything said in this meeting. Let's be honest," he said in a low voice.
Elara whacked him just as chuckles came from those nearby.
Serena laughed despite herself.
Ideally, she would have just let it be. She was with friends and would much prefer to listen quietly. Hear Gav's smart ass comments here and there to ease the tension.
She didn't want to call attention to it.
But to her horror, the opposite happened.
"What do you think you are doing?" Bellatrix hissed at Agnes.
Her eyes shot to Dexmon.
"And you! She was crowned just last night and is representing Drakenfell at a continental war summit. Have you lost your mind?"
The room stilled. Bellatrix's "hiss" managed to carry through the entire hall. There were about a thousand high ranking officers there. In an army of ten thousand, these were the elite.
Serena moved next to Gav, praying that she was not called into this. She could feel heat on her neck and she knew a rash was probably on its way if it hadn't formed yet. This was the last thing she needed or wanted.
Of all the people she expected to defend her honor today, Queen Bellatrix was dead last on the list. Below Velkaris. Below the furniture.
"She is not part of our pack regardless," Bellatrix 'whispered' with her teeth gritted. "It is against protocol."
"Do not cause a scene. She will be our future princess. She stays," Dexmon said back in an offended tone. He kissed Agnes's hand.
No one moved.
Hyran's expression went from confusion to disgust.
King Tiberon spoke, not looking at his son.
"Ah, but she is not a member of this pack currently. So she must leave. If that is a problem, you are dismissed and may leave with her."
Dexmon's face was shocked. Wounded.
He got up with Agnes and walked her to a side exit.
Serena let out an uncomfortable breath she'd been holding. Elara grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. Thank gods they both left.
Alas, Dexmon walked back in.
Like a man of duty. He was doing the honorable thing walking Agnes out to save her embarrassment.
Of course he did.
Charming.
King Tiberon looked at Dexmon, utterly perplexed.
"Serena, please join us, in your rightful and earned place," King Tiberon said, eyes still on his son. The message was loud and clear.
She swallowed, gave a nod, and stood, taking in a steadying breath.
She knew at this point, full and well, she had a rash on her neck. It burned. But she kept her expression composed, chin up. She would not flinch.
Dexmon stared at her.
She met his eyes with a neutral expression. She had too much pride to give him any satisfaction.
She would hold her composure and treat him like she would an acquaintance.
When she sat next to him, he stiffened. She felt the absence of him like a missing limb. The place where the matebond used to be ached, raw and hollow, and his scent that had once made her feel safe now made her heart crack.
She ignored it.
King Tiberon gave a motivational speech. It was inspiring. Serena was reminded of her father in that moment.
Then he used a phrase her father always would say. A sad smile crossed her face. She glanced briefly at Elara who had tears in her eyes. Clearly thinking the same thing.
She rarely thought of her father. But the truth was, she'd lost everyone. Her parents. Garrett. Her pack. Elara was the only one left from before. Elara was family.
Serena swallowed, but did not allow herself to get emotional.
Dex continued to glance at Serena. She ignored it.
Each glance felt like a question she refused to answer. She kept her eyes forward, her spine straight, her hands still.
She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her break.
He had broken her plenty already. He didn't get to watch.
Everyone rose in a standing ovation. Goosebumps and pride was the sensation.
The King and Queen left first.
Serena and Dex were next. Serena rose without looking at him and walked forward.
He was delayed but then was by her side.
Serena couldn't wait for that to be over. Thank the gods for that glass of whiskey.
Elara and Hale were thankfully a beat behind.
Immediately when they exited past the corridor, Elara grabbed Serena's hand.
"Come with me," she said in a low tone.
Dex's head snapped to Elara just as Serena turned, walking with her.
Hale behind them.