Chapter 5 – An Absent King

KELLEN

“Seneca! Not so loud.” I growl at the tiny girl who dances in the barren field, humming a tune to herself. Not that there is anyone around to hear her. A tune I had never heard and not one that she had heard from Lamia.

She stops twirling to look at me. Eyes made from sea glass peer up at me and she sweetly says, “Papa Kel, but the wind says to dance.”

I frown and crouch down so I’m at her level, “There is no wind little one.”

“The moons papa, they are the wind. They sing to me.” She points to the sky where the three moons are just starting to appear. Soon the haze of the day would vanish giving way to the dusky dark hue of purple.

Just then her golden hair flutters, as if caught by an unseen and unfelt wind. Yet the air remains still. “It’s time to go in,” I tell her, standing and reaching my hand out for her to take.

Instead of taking my hand, she leaps forward, grasping my leg, “Up papa Kel, up!”

I lift her easily, holding her in my arms and her short legs grip onto my waist. Her tiny soft hand comes up and traces the scar across my face. “Did it hurt papa?” She asks with a pout, her angelic face screwing up as her fingers move down the scar.

“It did,” I reply.

“Do you forgive mama?” Now looking all serious and slightly worried that my answer would change.

“I do,” I sigh. She asks this question daily. For a little thing who is only two, she sure does have the gift of the gab.

I walk the short distance back to the little hut Lamia and I built. It's small but it provides us with cover and safety from the creatures of the night. For whatever reason, they won't enter, or attempt to enter the hut.

Initially, we built it in case of extreme weather. But nothing changes here. Aside from the creatures that come out at night, we seem to be the only living things in this plane of existence.

Lamia and I still count the cycles of the moons and sun. By our years it had been almost three. In this timeline, we had been stuck here for three thousand years. The years moved fast but time moved slowly. Making little Seneca two thousand years old.

Seneca’s tiny hands gripped my neck as I carried her inside. Lamia was already awake resetting the abacus we use to count the days, made from stone and sticks. Ready to keep watch through the night. “There's my two favorite people.” She smiles at us.

Somehow Lamia and I have found a rhythm, a peace within ourselves. Our bond is stronger than ever our wolves are so much more closer in the most unexpected way.

“Mama, papa Kel forgives you,” Seneca announces firmly, and with certainty, I knew Lamia didn’t reflect.

“Well, that’s very kind of him. Go make your cot before I serve food.” She tells her daughter.

Seneca’s little feet dash to the other side of the hut and I watch as she fiddles with the cover, made from the skin of the creatures of the night.

Lamia’s eyes search my face, “She asked again?” She says with sorrow in her voice.

“I don’t care Lam’s.” I smile at her.

“But I do!” She replies, her hand lifting and caressing the scar. I feel the familiar tingles and warmth of her touch as her fingers linger, Conri comes to the surface, enjoying our connection. I see Inanna reflected in Lamia's eyes looking at us apologetically.

I reach up and stroke the short black hair of Lamias. You would think after two thousand years I would be used to seeing her this way. I wasn’t, I don’t think I ever would be.

“I’m sorry,” She whispers, Inanna coming through too.

I shake my head and cup her hand against my cheek. “I would do it again,” I tell her truthfully.

Tears spring up in her eyes, making them shine. “I love you so much,” She almost whimpers but swallows it down, averting her eyes from me.

“Hey,” I tell her, yanking her against me and holding tightly. “I love you too. At least we are here together.”

Every now and then, we have the same conversation when Lamia and Inanna's guilt gets the best of them.

“I wish you had let me go.” She whispers against my chest.

I sigh, “If I had done that then you would be alone and there would be no Seneca.” I inhale her scent and squeeze a little tighter, “And no you.”

I close my eyes and think of Tala. I think of my son who would be almost four now and try to imagine how much he had grown and what he looked like. But all I ever saw was Seneca’s little face.

It wasn’t until the night Seneca was born did I fully understand Ashe’s words and finally accepted my fate.

To protect what she carried. It was Seneca the whole time. I was her protector. Not Lamia’s. Falling through the rip between worlds was my fate. Being here with them was my fate and I had accepted it.

It didn’t mean I liked it. But I would protect both my girls whatever the cost. I was bound to them in life and in death.

When Lamia took to the battlefield that fateful day, she didn’t know she was with child. No one did. As her belly grew slowly over a period of a year in real-time, so did Inanna and Conri’s bond. The slow pregnancy began to drain her, and Inanna had no other choice but to fully join with her.

The night Lamia gave birth, her wolf went wild as she struggled to keep the human part of Lamia alive. Inanna turned feral and attacked me as she bled out. Clawing at my face, leaving me with the scar that now adorned my face. She also bit me in a half-shifted state.

Seneca was born, but she was weak and both mother and child needed blood. I gave what I could to both of them and prayed it would be enough. Thankfully it was, by doing that I bound myself and Conri to the little girl.

Seneca was as much mine as Connor was. I was connected to the child on a level I had only felt with Lamia. The same bond that brought us together as children was now a bond shared between the three of us.

That was also the night Lamia’s hair turned completely black, as Inanna fought to keep her alive and they merged as one.

I had grown stronger in the years that had passed. I no longer feared the creatures that stalked the night. Something had shifted within me, a strength that had grown and still grows since the night Seneca was born.

“Will we ever go home Kel?” Lamia spoke softly, lifting her head to gaze up at me.

I didn’t reply. I didn’t know if we would ever leave this place. It had been too long. If there was a way back we would have found it by now. Or at the very least, we had hoped our families would have found a way to bring us back to them.

Instead, I bow my head and kiss Lamia on the top of hers. Letting her question linger. I inhale her scent once more and note for the millionth time how the settling scent of brown sugar is absent and only the alluring vanilla remains.

We had worried what would happen when Lamia went into heat, but it never came. Even after Seneca was born her heat had never come.

Conri and Inanna were still clearly in love with one another, but that love had changed. They would forever love one another just as Lamia and I would but, they had been bonded to others, and even though neither of us felt the mate bond with Tala or Mathias, our love for them never faded and we were able to stay true to them.

That didn’t mean we didn’t have needs and desires, but it was something we took care of privately. Not together. Only one night did we re-explore each other. But it didn’t feel right. We both felt like we were betraying our mates and ourselves. That was in the beginning when we spent more time in wolf form than human.

There are periods of time when Conri and Inanna take charge of our body, becoming one with us, so much so that we have their memories of past lives. Sometimes it's hard to remember who we are. The man or the wolf. Slowly we became part of our spirit animals. Our souls merging with our counterparts.

My wolf form had changed, becoming more lycanthrope than animal after Lamia bit me.

It was at that point realization of what Lamia and I truly were to one another began to dawn on us. Our spirit animals had once been deeply in love, an unbreakable bond formed and a promise fulfilled by the moon goddess, though now no matter what draws us together or what past lives we had lived, our soul belonged to another.

We would always love each other. Time, space, and distance would never change that. But our true loves, our real soul mates were a whole realm away. One we had no idea how to get back to.

I was desperate to go home to my little flame and my son. I had no idea what would happen with Seneca if or when we ever returned home. How would I handle being away from her? Each night I prayed for the gods to bring me back to my family.

Each day I dreamt of being reunited with Tala. Touching her soft skin, holding her in my arms, and letting her scent wash over me. How I missed the mouth-watering taste of oranges and sea salt. Some days I swear by the three moons of this realm, and I can smell her. And on nights that I dream of her, I can almost feel her presence only to turn over and find Lamia sleeping next to me.

I remember the days I would have loved to wake up with Lamia next to me. Now all I feel is sorrow and disappointment that Tala is so far from my grasp.

I try not to let my mind wander to the what ifs, like what if Tala met a second chance mate. Or if she had moved on believing I was dead. Those thoughts can consume you and drive you to the brink of insanity. Instead, I will myself to believe she is doing everything she can to find a way to bring us home.

*****

TALA

I rubbed my temples harshly with my fingertips and inwardly sighed, trying not to roll my eyes as I did. I was tired. So very very tired. Listening to the people complain about the state of our kingdom was the last thing I wanted to be doing right before I headed off to Riocht.

Yet I was the queen, and it was my duty to address the kingdom and hold us together. Unfortunately, it was also my duty to hold court and listen to the Alphas of the Kingdom's complaints about how some packs were short on food and other essentials due to the wars we had been fighting and the constant attacks by the monsters that crossed into our realm.

I look to my left at Mike, who looks as fed up with hearing the same ole same ole as me. We were doing the best we could. Mike was doing the best he could with Kellen's absence, and I had taken on more as well. Thank the gods for Mike and Lyric. I don’t know where I would be without them.

By day I school my features and hide the pain I feel of a broken and empty heart. At night, once Connor is asleep and Rogue has retired for the night, I let the tears fall freely. Muffling my sobs into the pillow that barely holds Kellen's scent anymore.

For three years the hole in my heart has gradually grown larger. My wolf Mora mourns her mate as much as I do and bays at the moon, in a sorrowful tune. I pray to the gods that he will be returned to us. I have not and will not give up hope that my king and I will be reunited one day. In this life or the next.

Our kingdom is at war and packs are constantly attacked by demonic monsters who look for their next meal or just create chaos. They do not discriminate, taking women children, shifters, and humans alike.

“Our packs are starving, and you sit on the throne without a worry!” Alpha Moyens angrily shouts. I watch as Mike takes a step forward letting out a threatening growl.

I stand and hold out a hand, letting Mike know I can handle this. Reluctantly Mike stands back, but his narrowed eyes are trained on the Alpha with murderous intent for disrespecting his queen.

“Alpha Moyens, the New Moon Kingdom is doing everything it can for the packs inside and outside its kingdom's borders…”

“We need meat!” Alpha Moyens growls back, interrupting me.

The pain in my head throbs and I close my eyes again, just for a brief second as Mora surfaces at the Alpha’s tone toward us.

“As I was saying, we are providing the packs with grain and vegetables. Along with needed medical supplies. We are at war with a god and his creatures. Any self-respecting Alpha would be asking how they could help, or what they could do to improve their packs. Not standing here sniveling and pouting like a brat.” I glared at the Alpha in front of me, daring him to argue. “If you have nothing of value to contribute to this meeting or the efforts the kingdom is putting forth then I suggest you go back and take care of your pack.”

I wave him off and sit back down on my throne, casting a wistful glance at the empty seat next to me.

The alpha departs without another word, yet still, I could hear him grumbling under his breath.

*Can we just call it a day?* I privately say to Mike. I was ready to finish these meetings and get on the road to Riocht.

Three years ago, Morgan and I thought we had found a way to bring Kellen and Lamia home. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. In theory, it was a sound idea. Practically, not so much. We never gave up hope though, and now Morgan believes she has a way. I can only hope her way leads to my king.

*One more Alpha to address, then we can be on our way.* Mike replies just as the large doors to the throne room open once more.

I peer at the Alpha who confidently strides forward. His tall dark frame with familiar green eyes lock on mine and he smiles wide and brilliantly. “Marcus?” I say with a frown because the man is almost the carbon copy of Lamia’s father.

“Your Highness,” The Alpha bows, “Alpha Albert of the River Moon pack.” He speaks now nodding his head at Mike as a greeting.

Mike smiles and bounces down the steps. “Alpha Albert, it’s a pleasure to meet you finally.” Mike extends his hand to the Alpha who takes it, and they shake vigorously. “My father will be sorry he missed you.”

I watch the exchange piecing together who this Alpha is. He was from a northern pack, just outside of New Moon's reach, bordering the Kodiak kingdom's territory.

“To answer your question, Queen Tala Moon. My name is Albert. The eldest of the Langley brothers.” His smile is contagious, bringing one of my own to spread across my face.

“And what can we do for you, Alpha Albert?” I ask already feeling the warmth and hopeful vibe from his Aura.

“Ahh,” he grins, “It's what I can do for you.” He reaches to his side and dips his hand into the knapsack. I just noticed he carried, bringing out a book. “My brother, Marcus wanted me to deliver this to you. He explained that our ancestor Nessie was tied to his daughter. Quiet the story he told me, you know.”

“You don’t believe him?” Mike questions with raised brows.

“Oh of course I do. It was just surprising. Maybe something the rest of the kingdom should know. It would explain a lot of what is happening now.”

I shake my head, “no, that would only put blame on Lamia and the Langley family.” I rebuke, not wanting anyone to find fault with my husband or Queen Lamia.

“Very true my Queen.” He replies politely. “Maybe one day their story will be told.”

“What do you have for us?” Mike interrupts, redirecting the conversation much to my satisfaction.

Alpha Albert holds the book and offers it to Mike. “It’s a book, scripture regarding our great aunt Nessie. Written by her own hand. I read through it, but I hope you will find more use in her ramblings than I could.”

Mike takes the book from the Alpha, turning it over in his hand. I was itching to open it and read it. I was desperate for anything that might give us a way to reopen the veil and bring them home.

It's all I wanted. I just wanted my mate. Our mark may have burned off and our connection severed but those factors never lessened our love for Kellen and Conri. My heart ached without his presence, and I know the kingdom felt the absence of their king. Even if Mike was doing a bang-up job filling in for Kellen until he returned.

As soon as Alpha left, and it was confirmed I had no one else to meet with I rushed up to the Alpha floor to grab my bag. More than ready to get to Riocht and see what Morgan had up her sleeve.