24 The Right to Challenge (1/2)

”You promised that you would keep our engagement no matter what if I, if I,” Elixabete stopped, unable to continue, tears rolling down her cheeks.

”I promised you nothing. That child is not mine,” Arren replied, his voice even. ”How shameful of you both to attempt such deceit.”

”Are you calling my daughter a liar? After you took her virtue you dare to sit there and call her a liar?” Istoz yelled, pulling his massive body from the chair again.

”I tooknothing from her. I never touched her,” he said evenly.

Isilla looked up, familiar now with his ways but no shadows crept across the ceiling, the light remained as it was when they entered. Either this display did not bother him or he was controlling his darkness well.

The girl cried harder, ”How could you say that?”

Lehan sat with his hand over his mouth, his eyes focused on his brother.

One of the men who voted against her stood, ”Istoz is right to be upset, the Prince cannot just toy with his daughter. His marriage to this other should be dissolved now that the truth is known.”

”And ruin the treaty with the Light Realm? Are you mad, friend?” the mustached man shouted.

”There is no reason to consider this request. I did not sleep with her,” Arren repeated.

”You did!” she shouted, crossing the room to stand before them. ”After I visited you in the castle! The night after I returned home, you came into my room, you walked across shadows and had me that night and over and over again for weeks!”

”Why did you not say something to Council sooner?” Basajuan asked calmly.

”He told me to keep it a secret that it wouldn't matter in a few months when we were married,” she said sniffling, her eyes leaking.

Isilla frowned and stood. Reaching into her sleeve, she pulled free a small handkerchief. A soft smile on her face, she handed it to the girl. Whether she told the truth or not, Isilla didn't care. The girl looked pitiful and alone to her eyes.

”Even his wife knows the truth! Look how she stands for my daughter!” Istoz yelled pointing as if her small gesture were some proof.

Arren's lips turned up at the corner, a small, almost invisible smile. ”No, Istoz, my wife is just very kind. It hurts her delicate nature to see your daughter in such a position.”

Elixabete took the square of fabric from Isilla, wiped her face and nose and tossed the cloth on the floor.

”To cast off such a thoughtful gift from the princess, you must be feel very confident in the Crown's good faith,” Arren said.

Isilla looked down at the handkerchief and opened her book. It does not bother me. I cannot imagine being in your position, she wrote.

”You see, the Princess Isilla has far more grace than your daughter, she is a more suitable wife, after all,” Arren said, focusing on Istoz.

She closed her book and moved to sit in her seat again. Elixabete's hand caught her cheek as she stepped back. Her balance off, she fell into the chair, her eyes stinging from the hit. She touched her cheek, the movement drawing Arren's attention back to her.

”This weak thing is your wife? She couldn't even stop my hand! I have your child! I'm strong enough to be with you! You are rejecting me for this?” Elixabete yelled at Arren. ”If this is what is standing in my way then I'll get rid of her myself!”

”Elixabete! What have you done?” Istoz yelled even as he came around the table to his daughter.

Arren's calm demeanor was gone as he reached for Isilla. Don't, she tried to say with her eyes.

Elixabete lifted her hand and a low growl echoed through the space followed by the loud scrape of claws on stone. Isilla turned to the noise. From under the closest pew, Ilun's huge form emerged from the shadows. He pulled his body up as if from a well. Free, the darkness that made him shifted and turned as he approached the woman who had hurt his mistress, teeth bared.

”Ilun, stop!” Isilla yelled pulling herself away from Arren's touch to meet the animal before he harmed anyone.

He came through the shadow, she thought to herself as she stood in his way, her hands pushing his nose down. ”Stop! It's fine!”

Ilun growled but stilled under her touch, his eyes shifting in his skull to look over her shoulder at Elixabete. Isilla turned back to the Council keeping her hand on Ilun.

”Isilla!” Arren shouted, standing.

”Idiot,” Elixabete said releasing her own power.

”Elixabete!” Istoz shouted attempting too late to stop her.

It came like a flash across the room. An explosion aimed at her.

Ilun ripped himself away from her, placing his huge body in front of hers.

”No!” Isilla shouted as the beast moved to be her shield, a dark wave swallowed them both. The flash hit the wall protecting them both from the damage of the blast but the force impact throwing both she and Ilun back

Isilla's back hit the pew hard, knocking the breath from her.

Ilun scrambled to his feet, at her side a moment later, whining and licking her face. She reached up and touched his nose. ”You were supposed to wait in my room,” she said weakly.

She pulled herself to her feet. Her back ached terribly. Something stirred in her core, a spark of that feeling from the vision the shade had given her. That part of her wanted to reach for something but she forced it back down, more focused on staying on her feet. She leaned on Ilun for support, the animal happy to give it.

The shadows disappeared as quickly as they had appeared, revealing the room.

The Council all stood, shocked, save for Lehan who had only leaned forward in his chair as if it were all some great play and he a captive audience. Elixabete stood alone, waves of red flowing around her, her eyes locked on Isilla and Ilun. Isilla turned her head just slightly to bring Arren into view. He stood, the shadows thick around him, a deep frown on his face.

”You've forced my brother's hand,” Lehan laughed from behind the table.

No, Isilla thought as she moved forward, her hands out to say I'm fine. She stumbled, pain shooting down her body from her back injury. Ilun met her, placing his body between her and the floor.

”The Crown admires power! Then I'll show you mine!” Elixabete shouted drawing energy back to herself, preparing for another attack.

”Elixabete stop this madness!” her father yelled.

”No! I will marry Arren! I will take my rightful place in this Realm! I challenge the Princess Isilla!”

”Your request has been rejected,” Lehan answered.

”What?” Elixabete snapped.

”Your request for a challenge, it is rejected,” Lehan said.

”Impossible! It is my right to challenge anyone in the royal family.”

The Council grumbled their agreement, before Lehan spoke again, ”Yes, but you are not eligible as you have committed treason. You've attacked one of us.”

”Your highness, she's pregnant and not thinking straight, please have mercy!” her father begged, quickly realizing his daughter's mistake.

Arren knelt and picked up Isilla's dropped pen and book, crossing the room to her.