Tigra still held a fear in her eyes, mixed with confusion, her mind was plagued with thoughts of how Dumah had gotten the betrothal sword as it had been kept in a place that only Queen Daz could go. I was certain she had nothing to do with it as she held the protection of my clan, set up by King Alton.

Tigra and I headed to find Queen Daz. On the way there when no one was around Tigra and I walked side by side, but when someone was about, I walked behind her. Tigra knew exactly where her mother would be during this time of day - in the library.

“Mother.” She called as she walked in.

I was still getting used to the black stuff moving about as I walked, scattering like pigeons, some I noticed evaporated; was the darkness scurrying away before I was able to purify it.

The library was practically empty when we arrived which made it perfect for us to talk to her without being disturb or listened upon as I did not sense anyone with dark intention nearby.

“Tigra, Fang.” She smiled at our arrival. I noticed Dash in the background scanning through books.

Tigra glanced at me as I looked at the queen. I didn’t see any darkness at all, she was surrounded in a white light, but this one was not my doing, but related to dad’s. “She’s clear, no dark influence as I told you.”

“Of course, there wouldn’t be,” snapped Queen Daz. She looked at Tigra. “What’s this about?”

“Dumah has the betrothal sword.” Tigra looked away about to get upset again, so gripped hold of the pendent around her neck, almost like she was using it as a reminder of what I told her only moments ago.

“How?” She was just as shocked as Tigra had been. “Only I have access to the gardens.”

“I would love to see these gardens,” I commented curiously.

“No,” answered the queen sternly. “Unless…”

“What?” Tigra insisted for an answer.

“There have been stories where a dark vortex sleeps within the gardens, it connects to dark times, perhaps someone managed to obtain the sword through it.” Queen Daz was thinking. “I am uncertain how it could have been done as the dark vortex’s have been sealed for centuries and there is only one who can unlock them, so the gardens have remained a secret kept only to the royals, passed down through the queens, I was told by Alton’s mother, so not even he knows about them.” She continued to talk, answering questions before I could even ask. “But I promise you this I will find out how this happened.”

“It’s too late for that,” snapped Tigra. “He has the sword.”

“My dear,” she touched her cheek. “You have nothing to fear, the sword can only be given. If your heart did not give it, then he can never become king.” She looked at me. “You have already chosen your king and he you his queen.”

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I sighed, this king business again, looked like I had no choice but to accept it and let future me worry about when the time came. I stared at Tigra, I would do anything, if it meant standing by her side, even becoming king.

“I will investigate this immediately.” Queen Daz became serious. “Stay close to Tigra, Fang.”

“I will.” I nodded.

“One more thing, I still expect you to do some stuff for me, if that’s alright with you Tigra.” Queen Daz looked at Tigra.

“Of course, no one works harder than Fang,” smiled Tigra. “Time to get going.”

“Yes, your highness,” I said.

“See you later mum.” Tigra gave her mum a hug and we headed off. “I think I’ll return to my room for now. I have nothing else to do today.”

“Okay.”

I followed Tigra back to her room, where we stayed for the rest of the day. I found myself apologising for being late again. She didn’t seem to mind; it gave her a chance to see what Dash would be like following her about for when I had my days off.

“I wonder how Dash is doing finding those books.” Tigra wondered aloud while she sat up close to me.

“Considering I never remembered anyone else talking about the same stories I grew up on; I’m guessing not that well.” It was almost like Cathopia had forgotten what happened in my family’s history, the history of this world, how the city came to truly be and the hardship of our ancestors.

“Do you think Dumah had something to do with that?” she asked.

“Not sure, it would have to go back much further than our generation for no one to have heard of them,” I replied. “Perhaps it was his mother.” I only just remembered the Leo who had tried to become King Alton’s queen.

“I only know of them because you always talked about them,” mentioned Tigra.

“I know, when Dash shows up again, I’ll tell him to get the copies from mum, she still has quite a few, really old ones too,” I said.

Tigra snuggled close. “Only if she doesn’t mind.”

“You want to know more about it and to be honest so do I,” I admitted. “There is much I have yet to understand.”

There was a knock at the door, and I stood up taking a standing position behind the sofa, holding my hands behind my back.

“Come in,” said Tigra, glancing back at me.

Dash came in with a small pile of books, some quite old, looked like he had already been to see my mum. “I found only these.” He put them on the table. “Most are from Fang’s mum.”

“Thank you, Dash.” Tigra walked over to the table.

“A lot of people say this stuff is just a myth,” mentioned Dash.

“It’s not.” I shook my head.

“Have fun reading,” smiled Dash. “I have to go do something for your mum in exchange for the books.” Dash bowed and quickly left.

I smirked; mum always had a knack for getting others to help her out.

Tigra picked up two of the books. “You can read this one and I’ll read this one.” She handed over as we both sat back down.

“Alright.” Tigra put her back against me, getting quite comfy. “Better start reading.”

“Yeah.” I smiled.

This was quite nice, just sitting down here with Tigra, reading together. It was where we sat for the rest of the day.