After letting the vision through the bond fade, a gentle knock brought me back to my own reality as I sat in the dimly lit office that was once my father’s.

“Come in!” I shouted, beckoning who I assume was Aster to come on in.

“Princess Maria,” Aster’s charming and youthful voice spoke in almost an ethereal tone. “Captain Théoden told me to come and see you? Is everything alright?”

“Please, sit and then we will discuss.” I told him as I motioned for him to approach. “Close the door first please.”

He nodded and let the door close behind him. He walked with purpose towards the seat that sat across from me. His appearance was rather charming. His outfit is brightly colored in blues and purple. His hair, blackened and well kept. And his eyes, an iridescent white. Something that was very unusual but gave him more appeal as it made him seem more mysterious.

He sat down and relaxed a bit in the chair, however his body seemed a bit tense. As if he was nervous. “Well?” He questioned as the room had hung in silence as he approached me.

“I had you come here today to congratulate you.”

“Congratulate me?” He raised his eyebrow as he was very confused.

“You were chosen to take Sybil’s old spot in the Council.”

“I….” His body shifted from tense and nerves to surprised. “I what?”

I smiled, “Yes, we choose you out of two other candidates for the position. Will you take the role?”

“Why me?” Aster spoke as he was stunned that he was chosen.

“We felt like you were a good fit for the role.”

“Even with my family’s history Maria?” He arched his eyebrow.

“Yes.” I said firmly. “Do you accept the offer?”

I watched as his mind churned as he thought about what was being asked of him. I could sense he was still confused. Still surprised that he was even considered or chosen at that matter.

“You don’t care that their is half blood in me?”

“No. I never did. And neither did my family. We aren’t like the rest of the nobles.” I told him.

He nodded. “Are you sure the rest of the Council will approve of me?”

“Regardless if they do, you have been chosen. Cedric and I picked you out of the other two. The rest will follow along.” I told him as I hoped it would reassure him.

He shifted in his seat and began to fidget with his fingers. He was nervous. “What about the public?”

“We will deal with that when it is necessary. However, I don’t think the public will be a problem.” I spoke it with confidence in hopes he would get the feeling that I was serious.

He thought for a bit more, “Alright. I will do it. But if things start to go south, I would appreciate it if I can pull out. I don’t want the Council and you to fail due to my family.”

I took a deep breath and thought for a brief moment prior to me responding, “We will not fail with you on the Council.”

He nodded, “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, I feel more comfortable now in accepting this.” Aster spoke. “Is there anything I need to be made aware of now?”

“A few things.”

I told him about Marcel, Crimson and her pretending to be Sybil.

“What in the…” Aster shook his head. “A lot has happened in the last month, month and a half hasn’t it?”

“It sure has.”

“And Marcel isn’t arrested and thrown in prison with Crimson because?”

I smiled softly, “To protect our kingdom. If we threw him in prison, I had a gut feeling that it would start an out right war with Summer Crest and those in Hell. And we may be prepared for war, but a war that size…” I shook my head, “I thought it was the best decision at the time.”

“And now?” Aster asked.

“I regret it. More and more are dying everyday and we are stuck until the three weeks are gone.” I told him. Three… there was that number three again.

“I’m sorry.” Aster spoke, he leaned forward and reached out his hand and brushed it against mine in comfort.

“Thanks.” I responded as I gently pulled my hand back. “Now, we do have a plan to target him on my wedding day. I have been training and the guards are preparing for it.”

“What?”

“We haven’t told much of it to anyone yet. As we feared that Marcel would find out about it somehow.”

“Fair.” Aster responded.

“That’s besides the point, Marcel will be taken care of one way or another.” I told him with a smile.

“You’re brave, you know.” Aster told me as I felt a small boost of confidence through his innate magic ability.

“That means a lot.” I told him as I felt the warmth of his magic calm and soothe my nerves.

“Need anything else from me Princess Maria?” He asked with a smile.

“Not at the moment. Just meet here at elven tomorrow so I can go over the pledge with you. At noon we will have a small celebration to welcome you into the Council.”

“Alrighty, see ya then!” Aster said as he stood up, gave me a gentle bow and walked out of my office. Leaving me alone in my thoughts once more.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

Well, briefly alone, That went well. Théoden spoke.

I thought so. I still feel like he is a bit weary of joining the Council and I don’t blame him. I responded.

Right. Considering how Orion was originally treated. Let alone After being changed from half-elf to full elf.

Exactly. So I understand why he would be so nervous. I told Théoden through our draconic bond.

You think the rest will be alright with him? Théoden questioned.

I hope so. I really hope so. I uttered through the bond.

The bond fell silent for awhile as we both went about our jobs. My Council member job and Théoden's Captain of the guards job. As I had a bit of paperwork myself to do which was a bit of a pain but it needed to be done. As I had found that there were a few pieces of professional papers that my father had in his desk but was never completed.

One of the documents was for the army. Which would grant younger citizens to join if they wished. Most don’t join until aged sixteen or greater. This would lower the limit to fourteen. Part of me questioned this decision however, considering the condition we were in I slightly understood but disapproved of this law as I wanted kids to have a chance to be kids. So, yeah, that law was not going anywhere.

The other was a document in relation to the healers. That healers of high to normal status could be recruited into the military if they so choose. Typically it was just the higher levels but this would allow multiple healers to be welcomed. I didn’t mind this one too much as it would provide safety to those in the military.

I’d be cautious with it. Theoden told me.

I know, but he had good intentions with it. I told Théoden.

Indeed he did. Just use caution is all. You will be taking younger generations away from families. Some families may not like it.

I get that. I may rework this to word it differently to where it isn’t mandatory but voluntary. I told Théoden as I felt that would be a good revision to have.

I like it. Théoden told me.

Well, I better get to work on it. I told Théoden as I took the quill that sat on the desk and pulled out blank parchment from the desk drawer and began to revise my second law that I hoped to pass in the following week.

Chapter 5. Dreaming of Romance

Almost ready for a dream Théoden? I asked him as I began my nightly ritual. Get undressed, bathe, brush my hair, pick out my two outfits for the next day, and so forth.

Just finished the last round of the night. I’ll be in my room in ten minutes. Théoden told me through the bond. I could sense him moving closer so as I passed my wire brush through my hair one more time I slipped off my slippers and laid gently against the comfort of my oversized bed.

I sighed softly as I tried to focus on sleep. Sometimes my four hour rest was hard to get a grip of. As it typically took me ten minutes or more to fully fall into my trance. Théoden on the other hand could just about fall asleep as quickly as his head hit the pillow. Which is why he was usually in our shared dreams that was only possible due to our dragon rider bond. Something I was truly grateful for, as our dreams provided endless opportunities through training and romance.

Wait… is this a…

It is not a training session. Théoden chuckled. We haven’t had much physical contact the last two weeks as everything that had triggered other emotions out of the both of us. As neither of us was in the mood for anything past a simple kiss or a cool warm hug.

So a none training session dream was something I was looking forward to. Considering it has been so long since our last one.

I heard Théoden chuckle, usually it’s me who can be a bit impatient waiting for our alone time.

I rolled my eyes, don’t judge.

I’m not. Just surprised. Théoden spoke with a bit of amusement in his voice.

Hopefully I will be able to fall asleep soon. That was always the trouble with these dreams. Théoden was quick to fall into his trance. However, I take forever as my mind races like the speed of light.

I felt through the bond that he was back at the castle a few moments later. Now all I need to do is rest. Which I hoped would come sooner than later.

Rest Maria. Do I need to soothe your mind? Théoden questioned me. Lately, with everything going on he has gotten in the habit of soothing my mind with his aura. Along with humming a pleasant yet soothing tune through the bond. This has casually over time become our new nightly routine.

Yes please. I spoke softly through the bond as I closed my eyes and breathed in and out to relax my body. The sound of Théoden's voice always soothed me. His singing, surprisingly beautiful. He has sung before but not often as he hated the sound of his own voice when it came to singing. I, however, enjoyed it.

The tune that he hummed was a gentle melody that mimicked a few bird hums. It soothed my mind and soothed my body with the added aura of soothing from his draconic heritage.

Within minutes of him beginning our new nightly tradition, I felt my body ease as I drifted into my trance. He soon followed as it was with minutes our dream escape formed before my eyes.

This dream escape was Théoden's own bedroom. His oversized king bed had draps of silver and blue. His guard armor hanging on the wall, his bookshelves filled to the edge with various books of many different types. His walls are painted with a fine silver tone, his floors dark oak like mine. His art contained various paintings of the Glacier Peaks, the Mountain range he trained in. He painted a few of the art pieces and commissioned the rest. There were five of these in total.

His room always felt very homey to me. As I felt safe there.

“Told you it wasn’t training this time.” Théoden said with a playful smile.

I ran to him and hugged him tightly. Kissing him on the lips in the process. “I’m glad.” I told him between kisses, “I was getting tired of weapon training.” As for the past week he had me train on my very own weapon. Something I was getting tired of real quick.

“It hasn’t been that bad. You have improved rather quickly.” Théoden told me, complementing my progress.

“I know I have but its still not a lot of fun.” I pouted as I moved towards the edge of the bed. I gave the bed a pat.

Théoden moved and sat next to me, “Training is part of the learning and growing process.” Théoden told me in his teacher tone of voice.

“Ugh… I know but still.”

“I get it. Tomorrow, we will resume normal combat training.”

“That will be refreshing.” I said doing the same training for the week was rough on my mind set. I got tired of it real quick.

Théoden leaned over and kissed my lips. “Good. Now less pillow talk…” Théoden murmured as his kissing hardened as his lust grew. That I knew from two things. The bond always told us. And well, other things told me too.

As he began to kiss me more and more, he moved his body in front of mine slowly pinning me back against his bed. He quickly began to undress me and was very swift with the undressing as it only seemed to take him seconds to pull off my dress and undergarments.

It took me a bit longer to pull his clothes off. Only because a stupid button on his pants was getting stuck.

Once they were pulled off he chuckled softly, “I know it's been a bit, but…”

My face flushed red, “shush… just kiss me.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice…” Théoden spoke as he resumed kissing me hard and harder.

After thirty minutes, we rested against each other. His cool skin against my warm skin. Our breathing labored. “That… never gets old.” Théoden breathed, “Every damn minute of it… I enjoyed it quite a lot.”

I felt my lips fall into a grin, “I’m glad…” I said as the grin remained on my face. “I enjoyed that too..”

“Good. If you didn’t I’d be worried.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek, causing me to blush further.

“I’d be worried too.” I said I turned and faced him, kissing his lips a few more times. “I love you Théoden.”

“I love you Mi Amor..” He responded between my lips meeting him.

We eventually fell asleep after our breathing calmed. This was something we both needed. Something we both desired. Something we both deserved. I just hoped that we would always have these moments, as these moments were worth living for.