the reason for me looking was so that I may plot a matchmaking job in the future.
“King Auberon, may I introduce my…”
“If you call me Snookums or eternal life partner, we're gonna have problems, sweetheart,” he muttered stopping me before he took over the introductions,
“I am Lucius Septimus, King of the Kingdom of Death and blood ruler of this realm of Hell,” he stated, his voice firm and unwavering.
“Wow, when you say it like that, it sounds almost impressive,” I teased unable to help myself, and thankfully it helped ease the tension in the room as the Dragon King couldn't help but smirk. At this point Lucius covered my mouth with his gloved hand after wrapping his arm around me to do so.
“Of course you know of my troublesome little human here, who is of course, my Chosen One and you have probably gathered by now that there is no stopping her wit and humour, other than gagging… which if she carries on, will be next on my list of punishments,” Lucius said and my mouth dropped, smushed up against his palm.
“Smuttin’ ump mow,” I mumbled behind his hand.
“That remains to be seen,” Lucius commented without malice before removing his hand.
“I am King Auberon, and I welcome you to my lands.”
“Seriously, just like that, just after he had… okay, okay, I'm going to stop talking now, because you're welcoming us and everything and there's little gained in pointing out how you should not be doing that… okay, we should totally move on now.” I started out after Lucius gave me a look that told me this was precisely why I should not be speaking. The King grinned and motioned for us to take a seat, where we found that his brother Carn’reau had already taken his place. It was clear that they’d had much to discuss and at least they both seemed to be in one piece. No visible dagger wounds showed or anything, which I assumed meant it had all gone well… unless they healed as quick as Vampires did and only ten minutes before had kicked the royal shit out of each other?
Whole new meaning to kiss and make up, I guess.
“Carn’reau, lovely to see you as always,” I said with a grin, making him bow his head and hide his own knowing smirk.
“My Kings, Queen,” he said as way of greeting and I didn't think it was a good idea to point out that it kind of sounded as though he was playing chess. No, instead I moved to sit next to Lucius, but this was when he had another point to prove, as he tagged me around the waist and lifted me before seating me in his lap. This was when I turned my head inwards and whispered,
“Smooth, caveman.” To which he replied,
“I'll remind you of that when I'm showing you my club later.”
“It's a date, handsome,” was my witty reply before turning back to the King and his brother, feeling Lucius’ chuckle behind me. As for the King’s office and the view that it offered of the private gardens beyond, thanks to the wall of arched windows either side of the fireplace, I suddenly blurted out,
“It's dark!” To which all three heads turned to the window as if I had just pointed out some medical marvel or someone waving at us with their pants on their head… either one.
“She's easily amused,” Lucius said, and I rolled my eyes before saying,
“No, she has just been wondering where night-time had been for the last few days.”
“Ah, I see, well our days work differently here to your human realm, I believe night only falls every three days to your one mortal day,” King Auberon said.
“So, does that mean three days of night-time too?” I asked thinking this was inconvenient.
“Yes, for that is the way of our moon cycle,” he replied.
“Cool,” I said because I didn’t know what else to say.
“Now we've got that piece of chit chat out of the way, let's move on to the more important things, like you holding my Queen to ransom in order to get your brother back,” Lucius said with a bite to his words and I muttered,
“And there goes the niceties.”
“Yes, and for that I must apologise to you both, but as I have expressed to my brother, unfortunately I had no other choice.” At this I could feel Lucius about to snap something when I turned to my side, held a hand to his cheek and advised,
“Just hear him out,