The Emery Chronicles: The Grey Queen's Groom (FOURTH BOOK)

Chapter 1

Chapter One- Calm Before the Storm

Gavin and Arwen sat lounging in the White gardens, stretched out on a chaise. They watched their children play before them, running around and galloping through the white roses. Amaryllis, a graceful three year old now; Cerelia, a perfect little princess at two; Jarek, their first heir, their little prince. The twins were swaddled, lying in a stroller next to their parents. Arwen looked down upon them, Tilia with her round chin and nose and Linden with his bright eyes like his father's.

Gavin rubbed Arwen's shoulder, smiling when she looked up at him. "What're you thinking about?"

Arwen snuggled up next to her husband, her head placed into the crook of his neck. "I'm just happy."

"Really?" Gavin asked, smiling at his happy children. "Your voice is shaky. It's not the same as before."

Arwen let them lay in quiet for a while, only the sounds of birds and childish laughter filling the air. Finally, she confessed her true feelings. "I am happy... For now. But I'm also scared. In just a few months, we'll be at war." Arwen sat up and looked Gavin in the eyes. "These quiet, blissful days in the garden will be gone in a few months. Our peaceful, happy days will be filled with battles and bloodshed. I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

"It will all be alright," Gavin took her face into his hands, kissing her forehead. "All of the witches are on our side, practicing and strengthening their power. Your power, and your mother's power, is strengthened. We will be ready, and no one will overtake us or our kingdom. It will be a small battle, quick and easy, and then we'll be back to our peaceful days."

"Do you promise me?" Arwen asked. "Do you swear by all your children, by me? Do you promise me?"

Gavin looked deep into Arwen's beautiful sapphire eyes and told her, "I promise. Nothing will harm us or Amaryllis or Cerelia or Jarek or Tilia or Linden. I promise."

He kissed her forehead again and Arwen lay back down against him. They cuddled up and continued watching the happy scene before them, but both could still feel a palpable sense of anxiety in the air. They both knew the promise was something Gavin could not guarantee would come true.

***

Xandor was finally taking his first steps, his little legs stretching awkwardly before him. He seemed to wobble a little, and both Daegan and Kieran held their breath for a moment, but Xandor conquered his stumble and proceeded forward. Daegan caught him as he finally reached his father, whirling him up in the air and kissing his soft face. The little prince giggled excitedly snuggled against his father's grizzly cheek, his mother walking over from the other side of the barn where she had initially released him so he could walk to Daegan.

"That was beautiful!" She laughed, just as excitedly as her little boy, standing on her tip toes to kiss him like Daegan had. "Soon he can Ride his own dragon!"

"Of course he can, my boy can do anything!" Daegan chuckled, handing Xandor over to Kieran. In turn, Kieran kissed her prince again and then handed him to the nursemaid so she could take him to his room. Watching the nursemaid walk away with their boy, Kieran leaned into Daegan and let him put his arms around her. They simply held each other for a moment, letting the warm summer night envelope them.

Kieran snuggled up closer to Daegan and said, "But can he do anything?"

Daegan's face crinkled in confusion as he said, "Meaning?"

"I mean," Kieran pulled away, looking up. "He only took his first steps just now. What about his first Ride? Or the first conversation we'll have with him? Can those things happen while we're in a state of war?"

"Kieran, we've been through this," Daegan told her. "My cousins have declared war. There is nothing I can do but to prepare to fight them, I have no choice."

"I know," Kieran bowed her head. "I just love you, that's all." Daegan took her back into his arms and lifted her face up so he could kiss her. Their lips played with each other passionately, but they could both feel the other's heart rattle in fright.

***

Roux had been handling finances all day for months. Preparing for war, along with Edom, his other advisors, and the nymphs. But he was excited now, practically skipping to his bedchambers. Roux couldn't believe this day had come! He had just gotten word that Carmine had given birth.

Roux slowly entered the bedchambers, holding his breath. "Look at their cherub little faces!" Carmine giggled, snuggling on the large mattress with her triplets. "They're perfect."

"Just like their mother," Roux remarked, climbing into bed opposite his wife so that the three babies were in between them. Their two boys, Clancy and Jasper, and their little girl, Scarlett. Names they had picked out earlier; Clancy and Scarlett after Roux's parents, and Jasper after Carmine's grandfather, the first Reed to be Chief of the nymphs.

"Your flattery will get you nowhere," Carmine winked at him.

"It got me everywhere last night," Roux retaliated, his smile mischievous. Carmine gasped in surprise, then laughed again as she shook off his flirtations to go back to looking at her little treasures.

"I never thought I'd be the Red Queen, mother of three little Red royals."

"And how does it feel, my queen?" Roux asked her, picking up little Scarlett, his precious little girl, and cuddling her little body close to his chest.

"Absolutely perfect." Carmine looked at him, and again at her little boys, squirming and fussing. Tears escaped out of the corners of her eyes as Carmine bent over and kissed the top of their soft heads. She reached over and kissed Scarlett as well, then let her lips fall onto Roux's. He caressed her face with a free hand and then let her fall back into her spot. He let her weep quietly as their little family cuddled together, not asking why she cried. He knew why.

***

And in the last kingdom of the four realms of Emery, the final ruler awoke as the sun's rays reached in past the icicles hanging outside the castle windows.

It's time to wake up and take over the world.