The following evening, Zelda was in her chamber’s sitting room reading when there was a knock on the door. Zelda didn’t want to wait for someone to answer the door, so she answered it herself. To her surprise, it was Louis.
“Master Louis, what a surprise. Please come in,” she said as she backed away from the door allowing him in.
“Thank you.”
“To what do I owe the honor?”
“May I have a seat?”
“Certainly.”
Louis sat down, and Zelda sat in the chair facing him. Louis didn’t say anything for a moment. It was almost as if he was gathering his thoughts.
“Zelda, I was in my chamber enjoying the company of my beautiful Opal when she told me something that surprised me.”
“What is it, Louis?”
“She said that in only a matter of days you’re going to be joined with Brother Hannibal.”
Zelda gave him a peculiar look and asked, “Hannibal has not told you about this?”
“No, he has not.”
“You’re to perform the ceremony. Normally it would be the duty of the second seat, but Alec is too young.”
“You’ve been with Jaymes for 400 years. Why are you leaving him?”
“Because Hannibal wishes it.”
“I see. But you still love Jaymes.”
“More than anything, but I don’t have a choice.”
“I understand. I suppose I should go and see Brother Hannibal to see when and where he would like to do this.”
Zelda smiled and said, “Be sure to let me know.”
“He has not even discussed the details with you?”
“He only has told me he will send for me, and then we’ll be joined.”
The frustration on Louis’ face was visible. “I really hate it when he’s going through his release period. I have no idea what he may do next. When you’re joined, he will soon be back to normal, and we can get on with the business of running a proper coven.”
“I understand.”
“Is Master Jaymes here?”
“No, he’s not. He’s taking care of clan business, and overseeing the redecoration of his new chambers.”
“New chambers?”
“Yes. You know this is the chamber of the second seat. Jaymes is no longer on the panel of elders so he has to move. He will be living in the chamber vacated by Isaiah. This will belong to Alec and Brie.”
“I’m sorry, Zelda. I’ll be back later with some news of your joining. That’s if he will even give me anything.”
“Thank you, Louis.”
“You’re most welcome.”
Louis went to council chambers where he found Hannibal pouring over maps with Julian and Xander. When he stepped in the room, the three men looked up.
Hannibal said, “Ah, Brother Louis. We were just discussing the role of the Mixed Bloods. I think I’ll have some of them help Xander and Julian with guarding the coven. They will have to be trained properly, but I think it will work well.”
“Brother, I wish to speak with you privately. Masters Xander and Julian, you’re excused.”
Both clan leaders quickly left the chamber.
Hannibal sighed and said, “What is it, Louis?”
“Opal has told me you and Zelda are to be joined.”
Hannibal smiled and said, “Yes, we are. It will be a most joyous occasion. She’s by far the best catch of the coven.”
“I’ve learned from Zelda herself I’m to perform the ceremony. Why didn’t I already know about this?”
“I simply hadn’t gotten around to telling you yet. I have many other things going on right now, with the creation of the new clan and all.”
Louis closed his eyes, sighed, and said, “When are you to join with her?”
“I was thinking in two days, no make it tomorrow.”
“Were you thinking of a large ceremony? If that’s the case, we’ll need more time.”
“No, actually I would like a very quiet private ceremony with only my brothers and clan leaders present. Nothing fancy, I wish to keep with tradition.”
“Well that’s good,” Louis said in a rather abrupt tone while not taking his eyes off of Hannibal.
Hannibal then smiled and said, “You’re wondering why I’ve chosen Zelda.”
“Yes, brother, as a matter of fact, I am. Jaymes and Zelda have been together for a very long time.”
“It’s simple. I love her. I’ve been in love with her for 200 years, and did nothing. But my release has gone on longer than I would like, so I need a mate to calm my affliction. Who else better to do this than a woman I’m already in love with?
“Zelda will make a fine queen. She knows how I like the coven to ran, and she’ll not object to any of my decisions. She’ll not try to out rule me, because it’s not in her personality to do so. She also won’t try to change me. She loves me for who I am.”
“I see. So, do I have your permission to tell her when she’s to join with you? She’s most curious.”
Hannibal laughed aloud and said, “I was teasing with her when I said she should just come when I called for her. Of course Louis, you may tell her.”
“Thank you, brother. I’ll send Xander and Julian back in and you can continue with your meeting.”
“I would appreciate that, and you’re most welcome.”
Louis went back to see Zelda and found Alec talking to his mother.
“Hello, Brother Alec. I didn’t know you were here. I’ll leave if you’re having a private conversation.”
“No, we were just chatting,” Alec said.
“You’re aware of your mother’s joining to Brother Hannibal?”
“I am.
“Very well then,” Louis started. “They will be joined tomorrow evening in a private ceremony with only council members present.”
“Thank you, Master Louis,” Zelda said.
“You’re welcome, Lady Zelda. I’ll leave you to your conversation.”
“Thank you, brother,” Alec said.
As soon as Louis left, Alec continued telling his mother about his plans for her.
“Well now, we don’t have much time, do we?”
“Alec, what you’re trying to do is dangerous.”
“I’ll not sit back and allow my people to suffer like this. He joins with you, and the release subsides. What happens the next time it surfaces? My plan is to free the coven of this for good. When Hannibal is dead, you and father can get back together, and the entire coven will be free.”
Zelda smiled. “You’re going to be a good king.”
“Father has told me the same thing.”
“You don’t believe him?”
“I do believe him, but I’m not sure I want it.”
“Alec, you must.”
“Mother, we don’t have time to discuss me right now. You’re to listen to what I have to say, and don’t forget any of it.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And don’t do that either.”
Zelda smiled and said, “Sorry.”
“As soon as you’re able to find out, I need to know what his weakness is. Without this information, we’ll not be able to continue. Once you know his weakness, tell father, and he in turn will tell me. I’ve also thought of a way your powers can be useful to our cause. If you can manage it, take control of the master himself. This way, if you’re successful, we’ll not have to kill anyone. However, don’t attempt to do this until whatever weapon we need to fight him is ready. Understand?”
Zelda smiled and said, “You’re going to be a good king.”
“Mother, did you hear me?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I suppose I’ll allow you and father to have your last night together.”
“Alec, before you go, where is Brie?”
“I sent her back to the farm. I don’t wish for her to be hurt, nor do I wish for her to witness my death if it comes to that.”
“You’re really going to try and do this?”
“What do you think I’ve been doing for the last few days? Yes, I’m going to do this.”
Zelda closed her eyes, sighed, and said, “Please be careful Alec. If you try this and fail, Hannibal will kill you along with all of those who helped you.”
“I know this mother, but I have to try.”
“There’s no try. You have to do it or you’ll succeed in killing me and your father.”
“I understand.”
“Good.” Zelda stood up, smiled, and said, “If you don’t wish to hear your father and I being intimate, I think you should leave. I do believe we’re going to tear the walls down.”
Alec smiled, kissed his mother on the forehead, and said, “I’ll see you at the ceremony. Try to look happy, okay?”
“I’ll try.”
“Good night mother,” Alec said as he left the chamber.
He stood with the door to his back thinking about how happy his parents were together, and how he didn’t want that to end. The next phase of his plan was weapons. He thought he would go and commission someone from Heinrik’s clan to fashion them for him. Alec found Heinrik in his chamber drinking with Cameron.
“What can I do for you, my lord?” Heinrik asked.
“My father’s clan is in need of weapons. He has not told me what they’re to be made of but he needs them none the less.”
Not taking Alec seriously, Heinrik replied, “We have plenty of weapons in the armory. He can choose from there.”
“He doesn’t want the weapons in the armory. He wants new ones. I wish to commission someone of great skill in the designing of weapons. Do you have someone in mind?”
Realizing Alec was serious, he said, “Why yes, my lord. Master Carmine is the most skilled in all of my clan.”
“Wonderful. Once my father tells me what he desires, I’ll be back, and Master Carmine can begin to do what he does best.”
“I’ll tell him, my lord.”
“Thank you.”
Cowering down to Alec, Heinrik asked, “Would you like to join Master Cameron and myself in a bottle of wine?”
“No, thank you, Master Heinrik. I have other duties to attend to.”
“As you wish, my lord. Please come again.”
Alec left Heinrik’s chamber and went to speak with Kali as his mother had suggested. Perhaps she could give him something useful. Alec made his way to Kali’s chamber and found himself in her sitting room waiting for her. Five minutes after his arrival, she emerged from the back.
“Good evening, my lord, what can I do for you?” Kali asked.
“I wish to know more of our coven’s history.”
“It’s about time you came to me. Because you’re now on the panel of elders, you should have a good working knowledge of who we are.”
“Forgive me, mistress. I was not aware I was to come to you for a history lesson.”
“Not all inducted elders have to because they have lived most of it. You, however, have lived almost none of it.”
“My mother told me she’s directly related to Master Darth, and Mistress Aurora and Master Malachi also are related.”
“Had you been at least 400 years older, she wouldn’t have had to tell you.”
Offended, but respectful, Alec replied, “I apologize for being so young, but as our coven’s historian you’re going to tell me, right?”
“Yes, Master Alec, I’m going to tell you. Come and let us go to my library. It’s there where we’ll start.”
Alec and Kali went to her library. She told him all about the births, deaths, and origins of the entire coven. Alec kept Kali talking for hours. He then noticed the sun was on the horizon.
“Mistress, thank you, but I must rest.”
“You’re welcome, my lord. I’ll see you at the ceremony. Afterwards, we can continue.”
“Yes.”
Alec went back to his room and slept until sunset. When he woke, he found his ceremonial robes hanging on a hook next to the window. He thought about how much he didn’t want to be a part of this, and how much he missed Brie. He showered and got dressed. Afterward, he sought out his father.
Alec looked at Jaymes and said, “How are you holding up?”
“I’m a wreck.”
“Try to remember she still loves you, and she’s only doing this to help the coven.”
“I’ll try. What about you?”
“I’m also a wreck. I miss Brie, and I don’t want to be a part of this.”
“You’re an elder now. You must always wear a mask of no emotion when you sit in that chair.”
“Alright father, I’ll try.”
“I’ll be ready in a moment. You can go on ahead if you like.”
“No, I’ll wait for you. Is mother ready?”
“I don’t know. She won’t let me see her.”
“Perhaps she wants to make a grand entrance.”
“Perhaps.”
Once Jaymes was ready, the two of them made their way to council chamber. When they entered, all of the clan leaders stood up. Alec was a bit nervous. Even though this was not an official council meeting, he was feeling uneasy about sitting in his father’s chair.
Jaymes noticed this, looked at Alec, and said, “Son, it’s alright. Now all in the room are standing for you. Out of respect, they won’t sit until you take your seat. Go on, sit down.”
Alec took a deep breath and made his way to his chair. Once he sat down, the rest of the council did so as well. This went the same way for all the elders that entered the room. Hannibal was the last one to enter, and when he sat down, he addressed the council.
“Good evening family. Tonight’s meeting is very special. For the first time in several hundred years, I will once again join.
“The woman I’ve chosen knows how I like the coven to be run, and she’ll not object to any of my decisions. She’ll not try to out rule me, because it’s not in her personality to do so. She also won’t try to change me.
“She cares deeply about each and every one of you and your fellow clansmen. She’ll be a good queen. I ask you give her the same respect as you give me. Master Cameron, please open the door.”
Cameron opened the door, and Zelda stepped inside dressed in a beautiful black gown with fancy lace and beads. She wore her hair down because Hannibal preferred it this way. Jaymes thought she looked even more beautiful now than she did at his joining to her. Seeing her like this upset him terribly.
As she entered the chamber, everyone stood. However, they didn’t sit until Hannibal left his chair and joined her. Louis then stood up and began the ceremony.
“Family, we’re here tonight to witness the joining of Brother Hannibal Cross and Lady Zelda Wolfe. Brother Hannibal tells me he’s very much in love with Lady Zelda and Lady Zelda says she feels the same way. Therefore, by their confession of love for one another, they will join as mates.
“Brother Hannibal, Lady Zelda, it’s now time to speak your vows.”
Hannibal turned to Zelda and she put her hands in his. Hannibal then spoke what was on his heart.
“My beautiful Zelda. Today we join one another as mates. I promise to love you as long as I may live, and always give you your heart’s desires. I’ll be your one and only love, and you’ll be mine. I’ll listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. Together we’ll face all of life’s experiences and share one another’s dreams and goals, for now and this day forth. This is my solemn vow.”
Zelda forced a smile and said, “Hannibal, today we join one another as mates. I promise to love you as long as I may live, and always give you your heart’s desires. I’ll be your one and only love, and you’ll be mine. I’ll listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. Together we’ll face all of life’s experiences and share one another’s dreams and goals, for now and this day forth. This is my solemn vow.”
“Brother Hannibal,” Louis said, “you’ve heard the vows of the woman of which you wish to be joined. Are you satisfied she’ll do all she says?”
“I am, my brother.”
“Lady Zelda, you’ve heard the vows of the man of which you wish to be joined. Are you satisfied he will do all he says?”
“I am, my lord.”
“Lady Zelda, you have a decision to make. It’s not very common within our coven to take the name of the one with whom we join. I would say it takes a special kind of love for a woman to give up her family name.
“It’s our family name that keeps us connected to our original clans. If a woman wishes to give up her family name, that’s her choice and her choice alone. Look at Brother Hannibal, and tell him of your decision.”
“Hannibal Cross, I wish to keep my family name, for without them I would not be who I am today. This doesn’t mean I love you any less. You’ll still come first in my life.
“Do you accept my decision?”
“I do.”
“Family, may I present to you Brother Hannibal Cross and Queen Zelda Wolfe. I give you my blessing to show each other love throughout eternity.”
Hannibal kissed Zelda ever so gently. With this kiss, Jaymes felt a tear run down his cheek. It was hard to watch the woman he loved in the arms of another, but he could do nothing about it.
~~~