Athena

I am standing at the side of the throne, while Calla sits in her grandly made little chair and Aaron beside her.

“I do not understand why we are being asked to submit,” Arthur Winstrom, the Lord of Westlake said with a flat affect, “to your authority, Count.” Aaron sighed loudly. Regency doesn’t suit him, we all know it.

“You, and the others of the council supported the decision for my daughter to be named Annalise’s heir,” he said, “did you expect Viscountess Calla to sit in court as Duchess Marina did when the queen was unavailable? She’s not yet four.”

“I will be next month,” Calla said. “And I trust Papa to make decisions.” She beamed at the Lord, who stared back at her dumbfounded.

“Of course, my lady,” he mumbled and bowed and walked away. I smiled, and glanced to the back of the room, where I saw Mercy holding a swaddled Jack. I so badly wanted my boy in my arms.

“I think that’s enough for today,” Aaron said. There were murmurs and bows as we walked out, I took Jack and we went to the tower.

“Papa, you shouldn’t be so cross with them,” Calla said plopping on the floor, where her dolls were set up in an approximation of court.

“She’s right,” I said, as Jack began crying, “oh hush, darling,” I whispered. “Are you hungry?” I opened my jacket and he latched on and began eating. “Oh clearly.” Aaron smiled at me.

“I hate this,” he said, “when they get back, I’m pissing off to the beach and Lisette can listen to them all complain that I have too much power.” I laughed. “If she doesn’t come back engaged I’m putting forward a vote to ban Eric from the country, I’m completely serious. I will not go through this again.”

“I’m hungry too, Mama!” Calla said. I looked at her.

“I’m sure Lady Mercy will be here with tea in a moment, love,” I assured her. “Aaron, there’s nothing for it. And you can’t bar Eric from the country, it would cause a war, and also Marina would never forgive you.”

“I don’t see what it’s got to do with Marina,” Aaron shrugged, “Lefty is a Cammadie citizen now, grand admiral of a navy that, granted, does not yet exist, but still,” I laughed. “I want to go home Thena.”

“I know,” I said, “but we need to be here now.” He nodded.

“Look, Mama,” Calla said I looked over at her, she’d shaped out of light a perfect replica of the castle and palace. I wonder if the day will come that her magic doesn’t astound me.

“That’s wonderful,” I said, Aaron kneeled down with her. “What made you think to do that?”

“Before we left Pantona, Lady Nika said I should try to make things in my mind,” Calla said, “I wanted to make the palace.” Aaron ran a hand through the light shape, it wavered and returned immediately.

“It’s very sturdy,” he smiled. She sat up. “Now, is your princess holding court,” he picked up the doll. Calla nodded.

“Yes,” she said, “her mama is away so she must,” Aaron laughed. “She isn’t grumpy with her courtiers though, she’s very kind to them.”

“Papa should take an example,” I teased. Calla nodded seriously.

“And what are they talking about?” Aaron asked. Calla thought for a moment and picked up one of her guards.

“The Princess wishes to marry her guard,” Calla explained. The door opened and Althea came running through, Tristan right behind her and as predicted, Mercy with a tea tray and servant behind her with a cart of food.

“Calla, look,” Althea said holding up her small sword. Tristan laughed. “Sir Tristan said I’m very good with it.”

“May I have a sword?” Calla asked.

“No,” Aaron and I said in unison. Calla pouted and Althea settled in and they made the dolls argue about how the wedding would move forward.

“Who’s marrying?” Mercy asked.

“A Princess and her guard,” I teased. “I think Calla’s picked up on gossip.” Tristan sighed and picked up a pastry. “How are Chase and Caro?”

“They should be here soon,” he said, “Chase was napping and Caro can’t stand to leave him.” I nodded.

“I know how she feels,” I whispered, as Jack grabbed at my finger. I smiled down at him.

“Will cousin Chase be a guard too, Uncle Tristan?” Calla asked. Tristan looked at her.

“That is the current plan,” he nodded, “but he may not like it.” Calla and Althea both gasped.

“Who wouldn’t like it?” Althea asked indignantly.

“Neither your Mother, nor Lady Caro liked it much,” Aaron said, “or me, there are other ways to help.” Mercy laughed and sipped on her tea.

“Do you think I’m a traitor, dear one?” She teased. Althea sighed and walked over and crawled up into her lap.

“Of course not,” Althea said and rubbed her nose against her mother’s, Mercy giggled. “But Mama and I are guards, so our family doesn’t need three.” Mercy nodded.

“I agree,” she said. “So when is the wedding?”

“Well they have to wait because Mastero Raymond isn’t here to perform it,” Calla said with a tut.

“Obviously,” I smiled. “But I’m sure he will eagerly perform it when he comes home.” IF he comes home, I thought to myself. I didn’t like not knowing what was happening with them all in Phania. “Calla love, you said you were hungry, have a sandwich,” she went to the cart and grabbed one. “And come here and snuggle with Jack and me.” I knew she wasn’t actually that hungry, but was perhaps a little jealous so I happily let her nestle into my side while she nibbled. “He’s being very good today, don’t you think?”

“Yes,” she nodded, “but he was very loud last night.” I laughed. “Uncle Tristan, is Chase very loud when he cries like, Jack?”

“He is,” Tristan smiled. “Luckily for Chase he doesn’t have an older sister to bother, just Aunt Caro and me. Why?”

“I don’t know,” Calla said with a sigh, “I thought perhaps he was quieter and we might switch them.” I laughed.

“I’m afraid not Duck,” I said, “you were even louder than Jack, if you can believe it.” She rolled her eyes.

“I doubt that very much,” she stuck her nose in the air. She stood up. “May Althea and I go play outside?”

“Stay in the tower garden,” Aaron said, “Uncle Tristan has a great deal more to do than run around the grounds looking for the two of you.” Calla and Althea ran out the door. Mercy laughed.

“Honestly, I don’t think a single one of Cammadan’s enemies has a chance with those two in charge,” Mercy grinned. I laughed. “Switch the babies, it’s genius.” Caro walked in with Chase in her arms, followed by Elodie.

“Love,” Mercy said, “should we find another one?” She nodded towards the babies. Elodie had taken a sip of her tea and choked.

“No,” Elodie shook her head and I laughed. “Gods, Mercy, Althea was already three months older than Jack when we got her, and that was hard enough.” Caro laughed. “And considering that she took that sword, Tristan and disemboweled half of her stuffed animals yesterday, because Calla declared them a threat while they were playing I think our hands will remain full.”

“I don’t know where she learned that,” Tristan held up his hands, “I was saving disemboweling for after she turned six.” I laughed and Caro accepted a note from a page who walked in. She scowled. “What is it love?”

“Something being confirmed that I hoped wasn’t,” she mumbled, “Elodie, have you had a report from the border lately?”

“Not since Prior got there, why?” Elodie shook her head. Caro exhaled.

“No reason,” she said and then she was back with us. I knew better than to ask, if she just learned something we needed to know, we’d know it. Aaron glanced at me, realizing it was in his power to order her to speak up right now. He’s regent, and she’s his spy master. “It’s really not important, just some rumors, if it’s anything I’ll report.” Aaron nodded.