Queen Dowager

Hera’s POV 

“May the gods bless your marriage my son.” The Queen dowager said, her voice, a little more than a soft whisper yet, the tone it carried sent a chill down my spine.

I have seen her on the papers, tabloids loved to use her as the epitome of elegance and I couldn’t agree more. From her black straight long hair to her creamy skin and her stormy grey eyes, she was a perfect mix of delicate and dangerous.

I had known she was tall from the pictures but when she rose from her throne to embrace Eleazar, I realized she was only a few feet shorter than he was and she towered above me.

I tried not to show how intimidated I felt but when she turned to me, her stormy grey eyes dark and mocking, I shivered.

“I do hope we will receive good news soon, the kingdom does need an heir.”

I looked at her wild eyed, unable to hide my expression. She smirked at me, glad she had been able to catch me off guard.

“That is the least we could expect from a cute  little princess wouldn’t it?”

I could taste the rage that brewed in me, I understood her perfectly well and so did every other person listening.

I was of no use politically neither did she recognize me as a Luna because of the kingdom I was coming from. 

My eyes twitched rhythmically and by now I was sure my knuckles were white from how tight I was fisting them however , I could barely register the pain. I was blinded by rage, I couldn’t reason or hear any other thing all I wanted to do was wipe that stupid smirk off her face 

I opened my mouth to say my unfiltered thoughts, damning the consequences when I heard a soft chuckle by my side.

‘Who dares chuckle?’ I thought but somewhere within me, I knew who dared.

I looked at him, his black mask all I can register. 

How could he?

“I think old age is getting to you Mother, people don’t call a person with such features cute and neither is Hera a princess.”

Before I could understand if he was on my side or not. He turned to me and for the first time both sides of his lips were upturned in a smile and his eyes shone but with a wicked glint, the deep blue sparkling mischievously.

“I think mother cannot wait to retire My lady, after all bearing the first heir is all it takes for you to become queen dowager, right our dearQueen dowager?” He was now looking at the Queen dowager, his eyes still shining with mischief but something in them had changed. They now held something close to a threat, like he was daring her to disagree.

This time, I understood immediately, he was on my side.

I smiled, widely and unabashedly. My fists had loosened completely and my heart was still pounding however this time, it was more of a happy flutter.

I didn’t bother to think before I replied.

My eyes on her now, my confidence rising as her jaw tightened. The smirk was finally off and  I realized, I couldn’t feel her towering over me anymore. The shadow she had casted on my smaller figure was now insignificant as Eleazar casted an even larger one that somehow felt familiar and protective.

“Oh mother, I do not deserve such lovely intentions. I will do well to succeed your legacy and make you proud.”

The people around us seemed to be no strangers to such scenes as none of them made a move to interfere or even allowed an expression on their faces. They were only a small crowd  but they constituted the most important people of the royal court of Elisora.

The three kingmakers, the prime minister and the king’s special advisor and then the queen  dowager herself. They only proceeded to congratulate the Eleazar and me, their smiles huge even though it never reached their eyes.

After the congratulatory session, Eleazar took my hand and led me to our seat. We had barely sat when I heard the happiest voice boom from a distance.

“Congratulations to our Alpha and his stunning Luna.”

Eleazar turned in the direction of the voice and so did I.

Walking towards  us was a huge man. Tall and really muscular. He had his brown hair in a low ponytail and his large puppy brown eyes held a certain transparency I had not seen on anybody since arriving at Elisora.

His steps were  light compared to his size and as he walked past the crowd, they bowed, murmuring their greetings to which he nodded in response, his eyes stuck on us.

He was wearing an emerald suit with the Elisora emblem on its arm making me realize he was also a powerful citizen of Elisora.

Once he reached us, he stopped and a beautiful smile made its way to his face lightning up his brown eyes.

“Congratulations your majesties.”

“Meet my Beta.” Eleazar announced and I could tell this was his favourite person in the kingdom. His voice had lost its usual guardedness and I could hear something akin to pride as he introduced him.

He rose from his bow just as Eleazar said to him.

“Abraham, My Luna.” 

Abraham smiled wider, like a father proud of his son’s accomplishments.

“Welcome to Elisora, Your Majesty. “

I smiled and nodded. “Thank you Beta.”

“ I tried to meet the wedding, it was impossible though. If I had pushed any harder I would have had to drive the plane myself .” He said, his tone still a little playful despite the tinge of loss in his eyes.

“There was nothing to rush to.” Eleazar replied nonchalantly.

“That is not what I heard.” Abraham said teasingly, now his eyes lighting up.

I tried not to look too interested but when he turned to me, I couldn’t help but lean a bit closer, eager to hear what he had to say.

“I heard the king is head over heels for his bride and he couldn’t even hide it seeing the way he kissed her passionately like he couldn’t wait to have her to himself.  Of course there are more, like the king’s years of celibacy are about to come to an end and that he didn’t seem to be  gay and that I, his gay partner would be heartbroken…

“Abraham enough.”Eleazar’s deep voice interrupted, a slight tinge of vulnerability in it.

Why?

Was he embarrassed?

Before I could stop myself, I frowned at him.

Even if he was, how could he stop him when I was enjoying his tale?

The animated way he reported his findings and the stark contrast between his physical attributes and his personality was simply endearing.

Abraham only chuckled before he whispered.

“If you wish to hear more your majesty, send for me.” He said before skipping away, his eyes quickly darting to Eleazar just before he disappeared.

We returned back to our awkward silence before a thought crossed my mind.

“Did anybody even approve of me before you chose me?”

He chuckled darkly before he replied.

“You practice democracy in your kingdom, My lady?”

I rose an eyebrow annoyed by his tone.

“Is it wrong to want a headcount of my enemies?”

He turned to me, his black orbs darker than I have ever seen them.

“You speak of a headcount like you could count them. Everybody is an enemy Hera, no exceptions whatsoever.”