The Succubus and her two Mates

19| She comes

Their time with the Queen and King essentially wrapped up with a promise for her to spend some one on one time with the Queen and Advisor, which Brock tried valiantly to quash or at least let one of them attend with her, which was resolutely dismissed by the Queen.

The Advisor had some medical and magical tests he wanted to perform, which Ronnie was not okay with and decided to speak up and refuse.

The three were quiet as they went to the wing of the palace where her room was located. She didn't touch either of them. That had been worse than any of them, even Brand, had expected.

They were outside her room when Brock pulled her to him. "I'm sorry."

Her arms remained limp at her sides.

"Ronnie. You're not going to do any of the things they said. I will stop them. Or I will…" He pulled back his voice hitching.

Her gaze remained down, hovering somewhere around his elbow. "It's late. I'd like to go to bed now."

Brock raked his hand through his hair turning to look at his other mate like he was asking for help.

Brand stood back from them. He felt helpless, inadequate. This was horrible. The sting of her withdrawing from them twisted his cat. A part of him felt they deserved it. They hadn’t defended her at all.

"Please let us fix this," Brand pleaded, taking her hand in his.

Ronnie firmly pulled out of his grasp, hastily opening the door rushing inside. By herself.

As soon as Ronnie got in the room she stalked around, angrily locking the doors and ensuring the curtains were drawn. Then she let her out.

~*~

They both heard the click of the lock.

"f**k. f**k Brand," Brock cried. "What's wrong with me?"

Brand pulled him into a hug. He didn’t know what else to do. Brand himself was ashamed of how useless he was in the presence of the King and Queen. Their dragons were so powerful, his Werecat was cowed into stillness- it had almost triggered his fight response, it taking him everything not to shift. Brock's dragon tried to assert dominance but Brock himself couldn't stand up to them- he’d been a good boy all his life. All he knew was being the son of the King and Queen.

Sevnia was a real piece of work. She had said horrible things many times to Brand. He really thought Ronnie being a woman would just be enough. It didn't make him feel any better that the Queen hadn't accepted Ronnie either.

"Let's give her some time," Brand said.

Brock was shaking his head. "I just can't do this all over again." His eyes were wet with tears. He spun on his heel and strode off.

Brand watched him go, not sure if he should follow him, try to see Ronnie or just have some time by himself.

"Ronnie," he called through the door. He was sure she was standing on the other side. He smelt the tickle of her scent even through the door. "If you need us in the night, there is a communicator in the sitting room. You just think of who you want to talk to." He paused. "It's magic."

He tore himself away, heading to his room.

~*~

He took a breath and with great difficulty knocked on his mother's chamber door. He was about to knock again when the door opened.

The royal dragon stood there, in a rich cream and gold brocade nightgown. Her hair was down around her face. She looked beautiful and furious to be disturbed. Her face softened slightly at seeing him and opened the door so he could enter.

She stood with her arms crossed, a stoic look on her face.

He went to speak, stopped and took a breath. “Mother. I need you to hear this,” he started. He saw her open her mouth. “Really hear this!” a roar escaped him. He saw his mother flinch. He turned away from her fighting to control his breathing. “I should have said this earlier. In the moment. Goddess! I should have said this five years ago.”

He turned back to her, his voice turning raw with unchecked emotion. “I will be with whoever I want to be with - and if that is my two fated mates then that is who I will be with. If you want to find someone else to be the heir to the throne, be my guest.”

He could not read her expression but he could tell she was stunned. He had chosen his words purposefully. A sliver of shame washed over him at the silence in the room, proof his words had hit the right mark. She stood regally as ever.

“I will be publicly declaring Brand as my mate.” He raised his hand as she started to speak again. “Ronnie will stay here, left alone by you and Advisor, for as long as she wants. And if she chooses to stay-” his voice broke.

“Brock…”

“I don’t want to hear it. She can be as involved to whatever extent she wants to. That is my final word.” He walked to the door.

The Queen stepped towards him. “You don’t understand the pressure - you need someone that can run this Kingdom with you.”

“Brand has already chosen to do that with me. If Ronnie wants to stay with us, she can do whatever she wants.”

The Queen pursed her lips but rightly chose this moment to still her tongue.

Brock left without another word. The Queen stood in that spot for many minutes after he left.

~*~