Page 33

Alara and I walk back into the crowded room, everyone stands when they see me.

"You have to acknowledge that they stood" Alara whispers.

"You may be seated" I smile. Everyone takes a seat and I let out a breath.

"Nova" Ares rushes to me. "My mom wants to meet you" he says nervously.

"Why are you nervous?" I ask. "When we had our first kiss, I kind of told her I found the woman I wanted to be with" he scratches his head.

"Why would you do that?" I hiss. "I didn't know Cain would claim you, if I did I would have asked you to marry me after our time in the maze but I did't want to come on too strong.

"You kissed me the first day I met you" I laugh.

"Your mom now knows I am your Queen so why does she want to meet me?

" I question. "I honestly do not know" he sighs. "Let's find out" Alara says excitedly.

"Ah Queen Nova, its a pleasure to finally meet you" she bows.

"It is nice to meet you as well" I smile.

"Ares my darling" she kisses his cheeks.

"Mother" he nods. "I'm Luna Astrid but you can call me General Astrid" she says.

"How are you enjoying the banquet?" I ask.

"Queen Nova, you know that is not what I would like to discuss. " she states.

"It seems that my son is taken with you.

Why is that?" she squints at me. "To be honest, I have been wondering the same thing" we both stare at Ares.

"Ares, you know she is a taken woman yes?

" Astrid asks. "Yes mother" he rolls his eyes.

"Is Ares your lover?" she fires the next question.

"Um, no?" I didn't understand why she would ask that.

"I am going to be honest with you Queen Nova, Ares is my only son and I would like grandchildren" I nearly choke on my water.

"I'm not , we aren't, that's not possible.

I am Cain's" I felt like putting his name in my sentence will stop her from getting anymore ideas.

"Mother" Ares growls at her. "Ares has refused to marry and for years it was because he was immersed in battle but now it is because of you.

How will you remedy this?" she questions.

"I think that is a conversation you need to have with Ares" I mumble.

"Believe me I have tried, but he won't listen.

You are the only woman for him even if he has to watch you love another.

" Astrid lets out a sigh. "Ares, why did you have to do exactly what your father did?

" she asks the room. "Mother my sisters have plenty of pups, you have enough grandchildren" he says annoyed.

"Nova strong women like us are allowed to do as men do, take multiple lovers.

Take me for instance I have six different ones, Orson being my last making Ares my last born.

I love them all equally and for different reasons.

Us women who exude power, are desired by all but the real question is who is worthy of having access to you" she continues.

"Isn't that difficult to navigate and isn't there jealousy amongst lovers? " I ask.

In all honesty I had no idea, I had always been a one man type of woman.

"They learn to co-exsist besides the fun doesn't have to be one on one" I see her eyes smile.

"Mother! That is enough!" Ares growls. "Luna Astrid" Orson bows, she pulls him in for a passionate kiss.

Orson looks smitten as he smiles and blushes.

"Um, our son is causing a scene" he mumbles.

"Ignore him, I'm simply having a conversation with the Queen he refused to have with me.

" she laughs. "Astrid Cain is a jealous man" Orson snaps out of whatever trance he seemed to be in.

"Then why hasn't he killed Ares?" Astrid challenges.

What kind if mother was this? She had a point but did she want him killed? "Wouldn't that cause a war?" I ask.

"Well yes, the death of my only son? No mother can handle the lost of a child well, even if it was provoked" she glances at an annoyed looking Ares.

"My spies tell me Ares kissed and embraced you in front of the King to be" she says casually.

"You told me you stopped spying on me" Ares snaps.

"My sweet boy, I keep tabs on all my children" she says nonchalantly.

"General Astrid" Cain greets her. I watch as she stand and bows before returning to her position assessing me.

"Its lovely you could join us" she smiles.

"We were just talking about.." "Mother so help me if you utter another word" Ares threatens.

"I would like to hear why Ares keeps growling" Cain replies.

He picks me up and set me in his lap wrapping his arms around me.

"We we talking about Ares love for the Queen and multiple lovers" she informs Cain.

"I see" Cain says thoughtfully. "Thoughts on the matter?

" Luna Astrid points her attention to Cain.

"If my Nova desires it I will allow it" he says.

"Baby we talked about this, I am not straying as your wife" I remind him.

"Oh, you misunderstand my love. Ares will never be alone with you in such a manner".

"You would be present?" Ares asked surprised.

"See Queen Nova, Your king is willing" she beams.

"That does not mean you will get a grandchild" I snap.

"Grandchild?" Cain raises his eyebrow. "My wife will not bare another mans child, not now not ever" Cain growls.

"Not even one?" Astrid presses. Ares grabs Luna Astrid by the arm yanking her up "Ares!

" she says in shock. "Not even one" Cain answers.

Ares then drags his reluctant Mother out of the dinning hall.

"My that was an interesting conversation" Alara looks thoughtful.

"I apologize for Luna Astrid" Orson gives an annoyed sigh.

"Seems like neither of the people I love know how to behave" he shakes his head as he walks away.

"I now see where Ares gets it from" I laugh.

"She wants you to bare Ares's child" Cain says.

"I think she was trying to trick Ares into marrying" I try to sooth his thoughts I am sure were running wild.

The rest of the night goes on without a hitch. Cain refuses to leave my side and so does Alara but I think she wanted to hear all the juicy conversations. I did not see the woman from earlier again, which was strange but I had bigger problems to worry about. My impending nuptials.