160 Queen Cara

Everyone drops to their knees except for Kian and I. If anything, our mouths drop to the floor. She walks straight to me, ignoring everyone else and pulls me into a large hug while saying "You have no idea how long I've waited for this! I've missed you so much." 

Everyone looks at us in complete shock and confusion but no one says a word. When she pulls back, her smile falters. Her eyes narrow on my stomach as she asks "What happened? Who hurt you?" Everyone in the room tenses as she turns around to look at them.

I strain to bring my brain back online as I struggle to say "I killed them... these are friends. Well, some of them are." As soon as she looks away from them, they silently release their breaths. She looks me over as she says "What did I miss? I tried to calculate the right timing but it seems I was a bit off." 

I blink a few times before asking "You aren't dead? I mean... I'm happy you're not but I'm confused. You and the elves disappeared hundreds of years ago. What happened? How are you here? Are you coming from the past!? I thought time travel was a no no!?"

She chuckles in delight before saying "That, my dear, is something you and I will discuss in private but for the moment... Is the opening of the Fae world safe here or do I need to move it?" My eyes glance over to Ambrose and when he sees it, he quickly gets up and bows before saying "I will safeguard the entrance to the Fae world." 

Queen Cara turns and gives Ambrose a small smile before asking "And you are?" Ambrose quickly says "A friend of Eris's. My name is Ambrose and this is my club." Queen Cara's smile grows as she says "Any friend of Eris is a friend of mine. Thank you, Ambrose."

He elegantly bows again, slightly shocking me before the Druids walk over and kneel before Queen Cara. I roll my eyes and mumble "Here we go..." The lead Druid looks up to Queen Cara and announces "Queen Cara, it is my honor to finally meet you. Our scrolls spoke of a time when the true Queen would once again walk the earth with her direct descendent. It seems like we weren't misled."

Queen Cara nods and says "Yes, I started that and I created you to protect Eris in my absences. You've done a good job." I feel my jaw slack again as I watch them with disbelief. She MADE them to protect me? Shouldn't I have gotten the memo!?

Queen Cara turns to her guards and says "Stay and help protect the entrance. I will go with Eris but I will be back before sunset." The guards bow and move back to the gaping hole in the wall as she turns to Ambrose and says "I will have to bother you for some time. I will make arrangments to move the opening in a few day's time. I hope I do not cause too much trouble for you until then."

She pulls me towards the door and says "Now, show me your world and where you live!" I turn to look back at Kian but he still stands frozen with a blank look on his face. She broke him! As soon as we step outside, we're greeted by the large blood moon. 

The Vampires were still lingering outside of the club but when they see Queen Cara, they all fall to their knees. I scoff at them as she ignores them and keeps walking, pulling me along with her. I awkwardly clear my throat and ask "Where are we going?"

She pauses and turns around to say "Your home?" I start laughing as I say "My home is this way." I take the lead and walk her to the car. She looks at it with bright eyes, excitement flowing through her as I show her how to get in and buckle up.

Unfortunately, we didn't head straight to the house. Once I started driving, she didn't want me to stop! After driving all over town, twice! We finally pull into my driveway. As soon as the car stops, she jumps out of the car and says "A dragon! You actually have a dragon!?" 

The Dragon's eyes light up upon seeing Queen Cara and Quickly jumps down, growing several times to its original size. He rubs up against Queen Cara like a large cat, even making low purring noises as Queen Cara hugs and rubs on him.

She giggles in delight and says "I thought they all parished in my father's time with all the wars... I never thought I'd see them again. Who's a good boy..." She reaches up and scratches the large scary dragon under his chin, making his back leg kick in rhythm like a large dog. 

I throw my hands up in defeat as I say "He's all yours!" Queen Cara giggles as she says "Oh no, he's definitely yours my dear. I'm just going to enjoy him." After she spends a full hour loving on the dragon, he shrinks back into his owl size and perches back on top of the house like nothing happened. 

As soon as we walk up to the house, the house swings the door open. Queen Cara's eyes light up in delight as she says "Well... I would have never thought..." as she walks into the house with a large smile. Binx leans around me to see Queen Cara but to my surprise, he doesn't go running to her or immediately suck up to her.

If anything, he seems to be keeping his distance and sticking close to my leg. I watch him with amusement but when Enzo comes down the hall in nothing but a towel saying "It's about time you two came back. I made a bath for all of us to get nice and cozy with..." 

His words die on his lips as he comes face to face with Queen Cara.