Let's Share [[S E C R E T S]] (Royals Only)

[nanook]

[bg=#0B173B][atrb=width,130,true] Zara The castle walls were her sanctuary, the very source of her power. These walls had seen the generations of her kind, had offered warmth, shelter, and hope to those of her kind. Within these walls blood had been shed, warriors molded, and great royals born. She herself was not born in these walls, but the purity of her lines was unquestionable- this snow white wolf was the product of the finest breeding, and the rock like muscle beneath her sleek, curvaceous form was a testament to that. No, few surpassed her cunning, beauty, wisdom, or ferocity, and so it was really no wonder the she-wolf was Queen. She had, without hesitation, taken the rank shortly after the former Queen passed away, and the stunning creature would not soon be dethroned. With elegance her long limbs carried her silently through a long corridor. Even with the shadows cast across her form her pelt shone brightly, not a single colored hair to dull the effect. Indeed there was such contrast between her pelt and the old walls of the castle that there seamed to be a glow about her. Confident and poised the canine walked along, neither used nor lagging. Elegant power radiated from her very core, an invisible aura that dared not be compromised. Yes, this was Zara in all her glory. Silver blue eyes held calm, endless knowledge, and one would often find themselves wondering just what she'd been through to be blessed, or cursed, with such knowings. Though she had been bred to lead, there was no telling just what she had gone through to reach this point. Her goal was the Throne Room, where she knew she would find who she was looking for. Zara had yet to meet her King, the male she would bonded to. She hopes, not only for her sake, that he was as competent as she, for Zara would not be easy to handle otherwise. To overcome the other Kingdoms was all she cared about, and if this male hindered her in any way...Well, she just hoped his intentions mirrored her own. For years Zara had imagined the downfall of the equines, the eradication of the felines. Nothing would please her more than to have the entire country at her disposal. Wit her skull raised in dignity the white wolf turned into a smaller hallway, this one leading to the renowned Throne Room. Torches alone the wall lit the room, their fire burning eternally just for the wolves. The room was massive, and the marble floors caused her nails to 'click' when they hit it. Aside from a great table off to the side that was rarely used there was only the Thrones, both sat empty. Now, where could her King be? Blue eyes narrowed in amusement, but she did not voice it. Instead her head tilted upwards, and from her lips sprang forth a song of terrifying beauty. It sang 'I am here King, where are you?" OOC;; Sorry my starters suck

[Zion]

Pale light splashed through the elegantly arched windows, casting their soft glow on the slumbering king. He had retired to his chambers late, and when he woke his eyelids were heavy with sleep, before he gradually adjusted, replacing his metaphorical mask on as if it were a tangible object, all traces of emotion, stress, and fatigue wiped off of his ever kingly face with the ease of a master. Father's impersonal style of teachings were useful, he supposed. Though his younger self had certainly not agreed, at least, not in the week or so leading up to what his father had called "the breaking in", which was true too it's name. What had occurred during that singular month had morphed him into an unpolished diamond, ready to be manipulated by his father, to be turned into the ultimate ruler. Perfection had been an obsession of his father's, a never-ending thirst to make his son the perfect, shiny white prince that brute himself had been so cruelly prevented from being by a thin splotch of creamy tan.

But the old wolf had underestimated the cunning, malicious mind of his successor. Within the last year of the elderly king's life, Zion had all but overthrown him. Perhaps it was this failure in controlling his son that had made the old bastard let himself succumb to disease.

Shaking his mind of such idle thoughts, the sleek young brute moved gracefully to the entrance of his spacious quarters, striding smoothly into the cold stone hallway. Today, he was to meet the fae who had been deemed most fit for the position as his mate, his very first, in fact. He had not thought of seeking out such a thing; it seemed to have escaped the mind in the year or so the position had been, ah, free. His elderly mother, even older than his king-father, had faded away with the passing of her 13th year. After all, she had already been graying at the time of his birth.

He was once more pulled from his musings. However, this time, it was something other than his scolding, practical side that had interrupted Zion. An eerily beautiful howl pierced the air, melodious in it's flow. It wasn't particularly fanciful nor romantic; instead, it seemed to belong to one who was more... straight to the point. It was generally an unspoken rule that lesser beings weren't to make such noises so early in the morning, and also late in the evening, as the king's sleep was much more important than any petty satiating of instinct. Unless it was urgent, which in these woefully peaceful times, rarely happened. But perhaps, soon, he would bring those feline barbarians and equine pacifists to heel.

He followed the direction in which the howl had arrived, silently sweeping the area with disdainful, steely gray eyes. The message contained within the howl had been clear to him moments after it's arrival to his ears. It seemed his queen had been rather eager to meet him after all.

His short travels brought him to his vast throne room, austere in it's cold, stony embrace. His eyes immediately alighted upon a slender body, curved yet fit. He was rather unaffected; the arrogant lordling already had too many females hanging on his every word and action, doing their best to gain his favor and become a mistress of some sort. These... "attacks" as he liked to call them, had the reverse effect, pushing him away from the company of females. particularly any who really believed that they had a chance with him. "So, you are the female who they selected for me? It's never good to become involved in the petty power plays among my court, fae" He monotoned, his voice a smooth, light baritone dulcet, the kind that one could whisper in and still draw the attention of an entire room. With, the right charisma, of course.

[nanook]

[bg=#0B173B][atrb=width,130,true] Zara Silence stole the air around her as her voice faded. The ivory she-wolf knew better than to sit there listening for a reply- most males, not to mention the royal ones, usually held a touch too much arrogance to answer right away, let alone show up promptly. With a swish of her thick tail she slowly made her way over to the thrones. It was clear to tell the males from the females, as both held their own masculinity or femininity."Hmph." she scoffed with a grin before leaping up into the seat that was rightfully hers. The golden seat was decorated in silver vines and black diamonds, and her white coat sat in beautiful contrast to the colors around her. Silvery blue eyes swept over the massive, empty room. There was something dark and hollow about the place, as if it had gone unused for so long. She knew this couldn't be true however. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that Zion had his female subordinates crawling all over this place in hopes of entertaining him. Well, there was a new bitch in town, and if any of those whelps of his dared to touch what was now hers, she'd skin them personally- not even Zion could deny her the right to exorcise her rank. Ears perked forward when the sound of claws on marble flooring echoed toward her, and she turned her head just in time to watch a lone white wolf enter the room. From her seat in the throne with her tail wrapped around her visage, she was quite regal looking, and air of power coming off her in torrents."Zion." the single word was the epitome off elegance meets ice, and with that the femme dropped from her perch on the seat. With stunning silvery blue eyes the flawless white she-wolf approached the male, head held at a height that almost dared to challenge him, almost. She wasn't here, however, to test how far she could push him. No, petty games weren't her style, and if he expected her to play the part of starstruck pup he was in for a devastating surprise. "So, you are the female who they selected for me? It's never good to become involved in the petty power plays among my court, fae" Eyes narrowed at the words he'd selected, their coating striking no chord in her. " It was hardly a selection, King." Her words were sharp, but not quite to the point of disrespect. Her fur had wanted to bristle at being addressed as a commoner, no doubt what he called his toys- but she wasn't his, and she wouldn't have it. "I am called Zara." She corrected, and though she kept her tone even, if he purposefully disrespected her again she would not be so pleasant. Before she let things get to serious, an almost dangerous grin placed itself on her lips before it could be taken as a threat. And I took the rank that was owed to me, as any true Queen should have the courage and strength to do- weather your courts agreed or not. " Words lacked arrogance but were not short on truth, she would have challenged and torn apart any female they had deemed more worthy, and one could tell she was not bluffing. She had gone through vigorous training, had endured a seemingly endless journey, and faced down countless dangers on her path. She could trace her lines back for centuries, and the flawless white coats of her kind were countless. Her parents, their parents, and their parents had all been white, but Zion...Well, she had heard his breeding wasn't so pure. "Of course the courts having no objection made things easier." And why would they object? She was clearly an individual worthy of it, fearless in all she did, cunning in all her ventures. This male that stood across from her was a testy one she had heard, but she had also heard that his ambitions were eerily similar to her own. The equines and felines downfall had to happen, and it would- she would make sure of that. The wolves would posses all the Kingdoms, the cats would be eradicated like the pests they were, and the equines, if they were lucky, could be enslaved like cattle to feed the wolves. If they were lucky. In fact, Zara had already begun to plot the downfall of the Cats, one of the bigger reasons for wanting to meet this Zion fellow. As for getting involved..." A curious tone took her voice then, something that almost bordered on being insulted."Weather it's good or not, to see the other Kingdoms fall is what I live for, and what I'll die for. You'd deny me this?" She asked as she circled around to his side to get a better look at him. Physically he seamed fit enough- not bad looking either. Unfortunately it took more than looks to run a country, to be a real wolf. OOC;; ^^ I have been looking foreward to a Zion post

[Zion]

He raised one snowy brow at her sharp retort. If he had not known better, he would have drawn the conclusion that his new "Queen" was a little too attached to her assumed position for the meager time she had been occupying it. His irritation increased slightly with her next statement, and he took a few smooth strides towards her, his face a calm facade of cold regalia. He ascended the small marble step, like a ghost made of ethereal snow, the wolf who had inherited the perfection that had passed over his father in favor of him, granting even the coveted white-gray eyes that rarely appeared even in the royal family. He refused to allow this fae to over-step him, Zion, king of kings, blessed son of the Light.

"Took? I'll admire your courage," He began, a scorning, short, bark of a laugh. "but your bold words are merely impudence until you have proven yourself to me, not all but I." He said, his tongue cultured and his words elegant. He would not have her think him weaker than her. He was the king, and he was powerful. However, he allowed her a basic respect. She certainly had a developed a queenly personality. All she needed was to be reined in, reminded that he was the master of this castle, even if she was the mistress of this lonely keep. And if she ever decided to go even beyond this... minor impudence, and become a hindrance to him by trying to wrest his power from him, she would be put down like a mere dog. He certainly knew that it was within his power to have the fae "disappear" like many of his enemies had before and after his grand coronation. He wouldn't hesitate if it came to such a nuisance. But while she seemed slightly too arrogant for her own good, she seemed to have potential to be his finest playing piece on his little board. Unless she had some sort of foolish streak, he was likely assured that she wouldn't become useless.

He briefly glanced at his own throne. It was carved from the finest silver to be had in the land, forged by ancients, genius blacksmiths whose names had died millenia ago with them. Despite it's age, the throne had an inner glow to it, perhaps some sort of blessing of the Light. It had relatively clear stripes of sparkling diamonds contained by glass made by what he imagined to be the finest artisans of whatever time it had been made. It was welded to the ground, a symbol of the steadfast line of kings who had reigned over this land. He planned to surpass his ancestors, and force the equines and felines to bow to him, and he would become the imperator, the emperor. And if she proved to be fit, she would rule at his side as his empress.

"Whether it's good or not, to see the other Kingdoms fall is what I live for, and what I'll die for. You'd deny me this?"

"I have no qualms with your desire. Once you join me on this path, there is no escaping it, however. If you so much as briefly regret your decision during the duration of the time it takes for... us, to conquer the barbarians and the soft-hearts, it will destroy you, crush you like an insect." He said, his thoughts momentarily going to his father. The foolish wolf had finally began to fear death when he had started to feel it creep up on him, begin to wrap it's cold embrace around him as the disease advanced, sapping away the warrior-king's strength, his source of confidence. Zion clearly remembered the old wolf's last moments on his death bed, his eyes crazed and seemingly unseeing. "I fear that the Light will not welcome me," He had feverishly proclaimed in a moment of clarity, before the life had left him, in a weak, broken sigh.

[nanook]

[bg=#0B173B][atrb=width,130,true] Zara "Took? I'll admire your courage," He began, a scorning, short, bark of a laugh. "but your bold words are merely impudence until you have proven yourself to me, not all but I." Despite the challenge his words presented, Zara found himself drawn to his flawless tone, and annoyance bristled like an angry beast within her. His soft, elegant tone was stained with power, and it was alluring compared to the harsh, uneducated voices of the many she was so used to. Demetri had not warned her of this... With a shake of her beautiful skull she drove the distraction from her mind, not willing to be hindered. Above all it was Zion she had a point to prove to. The felines and horses female rulers were really just trophies whose purpose was little more than to fill an image. She would not be some pointless figure that just stood at her Kings side."I have no qualms with your desire. Once you join me on this path, there is no escaping it, however. If you so much as briefly regret your decision during the duration of the time it takes for... us, to conquer the barbarians and the soft-hearts, it will destroy you, crush you like an insect." By the end of his next words she found herself rid of his first impression, which had left her hostile toward him. Us. The simple word had put her at ease, for the acknowledgment that she was just as much a part of this as he was all she had wanted. Her intentions were never to surpass him, but to sit at his side as an equal."One who does not look back cannot regret what they've done, but should the day ever come that I do, I will welcome my destruction." Her silver sapphire eyes met his as she said this, and in them metallic fire raged with truth. She had never before questioned her destiny, from the moment she was born until now every moment was planned and acted on with scrutinized precision. Taking her eyes off of his she gave him the satisfaction of breaking their gaze first, another confirmation that she would not challenge him so long as their respect remained mutual. Who knew- in time she may even grow fond of this male, who would soon be her partner in crime, which reminded her..."Speaking of the barbarians." Though her words were dark with disgust upon their mention, an almost seductive smirk took her lips, something laced in satisfaction and secrets. I believe I've found a weak spot in their defenses. It may lead to bigger and better things on our part." Her mind went back to her personal quarters, where the coyote Midori stood guard over her captive. She had left the pair to find Zion, and now that she had... It was then another thought invaded her mind, and she was suddenly very interested in the answer. "Will we share the same chambers now?" Before she had gone to the council to take Queen-ship, she had been given her own room, one she had grown to like. Though she had never shared her space with a male before, and the thought was a little odd, she was willing too if it needed of her- so long as he didn't get too fresh. After all, she didn't know him that well. OOC;;

[Zion]

She shook her finely made head for no reason that the king could discern, as alas, he was unable to read minds. Had he been able of such witchcraft, he would have no doubt found it very useful.

"One who does not look back cannot regret what they've done, but should the day ever come that I do, I will welcome my destruction."

"Wise words," He murmured, voice like honey. "and now to see if you will live up to such a moral." He finished, scrutinizing her with his steely gaze as she deferred to him, tearing her own strong blue eyes away from his. She seemed to be learning the way things worked in this land. He felt safety in assuming that they would soon begin a quite wonderful working relationship. He lightly licked his inky black lips, a devious smile forming on his lips as he imagined his glorious throne, surrounding by bowing equines and felines in heavy shackles, indentured as the servants of the the empire of the forest, celebrating the superiority that was the canine. Those heathens would finally be gathered under the banners of the blessed sons and daughters of the Light. Of course, the king's conviction in the Light was half-hearted, for he had little fervor for his nation's religion. It's downfall in his heart and mind had been primarily cause by those last words of his father, the sheer fear in the old white wolf's eyes as the light left those very same eyes. It seemed to Zion that it he would be better off without the Light. However, he dared not forego the customs. The citizens would be rebelling the instant they believed that their king was a non-believer.

"Speaking of the barbarians."

Her, no, Zara, had spoken up, breaking the momentary silence. His white-gray gaze met her cool sapphire again, waiting for her to speak. Her beautiful voice was filled with a deep-seated disgust, one that Zion shared, with good reason. The felines were built elegantly alright- strong muscles under sleek, silky coats, but they often proved themselves unworthy of such a gift, with such savage and brutish behavior that couldn't possibly compare with the graceful wolves, who held finesse in their very core. Their leader, Loki- by far, if he was the leader, than he was the worst of the lot. They were barbarians, through and through. "Yes?" He responded, right before she continued.

"I believe I've found a weak spot in their defenses. It may lead to bigger and better things on our part."

"Oh?" He said, only just keeping the feverish glee from saturating his voice. A satisfied smirk reached across his lips, "And how did you come about such information?" He inquired, as was required of him. It was only natural that he would like to learn where and how his... queen, had come to know such things. A new level of respect was added to his impression of her. A wonderful relationship, indeed.

"Will we share the same chambers now?"

"...I suppose so." He began, brows furrowing slightly as he thought. He had not remembered to plan about such a, ah, delicate problem. Sharing a bedchamber with another was a form of intimacy, regardless of whether one, ah, participated in anything whilst in that bedchamber with their chamber-mate.

[nanook]

[bg=#0B173B][atrb=width,130,true] Zara She could feel that things were beginning to smooth over between them,and though she was still very cautious of the moon washed stranger before her, she was considerably more calm in his presence. The she wolf smirked a little when a light entered the males eyes upon hearing her words, and she found herself pleased that he was satisfied. If there was one thing that nobody knew aside from her, it was that she had an addiction of sorts to proving herself. To be useful, trusted, and wanted was something Zara could not help but crave, though her actions and supposed mindset wouldn't make you think so. No, it was only Demetri the Arctic Fox, Royal Adviser (who had also played a role in her becoming Queen), that knew her true self. He suffered her smothering without complaint, and the busy little neat freak was always there when she needed something to curl up with. This was noting new however, and in her birth lands many could tell you that she would often keep to or three females in her bed chambers with her. Nobody could tell you why accept her companion wolves themselves of course. "'Such information' was found quivering like a fool on our borders." There was an audible growl in her otherwise smooth tones upon saying this, and it was clear that though the opportunity was interesting, she was still not pleased with what she had come across."At first I was just going to kill it, she said this casually, the sheer sophistication in the words she spoke almost chilling when coupled with such a topic.but then I thought to myself ' children are horribly easy to corrupt- especially when they hate their Kingdom enough to run away from it." One could see now, quite clearly, the devilish look in her eyes as she paused. Everything about her plan was risky, but the benefits if it worked could lead right to the downfall of the Felines, who would no doubt be the harder of the two Kingdoms to take. "It calls itself 'Linkk'. It ran away from Loki after being born into slavery. He already hates the cat- why not use it to our advantage? Think of how easy it would be to convince him that we are going to 'free' his kind by taking down his miserable King. Delight was clear in her features, and she now turned away from Zion to circle her throne. "We could train him, and then send him back to Loki. That damned cat won't ever be able to get the upper hand with a spy relaying all of his plans back to us, and when the right opportunity presents itself, we can catch the fools off guard and hit them where it really hurts." Eyes narrowed on male, the hint of a smirk still lingering on her lips."Then you'll have your Second Kingdom, my King." OOC;; Been sick,sorry

[Zion]

"It." He repeated, watching the fae with ever renewed interest. So it was an actual living thing that was their informant. "Perhaps a feline?" The only possibility, as far as he could see. The Barbarian chieftain was less than welcoming towards non-felines, and to find information through one of their spies was hard, as a canine would likely be killed on sight, or worse, tortured for information about his kingdom. So his spies were few and far in between, and all had troubles hiding from the citizens of the other kingdoms. One could only isolate themselves from other beings for so long before they were discovered.

On the other hand, he doubted that even barbarians would be stupid enough to openly wander across the border, as Zara claimed. To even be afraid... he smirked. Such a creature would be easy enough to corrupt, he supposed. Who was he to question the gift he had been so graciously given? "Right." He muttered in reply to her statement about the corruptibility of a child. After all, he remembered how naive he had been as a child, how he had believed in his father, who, despite being cold and conniving, had seemed to a then younger him, a god, equal even to the Light. "We'd have to dispose of him afterwards, though." He commented lightly, brows furrowed in thought. If the whelp was allowed to grow into adulthood, the knowledge that he brought down his tribe, even if he hated it, would likely turn against them. If they let him live, if he succeeded his mission, it would be taking a chance.

And Zion disliked taking chances.

"I applaud you, my queen." He began. "Perhaps our relationship may turn out for the better, yes?" He said, a smile gracing his handsome, cold features, before his expression returned to it's accustomed neutral austerity. "Let's see this little spy-in-training, shall we?" He asked, his statement a subtle inquiry of where exactly their living weapon was.