The Legend of Serpia

Chapter 7: A Hero's Welcome



I felt bad getting off that ship. For the last 4 months it had been my home. I had many good memories on that ship. I celebrated my 15th birthday on the ship, had Seth ask me to be his mate, got Seth to like me on that ship and spent many hours with Hydra pondering about the weird ways men's minds work. We made it back to Novajita without further problems. We landed just outside Jaeda with our 600 ships and walked through the city's gates. We had radioed Jaeda from 5 hours outside Novajita and told them we were returning home. A huge welcome party awaited us. There was music and lights, confetti and the entire city had turned up for the night's celebrations. Although we only returned with 600 men, Jeitans from all over were happy to see us come home. Seth and I, along with the remainder of our men, paraded through the streets of Jaeda on our way to the castle. We had much to discuss with my father. First there was the death toll, then the pit stop on the planet of the assholes, then the Arilian attack, then the stupid Arilian Queen, then the fact that we needed to have a huge party to celebrate the bonding of Onyx and Hydra. Then there was the issue that I was going to bring up about how I thought Hydra and Onyx should be made battle commanders. I also wanted to inform my father of Zorion's role in the Suriuji attack and how he raped Hydra. I wanted him OUT of my army. Last, but definitely not least, Seth had proposed that him and I be bonded when we returned to Novajita. The only thing was… he needed my father's position to take me as his mate. Boy was this going to be a long night. We made our way up the stone steps and were let in by the palace guards. We walked the long hallway to the throne room. The only proof we had that our conquest succeeded was the crown of Arilia, which we took from the queen on Arilia. The captain of the guards himself was guarding the throne room doors, the reason for the extra security being that Seth and I weren't around to protect the King, and he readily let us in. As I walked towards the throne my father looked up. He had a small boy on his knee. He put the boy down and walked slowly towards me. He stopped a foot in front of me and hesitantly put his hand on my cheek.

"You're back… I thought you were dead for sure… Welcome home, my daughter."

I extended my hand with the crown in it.

"A gift, father. The crown of Arilia. The race is no more. They have been annihilated. We have many matters of great importance to talk about. Shall we have dinner? Oh, I nearly forgot to ask. Who is this boy?" I pointed to the throne, where the three year old was crawling all over.

"Serpia, this is Kuasar. He is your half brother. I meant to introduce you to him when you returned from training camp, only you returned under such grim circumstances… He is the crown prince, unless you want the crown. I took the cook's daughter as my mate several years ago. Kuasar is the product of your union. Speaking of which… you are of age now Serpia. I am desperately trying to find a mate worthy of you. But let's talk of this at dinner."

Seth stepped up beside me. "Your highness? I was hoping I could talk to you before we eat… In private."

"Of course, Commander. Follow me. We'll talk in my bed chamber."

Seth and my father strode off through the door left of the throne. I walked up to young prince Kuasar. I loved kids and my brother was no different. I couldn't help noticing how tall and spiky his hair was. It was unusual even for a Jeitan. I crouched down in front of him.

"Hey there. Do you know who I am?"

He shook his head. I could tell he was a little frightened of me. I was wearing full war armor and I was covered from head to toe in bloodstains (some genius never thought to put showers in space ships so I hadn't bathed since we were on the planet of the assholes, just over a month before).

"I'm Serpia. I'm your big sister. I just came back from war. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Se… Sep… Sepia? Daddy say much 'bout you. He like. You go war? Arilia? You is kill many peoples?"

"Yes, I'm afraid I did. They deserved it though. They came all the way here and killed some of our soldiers first."

" Daddy say you is kill firs time too. Daddy say you is bery strong… Chaos Jeitan… He say you is radio him and tell. I is want bery much to be warrior like you."

"That's nice to hear. Are you hungry?"

The young boy nodded. I took his hand, told the guards where we were going and headed for the kitchens. Kuasar and I had just sat down to several large bowls of rice when Seth and my father walked in. My father looked very serious.

"Kuasar, go eat in your chambers."

"But daddy! I want to stay with Sepia!"

"No Kuasar. Serpia and I have things to talk about."

Prince Kuasar took three of the bowls and stalked off unhappily. My father took his spot and Seth sat beside me. Seth and I started eating immediately. My father, however, did not. He just wanted to talk. He waited patiently while we ate though.

"Serpia, Seth has asked for you. He wants to take you as his mate. I have no problems with it… It is entirely up to you."

I wanted to jump for joy and hug everyone in the room, but somehow I maintained my calm, collected attitude and replied, "Yes, father, I would like to be Seth's mate."

"It's settled then. Seth? I would normally trust you with the ceremonies, but with Serpia being a princess and all… I think I'd better do it. I just don't understand how something as violent as a war can bring together two people who HATED each other's guts only months before… It's kinda weird, no? I realize you two have been waiting a long time so I will allow Seth to take you tonight, but don't let it get public… I want them to think it's all going to be done in a few weeks when we do the ceremonies. I also don't want to hear your war stories tonight. Tell me in the morning. You two should be off to bed… sleep in Serpia's chamber until we can build you a proper palace. Seth told me how you saved him on Suriuji, and how he disposed of the Queen. I've decided to make you both Jeitan knights as your reward. That'll be tomorrow too. Now off you go… Seth, if you hurt her I swear I'll…"

"Your highness, with due respect, I think you should worry more about her hurting me…"

And with that Seth and I went off to my chambers. Tonight would be special. Tonight I would become Seth's mate.