Chapter 304: 304: Queen of the Mountain
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"Good morning, little one," Luna said warmly, crouching to scoop the wyrmling into her arms.
Miryam nuzzled against her chest, letting out a soft hum in acknowledgment. She tilted her head toward the door as if to say she already knew where Kai had gone.
"Yes, he’s probably with the others," Luna murmured to herself, stroking the little wyrmling’s head. "Even after a night like that, he’s already working. That’s my Kai..."
She pressed her forehead against Miryam’s for a moment, letting herself simply enjoy the warmth. Then she rose, wrapping a light robe around her body before moving to the door.
When she opened it, the hallway was empty now, the scent of mischief and heat from the previous night only faintly lingering in the air. The floor had been tidied, the clothing and chaos cleared away.
Her ears twitched as she heard the echo of familiar voices from below. The booming laugh of Vexor, the smooth tones of Shadeclaw, and the unmistakable baritone of her husband as he gave out commands in the central hall.
With Miryam in her arms, Luna stepped out and began the short walk down toward the balcony overlooking the colony’s heart. The mountain was alive with motion — carving, carrying, and the distant call of Alka from her high roost outside.
The sight filled Luna’s chest with warmth. "This is our home," she whispered to Miryam. "And I... I am truly his queen here. You are the princess."
The soft hum of the colony grew louder with every step Luna took down the spiraling stone passage. Miryam clung to her chest, eyes wide and alert now, her tiny claws flexing against the soft fabric of Luna’s robe. The morning light followed them, filtering in from carved openings high along the walls, painting the stone in streaks of gold.
When they reached the wide balcony overlooking the central hall, Luna paused.
The sight below stole her breath for a moment. The mountain was alive.
Four ant soldiers and workers moved in seamless coordination, their exoskeletons glinting under the torchlight and the soft glow of moss lamps. Teams of two ants hauled large stones and wooden beams from the supply alcoves, while other two carved smooth new chambers into the walls for the recent arrivals. In the far corner, the injured sisters were resting, their bandages being changed by each other, while the two hot twins fussed over the newly secured egg chamber.
And there, in the center of it all, stood Kai.
Even in his human form, he commanded the space like he was born to it. His white silver hair caught the light, his cloak moving faintly in the draft as he gestured to Shale and Vexor, who were moving the rocks.
Luna’s chest warmed. He wasn’t just her mate — he was truly their king. The king of monarch mountain.
She stepped forward, letting her soft voice carry. "Husband."
Kai’s head lifted immediately. His red eyes found hers, and for a moment, his stance, commanding expression melted into warmth.
"Luna," he said, his voice carrying easily in the hall. He climbed the steps toward her in a few long jumps, and by the time he reached her, his hand was already lifting to stroke Miryam’s head.
"Morning," he murmured, leaning down to kiss Luna’s cheek softly. "You look radiant."
Her ears flicked, heat blooming in her cheeks. "You left early. I woke up and..." She hesitated, glancing aside, her voice softening. "I reached for you."
Kai’s hand slid to the small of her back, pulling her gently closer. "I didn’t want to wake you. After last night, you deserved to rest."
Miryam Ghhhrrr in soft protest until Kai reached to scoop her into his other arm. The tiny daughter nuzzled into his chest immediately, letting out a soft, rumbling trill of satisfaction.
"Papa, I want to play with you."
"She’s getting heavier," Kai said, glancing at the wyrmling. "A little longer, and she’ll be ready to leave the moss bed entirely."
"She’s growing fast because she feels safe," Luna said, her voice tender. "This... all of this..." She gestured to the bustling colony below. "You’ve built a home for all of us."
Kai glanced over the balcony with her, his arm still holding her close. "Not just me. You’re the heart of this place, Luna. Last night reminded me why I fight to come home alive."
Her throat tightened with emotion at his words. "And I will always wait for you. Even if the sky falls."
Below, the rhythmic sounds of the colony continued — the scrape of stone, the occasional click of mandibles, and the distant chirp of Alka from her high roost.
Vexor’s voice boomed from below. "King Kai! The upper chamber is ready for the first harem quarters!"
Luna’s ear twitched. "Harem quarters?"
Kai coughed lightly, turning his face toward the hall. "Ah... yes. For their training and sleeping arrangements. They... need their own space, away from the eggs."
Her silver eyes narrowed just slightly, but then she exhaled softly and shook her head with a small, amused smile. "You really are building a kingdom here."
"A family," Kai corrected, leaning his forehead to hers. "A family that no one will ever take from us."
Kai answered the questions of his daughter, "My sweet daughter Miryam. I will play with you in the afternoon. I got some work to do. After that all my evening time will belong to you."
"Okay, Papa!" She replied.
They stood there for a moment, letting the warmth of the morning and the hum of life below wrap around them. Miryam closed her eyes, nestled between them, a tiny heartbeat against two stronger ones.
And above it all, the mountain seemed to breathe with them. It felt alive, whole, and waiting for whatever came next.
A few moments later...
The scent of roasted beast meat and steamed roots wafted through the upper levels of Monarch Mountain, rich and savory enough to stir the deepest sleepers. The colony had a rhythm now; when the sun rose, food was always waiting.