Wolves
This story is rated PG-13 for sexual situations
Chapter 21 - A New King
Teriyu sought out his sister the next afternoon. "I need to return to my patrol, Tylee. I am going to leave tomorrow, going through the portal to Suzaku."
"Oh." Tylee said, hanging her head.
Teriyu laughed gently, "Ah, my poor sister who wears all her feelings so openly!"
"Don't tease me."
"Forgive me, Tylee, you know how much I love you." Teriyu said, taking one of her hands. "And I know how unhappy you are in the dens. I have talked to the Princess and you are welcome to stay here in the Castle for as long as you wish."
Tylee looked up at her brother and hugged him tightly. "You are the best brother anyone could ever have!"
"I only want you to be happy."
Tylee smiled and then lowered her eyes once more. "Teriyu, may I ask you a question?"
"You can ask me anything."
"Do you know who Taiki is?" She had not seen him for several days now.
"What do you mean? He is Rin's son."
"Yes, but not Kaiba's. Do you who his father is?"
"No, but then I've never asked. Kenru must know. Ask her." Teriyu suggested. "Has he stolen your heart?"
"I barely know him!" she protested, blushing.
"But you would like to." Teriyu said and she nodded. "Then I wish you much happiness. If he is your choice, then he is perfect!"
"I must also be his choice."
"How could he not love a beauty such as my sister?"
The next morning, Teriyu took his leave, thanking the Princess for her hospitality and for allowing his sister to stay at the Castle. Tylee hugged him tightly, suddenly afraid to be alone. Teriyu chided her for being a silly child and then with a jaunty wave, stepped into the portal.
"Don't worry; he will visit as often as he can, and you can visit Suzaku and your father whenever you like." Aara said, trying to cheer her up.
"Thank you." Tylee replied.
At that moment, a young man with long blond hair came running up to the Princess. "Princess! Princess! You must come. Zalika is dying!"
"What! I was hoping we had more time. I will come immediately." She turned to the guards and instructed them to tell Rin, Kaiba and Kurama the news. Very shortly all were gathered around the Princess. Tylee was forgotten and stayed to the back. Who was Zalika? What did he have to do with Rin and Kaiba? Did this have anything to do with Taiki? She had not seen him for two days now. He was at none of the meals. Bakura and Aniki joined them at few moments later, and the entire group set out behind the blond young man. Tylee walked quietly behind them hoping no one would notice her.
Soon they reached a hill and walked up it and then down the other side. Mist filled the valley below, but as they walked further into it, Tylee began to see outlines of horses. When they reached the floor of the valley, the mist cleared and the horses became Unicorns. Tylee looked around in wonder. Unicorns! They were so beautiful. All silver and gold. They were all in a group, radiating from the center of the valley like spokes of a wheel. The Princess and her group walked through them until they reached the center. Lying on soft grasses was a silver Unicorn with a gold circle around his horn. Standing next to him was a gold and white Unicorn and several other Unicorns. To one side was a black Unicorn, the only one that was dark in color.
"Princess." Came the thoughts of the gold and white Unicorn. "All of you, thank you for coming."
"Is there anything I can do?" Kaiba asked.
"No, the end is upon us." Kiri replied. "My grandfather has lived a long and full life. It is time."
Zalika's thoughts came to them, very faint, like a whisper on a gentle wind. "Thank you, Princess Aara, for giving my herd a home."
"Thank you for sharing your magic with us."
"Kiri..." Zalika's thoughts turned to his grandson. The Unicorn knelt down next to his grandfather. "You are my heir and now the king of the Unicorns. May you wear the crown with wisdom and honor."
Kiri nodded and touched his horn to Zalika's horn. A bright orb of golden light enveloped the two horns, then dissipated. The golden ring was on Kiri's horn now. And Zalika lay dead. All around them, the Unicorns knelt, paying homage to their past king and to their future king. Aara and her group followed suit.
After a time, several of the Unicorns transformed into men and carried Zalika's body off to prepare it for burial. Kiri transformed to his human self, a young man with white blond hair and green eyes. Around his forehead was a thin gold circlet. "I loved him, even though he was set in his ways and we disagreed about almost everything."
"I know you did, Kiri." Aara replied. "But he was ready to leave this world. You will make a good king."
"I hope so. His time was a time of war and strife. I hope mine will be a time of peace."
Rin looked at the Black Unicorn, "Are you alright, son?"
Tylee looked at her. What did she mean? Then to her amazement, the Black Unicorn transformed into Taiki. He was half-Unicorn!
"Yes, Mother. I will miss Grandfather a lot. He had so many wonderful stories to tell me about the old ways, when all of the Great Dragons were in the world."
Rin hugged her son and then went to talk to Kiri. Taiki looked at Tylee. "Hello."
"Hello. I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you. I'm surprised to see you here. I didn't realize that you had been told our secret."
"Well, I sort of..just tagged along. I was next to the Princess when she received the news." She replied sheepishly.
"Ah, that explains it."
"I promise to keep your secret." Tylee said in a sincere voice.
Taiki nodded, "Actually I'm glad you know. I've been wanting to get to know you better, but then this happened..."
"I am going to be staying in the Castle for awhile, and I would like to know you better also." Tylee answered, hoping that she did not sound anything like she felt. Inside she was floating on air, filled with joy. He wanted to spend time with her!
"Wonderful. I'll be back in a few days, after all the ceremonies are completed and I'll seek you out, if you don't mind."
"I'll be waiting."