Lotus once again felt a cold sweat threatening to break out, but thanks to her vast experience and advanced age, she had long mastered the art of emotional control.
She betrayed absolutely no visible emotions on her face, maintaining the sa serene and calculating expression as before.
"I like your vigor, Tamar," Lotus complinted her with a warm, approving tone that carried through the vine-woven hall, her golden eyes softening slightly at the edges as she regarded the young Amazon.
She continued; "Indeed. The world beyond our Verdant Spire will expect us to do sothing decisive about this disgrace that has befallen us. And we will give them sothing they cannot ignore.
"If we do not act in the way they anticipate, the spirits themselves will co snooping around these ancient forests to find out if we have simply left Benjamin to his fate... and they will discover here, deep in the heart of the Spire, cooking up ultra forbidden magic. And that, my dears, is a whole different serious matter in its own right—one that could bring far greater trouble upon all our heads."
Tamar nodded slowly, her expression showing clear understanding of the delicate balance Lotus was describing, the weight of the words settling visibly on her shoulders.
"I understand... And as for bloodshed?" she asked, her voice carrying a note of practical curiosity rather than outright eagerness.
This ti around, every Amazon in the hall turned their heads, glancing at Tamar with visible worry etched across their dark-skinned features—subtle shifts in posture, tightened jaws, and quick exchanged looks that spoke volus without a single word.
Tamar continued, her hands resting lightly on the edge of the oval table as she elaborated:
"We have to deal with them for stepping on our tail so boldly. It’s n-not like I’m angry that Benjamin got his naïve self kidnapped or anything like that, I swear! Sara and mother got hurt because of this whole ss, so..."
Lotus smiled gently at Tamar’s adorable attempt at dishonesty, the curve of her lips faint yet knowing, as if she could see straight through the carefully worded denial.
She answered in a asured, reassuring voice. "Like I said earlier, we are going to be under surveillance even more intensely now. We will use that very opportunity to kindly welco their spies into our territory and nicely ask them if they happen to know anything about where Benjamin might be."
And Tamar smiled back, an eerie, slow-spreading grin that lit her eyes with dark promise as she absorbed the full connotation hidden beneath Lotus’s carefully chosen words.
"Ah, please, let be in charge of the questioning," she said, her tone laced with sweet venom. "I shall be extra nice with the guests who co calling. The cri of taking Benjamin away from —I an, from us—is grave indeed."
Elara gave her own verdict then, her silver-grey eyes steady as she spoke with quiet finality, saying that things should move forward exactly as they had planned, and that Benjamin would be gotten back one way or the other, no matter the obstacles.
And with that, the serious strategic eting was adjourned.
***
As the Amazon officials began to scatter from the hall, their footsteps soft against the earthen floor woven with roots and bark, Elara remained seated in her larger chair, waiting patiently for the space to empty so she could speak privately with Lotus about a few lingering matters.
But Sara was the last to rise from her place.
She casually walked over to Elara’s seat with unhurried steps, the faint rustle of her clothing the only sound breaking the quiet.
Bending down gracefully, she wrapped her arms around Elara in a warm, enveloping hug from the side, pulling her close for a mont before leaning in to press a gentle kiss directly onto her forehead.
Elara sat extrely dumbfounded, her mouth falling open wide as her jaw hung slack in pure shock.
A deep blush rushed across her features, coloring her dark skin vividly, while her silver eyes dilated noticeably, the pupils expanding in surprise.
"Wh-wh-wh-wh—!" Elara couldn’t form a single coherent word, her hands fidgeting restlessly under her daughter’s unexpected embrace, fingers twisting together as she shifted in her seat.
"We are together in this, mother," Sara murmured softly, pressing her own forehead gently against Elara’s in a mont of intimate connection. "We will get him back, so do not push yourself too much from guilt, okay? I did not say it much for generations, but I love you very much."
And with that, Sara straightened up and walked away confidently from the hall, her posture straight and purposeful, leaving behind a snickering Marina who tried—and failed—to hide her amused smile, a thought-absorbed Lotus who remained seated on her carpet with distant eyes, and a blushing girl who happened to be the queen of the Verdant Spire.
"Heavens..." Elara pouted, her lips forming a small, childish expression as she raised one hand to feel the exact spot on her forehead where the kiss had landed, the warmth still lingering there. "It is not fair if only I get so flustered..."
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End of Vol. 2...
***
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AUTHOR’S NOTE:
I am a sinner.
There; I said it.
I have kept you all from Sara and the Amazons for nearly one whole volu (literally 100 Chapters)! Despite my empty promises to bring them quicker—So please, forgive my lying ass.
Starting from the next volu, as you can see we’re already starting, we’ll be seeing the Amazon quite a lot. As my atonent.
Also, I wanted to use this dium to kindly divide the readers between two sides: S-Readers and T-Readers.
If I suddenly tag a Chapter saying "Only R-Readers are allowed," it ans only readers who are ready to read everything can continue.
S-Readers, like , cannot handle shock and stuffs like that. And sadly, I’m a slave to my plot.
But, believe it or not, there are folks here who want to read every freaking inch of the story.
But everyone can’t do that.
So, yeah; you’re either S or R. You shall still enjoy the story, but are advised to leave the R-stories for the R-Readers, which I will make sure to tag.
Like, a cute woman had her **** blown off by an arrow, and **** was explained in details. What does that have to do with the overall story? Not nothing... But at least, I should be considerate of other people.
So, sugar fluff for normal Chapters, and darkness for "R" tagged Chapters... I will try to live up to this commitnt.
So people straight up abuse for writing the story I want to write, and ask to write what they MUST read.
Now, that makes a robot. I know there are "no-go" areas in ethical writings, and I understand. Which is why I separate Bonuses from regular Chapters often.
If you are "S" and you read what I tag "R," please do not confront and insult . I will defend myself. I warned you after all.
I’m saying this because folks have already done that, and it was unsightly.
BIG FREAKING thanks to LeoDog-sama; the novel is basically your whore now! We see your never-ending support, and it keeps us at night (positively). It also makes feel "Leodog is waiting..." and I get motivated, even if a little, to write more.
Thanks to Joethedeath also; Jimmy Parker, I think; and every one of you who decided to humor my story; you will marry gorgeous people and give birth to twins. An.
Listen, I am only able to write this far because of you: yes, this beautiful face staring at the screen. Mwah.
I cannot forget about Lord Michael, who actually gave a massage chair. Multiple tis! We love you, we swear! Your review is my wallpaper.
Okay, I also did a horrific act of writing "Special Amazon Chapters," which I’m sure so of you must know nothing about:
In case you haven’t seen them, but would like to read them—check the ending of these Chapters:
Chapter 29: where you’ll find "Special Amazon Chapter: Tamar Is Cute"
Chapter 37: Special Amazon Chapter: So Lulu in Love
Chapter 72: Special Amazon Chapter: Heka Wants It Rough! 1
Chapter 74: Special Amazon Chapter: Heka Wants It Rough! 2
Valentine Special Chapter 9: Special Amazon Chapter: What Is the Martha with Sniffing? I
Chapter 83: Special Amazon Chapter: What Is the Martha with Sniffing? II
Chapter 96: Special Amazon Chapter: What Is the Martha with Sniffing? III
These are the ones that exist behind us so far. If any more appears, I swear to Lotus, I will inform you promptly.
Vol. III starts... Now!
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