The Healing Empress, page 19
Chapter 59
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
~ Proverbs 25:15
Celena was glad when she and Nikolos were officially married. Now, no matter what anyone said, they were joined for life. No one would separate them.
But she was still nervous about becoming Empress of Kalare. Already, even though she hadn’t officially been crowned yet, many were treating her as such. The Kalarian guests were suspicious of her at first, but as they spoke and interacted with her, their suspicion turned to incredulity, and finally, either pity or condescension. It was clear they didn’t think she had what it took to be empress. Even those who were not Kalarian, but were from among Kalare’s conquered peoples, didn’t seem confident in her abilities.
Celena didn’t blame them. She herself wasn’t certain of her skills. But she knew her style of ruling would be very different than what they had experienced before. She had already decided she wanted to be known as the Healing Empress of Kalare, the one who cured the wounds of the past. She had already helped Nikolos heal from the lies he had been acting under. She hoped to do the same for his nation too.
But she was relieved when she and Nikolos were finally left to themselves. She knew he would do everything he could to protect and cherish her. It would be a relief to go on the honeymoon to Kalare’s most beautiful resort, so that they wouldn’t have to deal with the court. That evening, Nikolos held her and asked how she was doing.
“I’m still nervous, but this is in God’s hands,” she said. “If it is His will that I be empress, He will make it happen.”
Chapter 60
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
~ Psalm 107:20
Nikolos had Celena coronated the day after their wedding, and before they went on their honeymoon, so there would be no question concerning her authority. He didn’t want to give the Isenites, or his own courtiers, the opportunity to undermine her, by claiming she wasn’t really empress. Celena and her family were surprised when he told them what he was planning, but they had no objection when he explained his reasons. If anything, Roxanna and Vasilis seemed to approve of the measure, though grudgingly.
The honeymoon was bliss. Its only drawback was in that it was much too short. But Nikolos and Celena couldn’t afford to be on vacation for long, not with the Isenites preparing to attack, and with the shaky alliance in need of bracing up.
Nikolos asked Vasilis to meet him at their shared border as soon as he returned. They needed to go over plans to prepare for an attack from the Isenites. Vasilis seemed astonished, but complied, though he was obviously suspicious of what Nikolos’s motives were.
“The Isenites intend to hit our shared coast, probably with the intent of scaring you and Roxanna out of the alliance, so as to isolate Kalare again,” said Nikolos.
He then handed Vasilis the information that the Kalarian scouts had gathered on the event. Vasilis was obviously surprised that Nikolos was willing to share this.
“So, what do you suggest then?” asked Vasilis.
“A joint operation,” said Nikolos. “We will be better able to drive them off if we work together.”
Vasilis agreed. The two then set to work getting their troops in that area coordinated. They also went to work drawing up a plan, as to how they would accomplish driving off the Isenites. Nikolos was surprised by Vasilis’s ingenuity, when it came to how they would circumvent various hazards and problems. It was clear that if they could continue working together, they would make a near unstoppable team. Vasilis also had Roxanna join them.
“She is better at planning than I am,” he admitted. “If we want this operation to succeed, we are going to need her too.”
Nikolos was amazed Vasilis was willing to admit this much, and realized that he hadn’t really been able to do much by way of defeating Vasilis once he had married Roxanna. Together, the two were a solid team, as Nikolos could see. He had Celena come too, so the two sisters could spend time together, and so Celena would be aware of what was going on. She would be staying in the capital as his regent.
They soon had a solid plan. When the time came for the Isenite attack: Nikolos, Vasilis, and Theodoros were all present, armed, and dangerous. Roxanna, Estella, and Celena were at the capitals of Oreias, Achlys, and Kalare respectively, ready to send more men and supplies if they were needed.
“Congratulations on becoming a father,” said Theodoros as they waited.
“Thank you,” said Nikolos. “I look forward to the child entering the world. It worries me to have Celena so busy while she is in her current state.”
Vasilis and Theodoros shared an approving look. The news that Celena was carrying Nikolos child had spread, and was probably known even to the Isenites by now. Vasilis and Theodoros already had children in the world, but they could share Nikolos’s sentiment. They might even have more children on the way, but hadn’t told anyone else yet.
The battle commenced, and was an easy victory over the Isenites. The newly established allies proved themselves to be a formidable team. The Isenites were sent retreating, probably realizing they needed to think more carefully, concerning their own intentions of conquering the planet. Nikolos was pleased. He and his allies were safe for now.
But he knew it wasn’t over. He was glad to return home to Celena, who had done an excellent job keeping the empire running while he was away. His advisers and courtiers still didn’t know what to make of her, but she was doing well. She was truly beginning to heal the empire.
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Did you love The Healing Empress? Then you should read The Lady of the Hour by R. E. Steele!
What if you could control time, but fear held you back?
Emma is a seemingly average young woman who went from a disheartened employee, to a fugitive in the war-torn land of Tempora. Temporans are capable of traveling through time, a gift Emma learns she too possesses. She is terrified of what she is capable of, and even more terrified of the attention her gift draws.
What if you were destined for greatness, but were trapped by your past?
Lord Delitor is a powerful, charismatic, and mysterious Temporan who is determined to conquer Tempora. Yet he isn't fighting just to satisfy his ambition. Delitor is out for revenge. But then this girl named Emma arrives and throws his plans into chaos.
As war rages, who will win the battle between them?
Emma strives to master her worries while trying to thwart Delitor's quest for retribution. Delitor attempts to recruit her to his side, while struggling with enemies from without and within. But as each learns more about the other, they come to discover their fates may be intertwined. Will Emma succeed in overcoming her fears, or will Delitor's plans for vengeance prevail?
Read more at R. E. Steele’s site.
Also by R. E. Steele
The New Realms Saga
The Legacy of Kings
The Ruling Queen
The Forgotten Princess
The Resentful Lady
The Healing Empress (Coming Soon)
The Temporan Chronicles
The Lady of the Hour
Secrets of the Past
Battle of the Ages
Struggle of Time
War for the Future
Search for the Prophecy
The Temporan Chronicles Books One - Three
Watch for more at R. E. Steele’s site.
About the Author
R. E. Steele loved reading when she was a kid. As she grew older, she began to enjoy intriguing storylines that left her thinking about them long after she finished reading or watching them. When she felt God calling her to write, she answered, and wrote The Temporan Chronicles series.
R. E. Steele is a former homeschooler and college graduate. She currently lives in Idaho.
Read more at R. E. Steele’s site.
R. E. Steele, The Healing Empress
