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The Last Shemale Queen

A sequel to The Seduction of Seleste

The Many Daughters of Summer

Chapter 1

Tala knelt before her father's throne, in-between her sisters, who knelt stiffly and nervously either side of her. She was sixteen years old, pale brown fur and bright green eyes, with an even paler mane that fell to the small of her back in straight tresses. She was as lovely, as perky and pert as the typical teenager, and kneeling either side of her, her half-sisters Naira and Rayen were the same.

Tala and her half-sisters were but three of the many daughters of the summer tribe, but were as of yet the only three princesses eligible to marry. The chief's daughters were the desire of the other tribes for miles around. Sixteen was the age when the suitors came, and they came. In droves, they came. Already, Keme's eligible daughters were betrothed, and now they knelt before him in a row, waiting to hear the news.

Tala bit her lip and looked down at her knees. She already knew what would happen to her. Given that her mother had been of royal blood, she was the crown princess and heir. She was going to marry Prince Yatokya of the sun and live in the summer village . . . forever. She glanced at Iniwa - at Keme's first wife, who sat on the throne beside him with a child in her lap -- and her heart ached. Iniwa always had a child in her lap. Did she really want to spend the rest of her life birthing pup after pup like a queen bee?

Keme sat on his throne, grim as he silently prepared to break the news to them. Tala watched her father fondly. As usual, he was handsome, tired, and uncomfortable in his attire. His circlet was slightly askew, his black mane slightly a mess, and his dark feather cape slightly undone. His black body slouched on the throne and one elbow was on the armrest.

Beside Keme on her own throne, Iniwa reached over and lovingly adjusted her husband's feather cape. And as usual, she was sweet and pretty, her incredibly long mane falling away behind her, a silver tiara sparkling on her forehead, her big breasts wrapped in an earthy bandeau top and matching shawl that brought out her deep brown eyes wonderfully. She was also clad in a long flowing skirt, and on her lap sat her youngest daughter, a four-year-old infant named Kima, who looked exactly like Iniwa and was overly fond of sucking her fingers - as well as everything in sight.

Ten-year-old Moema - Iniwa's other daughter with Keme - lurked in the shadows behind the throne chairs. She was small and pretty and, like Kima, looked exactly like Iniwa, right down to the big brown eyes. Her mane was pulled back in a long braid that fell to her tail. She stood with her head down and her ears back flat as she bit her lip. Tala knew Moema was willing herself not to cry: Moema loved all her sisters dearly and did not wish to see them depart.

Tala caught Moema's eye and smiled at her. Moema smiled back, and Tala was relieved. Of all her siblings, Moema was her favorite. . . . she was the only one who was nice to her.

"Rayen," Keme began heavily, "the winter wolves are seeking tribute . . ."

Rayen made a face. "Of _course_they are, Dad. And of course you'd send _me_there. Why not send Naira . . . or you could promise Moema!" She waved an angry paw.

Behind the throne chairs, Moema flinched and bowed her head, and kneeling beside Tala, Naira flinched as well. Rayen was prone to such loud tirades when things did not go her way, and everyone in the family was used to it, even if they still hated it.

Iniwa's face darkened. "Hush, girl," she chided. "And show your father some respect! You know he doesn't even have to tell you where you're going? He could just have them pack you off."

"Well, lucky me!" Rayen cried, brown eyes glittering fury.

Iniwa scowled, and Tala knew that if little Kima had not been in her lap, she would have leapt from her chair. "Don't you take that tone with me, girl," Iniwa warned. "Your father fought tirelessly to keep them from sending you girls far away! It can not be avoided, you know this. And the way you are acting now, I should have them cart you off in a box! I did not raise pigs. I raised elegant mature young females, who will face their paths in life with dignity. There will be no whining here!"

Rayen bowed her head and bit her lip. Tala held back a smirk: Iniwa was the only one who could keep Rayen in line. Keme always folded to his daughter's wishes. Had Rayen yelled at him a bit more, he might have risked the anger of the winter wolves and called the marriage off.

"And yet," Rayen muttered to her lap, "Tala gets to stay. The _precious_crown princess. She gets to stay here and marry a handsome husband to boot! Meanwhile, I must to the winter village to marry some stranger. Perhaps he will beat me each night . . . perhaps his other wives will hate me . . ."

"You will be first wife in his home," Keme assured her gently. "I've carefully considered these arrangements. Have some faith in your father, Rayen. I'm not that dumb."

Rayen looked at Keme and couldn't resist the twinkling in his eyes: she smiled.

"Dad . . ." Rayen insisted miserably. "I still . . . I'm not ready . . ."

Keme looked at Iniwa imploringly. "They're only fourteen, Iniwa . . . maybe in two years . . ."

Iniwa laughed. "They are sixteen, Keme, for heaven's sake! Be _strong_with Rayen." She looked at their daughter and said firmly, "The answer is no, girl. You will go to the winter village. You will marry this male and you will honor him. You will do us proud. I will visit," she added in a softer voice.

Rayen sniffed, looking sulky. "No, you won't. Females are not permitted to travel . . ."

"I will permit her," Keme assured her. "I will also visit. To look after you. Don't you think we want to see our grandchildren?"

"I hate this," Rayen said stubbornly. "It's not fair!"

Iniwa's face darkened. "More whining. Life isn't fair, girl! The sooner you realize that, the sooner you will thank us. We chose this mate carefully. The chief of the winter offered many of his sons. He has exactly fifteen, all handsome young lads - two visited last year. You remember the one . . ." She looked at Keme for help. "What was his name . . . Sahale?"

"No, that's his twin. He was Sakama," Keme corrected with a nod, but his green eyes were fixed on Rayen. "You and he got along, didn't you? I saw the way he looked at you."

Rayen's face darkened. "Got along? Dad, I hated him!"

Keme and Iniwa looked at each other in surprise. On Iniwa's lap, drooling Kima grabbed a fistful of her mother's mane and sucked it.

"Well . . ." Keme rubbed the back of neck. "Good thing we gave you to his twin brother and not him. They say he is the more pleasant of the two." Keme smiled and offered his paw to Rayen, "Has a great sense of humor!"

Rayen scowled. "I'm glad you find this funny, Dad!"

Keme dropped his paw guiltily.

"Stop attacking your father," Iniwa warned. "He has done his best for you, when most fathers would just pass their daughters off without a thought to the first male to come along . . . Yes, Uruta, please take her . . ."

Tala watched as her father's third wife came forward to collect Kima. Uruta was small and gray and had a short, curly gray mane that made her look like a pup. She had arrived from the arrow tribe as tribute some years ago, and as a result, had two young daughters with Keme: a seven-year-old named Bimisi and an eight-year-old named Dawae. As the lowest wife, it was also her duty to look after all the children, including those who were not her own. Once little Kima was on her hip, she nodded for Moema to follow her. Moema moaned, loath to leave her little nook behind the throne chairs, but she followed Uruta up the stairs without a fuss.

Tala glanced around. Sacnite was kneeling at a low table not far from the dais, looking sullen as she drank something tawny brown from a goblet. Most likely ale. As second wife, Sacnite had failed to produce a living child for Keme, but with a third wife now under her, she also had no role to play: she no longer had to look after the children and could not produce children of her own. Within the confines of their culture, she was almost considered useless, and there were many times when the council had bid Keme to send her away. But Keme never did. He pitied Sacnite and allowed her to stay . . . even if he didn't particularly like her.

Tala found it curious that Sacnite had been called to the gathering in the throne room. Why? How did the fates of Keme's three eligible daughters apply to her?

The royal protectors were also there. Four of them stood on guard - two near Sacnite and two near the front entrance. Tala's favorite - the winged one named Inden - was most likely outside, guarding the front as he repelled wolves who came for audiences.

"My daughter," Keme was saying to Rayen. He held out his paw again, and Rayen - still sulking - took his paw and sat grudgingly on his knee. "Things will be fine," Keme assured her.

Rayen was resolutely cold and angry. She folded her arms and lifted her chin, and her long straight mane fell nearly to the floor behind her. Like the other princesses, she was swathed in a white bandeau top - a strapless material that wrapped her breasts and revealed her slender midriff. Her legs were also covered by a matching white skirt that fell to her ankles. Tala and Naira wore identical garments, for such garments marked them as princesses.

When Keme kissed Rayen's cheek, she remained cold and angry. Tala hated to see the hurt in Keme's eyes. It took all her strength not to yell at Rayen. She wasn't happy about her arranged marriage either! None of them were! Every time she thought of having to marry Prince Yatokya . . . Ugh.

"You think sulking will make us yield?" Iniwa said impatiently to Rayen. She pointed a long pink nail at the floor and her fangs flashed. "Get back, girl. You may have your father wrapped around your little finger, but not I!"

Scowling, Rayen climbed down from Keme's lap and knelt on the rug beside Tala again. She and Tala exchanged glares.

"Stop acting like a spoiled brat," Tala whispered without looking at her.

"Shut up - don't tell me what to do!" Rayen growled back.

"Naira," Keme said.

Naira - Rayen's twin sister and twin in every physical aspect except her eyes - looked at Keme with her worried green gaze. She rubbed her arm and bowed her head under the long sweep of her mane. She was stiff and miserable, waiting for the axe to fall.

"I believe we have done well with you," Keme told Naira happily. "Very well." He glanced at Iniwa, who nodded at him proudly. "Those of the crow . . ."

Naira raised her head and her green eyes about popped. Tala didn't blame her: the crow tribe was very far away.

"Daddy!" Naira squeaked wretchedly.

Iniwa held out a paw to calm her. "Now, let him finish, Naira."

Naira bit her lip and bowed her head. Her entire body was tense with silent rage. Unlike her twin, Naira was less vocal in her anger. No, Naira was more prone to quietly brooding. . . . then suddenly snapping.

"The crow tribe," went on Keme, "is where my grandfather's bloodline hails from. I have relatives there. They would look after you. More importantly, the chief's eldest son will be a good mate and protector. And if he is not, my family will make this known."

"Of course," added Iniwa quickly and tilted down her head to make Naira meet her eye, "you will not let the chief of the crow or his family know that you have relatives within his tribe!"

Naira looked at her parents in confusion, but Tala understood: Keme's relatives in the crow tribe would be able to watch over Naira in secret and give an honest report as to how she was treated. If the chief knew about her relatives and their watching eyes, he and his son might mask any cruelty and abuse. Tala lifted her eyebrows. She had to admit: it was thoughtful planning. And looking at her father, somehow she knew her grandmother had been behind it. It was often said among those of the summer tribe that Avi was the real ruler here.

"Yes, of course, Mother," Naira said at last, though it was obvious she was still confused by the need for secrecy. She stared unhappily at her knees.

"So I shall never see my sister again," Rayen complained and waved a paw at Naira. "I hate this. And I hate both of you."

Keme closed his eyes wearily.

"Girl," Iniwa said slowly, "I am this close to having you shut up in your room!"

Rayen scowled, but she bowed her head and was silent.

Keme looked at Naira. "No questions, my daughter? No complaints?"

Naira bit her lip dismally. "Just . . . one," she whispered to her knees.

Keme sighed. Looking at him, Tala knew he had been dreading this day for years.

"Speak, my daughter," Iniwa said softly.

Tala studied Iniwa thoughtfully. Keme's first wife had always maintained that she had no favorite daughter, but Tala knew better: Naira had always been Iniwa's favorite. Out of all of the girls, Naira was the most well-behaved, the most docile, the most obedient. Her quiet obedience while Iniwa lay in a weary daze either pregnant or breastfeeding had always been a mercy. Meanwhile, Tala had often run away, Rayen had thrown tantrums, and mischievous Moema had pulled pranks - while simultaneously beating up the daughters of Uruta.

"When must I leave?" Naira whispered. A tear trickled from her eye and hit her knee.

Keme moaned. "Don't cry, Naira. Please . . ."

Naira sniffed and repeated her question.

"I received word . . ." Keme answered unhappily, "that the chief of the crow wishes to send an escort for you. I wrote back telling him to do so. That was over a month ago. The escort should arrive any day now."

Naira heaved a shuddering breath. "You send me so far away . . ." Another tear.

Keme held out his paw. "Naira . . ."

Naira closed her eyes. "No . . . no, I won't be placated!"

Keme sighed and pinched the flesh between his eyes. Tala saw Iniwa rub his arm soothingly.

"Why don't you reprimand _her_for shouting?" Rayen demanded of Iniwa and tossed her paw contemptuously. She ignored her mother's sudden glare and looked at Keme. "And when do I leave, Dad? When am I shipped off like a parcel to my giant winter wolf husband!"

"That is enough!" Iniwa cried and slammed her first on the armrest of her throne. She pointed a sharp nail at Rayen. "You will respect your father, girl. This is your last warning."

"Or what?" sneered Rayen. "You will marry me off?"

Iniwa bristled. She was about to snap something back when Keme held up his paw. His green eyes turned to Rayen, hard and cold.

"You leave in two moons, Rayen. The winter wolves are already coming for you and I expect them by then - in fact, they should arrive on the same night as the sun wolves."

Tala stiffened. So they had finally come to her . . . .

"There will be a gathering," Keme went on calmly, "in the longhouse of the council hall. The chief of the winter and the chief of the sun will confer there with me and my council, reaffirming the alliance we made when Tala was born. Then Tala will be given in marriage to Prince Yatokya, who I will swear as my son and heir. And you, Rayen, will leave with the winter wolves, to appease what they lose in not gaining Tala."

Rayen's breasts heaved and her brown eyes darted a glare at Tala. Tala knew what she was thinking: Rayen was merely an appeasement. The greedy winter wolves wanted Tala, but because their royalty was already related to her through her mother's sister, they had to settle for Rayen. The second best.

"I leave in two moons," Rayen said through her fangs. "Two moons!"

"Had I told you a week before," Keme returned, "you would have spent that week glaring and hating me and breaking everything in the hut. Your ignorance was bliss. Bliss for me anyway . . ."

Iniwa laughed softly.

"Ugh!" Rayen cried, glaring at her parents.

"Things will work out fine, Rayen," Iniwa assured her daughter fondly. She took Keme's arm and they smiled at each other. "Do you think I do not understand your fear and anger? Your father was not my first husband."

Naira blinked at her mother, surprised.

Rayen only scowled. "And you were not Dad's first wife!"

Silence cut the room, sharp as a knife.

Tala glared at Rayen. In reality, Iniwa had been Keme's first wife - this she knew simply from eavesdropping. But then he married Tala's mother, and because Seleste had royal blood, she automatically became first wife . . . Tala swallowed hard. She hated thinking of her mother. It brought on confusion and pain . . . and anger. Seleste. Seleste who stepped into the circle of light . . . never to be seen again.

"If you had," went on Rayen, glaring sideways at Tala, "then_I_ would be first daughter, and I would be crown princess! And Tala would have to go get fucked by some winter wolf for the rest of her --"

Rayen bit her tongue when Iniwa shot out of her chair.

"Iniwa. . . ." Keme said wearily.

Iniwa didn't look at her husband. She stared down Rayen until the girl had bowed her head and was silent. "If you speak another word," Iniwa said slowly, softly, "I will have the royal protectors shut you up in your room until the gathering is over. You will not eat. And no one will speak to you. And when two moons have passed, the winter wolves will take you, and you will not be allowed to say goodbye. To anyone. Understood?"

Tala tried not to smirk when Rayen nodded and whispered sulkily, "Understood . . ."

The tension in the room remained long after Iniwa had sat down. Breathless with anger, the chieftess adjusted her skirts, her shawl, and the bandeau cloth that hid her great breasts. Keme quietly took her paw and she relaxed.

"We knew you would take it the hardest, Rayen," Keme said gently to his daughter. "So we wished to send Sacnite with you."

Tala glanced over her shoulder and smirked: Sacnite had frozen with her goblet to her lips, mid-gulp. Inside, Tala was bouncing with joy. Yes! The witch was dead! Or gone, anyway . . . Tala and Sacnite had a long history of hatred between them. She couldn't count the number of times she'd had her mane pulled by the grumpy shrew, the times she'd been pinched or jerked along by the arm or called . . . a mini bitch.

Sacnite slowly set down her goblet. "My . . . . my husband . . ." she sputtered.

Keme lifted his paw and gestured. "Come here, Sacnite . . . Please . . ."

Sacnite slowly rose from the pillow she'd been kneeling on. She came with difficulty toward the throne, and when she staggered, everyone knew she was slightly drunk. She knelt beside Rayen and cast the girl a bitter look, as if she blamed her for her current predicament.

Rayen looked just as sour about the arrangement: none of them liked Sacnite. Sacnite's cruelty had touched each of the three eldest princesses in some way when they'd been children, with the bitter second wife reserving her purest hatred for Tala.

"You are unhappy here, Sacnite," Keme observed.

Sacnite bowed her head. "Yes, my husband . . ." she admitted reverently.

"Then you will travel with Princess Rayen to the winter village -- as her servant."

Sacnite looked up quickly, and Tala saw Rayen smirk. "S-Servant!" the second wife stammered. "My husband . . . I am your wife! I shall not serve --!"

"You shall do anything I tell you to do," Keme sneered. "I am your husband no longer."

Sacnite bowed her head. "May I ask . . .?"

"Speak," Keme barked, not looking at her.

Sacnite swallowed hard. "What have I done to deserve . . .?"

Keme's face darkened, but it was Iniwa who spoke: "Don't play stupid, Sacnite! You know exactly what you've done! Mistreating my daughters while I lay ill! Mistreating Tala - and Uruta's children as well! You are lucky I do not step down from my chair and rip your mane out by the roots."

Sacnite suddenly slumped forward, catching herself on her paws. "Please . . ." she implored Keme, "have mercy . . . highness . . . I only . . . because I wished for children of my own, I . . ."

"So that made it okay to mistreat my daughters?" Keme sneered.

"No, it didn't," Sacnite conceded. She suddenly scowled. "I didn't mean to kick Kima! The little turd is lying!"

Iniwa's eyes widened. "You fat bitter cow! I should --!"

"You should what!" Sacnite snapped. Tala was shocked when she lunged forward and grabbed Kilyan's foot. "Pleeeease, my husband! Do not send me away!"

"Mio!" Keme called.

Two of the royal protectors - identical in every way except that one wore his mane in a braid - came forward to collect Sacnite. They hauled her to her feet.

"Take her to her room," Keme told them.

The royal protectors nodded and obeyed. Tala watched, holding back her laughter, as Sacnite was taken away shouting and cursing. She noticed Rayen was looking very satisfied with herself.

"Is it a fine wedding gift, my daughter?" Keme said to Rayen.

Rayen smiled at him. "Oh, Daddy," she said, placing a happy paw on her breasts and fluttering her lashes, "you know me so well!"

Keme laughed.