The Royal Consort vs. The Court of Dreams

The group floated up to a balcony like Ruby's.

"That was exhilarating," Shannon said as her feet touched the ground.

"I would have rather taken the stairs," Rebecca said grabbing the railing.

"It wasn't too bad," Luke said patting Rebecca's back.

Just then a male Orange skin Jinn in a skimpy outfit stepped out onto the balcony.

"Excuse me, Queen Celestia is expecting you. The Royal Court is still in session. However, you have been permitted to briefly wait in her private chambers," the Orange Jinn said with a bow.

"When will we be called?" Ruby said standing straight,

"Within the next 15 minutes. Can I get the names of the two new guests to the Land of Dreams?" the Orange Jinn said looking to Shannon and Rebecca.

Luke looked to his women and back to the stranger.

"Life-Binders High-Matron Rebecca Queens and Life-Strategist Shannon Stone," Luke said letting go of the railing.

"Understood. I will introduce your group as Princess Ever-song, Celestia's Consort Luke Smith, Life-Binders High-Matron Rebecca Queens, and Life-Strategist Shannon Stone," the Orange Jinn said with a bow.

The group watched the Jinn disappear through the balcony curtains.

"Life-Strategist?" Shannon said poking Luke's side.

"What? You were the one who got everyone into the mall yesterday. You discovered the truth behind the 'Breeding Passes'. You helped make everyone sorcerers, and convinced everyone to fight the Los Angeles Life Coven," Luke said defensively.

Luke intentionally neglected to mention Shannon's 'Bellies for Everyone' store policy and her use of the 'Baby Tokens'.

"Shannon you can be quite manipulative, Strategist is fitting for a title," Rebecca said stepping closer.

"It's a fine title, but I just wanted a say in the matter," Shannon said looking back to the curtains.

"What would you prefer?" Luke said with a smirk.

"Your Goddess would have sufficed," Shannon said striking a pose.

"Hmm, I will make a note," Luke said with a laugh.

Ruby waddled to the balcony curtain and pulled them open.

"Let's wait inside," Ruby said crossing the threshold.

"You heard the princess," Luke said walking after Ruby.

Rebecca and Shannon gave each other a look.

"High-Matron?" Shannon asked.

"Not my first choice, but it is fitting for our baby daddy's legal wife," Rebecca said with a shrug.

"I guess," Shannon said waddling after Luke.

The group found themselves in a chamber similar to Ruby's but dressed in purples and blues.

The group spotted a large short table full of food and drinks.

"Finally, I'm starved," Ruby said holding her pregnant middle.

"Do they have any coffee?" Rebecca said following Ruby to the table.

Luke looked to Shannon.

"Need any help Goddess?" Luke said gesturing to the floor pillows.

"Why yes, thank you," Shannon said taking Luke's hand.

They both found seats on floor pillows surrounding the short table.

"Here try this. It's delicious," Ruby said holding out a multi-colored bread roll.

Luke examined the food and took a bite trusting Ruby. He was taken on a journey of a full course meal. Salad, Soup, Meat, and Dessert all from one bite of rainbow bread. It reminded Luke of Willy Wonka's fictional Magic Chewing Gum.

"That's amazing," Luke said rocked by the experience.

"I know right," Ruby said cheerfully.

The group ate for a few minutes before a gong rang. A moment later the same orange Jinn opened the door to the room.

"The Queen is ready," the orange Jinn said with a bow.

The group exited Queen Celestia's private room into a short hallway. They passed a male Green skin Jinn in shining armor. He saluted to Ruby and nodded to Luke. The group continued walking. They turned left and then right before entering a large marble throne room. A large crowd of Jinns was looking their way. The sorcerers barely heard their names and titles announced as they were assured before the crowd. They were quiet as they took in the tall Cathedral ceiling aglow with floating candles.

"It's like the Agrabah's Throne Room mixed with Hogwart's Great Hall," Shannon whispered.

"Shhh," Rebecca said shushing her.

"Aw Princess. And my beloved Luke. You brought friends," Queen Celestia said sitting upon her elevated throne.

"Mother, Luke seeks a private audience," Ruby said with a bow.

"I see. At the moment I am holding court," Celestia said gesturing to the filled room.

Luke scanned the room and found most of the room was looking at him.

"My Queen, may I speak?" A tall female Blue skin Jinn said stepping forward.

"You may speak, Duchess Berry," Celestia said with a sigh.

"These sorcerers' presence is in violation of our laws and traditions. Their presence was made without using the proper channels and procedures. Communications with the Sorcerer Guilds and Warlock Clans are regulated for a reason. We all know Human's lust for wish magic is insatiable. Human lust is the reason we only allow our Jinn civilians to visit the material plane using 'Genie Vessels'. Human lust is the reason why we only allow their kind to visit under controlled conditions. Why are these humans special? What business do these humans have in the court?" Duchess Berry said looking to Ruby.

"I understand Princess Eversong is fascinated with humans. The court recognized her father Consort Merlin the Great. Merlin was a powerful Life Wizard, but he too worked for a year before he was allowed into the Royal Palace. This Consort Luke Smith is an unknown," Duchess Berry said pointing to Luke.

The room broke out in whispers. Luke shifted his weight as the crowd directed angry glances toward him. But as Luke watched the crowd he couldn't help but enjoy the women's skimpy outfits. Movement caught Luke's eyes as another Jinn stepped forward.

"My Queen, may I speak?" A short female Yellow skin Jinn said raising her hand.

"You may speak, Duchess Shine," Celestia said looking annoyed.

"This morning you shared the wonderful news of your pregnancy. You also shared the identity of the paternal contributor to your gestating child. A man named Luke Smith. The court assumed you made a deal with a powerful Life Wizard, like Merlin. But that Consort Luke Smith seems weak. How can we pass judgment on the next Royal Consort if he doesn't wear any enchanted clothes or magical tools? He dresses plainly while visiting the 'Court of Dreams'. This is a mockery of our traditions," Duchess Shine said gesturing to the marbled walls and ceiling.

Luke found Duchess Shine to be the Shortest Jinn present. But as she insulted his outfit, Luke noticed Duchess Shine wore the most jewelry in the room.

"My Queen your Consort is unknown to us. Does your new Consort act independently or is he a part of a coven? Is the Consort a member of this 'Life-Binders' group?" Duchess Shine said pointing to Rebecca.

"Furthermore, how can we trust the Life-Binders Coven? What magical promises or trade contracts binds their behavior in the Land of Dreams? I vote we imprison the High-Matron Rebecca Queens and Life-Strategist Shannon Stone. Sorcerers can't be trusted without magical contracts," Duchess Shine said bowing.

The crowd broke out in arguments. A moment later Celestia raised her hands.

Crack! Boooom! Booom. boom.

The crowd was struck silent as the sound of thunder echoed off the walls.

"Are there any other questions?" Celestia asked lowering her hands.

A very tall muscular male Grey skin Jinn stepped forward. Luke guess the man could be as tall as Celestia.

"My Queen, may I speak?" the Grey Jinn said raising his hand.

"You may speak, Duke Storm," Celestia said with a nod.

"My Queen, fellow nobles, governors, and ministers please consider our situation. Our Queen has refused a Consort for hundreds of years since the **** of Merlin. We should be glad our sovereign has found happiness again," Duke Storm said scanning the crowd.

"I welcome these Sorcerers to the Court of Dreams. But, that does not mean I forsake our laws and traditions. I agree with Duchess Berry. She is right to ask Mr. Smith to demonstrate his power as a Royal Consort. And I agree with Duchess Shine. She is right to ask for our Human Guests to agree to a behavioral contract." Duke Storm said gesturing to the Duchesses.

"Our Queen has ruled wisely for hundreds of years. Therefore, let us be glad for her new consort. She will address our concerns in time." Duke Storm said before bowing.

The room visibly relaxed after Duke Storm's short speech. Luke let out a breath as the tension in the crowd die down as people started talking normally. He looked to the Duke and then to Queen Celestia. Luke was happy to find his purple baby mama's frown replaced by a smile.

"My Queen, may I speak?" Duchess Berry said stepping forward.

"You may speak," Celestia said waving her hand.

"Duke Storm is correct, we should celebrate our Courts' Royal Consort. But first, tradition requires Luke Smith to demonstrate his power. And second, our security protocols necessitate the Life-Binders coven signed into a behavioral contract while int the Land of Dreams," Duchess Berry said before giving a deep bow.

The room broke into whispers as they looked at Luke.

Luke's mind raced. What was going on? How could he prove his power to a bunch of Demi-Gods with Cosmic Wishing Powers?