A L M I R A

Chapter 11
Almira Davenport

I woke up later that morning after my late night encounter with the pendant and note. I had planned on making breakfast for Calix and I, but he beat me to it.

"Good morining," I spoke, walking over to pour us some orange juice.

Calix grunted in response. I rolled my eyes and put the orange juice back in its cold confinement and sat at the table. "You know, you'd come off a little less intimidating if you spoke and smiled more," I commented, taking a sip of my orange juice.

"Who said I didn't want to be intimidating? This affect on people tends to get me what I want in the ways I want it done, I don't see a problem with that. Do you?" He asked, looking at me for a split second before going back to cooking.

"I wouldn't have said something if I didn't, Calix," I retorted, shaking my head. I pushed my chair back and stood up. "I'm going to get ready for the day, call me in here when the food is done."

I walked to the bedroom where the bags I brought were. I quickly put on a dark red dress that was off the shoulders. It was lacey and fluffed out, one of my favorite things about dresses. I slid on black flats and tied my hair back loosely with a black ribbon.

I walked back in the kitchen and Calix turned around to set food on the table. He looked up at me and nodded before turning back around to grab his cup of orange juice. I made my way to the table and sat in the seat I previously had sat in before. I looked at the food and smiled. He actually gave me edible food, he didn't hog it all to himself. Awh, I'm so proud!

Calix and I ate in a somewhat comfortable silence before he spoke up. "How long have you been practicing magic?" He asked, looking up from his plate to me.

I was caught off guard and wiped my mouth with a napkin before responding, "A couple weeks now, I think. It was after I was kidnapped from the festival and got into Wryler's hands. I never really seen him much, but he was somewhat intimidating when I did. It was odd."

Calix's face distorted into one of disgust. "Do not speak of him," He bellowed.

I jumped at his sudden change of tone. "M-My bad," I stuttered.

Calix closed his eyes and took a couple deep breathes before standing up and leaving the dining room. "Be ready and have everything packed by noon, we'll be going back shortly after. I'm hoping to get back to the castle at sunset, before any of those rabid creatures come out."

What was his problem? I just simply mentioned Wryler, nothing else.

~-~

Calix and I made it back to his castle at sunset, Ambrielle and Cole waiting to greet us at the door. I was happy to see Ambrielle, I felt like I was suffocating with Calix. I was in my room reading a book, other than a spell book for once, playing around with the pendant on my neck.

I heard a knock at the door and sat the book down, getting up to answer the door, but when I opened it, no one was there. I closed the door and turned around, going back to the bed. I reached for my book and heard the knocking again. I got up, going to the window this time. I went to the curtains and pulled them back, looking at the boy outside.

"Cole, what on earth are you doing out there?" I laughed, sliding the balcony door open and letting him in. He looked at me confused and stepped inside, followed by me closing the door behind him.

"Pardon me, miss, but I'm not Cole. I'm close, but not Cole," He smiled, chuckling a bit.

I furrowed my brows. "Then who are you?"

"Apologies, miss, we didn't get to meet. My name is Atlas West, the third heir to the throne of this very kingdom. I chose to stay with Aunt Vira instead of pursing the throne, I left that up to Cole and Calix," Atlas introduced himself, grabbing my hand and kissing it.

"Lady Vira is your aunt?" I questioned, going to sit on my bed.

"Not by blood, but I've lived with her for quite some time, so I grew accustomed to calling her Aunt Vira," Atlas enlightened me, grabbing the stool in my room and sitting down on it.

"So why did you knock on my window? Couldn't you have just came in the gates and walked through the main entrance?" I persisted, closing my book and setting it aside.

"The gates and entrances are locked past midnight, miss," Atlas responded.

I laughed, embarassed. "Oh, my bad. My name is Almira by the way."

"Almira? Rolls off the tongue, I see," Atlas joked, winking at me.

I was beginning to feel uncomfortable. Something about him was rubbing me the wrong way. I'll link Ambrielle and tell her that Atlas is here.

I quickly chanted a linking spell and alerted Ambrielle of Atlas's presence. "How did he get in?" She asked.

"He said the entrance doors and gates were locked and he came in through my window, why?" I retaliated, glancing at Atlas who was looking out of the windows.

"Uh, Almira, the gates and doors are always unlocked, closed, but unlocked. Atlas has a way to get in since he's still Calix's brother. He didn't have to come in through the window," Ambrielle explained, her voiced laced with worry.

It finally dawned on me. Atlas was a prince, he didn't have to come in through the window. The guards would've known who he was and let him in at the gates. I turned around to confront Atlas and he was smirking. He waved his hand at me and disappeared. I bit my lip and decided to respond to Ambrielle. "Uh, he's not in my room anymore. I don't know where he went."

"I'll tell Calix. Get some rest for tonight," Ambrielle muttered before cutting the link off.

I looked outside the window one last time and closed my eyes. Everything has been much crazier since I've gotten here.

~-~

Today was an important day. Every year, no matter the species you were, celebrated their heritage. Everybody threw or attended a party to thank the God and Goddess up above for blessing us with the abilities we were gifted with and prayed for a long, healthy, happy life.

When Ambrielle woke me up in a hurry, I was confused at first. Later she had explained that the royals of the kingdom got together to have their own ceremony and thank the God and Goddess for everything they've been given.

So, naturally, I have to attend. I'm Calix's mate, whether or not we've acted on that, so I have to attend. Ambrielle said it was extremely fancy, almost like a wedding in a since. The females had to wear something elegant and white and the males had to wear tuxedos.

Later on, Ambrielle brought me a dress that was gorgeous. It was a cream white and clung to my body, accentuating my curves. It was lacy and long sleeves, going down to the floor. It let loose after my lower back. I smiled and Ambrielle came to style my hair. She braided my hair into a crown braid, adding little diamonds and white pearls in it. She did a natural makeup look and I smiled, thanking her for dressing me up.

Today was a special day, other than the heritage day. It was a solar eclipse, which meant a lot to everybody. For witches, we were at our strongest, for lycans, our senses were enhanced, and for vampires, they had enhanced abilities and agility.

The solar esclipse was supposed to be around noon, so I made my way down the open area where they were going to have the ceremony. I looked around and seen a couple familiar faces. Ambrielle was dressed up in white, Alexander in a tux, and their two kids dressed up. Cole was in a tuxedo, and so was Calix and Atlas. Damn.

Calix in a tux was a sight I would always cherish. I've seen him like this twice now, and I have to say, it's a sight to see.

I walked over to Cole, trying to ignore Calix and Atlas's stares. "So, what do I do? This is my first time with a bunch of royals," I laughed nervous, fixing and adjusting my dress.

"Well, you and Calix are mates, yes? You stand together and hold hands. It's part of the ceremony, all mates do it. Since Calix is king though, he'll lead the ceremony, so you'll have to do everything he does with him," Cole explained, smiling at me. "Oh, and you'll need this."

Calix turned around to the small pillar behind him and picked up a shiny silver crown, placing it on my head. "Just for today."

I felt my cheeks heat up. Did Calix really put the queen's crown on me? He was king, so was he acknowledging our mate bond? I smiled and nodded.

"She's your mate?"Atlas questioned, glancing at me and Calix.

"Yes, brother. Almira is my mate," Calix responded, staring firmly at his brother.

"She's a beauty, I might have to take her for myself!" Atlas played around, winking at me.

I glanced at Calix who didn't find Atlas's comment funny. "I'm afraid you can't do that. It's shamed upon."

"Damn. Where's the kids at?" Atlas persisted, looking around.

I spoke up before Calix could, shaking my head. "We don't have any."

"Really? I figured Calix would have jumped onto you the moment he seen you! I know I would've. Maybe it's the other four mates he's had coming back at him," Atlas laughed before walking away.

I turned to Calix and he seemed to extremely pissed. I suppose that's why Atlas doesn't hang around the castle often. He annoys Calix too much.

Calix cleared his throat and looked down at me. "We should get ready for the ceremony. I don't want this to last any longer than it has to."

"Right," I murmured, following behind him. Calix walked into the middle of the room, catching everyone's attention.

He surveyed the room before grabbing my hand, which startled me but I played it off. "Today is a special day for all species. Today, we thank the God and Goddess for everything we've been blessed with. They've blessed us with power, abilities and agilities, magic, heightened sense, and most importantly, our mates." Calix gave my hand a little squeeze and I glanced at him, but he wasn't looking at me. "So tonight, we light the candles and pray to the two above for our personal wishes. Join me and my mate tonight in lighting the first candle."

Calix turned to me and gave me a look to not screw up before we walked over to the single candle sitting on the alter. Calix and I both picked up a match and lit it before lighting the candle with both of our matches. Everybody else in the room lit a match and then their candle. We looked up and the moon was completely covering the sun, so we quickly grabbed our mate's hand. In unity, we all prayed for everything we wished for. 

Dear God and Goddess above, I, Almira Davenport, pray in your names that you bless me with health, prosperity, strength, and I pray for you to show me Calix's heart and help me help him. I ask that you guide me down the right path, and in your blessed powers and names I pray, Amen.

I looked up and the eclipse was over, and Calix was looking at me. I smiled at him and he smiled in return before dismissing everyone to their usual duties.

I quickly ran off, making my way to my room to change. I changed into a more simple lilac dress that went to the floor but was off the shoulders and lacy. I think that's the most intimate moment Calix and I have ever had.

I turned around and Atlas was standing in my doorway, grinning at me. "Can I help you?" I asked.

"I do believe you can, Almira."

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