A L M I R A

Chapter 12
Almira Davenport

Atlas stood in my doorway and I looked at him. "How so?" I asked, crossing my arms arms and leaning against the bathroom door frame.

"You see, I said I was Calix and Cole's brother. That is true, but I never said I liked my own brothers. I'll admit this, though, Calix has a beautiful mate," Atlas complimented, smiling at me.

"Thank you," I curtly replied. "But where are you getting at with this?"

Atlas sped in front of me and towered over my small frame. "I want you to help me. By that, I mean I want you." Atlas locked his lips with mine, but I quickly pushed him off of me, stumbling back a bit.

"Atlas I can't do that. I can't," I answered, looking at him. He shook his head, stepping closer to me.

"Yes, you can, Almira! You can help me! Let's show Calix what pain really is!" Atlas encouraged, grabbing my hands.

I slid my hands out of his and walked near the bed. "Hasn't he already suffered enough already with losing his other four mates?"

"He's fine after them, he still kills all the time! How do you think he has the throne? He doesn't care! I seen you two at the ceremony, it was like you two just couldn't wait to get away from each other! Almira, please!" Atlas begged, stepping closer to me. I backed up until I hit the bed. Atlas made his way to me and put his hand on my waist and pinned my hands above my head. "I know you want me."

"Atlas, please, I don't. I can't do that to Calix!" I pleaded, looking for a way out.

"Why? He hates you! He literally hasn't done a single thing with you, hasn't shown you any sign of your relationship progressing! So why? Why stick with him?" Atlas argued, running his hands through his hair.

"Whether he likes me or hates my guts, I can't do that to him. He's still my mate, Atlas. I can't do that," I screamed, trying to break free.

"You're too innocent for this world," Atlas commented, running his finger across my cheek. I didn't like the feeling at all. "You can't love Calix, he would destroy you."

"I'd be into that," I lightly joked.

Atlas shook his head. "Let me show you how you should be treated. Please, Almira."

"Atlas, I said no," I denied, looking away.

"Almira, please! Just give me a chance! I'll be better than Calix! I could have you screaming my name, begging for me. I could have your legs feeling numb. I could make you feel so many things if you just let me show yo—"

Atlas was cut off by a snap of his neck. I screamed and looked at his limp body on the ground. I looked up at who did it and met eyes with Calix.

Calix seemed heavily pissed off, looking at Atlas's body on the ground. "Up until today, my brother was alive. Until an hour ago, I hadn't killed anybody this week. Funny how things work out."

I stared at him for a minute and just blinked, not saying anything.

"Murder wasn't on today's agenda," Calix said, dusting his hands off.

"It's not on anyone's," I responded, eying him skeptically.

"No, it's on mine, just wasn't until Saturday," Calix replied, shrugging. "I hadn't killed anybody yet this week."

"Do you want a gold star for that?" I sarcastically retaliated, sitting on my bed.

Calix rolled his eyes. "I heard what the both of you said, by the way."

I looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. "And?"

"Atlas was right, I would destroy you." With that being said, Calix walked out with Atlas's body, leaving me in the room alone. I grabbed a pillow and screamed into it.

"When this is over, I want my sanity back!" I yelled to Calix.

"You're here forever, enjoy being insane!" Calix yelled back, laughing.

I groaned. Sometimes I truly hate that man.

~-~

I was out in the garden reading a book. Atlas's dead body still flashed through my mind. Atlas was partially right. Calix kills without hesitance, and he did the same to his own flesh and blood. I shivered and sat my book down. I was bored, I'll admit it. I didn't know who to go to or what to do. Calix wasn't an option due to our relationship, Ambrielle was busy with her job, Cole was also busy, and I hadn't made friends with anyone else while I was here.

That was my new goal. To make friends with someone other than Ambrielle and Cole. I grabbed my book and stood up, making my way back into the castle. I quickly ran to my room, changing into a pale blue dress that went to my knees. It was frilly and has beautiful designs at the hem of it. I slid on a white pair of flats and tied my hair back with a white ribbon. I made my way down to the maid's quarters where they were all busy at work.

"Are you lost, your majesty?" A maid asked, pausing her chore to look at me.

"Majesty?" I inquired, looking at her curiously.

"You are King Calix's mate, are you not?" She questioned.

"Uh, yeah, yeah, I am, I guess," I stuttered, looking at her confused.

"Then you are royalty, yes? Is there another royal title you prefer to be called? Oh, please do not tell his highness I disrespected you!" She panicked, setting her towel down to rush to my side, holding my hands.

I shook my head. "No, no, you haven't done anything. Our relationship shouldn't form your opinion of me. Just call me Almira, okay? I was actually wondering if I could help around. I've been bored out of my mind reading and doing nothing all day," I justified myself, hoping she would let me.

"Oh, uh, sure! You can help me fold laundry if you please, if not, that's totally okay! My name is Alva by the way," Alva introduced herself with a smile.

I smiled back, grabbing a towel and folding it. "So, Alva, what do you do after this?"

"After I fold everything, other maids will come and put the towels and clothing items in the rooms they belong in. While they do that, I go and begin to fix dinner," Alva replied, setting her folded laundry aside. "It's about time I do that, actually."

I finished folding the towel and set it down, turning to her.  "Can I help?"

"I mean, you can, but why would you want to do this? Aren't royals supposed to be high class and not want to get their hands dirty?" Alva interrogated, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Some may do that, but I'm not used to the pristine life, I was a village girl before any of this. I used to cook and bake all the time at home, actually," The memories of home ran across my mind. The kids playing in the plaza, baking with Ms. Winchens, reading in the garden and taking care of the plants, everything. I missed home, but not as much as I did when I first got here. I suppose Ambrielle and Cole grew on me.

"You must have been a really beautiful village girl," Alva murmured, leading me to the kitchen where we would cook.

"Thank you," I smiled, helping her gather everything for dinner.

"So, what do you plan on doing in a couple days?" Alva asked, mixing the ingredients in the bowl.

"What do you mean?" I gathered the eggs, milk, flour, and sugar. handing them all to her.

"The royal allies are coming over to dine with King Calix, it's an annual thing. I assumed you'd have to attend, since you are his mate and all," Alva explained.

I hummed in response. A royal dinner? If I had to attend, would they actually notice me and socialize with me or ignore me? What if I said or did the wrong thing?

~-~

It was dinner time and I was eager to see what everybody else thought about mine and Alva's cooking. Alva ended up letting me bake a cake, and help fix the turkey. I smiled thinking of our flour fight.

I walked down the stairs and was quickly seated beside no other than Calix. This was the only thing about dinner time I didn't like: sitting next to Calix. Alva came along and served the food before going back to wherever she usually goes.

"So, Cal, the royal dinner," Ambrielle started, looking at him with anticipation.

"What about it?" Calix asked, glancing at Ambrielle with a bored face.

"Is Almira going to attend or did you plan on leaving her in the dark again?" She questioned, taking a bite of her food.

Calix lowly growled and gave Ambrielle a look before glancing at me. He looked back at Ambrielle and sighed. "She's not to attend it," He declared, looking at her sternly.

"Why not? It's tradition for the King's mate to attend! Are you planning to break tradition?" Ambrielle yelped, looking at him with a shocked expression.

I looked at Calix, awaiting his answer. I knew he wouldn't want me there, but why would he break this tradition and not the ceremonial one? Was it because it was a dinner instead of a ceremony or ritual?

"Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people," Calix retorted, taking a couple bites from his food.

"Calix West, she will attend that dinner and you will not embarrass her in front of the other royals!" Ambrielle snapped, pointing her fork at Calix. "Do not let your emotions be the reason you embarrass yourself and this kingdom. They are already aware that you have a mate, she's been kidnapped twice already because of your title and name. If they see you there without her, not only will suspicions arise, but they might change their side if they perceive you as weak. Have I made myself clear?"

The room fell silent. Some jaws were opened at Ambrielle's lecture, mine included, while Calix just looked at her without a facial expression. Nobody dared to move until Calix finally scooted his chair back, leaving the table. "Tell the maid the cake was good."

I smiled. "Thank you."

Calix stopped and turned to me. "What?"

"I actually made the cake, and part of the turkey," I boasted, proud of it tasting good.

Calix glared at me before turning around and storming off to his room. I looked at Ambrielle with furrowed brows before she shook her head and smiled. "He's just being a man, dear. You'll be attending that dinner. I'll have a maid bring you the clothes for the dinner the day we have it. I'll also send somebody in there to do your hair and makeup. You should go on upstairs and rest."

I nodded and stood up, walking to my room. I leaned against the door and let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding for so long. I sat at the desk with the lamp lit and opened the spell book, reading through it. I memorized more spells before going to bed. The next couple of days were going to be hectic.

~-~•~-~