A L M I R A

Chapter 17
Almira Davenport

Having my humanity back was definitely something I enjoyed. Once the castle heard the news of me not being a huge dick anymore, they didn't give me scary looks in the hallways. Although, Ambrielle filled me in on everything, and I'm surprised to say the least.

Without humanity, I managed to kiss Calix, kill my own sister and mother, and quite a bit more. An eventful time to say the least; an eventful time I can't remember.

However, when my humanity returned, so did the lifestyle before it. Calix no longer speaks to me, just like before, and I practically bury my nose in spell books trying to get better at magic. I've almost neglected my lycan abilities, but they're still there.

I still feel the pull every full moon, but I feel the magic on a full moon too. I've not used anything lycan related but my heightened senses and blood type for spells.

I walked through the halls, stopping at the conference doors when I heard voices inside.

"So let's get down to business, the problems on the table are the war, Almira, and the prisoners," A deep male voice called out, his voice echoing throughout the room. I recognized that voice, it was Calix.

"War first, I presume. Alastor hasn't done much but increase the witches to create the hybrids. So far, he's going at a slow process and every subject he's tested the spells on have either died or just not worked," A stern feminine voice spoke in a matter of fact tone.

"In other words, Wryler hasn't been up to much. I'm beginning to think he was just after Almira's blood for spells to dominate both you and Alastor in the end. He's got extremely powerful witches, some that even speak in tongue. He uses them for torture methods, meal preparations, and obvious spells for the war," A second voice, specifically male, commented.

"Do not make mention of you two being spies. We will not call war unless they act upon it first. I don't need to be blamed for lives I don't care about if I didn't start it," Calix ordered, the room falling silent.

I kept my ear pressed against the door, continuing to listen. I've never heard about any of these matters, not even at the leadership dinner or whatever it was called.

"Okay, the war is out of the way. Now, Almira. I understand she's a big target, and I get why now. I was reading in the library per as I always do. A lycan and witch hybrid is extremely rare. There's only been three or four ever documented in the history of dates, Almira being the next one. Upon further reading, just droplets of Almira's blood can quench a vampire's thirst for centuries, give lycans superior senses, doubles their wolf size, and the impact of their bites, and can perform extreme spells for the strongest of witches," Another feminine voice explained. It was Ambrielle, I could tell by the accent.

"So that's why Wryler wants Almira but never showed her a bit of attention. He doesn't care that she's Calix's mate anymore, he wants her blood for spells and ceremonies," The unknown male voice spoke to no one in specific.

"Alastor on the other hand wants lots of things. He wants revenge, power, Calix to suffer, and her blood."

I heard Calix growl and something inside break. "I don't give a damn what those bastards wants with her. I've said it once and I'll say it again, they won't touch Almira again. I'll kill as many people as I have to just to make sure she's safe."

I snickered to myself. Yeah right, it's all about his throne and kingdom. Calix is just as power hungry as the other two assholes.

I walked off and went to the library and found a book to read. I then went to my room and opened the book, falling into completely other world that didn't have the problems I did.

I must have read for hours and fell asleep bevause I jumped and yelped when I heard a knock on the balcony door. I went over to the door and look outside the glass before opening the doors and look around.

Just as I was about to close it and go back inside, a gush of wind blew before I noticed the bouquet of aconites on the ground with a black ribbon tied around the bottom. A note was attached to the bouquet by a wool string. I bent down and picked up the carnations and read the note.

See you soon, my love. Sweet dreams

~Alastor

I let out a horrified scream as I slammed the balcony doors shut and made my way to my door. I opened the door and seen the two guards there hanging in front of my door, their hands dangling to the side, bodily fluids and blood dripping on the ground.

I noticed a jar sitting under their feet which contained two pairs of eyeballs and two full sets of teeth. I screamed even louder and began hysterically crying, shaking, and hitting the ground. This was terrifying and a nightmare. I wasn't even safe in my mate's castle.

Calix came running down the hall and stopped when he seen the two guards, the blood, the jar, the aconites, and me. It took a moment for him to understand the situation before he passed by the bodies and stepped in the room. "What happened here?" He calmly asked, squatting down to somewhat meet my level.

"I-I don't know," I began, hiccuping from crying so hard. "I was reading and... and I fell asleep and woke up to a knock on the do-door and opened it and found these flo-flowers, and read the note. Calix, he's coming for me again. I'm going to relive that torture, he's..." I cried harder, laying my head on the ground and I sat there in the floor helplessly.

Calix growled and pulled me into him, making us both stand up. By now, Cole, Alexander, Ambrielle, and Ashli came to see what all the commotion was about.

Calix turned to the small group of people and met their gaze. "That bastard decided to play mind games on Almira. If he keeps this up, I will call war, no matter what."

Ambrielle looked at the scene before her before speaking up. "Are those aconites?"

Ashli confirmed they were before shaking her head and sighing. "Aconites symbolize disdain and mean to be cautious. He must've done his research."

Calix shook his head. "That's it. From now on, you're staying in my bedroom."

I looked at Calix like he was insane. "I'd rather be kidnapped and die than sleep a night in the same room with you."

Calix looked at me, his lips pressed into a firm line. He observed me for a minute before turning around, removing his hand from the small of my back. "I trust you two will move her stuff into my room. No further questions."

I growled and grabbed the flowers, looking at them. I stormed out of the room and everybody turned to my direction.

"Almira? Where are you going?"

"Wait where are you going?"

"Almira, come back here this instant!"

"I don't think it's smart to be alone right now!!"

I ignored their comments and swung open the library doors, walking over to the fire place and throwing the flowers in.

I sat down on the ground and watched the flames spark and crack. The popping noise calmed my mind down before I relaxed and leaned against the couch behind me.

~-~

I closed the book and scooted it aside, putting the cork back into the bottles. I was done conjuring potions for tonight. Why? For emergencies of course, but it was draining.

I made my way to the room and opened the door, seeing the room was bare of any belongings of mine. I shook my head and walked to Calix's room, knocking on the door. The door opened and my eyes were both blessed and cursed with the sight of his chiseled abs, water beads running down his chest. A towel was wrapped around his waist and his hair was all messed up, dripping with water.

I covered my eyes and turned around, shaking my head. I bit my lip, trying to come up with something to say. "I came to get a dress."

It was silent between us before I heard shuffling. "What color?"

"It doesn't matter, I was going to go to the garden. Water the flowers and plants before coming back inside. I didn't want to go outside in this considering it's getting cold outside," I rambled, removing my hands from my eyes.

Calix came back and put a dress in front of my face without me having to look at him. It was a dark green dress with black lace. It was form fitting at the top and flow free at the bottom. I took it and walked off.

I quickly changed and made my way outside. I took a deep breath and sat down on the bench in the garden. I flattened out my dress and looked around at all of the flowers before looking up at the moon. I softly smiled.

"You know, you must have a lot of headaches dealing with me and Calix," I muttered to the moon. "We can be quite the pair to handle. I'm trying, but I'm giving up now. I don't want to be disrespectful to you, but I think you made a mistake."

I shook my head and ran my hand through the water fountain before pulling it back to my chest. "Ah, Almira. I've been meaning to tell you something," Ashli's southern voice rang. She sounded a lot like her mother.

I looked around before seeing her coming to me smiling. "Oh, Ashli, hey."

"Okay, so I've not told my parents yet, and I'm afraid how to, you know, them being around for decades and what not, but..." She trailed off, looking around. "I'm engaged!"

I furrowed my eyebrows taking in what she said before covering my mouth and jumping back. "Ashli, seriously?!" I squealed, smiling at her.

"Yes! He's coming back to the castle to break the news to my parents. I just told you earlier because I was hoping you could help plan one more surprise with him," She smiled, her hands reaching behind her back. She pulled a small pair of shoes out and smiled. "I want you to help me tell everybody I'm pregnant."

I covered my mouth and looked at the shoes. "Like, a baby?!"

"Yes!! Nobody knows, well, nobody but you. So will you help me? Pretty please??"

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