A L M I R A

Chapter 18
Almira Davenport

Since Ashli broke the news, I've frantically been thinking of ways to break the news to the others. Not only am I helping her and her mate, who I later learned was Ryker Quinn, announce their engagement, but I'm helping to reveal the baby!

I jotted down some ideas before making my way down to the lounge area. I seen Calix and smiled, knowing I needed to talk to him about getting everyone together. "Calix!"

He turned around and looked at me. "Almira? What are you doing here? I thought you would be somewhere studying more magic?"

I looked to the side and pulled at my collar before meeting his gaze again. "Ah, well you see, I was, but I got sidetracked. Do you think there's a way we can get Ambrielle, Alexander, and her kids all in one room? That and Ashli told me Ryker was coming back, can he be there too?"

"I can probably arrange that, but why?" He asked, eying me suspiciously.

"You'll see. Can you have them in the lounge area later this evening? Preferably around sunset?" I wrote down the area for the surprise.

"I suppose."

I smiled and ran off, grabbing a few maids to help me decorate. I grabbed white, pink, and blue streamers and handed it to the maids to do while I went to bake a cake. I grabbed the food coloring and baking supplies and began to bake the cupcakes and mix the dyes into the separate bowls.

Once the cupcakes were finished baking, I made sure to put the white icing on top before Ashli walked into the room. "Oh, Ashli! Hi!"

She turned to me and smiled, walking over to look at the cupcakes. "Hey Mira! Oh, wow, these cupcakes look great! I'm so excited!" She smiled, sticking her finger in the icing before heading to the refrigerator.

"Thanks. I talked to Calix and he can have everybody in the lounge area by sunset. So, our whole plan should work smoothly," I commented, finishing the icing on the cupcakes.

"Thank you, again, Almira," She thanked, quickly hugging me before walking out. "Oh! One more thing! I'm going to go pick a dress for you to wear for the evening, yeah?"

I nodded and she skipped her way out of the kitchen, out of my sight.

~-~

It was now sunset and time for the big announcements. I quickly put the dress on and left my hair to cascade down my back. When I arrived in the lounge, there was a table that had the cupcakes on it and everybody was already there.

"Almira, what's the meaning of this?" Calix questioned, raising an eyebrow as he sat on the couch with his arms crossed.

I smiled and looked at Ashli. "That's not for me to say, Calix," I responded before stepping aside. Ryker and Ashli stood beside each other, smiling like crazy. Oh, what little did he know.

"So, as literally all of you know, Ryker and I are mates. While we were out in the park, Ryker stopped me and reminded me once again how much he loves me. That night, my mate and best friend proposed to me, so, we're engaged!" Ashli squealed, smiling.

Ambrielle and Alexander jumped up and hugged both of the two and I smiled. Adam was happy for his sister but eyed Ryker. "Just because you're getting married doesn't mean I won't have my eye on you."

"I wouldn't expect nothing less from you," Ryker smirked, patting Adam on the back before kissing Ashli.

I handed everybody a cupcake and they bit in, noticing the two colors in the cupcake beneath the white, creamy icing. "What's the pink and blue for?" Cole skeptically interrogated.

I smiled and Ashli walked over to me, grabbing my arm. "There's one more surprise, for all of you. I'm pregnant!"

Ryker looked at her quickly and smiled. "You're what? Oh my Goddess, babe, this is great!" He hugged her tightly and spun her around. At this point, Ambrielle was in tears and Alexander was grinning ear to ear.

Calix was slightly smiling. If you'd blink, you would've missed it. I smiled and Ashli and Ryker walked up to Calix. "Your majesty, with your permission, we want to get married and have your blessing."

Calix looked at them for a fleeting moment before nodding. "I couldn't say no to you, Ryker. You're a close family friend and your father wouldn't have expected any less from both you and me."

Ryker smiled and him and Calix shook hands before everybody started to talk and eat the cupcakes. I smiled and Calix walked over to me. "Can we talk for a minute?"

I furrowed my brows in confusion and slowly nodded my head. "Yeah, sure."

He lead me to the balcony which felt all too familiar to me. I've talked to Cole here, been kissed by Calix here, what next?

"Look, I know the last thing you want to do is listen to me. However, this one isn't up for debate. Alastor and Wryler are planning on starting a war and I can't have you getting taken, again," Calix started, looking down at me. "They're already starting to manipulate you and threaten you. So for your safety, I'm keeping you on house arrest unless a guard or someone I trust is with you when you go out, and it has to be cleared by me."

I rolled my eyes. "To make sure an incompetent girl doesn't ruin your kingdom, right?"

"Almira," Calix breathed, looking down at me.

"No, I'm slowly getting used to it. I'm getting used to the fact that you'll never want me as your mate. I'm getting to that. I overheard your conversation with the others in the conference room. I'm a good magic source for Alastor and Wryler, I know. So yeah, it hurt likes hell knowing you don't want want me, you just want to use me to keep your kingdom thriving," I exploded, making foul attempts at trying to catch my breath.

Calix pinned me to the balcony railing, looking down at me. "I don't ever want to hear you say those things again, do I make myself clear? I know my intentions aren't entirely clear, but I'm trying to keep you and the kingdom safe."

I met his stare and was quiet for a moment. What was I supposed to say to say? "I'm going to bed, goodnight, Calix."

I walked past him and made my way to his room. I changed clothes and sat on his bed, looking out of the windows. I shook my head before laying down, building a little pillow fort to keep us separated. I was mad enough at him, I didn't need him hogging up my side too.

I drifted to sleep before Calix came into the room, which in the end, I was thankful for.

~-~

Ashli was very persistent on getting the wedding planned. She wanted it in a couple of months, before the baby came. Her being her, she left the wedding planning up to me. I was happy to be trusted, and it gave me something to do other than learn magic and hate Calix all day.

I quickly got dressed in a frilly, pastel pink dress. I tied my hair back and slid on sandals before walking out, the two guards stationed outside of the room following behind me.

I made my way to Calix's office, knocking on his door. "Come in," He grumbled, the sounds of papers shuffling being muffled by the door.

I opened the door and walked in, looking around before looking at him. "Hey, I was wondering if I could go out into town today," I started, fiddling around with the hem of my sleeves. "It's not to get out and be away if that's your concern. Ashli left the wedding plans up to me and I want to go look at cakes, decorations, caterers, everything like that."

"Why not have one of the royal planners plan her wedding? They can get whatever she wants," Calix resounded, meeting my gaze.

"They plan all of your masquerades, balls, parties, and everything else. Give them a break. Besides, if she wants me to plan it, I want to make her happy and plan it. I promise I won't get in trouble," I begged, stepping closer to try and prove my honesty.

"Do you remember the rules?" Calix questioned, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Yes, Calix, I do. Take the guards with me, come back if anything is suspicious, and link Ambrielle if I have any problems or concerns. I'll be fine, I promise!!" I exclaimed, falling back on the seat behind me. "Come on, you gave them the blessing to get married, let me make their wedding dreams come true!"

Calix took a deep breath and sighed, shaking his head. "You know what? Don't take the guards. You won't need them."

I look at him, surprised by his sudden change at heart. "Seriously?!" I smiled.

"Because I'm coming with you," He finished, looking back at me.

I froze, staring at him for a moment. "You're what now?"

He stood up and grabbed his coat off the hanger, putting it on and buttoning it up. He fixed his collar and looked down at me. "I said I'm coming with you. The last time you were with guards, you got kidnapped and I didn't see you for a while. I'm not risking that again."

Oh my Goddess, this is going to be a nightmare.

Giving in, I stood up and walked out, Calix following behind me. Once we made it to the town, I looked at the list that I had wrote. It wasn't going to be a big wedding, just family, friends, and I guess a couple others.

Glancing back at the list, I turned to Calix. "Since you're a guy, and you're with me, we can start with the best man suit, and then get the tuxedos for the others."

"Do you even know the theme colors?" He asked, looking around cautiously.

"What kind of wedding planner would I be if I didn't? It's light blue and white," I answered, walking into a boutique and looking around. I found the tuxedos and looked at the sizes I had wrote down. I asked the lady about them and she said to pick them all up in a week.

I checked that off the list and continued throughout the town with Calix behind me, fulfilling the list. All I had left was a cake, her dress, the bridesmaids dresses, and the caterer. The wedding was going to be in the castle and I left it to the royal planners to find someone to set it up.

The cake I could easily do now. "Hey Calix?"

He turned to look at me. "Hm?"

"Can we go cake testing? It'll be the last thing to do today, the rest I need Ashli with me for it," I inquired, looking at him with pleading eyes.

"I suppose."

We walked into the bakery and I asked the lady about wedding cakes. She informed me she had designed some and showed me examples. I pointed out which one and she handed us a couple plates with cake flavors to test.

After testing the cakes out, I settled on vanilla and chocolate. I turned to Calix. "Do I have anything on my face?"

"You have icing right here," He pointed to a spot on his face and I attempted to wipe my face with a towel there.

"Did I get it?" I asked, looking up at him.

"No, here," He murmured, stepping closer to me. He ran his finger partly across my lips and wiped the icing off. The feeling of finger caressing my face sent sparks and tingles to run down my entire body. I shivered and Calix smirked at the reaction he had caused by a simple action.

Jerk.

I cleared my throat and walked out of the store, heading to the castle. I wasn't playing these games with him, not anymore.

~-~•~-~