A L M I R A

Chapter 21
Almira Davenport

Everything around the castle was tense since Calix had officially declared war on Alastor and Wryler. I now have personal guards with me at all times. It's sad, actually. I don't have much freedom, but being the main target of the entire war, it makes sense.

"Almira? Are you in there?" Ambrielle called out.

"No," I joked, opening the door. The two guards looked at me before turning back to their post. Yeah, okay.

"May I come in?" She asked, peeping through the doorway.

"Yeah," I smiled. She walked in and sat beside me on the bed. "Calix's room is a lot different than the one you were first given."

"Yeah, it's a lot darker in here, more of his style," I replied, looking around at the dark grey walls.

"We talked about the war in a meeting today," Ambrielle commented, leaning back on her hands.

"Oh?" I hinted for her to carry on, the war catching my attention.

"Calix is sending a couple troops out to Alastor's land to scout the area for weak spots," She started, looking at me with worried eyes. "And there's something I should probably tell you."

"What is it?" I questioned, turning my body towards her.

"You're a rare hybrid, you know this. Your blood is special, though. We were talking in a previous meeting. Just a couple droplets of your blood can quench a vampire's thirst for centuries and boost their abilities, give lycans superior senses, double their wolf size, the impact of their bites, and can perform extreme and powerful spells for the strongest of witches. I don't think it's so much that they want Calix suffering anymore, but now you're a main key to make him crumble," Ambrielle explained, keeping an eye on me as she continued. "The night of the wedding, Alastor drank over half of your blood, it's a miracle you're even here. He has a lot of power in him right now, and that's not helping us any."

I took everything she just said in. "You mean by Alastor drinking my blood, I just helped him become stronger?" I repeated, looking at her with worried eyes.

"Pretty much, yeah," She nodded, rubbing my back. "So I know as much as you hate staying with guards and people, I'm asking, not for Calix, but for myself, please stay with somebody and stay safe. Now that a war is going on, you can't be alone in fear that something will happen," Ambrielle pleaded.

"Alright, alright, I'll be more careful, I promise," I said, smiling at her.

"Okay, okay, good," she smiled. "Well, I do believe you owe some people a visit."

"Huh?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at her unexplained statement.

"You've been out for some time, I think some of your friends would love to see you," She encouraged, standing up. "What if I can talk Calix into taking you into the town? Just you, him, and a couple guards. You'll both be able to breathe some fresh air and relax. How does that sound?"

"It sounds amazing, but impossible. You just finished saying there's a war going on. Calix wouldn't dare let me near anything other than this very room, I highly doubt I'll get to go into town," I replied, standing up to meet her gaze. "You can try."

Ambrielle nodded and walked out of the bedroom, making her way down to Calix's office. I quickly changed clothes and made my way to the doors, looking at the guards. "You boys feeling like taking a little walk to Calix's?"

They two guards shared a look before looking back at me. I turned around and made my way to Calix's office, seeing the door open from Ambrielle's spontaneous burst of energy.

"Knock, knock," I joked, standing in the doorway.

Calix, Cole, and Alexander all turned their heads towards me. "Almira?" Cole questioned, looking between his trusted friends and brother.

"That's me," I smiled, walking into the room.

"Even after almost dying, you still look lovely," Cole laughed, walking over to me and kissing the back of my hand.

I looked at him with a puzzled look before looking at Calix and the couple. "Was he bit and poisoned or something?"

Calix let out a deep chuckle and Alexander did as well. "Hardly. He's being an ass today," Calix responded.

"Does this mean today is your day off? Is Cole your substitute-asshole?" I teased, leaning against the table.

"Quite possibly," Calix's smirked.

Cole and Alexander shared confused looks.

"So, can we go into town? Please?" I pleaded, looking at the man who was destined to be my mate with hopeful eyes. "I'll stay attached to your arm if I have to, but I really need fresh air, and the balconies aren't doing it for me anymore."

Calix looked at me with a stern look. I was slowly preparing myself to hear the words 'no' come from his mouth, but I didn't. I heard the exact opposite. "Fine, but only under certain conditions."

"List them," I rushed, excited to leave this place. Even for a short period of time, moments where I can feel like my normal, old self are ones I cherish.

"For starters, you stay by my side at all times. Secondly, if I say no to something, you have no choice but to comply. No dancing with strangers, eating food from people you don't know, or walking off. I have a few errands to run in the village and a few people to meet. You're just tagging along, understood?" He explained, eyeing me cautiously.

While this meant I wasn't free, I wasn't bound to the castle walls either. I quickly nodded my head. "Deal! Give me five minutes to get ready, yeah?"

I ran back to Calix's room and punched the air, smiling. I let my hair fall into its luscious locks before tying them back in a loose ponytail with a ribbon. I slid on some sandals and made my way back to Calix.

Calix stuck his arm out for me to take and memories of us dancing together flashed through my mind. I ignored them and took his arm, waving goodbye to the others before walking out with Calix and a couple guards.

"So what kind of business do you have?" I questioned, glancing at him from the side.

"I have a trip I plan on leaving for in a couple days to meet with some allies about the war. The people in town I'm meeting are simply to help me get prepared and give me updates on the kingdom," Calix responded, not bothering to spare so much of a glance down in my direction.

"I thought that was Cole's job?" I interrogated, looking around at the decorations the village had set up.

"It is, but we've switched jobs today, remember? He's the asshole today, I'm errand boy," He joked, a small grin forming on his face.

My heart clenched at him smiling. It was something I didn't get to see often, so seeing him smile completely ruined me.

"Can I ask you a question?" I wondered, stopping to look up at him.

He hummed a response and I took that as my opportunity to ask. "Why do you worry so much about the kingdom and staying in power when it's obvious you're a dominating king?"

"I don't worry. I'm confident I'll keep my kingdom, but I prefer to have everything in order. If anyone or thing were to mess it up, I'd be highly upset," He answered, looking down at me.

I bit my lip and turned away. "I see."

We continued to walk through the village and I looked at the happy families and children. I smiled to myself, hoping that would be me someday. However, I turn to my side and I'm immediately reminded that'll probably be a while.

I was walking near a jewelry booth when a man approached me. Calix had his back turned and this made me uncomfortable.

"My pretty, you're absolutely charming!" He complimented, smiling at me.

"Thank you," I quickly answered, occasionally glancing to see if Calix was where he once was.

"Say, why don't you let me take you to the tavern to buy a drink or two? It could be a little date, just for us two!" He flirted once more, taking my hand and kissing it.

I bit my lip, anxious as to what was going on. Was this Alastor using magic to conceal him? Or maybe Wryler was smarter than I thought?

"No thanks," I quickly replied, taking my hand back and putting it behind my back. "I have things in town I need to do."

I glanced at Calix to see he wasn't there and my heart sank. Did he just run off without me? That jerk!

"I can accompany you, help you to your house, yeah?" The unknown man persisted.

I shook my head. "That would really be unnecessary," I dismissed.

"No, really, I insist!" The man reached for my arm before I was pulled back.

"Babe, is this man bothering you?" Calix asked, looking down at me. He grabbed my hand and held it, making my cheeks flush.

I looked up at him, confusion written all over my face. "Calix?"

"I think she's rejected your advances enough, you can run along now," Calix ordered, petrifying the man. The stranger quickly ran off and Calix shook his head. "Really can't leave the castle without getting into trouble, can you?"

"I didn't ask for that!" I retaliated, defending myself.

"Whatever."

"You can let go of my hand now," I commented, looking down at our intertwined hands. The interaction made my hand tingle, making me feel all kinds of ways.

"I think I'll hold onto it, considering you can't be left alone for at a minimum of five minutes," Calix answered, looking down at me. He wore a smirk on his face that absolutely confused me.

Are you into me or not, Calix West?

We continued to walk through town until Calix made it to a building that was unfamiliar to me. I know I was new to the town, but I would've thought I would know this place by now.

Calix led us inside and stopped, whispering in my ear. "Don't say anything to these men, understood? They'll come after you quicker than you'd like to believe is physically possible. Just stay by my side and go along with what I'm doing," He ordered.

"Right," I mumbled, looking around the place. The walls were decorated with brightly lit candles and paintings. The place was popular with people, the food being appealing to the customers. Calix led us to a back room with a couple tables.

"Why are we meeting here in town when you have a castle to do this type of stuff?" I quietly inquired.

"These people aren't royals, therefore they don't get to have meetings in the castle. This is strictly my kingdom type of business. The merchants and bandits always try something in the kingdom, this man just happens to be my little spy. Not to mention, these meetings happen about once every two to three months," Calix lowly explained, his hand freeing mine.

My hand fell cold, not being used to the warmth provided by Calix's. Although, I was soon distracted when Calix's arm snaked around my waist, pulling me into him.

"Ah, King Calix, a pleasure to see you again. It's been a while," A younger looking boy greeted, smiling. He looked so innocent, it almost made it hard to believe he would harm me. "You brought a lovely lad along with you!"

"Indeed I have. So, let's get this over with, kiddo. What do they want now?" Calix interrogated, standing tall.

They?

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