A L M I R A

Prologue
Almira Davenport

I woke up in my bed, the curtains closed and a glass of water sitting on my bedside table. I recalled the events from the night before, thinking of the glass shattering and Alastor coming to threaten Calix. The touch of his hands on my face and shoulders still lingered and I couldn't help but feel scared.

Calix hasn't shown much interest in me being his mate, which, let's be real here, hurts. It hurts a lot, actually. It's like a silent rejection, but without it being official. So while my body is still drawn to him, it's like he can't wait to get away from me. I know I never thought of myself as a gorgeous person, but I wasn't all that bad. I could look worse.

I sat up in bed and sipped on the glass of water that was left for me while pondering about why Calix wouldn't want me. I mean, if he took the time to know me, I'm not all that bad. In reality, I'd say I'd be a pretty good mate. I'm a good cook, I love kids, I can defend myself, and I don't back down easily. I'd remain loyal, unlike the boyfriends I've had before.

I shook my head. If he didn't want me, it was his loss. I wasn't going to sit here all day and come up for a plan to make him fall in love with me. That was the Goddess's job. She paired us together, so she was either a) obviously bored and wanted to watch us suffer, b) out of her mind and absolutely crazy, or c) she knows what she's doing and I'm overthinking again.

I bit my nails and got out of the bed, pacing the room. Here I was, probably looking like insane. I was questioning my mate's intentions and feelings towards me and the Goddess's plans. Hopefully she'll forgive me. She knows what I'm going through, obviously.

I walked in front of the mirror and took a step back in shock. I looked like a mess. My hair was tangled and frizzy, my makeup from days ago was still on my face, but smudged and gross, and my clothes didn't even match.

Wait, my clothes.

I looked back in the mirror and realized what I was wearing. I had a nightgown on. My arm was wrapped in a white, bloodied bandage, and I hate a cut on my hand.

Who did this to me? Who changed my clothes and wrapped my wounds up?

I shook my head and ignored the thought. I grabbed basic supplies and decided to give myself a self care day. I thoroughly washed my hair and body. Once I got out, I played some soft music and took off all of my old makeup before cleaning my face with soap.

I dried my long, dark chocolate brown hair and curled it. This felt nice. It was like a morning to myself. I looked in the mirror and looked into my own viridian green eyes. I had really pretty eyes, even if I was the only one who thought that. I had a silver rim around my pupils that made my eyes stand out from others.

After treating myself, I did some light makeup and danced and sang in my room. I hummed and spun a couple times before looking at who was sitting on my bed.

I coughed and played with the hem of my sleeve, adverting my gaze from his. "How long have you been there?" I asked.

He looked at me with his winter grey eyes. "Long enough to see the show," He replied coyly, smirking.

I turned around and looked at him. If you're not gonna talk to me at all, you have no right to be in my room, let alone watch me.

"Before you ask, I had Ambrielle change you. Anyways, I didn't come in here to chit chat. Get dressed in something warm, we're heading down to the town. The harvest moon festival is going on right now. I assumed you'd want to go with Ambrielle and her family," He explained, looking around my room.

"Really? I can leave the castle?!" I cheered, smiling.

"On one condition. I'm sending two guards with you, you are not to leave their side. If anything happens, they are to protect you with their life. You are to be kept safe at all times," He continued. "Am I clear?"

"Awh, you do care about me!" I smiled, my heart fluttering at his words.

"Don't be foolish, it's only a precaution. I don't care about you, but you are a special hybrid, a rare one at that. You in the wrong hands could ruin me and my kingdom. I won't let all of my hard work be destroyed by an incompetant girl." He snapped, glaring at me.

Everything I said just a minute ago? Yeah, I take that back. My heart shattered at his words and I struggled to fight back tears. "But we're mates.." I whispered, my voice breaking.

Calix got up and went to walk out of my room, but before he did, he turned to look at me with his cold eyes. "Well maybe we don't work, ever think of that?"

~-~

The two guards looked down at me and smiled. They were dressed casually, but I'm sure they had weapons somewhere, if not then a lot of physical strength to kill.

"Lady Almira, you look lovely," One of the guards said politely, smiling.

"Agreed." The other one shortly cut in, nodding down at me.

I smiled and felt my cheeks heat up. It was rare I ever got compliments from anybody, males included. "Thank you guys. So, are we ready to go the fall festival?" I asked, smiling.

"Only if you are," The one with obsidian black hair said. He was the first one to compliment me and I could tell he was a true gentlemen.

Cough.

Calix...

"I am. So, can I know the names of the people guarding me from whatever Calix thinks is down in that city?" I hinted, looking at both of them as we walked.

"Of course, m'lady. My name is Ryland and blondie over there is named Jaxon."

Ryland and Jaxon. Got it.

"Gotcha. So, I'm sorry you got stuck on babysitting duty with me," I apologized, looking at both of them.

"It's fine, actually. It's better than standing outside a door all day and waiting for nothing. At least with you we get to enjoy the festival," Jaxon chimed in, not even bothering to give me a glance.

We made it to the festival and my jaw dropped. I had never seen such happiness and joy all in one place in my life. Lights were strung from building to building, there were booths and shops all over the place, booming with customers. Music was playing and there was an area where people were dancing to the music. I took a deep breath of the fresh air and smiled. "It's beautiful."

"Yeah, it really is. So, do you dance?" Ryland asked, smirking down at me.

"I've not done it in a while, I don't know if I'm any good at it," I replied, rubbing my arm sheepishly.

"That's fine, I'll take the lead," Ryland smiled, grabbing my hand. He led me to the dance floor and Jaxon followed, standing guard and watching about everybody else.

The music and dancing calmed me down and I laughed and smiled. The next song that came up was one where you switched partners and I looked at Ryland with a panicked expression. "I don't know how to do this one!" I whispered in a harsh tone.

"Just follow everybody else's lead when you're dancing with them, alright?" He encouraged. "Let loose, have some fun! When will you get the chance to leave the castle again?"

He was right. I'd hardly ever get to escape that place. I'm always stuck with the same people's company, when do I ever get to meet and talk to new people anymore?

I smiled and let go of my stiffness, dancing freely with people and laughing. As I switched from the young man I was dancing with into the other person's arms, I froze as I seen who it was. I started to back up but he grabbed my arm and pulled me forwad. "You didn't say much last time we met, how about we have a talk?" Alastor grinned.

I went to scream and he covered my mouth. I started kicking and thrashing around, trying break free from his grasp. Any chance I got to hit him, I took it. However, my hits were useless and didn't phase him at all.

Jaxon and Ryland caught sight of me right before Alastor waved at them. "Tell Calix I'll be taking her for a little while," He said before disappearing.

The ground felt like it was falling from beneath my feet and I screamed as loud as I could. I couldn't hear anything, not even my own scream. I could barely feel like I screamed in the first place.

~-~

Ambrielle Witherspoon

Ryland and Jaxon came running to me, out of breath. I looked at them confused. Where was Almira? Wasn't she supposed to be with them?

"Bri.. We need to go back to Calix, like, now.." Ryland, catching his breath.

"Why? What happened? And where's Almira?" I asked, looking at the two boys skeptically.

"That's the problem. We know, but we don't know," Jaxon replied, him too catching his breath. They must've ran to get to me as soon as possible, meaning this was urgent.

"What do you mean, you know but don't know?" I hissed, glaring at the two boys.

"Almira and I were dancing on the dance floor and the music where you switch partners came on. She decided to do it and I foolishly let her go without thinking. Alastor has her, said to tell Calix he was going to take Almira for a little while," Ryland gushed, shaking in anger.

Both of the boys were obviously upset with themselves, and right now, so was I. I wasn't as upset because they careless let Almira go, but the fact we're all going to face Cal's wrath and fury.

"Well, boys, take a good look at the sky, it'll probably be the last time we see it," I frowned. "Let's get back and tell Calix before Alastor does something bad. The quicker we find her, the better."

The two boys nodded and I kissed my dashing mate goodbye and waved goodbye to my kids. I led the boys back to the castle and knocked on Calix's door. "Cal? Hey, we really need to talk."

"Come on in," He gruffly responded.

I looked at Ryland and Jaxon and opened the door, walking in. The two followed in behind me and closed the door.

"How was the festival? Did Almira enjoy it?" He asked, not bothering to look up from his paperwork.

"Yeah, we have a problem..."

"If you mean the flaming pillar, that's our solution to last week's problem," Calix hummed, shoving a couple papers aside as he continued to work.

"Worse. Almira's been kidnapped." I muttered.

Calix's head snapped up. "She what?!"

"Your majesty, let me explain! Lady Almira and I were dancing when we had to switch partners as part of the dance, she decided to go through with it and I foolishly let her go. When Jaxon and I looked for her and caught her, Alastor had her and waved goodbye. His message was 'tell Calix I'll be taking her for a little while' and then he left." Ryland explained, his eyes holding more fear than I've ever seen in him.

He had every right to be scared. Calix was an atrocious person if he had to be. He's killed without thinking twice, and smiled while doing so. I'd shit my pants if I had to face Calix's wrath.

"You mean to tell me, you let my mate get taken away by Alastor?!" Calix roared. He hastily stood up and slam his fist into the wall, punching a hole in the wall.

This wasn't good.

~-~•~-~