A L M I R A

Chapter 33
Almira Davenport

I was woken up early but Calix shaking me. "Almira, wake up," He urged, shaking me.

I groaned. "What, Calix?"

"You said you liked sunrises, remember? It's still dark so we have time to watch the sunrise," He replied, rolling me over.

I sat up and smiled, sliding out of bed. "I look horrible," I commented, glancing at him.

"We both just woke up, we have a good reason to not look presentable," Calix grinned, leading me to the bedroom balcony. I leaned against the edge and watched over the villager and the sky.

"What's on today's agenda?" I asked, turning to him.

"I think today is clean, although there's a ball coming around sometime this week," He answered, leaning his back against the rail.

"We have a lot of those, don't we?" I joked, smiling at him.

He smiled back and nodded. "Yeah, but it's tradition, so I can't change them."

I looked away to the sunrise and smiled, tapping his arm repeatedly. "Calix, the sun is coming up!"

Calix turned around to face the sunrise. We stood there in silence, enjoying the beautiful hues of the sunrise. A mixture of blue, orange, purple, red, pink, and yellow all so beautifully blended together.

"It's a new day, that means new beginnings," Calix said, turning to me.

I looked at him and smiled. "Yeah, it is."

~-~

Today was the day Calix picked for the ball to happen. The usual rundown for these were heading to the tailors, taking a couple measurements, picking fabrics, doing hair and makeup, and whatever else I had to do for the day.

Calix greeted me in the morning by kissing my forehead before getting up for the day. I turn the opportunity to hog up the entire bed before eventually getting up myself. I threw on a simple dress before walking to the tailors. They maids in there took my measurements and I picked out the fabric before walking downstairs. I sat down for breakfast and greeted everyone.

"Excited for the ball, Almira?" Estelle questioned, taking a bite of her eggs.

"It's another event to dress up for, so yes. Also another chance to meet some new people," I responded, grinning.

Cole took a sip of his milk before looking at me. "You mean another chance for you to get kidnapped?"

Calix snapped his head up from his plate and looked at Cole with a displeased face. Cole shrugged and backed down before continuing to eat his food. I rubbed Calix's arm before sending him a reassuring smile.

We all finished eating and left to do our jobs. Cole ran errands in town, Calix, Alexander, and I did paperwork, and Ambrielle was helping set up. Ambrielle came to the office and opened the door. "Can I borrow Almira for a second?"

I looked up and set my pen down. "Yeah, what for?"

"Approval of the decorations, greetings, guard arrangements, and cake tasting," She replied, holding a book and a piece of paper in her hands.

I stood up immediately at the word 'cake'. "I'm in!"

"It's because she said cake, isn't it?" Calix teased, glancing up at me with a smirk.

I looked at him and grinned. "Yes, yes it is."

Ambrielle and I left the office together and did everything they was planned. After rearranging some things, having the guards stationed at their post, and getting the right cake flavor, everything was finally ready for everyone to get ready.

Us girls picked our dresses up from the tailors and went our separate ways to get changed. I changed into a deep royal blue dress. The blue dress was beautiful, as they always are when they make these dresses. It was off the shoulder with a darker blue as a royal embroidery. The dress reached the floor and had a bit of a train to it. It was tight at the chest and flowed freely after the waist, going down into a v-line shape.

I slid silver heels on and put a pearl necklace on, along with pearl earrings. I slid a pearl bracelet on and sat down to do hair and makeup. The maids walked in and style my hair, pulling pieces back and leaving sound out to shape my face. A beautiful royal crest hair clip held the strands back.

After they styled my curly hair, the moved onto makeup. They went for a natural eye looked and a natural pink lip. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. "Are they starting to arrive?"

One of the maids laughed and shook her head. "Most of the village is here. His majesty is already out there, having conversations and socializing. You're all ready to go, if you wish to attend now."

I nodded. "Thank you ladies. I hope you made yourself dresses to attend."

They looked at each other before shaking their heads. "We aren't allowed to attend, we must continue working."

I shook my head. "Nonsense. Go pick out some dresses and join us. If anybody asks why you're out there, tell them to find me if they have a problem. You deserve as much of a break as the rest of us."

They all smiled and collectively thanked me before running off. I giggled and stood up, walking over to the door. I took a deep breath before walking out and looking over the stair railings to the ballroom. Everyone was talking, drinking, and enjoying themselves.

I walked down the stairs and Calix spotted me, smiling. He made his way through the crowd towards me. "You look lovely tonight," He complimented.

My cheeks heated up and I smiled, looking back at him. "Thank you. You look rather handsome yourself."

Calix offered me his hand and I slid my small one into it, following him to wherever he lead me.

So what's this ball for?" I asked, glancing at Calix.

"This one is a yearly event. Villagers come into the castle to have fun and some even find their mates here," He told me, looking around.

My heart warmed at the thought of someone finding their mate through this. "Could you imagine asking the most beautiful girl in your eyes to dance? And then it turns out your mates?"

Slow music began playing and Calix stepped back, offering me his hand. "May I have the honor of dancing with the most beautiful girl?"

I covered my face before accepting his hand. "You may."

He pulled me in close and we began dancing. This was probably the closest we have been since the hug the night of his confession. We didn't say much, just held onto each other and swayed to the music.

"I think blue suits you," Calix commented, looking down at me.

"I think you're only saying that because it matches you," I taunted, looking up at him and smiling slightly.

"Maybe so, but the point still stands. You do look beautiful," He complimented, briefly letting me go to spin me around before bringing me back in close.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head at Calix's words. "Well, then thank you."

We continued to dance until a man walked up to us. "I couldn't help but notice such a beautiful lady from across the room. I was wonder if I may have this dance?"

The gentleman stuck his hand out as a new song began to play. I glanced at Calix who wasn't too pleased with the man's presence. I gave Calix a reassuring smile and let go, placing my hand in the man's. "I suppose one dance wouldn't hurt."

Calix looked at me for a moment before nodding. "Very well. You know where to find me, yes?"

I nodded. "I do."

The man swept me away and we began to dance, him occasionally looking around. "Lovely ball, hm?"

"Why, yes, it is," I answered, glancing around the beautifully decorated room before back to the man.

"How many men here tonight get to say they've danced with the Queen?" He flashed a grin, taking in my appearance.

"Oh, I'm afraid you have me wrong. I'm not the Queen," I objected, shaking my head.

"I may be a commoner, but I do remember King Calix quite well from over the years, and none of the previous balls has he danced with a girl such as lovely as yourself," He reasoned, his hand sliding a bit lower on my back. I felt uneasy at where he was headed with his statement.

"Dancing with the King doesn't make me the Queen, although that would be nice," I jested, laughing nervously.

"Why would he say you knew where to find him if you weren't his mate? Unless you're an escort to the King? Which, if that's the case, I'm free tonight."

I shook my head before stepping back. "This dance has been lovely, but I must get back to other things. Thank you," I quickly spoke. I walked away and scanned the room for Calix before running into someone.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" I hastily apologized.

"That's quite alright," He countered. I looked up at stepped back, covering my mouth.

"Alastor."

"In the flesh, I'm afraid. Oh, don't worry, I'm not causing trouble tonight. Let them all find their mates before I rip them to shreds. That'll hurt more," He explained, looking down at me. He twirled a piece of my hair around his finger before letting it go. "You do look rather ravishing tonight."

"Coming from you, I feel offended," I snapped, glaring at him.

"Ouch. Truly, a jab in the heart--" Alastor supernaturally sped to be in close proximity of me, his hand in my chest--"wouldn't you say?"

I gasped for air, the pain spreading through my body. I could feel his hand around my heart. One twist and a rip and I was dead. "Alastor," I coughed, gasping for air as the pain was unreal.

"You won't die this easily, love. I have far more important things to do with you. My agreement would be off if I killed you here and now. Have a good night!" He taunted. He let go of my heart and ripped his hand on, looking at my blood on his hand. Alastor looked me in the eyes as he licked the blood off of his hand, disappearing.

I gasped for air and mumbled the healing spell, quickly going back to normal. The only thing truly noticeable was the gaping hole in my dress. I covered it up as casually as possible, searching for Calix. I eventually spotted him and quickly made my way to him, pushing through the crowd of people.

"Calix," I called out, walking towards him quicker.

"Almira? What's wrong?" He asked, walking towards me.

"Alastor was here and he paid me a visit. He didn't hurt anyone other than me," I started, catching my breath. "He stuck his hand in my chest and almost ripped my heart out. He didn't, obviously, but he enjoyed my blood on his hands."

Calix growled and pulled my close to him, his hands on my lower back and the back of my head. "Come on. Enough of the ball for you tonight. Let's get you to rest." He looked at one of the guards. "Notify Cole that Almira and I are no longer attending this event. Feel free to close the ball when he wants."

Calix lead me up the stairs and to our bedroom. He went into the bathroom to change and I changed in the bedroom into a simple night gown. He came back to the bedroom and we both got into the bed, fixing the covers. "Are you okay?" Calix questioned, looking at me.

I looked at him and sighed, shrugging. "It hurt, not going to try and hide it. I had to use a healing spell to close the wound. I was scared I was actually going to die, but he said he had 'more important things' to do with me."

Calix didn't say anything before he pulled me into his chest, wrapping his arms around me. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, I promise."

I laid there for a moment. "Goodnight, Cal."

"Goodnight, Mir."

~-~8~-~