A L M I R A

Chapter 42
Almira Davenport

Calix and I stared at Abelia, confusion written on our faces. I slid off of his lap, standing up. I brushed my dress off and composed myself before replying to Abelia. "Abelia, what brings you here?"

"The baby, of course," She answered, standing up straight.

Calix stood up and wrapped an arm around my waist. "What about Ellie? She's not even a month old."

Abelia put her finger up, turning around. "Exactly. She's not had enough time to be exposed to anything, which is what I need. So, we're going to go pay everyone a visit. Don't worry, I already checked, they're all in the lounge area."

Abelia walked through the doors into our bedroom, casually opening the doors. I glanced at Calix before following her. Calix was right behind me, eying Abelia curiously. I didn't blame him.

Abelia walked into the lounge area where everyone was. Their conversations ceased and their heads turned to the three of us.

"Who's this?" Alexander asked, raising an eyebrow.

"If I may, I can explain it all if you just let me in your minds," Abelia offered, softly smiling at all of them.

Their eyes turned to silently question Calix and I about her. I nodded my head, encouraging to let her in. They all turned back to Abelia and nodded their heads before closing her eyes. Abelia mumbled something under her breath while raising her hands.

Moments later all eyes were wide open. "Wait, you knew about Ashli, Lauren, Estelle, and Ryker?" Alexander accused, standing up.

I slowly nodded my head. "I was the first to know. I couldn't say anything or I would've."

Ambrielle teared up and smiled. "My baby girl didn't intentionally kill her self? It was a sacrifice?"

Abelia nodded. "All of you, please understand I wouldn't wish to hurt any of you like this, but I need their lives as sacrifices to stop my husband, who Alastor is practically best friends with."

Cole say his champagne glass down and turned to Abelia. "Explain Calix's curse."

Calix sucked in a deep breath and I froze in place. Oh my goodness. I'm not supposed to know. I was never supposed to read that journal I found a long time ago, and I think Cole is skeptical of the curse itself.

Abelia turned to Calix and I who stared at her, waiting for her answer. "You two might want to sit down."

I nodded and led Calix to the couch, sitting beside him. He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me in, his eyes boring into Abelia's. "Go on. Explain it to them."

Abelia sighed. "It was never meant to target you specifically, more so your parents. To begin with, I had a mate planned out for your father. Had he been patient enough, he would've met her. However, he took it upon himself to make your mother his mate. She was just about to meet her mate as well, and then she met your father. They refused to search or even give into their mates once they found them. They rejected their mates for each other. That begin done, it angered me. When they birthed three little boys from a forbidden bond, it angered me even more. So I put a curse on the first born to feel the pain I would of the betrayal I felt. Losing your mates over and over again. The goal was for you to be in enough misery for your parents to pray and beg for forgiveness, but I guess dying in battle protecting each other works too.

"I can't reverse anything I do, neither can Sephtis. That's why he's my equal, he's everything opposite of me. When we're out of balance, like right now, well, you see the consequences. Secondly, your mother practiced dark magic, to the point where she became very much like my husband, consumed and hungry for darkness and dark objects. That happened while she was pregnant with Atlas. That was what pushed me over the edge to curse Calix," Abelia explained thoroughly.

Cole, Ambrielle, Alexander, and Luke stared at her with wide eyes. I had already read this in the journal, but it still surprised me to hear it from her mouth.

"Oh," Cole simply spoke, staring at her with shocked eyes. Yeah, it hits you hard, Cole.

"Anyway—"Abelia clapped her hands together, clearing her throat— "I didn't make my presence known to tell stories. I need Ellie."

Luke looked down at his daughter before looking up at Abelia. "But she's all I have left."

Abelia softly smiled at Luke, walking over to him. She bent down in front of him, resting her hands in his face. Luke physically calmed down, his shoulders no longer tense or his jaw tight. "Don't think I'd leave you to suffer, Luke. You'll do great things in life and your daughter will serve a greater purpose. I promise you'll see her again one day."

Luke slowly nodded. Abelia held her arms out for Ellie, waiting for Luke to hand her over. The rest of us were on the edge of our seats, awaiting to see what happens next.

Hesitantly, Luke handed Ellie over, his hands trembling. It was hard for him. It'd be hard for anyone to hand their child over. Especially knowing you won't see them until you're dead.

Abelia stood up and bounced little Ellie in her arms, running her fingers across her cheek. Abelia smiled down at the innocent baby in her arms, a tear sliding down her cheek. "It's time, my child."

Abelia held Ellie firmly, holding her against her chest. Ellie moved around slightly before going still. Abelia began to chant a spell, a bright light appearing where Ellie was.

The light became too much for any of us to bare, each and every one of us shielding our eyes from the blinding light. Moments passed by before we all looked back at Abelia. A small smile sat on her face, Abelia standing tall. "It is done," She confirmed, turning to us. "I have all of my powers back. I do ask one more favor, though."

"What is it?" Cole inquired, looking at her skeptically.

"When Alastor comes to attack, and he will, I would like to use Almira as my vessel," She suggested, looking at me.

Calix stood up. "Excuse me?"

"Sephtis has been using Alastor as a power source, but he's getting to the point where he's ready to take on a physical form, Alastor being his vessel. By the time they attack, I would like to use Almira as my vessel to stop my husband," Abelia elaborated, her eyes scanning the room for our reactions.

I sat there, thinking about what she just said. Abelia using my body as a vessel against Alastor and Sephtis? Could I even take on a power source as big as her? Would I get hurt or die from this? What about everyone else?

"Are you insane? Absolutely not! That's putting Almira directly in harm's way and I am not losing another mate!" Calix growled, glaring at Abelia. "Find another vessel."

Abelia took a step towards Calix, reaching her hand out to touch him. He backed up, avoiding her soothing and calming touch that could easily manipulate anyone.

I stood up. I've lost so much to this war. I've watched my loved ones die and cry because of this war. I was tired of suffering. I wanted happiness. "What do I need to do?"

Abelia turned to me, shock written on her face. "Pardon?"

"To be your vessel? What do I need to do?" I repeated, staring directly into her pale, mesmerizing eyes.

"Almira, you can't be serious!" Calix hissed, surprise and anger lacing his voice.

"Can you take on a force this strong?" Ambrielle interjected, looking at me for an answer.

Cole stood up. "Would you even make it out alive?"

I put my hands up, shaking my head. "Enough. Abelia, promise me something. Actually, a couple things."

"Almira, you know I—"

"Do you want a damn vessel or not?" I snapped, looking at her coldly. Her lips fell into a flat line, Abelia crossing her arms. She raised an eyebrow and nodded towards me to continue. I took a deep breath. "Promise me they make it out alive. Promise me, if you use my body, I can get it back. Lastly, promise me this will work. Oh, and don't kiss Sephtis in my body. That'd just be weird."

Abelia was silent for a moment, her eyes boring it o mine like we were challenging each other. It was a very uncomfortable feeling, staring down a goddess.

She exhaled, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine. I'll do my best to fulfill those promises. Just, whenever Alastor attacks, go to the library, get my spell book, and chant the vessel spell until I get there. I'll take over and you'll be co-conscious."

I sighed in relief. That was something I could work with. "Will my body be able to hold your abilities?"

Abelia chuckled, shaking her head. "Of course it will. Why do you think I want you as my vessel? I've had my eye on you since the day I created you. In case anything goes south, I always create vessels to suit me."

"That's a little creepy," Alexander commented. Abelia glanced at him before shrugging.

"So is that all you need?" Cole asked.

Abelia smiled. "It is. The hard part is over, believe me. Things will turn up from here as long as my husband hasn't completely and utterly gave into the darkness."

"Then it's settled. I'll be your vessel when Alastor attacks and they all live to tell the tale," I confirmed.

Abelia walked over to me and stopped, cupping my face with her hands. The same calm feeling I always get engulfed me and I let the tension leave my body. "Thank you, my child. You'll forever be remembered for this, I promise. And, if you two choose to have children, I guarantee they'll be blessed little kids."

I smiled and then Abelia vanished into thin air, the calm feeling quickly leaving my body. Everyone in the room took a deep breath before turning to each other.

"That was eventful," Ambrielle muttered, rubbing her forehead.

"Tell me about it," Alexander replied, kissing her temple.

"I think I'm going to bed early tonight. Goodnight, everyone," Cole mumbled, standing up. He took his leave, giving us a lazy wave before walking out.

Calix wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into an embrace. He inhaled my scent. Jokes on him, I changed body wash. "We should go to bed."

I agreed, grabbing his hand. Calix lead me up to our bedroom after bidding Ambrielle and Alexander a good night.

Once we arrive in our room, Calix quickly shut the door and pinned me against it, kissing me. The sudden action caught me off guard but I came around and kissed him back. Calix pulled my body closer to his, deepening the kiss. I arched my back to give in to his touch, my body craving him.

"What were you thinking back there?" He interrogated between kisses.

Calix trailed kisses from my jaw down to my neck, sucking and kissing it. Pleasure erupted from my neck, my knees growing weak. "Was I supposed to reject a goddess?" I breathlessly retorted, my hands reaching up to play with his hair.

Calix paused before coming up to look into my eyes. "What if you get hurt?"

"She promised I wouldn't. I'll be okay, I promise."

Calix picked me up and I instinctively wrapped my legs around him, my arms clinging onto his neck. "I'm not a man to admit when he's scared, but, damn it, Almira, I'm terrified. I don't want to lose you. It's my worst fear."

"You won't," I reassured, cupping his face in my hands. "I'm not going anywhere. My body will just be used for a different purpose with a completely different mindset for a while, that's all."

Calix's eyes filled with mixed emotions, my heart clenching at the sight. Calix slowly kissed my lips. "I love you, Almira."

"I love you too, Calix."

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