A L M I R A

Chapter 43
Almira Davenport

This morning was filled with jumps and nails biting. We all waited around anxiously to see if Alastor would attack. I sighed and sat the book I was reading down on the table. I couldn't take this much longer.

I stood up and fixed my dress before walking out of the library. Raiya stood outside of the library, fixing to go on. "Oh, Raiya, hi."

Raiya nodded at me. "Hello."

"I'm kind of tired of being cooped up in this castle, do you want to go to the village? Talk a walk around, let the tension go for a couple hours?" I asked, folding my arms behind my back.

Raiya thought about the idea before nodding. "I suppose that doesn't sound horrible. Everyone around the castle is waiting on Alastor to attack, so getting out would be relieving."

I grinned. "Oh thank goodness."

Raiya and I agreed to meet at the fountain in the town square after I finished up some business. I managed to memorize a couple more spells and enchantments before saying a, now, daily prayer to Abelia.

I told Calix I was headed into town with Raiya. He wasn't fond of the idea, but I think he's learned I'm not one to be told what to do. I met up with Raiya at the fountain, smiling as I approached her.

Raiya nodded at me. "Where are we starting off?"

"I was going to leave that to you. We can walk around if you want to or we can shop," I answered, fixing my skirt.

Raiya weighed the options for a moment before grinning. "How about we start off with food, then we can go look at the ocean?"

"Sounds like a good idea."

Raiya and I walked to a nearby tavern, talking and gossiping. "You wouldn't believe the stories I hear about this one maid."

I raised an eyebrow. "Mauricia?"

"No, Elizabeth," Raiya replied, smelling a bouquet of flowers before setting them back down on the cart.

"Blonde, ginger, brunette, or the black headed one?"

"Ginger."

"Tall or short?"

"Neither, the medium height one."

"Which rumor?" I asked, glancing at her.

"The maids are gossiping that she's Adam's mate, but nothing is confirmed," Raiya informed.

I hummed in surprise. "That'd be interesting, I suppose. I occasionally see her in the library, but not too often. Whenever she's in there, her nose is buried in a pile of books and it's hard to get her attention."

"That would be interesting, indeed," Raiya agreed, opening the door to the tavern.

We walked in and took our seats, looking at the menu. Raiya decided on two meal options and I lightly snacked around, having already ate this morning.

We laughed and talked over cheap beer and bread, among other foods and goods. Today seemed to have eased Raiya's mind a lot from grieving her lost family. No mate, no kids, no granddaughter, nothing. She was alone in the world other than her friends and Luke.

I pitied her. However, if Raiya heard me say that, she'd give me the biggest lecture on how she's doing just fine. I know that'd be a lie, but arguing with Raiya is pointless.

After eating, Raiya and I walked around more, talking about how annoying men could be, kids, my future, all of that. We stopped by the pier and looked at the boat dock, watching as men managed trades, passengers loaded and unloaded, kids running around, and fisherman selling the fish they caught.

"No matter at what point in life I've been in, I've always appreciated the sun and the moon," Raiya commented, leaning against the pier.

"Me too. My favorite time of day is sunrise," I replied, walking up beside her, shifting my body weight onto the wooden pier.

"Mine is midnight when all is calm, silent, and quiet. It's peaceful and dark, everyone resting and their minds at ease."

I never took Raiya as the type to appreciate darkness with the amount of positivity she forces onto people in her own, strange, benevolent way. "I would have never guessed."

"Not many people would. In fact, I had my wedding ceremony at midnight. Regional and I said I do when the moon was directly in the sky so that way it was over us as we kissed," Raiya said, smiling off at the glistening water.

I watched as waves crashed done, the rippling water gracefully splashing against the sides of the boats nearby. "That's so unique."

Raiya went silent.

"I haven't thought that much about mine and Calix's future. The war has preoccupied us. I am, however, extremely thankful he finally let me in. And please, don't take this the wrong way, but being the oldest lycan alive, you got any advice for me?" I rambled, admiring two little kids play with each other on one of the boats.

Raiya went to open her mouth and then gasped. I turned to her and my eyes widened in horror, staring at the scene before me.

Raiya had an arrow sticking through her chest, blood pouring from both sides. Raiya let out a growl of pain. "It's laced with silver."

I sucked in a deep breath. I could handle this. I can use a healing spell. "I can do magic, hold on."

I pulled the arrow out of her body and tossed it into the ocean. Raiya went to speak but I drowned her out with my chanting. I placed my hands front of her wound and repeated the spell.

I peeked at her and seen she was still bleeding, profusely. I panicked. "Let's get you back to the castle, okay? Everything will be okay."

I helped her walk to the castle, villagers talking and conversing about Raiya and I as we walked back through town. People asked questions and claimed stuff that wasn't true. I could already tell rumors would be spreading about the unfortunate incident.

After what felt like hours, though it was merely just minutes, Raiya and I stormed back into the castle. "Somebody help her!" I yelled, looking around.

Maids and butlers rushed over to Raiya, ushering her to the medical wing. Calix ran over to me, his eyes quickly scanning over my body. "I'm fine, Calix."

"Just making sure," He mumbled, pulling me in. "What happened?"

"We were having a good time and then we were on the pier and next thing you know, she has an arrow through her chest," I explained, shaking my head. "She's going to be okay, right?"

Calix took a deep breath and shook his head. "She's not going to make it. The silver poisoned her. The only thing that can aid in fighting off poison is the blood of your mate. Regional died a long time ago, and Raiya will soon join him."

I covered my mouth, my eyes filling with tears. "Oh my goodness."

Calix and I walked up to Raiya and she laid on a bed, bleeding out. "Even in death, you're still here?"

I lightly laughed and wiped a tear away. "I guess I can't stop annoying you, huh?"

Raiya smiled, waving her hand for me to come closer. I walked over and sat beside her. "My advice to you, my dear, is this. Follow your heart and back it up with your head. Do what you believe will help you, those around you, and your people. You're going to be an amazing queen. I just have one question."

"Anything," I urged, holding her hand. It was growing weaker by the minute.

"My kingdom needs a leader. I've watched you grow and evolve into what I believe they will need. So my last wish is when I die, you take over. In fact, Calix, get a pen and some paper. She's going to be the new queen," Raiya orders.

"Are you sure you can write it out right now?" Calix questioned, looking down at her.

Raiya glared at him. "I may be dying, but my hands still work. Hurry it, I'm running out of time here."

Calix put his hands up in surrender and walked out, coming back shortly with paper and a pen. Raiya struggles to write, using a book nearby as a hard back.

While she was writing, I spoke up. "You knew, didn't you? You knew I couldn't heal you."

Raiya glanced at me before continuing her letter. "I did."

I didn't know what to say. What could I say to that? She knew she was going to die the moment she got shot.

"There. Send this out to my guards. They'll know what to do. All you have to do is the coronation and swear your loyalty to the people," Raiya finished, handing the letter to Calix.

Calix turned to a servant and they ushered off, eager to get the letter out to her guards.

I glanced at Calix before adverting my gaze back to Raiya. "Thank you," I whispered, tears running down my cheeks.

Raiya raised her hand up to my face, wiping away my tears. She held my face in her hands, a peaceful grin on her face. "No, thank you, Almira. You're soul is a good one. I know you'll go to do great things in life."

My lips quivered and my vision blurred as my eyes pooled up with more tears. Raiya laid her hands back down beside her and I laid my head against her arm, sobbing uncontrollably.

I hated this. I hated death. This wasn't fair.

Calix rubbed my back before pulling me up. "Come on, we need to go."

"What?" I asked all too soon. I turned to look back at Raiya and let out a painful gasp. Raiya's dead body laid there with a smile on her face. Her ginger hair laid sprawled out against the pillow, the pristine white sheets now stained with crimson blood.

I buried my head in Calix's chest and let out a wail of despair, my fist balling up his shirt in sorrow. So many casualties to war. So many innocent, happy, cheerful lives lost to a cause they had no part on.

Calix rubbed my back. "It's okay. Everything is going to be alright."

His words played through my mind. It may be alright, but the question is when? How long? At what cost?

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