A L M I R A

Chapter 49
Almira West

We moved to the reception and took a couple minutes to compose ourselves before socializing with everyone else. I looked at Calix, grinning. "We did it!"

He looked down at me, smiling. "We did!"

"I have to change to the reception dress now," I commented, letting go of his hand.

"I'll be in there waiting for you, don't be too long," He teased, kissing my forehead before walking out. Ambrielle walked in behind him and smiled. "You did it! You're married now!"

I smiled uncontrollably, the excitement and joy being too much to bare or conceal. "I know! Now, help men change, please."

Ambrielle laughed and unbuttoned the back, letting me step out of the dress. She put it on a hanger and buttoned it back up before getting a simple white dress that went to tie around my neck. It was sleeveless and clung to my body until after my waist, then it flowed loosely, moving in whichever direction I moved. I walked back out and made my way to Calix, stopping periodically to talk to people and thank them for the congratulations.

"So many people congratulating us," I mumbled, standing beside him as we both overlooked the crowd.

"Yeah," Calix let out a breath. "It's been pretty good so far, though."

"You look stunning, darling," Calix complimented, turning to me.

"Same to you. I mean not stunning, but handsome. Unless you want to be stun-"

Calix ended my rambling by pressing his warm lips to mine. "I know, love."

Ambrielle walked to the center of the room and clinked her glass, grabbing everyone's attention. "If I can have your attention please," she began. "I'd like to begin by thanking you all for coming to the amazing celebration of the unification of my two dearest friends. I've watched their relationship from the beginning and I've watched it evolve. I've also witnessed Calix's previous mates. This bond that they share is one I don't think I've ever seen before. It's amazing and unique. I'm extremely grateful the Goddess gave Calix the blessing of Almira. I only wish for the best for these two."

We all clapped and toasted to her speech. She sat down and Cole stood up, adjusting his suit before raising his glass. "I'm going to be honest. I didn't have much faith in these two to begin with. Almira was stubborn and persistent for a chance of her and Calix to happen, and that's when I seen this time was different. I've grew up with Calix, he's my brother, and I love him dearly. When he finally caved and gave her a chance, after her carelessly throwing herself into harm's way, I was astonished. Needless to say, I'm thankful Almira is in my brother's life. She's honestly changed him for the best."

Another toast went to Cole's speech and my heart warmed at both of their speeches. I raised my glass and pressed my lips to the glass containing my drink. Music began to play and Calix took the glass out of my hand, setting it down on the table. He held his hand out to me and I smiled, sliding my petite hand into his large one. He swept me onto the dance floor, holding my other hand out. Our bodies moved in sync with each other, gliding across the floor. Calix spun me around and dipped me, giving a heart-wrenching smiles before pulling me up and holding me closely. Calix pressed his forehead against mine, looking into my eyes.

"You wouldn't mind if I cut in, would you?"

My body froze, a chill running down my spine. No, this wasn't possible. Today was supposed to be perfect. Why was he here? Calix stopped and we both turned behind him, our gaze landing on the sickening sight of Alastor.

"Alastor?" I barely whispered, his name on my tongue feeling of the dirtiest of curses.

"In the flesh. You know, I've got to say, cute wedding. Now, we can make this quick and easy, or, I can do my favorite way and cause some destruction," Alastor taunted, taking a step towards us.

"We know your deal with Sephtis," I spat bitterly.

"Then you know you're no match for me," Alastor grinned wickedly. He whistled and doors busted open, vampires invading the room and biting innocent people.

A bright, white light flashed and my head began to hurt. I let out a scream of anguish.

~ Abelia ~

I stood up, getting used to my new form. Cute dress. I looked around and seen Calix looking at me confused and concerned, and Alastor, showcasing a familiar sinister smile. "Well, don't be afraid, Alastor. Bring my husband up this once."

"I'm afraid my battle is with Calix and Almira, not you," He replied, glaring.

"I didn't ask." I reached my hands out, placing them on his temples. His face morphed into one of pain, anger, and sadness, giving me a guilty pleasure. I let go and his body dropped to the floor limply. My attention diverted to Calix. "Well don't just stand there. I'm here to get my husband back. Go save your kingdom."

Calix hesitated for a moment before speeding away hastily. I turned back to Alstor's vessel, which was now filled with my tainted husband. "You're not unconscious, get up."

He popped his neck before standing up. "You got me. I guess that's what happens with an eternity of marriage," He joked dryly.

"Then you should remember you're not always like this. Give the old Sephtis back. You promised not to do dark magic anymore, to leave the people out of our affairs!" I exclaimed, getting riled up.

"Leave them out of our affairs? Abelia, you fool, they are our affairs! They pray to us, they worship us, they rely on us. We created them! We are the only reason they are alive!" He argued, walking closer to me.

"Yes, that's true, but we have a cycle for them! They live for a while, then they die. They reproduce, we do the cycle all over again. However, we do not corrupt them and turn them against each other for personal gain! We do not help them overpower another simply so we have our own personal source of power! You've gone mad, Sephtis!" I cried out, taking a step closer to him.

He put his hands up, a dark source throwing me into the wall. He stepped closer and shook his head. "I didn't ask for you to come save me. You can't save someone who doesn't need saving."

I snapped my head up at him. "Look what you're doing! You're hurting your own wife, me, for power! You need me now more than ever. I had to unlock my magic by doing horrible things, Sephtis! I took away a whole family and a baby! I did unspeakable, unforgivable things just to save you!"

"You were dumb to lock them away, and you were even dumber to think I would lock mine away," He hissed, releasing his magic hold on me from the wall. He raised his hand, choking me with magic. I grasped at my neck, only being able to hold it, but still unable to breathe. I couldn't be killed, but it didn't make this any less painful.

"This is not the man I fell in love with and married," I muttered. I broke the magic choking me and gasped for air before throwing my hands out. I took my turn to throw him into a wall. "Come back to me, Sephtis. Come home and be happy with me. We can lock our magic away for good and help the people and beings we created!"

"Did you ever think that maybe, just maybe, that wasn't the life that I wanted anymore? That maybe I haven't gone into the deep end, or the dark side, but that I just grew tired of serving them all the time? I wanted a change Abelia!"

"We can make a change, but not this way. This isn't how we do things and you know it. Look around! There are innocent people dying, there are families being torn apart right now! Mothers are losing their sons, mates are losing their other half, children are losing their parents or maybe the only person they have left on this earth!" I scolded, moving my hand to suggest the chaos that crashed such a fine wedding.

"Enough!" He shouted. A power surge spread from his body, knocking me down. The magic took the breath away from me, causing me to gasp for air.

His body quivered and shook, his eyes taking in the scenery before him. I was getting to him, I knew I was. My Sephtis was still in there, though his judgement was clouded by darkness. I stood up, walking over to him slowly. He turned to me, internally battling himself. It was him versus the darkness he let take over.

"Let me help you, Sephtis. Let me be the anchor to this world for you. Let me remind you of your humanity," I pleaded, holding his hand.

He turned to me and cupped my cheek with his other hand. I leaned into is touch, embracing the cold feeling. "Fine."

I placed one hand on his chest above him heart and the other in the middle of his forehead, chanting the spell I could finally use to bring him back. My body began to ache and he gasped before collapsing. I looked at him and his eyes fluttered open, looking up at me and smiling. "Abelia, my love."

I smiled and helped him up. He picked me up and spun me around, crashing his lips onto me. "Listen, my dear, if we are to fix what has happened, we need to stop this commotion, and then leave these vessels. I'll give Almira the magic to stop Alastor himself, without channeling you. Then we'll seal away our magic and we can continue our lives."

He nodded. "Alright, let's do this."

We pressed our hands against each other's and repeated a spell to calm the chaos he had started. Alastor's vampires and hybrids ceased their fighting as well as the conjoined kingdoms. We sent them back to the kingdom they came from. I took a deep breath before we placed our hands on the other's temple. We both collapse and were back in our realm.

~ Almira West ~

I sat up and rubbed my head. I watched the entire thing from the back of my mind. It was like an out of body experience. The feeling was so absurd and unusual. Alastor stood up and I felt an unfamiliar magic surge through my body. "Well, Alastor, look at the turn of events."

"This isn't possible!" He panicked, pacing in a circle. "He was my power source!"

"Well how'd that go for you? You're weak again, Alastor. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't going to enjoy this," I laughed. I began to to intone a spell, drawing from the magic Abelia lended to me. I pushed Alastor back, his body sliding against the smooth flooring. I brought my hand up, his body following my hand motion. I clenched m hand into a tight fist and Alasor began gasping an choking for air.

"You bitch..." He wheezed, his body beginning to shiver and tremble.

"I've been called worse by better," I shrugged. I held up another hand and swiped it to the side. Alastor's head snapped and came off of hid body, rolling onto the floor. I dropped the hold on his now dead body and let him fall to the ground, dark red blood pooling around his decapitated body.

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