*Elentari POV*
“This tastes more refreshing than normal.” He comments and looks in the water bottle. “You remembered lemon and mint!” He kissed the top of my head. “You realize it's your birthday, Starlight. I should be spoiling you, not the other way around.”
This simple exchange made me happier than anyone could imagine. He hadn’t remembered my birthday in years, no one did, I handed him a plate of food and he sat down to dig in.
“Good morning family!” Lyssandra says in her fake sing-song voice, “Smells like someone beat me to making the birthday breakfast.” She looked around at everyone else sitting down, and seemed like she was pouting, “I had wanted to make you breakfast as a treat.”
“Thank you for the thought.” I told her. My wheels turned wondering what she had up her sleeve. “I wanted to make dad’s and my favorite breakfast. It’s been so long since we’ve had it, and it’s been years since anyone has celebrated my birthday so I figured if I wanted to celebrate, I had to do it.” I had the most innocent doe eyed look on my face as I spoke.
The doorbell rang, that’s weird, we never have visitors nonetheless this early in the day. Dad went to answer it. That’s when I noticed her look down at my dad's water bottle and scowl, I couldn’t help the smile that danced across my lips. I quickly wiped it off my face before she looked at me to see what I was doing.
Dad came back into the room looking at Lyssandra with the most confused look on his face, as if he was struggling to recognize her. “Who are you?” He asked her.
“Love, what are you talking about? I’m your wife and mother of your three beautiful children.” She looked panicked. A beautiful woman that looked exactly like me walked into the room followed by a very tall male who’s aura was overwhelming. I saw the blue line between them. No, not just a line, a thick cord strong as steel.
The step-witch looks like she’s about to lose her shit, literally and figuratively. Before she could say anything the woman put her hand up to silence her. Suddenly I drop to my knees and it feels like rubber bands and gears are snapping into place in my head. I was feeling so many emotions and couldn't tell if they were all mine or not. My dad's eyes change from brilliant green to a grey color I’ve never seen before.
“Who are you?” She manages to squeak out, still trying to play innocent. Her kids are beyond confused at the scene in front of them. After all, she was never honest with them either.
“Lyssandra, you know exactly who we are. There’s no use in playing dumb. We also know you’re working with Damien, following all his orders like a good girl.” The woman I assume is my mom looks between me and the man I’ve known as my dad my whole life. “I’m sorry you’ve been subjected to this, Scott. I never intended for you to lose this much of your life due to the service you performed for us. We can never thank you enough or repay you.” Her voice was full of sincerity. “Are you two his children?” She asks the spawn. They nod almost like zombies. She looks back to Scott, “I, no, we offer you safe Haven in the Kingdom. You two,” she looks at the twins, “can come as well. On the condition you swear a blood oath to renounce your mothers bloodline and control, severing any and all ties now and in the future. This is a heavy decision and cannot be undone once made.” Her tone was regal and absolute.
She continued to address the hellspawn. “That woman is a dark, evil witch that deceived your father for your entire lives with potions and spells. She very well may have done the same to you, and she did it to my Elentari too. Power is all she wants and she does not value you or your family. It is up to you to choose your path, but as I said, choose wisely as this decision is absolute and you cannot change your mind after you decide.”
The twins looked conflicted. They looked between each other, not sure who to believe. My mom seemed to notice their hesitance. She waved her hand and the cabinet Lyssandra pulled the ingredients out of this morning appeared. Various viles, containers, plants, and unrecognizable items flew out and landed on the counter.
“If you doubt my words, take a look at these items. They are mostly poisons.” She looked at Lyssandra. “Call your Grimoire.”
Lyssandra looked completely indignant and, if possible, even more terrified. “That’s personal to a witch. By law I do not need to let anyone but my heir see it, Belle.” Her voice was weak, betraying the confidence she was trying to portray.
“Your children are here. Who is your heir?” The man asked. My dad moved behind me and put his hands on my shoulders. I could feel his unease radiating from him.
“She is.” Lyssandra pointed to her Stacie. She had shown the most magical talent, thus her decision. Even though Scottie had more of the attitude she would want in an heir.
“Then call your Grimoire, and let her read it. Now.” Belle’s tone was completely unforgiving. Slowly Lyssandra resigned herself and called it forth. She hadn’t expected any of this. She couldn’t figure out how they were found by the Royal couple without Elentari awakening. The Grimoire placed itself in front of its owner. It was a deep black leather bound book with crimson writing on the front. There were various bookmarks sticking out. Lyssandra pushed it to her daughter.
“She is allowed to read everything. Hide nothing.” She said, speaking to the Grimoire. She knew she was either done for or she’d gain her daughter as an ally.
Stacie put her hand on the book. Immediately she retracted it and made a face. “This hurts to touch.” She whispered as she gingerly opened it to the first bookmark then the next and the next reading out the titles of the spells and ritual on each page. “Complete hypnosis, Essence of Love, Slow Death, Untraceable Nightmare, Essence of Anger, Incantation of Confusion.” As she read her voice got quieter and quieter. Tears started to form in her eyes. She snapped her eyes up. “Did you ever use any of these on us?” She whispered. When Lyssandra didn’t answer she pounded her fist on the table. “How could you? What kind of mother would do that to her own children? To her husband?”
Lyssandra started to drop her meek mask. “How? It was my mission. You’ll figure it out anyway. I never wanted children. Never wanted to give birth. I only did it to seal my hold on him.” Pointing to my human dad. “I needed him to be either in love or completely obsessed with me so I could work to get the trust of the Lunar Guardian.” She pointed at me. “A direct connection and therefore chance to manipulate the work of the Moon Goddess and gain her favor. Or at least shield us from her wrath as she would never hurt her reincarnation’s guardian. So we could stop hiding and pandering to the filthy humans. That’s all you’ll ever have us do, Your Majesties. The great King Alaric and Queen Belle, saviors of weak humans and terror of all fae kind.” As she went on with her monologue I suddenly felt like I was in Harry Potter listening to Voldemort spew anti half blood and muggle sentiments. Then it hit me. What did she say I was?
*Elentari POV* “Lunar Guardian? Me? I’m just a normal teenager with nothing special about me. I didn't even know this existed until today. I don’t understand, Selene is real?” As I spoke the twins looked at each other, as if having a mental conversation. Little to my knowledge they were doing just that. They spoke at the same time. “We want to go with you.” Turning towards my parents. My sister pushed the book towards my mother. “If we are magical, we need training. Even though that book is my birthright, I don't want to learn from it. I’d rather it was destroyed.” At this point, I saw my sister in a new light. Almost a light of admiration. “It is not yours yet!” Lyssandra screeched. “I am still alive. As long as I live it is mine!” She reached for the Grimoire as if her life depended on getting the old book back in her hands. Before she could get to it, despite the pain it caused him, my brother grabbed it and kept it from her reach. “The book is evidence. It cannot be destroye
*Alaric POV* Seeing my baby for the first time since she was born overwhelmed me. At that time the plan had already progressed to my wife and Scott’s pretend relationship ending. We only needed it long enough to conceal her birth and for no one to think I was the father. My wife came up with the plan and she was so convincing that I almost severed our fated bond over it. She didn’t warn me first to get the most genuine reaction she could get out of me. It took me a month after they “broke up” to hear her out. I almost missed my chance to hold my child, just once. Home is a magical place. It has a literal living, breathing magic essence that brings the rivers, trees, and all of nature to life. There were very few Fae, or magical beings, that didn’t prefer to live here. Humans tended to believe Fae meant fairy, or that what they deemed to be mythical beasts, weren’t magical. But Fae is all those that belong to the world of Selene and magic. Our architecture, for those that prefer build
*Alaric POV* “Scottie and Stacie, you will need a full blood test done for us to find out your genetic composition. That way you can be prepared. Scott, I’d like for you to get one done as well. That way we can find out your full connection to the Fae world. We couldn’t do it sooner for Elentari’s safety, but I feel like there is more here than meets the eye. You weren’t chosen by random.” The gears in my head are turning and cranking quickly. We lead them up the cobblestone drive to the front of the buildings. The guards standing at attention open the gates for us. Their eyes were the only part of them that could be seen, but they were wide with surprise. The Kingdom knew my wife disappeared at some point and we almost lost our bond. The rumor of pregnancy went around but we refuted it using the living registry as proof. There was no child on record, so the rumor was put down. The castle knew, though. A room had appeared that none could enter. Her name was written in a beautiful, flo
*Elentari POV* Everything had been so overwhelming. Each minute it seemed there was something new to learn. I take in the sights and sounds. The castle is huge. I’ve never seen a building so big. The vivid colors and picturesque scenery has me enchanted. Stacie starts asking me about my drawings and I realize she’s right. I did draw this place. It felt like home. Like it was calling out to me and knew me. “Welcome home!” Serenity pulls me into the Zone. “You’ve finally made it! We’re all here again!” She’s so bubbly, I almost can’t stand it. “Fully energized, eh, Serenity?” Arashi has a smug look on her face. “She’s always like this when we return after being gone for so long. I can’t remember how long it’s been.” “Four hundred fifty years, eight months, two weeks, and three days,” Lucinda replies dryly. “And that was for a very short time.” Silk takes her turn to speak. “If our task is no longer viable with the physical body we possess, we return to Selene. But the four of us
*Elentari* I yawn and walk towards the far corner of the room where there is another door. I open it and it’s much more my style. A full-size bed with a black comforter that has the triple moon goddess symbol on it. This makes me smile. I take my shoes off and curl up in the comfy bed. Out of habit, I call out, “Echo, set an alarm for 3 hours.” To my surprise, I got a response telling me an alarm would wake me. Of course, my echo was with me. I’d be lost without it. Sleep overtakes me quickly as I've been up for over 24 hours. No sooner than my eyes are closed, I’m in the middle of a huge expanse that has various themes around it. One was a meadow with beautiful flowers, another a forest with beautiful lights and bright colors. A third had cliffs and caves with a gorgeous waterfall. The last one was a library with books that I couldn’t see the top of. This was amazing. I slowly walk around taking in the breathtaking view. I hear large wings flapping over my head and look up. A brilli
*Elentari* We left the room arm in arm, followed by Tanz. The pixie went across the hall and knocked on the doors of Dad and Scottie. I was shocked to see dad in a lilac polo shirt. It was almost poetic. He wore black slacks and black dress shoes. His hair was neatly combed, and I could tell he felt something was up. Scottie had a cream-colored polo and the same type of pants and shoes. “Damn...” I mutter, “I stick out like a sore thumb in this family.” Shaking my head. The three of them laugh and we retrace our steps following Tanz. She directs us down the stairs and through a series of hallways. I felt like I’d need a map to get through this place. We reach the dining hall. Belle and Alaric are already there, standing at the head of the table, casually dressed. I was suddenly very happy I didn’t change. The seats to the left of Alaric were empty, while standing next to Belle was the woman I saw in my dream. Wearing the outfit I saw her wearing. The only difference was her hair was
*Scott Sr* When we left dinner, my mind and body were on fire. I never understood the fate bond as Belle didn’t teach me about it. She had always said she couldn’t see a bond for me. I always assumed I was a normal human and most humans don’t have fated mates. I’m not sure why I suddenly had a fated, but I wasn’t going to miss this opportunity. Lyssandra never loved me. I was a tool to her. Someone to use and throw away. This woman is breathtaking. Her doe-like eyes have me in a trance. Her smile warms my heart. Her smooth skin draws me in. I follow her as she reaches for my hand. My body reacted with a fiery need that I was convinced would consume my body. ‘It’s okay to want her.’ I thought to myself, but I didn’t initiate that thought. I bit my lip trying to figure out where it came from as the voice didn’t sound like my own. When people have thoughts, it sounds like themselves, right? At least mine always had. She turned towards me, smiling all the way to her eyes and I felt a bit
*Scott Sr* “Scott, more please. I need more.” She begs me. I groan against her core, slipping another finger into her tightness, my tongue still moving on her sensitive button. “Oh Goddess yes!” She screams. I feel her walls start to spasm as her breath becomes erratic and fast. I swear I can hear her pulse. Her core quivers tightening as she screams and her sweet liquids drown my mouth. I wiggle my fingers a bit more as I stand, removing my boxers. She moves to wrap her slender fingers around me, but I shake my head, leaning her back. I pull her legs up so her feet are on my shoulders by my head, lifting and moving her to the edge of the bed. I tease her, dropping myself against her button, eliciting more of the sweet sound my ears love. Just when I think she couldn’t drive me any more crazy, she does. Her eyes are pleading me to take her as I play with and pinch her rosy nipples. Her hand snakes down to rub her button as I position myself in front of her core. “You’re sure about thi