Alessandro, Edward, and Dastien weren't happy with the news. Good thing, Darius wasn't looking bothered.
"Do you agree with your mates, too?" I asked Silver and Elizabeth. If they're my friends. There must be something common between us. Like... If Mama wants him as his mate, I'm happy for her.
They looked shocked and glanced at me with parted lips. Was it that difficult answer? I flattened my lips when they didn't say a word. We're not friends I could tell.
"Are we picking the sides? But I would be really happy if we become a part of the ceremony." I said.
"You don't know a thing, Emersyn. Don't poke your nose." Alessandro said in a low, scolding voice.
"But they are mates. What's wrong in...?" I winched when he cut me off.
" Shut up, Syn," Dastien growled, his hard gaze fixed on me.
Fear crashed over me as I stared at him, rage was pouring from his gaze.
"The ceremony is in two days." Cyril declared with a locked jaw.
He growled, his brows pinched together in anger. "We're leaving." He said. Didn't we talk about it? He extended his hand to me.
"No," I said, my eyes fixed on him. His head wiped toward me, his jaw locked in exasperation. "I'm staying for the ceremony," I told him and sat on the stool.
"Em," Elizabeth started. I cut her off.
"We're not friends." I snapped. "You're his mate. You live this bond every day. Still, you guys have no guts. You're asking a person to abandon her mate. How would you feel when you'll be in the same shoes?" I asked darting my eyes around and they rested on him. "Didn't we talk about it?" I asked him again, angrily.
"I agreed to stay under the same roof with him." Dastien said sternly, pointing his finger at his father.
"These Royals!" I rolled my eyes on them. "Pull your heads out of your egos."
"Keep your mouth shut," Edward snarled.
"Or what? Double-standard?" I glared at him. This man brought the demon out of me.
"What did you say?" He growled.
"You heard me right. Double. Standard. According to you, your mate should stay with you. I could see you're mated but you don't think the same for your mother. How poor of you!"
He stormed toward me, baring his teeth at me.
In a flash, Cyril, Dastien, Darius, Jasper, Carlos, Drake, Silver, and Elizabeth put themselves between us. Mama raised a bubble around me. I wasn't sure what this was for. They all gave him a warning look.
He glared at me. I didn't look away. I was scared but I wouldn't give up so easily. I don't know why he hates me but I hate him, too.
He turned to the door and Alessandro strode behind him. "Beth." He said out loud.
" I'm not coming." Elizabeth said, taking her seat.
"Nor me." Silver shrugged her shoulders.
"Silver," Alessandro warned. They glared at each other. Silver turned her back to him and her mate stormed out of the hall.
"I don't want any clift between you. You should go with them." Cyril said to the other alpha members.
They stared at each other and then at the Queen. She nodded her head. They shuffled out of the hall.
"You don't need to do this, girls." Mama said.
"We're doing what's right. They will come to their senses soon." Elizabeth snorted.
Miuccia glanced at us long before speaking. "John has thrown a party to announce the King's return. We should..."
"Don't cancel it, Mom. We'll be good and we will take care of Em." Silver said.
"Hey! I'm not a kid." I told them.
They shared a laugh and it was immediately dead.
Darius cleared his throat. I was wondering. Why was he still here, not follow-up them?
"I'm on your team. " He winked at us chuckling." Should I join the party too, Dad?" He asked.
Cyril's chest puffed with pride. Striding ahead, he clapped his hand on his back. "I'll be really glad to see you next to me."
They walked out of the room and we sat in awkward silence for a few minutes.
"Don't ever say that you're not my friend." Elizabeth looked at me with watery eyes.
I felt bad. "I'm sorry. I was upset with you that you won't stand with the right"
"Don't jump to conclusions, Em. It hurts to hear it from you." Silver got back in her seat. Saddens cast over her beautiful face.
"I thought. You would take the wrong side."
"Never. I'm sorry he..." Elizabeth trailed off.
"Was about to attack me." It was only Alessandro who did not come forward to save me. That means he favored him attacking him. Good to know. Who could save me and who would attack me?
"Ales, also..." Silver thinned her lips, looking at the door.
I was feeling blocked from him. "Do you know how this block thing works in the head?" I asked them. If he could do this, I could too. I haven't read the half-book yet.
"Yes, it's quite simple. Say the word with determination in your head. 'Block' And he wouldn't be able to contact you." Elizabeth smiled at me. Her eyes were sad.
"And the same process with when you don't let him know your thoughts." Silver added.
"Thanks" I closed my eyes and said the word with determination. I felt a wall rising. It worked.
"Sandwiches! " I heard his excited shout.
"Where the heck were you? I thought they dropped you to the earth." I stared at him. His headphones were hanging around his neck.
"I was listening to music while cooking. Taste them.'' He offered us the plate.
" I need this distraction." Silver took it and grabbed one and offered it to us immediately.
"I know. You heard everything.'' Elizabeth asked.
" Yes, it was hard to resist. You girls are alright." Aidan asked.
"Don't worry about us. By the way, they're nice." Elizabeth said.
"Thank you." He sighed, dramatically placing his hand over his chest.
"So, there's a wedding. Is there going to be any preparation?" Aidan asked excitedly. He placed the plate on the high desk and grabbed one for himself.
"Mating Ceremony," Elizabeth said, picking one.
I took it and bit on it. Wow! It's delicious. "They're nice." He dipped his chin, thanking. "I don't know. Mama hasn't said anything yet. And I don't think they would help us. So, it's us four, um, I'm not certain about Darius."
"He will be on our side. I have seen him. He doesn't follow rules. He always does how it suits him." Silver said.
"Now, everything is on track." Elizabeth and Silver arched their brows at me. "If we keep this what just happened now out of it. " I said.
They nodded immediately. I should thank Aidan for the sandwiches, they are delicious and a great distraction.
"Why is the ground still black? I mean there should be plants. I am quite shocked to see the forest in the Dark world but not here." I asked.
"Only you can do this." Elizabeth said.
I blinked at her waiting for her to say that I'm kidding. But they kept on eating their sandwiches.
"I didn't get it." I asked, looking at them.
"See! You were the Queen," I opened my mouth to question. "On a lower rank than your mother-in-law." I nodded in agreement with Aidan. "You were also blessed with two mates. At the right time, on your eighteenth birthday, you have to pick your mate and reject one. But you're such a kind soul, that you don't want to hurt Darius. So you refused to reject and clung to both."
"No!" I squealed with big eyes. "No, it's gross." I hated the thought of being with two men at the same time.
"Relax, you were only with Dastien." Silver said.
I let out a sharp exhale. I didn't realize I was holding my breath. I nodded at him to continue.
"You were always feeling bad for him." Aidan started again.
"Darius?" I asked.
He nodded, "Yes, " And paused. "One day on his twenty-fifth birthday you wanted to give him a surprise. His mate." A soft smile curled on his face.
It was just getting confusing. I shook my head. "I don't understand. I have two mates like Mama has..." I trailed off, not certain.
"Yes, this part is pretty interesting." His smile widened.
I slapped hard on his arm. "My life isn't a book." I said irking.
"It is." I opened my mouth to snap. "I'll explain later. Hear this out first." I nodded, thinning my lips. "With your friends"s help. Elizabeth, Silver, and Esmeralda." His eyes darted at them.
"Who's Esmeralda?" I asked with a snort. I haven't heard this name before.
"Vampire king's girlfriend. She's the queen of her small but strong clan." Elizabeth said.
"I don't know I'm friendly with vampire people too. And they're king and queen." My voice was full of astonishment.
"You can wonder later. Hear it. Out. First." He said to grab my attention.
"Alright," I felt goosebumps on my arms. I held the need to rub the palms on them.
"With their help, you used an old magic and split your soul giving your twin body the power of your wolf." He said, his smile didn't waver for a second. There was pride in his eyes
Many things hovered over my mind. "That's why I'm always human. My sister, Everly, she's a shifter and... She has a happy life compared to mine. Why?" I asked, it has nagged me from the day I saw her playing with her shifter friends but there was no one to play with me. When she got time for me she was already tired from her training.
"Momma was so furious at you. She was worried about the heir you were going to give to this realm in the future." Silver said in a serious tone. She zoomed out saying it as she was still there.
Fear fisted my chest. I shot on my feet. "Was I pregnant?" My heart and pulses hammered in my ears.
"No," Elizabeth said.
I let out a heavy breath and took the seat. My legs were shaking.
"Are you okay?" Silver rested her hand on my shoulder.
"Yes, please, continue. " I told him.
"In her fury, Queen Miuccia cursed you. You disappeared into thin air. Though your new-created-twin was still alive but it couldn't placate the danger your disappearance brought to the realm. Dastien destroyed everything. Everything." Aidan breathed deeply. his smile dropped.
"Aragon, the vampire king, Cassandra one of the powerful fae queen, Angelina and Zadkiel, the powerful angels, Eleanor the powerful witch queen, and many more, mostly the Royal. They could only save this." Silver said in her gloomy voice.
Am I that important to him? The thought made me wonder.
The dead silence fell around us. My heartbeat was breaking it every time it pounded loud in my chest.
"It wasn't you to whom mom cursed that day. It was Elizabeth too and Queen Esmeralda too." Aidan said.
I gasped. My lips parted in horror. "That made Edward hate me. No doubt.'
" Yes, " Elizabeth dipped her chin, worry entered her eyes. "It's not your fault. We just can't change what others think or take things."
Edward didn't take it smoothly. I saw it today. He wanted to kill me. He would have done it if they would not have stepped forward blocking him. "And Esmeralda?"
"You know, vampire. She couldn't come into the light until you were born again. Her life was miserable." Silver said.
"She must be hating me too." My voice was weak. I was feeling very low. I didn't remember a thing but I wouldn't have considered them ending like this. Nobody answered me. I got on my feet, grasping the desk. "I need to go out for a walk." I declared. They got on their feet as well. "I won't go away. I'll be back soon."
They weren't looking convinced but they nodded their heads. Without looking back at them, I sauntered out of the hall.