END ROADS

CHAPTER 58: FAREWELL PARTY

That evening the coven was loud. Full of hustle and bustle, preparing for Arthur's farewell party. I could not understand why there had to be a farewell party for someone simply returning to his own coven , but oh there was a party being held at dusk. I was sitting in my room, Ari was combing my hair. I was already dressed up in a red dress Arthur sent to me . It was beautiful and flawless with a red chocker around my neck. Ari curled up my hair and patched a red flower on the side
Well, I could be beautiful.
"Regina...
We both turned to the door, Xavier was standing there his jaw hitting the ground.
"Seriously? Regina?"
"She loved red" he said quietly
"I love red too" I retorted
"Grey too" Ari added
"Alright we are a bunch of red colour lovers then. Anyway I have never bothered to ask who is this Regina specifically, where is she from? Does she have relatives?"
I asked the question I have always wanted to ask.
"Sir Archibald found her as a kid in the western forest abandoned by her mother, he raised her and brought her to this coven when she was eight"
"Oh I see, how old is she by now?" I asked again
"Probably nineteen" Xavier shrugged
Oh, is that so?
"Can you tell me why we look alike?"
Xavier laughed out loud as if he had seen the most comical drama in his whole life.
"How can I tell surely, it might be a coincidence just the way Grey and Dermot look alike"
"No way Dermot and Grey are brothers" I thought out loud
"Step brothers;"
"Whatever the case they share a dad but for Regina and I that is too much of a coincidence"
When I saw her drawing in that cave those several days or rather months back I got confused. She looked like me and a bit like Flora.
Wait!
Flora? Is Flora Regina's mother?
"Do you know any of Flora's kids?"
"Does she have kids?" Xavier's eyes sparkled
"Of course she must have kids, she told me she met a man she liked when she turned herself to human . She definitely has kids"
"What are you pointing at?" Ari asked calmly
"Regina might be her daughter"
Xavier broke into another laughter followed by uncontrollable giggling.
"That was a good attempt" he finally spoke
"If you say Regina is flora's daughter, then you'll be too. You two are identical twins, basically" Ari finalized
"Oh I know how my mother looks like, she's more if a house wife and not an independent princess who walks with so much power and authority."
"Well drop it all, we have a ball to attend" Ethan stepped in white tuxedo.
"Oh you look so gay" I teased
"Am so gay" he winked at me "I know am stunning"
"Very stunning" I added.
"Come on princess, we should move" Abi who was dressed in a short flare red dress walked in. Her five inches heels make her look heck taller than anyone in the room.
"My dearest Abi, your heels are so demeaning" I pointed out and Everyone else nodded in agreement
"Am sorry but being on top of the world is more than amazing" she waved her hand in air and flipped her hair. The boys went into 'uuuh' mode .
We left the room and went to the ballroom, vampires were gathered around interacting warmly with one another. The air was peaceful and the scent of cheerfulness made my nerves relax and take in the moment. At least I had time to breathe and relax instead of having a lump of saliva stuck in my throat all the time.
The higher ranked vampires were sitting far off chartering and drinking casually. The teenagers were loud on a different side, the couples could be easily spotted. Sending winks and blowing kisses at each other. Was love that crazy?
"You are stunning darling" Harrison and Harvey said to me
"Thanks, you two look like a pair of Romeo's, where are your Juliet's?"
"You better swallow that or spit it out, I don't want a tragic love story"
"Easy on me buddies, I was talking about the undying love"
"Then talk about something more pleasant,like my favourite movie ....no novel "TILL MY SECOND LIFE" it is a beautiful love story"
"Tell me about it" I demanded
"It's about a demon and her bride who was bound to kill him but in every life she sacrificed her life for him" Harrison explained
"How is that even a beautiful love story?" Xavier spat
"You didn't let me finish" Harrison glared at him.
"When they met again this time as two business partner, things become different coz now the guy wants to give up his immortality and is desperate to find a killer unaware the killer is the bride before him" Harvey almost squiled
"That is much more tragic compared to Romeo and Juliet." I pointed out.
"Then they promise to die together , but instead they get cursed with immortality but unable to remember each other!"
"More tragedy" Xavier sighed tiredly
"But their love was too strong they couldn't forget each other so they were cast out to the mountains to live alone a simple poor life but the Ames of their love were too strong for them to see anything awkward with their love"
"All love stories are just sad" I said holding my tears back and sighing softly
"That is a revised version of Romeo and Juliet" Xavier said his hand under his chin.
"For the first time he said something sensible" Ari who had been silent the whole time said. We couldn't help but laugh out hearts out dragging everyone's attention to us.
I cleared my throat awkwardly scratching the back of my head. At that very moment two figures appeared at the entrance, everyone moved back making way up to the centre of the room. I was frozen in place unable to move. Grey and Arthur stood at the door way . Grey was in a black and red designed tuxedo suit. His hair combed back and flipped over to the left hovering over his left facial profile. I was stunned, then beside him was Arthur in a black and white tuxedo suit. My eyes fell back on Grey, that was my vampire prince. My heart rammed against my ribs in ecstasy and nervousness. They walked forward straight towards me, Grey's eyes were fixed on me, his shoulders relaxed, his steps sure and firm. He looked perfect in all ways, I could not find fault in him even if there was any I couldn't see it or I didn't want to see it at all.
He was a few steps away from me, my heart and legs reached out for him lending him my hand for him to take. Only for him to walk past me and my hand to be taken by Arthur. I watched him take Lisa's hand and slip his other hand around her waist.
Anger and disappointment bubbled in my chest, I wanted to rip Lisa apart and take Grey away from her. I was at the verge of exploding but I calmed down knowing if I burst out and caused trouble I was the one to pay or lose
"You look stunning" Arthur said leaning towards my ear.
I smiled forcibly and nodded "you look more handsome Tonight, this suit looks perfect on you"
"Thanks Reba"
I smiled slyly grabbing a glass of wine from the server passing by.
"So, how do you feel about going back to your coven?"
"Not so happy or sad, just normal" he shrugged walking me over to a round table nearby grabbing a cocktail.
"Mmh, am pretty sure Keith envies you, at least you could reside in the Vines coven for this long more than he"
He laughed lightly twirling the drink in the glass.
"He has nothing to be envious of, he's the one who can't keep himself at check, he has been so since he was young!"
"Oh, I thought it was a character he developed" I said pretty much surprised with the discovery
"He has grown so, his father can't control him nor his mother"
"Wait, he got parents?"
"Yeah, they are asleep. Living for too long isn't pleasant is it?"
"Well I can't tell I am only nineteen"
"It is not good but again it is good. I think how you live this life is what matters the most"
I tilted my glass towards him swallowing my drink as a sign of agreement.
"I wouldn't argue otherwise"
"Hello everyone, it's your host Shem here can I get your attention please?"
The room silenced and Everyone gathered around the stage
"Alright, I would like to thank you for turning up for this wonderful time to see off our cultured brother Arthur. He has been with us for weeks if not a month or so.... Am not good with counting"
A number of vampires laughed at his confession.
"Whatever the days but it has been pleasant to have him around. Now let me invite our master, master Dermot Grey to say something before Arthur comes over"
An applause followed as Grey got on stage. I spaced out for a moment watching him smile at everyone around and clear his throat.
"Hello, I hope y'all are doing fine, you look stunning from up here , it is good to see you all this magnificent. I don't have much to say other than to thank Arthur for keeping us company and wishing him well. Am sure you all have not heard the news. Our dearest Arthur is taking over the security council of the Flames coven. A round applause for him"
An applause followed, Arthur who was smiling from ear to ear was acting all cute and shy. I almost laughed.
"He's a skilled man and am sure he will do a wonderful job for the good of his coven and the entire vampire clan. Let's welcome him to say something"
Arthur walked over like some kind of CEO heading over to receive a price of the best CEO of the year.
"Hello, thank you everyone for the honour am really humbled. Whispers followed but Arthur seemed unbothered.
I know this is unlikely me, I used to be a pompous person will little manners or respect. But I will surprise you today, that old Arthur is dead and gone, a new Arthur stands before you. I have offended a number of you in one way or another. I would like to apologize, please forgive me. I learnt my lesson and now I am dedicating my years to come to being a useful person to everyone here. But if I abduct one of you and disappear with her, let it be the last crime I commit"
What is he saying?
The crowd applauded him and I joined, at least my punch didn't go to waste.
"So, let me thank the two people who worked so diligently to get me into this new person I have become. Thank you master Dermot Grey and Becky. The two of you have built me in one way or another and I have realized there is good in everything. Now I will find the good in me and make use of it as well as help others find the good in themselves. As per the security council, I promise to do my best and this coven should feel free to ask for our help whenever we're needed. Thank you all"
He bowed slightly.
"I would like to ask Becky for a dance , such an honour will do me good as I depart" he grinned stretching his hand out to me. The few people standing in front of me made way for me and yet for the second time I was the centre of attention. I sighed calming my palpating heart and took a step forward then another and finally slipped my hand it his.
I dropped the other on his shoulder, and he stepped closer sliding his own around my waist.
"Nervous?" He whispered
"More than nervous" I confessed honestly.
"Just follow my lead" he said and the lights dimmed the spotlight on us. I closed my eyes doing the breathing exercises then looked at him. The team played a slow instrumental melody and the dance begun. The others found their own partners and followed suit.
I glanced over at Grey who had Lisa as his partner.
There was nothing to get mad about, I was dancing with someone else
"So what will you be doing when am gone?"
"Jeep practicing my powers and be useful in the coven as well. I have been a waste of space for long enough"
"That is a good though, but will the council allow you to?"
"I don't know, I will find a way to get them under my spell, just as I did with you"
He grinned handsomely.
"I couldn't believe it myself" he confessed "you were too good to me"
"And by the way, how is Grey involved in this?"
"He visited the day after you helped me, he is a jealous beast" Arthur giggled "he almost killed le for realbut I told him what had actually happened. He helped me stabilize my powers. Later he received a message from the Flames coven that the head of the security council had passed away. I was required to go fill since no one wanted to take over. They fear Keith, At least I can handle his madness. He wasn't sure if I am a good choice but he trusted me because you did"
He paused spinning me around making a few steps to and from and swaying sideways to the tune.
"Then when I took you out for a run, he confronted me not to beat me up to make sure I didn't go back to the asshole I was. We're in good terms that is why we arrived here together. We were making the vows of brotherhood"
"I can't believe it" I laughed "you are really the Arthur you are supposed to be. Am so proud of you. Please find your mate soon, she will be happy to have a wonderful mate like you"
"I will tell her it was a human girl who made me what I became" he wagged a brow at me
"She'd be surprised, take care of the Flames coven. I have a feeling you will be a legend really soon"
"Thanks for the blessing godmother" he grinned "I will see you soon, keep yourself happy and Everyone else. Find them happiness just like you helped me find mine in doing good"
"Always"
He stepped back swaying sideways and we made another spin. This time it was a long spin and the moment I stopped spinning I was in Grey's arms and Lisa was in Arthur's arms. I looked at Grey in shock and question.
I looked back at the two but they were disappearing into the crowd past the door and then they were gone.
Arthur...
"What is going on?" I asked in terror
"You should be happy for them, he found his other half!"
I felt like I had been struck by lightning. Lisa was Arthur's mate? It took me a hard time to accept it, since when? When did they find out? Why didn't I know about it?
But if I abduct one of you and disappear with her, let it be the last crime I commit.
"Oh, now I get it!"
"Disappointed?"
"Of course not.... What? Why should I be?'
He grinned taking my wrist and making way through the crowd.
We walked out to his room, I sat on the sofa and poored myself some water. I emptied the glass and sat back.
"What is it?"
"I missed you!"
"......"
He walked over sitting on the arm of the sofa. I felt shivers embracing my entire being when the back of his hand caressed my face
"You look stunning, I should have been the first one to compliment you. I couldn't take my eyes off you the whole time. I wanted you in my arms badly but I couldn't. I made a deal" he spoke softly his dark gaze lingering on my lips.
"A deal?"
"Yeah" he answered huskily "Arthur wanted to have a dance with you, he is grateful for showing him the light and he was able to open his heart to his mate"
"He knew Lisa was his mate!"
"He did, but didn't want to accept her so he avoided her at all cost. He was scared she do reject him or she will die and he'd he left alone. When you said what you said to him he freed himself and accepted that he had a mate. Lisa knew the. That Arthur was her mate so she was sticking with me asking for advice on what to do. She didn't know whether to reject it or accept him and move with him. I wanted to tear them apart from the start but then Arthur came to see me and I saw the difference in him so I let Lisa understand that he was a whole new person and she could follow the love of her life and follow him. We live the best we can regrets are tormenting and I want them happy"
"Everyone knows they are mates?" I asked.
"Every vampire knows about it, the humans too"
"But I didn't know" I complained.
He grinned lifting my chin so I could face him.
"Because you were busy getting jealous of Lisa , how could you see it?"
"But you played along" I accused him.
"Having someone to be jealous of you and be possessive of you is cute, I was enjoying the pleasure of being the centre of your attention"
"You are evil" I spat
"I am half demon, what do you expect from me?"
I sighed slapping off his hand.
"I should have known"
I stood up walking over to the painting covered with a white sheet. I pulled the sheet off and there was a drawing of two ladies. O r resembled Regina and the other was me. We were both in red dresses my hair shorter than Regina's. The background was a beautiful sunset and the sea below was a mixture of lily flowers and roses.
"...but if I abduct one of you and disappear with her, let it be the last crime I commit" I echoed Arthur's words "is that how you announce that you have found a mate?"
"He designed the words according to his situation, but it is a statement used a lot when a male vampire finds his mate in another"
"What is the original?"
"Allow me to commit a crime my fellow night creatures. I must abduct one of you with her own consent for the urge is irresistible" he said walking over and stood beside me
I glanced at the painting one more time then looked at him.
"Will you give me the consent then?" I swallowed "to abduct you?"