Solasta Academy: All Hallows Eve

Epilogue

Christmas Day

The fireplace on the far side of the living room was happily keeping Calia warm as she snuggled on the couch with her fuzzy blanket. She held a steamy mug of hot cocoa between her hands as she quietly watched the Breevort family open presents. She had already opened her own, which her guardians and family had given her, so it was the other's turn to do the same. Arzhel sat closely beside her, one hand on her thigh as he sipped on his own cup of hot cocoa. He wore the same pajamas as hers because Soari insisted he matched with the rest of the family. She and Amias sat on the opposite couch in front of Calia, with her siblings sitting beside each other. The King and Queen sat on the loveseat between them with genuine smiles as if they had waited so long for this moment.

From what Calia's ancestors had told her a week before, she had no reason to tell them that she was a sea nymph and heir to the Neera Kingdom. The only one she said was Arzhel, who was shocked at first but ultimately kissed her passionately and told her that his feelings for her would never change. They discussed how they would look into her history to see if Faylinn kept it hidden from the rest of the other Kingdoms. A part of her was afraid that it was true—that the people whom she grew to love over the past few months were the ones who had a hand in slaughtering her blood.

It just...didn't make sense.

"I got you something," Arzhel announced. Calia turned to face him as he pulled out a tiny box wrapped in red velvet wrapping paper and a bow on top. She set the mug on the glass table in front of her and gently took it from his hands. If she could see herself now, her face would be ablaze. From the corner of her eye, she could tell Soari was grinning ear to ear. "Soari helped me pick it out. I hope you like it."

Calia slowly unwrapped the bow and set it aside before tearing the beautiful wrapping paper. Once she was done, she realized it was some kind of jewelry box, which made her blush even more. As she opened the box, her eyes instantly widened at the delicate necklace in it. The chain was silver, but the pendant was a small ruby that glistened against the light above her. She clasped a hand on her mouth as she stared at the jewelry. "Oh my Gods, it's beautiful!"

Beside her, Arzhel was blushing as much as her. "It's your birthstone."

"He wanted to buy the whole store," Soari laughed.

"I did not," he argued as he was seconds away from laughing. "You were trying to convince me to buy everything, Soari."

In front of her, Soari rolled her eyes before giving her and Arzhel one of her famous smiles. Calia's guardian had her legs on Amias's lap, but it didn't surprise her anymore because they were always touchy. Her twin siblings shook their heads at their sister before ultimately smiling. "He would have if he didn't see that beautiful ruby necklace the second he entered the store."

Arzhel shrugged before turning toward Calia. "You like it?"

She grinned. "I love it, Arzhel. Thank you for the present." Earlier today, Calia gave him his present in private because she didn't want the others to ask about it. She gave him a handmade jacket with her number because she felt bad she stole his Lightball jacket and never returned it. After he unwrapped his present, he turned his lips into the biggest grin and hugged her instantly.

Quietly, he took the necklace out of the box before gesturing for her to turn around so he could place it around her. Calia grinned as she faced the fireplace and moved her hair out of the way. Once he clasped the ruby necklace around her neck, she touched it gently before facing him again. Arzhel's moss-green eyes brightened with the fire behind her, and it felt like they were the only people in the room.

"Calia, you have another present here," Elora announced.

"Hmm?" she said.

The Fae Queen pulled out a medium-sized box wrapped in baby blue wrapping paper, which was somehow addressed to her. Her golden eyes dimmed at the rare sight as she walked toward Calia and handed it to her. Calia frowned as she slowly unwrapped the box as if it might attack her. Once she fully opened it, she peered into the box briefly before gasping in shock.

It was the white lace top her mother wore the night she died. Calia could recognize it anywhere because it was her favorite, and she always wore it when she was alive. Now, it was stained with her blood. She let it fall to the ground with a slam as her hands began shaking. Calia didn't even realize Soari had leaped from her seat and moved the box away from where she sat. "There's a letter," she confessed.

"W-What?" Calia stuttered.

"Who is it from?" Sebastian interrupted. He stood up and crossed the room to where his youngest daughter stood. He carefully removed the top from the box and held it delicately with one hand, inspecting it thoroughly.

Soari was silent momentarily as she read the letter before turning her brows into a malicious frown. Before she knew it, her guardian was hanging the letter to Calia. "It's from your Father." Calia took the letter from Soari after a few seconds and began reading.

My darling daughter,

You may have ignored my first letter, but I am hoping this one will get your attention. Had I known about you when you were younger, I would have found and raised you as my own. Nevertheless, your mother denied me that privilege, so I have her now because she needs to know how I felt for years after she left me. I understand that Princess Soari and her consort want to adopt you, but I cannot let that happen. You are my daughter; sooner or later, you will come home to me where you truly belong.

If you want to bring your mother back, you will do everything I say. If not...well, her soul will never know peace. You have to know it is my job to protect you, and this is me doing so. Your guardians will use you for your own magic, and you know it. So, when you decide to accept my offer, write to me.

Merry Christmas, Calypso Marietta Nox

Your beloved,

Dad

***

Miles away, the Nevernight Brotherhood chanted a spell to bring her out of her cage, which she had been locked in for centuries. In the middle of the wood where her kind used to roam, the branches started to sway in the wind. The men did not stop as the trees twisted and broke to prepare her, as they waited for the Queen to return for centuries.

After a few minutes, a branch shaped like an arm shot out of the tree in front of the leader, and he pulled his lips into a smile. He gently closed the Book of the Damned and stepped forward as she shot out of the tree where she was caged. He placed his hand out, and the Queen took it after a few seconds. "Welcome back, Your Majesty."

She gracefully stepped out of the tree and pulled her razor-sharp teeth into a grin.

Oh, how he was going to enjoy this very much.

TO BE CONTINUED...