Moon Kissed (Currently Editing)

Chapter 7

Nolen's POV
Her father went first, leading all the guests to a different wing of the manor, stopping only when the group arrived at two large doors with a large red bow between them.
Arielle was asked to cut the bow and the door opened to reveal a large room with a table filled with jars of paint and paint brushes. In a corner, a small stack of sketchpads and canvas sat, representing the final piece that pulled the room together.
"An Art Studio! Thank you, father!" Arielle exclaimed hugging her father.
"She's been asking for one for years now. I'm glad she finally got what she wanted." Lissa whispered as we walked back to the ballroom.
Her mother went next, ordering servants to bring fort the box. They immediately did as they were told, brought a pink jeweled trunk and set it before the birthday girl.
She opened it and screamed in delight, pulling out the most beautiful dress I had ever layer my eyes on. Made of red chiffon with white lace around the edges, the dress glittered in the light thanks to the colored diamonds used to enhance its beauty.
The room fell silent as she twirled around with the dress in her hand.
"Made from the finest lace, chiffon and diamonds - and by the best tailors - in all of Etrigan." Her mother said.
An applause erupted around the room as Arielle hugged her mother saying thank you over and over again.
And finally, it was Lissa's turn.
She gulped nervously and I gave her hand a gentle squeeze as I whispered,
"Go on. It'll be okay. I promise."
She nodded, taking a deep breath as I let go and she stepped forward.
"Arielle," she started "You've always been a role model to me. Even when we were kids, I wanted to be like you. Back then, father and mother took us on a lot of family vacations. The chateau in Blanca, the cabin in Zannu and the family house in Naria. We loved every aspect of those trips - the people, the scenery and the seasons - and wished we could treasure them forever. I've found a way to do just that."
She pulled out a box made from white oak with red carvings and handed it over to her sister.
Arielle beamed with excitement as she opened the box and pulled out a silver necklace with an amethyst pendant in the shape of a flower.
It began to glow, brighter and brighter until light was all we could see and when it was gone, we weren't in the ballroom anymore.
We were in a foreign land and it was snowing lightly. Two little girls ran about, playing among the white flakes.
Lissa and Arielle.
They - the younger versions - grinned as they cuddled together, admiring a snow man they'd buitlt.
There was a flash of light and it was spring. The girls squealed, running in a patch of daises.
There was another flash of light and it was autumn in a different location. Yellow and orange dry leaves flew around and the girls busied themselves by burying each other with the leaves.
Once again, the scene changed after a flash of light and they were seen in a pond - obviously trying to cool off the effects of the hot summer sun, giggling without a care in the world as they splashed water at each other.
And then it was over.
A deafening applause surrounded the room as some people tried to wipe away their tears and others attempted to be brave but failed miserably.
Even I had to admit, in my entire existence, I'd never seen something as amaing as that.
Arielle seemed mortified and lost for words as the noise slowly faded away. Finally, with a lovely smile she spoke hugging her sister.
"That was the best gift I've ever received. Thank you so much Lissa."
Lissa smiled happily for a few seconds before doubt flashed through her eyes.
"She's not lying. She really loves your gift." I tried to encourage her.
"What if she's just saying it because of the people here?" She asked quietly.
"Then you know you did your best. And nothing can change that." I stated softly.
She's started to speak but the Prince suddenly cut her off.
"Lissa! That gift was amazing! Where on earth did you find it?"
Lissa's POV (AN : And we're back!😊😉)
I smiled nervously as I attempted to think of something believable to say.
"Oh... you know... around. I read about it once and decided to get it. It wasn't exactly easy to find."
Which was sort of half the truth. I'd read about a spell that could cause memories to manifest visually and how they could be infused in jewelry. I've been working on it since that day and finally completed it two weeks ago.
"Ah - it was magnificent. Shall we dance?" Eric asked holding his hand out.
I glanced at Nolen who stood behind me, staring blankly.
"Actually -"
"Good. Let's go." Eric smiled pulling me away.
I glared at him as he put his hand on my waist when we reached the dance floor.
"Eric, I was with Nolen. It was rude of you to pull me away like that." I calmly pointed out, knowing I would get no where with him if I was upset.
"Rude of me? I was trying to help you. You've been getting strange looks all evening and the things I've heard... I was doing you a favor. Its best if you stay away from him - and his family. The whole lot's bad news." He explained cockily.
"I don't know why you hate them so much. What did they ever do to you?" I asked feeling anger creep into my bones.
"This isn't about what they did. Its about what they are - sneaky, mysterious and dangerous. They've charmed you with their beauty and fake personalities and you're too blind to see it because you're too naive. You're young and foolish. You don't see that they're up to no good."
I could feel nothing but the cold, hollow grip of anger clenching my heart. Without meaning to, my emotions tampered with nature and a strong wind blew out the lights. In the midst of darkness, voices were raised, questioning what had just happened.
Arms gently wrapped themselves around me and suddenly I wasnt in the ballroom anymore but in my garden - illuminated by the full moon.
"Are you okay?" Nolen asked in concern.
"I'm fine." I said quietly, avoiding his gaze.
"Did he hurt you?" He questioned holding my chin and gently tilting my head up.
Tears spilled out of my eyes and down my cheeks as I still tried to avoid his gaze.
"What's wrong?"
"I... I don't understand - you may be vampires but you're still people. No one deserves to be treated the way you and your family are." I cried with a sob.
He smiled sadly and wiped my tears away.
"You are the most beautiful person I've ever met. Do you know that?"
Before I answered, he leaned in and our lips met. Emotions welled up inside me and spilled out in the form of magic.
I could feel the power flowing through the earth as my arms wrapped themselves around his neck.
The kiss ended and we just stared at each other, his forehead leaning on mine. He glance behind me, grinned and told me to look.
When I did, I began to cry again.
Flowers had bloomed and sparkled, crystals had grown beside plants, illuminating them with a deep glow of red, blue, and green. A creek flowed from the fountain, all around the garden.
"I've never seen anything so beautiful." I gasped wiping away my happy tears.
Nolen kissed my forehead and whispered.
"I have. And I'm so lucky she ever looked at me."
*