The Dragon Prince - Marked

Part 22

The next few days went by quick. Callum and Ezran spent a lot of the daytime in meetings going over different things. Claudia and her help set up for the anniversary party. Astoria and Rayla spent time catching up and talking about their next move against the anti-human/elven groups. The day of the anniversary, Rayla woke up to Callum playing with her long white hair.

"Can I help ya?" She asked sarcastically.

"Just admiring the goddess in front of me. The same one I've been married to for now a full year." Rayla's eyes went wide upon hearing this.

"Oh my god, Callum! I'm so sorry, I forgot about it." She said covering her mouth. Callum simply smiled at her.

"Good. That means its that much more of a good surprise."

"But Callum, I'm supposed to remember things like this. I just got caught up it othe...." She was cut off by Callum kissing her.

"I can't talk now. I'm needed elsewhere." Rayla was confused by his words until he disappeared under the covers and she felt his warm tongue give her wonderful sensations.

"Seri. Is everything on schedule for the food." Claudia asked walking into the kitchen.

"Yup. We had to substitute some ingredients but the moonberry cake will be good to go. Luckily Will had plenty of ingredients on had and the batter tastes the same. We have a sample in the oven to make sure the final product is good." Seri told her.

"Great. I'm gonna go check on the boys. Let me know if anything happens." Claudia waved as she made her way to the ballroom. As she walked into the room, Chaucer, Soren, and Decker were hanging the large glass moon wear the chandelier usually hung.

"Decker. Take the weight while we tie it off." Soren called out.

"Just hurry." Decker replied. Claudia looked around the room in awe. She had left the decorating to the boys and they really had outdone themselves. White stars lined the now dark blue ceiling, the large window/ doorways were lined with white drapes, and the glass moon held a slight purple tint to it. The tables had center pieces made from small stacks of books with a paintbrush shaped candle on each.

"Guys this is perfect. How did you even get a glass moon that big?" Claudia asked in astonishment.

"You can thank Tianna for that. She was up all night using different spells to mold, color, and detail the moon. I told her to take the morning off, but she'll be here for the party." Chaucer replied.

"By the way Claudia," Soren spoke in a slightly teasing voice, "Corvus gets back today. You gonna ask him to dance?" Claudia has had a long-time crush on Corvus. Unlike Callum which is more of a childhood crush, She and Corvus have spent many nights together, but neither has tried for something more.

"I.... Uh..... I...." Claudia stuttered trying to think of something to say. Soren was howling in laughter. He loved his sister. He also loved teasing her to no end. "I hate you." She muttered.

For the rest of the day, everyone was buzzing around the castle in preparation for the party while the two lovers left for a picnic, way from others. While they were out, Rayla 'accidentally' smeared jelly on Callum's cheek. It took him only a minute to catch the laughing elf and get revenge by rubbing his cheek all over her face. After the two cleaned up and finished eating, they relaxed under the cover of a tree. Rayla laid down on her side and smiled as she watched Callum draw. She always loved how focused he'd get while drawing. Rayla closed her eyes and just relaxed in the warm weather. After about 5 minutes, Callum closed his book and laid next to Rayla.

"You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." He said kissing the young elf.

"Do you actively try to be this charmin or are ya just that good?" Rayla asked resting her chin on Callum's chest.

"For you, I'm always the best."

"Oh, how right you are." Rayla kissed Callum this time. With the sun starting to set, the lovers decided to head back to the castle. Upon arriving though, they were surprised to see their friend waiting for them. All of their friends.

"SURPRISE!" They all yelled in unison.

"What's this all about?" Rayla asked, amazed to see her friends in the castle.

"Well we figured you two needed a thank you for all that you've done. Since it was your wedding anniversary, it was agreed to throw you a party." Astoria spoke, smiling at the two lovers, "To Callum and Rayla." She spoke lifter her glass in the air.

"Here here!" Everyone chanted.

"I don't know what to say. But, uh, thanks guys." Callum spoke. "Ill go drop this off in our room, be right back." He gave Rayla a kiss before to put away the bags he had brought with them. Once he entered his room and put the bags away, he was about to leave when the door was slammed shut.

"Uh. What?" He asked to no one.

"Sorry, but I'd think we should talk." Callum violently spun around to see a tall figure covered inn a black cloak standing next to the open window. Keeping his composer, Callum spoke.

"Who are you?"