Behind the Mask

19. Opening Ceremony

Elric

I looked at the majestic facade of the gigantic castle in the neutral turf. This was the building my queen and I had built to celebrate this event, the Olympic games, something we haven’t planned together for a long time. It was part of our mutual dream of peace and union among the species.

I should be content that now, in the second edition of the Olympic Games, the vampires would join it for the first time. Finally, all species would truly come together. Lea and her healing love were all we needed to bring this last piece, establishing good relations between vampires and werewolves after centuries of conflicts and bloodshed. 

Now the utopia was about to come true. But the dream felt incomplete, it felt empty, without my Liv by my side. 

I exhaled sharply and entered the castle. My legs pulled me through the long hallways of the Olympic castle, leading me to the richly decorated main hall, the symbols and the coat of arms of each Realm adorned the walls and in the center of the large room, the six symbols were intertwined in one, just like my Liv suggested. 

Even though I was feeling melancholic and apathetic, I had to join the opening ceremony, the first of the many upcoming parties to celebrate the Six Realms union. 

The ceremony was about to start, the music stopped and Laius walked into the Great Hall. My queen was by his side, his arm was laced with hers, Avalon was by her other side. To my astonishment, she was not only wearing red and black, the colours of Hell, but she had a green cloak cascading down her frame. 

I took my place beside them and strolled into the hall before Lea and her kings walked the same way. 

“Liv, you are wearing Emeraldia’s colours, and…” I started, looking at her as we walked to a small platform placed in the center of the Hall. 

“Of course, I am, Elric. I am a queen for my people, not for you. And I will always be,” she answered without even looking at me. A pang arose in my heart. Have I lost her forever? 

Avalon took Liv’s hand in his, “You are a great queen, baby.”

I hissed. It was extremely ironic coming from him.

I breathed deeply, I had to contain my anger, to keep my composure and level-headedness. 

Even when it seemed impossible. 

 ~ * ~

Mel 

To my relief and secret disappointment, Maximus honoured his word and left before I woke up. After spending the morning helping Avalon to fix some last details of our Wizard Realm participants for the Olympic Games, I came here to watch the opening ceremony. 

The Kings and Queen entered the Grand Hall and walked their way to the centre of the room. 

I looked at the exchange between Elric and Liv, they barely talked to each other and Liv didn’t even look at him. He seemed desolated.

Liv looked tense, upset. She missed him, he was her peace and I knew that my very independent daughter somehow needed her three males to keep balance, to create balance in her life and the realms.

I didn’t know if or when she would forgive him, maybe it was too much. She had forgiven Laius and Avalon for their past mistakes, but it didn’t mean that she would do the same for Elric. 

Should we always forgive our mates for their mistakes? Is there a line that couldn’t be crossed? What was too much? What was unforgivable? 

My heart clenched in doubt, I didn’t know anymore. 

But I couldn’t live forgiving someone if the person didn’t earn up to it and tried to correct their mistakes, or if my heart was too tired of forgiving and never forgetting; for forgetting is not something one couldn’t choose. 

I couldn’t leave in the darkness, behind masks, lies, anymore. I won’t accept that. 

And now I know that even when the stretch of the mate bond makes me feel otherwise, my daughters and I - my children, and I -  should be enough for myself.

On the other hand, Lea and her mates seemed very happy. My younger daughter had a soft and relaxed smile on her face. 

Alexus was carrying Alexander in his arms, differently from the other kings that didn’t bring their babies. I knew that he was doing it because neither Lea, her other mates nor him liked to have the baby away from their eyes and arms, at least not since Alexus’ dreadful mother tried to abduct him from his own house. 

“He will be here, he will compete. Elves always do the arrow things, they do have good aim tho, no one can find the g spot as fast and well as them” Nema told, a funny smile on her face.

Nema, Sienna, and her mate sat beside me. I should be sitting beside Linus, Avalon’s third in command, but he said couldn’t come and join us today. 

I knew that Maximus would come today and I would see him again. Meeting him wasn’t something I could avoid. 

Eric took his place on the platform and started speaking, attracting my attention. 

“Welcome to the second edition of the Olympic Games, which my queen and I have idealized and brought to life in order to bring all the people together and remember that besides our many differences we have plenty in common, as for our love for sports, sparing and …. Celebrating,” he cleared his throat nervously, which was very atypical for him. He was always a great speaker, but today he seemed gloomy, lacking light.

“I am sure there is a long time he doesn’t get some,” Nema chuckled.

“Nema, please!” Sienna scolded her. 

“For the first time, we welcome the delegation from the Vampire Realm in our Games. We finally achieved our great vision of peace, bringing the six main species together. Hence, we have an exceptional reason to celebrate,” Elric cleared his throat again, looking down for a moment. It was then I  noticed the dark shadows under his eyes. 

“I guess he isn’t in such a celebratory mood,” Nema commented. 

“We also will have the first edition of the Mating Ball, a tradition we would like to perpetuate. Thank you for joining us today. We will start the games with archery and sparing,” Elric announced.

“Welcome to the Olympic Games, I hope you may all enjoy our festivities and our friendly competition!” Valentin took over, his voice much more full of energy and his aura radiating light and soft, intangible power. The people in the hall applauded. 

We all walked towards the sparing arena, which was beside the Grand Hall. There, we watched a Fae and an Elf warrior sparring, their bodies moved with grace, as they fought without actually hurting each other. 

Another round of applause could be heard in the room, after the two opponents finished their combat and greeted each other friendly. 

“Now, who will take their places?” Elric addressed the audience, encouraging them to participate.

What happened next shocked me and brought a pang of fear to my heart. 

“I will! And I challenge you to a duel!” Avalon’s deep voice responded.