Bloodmoon

chapter11edited

Melanie’s 13th birthday

The Great Hall was lined with red roses and fragrant Gardinia’s. My Grams had not spared on the expense. The ceiling was glamoured to show the full moon ad ever constellation known to man or beast. Portraits of our departed family from both the vampire and witch monarchs lined the walls floating themselves. I found myself staring at my parents' picture. Looking at their faces smiling, my mother holding me close in a small cozy dark purple plush blanket. That I still have in my keepsake box in my room. The Dark plum I am wearing is a tradition worn by each person from birth to status. I am being the next ruler at ceremonies am required to wear dark purple or as my fashion crazed twin sister calls plum. She, being the second born by three minutes sealed our fates and as she puts it, she is doomed to wear light blue. “Mel” she came up linking her arm with mine. We were close; thick as thieves Grams always says. “Sister, stop dwelling and come, we must get ready. The guest is arriving, and grams will have our heads if our entrances are spoiled.”

“I care not for making a grand entrance. I just hope to make Grams proud All this is a lot of pressure. Besides mother had always says a Queen is never late everyone else is simply too early.”

“It’s a ball dancing and fun plus we get our gifts it meant to be exciting not stressful.”

“Our gifts Jazz are not like a present you receive and throw in a closet...” I stormed the stairs stopping on the landing “Mine is supposed to be what I need to lead and protect all the Realms. yours are supposed to be to lead a coven. Leading that means that everyone will be looking at and depending on us. how is that not stressful? “I ask.

“Yea in like years but not till Grams steps down learn to have some fun Mel. you will be the only vampire with gray hair and a frown lines or heart trouble. Lord why must I always be the normal one.” She throws her arms sulking away.

“She does have a point darling.” Grams from a door that wasn’t there a minute ago. “It is supposed to be exciting. You are right to though it is a big responsibility and not to be taken lightly as a good Queen should be I glad to see you so focused. It’s okay to be excited also. I cannot wait to see what your powers will be can you?” She hugs her tight.

“I guess, I can’t shake this feeling though Grams of dread like something is going to happen or is coming. Maybe it’s just where I miss mother and father so bad.”

“I miss them to child; do not fret they are with us I know it.” She smiles weakly and touches her cheek. “Well look at me talking away when there is a party to host and guest to accommodate. Go get your bearing and move this along.” She turned as Melanie turns the knob to her room.

She enters taking in the boxes that still needed unpacked. Her room or her parents’ room. The suite of the Queen she now occupied now since she will be taking the reins from her grandmother. The room had been emptied since her parents’ death. Gram had demanded she move in a week ago. IT never sit well with her though. She threw open the doors to the balcony overlooking the gardens. There were many different beings galivanting in and out enjoying themselves carefree, opting for a chance to see the future queen. She saw the Alpha’s from the council of wolves, she secretly had found them fascinating, then there was the council of witches from the many covens surrounding the realms she had even noticed representatives of the Fae and Fairy royals that had traveled realms to be here it was a rare occurrence. Her gaze kept returning though to the older alpha in the center with his dark hair touch by time with a little salt and pepper color to it. HE seemed to since her eyes as he quickly held her gaze and smiled. She quickly looked away to watch the moon. It was clear night warm, and the moon was bright and full. “Mother Goddess?” She whispered. “I have an uneasy feeling deep within my heart. It’s as if my world is going to flip upside down and I barely hanging on. IF you can spare the time to help stop whatever is coming, I’d appreciate it.”

“Talking to deities on high?” A man’s voice echoed off the bare walls from behind her.

She turned to the intruder; it was the older alpha from the garden. “Sir,” Melanie asks, “Can I help you?”

“Pardon my intrusion my dear princess Melanie” He bowed slightly. She could feel his power radiating off him.

“I am father alpha Alex Blood moon.” She stepped forward.

“Pleasure to meet you alpha, why do you call your self-father alpha?”

“That is very good question young one,” he chuckled, “My son has taken over as the alpha of my pack as the reigning Lycan king but like you he is younger. I was injured in battle, the great war to be exact. So, I get to attend momentous gatherings in his place from time-to-time meeting beautiful beings such as yourself it’s a perk and I hold a position of council to him, so I am named father alpha.” He offered her his arm. “I was a friend to your father and mother for years. Unfortunately, as tensions rose from the war between our kinds, I wasn’t able to be around you kids as much as I wanted it wasn’t always so.”

“Wait, you were friends to our parents?” he smiled with watery eyes. “I would like to speak with you more after the festivities this evening if you do not mind Alpha.”

“Of course, your majesty.” They began to walk toward down the stairs.

“Why did you come to my room?”

“I came because I had this odd feeling that you needed someone to talk too. I felt a pull towards your room. I’d like to think it is because of my closeness to Vincent sr.”

“Perhaps I had asked you deity for assistance.”

“My deity? If you were speaking to her doesn’t that make her yours as well?”

“My Grams doesn’t think we are part of Selene’s children.”

“What do you think?” He asks deep in thought.

“Well, my mother believed all beings of the moon are children of the goddess. She would tell me stories or legend she would always tell me Selene had great plans for me.”

“That’s great and I agree but what do you think?”

“I believe in the mother goddess but please don’t tell Grams.”

“I will not breath a word young highness. I am here for you child. I remember when you were just a small child. I had hoped you watch you grow. It is unfortunate that the war kept me from it. I miss my dear friend, and I am so proud you watch you have your moment in the light.” We had made it to the bottom step.

“father” A small voice approached us. “I am sorry Melanie this is my daughter Jenny and beta to the blood moon pack.”

“Pleasure your highness” Jenny curtseys, “Is my father being sappy.” She giggles.

“Only a little.” I laugh “Thank you both for coming, it is an honor or the former Lycan king and princess beta of blood moon to attend my party and thank you, alpha father, for your kind words you don’t know how much they have meant to me.” I was interrupted by grams.

“Oh, for the love of rubies, there you are!” She froze “Alex” She bit out.

“Grams, I am sorry my manners for got me, Queen Velma Blackheart may introduce former Lycan king and alpha father of the Bloodmoon pack as well as his sweet daughter princess beta of blood moon Jenny.” I had been trained since birth to follow protocol and it always customary to introduce everyone and announce titles no matter how much of a mouthful they were.

Grams who had seemed to forget herself also composed herself into what looked like a painful smile, “Of course Alpha… Beta welcome to our home. I hope you have been enjoying yourselves and the festivities.”

Alex glowered at her and found himself incapable of speaking so Jennys voice filtered through sweetly, “Of course your highness we were very pleased to receive an invitation, and might I add what a lovely home you have.”

“Why thank you we do like to think of it as inviting. You know come to think of it I don’t believe I heard Lycan king, and Alpha Ethan Boodmoon announced.” Grams clearly wasn’t happy with them.

“Yes, he wanted to be here but unfortunately, he was pulled away before he could urgently pack business, I am sure you understand being a ruler yourself. He sent a wonderful gift for the princess and crown princess and his regards that have a wonderful evening, and he shall meet the crown princess at the next summit. My father and I are more than happy to come instead. You really have out done yourself your majesty.” Jenny smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. I could tell she was being just as sarcastic as my grandmother was being, but she was also being mischievous but using vampire etiquette to do so.

“Such a shame he couldn’t make it he may have made some alliances or maybe even his mate, he really should get out more and think of the bigger picture. However, it seems to be a perk for your young ones these days having us elders do it for you. Enough pleasantries though we must proceed Melanie darling you sister made her entrance over an hour ago and everyone is waiting. The moon is high, it is almost time so let’s go I am sure the alpha and beta understands. Come along dear,” she glides away elegantly toward the ballroom.

“Excuse me” I take a deep breath “Here goes” She slowly stepped to the door where Alex and Jenny had already entered.

“Her royal highness” and announcers voice bounded through the air “Crown Royal Princess of the Black heart coven and The Andromeda Coven, Melanie Winter Blackheart. The huge golden double doors flew open, and a spotlight fell on my as I entered the room. The room was, as Jenny described earlier beautifully decorated. Floating candles and picture frames with past rulers in them surrounding a glorious fountain of colors. I silently prayed I would not fall flay on my face as I took step after step forward holding my head high as I have seen my grams do continuing the path through the crowd that had split to make an awkward aisle between the guest to the stage where my family stood awaiting my arrival. I made it to the stage, turning my attention to the crowd. “Thank you everyone for coming.” I reach my arm toward my sister bringing her forward with me, “My sister and I are thrilled at your attendance for our birthday it has made our day wonderful, We would also like to extend our gratitude to those who worked so hard to help set all this up and who continue to keep everyone’s glasses full and plates full as well as our glorious musical talents, everything is just splendid and we couldn’t be more proud and grateful. We hope everyone will continue to enjoy this evening here at Castle Blackheart as we begin our newest chapter and look to the future for years to come. Thank you again have a wonderful evening.” I step back toward my grandmother who steps forward to take the reigns and looks at me with proud eyes, “Spoken like a true Queen.” She whispers in my ear as she kisses my cheek. “Thank you for adding me in on your speech I had nothing prepared and I hate speaking to people.” My sister adds quietly to me. I knew that though she wasn’t a public speaker another good reason I was to be Queen. “I know and I love you I’ve always got your back sis.” I smiled at her lovingly. The crowd was giving a round of applause loud enough no one noticed out exchange…