My Celestial Twin mates - COMPLETE

CHAPTER 20 - VOLCANO - CASIDY'S POV

''How are you?'' Aiden asked, once we were alone. ''You didn't have to forgive him. I would have backed you, so if you did it for fear that I'd support my brother over you, I wouldn't.''

''I know,'' I said, knowing in that moment I spoke the truth. I still doubted his loyalty when it came to Selene, but I knew he'd protect me from others. ''But I don't want to hold a grudge, it's pointless. Prince Nolan will be my brother one day.''

''Yes, he will,'' Aiden kissed my cheek, ''My condolences.''

I giggled and rolled my eyes, as Ava ran her hands up Aidens chest, and he smiled down at her.

''So, this old Aiden you mentioned earlier,'' She said softly, ''Does he, by chance, sleep with his mates?''

''Averly, for the Goddess's sake,'' I laughed and shoved her away from him, ''Let's go, we have our lessons and I want to change first.''

''Why?'' Aiden hugged me from behind and pressed his face into my hair, ''You look beautiful, besides, you're not going to your lessons today. I want to take you to the volcano.''

''Really?'' Ava said excitedly, ''I thought we weren't allowed there until our shift.''

''You won't be going into the lava,'' He told her, ''But there is a place I want to show you, only the Royal family are allowed there.''

''I'm in,'' Ava grabbed his hand in both of hers and smiled up at him.

''Let's go.'' Aiden offered me his free hand, and I quickly took it, excitement coursing through me.

Each Thunder in our territory was built around a volcano, but you weren't allowed there until your shift, because we would burn in the lava. Those that could shift, however, often shifted and bathed in lava, enjoying the heat, while the rest of us non-shifters had to make do with the hot springs.

''We have to fly, are you okay with that Casey?'' Aiden asked once we were in the garden, and my excitement faded.

''Can't we take the carriage?''

''No, this is quicker, but you know I'd never drop you,'' He kissed my hand, ''I'll undress in one of the shifting tents, but I need one of you to carry my clothes.''

''I'll do it, if you let me come with you to shift, and'' Before Ava could finish, I placed my hand over her mouth and rolled my eyes.

''Please just shift, we'll take your clothing.'' I told our mate, who shook his head at Ava before going into one of the tents.

He tossed out his clothing and Ava gathered them up, before Aiden walked out in his Dragon form, and stretched out his massive black wings, before he lowered himself. I noticed a few Thunder members watching as we climbed onto his back, probably thinking it was scandalous for us to ride the King, but I pushed them to the back of my mind, and held on tight, before closing my eyes.

I felt Aiden push off from the ground and the wind flowing through my hair, which felt nice, but otherwise, I couldn't even tell we were in the air.

Aiden flew for half an hour before I felt us touch down and the heat from the volcano swam around my body, leaving me feeling extremely comfortable for the first time in my entire life. I peeked open my eyes and slipped off his back, and started looking around.

I never thought I’d find myself standing before the volcano until I'd shifted. But here I was, my sister at my side. The air crackled with energy, and my heart raced. This was a moment we had longed for.

Aiden walked over to a large boulder and walked behind it, ''Toss my clothes over!'' He called out, and when Ava went to walk over, I grabbed her arm, rolled my eyes, before taking the clothing and throwing it over.

''Are you ready, my hatchlings?'' Aiden asked, as he walked back to us, his voice deep and warm. We nodded eagerly, excitement bubbling within us.

As we approached the entrance, the heat intensified, and I moaned happily.

''Feels good?'' Aiden asked.

''So good,'' Ava answered, ''Do you feel this hot all the time?''

''Yes,'' Aiden smiled and walked us into the cave.

He guided us through the narrow opening, and suddenly, we stepped into a vast chamber. The sight took my breath away.

There were dozens of pools filled with lava, and even a lava waterfall. Mini lava veins ran through the floor and over the walls, and the heat... Goddess it was amazing.

There were Dragons in the lava, lounging comfortably, their scales shimmering in the sunlight. Some were small, while others were massive, showing their ages and rank.

The Dragons turned their heads, but when they noticed Aiden, they bowed their heads as we passed.

The heat was truly all consuming and I stepped closer, drawn to the warmth, but Aiden grabbed my arm.

''Don't touch,'' Aiden warned, ''You'll burn all your skin off,'' He knelt down and placed his hand in the lava, ''Come, touch my body, and you'll feel the heat.''

We eagerly touched him and the heat was more than I could bare, and we quickly let go.

''How are you doing that in your human form?'' Ava asked as he stood up, ''You should have burned your skin off.''

''Kings are built differently,'' He explained, ''I could jump in and be perfectly fine. You two, however, stay back, and don't even attempt that after your shift.''

''We won't.'' I promised.

''Let's go,'' He ordered and took us to a staircase where two guards bowed to us.

''What's up here?'' I asked, as we climbed the stairs.

''It's a secret.''

''It is also a secret why you didn't just fly us up here?'' Ava complained, and Aiden and I laughed.

''Don't be lazy,'' Aiden teased her and we continued.

When we reached the top, Aiden walked us into a massive chamber with dark black walls and a golden floor. In the center stood a golden basin, ablaze with flames of every color imaginable. One flame flickered more than the others. It was blue, unlike the others, which burned in shades of red, orange, and gold. The flames danced, and drew you in.

''Wow,'' Ava said as she walked over to it, ''This is beautiful.''

''This is a sacred place, each flame represents a former King,'' Aiden told us, pride shining in his eyes. ''When a King takes the throne, we each add a flame, and one day, so will our son.

''What’s that one?'' I pointed, curiously and pointed to the blue one, ''It looks… different.''

''That flame belongs to the first King. He was the most powerful King ever seen.''

''Until our son is born,'' Ava declared, and I laughed as I wandered around.

''How come we've never heard of this place in the volcano?'' I asked.

''Usually,'' Aiden continued, ''Only Kings are allowed here, with one exception.''

''What's the exception?'' Ava asked as I walked over to the opening that overlooked the ground below, that was covered in foul-smelling hot springs.

''The exception,'' Aiden said, his voice slightly nervous, so I turned to him, ''Is the mate of the King, or mates in my case, and only on the day the King proposes.''

''What did you say?'' Ava gasped.

The weight of his words hung in the air. I felt a mix of excitement and fear.

''Casey, come back over here,'' Aiden reached out his hand, and I shyly returned to him and took Ava's hand.

He knelt before us, and my heart beat loudly, as he took one of our hands, "I wish to marry you both. I know we're mates, but it doesn't mean you have to accept me, though I pray you do. I have loved you both for longer than you can even know, and I will love you until my last breath. I promise to cherish and protect you for all our days." I glanced at Ava, and her expression mirrored mine, joy and excitement. ''So please, Averly, Casidy, will you do me the honor of becoming my wives? Will you marry me?''

''YES!'' Ava screamed as tears fell down her cheeks.

''Yes,'' I whispered, a little more contorted, as tears filled my eyes.

''Thank you,'' Aiden gave us the most beautiful, breathtaking smile and kissed each of our hands, before he pulled out matching golden rings. The only difference was the diamond that matched our hair color. Ava's was a white diamond while mine was red. He slipped them on our fingers, and Ava jumped him.

She knocked Aiden onto his back and kissed him passionately, while I smiled, but Aiden reached up, grabbed my arm, and pulled me down next to him, before he kissed me too.

''Did I do good?'' He asked Ava as he kissed along her jaw.

''You did,'' She squealed and held up her hand in the light, before kissing him again.