As Kadva and I reach the bottom of the stairs, arm in arm, I immediately notice Magnus isn’t in a pleasant mood. However, he was happy when I spoke to him earlier in the hall. So, something must have happened since then. He stands leaning against a beam with arms crossed and a scowl across his face. Alec gives Magnus an odd look, wondering why he is in such a temperamental mood.
I mind-link Magnus, ‘Is everything okay? You seem a little angry about something?’
‘Why would I be angry, Nina?’ he replies sarcastically, ‘Is there something I should know about?’ he scoffs.
I give him a confused look and realise everyone is watching Magnus, and I pull faces at each other through mind-link. I clear my throat and focus on the pack. I can worry about Magnus later.
‘Are we ready to celebrate the midsummer solstice?’ I shout.
Everyone cheers and follows Alec and Magnus’s lead. We all step into the portal one at a time behind the blacksmith’s workshop and appear at Moon Crest Castle, where Sir Hugo and other guards greet us. Like us, the men wore white tunics and trousers, and all the women wore White flowing dresses. Women hum and skip around, men chase the unmated women, and children make a swing from vines, flowers, and a wood plank. A guard helps the children assemble it and ties it to a long thick branch from the willow tree. The children line up and take turns on the swing. The girls have pockets full of petals they toss into the air once they swing high enough. Maia, Damon, Ember and Vivian appear and greet us. Ember hyperventilates with excitement and lines up for a turn on the swing.
‘Isn’t she getting a little old to be playing on swings,’ Violet says to Maia.
Maia covers her lips as she giggles and gazes at Ember, ‘Her body maybe not be that of a child’s, but her mind remains of one, and besides, look how happy it makes her?’
‘I guess so,’ Vivian murmurs, ‘It’s just not very ladylike to be acting like a child.’
‘Lady or not, it shouldn’t matter,’ Maia retorts, ‘Besides, I wouldn’t mind a go either,’ Maia laughs.
‘You need not do anything strenuous since we found out the wonderful news,’ Damon smiles.
‘You have good news?’ I ask.
Maia gently places her hand over her stomach, ‘I have found out I am with child,’ she says, and her violet eyes twinkle with joy.
‘Congratulations,’ I say and give her a gentle embrace, ‘How far along are you?’
‘Around twelve weeks along,’ she smiles.
‘Looks like you won’t be having any of the fine wine then?’ I say to her.
‘No, but there will be lots of sweet and savoury food and grape juice. Sir Hugo can have my share of the wine,’ she laughs.
Sir Hugo looks pleased with her words, ‘Anything for my Queen,’ he says and bows.
‘Shall we go and begin the festivities then?’ Maia says to us all.
‘Yes! Let’s go! I’m so excited,’ I say, looping my arm in hers.
Not far from the castle, a Maypole is set up along with long wooden benches and log seats. The men fill their goblets with Meade and bite chunks from herbed bread and cheese while watching the women gather on the grass and thread flowers together. We make flower garlands and place them on our heads like crowns and then make flower chains to make necklaces and bracelets. A fairy plays the harp while a vampire plays the flute. Once draped in flowers, we join the men. I sit between Alec and Magnus and smile at them both. Magnus still seems annoyed, but not as much as earlier. Alec pours me wine while Magnus fills my plate with an assortment of food. We clap along to the music and enjoy the feast. After a couple of wines, I notice women dance around the maypole with ribbons and join them. We skip to the music around the pole and watch the ribbons twist and turn.
We witness a few werewolves find their mates while a vampire finds their Blood Flame. Watching how sweet they all are towards each other is endearing. Other male vampires, humans and werewolves playfully chase untaken women. Once caught, they frolic around and flirt, whispering the sweetest of words to one another.
I see Magnus approaching as everyone begins dancing, but Kadva jumps in before him.
‘Luna, I was wondering if I could take this dance with you?’ he asks, giving me a look as I see Fern and Lilac shoving each other over as they run towards Kadva. I manage not to laugh and nod, only to receive a glare from Magnus. I shrug my shoulders and mind-link him.
‘Magnus, it’s Kadva. It’s no big deal. You can have the next dance with me.’
He doesn’t reply, but storms back to a table and angrily eats food.
Kadva and I begin to dance. Now I’m receiving glares from Fern and Lilac, but they quickly brush their annoyance away as a handsome vampire and werewolf ask them to dance. They vigorously shake their heads yes and dance.
‘It’s been such a fun celebration so far,’ I say, noticing a young guard watching us with curiosity.
‘There are many handsome lads around, too,’ Kadva says with a mild blush.
We both laugh, and I hear a growl coming from Magnus.
‘What’s his problem? He has been staring daggers at me since I walked down the stairs with you.’
‘I’m not sure, Kadva. Try not to worry too much. I’ll be having the next dance with him and will sort his worry out then,’ I smile.
Kadva playfully pulls me in closer and has his hand on my lower back, and we dance gracefully. Kadva’s eyes keep peering over my shoulder towards the handsome guard.
I notice Alec has been sitting by Magnus’s side and listening intently to his words. Now Alec, as well as Magnus, are glaring at me.
I roll my eyes at their behaviour and ignore them, focusing on Kadva.
Kadva’s eyes are still focused on the guard, and I notice the guard smiling.
‘See someone you fancy?’ I ask.
Kadva smiles, nods, and brings his lips to my ears to whisper who, even though I already know. But before he can whisper it, Magnus lets out a bigger growl, sprints towards us in a flash, and pulls me from Kadva’s arms behind him.
‘Magnus!’ Kadva and I growl.
Alec also appears by Magnus’s side with his arms crossed and glares at Kadva.
Magnus steps right up to Kadva and looks down at him.
‘If you think you can just come and claim my mate and Alec’s blood flame for yourself, then you have enough thing coming, Mage!’ he grits the words out between his teeth.
‘What are you talking about?’ I say now, stepping in front of Kadva and glaring up at Magnus and then at Alec. ‘What in the world of Mysteria has gotten into you two men?’
‘I saw you on the staircase. You embraced each other, and Kadva kissed you!’ Magnus snarls.
‘Tell me it’s not true,’ Alec asks.
‘Are you two kidding me right now?’ I growl.
They both stand shoulder to shoulder, steeling themselves with arms still crossed. I burst into laughter, no hysterics. To the point, I fall back onto the grass and laugh.
Kadva is unsure what to think of the situation and slowly backs away a few steps.
‘You seriously think Kadva and I are seeing each other?’
Alec and Magnus nod.
‘I can barely handle you two nincompoops, let alone another mate on top of that!’ I say, clutching my belly from laughing too much.
‘But I saw-‘ I don’t let Magnus finish.
‘You saw me hug a ‘friend’ because I was so happy for him after he informed me of something. You saw my ‘friend’ place a kiss on my cheek as he was relieved as to how I took it,’ I explain.
Magnus and Alec give each other a look.
‘What did he say?’ Alec asks.
I stand and turn to look at Kadva. He seems a little uncomfortable.
‘Maybe we can have this discussion later?’ I say nervously.
Only to then notice Magnus and Alec chasing Kadva down. Letting out a heavy sigh, I shift and catch up to them and shift back. They barrel Kadva down at the same time.
‘What sweet things did you whisper to my Blood Flame?’ Alec asks.
‘Tell us!’ Magnus growls.
‘I like men. That’s what I told her, I swear!’ he shouts in panic whilst being held down.
Magnus and Alec stiffen and gaze at each other momentarily and release Kadva. They turn around nervously to see me standing in a steely position, arms crossed and a look that could kill. I watch as they both squirm with guilt on the spot.
