26. Tiamat

Chapter 26

Tiamat

Two months later-

As I rush through the corridors of the grand castle, my heart races with anticipation and excitement. The one-year birthday celebration for our children is fast approaching, and every detail must be perfect. I can already envision the grandeur of the event—the ornate decorations, the shimmering lights, the joyful laughter filling the air.

Entering the grand ballroom, I'm greeted by a flurry of activity. The room is a hive of preparation, with decorators hanging delicate ornaments from the ceiling and arranging elegant centerpieces on each table. The flickering candlelight casts a warm, inviting glow over the space, adding to the enchanting ambiance.

I take a moment to survey the scene, ensuring that every aspect of the décor meets my meticulous standards. Each table is adorned with a stunning centerpiece, crafted with care to reflect the theme of the celebration. Small votive candles twinkle like stars, providing a magical atmosphere that will enchant our guests.

Turning my attention to the party planner and her team, I offer a warm smile of appreciation. "You're doing an incredible job," I tell them, my voice filled with gratitude. "Everything looks absolutely beautiful."

The party planner returns my smile, her eyes shining with pride. "Thank you," she replies, her voice tinged with excitement. "We've put our hearts into making this celebration unforgettable for your children."

I nod in agreement, feeling a surge of pride and joy at the thought of our children's special day. They deserve nothing but the best, and I'm determined to ensure that every moment of their birthday party is filled with love and happiness.

With a sense of purpose, I dive into the final preparations, working alongside the party planner and her team to put the finishing touches on the decorations. We hang delicate streamers and fairy lights from the walls, creating a whimsical backdrop for the festivities.

As the hours fly by, the grand ballroom transforms before my eyes, taking on a magical quality that is sure to captivate our guests. The air is filled with the scent of fresh flowers and sweet pastries, adding to the sensory experience of the celebration.

With each passing moment, my excitement grows, and I can hardly contain my anticipation for the joyous occasion that awaits. Our children's first birthday is a milestone to be celebrated, a momentous occasion that will be cherished for years to come.

As the final preparations fall into place, I step back to admire the beauty of the ballroom, feeling a swell of pride at what we have accomplished together. The stage is set for an unforgettable celebration, and I can't wait to see the smiles on our children's faces as they revel in the love and happiness that surrounds them.

With a satisfied sigh, I take a moment to reflect on the journey that has brought us to this point—the challenges we've overcome, the triumphs we've celebrated, and the love that has sustained us through it all. And as I look forward to the joyous festivities that lie ahead, I'm filled with gratitude for the blessings of family, friendship, and love that enrich our lives each and every day.

As the sun sets on the eve of the celebration, the grand ballroom is bathed in a golden glow, a testament to the love and joy that will fill its walls on our children's special day. And as I take one last look around, a sense of peace washes over me, knowing that everything is perfect, and that tomorrow will be a day to remember for a lifetime.

-The next afternoon-

I have spent most of the day fielding and receiving guests from around the world. So far, my baby brother Zephyr has found his mate with Ember. She's the envoy from a hawk clan in Australia. Her father and our parents are in talks currently about when and where the mating ceremony will take place. For convenience, I offered the northern gardens so that no inappropriate things happen beforehand.

My brother Keanu is talking to Danica, the envoy from the Italian Dire Wolf clan. The way they are snuggled up, I think we've made yet another match. Laughing to myself, I kinda feel like a royal matchmaker today. So far, two siblings have found mates. I call that a win. Mom is over the moon and the individual fathers are beaming over their sons, finding mates.

I can feel the minute one of my mates gets close and I can't help but smile and lean back. "How's my love doing?" Draven kisses my cheek, then neck. Breathing deeply, I try to calm down. That man knows how to set my body on fire.

"Good, Zephyr, and Keanu have found mates so far. I have a feeling as everyone arrives, more matches will be made." I spin in his arms and kiss his lips, smiling.

"That's wonderful baby. Now, if we can find someone for Ladon, that would be epic." Draven says as Knox pulls me away from his brother.

"The Royal Chinese Dragons were spotted on the horizon." Knox says as he cradles me against him. On cue, Draven leaves us to go welcome our newest guests. He nuzzles my cheek and nips my jaw. "Your scent is changing." He whispers against the shell of my ear.

"Shhh … I don't want to get my hopes up. The treatments I've been going through are hell." I rest my head on his shoulder. I would love to rip Oberon apart, then bring him back to life to do it all over again because of what his scientists did to me. If I didn't already kill him once.

"It's a good thing that elf you spared was a healer, otherwise I think he would have died too." Knox nuzzles me again, his drake purring deeply, trying to soothe me.

"He want's to mend the bridges between our species by trying to heal me." Closing my eyes, I throw a prayer up to the elder gods that his attempts are fruitful.

"Between him and Elsa doing everything that they can for you. All I can do is remain positive that some good will come out of this." We walk towards the landing field to greet our newest arrivals.

Emerging from the changing tents, I see Jade and her esteemed father, the King of the Chinese Dragons Tao Qin. Stepping forward, I bow deeply, showing respect for the elder dragon, and I greet him in his native language. As I slowly rise up, he returns the deep bow and greets me as well. My mates look at me, shocked that I speak his language. Blood Queen memories for the win. Jade smiles, then rushes forward to hug me. We've been good friends over the years, especially when the boys have their war games. The princesses were sent off to different retreats at neighboring allies' territories to become versed in their customs. I spent almost four months with Jade and her family because I was enjoying it so much.

I bring Jade around, introducing her to friends and family so that she doesn't feel left out. Her English is superb, but every once in a while she speaks in her native tongue when she doesn't want someone to understand what she's saying.

Once we are sure all the guests have arrived, I direct everyone into the ballroom for the start of the festivities. As our security team finishes directing everyone into the grand ballroom, I hurry back to our wing of the castle to prepare myself and the children for the evening's festivities. Excitement courses through me as I envision the joy and laughter that will fill the air during our children's first birthday celebration.

Melinoe and I have matching silver gowns for the occasion, our dresses shimmering in the soft light of the castle corridors. Our hair is elegantly styled in French twists, adding a touch of sophistication to our appearance. As I glance at my sons, dressed in their matching suits alongside their fathers, my heart swells with pride at the sight of my beautiful family.

Just as I'm about to lead my family to the ballroom, there's a soft knock at the door, and I turn to see my gentle sister Luna standing there, her belly swollen with the promise of new life. A warm smile spreads across my face as I greet her with a kiss on each cheek before gently placing my hand on her belly.

"Hello, beautiful," I whisper, my voice filled with affection. I reach down and kiss her belly. "Auntie loves you already."

Luna giggles at my playful antics and returns my affectionate gesture with a kiss on my cheek. "You're always so silly, Tia," she says affectionately. "But it's time to go. Everyone is waiting for us."

With a nod of agreement, Luna takes my hand and leads me towards the ballroom, my mates, and children following close behind us. As we make our way through the castle corridors, I can feel the excitement building within me, the anticipation of the evening's festivities filling me with a sense of joy and anticipation.

As we approach the grand ballroom, the sounds of laughter and music drift through the air, signaling that the celebration is already in full swing. The scent of freshly cut flowers and sweet pastries wafts towards us, tantalizing my senses and adding to the excitement of the moment.

Stepping into the ballroom, I'm greeted by the sight of our friends and family members mingling and chatting animatedly, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight and twinkling fairy lights. The room is alive with energy and excitement, and I can't help but smile at the joyous atmosphere that surrounds us.

Making our way towards our reserved table at the center of the room, I feel a surge of happiness wash over me as I take in the sight of our children's smiling faces and the warmth of my mates' love beside me. This is a moment to be cherished—a celebration of family, love, and the precious moments we share.

As we settle into our seats, I take a moment to soak in the ballroom's beauty, the elegant decorations and sparkling lights creating a magical ambiance that is truly enchanting. The soft strains of music fill the air, adding to the romantic atmosphere of the evening and setting the stage for a night to remember.

As I scan the grand ballroom, my eyes catch sight of my brother standing alone on the balcony, his gaze fixed on the sprawling gardens below. Sensing that something is amiss, I excuse myself from our table and maneuver through the crowd to reach him.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I say playfully as I approach, nudging his shoulder gently before resting my head against it.

He lets out a heavy sigh, his expression troubled despite the festive atmosphere surrounding us. "I found my mate," he confesses, his voice tinged with sadness.

My heart sinks at his words, knowing that finding one's mate should be a cause for celebration, not sorrow. "That's wonderful news!" I try to inject some enthusiasm into my tone, but my brother's somber demeanor dampens my spirits.

But then he drops the bombshell. "It's your friend Jade. But she's already betrothed."

The air seems to freeze around me as his words sink in, an icy shiver running down my spine. Jade, my dear friend, already promised to another. It's as if someone has punched me in the gut, knocking the wind out of me. I can't imagine the pain my brother must be feeling, knowing that his mate is so close yet seemingly out of reach.

Nodding slowly, I feel a surge of determination coursing through me. I refuse to let my brother's chance at happiness slip away, not on this joyous occasion. I scan the crowd, searching for Jade's father, knowing that I need to intervene and make things right for my brother.

Spotting him across the room, I make my way through the throng of guests, my mind racing with plans and strategies to ensure that my brother leaves tonight with his mate by his side. This is a night of celebration, but it's also a night of destiny, and I refuse to let anything stand in the way of my brother's happiness.

As I approach Jade's father, I steel myself for the conversation ahead, determined to plead my brother's case and convince him to reconsider his daughter's betrothal. It's a daunting task, but for the sake of my brother's happiness, I'm willing to do whatever it takes.