Chapter 24: Heart to Heart

Alyssa

I don’t like that guy, and I just met him. Akhenaten would win the world record for someone hating him the fastest.

“For the last time, Megan, I have a mate. I’m not interested. I’ll NEVER fuck you,” I heard Vincent growl.

Oh boy.

“Leave him alone, Megan, he said no,” Izzy stood in Vincent’s defense.

I coughed to myself noticed. “Alyssa, thank the goddess,” Vincent said.

“How was the meeting?” Izzy said.

“I’m sorry, Izzy, but your father is a total dick!” I said bluntly.

Izzy started laughing hysterically, but Megan was less than pleased. “How DARE you! You dare talk about him like that!”

“At least she’s not afraid to speak her mind,” Izzy smirked at Megan.

“What the hell is that suppose to mean!?” Megan huffed.

“You know exactly what I mean,” Izzy put her hand on her hips. “I know you don’t always agree with Mom and Dad’s decisions. But Goddess forbid that for once, just say what you think,”

“Hey, what’s going on here? We heard yelling,” Jacob said, walking to the great hall with Audrey behind him. “Megan?!”

“Hello baby brother,” Megan blew a kiss at Jacob.

“What are you doing here?” Jacob flashed a fake smile.

“Dad couldn’t find a babysitter,” Izzy said as I snickered, almost choking on my breath. Megan looked at Izzy with rage in her eyes.

“I’m guessing that if Megan is here, so is dad?” Jacob asked. “You’re early,”

“Good weather,” Megan shrugged and leaned forward to look at Audrey. “Who is that young woman with you?”

Audrey’s eyes were swollen and red. It was good to see her out of her room.

“This is Audrey Callahan, Alex and Vincent’s adopted younger sister,” Jacob kissed Audrey’s cheek.

“I see. I give my condolances, Audrey,” Megan said.

“Who knew the porcelain pocket pussy has a soft side,” Izzy giggled.

“Isabella, that’s enough!” Jacob groaned.

“Don’t worry, I have to leave anyway. It’s good to see you again, Audrey,” Izzy said, then left the palace.

One of the royal guards then came by to see that the guest rooms were ready, and they guided Megan to one of the rooms prepared. Now, it was just Jacob, Audrey, Vincent, and I.

“That was tense,” I said.

“I lived with them for eighteen years in the same house. That was child’s play, Alyssa,” Jacob said. “It’s getting late, and I have to get going,”

Audrey smiled and grew sad. I could see she didn’t want Jacob to leave her. “Call me if you need anything,” Jacob kissed her, but it became passionate.

“Did they forget that we are here?” Vincent whispered to me.

“Behave and stop staring. It’s creepy,” I whispered back.

Jacob left, and Audrey was nervous that she was dating Jacob and worried about what he will think. “You’re not mad?” Audrey asked.

“Mad? Why? Jacob is your mate, right? Why would I be mad when you found you’re soulmate. I saw the way you looked at him, Audrey,” Vincent smiled. “How are you holding up about mom’s situation?”

“Better, do you have news on her?” Audrey said.

“No, still the same,” Vincent took a deep breath. “I’m going to the hospital tomorrow to check on Mom. You can come with me if you want,”

“I’d love that,” Audrey nodded. “I’m going to bed, I did want Jacob to stay the night, but I can manage to be without him for one more night; Laufay is not happy about this, but she better get used to it. Goodnight, dear brother,” Audrey went back upstairs to her bedroom.

I returned with Vincent to his room. “Do you think she will be okay on her own?” I asked.

“She’s a Callahan, she will endure and survive, and if she needs us, we are on the other side of the hallway,” Vincent said.

“Are you okay, Vincent?” I said.

“I’m fine,” Vincent’s voice sounded dodgy.

“Vincent, I know you are hurting. Hell, I can feel your internal pain. Please, talk to me,” I begged.

Vincent turned around and said nothing. I started to walk away.

“Alyssa, wait! I know I shouldn’t have gone to the gym. I’ve never been much for expressing my emotions, especially the bad ones. I knew I should have been in bed today, but all I see are my parents lying on the floor every time I lay down and closed my eyes. Working out is what stopped me from having these thoughts. My dad’s dead; I’ll never talk to him again or repeatedly tell him how much I cared about and loved him. I’m afraid that he died thinking I didn’t care about him, that I didn’t care if he vanished,” Vincent broke down in tears.

“Vincent,” I reached my hand out to him.

“I don’t know how I’ll react if my mother doesn’t make it. I hurt you when my dad died; I was angry at the world, the Moon Goddess, and myself,” Vincent cried.

I hugged him tightly, and Vincent continued sobbing on my shoulder. I knew how he was feeling right now, the pain of losing a parent. I hate how it feels and how it makes him feel.

“It’s okay to show emotions, Vincent, and it takes strength to admit how you are genuinely feeling. I’m so sorry for your father, and I’ll be with you every step of the way. That is my promise as your mate. I do not doubt that your father knew you loved him. King Zayne was a strong leader, and I do not doubt that you, Alex, and Audrey will be just as strong. Everything will be okay.

(Later That Night)

I woke up, my stomach growling. Vincent slept in my arms, and I fell asleep shortly afterward. It was weird seeing him vulnerable. I am glad that he trusted me. I look closer at him, his long black eyelashes and silky black hair. Everything about Vincent screams perfection. I managed to get out of bed without waking him up. Vincent then turned in his sleep, sleeping soundly. He’s cute. I left Vincent’s bedroom and walked the halls to the kitchens. I hope there is some food there because I’m hungry; I don’t think I ate with everything happening.

“I told you this a thousand times,” Akhenaten said to someone. I decided to eavesdrop.

“You’ve told me a thousand things these last few days; I’m trying to remember them all,” Megan said.

“How can you expect yourself to take over Aksum as it’s Queen if you ignore what I’m teaching you?” Akhenaten growled.

“Have you ever stopped and asked if I WANT to take over your stupid kingdom!?” Megan protested.

“Enough! Get some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning,” Akhenaten then left the room. I barely managed to hide behind the open door. Thank the Goddess. He was moving in the opposite direction, or he might have seen me.

I entered Megan’s room, seeing her in tears. “Megan? Are you okay?”

“What are you doing here?” Megan gave a shocked expression.

“I was on my way to the kitchen and I heard you arguing,” I said.

’So you thought it best to listen in on private conversation?” Megan’s voice was laced with annoyance.

“I’m guilty about that, but I only came to make sure you’re alright,” I said.

“I don’t need your damn pity,” Megan spat.

“I didn’t come here to pity you. Goddess forbid if I wanted to see if you’re fine, but if you want to leave, then fine, have it your way,” I walked out, but Megan grabbed my wrist.

“Alyssa, wait. I’m sorry. As you might have noticed, my father is demanding. He always had high expectations of me since I’m his firstborn and heir; my mother is just like him, but worse. None of them have ever asked me if I want to take over after my father. I don’t have a choice in the matter. I’m going to be the Queen of Aksum whether I like it or not,” Megan said.

“Everyone has a choice, Megan. The Goddess gave us free will; she gave us the power to choice our own destiny,” I said.

“You obviously have not met my mother,” Megan laughed.

“Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure,” I said.

“You’re lucky, she makes sure to question my every action. She criticizes my choice of friends, clothes, you name it. She’s part of the reason why I don’t have many friends. When you cursed my father today, I was jealous. I don’t have the guts to say what I feel, so I lash out at Isabella. Izzy has never been afraid to be who she is, to say what she’s feeling. Look at her; she always dresses to perfection, has a mate she loves, and loves her back. I guess I’m just envious of what she has,” Megan said.

“Talk to her, Magan. You two need to have a heart-to-heart,” I suggested.

“No, she would never want to talk to me. I’ve burnt all those bridges year ago,” Megan said, shaking her head.

“You’d be surprised. You both act out for similar reasons. You never realized how you are in the same boat. Talk to Isabella, Megan. You two are sisters; a small part of her could want to repair the bond you two have,” I smiled.

“Thank you, Alyssa,” Megan smiled.

Sozin

“RAGH! Do you know why the plan failed?” I yelled at my subordinate, Gabrial.

“The attackers were stopped before they could destroy the second tower. So their defenses were too strong for the rest of the army to breach,” Gabrial said.

“What about Zayne and Rosetta?” I asked.

“Our sources say that Zayne is dead, but Rosetta, the last female white dragon is in a coma,” Gabrial said.

“Seems like mistakes were made; I should have expected the descendants of that blasted Moon Goddess to be more resilient.” I said.

“We have confirmed that Alysaa killed three of the attackers. Vincent and his sister Alexandria were also in the way,” Gabrial added.

“How did Alyssa manage to kill three of our best fighters! She’s getting stronger,” I laughed softly.

“I told you she needed to be taken out weeks ago,” Gabrial said.

“Patience. We’ll get her back. What about phase two of the plan?” I asked.

“They are ready at your beck and call, my lord,” Gabrial bowed.

“Good. Let the soldiers know it’s almost time,” I said as Gabrial bowed and left my chambers.

I laughed to myself. Only I know the true power of the Golden Dragons. Oh, my dear sweet child, you don’t know the true power you possess.

My mind then drifted to the picture of Vincent, the first white dragon to be born male; I know he is the destined mate to Alyssa, and their bond is one of the reasons she is growing stronger. He even bears her mark on his flesh. FUCK!

Curse you, Moon Goddess, having them meet and sealing their bond might RUIN EVERYTHING!