A Queen Among Darkness: Chapter Sixty-Two - Valeria

A Queen Among Darkness: Chapter Sixty-Two - Valeria
This past week has been terrific for my self-esteem. Not that I needed a self-esteem boost, but it never hurts. Tweedledum has been our personal servant and I have loved every minute of it, especially since he couldn’t use his magic as much as he liked. Welcome to being a human! To his credit, he has done a fantastic job at preparing everything for our marking ceremony. I haven’t been allowed outside to see the final touches, and I’m dying to. I tried to peek out the window, but Arthwin magically removed the window entirely, which was a dick move.

I’m finishing getting dressed in my old room while Izzy gets ready in our room. It’s nice that there are some human traditions that overlap, like me not being able to see Izzy before the ceremony. I can’t wait to see her, I know she’ll look stunning, but this is the longest we’ve been apart since her capture, and I don’t fucking like it. Izzy has been staying close, and I think it’s because she noticed that I still have pain from the rejection, and it eases when she’s near me. So she doesn’t leave me alone for too long, which is fine with me. Works better than morphine and looks hotter too.

Placing one foot at a time on the bed I do up the straps on my black platform stilettos with diamond straps and with that done I look myself over in the full-length mirror. I look damn fine. The low-cut, floor-length black sequin dress hugs my figure perfectly. The double-thigh high slits give the perfect view of my toned legs, and the spaghetti straps keep my neck and shoulders completely open. Since I’ll soon be wearing the mark of my soulmate, I want it to be completely visible to everyone. My voluminous JLo waves frame my face and showcase the natural highlights in my hair. My lips are painted with a soft glittering champagne gloss that makes them look plump, and my honey-brown eyes look richer thanks to my make-up. I went with a light champagne lid, with a warm brown smokey eye. Only jewellery I have chosen to wear is a darling pair of diamond chandelier earrings. I mean literal mini chandeliers. I saw them in a boutique in Paris the other day and they reminded me of all the chandeliers around our home and I knew I just had to have them.

I strike a few poses and assess the goods from every angle and nod with approval just as Arthwin lets himself in.

“How’s it going in here? Need any help?” He asks.

“Since you barged in, you can zip me up.” Arthwin walks over and zips up the back of my dress without a fuss. “How do I look?” I ask, looking at his reflection in the mirror.

He smiles, “Te ves despampanante.”

I smile at him, “Good Answer. Gracias.”

“You’ve been thanking me so much the last few days. Should I be worried?” He teases.

“Only if you hurt Izzy again,” I say bluntly.

He sighs and slides his hands into the pockets of his black slacks. Can’t deny the man can dress. Aside from the perfectly fitted black slacks, he’s wearing shiny black loafers, a long-sleeved black button-down with a scalloped edge around the wrists and down the sides of his buttons. Over that, he’s wearing a stunning Edwardian brocade vest, also in black. At the junction of his collar is a hanging silver broach that is shaped like a coffin. He looks dashing, yet sexy. I’ve been told he’s still single and I feel a little sad for him. Four hundred years without finding your soulmate? That’s brutal.

“I hope you know how truly remorseful I am for the events that transpired,” he says solemnly, pulling me from my thoughts.

“And I hope you know that it doesn’t matter how much you, or your sister, or Alaric apologise, I will never stop being protective of her. I’d say it’s not personal, but I’d be lying. This is personal. She’s my world and you all hurt her. You nearly took her away from me forever, so when I’m pissed, I’m gonna let you know that I’m pissed. I would expect no less if a supernatural came up to me and told me I hurt someone they love. It’ll probably happen one day, and I will have to live with the consequences of my actions. So do you,” I say as I turn to face him.

“Ever heard of forgiveness?”

“Forgiveness is earned. I’m working to earn mine, but good news for you, I think you’re doing a good job earning yours,” I say as I pat him on the back, “Shall we go check on things?”

With a nod of his head, he leads me downstairs and out to the party setup and my jaw drops so far I nearly hear it click out of place. The open space around our house that separates the house from the forest looks unrecognisable!

Gorgeous circular tables fill the space covered with purple tables cloths, black chairs, black cutlery, and napkins with cute mini bouquets in the centre of every table. The largest buffet I have ever seen has been laid out along the side of the house with the most delicious-looking mixture of foods. Towards the forest is a stunning minimalistic pavilion decorated from top to bottom with garlands of purple flowers, and curtains of purple flowers flowing from the back and sides. To the side of that is a four-tier cake that looks too beautiful to touch. It’s a white chocolate mud cake, with a stained glass design in shades of purple with accents of gold leaf travelling up from the base of the cake and blending into the white as flowers cascade from the top of the cake. It all looks so magical that I’ve forgotten to blink.

“Do you approve?” Arthwin asks, and I can hear the pride in his voice.

“It’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen. Is this real?” I ask in stunned awe.

“Every last bit,” he smiles at me, “This was the least I could do to make up for the pain I helped cause. I hope you know that I’m happy for you and Isolde, and I’m glad the Goddess gave her someone so strong and protective who despite being human, was strong enough to protect her from our gullibility,” he says with sincerity.

“You know what, Arthwin? You’re not half bad,” I smile at him.

He snorts with laughter, “Coming from you, that’s high praise.”

“There are so many people,” I comment as I look around at the hundreds of people gathered around conversing with one another.

“Many makkares wanted to attend. For them, attending the marking of their High Priestess is considered an honour. There are some Delegates here as well,” he adds, not that he had to. Their glittering skin stands out among the crowd of people. They’d all suck at playing hide and seek.

“I don’t know a single person here,” I muse, just as a familiar voice calling my name gets my attention.

“Valeria!” A sweet upbeat voice cheers as it collides with my body like a wrecking ball. I stumble back a little and regain my footing as I look down at the sweet thing that has wrapped her arms around me.

“Careful, I’m far more fragile than you,” I chuckle as I hug Mei’s dainty body. How something so petite can feel like colliding with granite continues to boggle my mind.

“Oh! I’m so sorry,” she says contritely, as she pulls back covering her mouth.

I smile at her, “I can take it, don’t you worry,” I assure her.

She relaxes and gives me a bright smile, “You look so beautiful!” She cheers.

My smile widens, “Thank you, you’re looking rather beautiful yourself,” I praise as I look over her appearance.

Her dark hair is in braids and pulled back into a tight bun, showcasing all her natural beauty. Her makeup is very minimal to the point I wasn’t even sure she was wearing any at first. She’s wearing a delicate but flattering beige V-neck long-sleeve floor-length dress with peek-a-boo shoulders, a tight waist and a mid-thigh slit. She’s got a little extra height thanks to a pair of 4-inch white heels with cute bejewelled floral straps over the toes and feet and wrapping around her ankle. She’s starting to look more like an Empress.

Her cheeks warm up at my compliment, “Thank you. My sister picked it out for me,” she says proudly.

“She’s finally learned to pick things that are more to Mei’s taste,” Chris chimes in as he walks up behind Mei, wrapping his arms around her, “You just had to run on ahead,” he playfully scolds her while planting a kiss on her cheek. She grins up at him cheekily. They really do make a cute couple.

“You’re gracing us with your presence too, your majesty? Not trying to cash in on that promise of death I hope,” I tease.

He chuckles, “Arthwin sent an invite to our pack and Mei was very excited to attend. Neither of us has been to a marking ceremony before,” he smiles, looking far more relaxed than when I first met him.

He’s matched Mei perfectly tonight. He’s wearing a tight-fitted beige three-piece suit with a white undershirt and black tie with shiny black loafers. If it were any tighter it would rip at the seams. His long brown hair is again up in a bun and his beard is neatly trimmed. Very dashing. But it’s the smile on his face that makes him look different. He was so brooding and on edge when I met him. Nice to see he has another side.

“I had a suspicion our Empress here would love an invitation, and I figured this way at least then you’d know someone,” Arthwin shrugs.

“Thank you,” I say graciously.

“There’s that thank you again,” he teases.

“Not used to getting gratitude from a venatrix, Arthwin?” Amelia teases, walking over with a tall drink of water at her side. Are all wolves hot or is it just the ranked ones? Do they eat steroids or did their God just sprinkle it into their DNA? Like what the fuck?

“When said venatrix has spent days threatening to kill me, the gratitude does become a tad suspicious,” he muses.

Amelia laughs and walks over with her arms outstretched, “It’s nice to see you in one piece,” she says sincerely, as I step into her arms returning her hug.

“I’ll be in one piece once this ceremony gets underway but thank you. You clean up good,” I compliment, and I mean it.

Alpha Amelia has arrived in a plunge-neck split lantern-sleeve royal blue bodycon dress with ruching, Her golden blonde hair is pulled back and cascading with voluminous waves. Her turquoise eyes pop intensely thanks to the royal blue smoky eye and golden cut crease with rose gold lips. Her legs look toned and defined in five-inch pointed-toe silver glitter stilettos and give her a little extra height, which is needed to bring her up to the height of the tank beside her.

“Thank you very much. Been so busy with training lately I’ve forgotten how nice it is to get dressed up, plus none of us has been to France before,” she smiles, “By the way, Valeria, this is my animai, Marcus,” Amelia proudly introduces.

The 6’5” hunk steps forward with his hand outstretched, “Figures I miss all the fun. I hear interesting things about you,” he says in a deep voice.

I reach out and shake his hand, “A pleasure to meet the Luna of Invictus,” I greet.

He looks like the kind of guy who would deck anyone who makes fun of him being a Luna, which I’m sure is likely to happen in their country. Some people can be so weird about gender roles. That being said, one look at him should tell you not to fuck with him. He’s wearing a navy blue tuxedo, with black lapels, a white button-down shirt, and a black bowtie. His black shoulder-length hair is half up in a ponytail making him look very suave.

“Alpha Jasper sends his regards. He wanted to be here, but his animai is battling some unpleasant pregnancy symptoms and he refused to leave her side,” he explains.

“We’re honoured he’d want to attend in the first place, but nice to know he’s a guy who stands by his woman,” I commend him.

“Alpha Jasper is very nice,” Mei chirps.

“I’ve noticed,” I smile at her.

“This place looks stunning,” Amelia compliments as she looks around, “You’ve outdone yourself, Arthwin,” she smiles at him.

“I’m guessing you two know each other,” I say.

Arthwin nods, “My sister and I met her when she was very young, and she joined her father when he visited the Kartheca. She was such a headstrong thing, and so excited to learn while she was there. Nothing has changed,” he says smiling at her.

“I think she just got better at it,” Marcus praises, pulling Amelia against him and kissing her neck softly making her giggle.

“Well, I thank you all for coming. Please get seated and make yourselves comfortable. Hopefully, we’ll be starting soon,” I say as I look to Arthwin.

He nods in confirmation, “Aulen has gone to check on Isolde as we speak.”