"I accept you as my mate..."
AVERY
I'm standing in front of my throne, made of gold and silver, staring at it. I can feel the emptiness. Even though I've redeemed my throne, I feel powerless and exhausted. The throne is heavy on my shoulders but I must carry on and rule this Empire. Ruling this Empire alone is a sad task an Empress must do. I'm tied to this throne 'til death.
Naglakad ako patungo sa bintana na natatabingan ng makakapal at mahahabang kurtina. Hinawi ko ito at pinagmasdan ang aking nasasakupan. Isang taon na ang nakalipas matapos ang digmaan sa Alveria. Elfania already restored its former glory and I performed the ritual when I came back here last year. Natatanaw ko ang mga elves na nagsasayawan at nagtatawanan sa iba't ibang parte ng imperyo na tila walang naganap na digmaan. Na tila hindi sila naging alipin sa pananakop ni Severus, o mas tamang sabihin na pananakop ni Seth. All trace of war is gone and what is left is a new life, a new beginning.
Ang kalahati ng medalyon ay ipinaubaya ko na sa High Council samantalang ang kalahati nito ay nasa pangangalaga ko. Unfortunately, we can't destroy the medallion. There's so much force and power coming from it. It is magically protected by an unknown force. We can only break it into half and seal it away. And prevent anyone from using it again.
Wala na akong balita sa mundo ng mga tao. Simula nang lumisan kami matapos ang digmaan, hindi na ako nakabalik. There are a lot of things to handle in Elfania after the elves restored their lives and powers and we can't meddle with human's business anymore. Maybe they're restoring the damages on their infrastructures. Maybe they are still grieving because they lost their King.
Malalim akong bumuntong-hininga. I'm missing him. I'm missing Zirrius and that will forever be a fact I can't deny. Kung maaari lang akong humiling na nandito siya ngayon, gagawin ko pero ayaw kong maging makasarili. Muli akong bumuntong-hininga upang alisin siya sa isip ko.
I can't be weak but I can't also help remembering all the people I lost. All those people who are dear to me. I can't help but feel grief and longing. I wonder if they're happy now. I wonder if they will be reincarnated as a reward for their bravery. I hope that they will.
Natigilan ako sa pag-iisip nang may marinig akong katok. I stared at the golden double door with confusion. I don't expect any visitors today. "Come in," malakas na utos ko.
Binuksan ng dalawang kawal ang malaki at mabigat na pinto. Bumungad sa harapan ko ang Priestess ng Exether, si Priestess Silvia. She bowed down to express her respect. She's still elegant despite her old age. Her white hair is pulled in a bun while wearing a long silky dark violet gown.
"Raise your head," I said. "What brings you here, Priestess Silvia?"
"Our new King just arrived. The blessings will be bestowed tonight. We need the blessing from you," sagot ni Priestess Silvia.
"Why so sudden? Kilala ko ba siya?" kunot-noong tanong ko. Dahil nasasakupan ng Elfania ang Ameya, Exether, Augury, Lemshys at Ynaris dapat kong malaman kung sino ang mamumuno sa bawat kaharian. They need my blessings. Asteria is not part of my territory. It's from a different empire, and a bit far from here.
"Paumanhin Empress Avery pero maipapaliwanag ko lamang ang lahat kapag nakita mo na siya," sagot ni Priestess Silvia. Kumunot ang noo ko. Walang kahit isang kamag-anak si Damon. Noong namatay siya, walang tagapagmana ang trono niya. I ordered the priestess to find a new king for Exether but she said that I have to wait a year.
Nagkibit-balikat ako. Maybe I'll just see the new king tonight. "Prepare the carriage. I'm going to Exether now," utos ko sa mga kawal. The guards immediately heed my command.
Habang nasa karwahe patungo sa Exether, iniisip ko na kung sino ang posibleng maging Hari. Walang pumapasok sa isip ko kaya lalo akong naintriga.
When we arrived, it's already dusk. Priestess Silva leads the way to the throne room. The silver double door is covered with vines, mosses and mud. Tila walang nag-aalaga sa palasyo ng Exether.
"What happened here? Wala bang naglilinis sa lugar na ito?" takang tanong ko.
"We're not allowed to enter this place, until our King returns," sagot ni Priestess Silvia. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong magalit. Does that rule really exist on this kingdom? Pero isinantabi ko na muna ito. Maaari naman nila itong linisin dahil may bago na silang hari.
The door creaks open when the guard pushed it hard. Exether's throne room looks like a jungle now. With trees and vines all over the place. It amazes me how the flowers bloomed inside this hall as well. Magic is flowing throughout the room. I can sense it. And the main source of this magic came from the middle of this jungle, a baby crying and lying in the throne seat carelessly covered with a single purple silk cloth.
Kumunot ang noo ko sa Priestess. "A child? You want this child to be King?" naguguluhang tanong ko.
Tumango si Priestess Silvia. "He's no ordinary child. He's our king for years and even centuries."
Naguluhan ako at napaawang ang labi ko. Napansin ni Priestess Silvia ang pagtataka sa mukha ko.
"Look at him. Doesn't he resemble someone you know?" she urged.
May bumundol na kaba sa puso ko. Agad na lumapit ako sa batang umiiyak sa gitna ng trono. Pinagmasdan ko siyang mabuti. He stopped crying when he saw my face. He's intently looking at me, trying to figure out who I am. And then suddenly his mouth curves into a cute innocent smile and laughs. He raised his hands as if he was asking me to carry him, like a cute child he was.
"Damon..." I uttered with confusion. I offered my index finger to him and he held it tightly while laughing. My misty eyes stared at him. Nakagat ko ang labi ko upang pigilan ang pag-iyak.
"H-How?" nanginginig ang boses na tanong ko kay Priestess Silvia. I carry Damon in my arms and the cloth slides down on the throne. I sit on the throne while he's on my arms. Hindi pa ako nakakita ng elf na pedeng bumalik sa mundo nang walang ama't ina. He was born through magic.
"He's cursed. He's living in a cycle. If he dies in his lifetime, he'll come back as a child after a year of his death. Without any memories at all," sagot ni Priestess.
"What kind of curse is that? An endless suffering?" mariing tanong ko. Did the High Council cast this curse to Damon?
"He'll never die and will forever rule Exether. And he will never find his mate. Kahit makasalubong niya o makita ito, hindi niya mararamdaman ang bond nila. Their mate bonds are sealed by the High Council. He'll be forever tied with his throne alone."
"Maraming beses na itong nangyari sa kanya?" muling tanong ko.
Tumango siya. "Alam ito ng iyong ina at maging ang mga ninuno mo. They raised Damon behind the scenes and trained him in Elfania to be King. Now it's your turn."
"Did someone reveal this cruel truth to him?" tanong ko.
Malungkot na ngumiti si Priestess Silvia. "I tried many times but to no avail. No one will be able to speak of the truth about his curse. Exetherians know this truth as well but they can only just serve their king with tongues tied. Everyone who lives for centuries and witness him die and be reborn knows this but can't do anything. The curse prevented us to speak. It's futile. The ones who knows the truth are hurting for him as well. Such an overwhelming curse that no one knows how to break."
Bumigat ang pakiramdam ko. "How about his mate?"
"She's cursed too. She doesn't know who her mate is. And unlike our King Damon, she's being reincarnated every time she dies. In her lifetimes, she's sometimes a thief, a guard, a noble, a lowly elf, a royal princess. May mga pagkakataong nagtatagpo ang landas nila pero wala silang nararamdaman para sa isa't isa. She will not feel any bond."
"Who is she in her previous life?"
"Aivee. The Ameyan Princess," malungkot na saad ni Priestess Silvia.
Napasinghap ako. They are so close yet they can't feel anything. How cruel. That means Aivee will be reincarnated soon. And from her letter before, she told me that she's having a recollection of memories from her past lives. Magagawa na ba niyang maalala ang lahat sa susunod na buhay niya?
"Who is she originally? I mean in her very first life, who is she?" tanong ko.
"Sin, your great ancestor. They are cursed to be star-crossed."
Napaawang ang labi ko. This secret is so much to take. "What did they do to deserve this?" agad na lumabas sa labi ko. Pero naalala ko bigla ang medalyon. They say they almost destroyed the world because of their love.
"A grave one that almost destroyed the world. Their love brings destruction. And that's why they can't be together," Priestess Silvia confirmed.
Marahan akong tumango at pinagmasdan ang batang nasa kandungan ko. He's already fast asleep while holding my finger with his tiny hand.
"Are you going to start the ritual and crown him King?" tanong ko kay Priestess Silvia.
Umiling siya. "There's no need for that ceremony. He's already crowned from the beginning of time. He never left the throne. He already has a seal of the King. He has no contenders. I just brought you here to inform you of his return. You can assign someone to take care of him and raise him as a King. You may bestow your blessings to him now."
"Can you leave me for a while? I want to keep my blessing a secret."
"You can't remove the curse," paalala ni Priestess Silvia.
"I know and I don't plan to," sagot ko.
Pinagmasdan akong mabuti ni Priestess Silvia. "Kung ganoon ay lalabas muna ako, Empress Avery."
"What an unfortunate soul," sabi ko sa natutulog na si Damon. "I wish I can override the curse but if the curse came from the High Council then I will be going against them. I'll leave the rest to you then." I kissed his forehead because I started to give my blessings.
I closed my eyes and heaved a deep sigh. When I opened my eyes, magic started to surround us. May mga liwanag na tila mga alitaptap ang lumilipad sa masukal na trono ni Damon. "I bless you, Oh King of Exether, Damon," panimula ko. Nagising si Damon at nakatingala sa mukha ko. I smiled kindly at him. I said I will not override the curse but I really want to try. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano ang kahihinatnan ko pero gusto kong maging masaya si Damon.
"I bestow upon thee that this lifetime will be a different one. You'll see her and your heart will recognize her even though there's no bond. You'll take a different fate. A different path. A way to break through the curse you are in. And you will be starbound."
I can feel the pain on my stomach. I can taste the blood on my mouth. Maybe this is the price I have to pay when I try to override the curse. I'm not even sure if this blessing will work or not. I'll just leave fate in their hands.
~~~
It's been months since I bestowed my blessings to Damon. I've been ruling Elfania alone and Elfania's Priestess, Lia, is always nagging me to find a partner, to be the Emperor. And now she will hold a ritual for everyone. As we offer our sacrifices to the gods tonight, she will let me choose an elf to be Elfania's Emperor. She actually invites different noble and royal elves from other places. This is to ensure that my bloodline will not end here. And I can't disagree with her. I'll just go with the flow. Siguro naman, hindi niya ipipilit sa 'kin kung wala akong makita ngayong gabi.
Agad na binihisan ako ng mga katulong. They put garlands on my white gold hair and help me wear a long white gown with flower laces. I look beautiful but I smile bitterly as I stare at the mirror. If Zirrius is here maybe, I will put on a different smile.
There was an open field in the middle of the woods where the ritual will be held. Umupo ako sa harapan nilang lahat. Sinimulan na ni Priestess Lia ang ritwal. I offered the blood of a lamb as a sacrifice. "Pray to the gods that you'll find an emperor tonight," bulong ni Priestess Lia sa 'kin.
I ignored her. I don't want an Emperor if it's not him. If it's not Zirrius. The blood spilled on the altar. There are torches on each corners of the field. Nagsimula na ang sayawan. I can smell the scents of noble and royal males all over the place. Pero hindi ko mahanap ang gusto ko. In this ritual, because I am the Empress, I just have to trace the scent I like the most and order him to marry me. Unfortunately for these males, they can't reject me.
The priestess urged me to dance with them and I followed with a hollow feeling in my chest. She probably knows who I want but I'm not doing this for myself but for the empire.
I dance with the males and not one of them piques my interest. I fake smiles and fake laughs. I feel like I'm faking my whole existence. When I grew tired, I excused myself and walked to the darker part of the woods. I ordered the guards to not follow me.
Sumasakit ang paa ko nang maupo ako sa damuhan. Hinubad ko ang sapatos ko at hinawakan na lang ito. Napayuko na lang ako. I want to cry because I miss Zirrius so bad. I miss him so bad. I want him to be here. I wish he is here but he's not. Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagpatak ng luha ko.
I took a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Then I smell something familiar in the air. I familiar scent I know for years. My heart races to my chest.
It's the scent of my mate. He's somewhere near. I immediately stand up and run. Run towards the scent. Run to where he is. Hindi ako maaaring magkamali. Tumigil ako sa harap ng isang malaking puno. He's somewhere behind this tree. I walk around it slowly. Hindi ko mapigilan ang malakas na pagkabog ng puso ko.
Nang makita ko siyang nakasandal sa puno at nakahalukipkip, tila tumigil ang mundo ko. His eyes are closed with knotted forehead as if he was concentrating. I want to trace the lines on his forehead. I want to do it so bad that I'm already running out of breath.
This smell is what I'm looking for. He's the one I'm waiting for.
He opens his sapphire blue eyes and turns to me. "Oh, it actually worked," hindi makapaniwalang sabi niya. Tumaas ang kilay ko.
"Ano'ng ginagawa mo?" naiinis na tanong ko sa kanya.
"I just tried if I will be able to reach you through my scent and it actually works." Matipid na ngumiti siya sa 'kin na nakakainis. I was so emotional just a while ago and here he is, checking if he can seduce me through his scent.
Binato ko siya ng hawak kong sapatos. Natatawang umilag siya. "Are you just experimenting or what?" I asked with frustration. I'm just so weak with his scent and I hate it. Damn this connection and this mate bond.
Naiinis na tumalikod ako sa kanya. I want to cry so bad. It's been more than a year when I last saw him. I hate to admit that I feel so weak in front of him. Pinili niya munang manatili sa Alveria upang ayusin ang gusot doon. He also goes back to Asteria from time to time but he never visits me here. And I know he's just too busy ruling two Kingdoms. I can't even blame him for that. Our responsibilities are our top priorities.
I can no longer contain my feelings and the lump in my throat. I let my tears fall. I let myself cry. He's so gorgeous that I want to jump in his arms and hug him tight. I just want to throw myself to him. I tried to walk out of here because I can't contain my feelings anymore but he reached for my hand.
"Huwag kang umalis. I miss you so bad," sabi niya sa paos na tinig.
"You never visited me," paalala ko sa kanya.
"Dahil natatakot ako na baka hindi ko na makontrol ang sarili ko kapag nakita kita," sagot niya. "While I'm away, I trained hard so I will not make a fool of myself in front of you. But when I saw you in that gown and garlands while barefooted, my control wants to snap and slip away." He hugged me from behind. He wrapped his strong arms on my waist and sniff the scent of my hair down to my neck. And I can smell our strong bond in the air. Damn it's just so strong that I almost moan in pleasure. And the fact that he's not doing anything yet is so despicable. This bond is so irresistible.
He planted soft kisses in my neck. I closed my eyes and savor his small kisses. "I'll take you home," he said. I snapped back to reality.
"What?" inis na tanong ko. Hinarap ko siya.
He frowned at me. "I don't want you here. Masyadong maraming lalaki sa lugar na ito. Your Priestess also angered me for holding this ritual for you. I don't want them to touch you and yet you danced with them. Laugh with them. Smile at them. And you're breaking my heart to pieces."
"Bakit hindi ka nagpakita agad sa 'kin? Edi sana hindi ko ginawa 'yon," inis na sabi ko. Pero natutuwa akong malaman na nagseselos siya.
Naging mailap ang mga mata niya. He looked at me with insecurity. "Because I'm a coward. I'm afraid of what you think of me. What you will say because of my absence. That maybe you really find someone else other than me."
I lightly punch his chest. Hindi siya nagreklamo. "If you're a little late then I will surely choose someone else."
His gorgeous face under the moonlight smiled at me. He took my hand and planted small kisses on it. "Then let's go," he said. Walang babalang binuhat niya ako. Mahigpit na lang akong napayakap sa kanya. Hindi na rin ako nakapagreklamo pa. He runs to the woods like the wind. We head to the palace. He didn't even let the palace guards to notice him as we sneak to my bedroom chamber.
Ibinaba niya ako sa kama at hinalikan ako sa noo. "How's Alveria?" mahinang tanong ko. We cuddled in bed. And I love how his strong arms are wrapped around me. I feel safe and secure.
"May bago na silang hari. I left it in Zach's hand. He became the new King. I don't want to meddle with human business anymore. I have to let them lead."
"Bakit hindi si Kendrick?" takang tanong ko.
"He's not interested," kibit-balikat na sagot ni Zirrius. "He just want to serve the new king."
"So you're staying in Asteria now?" tanong ko.
"Yes. I'm sorry I'm not able to visit you. Baka kasi hindi na ako umalis sa tabi mo kapag nakita kita." He's playing with my hair. Sometimes he's planting kisses on my head. "I really feel like I don't want to leave now but I'm thinking of my Kingdom. And I don't know how it will work if I marry you. Everything's so complicated. I can't promise that I will be by your side every time."
"There's only one way. You need an heir. We need an heir for our thrones," sagot ko.
We stared at each other's eyes. He's trying to read me but he can't. "Are you saying that we can marry each other, rule our own kingdoms while making heirs?" he playfully asks. Nakakaloko ang ngiti niya pero tama naman ang sinabi niya. That's how it will go.
"And I will sneak in your chamber every night?" he whispered. I noticed his hoarse sexy voice. I almost shivered. He hit the point again.
"Are you okay with that? Will you not grow tired of it?" tanong ni Zirrius.
Marahan akong tumango. " This will not be our setup forever. We can step down once we have our heirs. I will not grow tired of waiting for you."
Zirrius stares seriously at me and then down at my lips. It's like we already have a tacit understanding. He claimed my lips and kissed me like there's no tomorrow. When we stopped, breathless, he said. "Then I'll marry you tomorrow and take you forever after that."
"Bakit maghihintay ka pa ng bukas?" kunot-noong tanong ko.
"It's not like I can marry you tonight, right? Even though I want to," nakangising saad ni Zirrius.
Malakas akong tumawa. "Zirrius our marriage is not like human's. We don't need ceremonies for it to be official. We don't need witnesses. We can just exchange our vows and be married. It's loyalty and faith. We can have a formal wedding ceremony if that's what my people want but they can't stop me from marrying anytime."
"Ah, so it's different. Then will you marry me now and accept me as your mate?" tanong niya sa 'kin. I noticed the thrill in his voice. The mixed desires and emotions and urgency.
"Not until I hear your vow," nakangising sabi ko sa kanya.
"Alright. I don't know how it works but I'll start," he said checking the rings in his hands. He has a gold ring with ruby stones around it in his small finger and took that off.
"Did you prepare for this?" natatawang tanong ko.
"You can say that," he grins.
"I don't have anything to give you. Maybe I can find something in this room," sabi ko. Tatayo sana ako pero pinigilan na niya ako. "It's fine. I'll just have you. I'm going to start now so listen."
Hindi na ako nakatanggi dahil kitang-kita sa mga mata niya ang pagiging seryoso. "Let heaven above listen to my vow. I, Zirrius Montfort, the King of Asteria, vows to take you, Avery Devon, as my mate, my queen and my wife forever. I will love and serve you 'til the end of my days. Let our Mate bond grow stronger as time flies. Let us not grow weary with the length of forever. Let us be fruitful with heirs for our Kingdoms and thrones. May the gods hear me." He slips the ring on my finger.
I can't stop smiling. I'm sure the tears glistened on my eyes. "Let the earth beneath hear my vow. I, Avery Devon, the Empress of Elfania, vows to accept you, Zirrius Montfort, as my mate, my king and my husband forever. I will love and serve you 'til the end of my days. Let our Mate bond grow stronger as time flies. Let us not grow weary with the length of forever. Let us be fruitful with heirs for our Kingdoms and thrones. May the gods hear me."
I sensed the gush of winds and the trembling of the heaven above us and earth beneath us, as if they hear our voices and mark our vows as valid. Bumuhos ang ulan sa labas na tila isa itong biyaya. I can feel our bond as it grows stronger. Our scents intertwined with each other.
"I love you and I want to take you now, Avery," Zirrius said with longing and desire in his eyes. I kissed him and playfully caressed his sensitive ears. He shudders and let out a soft moan. I smiled between our kisses. I pulled away. "I'm all yours. Take me." And he did. Now we will see how long forever is.
Together. Forever.
***