by Jones, L. A.
She sighed and said once more, "I don't think I can do this."
Dax chuckled as he stood behind her, and wrapped his arms around her.
"Rai love, you can do this," he whispered in her ear, "I believe in you."
He then slowly turned her to face him and whispered, "I have always believed in you."
Aradia looked up at him, and smiled. Finally, she gave him one last quick hug and then turned to face the crowd, which had now gone deathly quiet.
Taking yet another deep breath, Aradia shed off her coat to reveal the dress she had decided to wear to her coronation. It was long, black, and clung to her figure becomingly. It was trimmed in rhinestones at the neck and base. It had puffed up short sleeves, and a long slit on the left side of her dress. Some of the men in the crowd caught their breath, and gasped in amazement.
Aradia took no notice, and slowly began to walk towards the council who awaited her. Although she had walked to the table a hundred times before, she still felt like it was taking forever. Nevertheless, she still walked on looking straight ahead until finally she had reached the table and the leaders. Doing it as gracefully, and as elegantly as she could, Aradia kneeled in front of them. For a few awkward seconds none of them did anything until finally the vampire leader moved forward, and placed his hand on Aradia's head
"I, Tobias of the Night Shadow clan, the elected leader of all the vampire clans in all of Salem hereby grant my consent to give to you Aradia Preston, the title of Witch Queen and position of an official member on the High Hidden council of Salem."
Using their own names and naming their own different positions the other council members stepped forward, placed their hands on her head, and repeated what Tobias had just said. Afterwards and one at a time they took their hands away as Aradia stood up. Slowly, the council members parted to reveal a beautiful handcrafted chair. As if she were an actual Queen of a real nation being lead to her throne, Aradia walked to the chair and sat down.
Once again, everyone was silent until the council members said in unison. "Welcome to the High Hidden council of Salem, and congratulations on ascending to a position of leadership Witch Queen Aradia. Long may you live, and reign."
It was only until Dax stood up and started clapping that everyone also stood and clapped. Aradia felt her heart swell with pride. The other leaders hung back in the shadows silently. Everyone was so caught up in Aradia's moment of glory that no one noticed Tobias slink into the darkness muttering to Keon who suddenly appeared on his right. "Long may she reign and slowly may she die! And soon!"
"Amen to that!" Keon snapped under his breath.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Soon it was the night of the junior prom and after spending the entire day getting her hair and makeup done, Aradia stared at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a dark red ball gown with a rose design on the hem, and a black laced bodice. The jewelry she wore consisted of a fake diamond bib necklace, long dangling fake diamond earrings, and a large elaborate fake red ruby and diamond crown.
"You look like a princess," Marietta said from the doorway.
Aradia turned to look at her, smiling.
"Like a Witch Queen," Aradia corrected.
Marietta laughed.
The prom was being held at a hotel in the city of Salem and dozens of black and white stretch limos were already pulling up in front of it. Being led out of them like glamorous celebrities on the red carpet were several junior girls of Salem High dressed in fabulous gowns who were on the arms of junior boys dressed in tuxedos. Laughing, giggling, and chatting excitedly everyone made his or her way to the ballroom where the prom was actually located. There was a banquet table with chocolate fountain. There were photographers standing outside of the ballroom taking prom couple photos, a DJ was spinning tunes while Everrett looked at him a bit enviously. White clothed covered tables lined half of the room and the dance floor was already packed with moving couples.
Aradia had decided to be fashionably late, and show up an hour after the dance started. However, when she got there she was still nervous as hell. Nevertheless, she took a deep breath and entered the ballroom. She was amazed at the magnitude of the noise in the ballroom. Hey Baby Drop it to the Floor by Pitbull was blaring through the speakers while the teens either talked or laughed. Aradia was thankful, however, that at least it was not dark. In her experience, high school dances were usually held with the lights off and Aradia hated that even though she could see just as clearly in either the dark or light. Ironically, it is because she could see things clearly in either light or darkness that she often had trouble. She would be able to see things that no one else could see and that would raise questions blah blah blah... Most of all she wanted everyone to see her clearly, when she made her choice for her consort. Surprisingly, everyone Aradia knew was there both hidden and human. Everrett, Felix, Calvin, Rhonda who was dancing with D, Tristan and Titania, Ginevra, Domitilla, Xan and Brenna and so on so forth. Aradia was glad for this, for it would make letting people know about her choice in consort easier.
As Aradia walked towards the dance floor, the DJ began playing Black Magic Woman by Santana. She laughing softly at the irony of this and quickly scanned the area for all her choices but was shocked when she realized Dax wasn't here! Trying to restrain herself from panicking, Aradia began to search around the room, but a whole hour passed of her not finding him! It soon became all Aradia could do from collapsing, and crying in disappointment.
He is not here; Aradia thought to herself, he is not here. He did not come. But why? Why didn't he come? He knew this would be the night where I would make my choice for my consort. Why wouldn't he come? Is it because he didn't want to or is it because he doesn't want me!
She tried hard to restrain her sobs as she dwelled on that last thought. Temporarily calming herself, Aradia argued with her subconscious that he was probably on his way, and so she decided to wait for him. She quickly found a chair and table all for herself that was out of the way of the crowd. She then sat down and waited. She waited, and waited. The hours ticked away and although boys approached and asked to her dance, Aradia refused them all. She also tried hard to fight back the urge to run to the bathroom crying.
"Whatever is the matter Rai of sunshine?" a familiar voice asked her from behind her as he held out a white handkerchief for her to use.
Aradia's head shot up, not daring to believe it was really him.
"Dax, is that really you?" Aradia asked.
Dax laughed and said, "Well it sure as hell not the bloody king of England."
Aradia laughed, and stood up.
She was still mad at him, he was very late and a part of her wanted to be cold to him for the rest of the night, but she decided that it did not really matter because he was here now.
Still she could not help but ask, "Why were you so late?"
Dax shrugged and said, "My tux was at the dry cleaners. It took a while to get it and put it on."
Aradia laughed again.
For a while, the two of them stood facing each other in silence.
Until finally, Dax remarked, "So tonight is the night huh?"
Aradia nodded nervously.
Dax sighed and began awkwardly, "So..."
Aradia interrupted and said, "Dax no matter what happens I just need to know one thing."
"What is that?" Dax asked.
"Can I trust you?" Aradia asked.
Dax, at bit taken back at first, nevertheless looked at Aradia straight in the eye and said, "Of course you can love."
"I mean really trust you about everything. You will always be honest with me and never lie to me?" Aradia pressed.
Dax paused before saying, "Yes. Of course."
Aradia nodded and said, "Good! I just needed to know."
Dax said nothing and smiled.
His bliss only lasted for a few minutes before he sighed.
He then looked back to the expectant hidden crowd and said "You ready?"
"Not really, but I am
going to do it anyway," Aradia said with a smile.
Dax laughed, stood aside, and then whispered in her ear. "Go do your thing Aradia the first Witch Queen."
Aradia laughed aloud before she continued on her way.
The first boy she approached was Jayce who was dancing with a petite yet curvy blonde who Aradia rightfully presumed was his girlfriend Crystal.
"This will only take a second," Aradia assured Crystal after she had tapped on Jayce's shoulder.
Crystal shot her a dirty look, but still let Jayce be led away.
However, Aradia only led him away a few feet before whispering in his ear. "For what's it worth I hope you both end up happy whether it's together or not. I hope you and Crystal both end up living happily ever after."
She then gave him a quick hug before walking on.
Jayce, at first, looked puzzled as he stared after Aradia. It was when he looked back at Crystal when her words settled in.
This was when he nodded slowly with understanding and called out after her. "Hey Rai!"
Aradia turned back to look at Jayce who just feebly shrugged before asking, "We still friends right?"
Aradia laughed before saying, "Definitely. We are definitely just friends Jay."
He smiled before his facial expression melted into an awkward one, and then changed to one of him laughing.
Crystal, however, did not look amused as she walked to Jayce and asked, "What was that about?"
"Nothing honey," he said as he took her back in his arms. "Nothing at all."
The next guy whose shoulder she tapped was Lamont whom she found dancing with two girls.
"Course," she muttered.
Lamont turned to look at her, and tried to untangle himself from the girls.
"Hey Rai what's up?" said Lamont.
"I just wanted to let you know something really important," said Aradia.
Lamont's eyes lit up.
"And that is," Aradia began teasingly, "Hanging out with you was truly the most fun I have ever had. I also want to let you know as long as you are okay with it; I am always going to be your friend."
Lamont's mouth dropped open.
"Look Lamont," Aradia said losing her teasing tone and becoming more serious. "I do like you and I do think me being the last witch was only half the reason why you were into me. But either way it doesn't matter because you and I both know you are not ready to settle down."
Lamont started to protest, but one long serious look from Aradia forced him to agree reluctantly with her reasoning.
"Still," he argued, "If I was serious about settling down do you think..."
"Maybe," Aradia interrupted, "But you are not right now but hey one day you will be and if I am single at the time give me a call!"
Lamont laughed, and hugged Aradia.
"You are so awesome you know that right?" Lamont whispered in her ear.
"Totally!" Aradia whispered back while giggling.
Finally, there was Tristan who stood smiling and looking confident as ever in his tuxedo. Everyone held his or her breath as she approached him, and soon the air became thick with tension as Aradia came closer. Soon she was only two feet away from his smiling face.
Her countenance did not change though at least until she leaned in closer to him, and whispered, "Not even in my nightmares Tristan."
His mouth dropped open as Aradia smiled, and started to move past him. Quick as a flash Tristan's hand shot out, and grabbed her arm.
"Don't be stupid Rai," He muttered angrily in her ear, "A lot of women would kill for a chance to be with me."
"Good then you will have no trouble getting over me," Aradia quipped as she quickly tried to move away.
His hand still gripped her arm. "Don't you do this! No one does this to me! If you really go through with this, and humiliate me in front of everyone I can promise you the punishment will be most severe!"
"Yes well," Aradia quipped yet again. "That's a risk I am more than willing to take."
She finally wrenched her arm away from Tristan's grasp, and quickly moved away from him leaving Tristan to gaze after in silence.
Roy was dressed in a traditional tuxedo but with a new haircut, clean-shaven face, and he looked even more handsome than he usually did. He was busy dipping marshmallows into the chocolate fountain when Aradia found him. At first when he turned, and discovered her standing there, he was thrilled.
"I knew it!" He began to say, "I knew you would choose me! I knew..." but he trailed away as Aradia continued to stare at him.
His then once happy face changed to that of a look of disappointment.
Quickly he tried to say, "But Rai-Rai we would be so good together. We could make it work. I love you."
"No you don't," Aradia interrupted flatly causing Roy's mouth to drop open in surprise. "You don't love me. You like me I know that you do, but the thing is Roy the feelings you have for me it isn't love but most of all I don't love you. I wish I could because you are such a sweet guy but although there's a lot of things I can control I cannot control my heart."
Roy was silent after Aradia's speech until all he could say was, "But why? Why don't you love me?"
Aradia sighed before explaining. "Roy, surely you feel it as well as I do. Our love would be like a fire. Fire burns brightly and beautifully, but only for a while. Eventually it dies out, and leaves many destroyed things in its path. I do not want us to end up like that Roy. I don't want to end up hurting you."
Roy tried to protest one last time. "But you wouldn't. It wouldn't be like that."
"Yes it would Roy. Trust me on this," Aradia said taking hold of his face. "Roy I have never lied to you once so I wouldn't lie to you now. So please trust me on this, but most of all trust that I could never hurt you and being with you and thinking about someone else that would definitely be hurting you."
To this, Roy had nothing to say, but Aradia did. "And trust me when I say I wouldn't be giving you up if I didn't know I was losing you to someone who deserves you more."
Roy looked confused, but Aradia just turned and nodded in the direction where an African American girl with long black braids stood looking at them both.
"But she doesn't want me," Roy began.
Aradia shook her head. "No Roy believe me she does want you and I know you want her."
"But you don't," Roy argued pouting.
"Because I don't deserve you," Aradia argued before nodding once more in Melina's direction. "But she does."
Not wanting to argue further, Aradia hugged Roy, and then moved on until she came straight to Dax.
"Like you didn't see that one coming from a million miles away," Titania muttered before claiming Tristan as her own and walking to the dance floor.
The other hiddens seemed to agree since they all now shuffled away and back to their dancing or mingling positions. Aradia, however, just stood in front of Dax and stared at him.
The two of them said nothing until finally Dax asked, "Are you sure about this?"
Aradia shook her head and said, "Not really. But at this point I don't care because the fact is this Dax I love you and I want to be with you."
Dax just stared at her shocked.
Aradia shifted uncomfortably on her feet before hastily adding, "That is of course if you want to be with me if you don't I'll understand really I would."
"No one has ever said that to me before," Dax whispered softly.
"What?" said Aradia.
"Those words 'I love you' no one has ever said that to me before," Dax spoke now more boldly, "No one except my mum of course."
Aradia smiled.
Yet another awkward silence passed between them where they just stared at each other just like in the days where they had first met, completely entranced. Suddenly, the DJ stop playing music and everyone turned to look at him extremely curious. Sweating unstoppably, the DJ announced that the prom was almost over, but as an extra treat and good send off to the prom-goers, they were going to have a live performance. Nobody said
anything and so the DJ continued by announcing the act as none other than Melina and Roy! Melina who was dressed up in a dark blue clinging dress with her long black braids woven with white rhinestones that made her look more like a sexy lounge singer and caused a few guys in the crowd to whistle. The only guy Melina noticed, however, was Roy who she looked at longingly. Unfortunately, he did not return the gaze. They continued with the act though, and began to sing Could I Have This Kiss Forever by Whitney Houston and Enrique Iglesias. They sang the lyrics that were in Spanish and English with perfect pronunciation. It was as the song went on and Melina began to impress everyone with her amazing voice that Roy finally started to stare at her with the once familiar affection returning to his eyes.
Aradia did not notice though she and Dax drew closer and started to circle one another. Slowly, Dax took Aradia's hand and drew her into his arms. As Melina and Roy sang they stared into each other's eyes, and Dax drew Aradia even more closely.
Once he let, her head rest upon on his shoulder he said, "You know Aradia there is no guarantee that this will turn out right and that I will make you happy."
Especially after I tell you what I need to tell you, he thought trying to hide his grim expression.
"I know there is no guarantee Dax," Aradia murmured, "But there are certainties such as knowing who I am in love with and I know I am in love with you."
"And I know I am in love with you," Dax whispered as he pressed his lips to her hair and then lifted her chin to make her look him in the eye. "I love you so much Aradia Preston my love, my life, my queen. I love you so very much."
With hesitation and their feelings no longer an issue, Dax kissed Aradia as he had never kissed anyone before. Aradia threaded her fingers behind his neck as she drew him closer, lost in his embrace, and lost in his kiss.
Dax, her heart and mind sang together in unison, Dax.
In the shadows stood Keon, but this time he was not alone. Right by his side stood Rome, the very man who had executed Aradia's own coven in addition to others and was considered the Sovereign of all vampires most trusted spy. Although the Salem High Junior prom required all who attended to have tickets both Keon and Rome had been able into sneak in and observe the crowd without being noticed. In all the years they had lived, the two of them had been more than able to Sovereign the skills of sneaking into places without making people aware of them. It also did not hurt that they were vampires, and were able to hypnotize people and make them do want they want