Chapter 213-Birthday beneath the stars

Chapter 213: 213-Birthday beneath the stars

"Just remember to keep your word," Varitreya said.

She stood before the mirror in her bedroom, carefully fixing her hair. Her reflection looked composed, every strand in place, but the tension in her eyes betrayed the thoughts she had been trying to suppress.

"As for love..." She tilted her head, examining the final result before lowering her hands. "I’ll make sure my bond with the others blooms so much that none of us will be able to contain it."

Taratoya rose from the edge of the bed and approached her. Her steps were unusually slow and almost hesitant. She had come close to warning her cousin several times but each time, the words had died on her tongue. Things had changed.

Before, she had been foolish enough to oppose the mysterious benefactor who pulled the strings from the shadows. She had believed that with enough cunning, patience, and carefully chosen allies, she could eventually turn the tables on him.

Now, she knew the truth. He was the original whiteblood, the second vampire to ever walk the earth. A being whose age and power placed him far beyond anything either she or Varitreya could hope to challenge and worse, the queen and queen consort were on his side.

For the first time in a very long while, Taratoya had no clever strategy that could guarantee her victory. All she could do was hope that whatever Vonvaki had planned would not destroy the people she cared about.

She stopped behind Varitreya and wrapped her arms around her cousin’s waist, resting her chin lightly against her shoulder.

"I’ll remember," she murmured. "Just get your bond to its peak, and I’ll tell you what Aunt Kheamossa took from your memories."

Varitreya went still. Until that moment, she had maintained an excellent performance. She had greeted her parents as though nothing was wrong, welcomed Maisa and the others into her castle, and accepted the royal family’s arrangements without showing the slightest suspicion.

She had even agreed to host Addessa’s birthday celebration. All because of the deal she had made with Taratoya.

She turned her head slightly. "Tonight, I’ve arranged a birthday party for Addessa. Just us girls... no royal officials to control our actions, no servants hovering over us, and no one interfering with our time together."

Taratoya’s lips curved. "How convenient. It’s the perfect stage."

"Romance is bound to bloom, Teetee." Varitreya’s eyes returned to the mirror. "Then I’ll get the truth from you."

"I look forward to good news in the morning," Taratoya released her and hurried toward the door.

She knew her cousin well enough to understand that staying longer would only make it harder to leave. One more look at Varitreya’s hopeful expression, one more reminder of the secrets waiting to be uncovered, and she might abandon the deal altogether.

She couldn’t afford to do that and end up offending powers that she too couldn’t fight. The door closed behind her.

Varitreya remained before the mirror for a moment longer, staring at her own reflection. "Tonight," she whispered.

She would make the most of it and if love truly could bring her closer to the truth, she would allow herself to fall as deeply as her heart desired.

---

The floating gazebo had been transformed into a little world of its own. It rested above a tranquil lake within the royal gardens, its white stone platform suspended by ancient magic.

Delicate chains of glowing crystals hung from the curved roof, casting warm light over the water. Tiny lanterns floated around the structure like captured stars, their reflections scattering across the lake whenever the breeze disturbed its surface.

Flowers decorated the railings, climbing the pillars in graceful spirals. Pale roses mingled with deep crimson blooms, while silver vines threaded between them.

Every so often, a petal drifted free and floated through the air, carried by the gentle current of magic sustaining the gazebo.

A small orchestra played from a platform nearby, their music soft enough to encourage conversation but lively enough to invite dancing. Violins blended with the delicate notes of a harp, creating a melody that seemed to belong to the moonlit garden rather than the world beyond it.

There were no crowds and no royal ceremonies. Tonight belonged to five young women who shared the special zing.

Addessa stood at the center of the gazebo, staring at the decorations. The formidable warden appeared genuinely speechless for once.

"You did all this?" she asked.

Varitreya smiled. "Would you prefer a cake and a simple birthday greeting?"

"I would have been perfectly happy with that," She said, glad Varitreya went out of her way for her. It saved her from having to go home to Adelaide and be reminded of Asher’s death on her birthday.

"Then consider this an unnecessary indulgence," Varitreya reached for her cold hands. "Happy birthday, Addie."

"An unnecessary indulgence?" Lumi repeated, looking around at the floating lanterns. "You suspended an entire gazebo over a lake and decorated it with enchanted flowers. I think we passed unnecessary several hours ago."

Zolani leaned over the railing, watching a cluster of glowing petals circle her fingers. "I like it. Can we have one every week?"

"No, we can’t," Varitreya answered.

"Every month?" Zolani baited with sheer anticipation.

"No..."

"Every birthday?"

"Fine, I can’t promise every birthday but... We can host yours here. Happy?"

Zolani looked pleased with the answer, apparently deciding she had won.

Maisa laughed. The sound was soft but genuine, and it drew the attention of the others. She had spent so much time worrying about the strange changes surrounding her fate, the secrets hidden in her past, and the dangers approaching from outside the vampire kingdom that she had almost forgotten what it felt like to enjoy a moment without expecting something terrible to happen afterward.

Tonight, she wanted to forget all her worries. Just for a few hours, she wanted to be Maisa; not a mystery, not a potential threat and not the center of an ancient prophecy... just a girl celebrating her mate’s birthday.

She glanced at Addessa, who was still examining the decorations with an expression she was clearly trying to make indifferent.

"Happy birthday, Addessa."

Addessa turned toward her. For a heartbeat, the fierce warden looked caught off guard by the simple words. Her expression softened. "Thank you, Maisa."

Something warm stirred beneath Maisa’s ribs. The zing, it was no longer the distant, muted sensation she had once feared losing forever. It rested within her like a quiet thread of warmth, stretching toward each of the four women standing around her.

She could feel Varitreya’s happiness, bright and carefully contained. Lumi’s curiosity flickered like a candle, while Zolani’s amusement was an almost constant ripple of lightness. Addessa’s emotions were harder to read, but beneath her usual guarded exterior lay a warmth that made Maisa’s heart flutter.

The sensation was gentle, beautiful and, for once, she didn’t feel the need to question it. ’I hope forever is like this moment!’