Chapter 214-Birthday beneath the stars (2)

Chapter 214: 214-Birthday beneath the stars (2)

"Before we eat," Varitreya announced, "I believe the birthday girl deserves her presents."

Addessa raised an eyebrow. "You planned presents too?"

Despite her usual cold bearing, she was all smiles and blushes to be the center of attention and celebration.

"Of course," Maisa said, she had spent days in the market with Sapphire picking a birthday gift for Addessa. "You deserve gifts on your special day."

"As my confidant, it’s my duty as a princess to give you a gift."

"You’re making it difficult for me to pretend I don’t enjoy royal treatment," Addessa joked but she didn’t deny that she was floored to be spoilt.

"Then stop pretending... Today is your day. Enjoy it."

Lumi laughed as Varitreya gestured toward a small table beside the cake.

Five gift boxes rested upon it, each wrapped in a different color. Addessa looked from the presents to the others, her expression growing increasingly uncertain. "You didn’t have to do this."

"We know," Maisa replied. "That’s why we wanted to."

The words seemed to catch Addessa more deeply than any elaborate declaration could have.

She looked away, clearing her throat. "Fine. I’ll open them."

Zolani clapped her hands. "Start with mine!"

"Why yours?"

"Because mine is the best," She boldly claimed. Unapologetically.

"You haven’t even given it to me yet," Addessa pointed out.

"Exactly. Imagine how impressive it must be if I’m already confident," She added.

With a laugh, Addessa picked up the smallest box. Inside lay a delicate silver bracelet, its chain formed from tiny interlocking links. A crimson gemstone rested at its center, surrounded by small white stones that shimmered beneath the lanterns.

Addessa lifted it carefully. "It’s beautiful."

"I picked it because it reminded me of you," Zolani explained. "Pretty, shiny, and capable of hurting someone if they underestimate it."

Lumi stared at her. "How does a bracelet hurt someone?"

"Emotionally... It does," Zolani explained.

"That’s not..."

"Thank you, Zolani," Addessa interrupted, laughing as she slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. "I love it."

Zolani beamed.

The next present came from Lumi. It was a beautifully bound journal with dark leather covers and silver edges. The pages were thick and smooth, enchanted to preserve whatever was written inside without fading or tearing.

Addessa ran her thumb over the cover. "A journal?"

"For your thoughts, plans, and anything else you refuse to say aloud," Lumi explained. "You have a habit of keeping everything to yourself. I thought you might appreciate somewhere to put those thoughts."

Addessa’s expression softened. "You noticed that?"

"Of course I noticed. You aren’t nearly as difficult to understand as you think."

For a moment, Addessa simply looked at her and then she pulled Lumi into a quick embrace. "Thank you. I appreciate it so much... Can’t romise I’ll use it though..." She lowered her head onto Lumi’s shoulder.

Lumi stiffened in surprise before returning the hug, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. She understood why it was hard for someone with Addessa’s background to not write their thoughts or secrets down.

If Adelaide Challan got a hold of the journal, Addessa’s secrets would be one more thing she’d hold against Addessa. Use it to control her and use her.

"I understand," She rubbed Addessa’s back.

Zolani watched them with exaggerated interest. "Should we give them a moment?"

"Zolani," Lumi warned. "You’re growing more bold each night."

"What? I’m being considerate."

"No, you’re being annoying," Addessa snapped her a look that didn’t quiet seem stern in the slightest.

"Those qualities aren’t mutually exclusive," Zolani argued.

Maisa laughed again, and even Addessa’s shoulders shook with quiet amusement.

The next gift came from Maisa. She had chosen a dark burgundy dress with a fitted bodice, delicate puff sleeves, and a flowing skirt that moved gracefully with every step. Tiny embroidered flowers decorated the fabric, their petals so dark they appeared almost black until the light touched them.

Addessa unfolded it carefully and for a moment, she said nothing.

"You like it?" Maisa asked, suddenly uncertain. "If it’s not to your taste then... I can get you something else or you could trade it..."

Addessa looked up. "I love it," the answer came without hesitation. She ran her fingers over the embroidered flowers, admiring the craftsmanship. "It’s exactly my style."

"I hoped it would be."

Addessa looked at Maisa for a long moment before leaning forward and pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek. "Thank you."

Maisa’s face warmed. The zing between them pulsed, and a handful of crimson petals drifted from the nearest rosebush, turning a shade darker as they floated across the gazebo and neither girl noticed immediately but Varitreya did.

Her gaze followed the petals, and something thoughtful flickered in her eyes. The flowers Taratoya gave her to use to test the bloom of the flower of fate was responding to them.

They didn’t react out of fear or grief this time, but to happiness and perhaps love.

She glanced at Maisa, whose cheeks were still pink, and then at Addessa, who seemed unusually reluctant to move away from her. Perhaps Taratoya had been right about one thing.

Love was already beginning to bloom, it just needed a little push. Varitreya picked up the fourth present.

Inside lay a pair of elegant black gloves embroidered with silver thread. They were designed to protect Addessa’s hands during combat without interfering with her ability to wield magic.

Addessa turned them over, examining the delicate runes stitched along the cuffs. "These are enchanted."

"To reinforce themselves when exposed to hostile magic," Varitreya explained. "I had them made specifically for you."

Addessa looked at her. "You remembered what I said about my old pair."

"Naturally, Addie," She expressed.

"I mentioned it once," Addessa was near tears. Strangers bonded to her by fate remember what she says and likes but her own parents hadn’t even reached out to send her wishes.

Probably because they forgot about it. How could they not? She wasn’t Asher Challan.

"I have an excellent memory," Varitreya responded.

For a brief moment, Varitreya wondered how much of that memory was truly hers. The thought brushed against the uneasiness she had been carrying all day, but she pushed it aside.

Tonight, she wanted to remember Addessa’s smile without wondering what else had been taken from her.

Addessa stepped closer and embraced her. "Thank you, Vari."

Varitreya’s arms closed around her. "You’re welcome."

The final present was from the birthday girl herself or rather, a gift she had prepared for the others.

Addessa reached into a small bag at her side and brought out five delicate pendants, each shaped like a five-petaled flower. Their colors differed, but the design was identical.

She placed one in each of their hands. "I know it’s my birthday," she said, "but I wanted to give you something too."

Maisa examined the pendant resting in her palm. Its petals were dark red, the color of fresh redblood, with a tiny silver stone at the center.

"What’s the occasion?" Lumi asked.

"Do I need an occasion to give my fated partners gifts?"

"No," Lumi replied, looking down at hers. "But you usually need a reason to be sentimental."

"Then consider it a birthday privilege," Addessa brushed it off. It was a simple gesture that she wanted them all to share.

Zolani immediately fastened hers around her neck. "I love it. Now we’re matching."

"That was the idea," Addessa said.

Maisa slipped her pendant on as well. The moment it settled against her chest, the zing pulsed warmly, and the flower petals drifting around the gazebo deepened in color.

Five vampires stood together beneath the lanterns, each wearing a tiny reminder of the others and for a little while, nothing else mattered.

’Heaven, please don’t let anything ruin this perfect night.’