Chapter 96 Forgiving
ELIZBETH'S POV
I quickly run down the stairs, wanting to get to my mom and the others faster. I spotted them through the window behind Cristian's head and I couldn't wait any longer.
The guards open the large double doors. "Mother!" I shout as I see her entering the great hall along side Jules and the other girls.
"Lizzy, Sweet heart." I run towards her and wrap my arms around her.
"I'm so glad you're ok." I whisper as I tighten my hold on her. I feel bad for how I left things with her last night, plus having the fear of losing her again.
"I'm ok... and so is most of us." We pull away and I look at her confused. She gives me a look telling me not all of us survived.
"How many?"
"A total of 53 but don't be down, we will be reunited very soon." My mother assures.
"Ok." I said giving her a small smile.
Someone clears their throat. "Um... some of us are still waiting for our hugs." Jules said, rolling her eyes.
"Ugh, come here with your dramatic ass." She laughs as I grab her hand and pull her in for a hug.
"I am not dramatic." She said pulling away.
"Ok." I say teasingly. Jules isn't a dramatic person but she has her moments. My attention is turned to all the others girls staring at me. The memories of the things I told them yesterday replays in my mind and the guilt immediately kicks in.
Taking in a deep breath, I begin. "The relationship I had with Nikolaos is unforgivable and I want you all to know how deeply sorry I am. For keeping this secret from you after all these years and betraying your trust. It was stupid of me and I am hoping we can all get past this at some point. I mean we are bound forever." I say the last part with a nervous laugh.
They all stay quiet and stare at me with blank expressions. No one says anything and the place is filled with dead silence.
If this isn't embarrassing.
Suddenly, Tyra, who is at the front, draws her sword out as she looks me in the eye. She kneels down on one knee and lowers her head and so follows everyone else. They all take their swords out and lower to the ground and bow their heads. Once everyone was down, there was only one person left standing.
Jazmine.
I raise an eyebrow waiting to see what her next move is but she shocks me when she does the same as everyone else. As I get a clearer view of outside, I could see everyone outside is also down on their knees. Every single one them are doing it.
This is a sign of respect and union. It would be down back in the day, when everyone would come together and chose their leader. The first time this was done, was when my mother was chosen to rule the succubus kind by everyone.
The last time, was when I was born.
"Nos dimittimus." The all said in one.
It means "We forgive" in Latin.
A huge smile spreads across my face as a I witness this moment. It's not just the fact that they have forgiven me for my betrayal but we have also reunited once again. As a community and as a family.
Aunt Nadia, stands up tall with her spear in hand. "We have forgiven you and the queen, Elizabeth. You did your wrong but you have also shown us we can trust you when you killed Nikolaos last night and with that came with the demons going down. You were a huge part of helping us succeed our mission and we thank you for that."
The next person to stand up is Aunt Jennifer, "And we also want to apologize for following behind Jazmine and turning our backs on you."
Next is Siara. "You and queen Rhea are our leaders and we promise to be loyal to each other if we all promise to be truthful from now on."
"I promise." My mother said standing next to me and taking my hand in hers. I give her a smile, grateful she has put things behind her.
"I promise." I turn around to see Jazmine is the one standing. "I apologize for my deceitfulness and disgusting behavior. I had no right to try and take control of everyone's actions, and I totally understand if I will be punished for my actions." She said with her head held down.
I take in a deep breath and shake my head. "You won't be punished for anything Jazmine. I don't want us to be punishing each other. I just want us to be in peace in the afterlife, that is all. Am I clear?"
Yes, I am still mad at her and she is still not my favorite person, but if everyone could have forgiven me for what I did, why can't I try to forgive her as well?
"Yes, princess Elizabeth." Everyone says in unison.
"Please stand up." They all do as told.
"Woah, am I in heaven?" We all turn our attention to some random guy in boxers standing behind me.
"What are you doing out here?" Jeremiah asks with his arms folded.
When did he get here?
"I wanted to get some snacks but I think I might be the snack tonight." He smirks and winks at us. "You know I'm into those kinky stuff if you know what I mean." He wiggles his eyebrows, staring at our weapons.
The entire room goes silent until someone in the back snickers, that's when everyone broke out in laughter.
"Laugh all you want but I got my eye on the pretty one with the freckles." He said referring to Jules.
"You might lose that eye if you don't get back on the east wing." Daniel threatens.
"Ok, damn. Bye ladies." He waves bye to us and turns the other way swinging his hips. "I know y'all staring at this ass!" He shouts leaving the room.
"Sorry, that was Tyler, one of the rogues we rescued."
"He seems comfortable." Jules comments.
"Yeah, he fits right in while eating all the Oreos." Daniel smiles looking at Jules.
I look away from the two of them clearly eye fucking each other and look behind them to spot Cristian looking at us with a gapping mouth.
"Who ate all the Oreos?!" Simon comes storming out with an empty Oreo box.
"Tyler." The girls answer.
"That little rat, I'm telling you he ate everything in the entire castle and there is 10 food storages in the entire place." He storms off into same direction as Tyler. "Does no one grocery shop around here?!"
"Am I the only one amazed by the amount of woman in here?" Cristian asked out loud.
"We need to catch you up on this too." Jeremiah said tapping him on the back.
"I never thought Elizabeth had a forgiving bone in her body." Daniel chuckles.
"I can break your bones, don't test me." I warn. His smile immediately drops.
"Isn't there a pantry in the game room?" Simon asks returning in the room and heading up the stairs.
"You guys got a game room?" Megan perked up.
"Yeah?"
"I want to come." She rushes next to Simon and so does some of the other girls.
"Me too."
"Hey! Hey! Hey!" Simon shouts, stopping everyone. "No one touches the food."
"Boy, please. I'm hungry too." They push past him and he somehow manages to fall down.
"No, wait! Girls!" Simon cries out. "Leave the cookies!"
~~~~~~
"Lyra..." I pull her aside with Jules and my mother in a room for privacy. "I couldn't help but realize what you said earlier. You being our power source?"
"You're our what?" Jules asked shocked.
"Yes, I am."
"Lyra, you knew that wasn't safe."
"I know but it all worked out. Didn't it?"
I shrug. "I mean, I guess."
"So this is why you didn't out the fire on the Mountain?" My mother asked.
"What do you mean?"
"This is Lyra we are talking about. The Red fog mountain was her home and I am sure she could have outed the fire with just a spell if she wanted to."
"Is this true?"
"Yes, I didn't want to risk anything."
"I am so sorry. I know how much that place means to you."
"It is ok. It's not like I'll be here anymore."
"Yeah, but it's still your home."
"Please, understand that I am ok with it. The place is over a thousand years old with magic of it's own. It will go back to the way it was in a matter of time. I'll give it a year."
"Oh." We all say in unison.
I never actually thought of that.
"So we're done?" Jules asks.
"I think so."
"Wow, I guess this is it."
"It is."
"It's final. We leave tonight."