Jasmine stared at the dress Kelvin had chosen for her and sighed. She doesn't like the fact that she shut Ariana up as she can't help but accept that she is right. She will be announced today as the demon prince's mate. Kelvin had told her that yesterday night, so she wouldn't be taken by surprise.
"Is that necessary yet?" she had asked him and he nodded.
He gave her a good reason why she needed to be announced. He promised her the announcement doesn't mean that they are getting married and it will not stop her from doing what she needs to do.
"Are you not going to get dressed?" Ariana asked and Jasmine sighed.
She wasn't ready to be announced yet. She hasn't even told Ryan how she feels about him. She hasn't gotten over him yet.
"Ryan" She muttered and dash out of the room, heading straight to Ryan's room. If she can't stop the announcement, she can as well make her feelings known to Ryan before then. Ariana followed behind wondering where she is headed to. Jasmine knocked on Ryan's door slightly, tapping her foot on the floor in discomfort.
"Am I making the right choice coming here?" she thought. She sighed. "It's better I let him know that I love him. Maybe this will help me get over him. But what if someone sees her coming out of the room and there is a misunderstanding?"
She had so many thoughts going through her mind and when she finally made up her mind on what to do, it became too late because Ryan was already standing right in front of her. Ariana gave a slight sound of distress.
"I guess I will let you guys talk," she said walking away.
"Ariana..." Jasmine wanted to say but she was gone before her mouth could form the word.
"Can I come in?" Jasmine asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Isn't it improper for you to come into my room in a place like this?" Ryan asked.
Though he wanted Jasmine to come in, he doesn't want to create a misunderstanding knowing she will be announced as Kelvin's mate today.
"You can let her in" Kelvin's voice echoed from behind.
Jasmine turned to see Kelvin standing behind her.
"I can?" Ryan asked, his brows furrowed.
Kelvin smiled. "You don't have to worry. I will be out here on the watch"
Jasmine stared at him and he nodded. He must have known what she is here to do. She moved closer to him.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked him and he nodded.
"You want to tell him how you feel about him right? I think you should too" he replied.
She stared at him. This is not the answer she expected from him.
"B-but this isn't the answer I am expecting from you" she stuttered slightly and he patted her shoulder.
"Go get that off your mind. I will be waiting"
Giving Kelvin tbe last stare, she followed Ryan into his room.
"What do you want to tell me?" Ryan asked immediately as she closed the door behind her.
"I-i..." she groaned slightly. She has never expected that a time will come when she will lose her courage to speak to Ryan. She stared at him and sighed. "I shouldn't have come here," she said and turned to leave.
"Did you come to tell me how you feel?" she asked and she paused. He knew or it was just a guess? "Do you want me to know how you feel about me?" he moved closer to her. "I know that already and I feel the same way too. But too bad we aren't meant for each other. But it's not bad. We can try to put our feelings behind us and remain friends"
She turned to look at him. He had a smile on his face and she couldn't tell if he was sad or not. She sighed. Though she can't admit it, he is right. She gave him one of her surest smiles.
"Then friends it is" she replied and moved closer to him. "I can hug my friend right?"
He nodded. "Sure," he said with a smile and pulled her into a hug.
After Jasmine left the room, Ryan felt better than he felt before. Maybe he should have picked up the courage a while ago to tell her his feeling, he thought with a smile. He sighed. Whichever one it ended up has, he now feels better and less burdened.
"Do you feel better now?" Kelvin asked as Jasmine opened the door and she nodded.
"I never thought I will feel this better" she replied.
"I guess it's a good idea after all. You should get back to your room and get dressed. We don't have much time left"
Jasmine nodded and returned to her room. When she walked in, Ariana stared at her.
"I am sorry, Ariana" she muttered knowing fully well that Ariana might know why she went to see Ryan.
Ariana smiled. "I am not angry, Jasmine. I am happy you finally picked up the courage to tell him. How do you feel now?"
"I feel much better"
Ariana nodded. "Good to hear that" she stood up. "We need to get you dressed for the party"
"You don't plan to dress me up. Do you?"
Ariana chuckled. "Of course I am. Come over quickly. You don't want to keep everyone waiting"
**
The demon prince's birthday party was one of the best parties they have ever attended. Not only was there enough food to eat. There were also many performances they had never seen before. They watch in awe as the performers match up to the stage in their glory. After a few performances, Ariana stood up to get a glass of wine. Jasmine followed her, feeling the need to take a stroll.
"This will taste great," Ariana said to Jasmine, pointing at a blue wine. "Should we take this?" she asked.
"I don't think I want to take anything right now" Jasmine answered looking around.
"You don't feel thirsty?" Ariana asked.
"No?"
"Do you still feel uncomfortable?"
"I feel worse" Jasmine replied. "I feel my head spinning and I feel like throwing up"
"Are you sick?" Ariana asked in concern.
"No. I just feel anxious. I can't wait for the announcement to be made. Maybe I won't feel this way anymore"
Ariana held her hand. "I don't know how you feel now but I know you will better soon"
Jasmine shrugged. That is what she wants. To feel better but she just can't help but wonder if the demons will accept her and that makes her feel worse. She had so many thought running through her mind that she hardly concentrated on the performance.
"Do you think I will feel better?" she asked in hope and Ariana nodded.
"In just a few minutes, you will be"
Jasmine decided it was best to believe what Ariana just said and she felt a little bit better after that. Ariana took a glass of blue wine and they headed back to their sit. As they watch the performers perform on stage, Jasmine drifted away back to the time when she has always wanted to be a boy. To the time when she fears nothing and has no reason to fear.
She felt a hand, nudged her slightly and she blinked back at the presence. She moved slightly, staring at Ariana who had nudged her.
"What?" she muttered slightly.
Ariana pointed forward. Jasmine looked right in front of her to see Kelvin standing in front of her. She had noticed him staring at her. She furrowed her brows as to what is going on. Kelvin stretched his hand towards her and she blinked.
"Take his hand. You've been announced" Ariana whispered to her and she blinked.
She has been so anxious waiting for the time but in the end, she was announced without her knowing. She sighed and took his hand following up to the stage. Though she stood beside Kelvin staring at the crowd her mind was far gone and she could hardly hear what was been said.
"We can go back now" Kelvin whispered to her and she nodded.
"So what now?" she asked when she got to her sit.
Kelvin smiled. "Nothing. Nothing will change. You don't have to worry"
She sighed. She hopes so too. She doesn't want any special treatment from the rest. Kelvin returned to his seat and Ariana held her hand.
"You were lost in thought," she said. "I mean when you were up there"
She nodded. "Surprisingly, I was"
"Do you feel better now?"
She nodded. "Yes. I do"
"I told you"
They engaged themselves in a little girls' chat while watching the performers perform. The performance soon ended and they were free to move around. Jasmine left Ariana to join Kelvin in greeting those that had visited. It was a tradition she must learn to do from now on. She soon got tired and excused herself. She went in search of Ariana.
"You are back so soon," Ariana said.
"I got tired" Jasmine replied.
They talked about random things and a few minutes later, Ryan showed up.
"You girls should get ready. We might be leaving for the vampire realm soon" he told them.
"Did Kelvin speak to them already?" Jasmine asked and he nodded.
"Then we might have to get change," Ariana said.
"Yes, Jamal and Jabal are already in their room, I just came to tell you. I should take my leave" Ryan said.
"Where are we meeting up?" Jasmine asked.
"I almost forget that. Let's meet at Kelvin's place" he said and left.
Soon, they were all ready to go with the vampire King and Prince, after they had talked about what each of them will do when they get there. Kelvin is to speak to the vampire Prince alongside Jasmine. She was to observe the surrounding while Kelvin speaks to the Prince. The rest will speak with the vampire King. Since Ryan is more quiet and reserved, he will observe the surrounding.
They joined the vampire King and Prince outside and after saying their goodbyes to the demon Queen and King, they headed to the vampire realm.
"Your mom doesn't know you won't be returning soon. Does she?" Jabal asked Kelvin and he shook his head.
"I did not tell her. I only told her we have a lot to do and I will return after that" Kelvin answered.
He had wanted to tell his mom what was going on but he suspected his uncle might find out about it so he decided it was best not to. Jabal sighed.
"So bad we weren't able to find all your uncle's allies," Jasmine said. "I really wanted to do some punching"
"Like you know how," Jabal said.
Jasmine drowned. "Are you trying to..."
"Do you think we will be able to visit the demon realm once more before the book appears?" Jamal asked, cutting Jasmine's sentence short.
"We don't know if we can since no one knows when the book will appear but we might plan toward it. Just in case" Ariana answered and they nodded with a smile.
**
"Thank you very much, your highness," Jasmine said to the Prince.
He had just finished telling them a lot that could help them. He told them what had happened before the vampire Queen got missing and what she had told him. He also told them where the vampire Queen was last seen. While Kelvin engaged the Prince in a chat, Jasmine tried to read her surroundings and was able to pick out a few suspects.
"Anything else you want to know? Anything that can help find my mother?" the vampire Prince asked.
"I think this is enough," Kelvin said and Jasmine nodded.
"I hope you can find her soon," the Prince said, sadly. "I missed her so much"
Jasmine patted his hand. "She will return soon. I promise"
After consoling the Prince, Jasmine and Kelvin left the prince to join the rest.
"Anything you suspect?" Kelvin asked.
"A few people are suspected. We might have to stalk them" she replied.
Kelvin smiled. "Then I think our visit here is not a waste"
Jasmine nodded. "I hope the rest gets something good too"
They met with the rest who were also ok their way to find them.
"What's the news?" Kelvin asked.
"A lot. Can we go to the room given to us?" Jabal said.
"The girls' room or our room?" Kelvin asked.
"The girls' room, please," Jabal said and they headed to the girls' room.
When they got to the room, they settled down to listen to what each group had to say.
"How about we get a book?" Ariana suggested. "To write down some things so we don't forget". They nodded in agreement to it. Ariana stood up and opened her bag to bring out a book and a pen. "Jasmine is good at writing. She can help us with that". She handed over the book to Jasmine and sat down too. "So which group will be speaking first?"
"Jasmine and Kelvin should," Jabal said.
Kelvin spoke first telling everyone what the Prince had said while Jasmine write down the important points. Jasmine spoke next on what she observed. She also wrote down the things she observed too. Ariana was the next to speak since she was the one asking the King questions. Jamal and Jabal added a few things Ariana must have forgotten and a few things they observed. Ryan was the last to speak but surprisingly, he had a lot to tell them.
"I think I know who took the vampire Queen," he said and they stared at him in surprise.
"Are you being serious?" Jasmine asked and he nodded.
"I also know those that are involved in it"
"What do you mean?" Kelvin asked.
"The vampire King's brothers are the ones who took the Queen and the King knows it"
They stared at him in confusion. They can not understand what he meant or what he is trying to say and they needed him to explain better.
"Can you explain better?" Jabal asked on behalf of the rest and they nodded in agreement.
"I think you should," Ariana said
"Remember when the King was asked whom he suspected?" Ryan asked and they nodded. "He had a reaction that says he knows and he wanted to say it but when he looked around, he suddenly said no. I saw his reaction and followed his gaze. One of his brothers was standing behind the curtain"
They batted their lashes in surprise.
"Did you notice if he saw you?" Jasmine asked.
She is afraid the King's uncle might have seen him and plotted harm against him. Ryan smiled.
"No. I chose the right place to sit" he replied and she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Kelvin, do you know how many brothers the King has?" Ariana asked.
"Two. He has two brothers" Kelvin replied.
"Any sister?" Jamal asked.
"One sister but she is married to a demon"
"Does she stay in the demon realm?" Jamal asked and he nodded.
"Who are the others involved in it?" Jabal asked.
"The Queen's maids. They are the ones who helped them out. They kept coming in to ask us if we needed anything yet. They wanted to hear what we are saying" Ryan answered and they sighed.
"But different maids were coming in," Jamal said.
"Yes, but they all had the same symbol encrypted on their dress. That is the reason I asked what the symbol means"
Ariana muttered a wow. None of them had suspected them since their faces were different. Thank goodness they chose Ryan as the observer.
"But if what Ryan said is true, then finding the vampire Queen might be a little bit difficult," Ariana said and Jasmine's eyes widened.
"I don't think it will be," she said and everyone started at her.
"What do you mean?" they asked in unison.
"How about we stir things up?" Jasmine asked with a smirk and they stared at her.
"What do you mean?" Jabal asked, furrowing his brows.
"We can make them believe we know where the vampire Queen is and wait until they make a move," Jasmine said.
"How do you intend we do that?" Jamal asked.
"We spayed the news through the maids. What do you guys think?" Jasmine asked.
Kelvin nodded. "I think Jasmine is making a point here. If we do that, they will want to confirm if it is true"
"Does that mean we will be here until they make a move?" Ariana asked.
"No, I will speak to the Prince about it. He will notify us if there is anything. I will also set out some demons to follow each of them"
"That is a good idea," Jamal said.
They agreed that was a good idea and ended their meeting in the evening.
They returned to the earth witches coven after spending an extra day in the vampire realm. The extra day was to tail those thet suspected for more clues, which of course they got. They were able to find a clue to where the vampire Queen could be but they needed more clues. Before they left, Kelvin set out some demons to follow all those involved in the kidnap of the vampire Queen.
They were happy to finally return to the earth witches coven and back to their normal life. Emerald and Ella were happy to see them again.
"How was your journey?" Emerald asked them.
"Our journey was one of the best, mother," Jasmine said.
"It's good to hear," Emerald said, smiling. "Hope you won't be going anywhere soon?"
"We don't think so" Ariana answered.
"You must be tired. You should get some rest" Ella said. "You should take your baths first. I will ask the maids to prepare something for you"
"Thanks, Ella" they cooed in unison.
"Thanks, mother," Ariana said.