The Queen of Magic

*** Blue skies greeted the convoy as they rode into the city limits, the streets flooded with families of mages who longed to look upon their Princess- now Queen of the Underworld. It was no secret that she had become a deity, a goddess who ruled the realm of the Dark Celestials. Cheers and shouts ringed through the air. It was a special day for all. The Coronation of the new royals was upon them but so was the rest period for their former royals. Atalante and Evanora would be performing the Mohen Sleep spell, resting for as many years as it would take for them to replenish their magic. Although many Mages were sad to see their Queen and King go, they knew the importance of the spell. It was a well deserved rest, especially after the sacrifices they made to protect the Kingdom from the Wraith Family and the destruction they had wrought. The Capital of Grevia was teeming with not only celebration but a flood of magical energy that warmed the air and made it buzz with energy. Gorgeous summer decorations lined the buildings with flowers emitting beautiful scents all around. Truly, it was a magnificent sight and it was clear that the planning committee had done a spectacular job in preparation for the event and the reception of the high-profile guests who now rode their carriages along the main street towards Waelmore Castle. Allegra’s heart was warm within her, excitement coursing through her veins as she gazed upon her home. It had been sometime since she had returned, especially with her new responsibilities as the Queen of the Underworld. She had been thrust not only into the politics of the Upper Celestial realm but in reforming many of the processes in the Underworld as well. Her life had, however, been filled with nothing but love and joy as she shared it with the one man who owned her, body and soul. Her destined and beloved. Her Dark King. He sat beside her even now, a figure of grace and elegance as he carried out his royal duties with elegance and grace that was truly unmatched. She could not help but be in awe of him, in awe of the fact that he was hers in as much as she belonged to him. She could feel his silent reassurance that everything would be okay. Of course he had sensed her unease. She hadn’t been able to hide it very well either way. Although she knew that this was a day of celebration, she could not help but linger on the worry that lurked within the depths of her soul. She would be deprived of the chance to see her parents for several years to come and although she understood that it was for their own good, she could not help the heartbreak of losing them all over again, even after they broke the Arcania spell that they cast upon themselves during the Wraith War. She felt deprived of time with them. The Mohen sleep was not something they could avoid any longer, though. They had done their best to hold on, to ensure that she was safe and happy with her betrothed before they let themselves rest and their sacrifice meant a whole lot to Allegra. She understood the importance better than anyone taking a rest. And yet it was the unknown element of the powerful spell that she could not get over. The spell was crafted by the first Queen of Grevia, a demigoddess who had blessed the Kingdom with pure magic sourced from the goddess Hekate herself. It was a measure to ensure the continued protection of not only the Kingdom of Grevia but also the Royal Bloodline. It was created to restore depleted magical energy taken from the Royals to strengthen the Kingdom’s magical well and keep the protective barrier around the Kingdom in place. And however strong it was, like many of the ancient spells, it was unpredictable because of that. There was a mystery to it, one that even Hekate could not unravel for the spell was an original created by her own daughter. Although the goddess had gone to great lengths to reassure her that everything would be okay, Allegra could not help but worry. Everyone around her had been optimistic of the outcome of the spell and had tried to give her that same optimism. Although some monarchs did not sleep longer than twenty years, others had never woken up due to their weakened magical wells and had rather passed on peacefully, fated to join the rest of the Gremory bloodline. The same had happened to Allegra’s Grandmother, a fate that she did not wish for her mother either- even though the rest were sure that her parents were still strong enough. Allegra did not know much about her grandmother’s story but she knew well enough from what her mother and aunt had told her to know that the woman was incredibly strong too. The 200-year war had weakened her, though, as she carried out her duty to protect their Kingdom. The two women attributed that strain to be the cause of the monarch’s eventual passing as had her Uncle Merlin. The same kind of strain that mother and father went through during the Wraith War… The silent thought terrified Allegra more than she cared to admit outloud. She could not imagine life without her parents and although she knew that she would see them again one day due to her own status as a goddess, she was scared of all the things they would miss from her life. She could not stand the thought of going through the motions of life without their love and support. She couldn’t help but linger in these thoughts, the anxiety within her growing with every trot of the Hellion Pegasus that pulled their midnight black grand carriage through the streets of Grevia. The light of the sun reflected off of its starry surface, giving it an ethereal glow that was reminiscent of the magic of the Underworld. Nothing had been spared in preparation for their arrival in Allegra’s home, her first royal debut in the Magic realm as the Queen of the Underworld. As Waelmore Castle grew nearer, so did Allegra’s anxiety that unfurled within her, giving way to restless energy as she tried and failed to hide her worry even as she looked upon the newly designed city-her home. The capital had been rebuilt after the war and preparations had been made to ensure that today's event would be grand- including inviting a host of monarchs from other Kingdoms to attend the Mohen Ceremony that would equally usher in a new age for Grevia. It was also Coronation day for her Aunt Morgana and Uncle Merlin who had been slowly taking the reins from her parents before the commissioning of a new era. After today, they would be the new Queen and King of Grevia, beginning yet another Golden Age. Peace had reigned so far within the realms and all the monarchs in attendance had vowed to ensure that it stay that way for the foreseeable future. Allegra mulled over this and a multitude of thoughts, oblivious to her husband who was ever attuned to her every need. Hades had learnt well enough to let his wife stew with her own thoughts but he would never let her spiral too far. He couldn’t bear the thought of her getting further and further away from him. Her anxiety physically pained him, enough to push him to action as he took her black gloved hand in hers, reminding her of his presence and his devotion to her. "Come back to me, my love." Hades’ voice was the balm to her soul, bringing her back to the present as she gazed up at her husband who was seated beside her, his hand firmly in her own as the carriage continued on towards the Castle grounds. His gaze held her own, reassuring her in a way that she needed the most. He had been a constant for her, the true love of her life and her happiness. He grounded her, brought her back from the brink of insanity and strengthened her in ways she could not explain. He had helped her transition into a true goddess and together, they had brought a new dawn to the Underworld. “Everything will be okay, my love. I promise you. I have known Evanora and Atalante for a very long time. They are stronger than you give them credit. We braved the 200 year war together and emerged victorious. I know you might not believe me when I say this but…your parents were among the strongest beings I came across in the five realms. They earned my respect and I am sure that something as small as the Mohen Sleep will not bring them down.” Hades murmured encouragingly, his red orbs shimmering with truth Allegra had come to know, accept and cherish from him. Theirs was a love of absolute honesty and Allegra knew that receiving such praise from the King of the Underworld was no simple feat, despite him speaking of her parents. Sometimes she forgot just how long he had been around. It blew her mind sometimes, to know the power he possessed and the origins of his existence. He knew her parents well and his words had been spoken from experience and not the friendship they beheld or rather the fact that they were now his in-laws. He meant every word and they seemed to strengthen Allegra’s confidence as she granted him a small nod and a grateful smile as she squeezed his hand back in reassurance. “No matter how long it takes, we will be here, waiting for them. You are no longer restrained by time, my beautiful Queen. If you want us to wait before we wade through the milestones of life- children of our own and more- we will wait because they will return and whence they do, you will have all the time in the world with them.” His words stole her breath, reminding her of the depths of love and devotion that her King felt for her. It was true affection that she was still trying to wrap her head around somehow. Even now, despite seeing the unmistakable glint of all consuming love in the depths of his red orbs, she couldn’t help but question. All so he could make her believer of her. And he never disappointed. “You would wait? After so many centuries of longing…I can’t ask that of you, my King. I can’t deprive you of something you have wished for all your life.” Hades granted her a soft smile, taking stock of the shimmering tears in her eyes that tugged at his very soul. The depths of love that she felt for him still filled him with indescribable emotion. He could not fathom what he did to deserve her- a kind and caring soul with a heart of gold. A heart that belonged to him just as his own belonged to her. “I waited centuries for you, my love. As long as I am by your side, I would wait forever for you because you are mine as I am yours…Besides, I don’t feel like I have had enough time to enjoy you and bask in your presence. The children can wait…everything else can wait whilst I revel in your love and shower you with the affection and devotion that you deserve.” Allegra chuckled at that, keeping the tears at bay as she watched the Celestial plant a soft kiss on her hand before placing his own against her cheek and pulling her in for a chaste kiss that had the crowd of mages go wild at the sight, cheering even louder in response. She was transfixed on him, though. On the burst of emotions and intense passion that always consumed her whenever he kissed her. She wasn’t sure the feeling would ever end and she didn’t want it to. She loved the way he made her feel. It reminded her that truly, their love was written in the stars. He reluctantly pulled away from her, taking his time to calm the rage of emotions that swirled within him ever at the sight of her. She was a vision of beauty, and none could ever compare or come close. Her caramel-colored skin glowed under the light of the sun and from the ethereal power that flowed through their veins. She never failed to leave him breathless, truly amazed by the fact that she was his Queen. Allegra squirmed under the watchful and reverent gaze of her husband, granting him a reassuring and grateful smile for his words that eased her stress. He was as otherworldly handsome as always, taking his true form now that he was no longer acting under the guise of being the King of Avernus. The Dark Realm was under the rightful rule of Sukaina now, the true Queen of the Darklands who was doing a fantastic job thanks to the mentorship she was receiving from Aaric. Gone were the dark locks, replaced by his true platinum blonde, waist-long hair cut whose silky strands fell over his forehead in the most sexy way possible. His beautiful and intense crimson eyes showcased his true origins as the King of the Underworld, a stark contrast to the blue gaze he beheld during his time as the King of the Darklands. His well built physique was incomparable, filling in his tailored suit perfectly. He was clad in a well-fitting three-piece in his favourite colour-midnight black- whose fabric was embroidered with golden designs, each of which radiated with energy channelled from the Underworld. He paired the look with black dress shoes, which was a more formal look rather than the midnight black Toga he always brandished back in the Underworld. His golden crown of skulls glinted off the light of the sun, showcasing his true stature that was different from the rest of the Monarchs gathered. Although they had sealed their Celestial powers away, he still embodied every bit the unfathomable aura of the King of the Underworld that he could never rid himself of, no matter how hard he tried. It was ingrained in him, absolute strength and grace to match. Allegra glanced down at her own outfit, reminding herself of the changes in her life. She always felt the need to pinch herself- to recall that she was no longer a Princess of Grevia but rather the Queen of the Underworld and a goddess in her own right. Her own outfit was reminiscent of this. Black was their theme and she was clad in a ball gown as midnight as the skies of her new home. Its long sleeves did not take away from the off-shoulder design that sported shimmering lace whose embroidery glimmered like star-light. It had equally been woven with the power of the Underworld, making the dress shimmer and add to her radiance. Her hair was up in an elegant bun, her own diamond and ruby crown set perfectly atop her head. Her makeup was light with simple mascara and matte red lipstick. Although she had sealed her own Celestial powers away, her radiance matched her husband's, the two of them a stark contrast from the rest gathered- all apart from Thanatos and Sela who rode in a carriage similar to their own behind them. Her black-gloved hand tightened in her husband's own, squeezing it reassuringly with a smile before they turned back to the crowd once more and waved one last time before the carriages were led into the Palace walls. ***