Chapter 46: CHAPTER 31.0: Love?

I couldn’t tell him I didn’t love him or didn’t want to be with him because it was all I wanted. Tears ran down my cheek. “I love you too Lexus.” He pulled me to him and kissed me with passion.

“Ew.” Cade groaned. “You guys are gross, is it over?”

I pulled away and looked at Cade. “Uh no… we’re not going through with the rejection.”

Cade rolled his eyes. “Whatever, let’s go back to the ball.” He ran to the river and fell to his knees as he threw up.

Lexus laughed. “Let’s go before someone comes looking for us.” He looked down at me. “I’m going to end this with Sadia in the morning, I just don’t think right now at the ball is the right place.”

I understood. “Okay.” We started walking down the hiking trail.

“Wait for me.” Cade ran to us. On the walk down I had to fix my bun and dust off the ends of my dress.

When we walked in, my father walked right to me. “Sorry I missed your call, they’re about to announce to everyone that you’re the new generation's holder. Where have you been?” He looked at Lexus who walked past us to Sadia. “Oh…”

“It’s a long story.” Cade answered for me slurring his words.

Our father sighed. “Really Cade? These events aren’t for you to get drunk and make us look bad.

Come on Aqua, you haven’t been drinking right?”

“Uh not yet,” I joked then followed him to the side of the stage. The king and queen were on stage.

“We’d like to announce that we can confirm a new holder of the moon goddess gifted abilities.” The queen said and everyone clapped. “Aqua Andrews, she’s our adviser Konn’s long lost daughter and our kingdoms next adviser.”

I walked onto the stage and the claps weren’t as loud as the first. I guess that’s because they didn’t know who I was, not until now. I wasn’t paying attention to the rest of what the Queen said. I was too busy watching everyone staring at me. I hoped it wasn’t obvious that I had been crying. I noticed Vella glaring at me as she took two shots. After I walked down off the stage reporters tried to talk to me and the Queen kept reminding them that they weren’t allowed to interview during celebrations. They were asking a lot of intrusive questions so I’m glad they weren’t allowed to continue.

Konn pulled me away from them. “Aqua, these are my parents.”

I looked at them, they looked older than Konn but not as old as I expected. Dragon shifters did live twice as long as humans so they physically aged slower. “I can’t believe I’m the last to find out I have a granddaughter.” My grandmother didn’t look happy. She glared at Konn. “You knew I wanted one granddaughter. I love Cade and Gray but I wanted one girl and this whole time you had one.” It was weird being referred to like that. “I can’t believe you told your father and not me.”

“The less people who knew the better honey. It would have come up eventually,” Grandfather said in defense.

Grandmother scoffed. “He didn’t tell me because he knew I would have insisted we raise her ourselves.” She hugged me unexpectedly.

“It’s nice to meet you both.” I muttered then she let go.

Grandfather shrugged. “We should have, I had no idea my father’s abilities would manifest in...” he whispered the next part, “a human hybrid. No offense sweetie.” He patted my head. “You’re just going to have to catch up now, I wish I knew what advice my father would give you. I guess Cade just wasn’t meant to be the holder, he had so much potential.” He was obviously disappointed but trying to be nice about it. “We’ll come back to the castle in maybe a month and a half. I have old things that belonged to my father that might help you on your journey Aqua.”

I only just met my grandfather, but I already didn’t want to disappoint him when it came to being a successful holder. I could tell it meant so much to him and he was doing his best to accept and help me. “Okay grandfather, thank you, I’d appreciate that.”

When we done talking, I found Calvin. “You were gone for an hour and a half.”

I rubbed my arm. “I know, I’m sorry I didn’t expect to take that long.”

“If you’re not interested just tell me Aqua.” Calvin said. “I’ll be fine, I just don’t want to be led on, I like you.”

“Okay, I’m sorry but, I’m not.” Now I wasn’t. “I was interested before and that’s not even why I was gone for so long, but I am busy and dealing with a lot.”

“But you’re not interested now?”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry.”

“Great. I guess I’ll see you around. Thanks for wasting half a good portion of my night.” He walked off. I wish I could have at least been friends with Calvin but that's not what he was looking for and I understood that. I didn't like the way it ended. I didn't want him to think I didn't care. Unfortunately, I couldn't explain to him my situation. I felt bad but I tried to forget about it, and I found Arma. I did notice the Alpha of the werewolf pack having a serious conversation with the king and queen. None of them looked very happy and I felt like it was about me. They would each separately glance in my direction a few times. It was unsettling but I ignored it.

The rest of the night was fun, I met a lot more people, they congratulated me, and the performances were great. I danced with Arma and we drank a little. I noticed that Vella got really drunk causing her to be removed because she yelled at people, cried, and threw up.

She must have been at her lowest, her heart must have been broken since Cade ended things. A part of me wanted to go comfort her so I told Arma I’d be back and left looking for her.