CHAPTER 56

Analise's POV

"Are you ready?" Alexander asked in a low voice as he came up next to me, pressing a reassuring kiss on the side of my head.

"I don't think I will ever be ready for this." My own voice was low and shaky. "But it has to be done."

"Let's go." He said, leading me out of the room. "I am with you."

"And I am with you." I interlocked our fingers together, knowing that he was also hurting from this.

It had been a few days after we had won the war and we were staying in the werewolf kingdom. The other leaders had also stayed for a day. We had spent the day gathering all bodies of those who sacrificed their lives for us.

Since we were all different creatures from different kingdoms, we all had our own way for funerals. Early in the morning, the leaders took their people and those who last their lives back to their respective kingdoms where proper funerals would be held for them in the presence of their loved ones.

I took in a deep breath as we stood behind the big double glass doors. The guards opened the door for us and we entered. I felt my heart sink as me my steps grew heavier and harder as we walked deeper in.

The few people who were here bowed their heads, giving us sympathetic looks. Tears stung my eyes at the sight of the white coffin set in front of us- Grandmother's coffin.

We were in the same indoor garden where she had put herself under that sleeping spell years ago to deal with the loss of her mate. Since it was her favorite place in the castle, we deemed it to be the best place to bury her.

We had gotten rid of the big white structure which held the previous coffin. In its place, a hole was dug where her new coffin would be.

We stood by the side as more werewolves came to pay their respect and give their condolences to us. They came, and stayed by the coffin, crying a few tears and saying a few words to us before they left. Alexander and I just remained quiet, nodding our heads at their words.

Once everybody had already paid their visits, the official ceremony started. Only a handful of werewolves were present in the garden which included a few high-ranked, a few alphas and lunas and Tywin who was the eldest werewolf and also part of the supernatural council. He was the one to carry out the ceremony.

"We are all gathered here today for the funeral of the late Natalia Royal." He started in a solemn voice. "She was a wise queen. A strong warrior. A caring mother and grandmother. A pure soul who sacrificed herself for the betterment of others. While she has left, her memories will forever be with us. Her words will continue to guide us through our lives. May her soul rest in peace and she finds herself in a serene place from where she will watch over us."

I bowed my head down, blinking back the tears. Alexander put his hand around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I leaned into him, seeking his comfort as one of my hands went around him. "If anyone wants to say anything, you may do so."

As much as I wanted to speak I could not. I knew I would not be able to hold myself up and speak without breaking down in front of everyone. I could not do it and I was glad nobody forced me to do it either.

Someone from the higher-ranked werewolves stepped up and delivered a eulogy about the times when grandmother was queen. He talked about how she started off and how she turned into one of the greatest queens we have ever known. Her leadership. Her strength. Her kindness. Her compassion. Her wisdom.

"May she rest in peace." Tywin said as the eulogies were over.

We moved on with the ceremony, the time for the burial having arrived. I kneeled next to her coffin, my hand brushing the golden lettering of her name. "I love you. Thank you for being in my life and being by my side. I hope you get reunited with grandfather." I said in a whisper, a tear falling onto the coffin.

The guards came to pick up the coffin and they led it toward the hole that had been dug. I stood up, and approached where they were lowering her coffin. Tywin said some chants and prayers while my tears kept increasing the further they lowered her.

A sob left me as they let go of her coffin. They began filling the space with soil. Soon the white coffin was no longer visible. It was covered by a layer of brown soil as they continued filling it up. Once it was all covered up, we all kept a minute in silence, doing our own silent prayers in our minds.

Her coffin was surrounded by bushes of her favorite flowers. Petals fell on the soil one by one from the trees in the indoor garden. As Tywin concluded the ceremony, they all left, leaving only Alexander and I in the garden.

"Do you think she is at peace?" I found myself asking as I went closer, kneeling in front of where her coffin was buried.

"Yes." He replied. "She deserves it."

"But she did not deserve death." I said sadly, my voice hoarse as I tried not to break. "She deserved to be here. With us and celebrating our win."

"I know." He knelt beside me, his blue eyes showing nothing but grief and sorrow. "But we cannot change anything now. However, just because she is gone, does not mean that she is forgotten. She will always live through us. Through our memories."

"I hope she finds herself in a great place wherever she is now."

"Wherever she is, I am sure she is happy for her, for you and for us."

"Do you think she can be reunited with my grandfather now? She missed him a lot." I said hopefully. "At least she would not be alone."

"Love is a powerful thing Liz." He spoke up. "Who knows what it can do if it is as strong as theirs."

"I miss her." I turned to look at him with teary eyes. "I miss everything about her. I did not get enough time to be with her."

"I miss her too." He pulled me closer to him by the waist. I rested my cheek on his chest as I wrapped my hands around his torso while his own wrapped around me. "Even if we spent only a little time with her, they were all memorable times that we will never forget."

"We won't" I agreed, sobbing as memories hit me like a train going at full speed.

You have grown into a beautiful, independent and strong girl Analise. Just like a leader should be.

So, tell me about your love life.

Don't be shy. I was of your age once too and I went through that stage too.

I am proud of you.

Have some fun and do something exciting in your life rather than keeping old people like me company

By sitting for hours in a meeting?

Or listening to the boring political talks between the old leaders?

Or is it by having your nose in a book?

Or by sitting by yourself in the cave

You two look cute together. I cannot wait to see your kids

Oh I know. My plans are ingenious

"I will miss her ingenious plans." I say, half sobbing and half laughing.

"They truly were ingenious." Alexander let out a small laugh as he rubbed my back soothingly. "You know, she threatened me once."

"When?" I asked, curious to know why she threatened him.

"It was after we returned to the castle from Amelia's place." He informed me, his voice sounding distant as if he was reliving that moment. "She threatened that she would use violent methods if I ever hurt you." I shook my head to myself.

"She was the one who told me to not give up on us." I told him. "I don't know how but she knew about us from the beginning and she gave me advice on talking to you to clear things."

"She played a huge part in our lives."

"She is one of the main reasons we are together today Xander." I said out loud. "She helped us so much and we did not even know it. She was way too cunning and sly for an old lady."

'Don't call her an old lady!' Crescent pointed out.

"Sorry." I apologised to her. She was also affected by the death of my grandmother. After everything she did, she loved her.

"She was the best grandmother." Alexander said. "She worked her charms and got me under her sweet spell."

"She sure did." I sniffled. "At least she can finally rest and not have to worry about any royal assholes ruining her life or irritating her."

Looking back at the war with a clearer mind, I fully understood the prophecy. Every piece that was missing was in its place.

I was responsible for the doom of the vampires and his allies with the help of my own allies.

I was responsible for our rise.

With the dark shadow inside me- Crescent- and the devil beside me- Alexander- I brought chaos to our enemies and peace to our kingdom.

I became the light for those on our side while the dark for those that wished for our downfall.

I became what my family feared the most. Their doom. And they deserved everything they got.