Battle of the Elements
Chapter 28 Melanie

“Wow.” I said dumbly.

“Yeah.” Bridgette said. She had her arms hanging beside her loosely but her hands were clenched so tight her knuckles were turning white.

“I- I just thought Damian was a guard who disliked you, or one of your exes you pissed off.” I said. I felt terrible now that I realised the greater impact of what I had said earlier when Bridgette had tried to stop me from running.

Bridgette smiled slightly, “I wish it was that simple. I’ve ran into him a few times.”

“How can he fight you?” I asked, “I mean, you have trained in combat and he’s just a farm boy.”

“He left to train as a knight.” She said, “He wants to hunt me down for killing them.”

“Your parents?” I asked – what was with me and asking dumb questions?

“Yeah.” She said weakly.

“But, you didn’t start the fire. You said it yourself, you woke up and it had already started.”

“I know Melanie. Trust me, I know. I went back and looked over and over for any other explanation but there wasn’t any. All I found was some scorch marks at the front of the house that were created earlier than the rest.” She shrugged, “But I can’t think what – or who – could’ve started the fire but me.”

“I’m sorry.” I said, it just rolled off my tongue without my being able to stop it.

“I’m over it.” She said, then, she gave a yawn, “Well, I’m off to bed. Don’t wake me up in the morning, I don’t want to be hungover.” She said as she wandered back into the house and slumped down on the cushions.

Titania

I cursed myself over and over silently as I ate breakfast. I had wanted to be strong, but once again I was the weak one of the group. I also wished this whole pregnant thing would be over soon. I didn’t know how people thought this was magical, it was more like a nightmare. I felt my stomach twist again and I pulled the bucket closer to me.

Shane waltzed into the room casually, “How are you feeling?” he asked as he set himself down beside me.

“Pregnant.” I croaked.

He gave me a chuckle and I felt myself grin. “Sounds fun.” He said, stroking my cheek with his hand.

I felt my eyelids droop and gave a yawn.

“You need to sleep.” He said.

“I’m fine. I’m not tired at all.” I said, trying to hide my yawn.

“You haven’t had a good sleep since you came to the labs a year ago. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the bags under your eyes.”

I felt heat rush to my face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I feel fine.”

“You’re clutching the bucket like it hold the secret to life itself. You fainted this morning when you woke up. You’re not fine.” He said with a small smile. He kissed my forehead, “You can go back if you want.”

“Where?” I asked, puzzled by the question.

“Home. We can go back. I know you want to help me with this but I can easily send Bridgette to the Black Magi. We can go home, I can start up a business that can get us enough money to get a house.” He said with a smile, “That would be the best for the baby anyway.”

I thought about it for a while. I admit, I didn’t think it would feel this bad. I imagined my bed at home, my little library, and my father. “I’ll think about it. But can we talk about something else I’ve been thinking about?”

“Sure,” he said, running his hand over my hair, “What’s up?”

“Names.” I said with a giggle. “We need to think about three names. One if it’s a boy, one if it’s a girl, and one for now, when we don’t know what it is.”

Shane’s smile grew wider, “Ok, well, for the one now, what about Moon?”

“Moon?” I asked, raising an eyebrow playfully, “Why Moon?”

“Well, as a kid, we were only allowed outside for one night a month to see a full moon. I always thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on – that was when I was with the Black Magi and wasn’t allowed to socialise myself with girls outside of the family – and this baby will probably be the best thing in my life. So why not name it Moon?”

I thought for a moment, thinking it sounded so sweet, “Moon.” I said, trying it on my tongue. I put my hand to my stomach subconsciously. “It’s perfect.” I said.

I saw his eyes light up and he leaned over and kissed the tip of my nose.

“What about names for when it’s older?” I said, those were the important ones.

“For a boy, what about Andrew?” he asked.

I made a face like I was disgusted, “No way. I don’t like that name.”

“Why?” He said with a laugh.

“You may as well name it Dave. It’s just a really common name.” I said with a smirk.

“Fine. What about you?”

“I like the name Nina.” I said, “It was my mother’s name.”

“No it wasn’t.” he said, “Your mother’s name was Amanda. You were just trying to make me like the name.” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Guilty as charged. But I do really like the name.”

“I don’t. What about Lily?”

“That’s cute. But I like names that are original. Oh! What about Austin?”

“I guess its ok.” He said with a shrug.

My face dropped, “You don’t like it.”

“Not at all.” He sighed.

“What’s your sister’s name?” I asked, I didn’t mean to, it just slipped out.

I saw Shane flinch slightly, “Luna.” He said. I felt bad, his sister hated him for leaving the Black Magi. It was sad, but he still loved her.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t ha-”

“Don’t worry about it. You didn’t do anything.” He cut me off.

Melanie came running into the room her face was flooded with so many emotions I couldn’t tell which one was which, all I could tell was that none of them were good.

She ran to Bridgette – who I forgot was asleep in the corner – and shook her violently to wake her up.

Bridgette woke up with a groan that immediately froze when she saw Melanie’s face. Melanie’s eyes were glistening with tears as she spoke in a broken voice, “Jake’s getting married this morning.”

Bridgette turned a shade of white as she pulled Melanie into her. Melanie wrapped her arms around Bridgette and nuzzled her face into her neck. Bridgette started rocking back and forth as she stroked Melanie’s hair, making soothing noises that you would make to a baby to make it go to sleep.

Shane took my hand, “I think we should leave.”

I nodded and stood up. A wave of dizziness hit me like a wall and I lost my balance. Shane put his arm around my waist to keep me on my feet as I almost fell on top of him. He led me out of the room gently. As I walked past, I saw Melanie’s tear streaked face. I had no idea Jake meant that much to her.

Jake

My mother sat on one of the benches. I pulled on my collar – I hated this shirt, I wanted my shirt that I was wearing when I got here. Aldo was sitting with my mum, he caught my gaze and smirked, he crushed his lips against my mum’s. I wanted to hit him – what else was new. Oh! That’s what was new! I was getting married first thing in the morning. I looked around the crowd and swore under my breath as I saw Melanie sitting in the back row with Shane, Bridgette and Titania. I didn’t want her to see this. I didn’t want to see this!

I tugged at the collar of my shirt again as everyone stood up in their seats. Melanie stood up too, her eyes flickered to me for a moment. But she just blushed slightly and looked away as though I was never there.

Emma came walking down the aisle. She was pretty in her dress, it was knee length and white, small white flowers trimmed her dress and her hair was up in a tight bun that looked like it would hurt. Her face seemed to be glowing – she was probably wearing some kind of makeup. I wouldn’t know what though, Melanie was the only one who ever told me about makeup and all she said was ‘I think it’s weird.’

She looked at me and beamed, I gave a smile back, trying to get rid of the bile rising in the back of my throat from nerves. I looked to Melanie again, god she was beautiful. She had gotten dressed up for the event like everyone else. She had replaced her black faded jeans, white singlet and leather jacket for a blue, ankle high dress that was probably Titania’s. Her hair was tousled over her shoulder without any effort and her grey eyes were locked onto my wife-to-be. Why am I looking at Melanie instead of my bride? I though. I gave a slight shake of my head and prayed that Emma would hurry up – surely it didn’t take this long to walk right?

Emma finally reached the archway and looked me in the eyes, I averted my eyes away from her and I could already feel her holding my hand – trust me, it took everything I had not to shake it off.

Morrie – who replaced the priest since werewolves don’t tend to believe in gods – looked at both of us and I could’ve sworn I saw a glint of weariness in her eyes as she said the next words, “We bring these two young lovers together to unite them in their glory, to entwine their souls in the great adventure that is life. These two will face the ultimate challenge as they enter their life together, they will need to trust, they need to love, but above all, they must be willing to sacrifice it all for each other. Do you, Emma from the Alsek region, take Jake from the Asta region to be your lover, best friend and light in your life?”

Emma smiled at me and I swallowed, “I do.”

Morrie smiled then turned to me, “Do you, Jake from the Asta region, take Emma from the Alsek region to be your lover, best friend and light in your life?”

I opened my mouth, I felt everyone’s eyes plastered to me and a bead of sweat rolled down my neck, “I…” I started to say, but I couldn’t get the next words out of my mouth. “I-I-” I couldn’t say it I felt my mouth turn dry and I searched the crowd, replaceing Melanie, “I do not.” I said without thinking.

I saw Emma’s face turn red with anger and disbelief, “What?”

“I don’t.” I said clearer, sounding stronger than I felt. I saw my mother gasp and clutch Aldo’s hand. “I’m sorry Emma, but I don’t love you. I do want to have this peace treaty though. Please forgive me, but I can’t stay here with you and pretend to be in love.”

Emma turned to me, the rage practically lighting her face on fire and burning off her makeup. “I have to go.” I said with a sheepish expression.

I walked away from the crowd who were still gaping like fish out of water. I took Melanie’s hand and led her out of the area. She eventually came to her senses and pulled her hand away when we reached a safe distance.

Melanie

As soon as I snapped out of my daze I pulled my hand away. “Jake, what the hell are you-” I didn’t get to finish the sentence before Jake pulled me towards him, shoving his lips against mine. I pulled away at first, this wasn’t right, I wasn’t supposed to be with him, not when our races hated each other’s guts. I wouldn’t be a part of that whole fairy tale, star-crossed-lovers stuff, it just wasn’t me. But Jake didn’t let go, and neither did I. Screw it. I threw my arms around his neck and leant into him.

Our kiss deepened and I don’t know how long we stood there before Bridgette came around the corner with a giant smile spreading across her face, “Guys, not that I don’t ship Jalenie or anything, but I don’t think this is the time for extending your relationship, especially since we have an angry bride storming this way as I speak.”

As if on que, three people round the corner – Emma, Brian and Jake’s mum. Shit.

Jake pulled away from me, opening his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Shit, Shit, Shit! Brian looked to me, then to Jake, then to me again. His mouth was gaping like he just saw me come back from the dead. Emma was the opposite, her mouth was in a tight bundle as she shakily pointed a finger at me, “You… YOU!” she screamed as she lunged at me, transforming in mid-air. I don’t think I’ve ever sworn this much in one moment in time! It was beginning to lose its meaning. I tried to dodge her but it was too late. A giant, blonde wolf fell onto me, I felt a sharp pain rocketing up my wrist as the full weight of me and Emma came crashing down on top of it as I lost my balance. I pulled out my katana and shoved it up into her arm. A yelp rang through the air as the others stood there, too stunned to act or do anything. Emma snapped at my head, I saw her white fangs as they nicked my cheek. I felt a warm liquid slowly dripping from my cheek as a numb pain exploded around the area. I swore under my breath again, but didn’t let it bug me – I had had far worse.

I couldn’t kill her. That would cause havoc through the wolf clans. So I just aimed for the non-lethal spots, her arms, her legs, and her collarbone. None of it worked. I swore under my breath again as I felt Emma’s blood drip down onto my face and dress – Titania was going to kill me when she saw this dress, or what remained of it anyway – but didn’t seem to bother Emma. Something barrelled into her and I took in a breath as the heavy weight was gone and I could stand up again.

I looked to the attacker to see Titania, breathing heavily with her arm pointed to Emma. I looked to Emma, who had now gone back to her original form. She was being held by a large tree branches, struggling to get free. I looked at her wide eyed as I registered the look of pure utter hatred that was pointed at me. I felt two warm hands on my shoulders and spun around to see Bridgette wearing a concerned look on her face. I tried to raise my hand to say I was fine, but was greeted with a sharp pain exploding through my arm. I winced in pain as I clutched my arm. Ow.

Bridgette squeezed my shoulders but didn’t say anything, she knows that what makes Emma think she’s strong – never let the enemy see you weak.

Emma spat at my heels. I looked at her blankly as I uttered the next few words, “I’m leaving.” I said before walking calmly away from everyone.