The party is buzzing about mid-way through the night, the castle courtyard had been completely transformed with lamps and bunches of fairy lights. To one side were tables of drinks and a music stand, in the middle of the garden was a makeshift dance floor which people were swaying on. The sounds of excited chatter and laughter were filling the clear air.

I throw-back my 5th glass of blood, at least I think it was my 5th, and pick up another, this time taking little sips as my nerves begin to show. I wipe my clammy hand down the side of my dress, then bring it up to my stomach. Tonight is when I plan to tell him about the baby.

As thoughts of his brown eyes and structured face leave my head, I spot him within a crowd. Smiling widely he tosses his head back in laughter, Ash, standing in a sea of people giving their congratulations.

"Hey," I jump at the sudden voice, thankfully my cup doesn't spill. "Christ, I'm sorry," the voice apologises. I turn and see Eli.

Smacking his arm, I scold him, "you almost gave me a heart attack!"

"Ow," he rubs his arm, frowning at me, "I said I'm sorry."

"Whatever, you big baby," I mumble with a small smile, my focus returning to Ash, as I take another sip. Eli watches my actions.

"So..." he trails glancing down to the hand still over my stomach, and the blood in my cup before following my gaze to Ash. A grin stretches across his face, "I get it now," he says.

I whip my head around, I stare at him wide-eyed, "you can't say anything."

He laughs, "of course I won't, that's something you'll do. How long have you known?"

"About three days."

"Three days!" He looks shocked.

I nod my head, looking down at my belly I speak, "apparently having a demon for a mother and vampire as a father makes for a very complicated pregnancy."

"H-how? You're already showing," he questions.

I shrug, "honestly I'm not that sure, Freya estimated three months until the due date but the way it's going I'd say a month or two, she's eager to get out."

"She?"

I shrug again, "just a feeling."

Silence shrouds us for a moment before Eli speaks, "should've used protection," he jokes shaking his head. I slap his arm, again.

"Shut up, you wouldn't know what protection was if it hit you in the face," I roll my eyes.

Eli laughs, his contagious laughter sets me off and together we become a giggling mess, I missed this, joking about stupid things with Eli.

After taking some calming breaths, Eli asks, "so when are you going to tell him?"

"Tonight, I mean it's not like I can hide it any longer," I finish the rest of my cup which Eli takes from my hand, placing it on a nearby table.

He then glances behind me, smiling Eli speaks, "no better time than the present," and with his last word, pushes me backwards.

I stumble trying to regain my balance but knock into something or should I say, someone.

Arms wrap around my waist as I bring my head up to meet their eyes, Ash. "Careful, Love, I don't what you getting hurt," he says leaning down to kiss me.

I melt as his lips meet mine for a brief moment, as cliche as it sounds, it felt like time had stopped and it was only us two there. I really do love him.

Wait, I'm here for a reason, "I need to talk to you," I glace around us, it's too crowded here, "alone," I add. Grabbing Ash's hand I waste no time and teleport us to another part of the castle gardens. Under the birch tree where he proposed.

"Is everything alright?" Ash asks, his hand tightly holding mine.

"Yeah, I just need to tell you something," I look away for a moment, taking a breath, I meet his gaze, "I'm pregnant."

Ash's eyes grow big before blinking back at me, a smile stretches across his face as he wraps his arms around me. "That's great!!" He cheers spinning us both in circles, "oh god, I'm an idiot. You're pregnant, I shouldn't spin you, do you feel sick?" He always rambles when he's nervous.

Breathing out a laugh, I shake my head. Ash places me back on the ground, hands around my waist with a cheesy grin on his face, "so you're not mad, right? I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier it's just that you've been busy with things so I didn't want to get in the way," I explain.

"Of course I'm not mad, I'm ecstatic, we're having a baby!" He gleams, eyes sparkling, "thank you for thinking about me but, Elle, if need to talk to me about something, know that I will always put you first."

"I know," I nod, matching his smile, "should we head back?"

"Yeah," he starts leading us back to the party, "there are some people I'd like you to meet and if you're ready we can share the news?"

"I'm ready." I nod my head, we slowly trail around, taking our time.

"So how long have you been hiding little Ash Junior?" He questions, humour clear in his tone.

"You wish!" I tease, "Ash Junior is definitely off the list."

"There's a list!?" He laughs.

"Not yet but there will be, it wouldn't fit anyway," I shake my head, "I think it's going to be a girl."

"Our Princess," Ash smiles, thoughts of a little girl with brown hair and matching chocolate eyes fill his head.

"So who did you want me to meet?" I ask, breaking him from his thoughts as the curiosity gets the better of me.

As we return to the venue, Ash looks around quickly zoning in on a group of diverse people.

"Them," he nods his head, walking over to the group one of the females notices us coming over and alerts the others.

"Elle, I'd like to introduce you to the ambassadors of the other species," Ash says greeting them, they all bow their heads which I return.

Going around the circle of 4, Ash names them, "this is Daphne Wolfsbane," he gestures to the person closest to us, she was the one who first saw us coming over. Daphne stood with her head held high, clearly taller than my 5'6 frame and had the air of natural beauty with her hazel eyes and similarly coloured brown hair.

"She is the representative of the were-wolves, next to her is Willa Foxglove," Willa was a lot shorter than Daphne, similar to my height. Also contrasting Daphne's strong build, being more slim and lean with silver hair.

"She's the representative of the were-foxes, however, they both work for the best interests of the entire Shifter Nation."

The girls smile, "it's nice to meet you Elouise," Willa says sweetly, bowing her head once more.

"Likewise," Daphne adds, laughing at Willa's formalities. They must be close.

I smile, replying, "there's no need to be so formal, call me Elle and I'm happy to meet you two as well."

Willa nods her head as Daphne speaks nudging her, "Will, drop the formalities."

Willa smiles at me before sharply elbowing Daphne making her bend over, "shut up, she is still a queen," Willa says scolding her.

We laugh at their antics before Ash moves on to the 3rd person, "alright, next is-"

Ash gets cut off, "Sachiel Mistbreath, Ambassador of the Fae Nation," taking my hand the dark-haired and sapphire eyed male kisses it. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance your highness," he says with a sly grin.

"Nice to meet you too," I return, thrown by the gesture.

"Sachiel, I swear if you don't get your nymph hands off my wife, I'll remove them for you," Ash warns, stepping closer.

Sachiel's grin grows as he continues to hold my hand. Daphne looks excited to see a fight break out and Willa looks worried.

"You've got until 3. 1...2..." Ash counts.

Sachiel releases my hand, and with a laugh comments, "you wouldn't have done anything anyway."

Ash says something under his breath which sets Sachiel off and they begin to bicker like children.

My attention moves to the final foreign face in the group, she looks unimpressed by Ash and Sachiel's dispute but as her gaze turns to me newfound curiosity lights.

Familiarity washes over me but I can't put my finger on why. She's similar in height to me with copper hair and amber eyes.

She dips her head, "Miraina, former Princess, and current Ambassador of the Sea. I am also partial Ambassador of Hell, the title is still a work in progress," she introduces.

My eyes widen, "I didn't know there was an Ambassador for Hell," I admit.

She smiles gently, "up until recently the job didn't exist so I can see why. Although I don't really represent Hell as much as Michael, he's the other Ambassador, he had other demon duties to attend to."

"Demon?"

"Yes, I assume you must both share blood as he is one of the many demons of Hell, an original if you can call him that."

Ash and Sachiel's voices begin to grow louder, Mira and I sigh in unison, she gives me a knowing look as I copy her actions.

She grabs Sachiel's collar and drags him away from Ash, doing the same I yank Ash backwards into me.

"Hey!" The pair fuss, "ouch," Sachiel says hurt by Miraina's smack on his head.

"We are here to congratulate the couple and represent our Nation, not squabble like pubescent boys." She chides, before looking at me in hope to solve the problem, "Elle."

I nod, "Ash apologise to Sachiel."

"But I-" he stutters.

"Ash."

"Fine," he bites, "I'm sorry."

Sachiel smirk returns, he pulls Ash into a hug and accepts the sincere-less apology, "no hard feelings Ashy, you know I was only teasing."

"Yeah, yeah," Ash mumbles pushing Sachiel away which only makes the fae grin further. Eventually, Sachiel lets go and Ash retreats to my side, taking my hand.

"Thank you for all coming, if you'll excuse us for a moment," I say, they all bow their heads as we step away.

"Time for the announcement?" Ash tilts his head slightly with a growing smile on his face.

I nod my head, "get ready for more congratulations," I joke as we head towards the music booth.

He squeezes my hand, "it's all worth it for you."

I melt at his words, "I love you."

"I love you too," he lightly kisses my forehead, "you ready?" He asks as we step up to the booth, the person glances at us before bowing his head, he then stops the music and moves away from the booth.

"Yes, let's do this," I say as we face the crowd who mirrors confusion at the sudden silence.

Ash's voice comes out loud and clear, with a smile from cheek to cheek he echoes, "we have an announcement to make..."

——————————————————

Hello, my fellow quarantined buddies, here's the epilogue, it's very unedited but I thought you guys might like to have something to read lol.

See y'all later.

Enami out ;-)