Not once in her entire life had Aradia ever seen so many gifts; piled on top of the grand dark cherry, foot length, dining table stacked like an ancient Mayan pyramid. Tears started to gather in her eyes as she gazed at them wrapped in glittering boxes or stuffed in bags with cards hanging from their sides.
Ever since Aradia was little, people had treated her as if she was nothing more than a circus freak. She had grown up having only a few if not any friends. At least, not until she had moved to Salem. Now she was surrounded by thousands of people smiling at her, celebrating the day, she had been found in the cave by her parents, and Aradia could honestly say she had never felt happier in her life.
She took her time opening the gifts and thanking the people who gave them to her because as far as she was concerned, she wanted this moment to last forever. Roy's gift, however, was handed to her by none other than Roy himself. It was wrapped in a big red box, but the first thing she ripped open was the card.
"It lies not in our power to love or hate,
For will in us is overruled by fate.
When two are stripped, long ere the course begin,
We wish that one should love, the other win,
And one especially do we affect
Of two gold ingots, like in each respect:
The reason no man knows; let it suffice
What we behold is censured by our eyes.
Where both deliberate, the love is slight:
Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?
-a poem by CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE
Happy Birthday Aradia,
Love, Roy Morales."
Aradia read all this aloud for the whole party to hear. Afterwards, she turned to stare at Roy who just grinned sheepishly.
Finally, Aradia managed to say, "Oh god that is so sweet. I mean god thank you. Thank you Roy. I love this card. I love it. It's perfect!"
"If you like sissy love poems," Tristan grumbled.
Aradia ignored him as she squeezed through the crowd to hug Roy who eagerly hugged her back.
For a while the two of them just stood there embracing in front of the whole crowd until Aradia broke free and said, "Thank you so much Roy. I love it."
"I am glad you liked the card," Roy said while shoving his hands in his pockets, "But what about the present?"
Aradia blushed; she then quickly turned back to where the red box lay at the head of the table. Glancing one more time affectionately at Roy, Aradia quickly went back to the table and tore away the wrapping paper. A jewelry gift box? Aradia thought to herself, why would he give me something like this? Regardless, Aradia opened the box and exclaimed once she saw the contents. It was a crescent moon pendent, made from mother of pearl, which was strung upon on a thick chain of gold.
"Oh my god Roy!" Aradia gasped, "It's beautiful!"
"Not as beautiful as you are," said Roy smiling.
Aradia jumped and turned around; Roy had squeezed through the crowd to stand right behind her.
"Here," he said softly and reaching out to pluck the necklace from the box. "Let me put it on you."
Aradia flipped her hair out of the away, too touched, and too speechless to protest. She stayed perfectly still as Roy gently clasped the necklace around her neck as softly as a caress.
"You know there is an old saying," Roy said as low as a whisper. "And that is 'what truly makes jewelry look exquisite is the woman who wears them'."
"Oh brother!" Titania muttered while rolling her eyes.
Aradia touched the pendent as it lay at the base of her throat and turned her head to say softly, "Thank you."
Roy just smiled as he rested his hands on her shoulders and gazed into her eyes. Dax's coughing finally got them to snap out of it. Embarrassed, Aradia stepped away from Roy and turned back to the gifts. Dax glared at Roy until he resentfully stepped back from Aradia. Finally going to his girlfriend's side, Dax stood and started handing Aradia her gifts. She tried to open her mouth and explain her behavior, but the fact that Dax refused to look in her in the eye helped her to realize that he didn't want to talk. So she shrugged regretfully and continued opening her presents.
There were so many gifts that it took an hour and a half to finish unwrapping them all. Afterwards there was cake and ice cream, but it was only while the party seemed to be winding down when Aradia gathered her courage to ask Tristan, "So I guess since this is my party I should be the one to clean this up right?"
Tristan was so tempted but instead he said, "Aradia, you may think I am an egotistical, and arrogant clod but I can assure you I do have some class."
Aradia looked at him blankly.
He groaned and said, "In other words Aradia, no you don't have to stay and clean up. I threw you this party so I will do it."
Aradia's eyes grew wide. "Why thank you Tristan."
"Whatever," was his reply before he turned and left.
Aradia's look of gratitude then melted into irritation as she muttered, "What do you mean I think you are an egotistical, and arrogant clod?"
As soon as she spun around, she bumped right into Dax.
"Jesus! I wish you wouldn't scare me like that," Aradia said after jumping about a foot in the air.
"Now where's the fun in that?" Dax chuckled, smirking.
Suddenly, a song came upon the loud speakers and started echoing throughout the entire forest. It was Kiss from a Rose by Seal and almost immediately, Dax swept her into his arms. After placing his hand on her waist, intertwining the other with Aradia's, and resting her head on his shoulder they began to dance.
"I have been dreaming of this moment since the party first started," He murmured as he pressed his lips to her hair.
"You too?" Aradia joked softly.
The two of them swayed, letting the seduction of the music envelop them.
"It's amazing really," she murmured. "I have all these powers and yet I never feel more powerful than when I am with you."
"It's called 'power of the heart' Aradia love," Dax chuckled, "And I think you will find it's the strongest type of magic of all."
Aradia threw her head back and laughed.
When the song ended, the two of them still stood together holding each other's hands and staring into each other's eyes. The fact that no words escaped between them for five whole minutes made it seem as if speech was not necessary to feed their infatuation with one another.
Aradia finally did speak though. "You know Dax, about the necklace thing with Roy..."
"He's still in love with you," Dax stated in a voice that bore no argument.
Aradia's jaw dropped. "What?"
"I may not be able to read his mind, but I can easily tell what he is thinking by the way he looks at you."
"But last year...I told him..." Aradia stammered.
"He doesn't care. He doesn't care about what you told him or that you chose me. One of my friends overheard him speaking to his brother. Roy thinks you are his mate for life..."
"His what?" Aradia shrieked, clutching her hands to her chest
Dax merely nodded.
Aradia struggled with her response, "But I am not even a werewolf..."
"That doesn't matter to them," Dax stated as a matter of fact. "A werewolf's mate for life doesn't even have to be another werewolf. I mean look at Xan and Brenna he is sure as hell not a werewolf and yet the two of them are inseparable so much so that they are thinking of moving in together."
Aradia's jaw dropped even further.
"What?" she gasped in astonishment.
"Oh I guess you didn't hear huh? It turns out that ever since Xan killed Brenna's ex-husband he's been courting her constantly."
Stunned was definitely a good word to describe Aradia's expression at this point.
"The things I miss when I don't hang out with you," She finally muttered.
Dax couldn't help, but chuckle.
He also couldn't help, but discuss Roy's feelings for her as well. "It's obvious that he is still into you Aradia, so much so that I think maybe..."
He trailed off and for a brief moment, he turned away with his hand pressed against his face.
"Dax?" Aradia began cautiously. "What's wrong?"
Sighing, he turned back to look at her with a deep regretful sadness in his eyes.
"Aradia," He started to say slowly. "When we started going out I made a promise to myself never to tell you what to do but I am afraid I am going to have to break it."
"Meaning?" Aradia asked as she folded her arms.
"I think you should stop seeing Roy," He spat out, "Permanently."
Aradia's mouth dropped open again.
"But he's my friend..."
"Who happens to be in love with you," Dax snapped.
"But I can't just..."
"Aradia, you said that when we started dating things would have to change," He pointed out. "Well this is one of those things that have to change. I don't want you to hanging out with other guys especially ones who would like to get into your knickers."
Aradia rolled her eyes. "Dax, you're exaggerating..."
"Regardless, I don't want you hanging around him anymore," Dax said firmly.
At first, Aradia didn't know how to respond until Dax took both of her hands in his. "Aradia my love, my Rai of sunshine, and rainbow light since the day we first met I have never asked anything of you."
He then placed both of her hands on his face. "But now I am asking you to stay away from him. I want so much to trust you Aradia and your faithfulness so please help me do so by staying away from this guy."
The first few thoughts that ran through Aradia's mind was defending her friendship with Roy and telling Dax that he had no right to choose whom she could hang out with. But then she looked into Dax's eyes and saw the tenderness reflecting in his black pupils,
Sighing, Aradia gave in to his request. "Alright Dax, I won't see Roy again I promise. At least not outside of school and sure as hell not without you."
Dax smiled, extremely satisfied.
His good mood did not last as soon as he noticed the droop of Aradia's head and the slight gloominess of her expression.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
Aradia sighed. "It's just that Roy was the first friend I ever made when I came to Salem and he and I have been through so much together..."
Dax inhaled and exhaled a sharp breath before interrupting her. "Look love, I know he's one of your best friends and I don't like making you choose between your friends and me. But the fact is you are going to have to make a choice: your relationship with me or your friendship with him."
Aradia was silent for a few minutes. "What kind of a choice is that?"
Dax shrugged. "An unfair one I'll admit, but necessary."
There was another period of silence before Dax asked, "So what is your choice?"
Aradia sighed before stepping on her tiptoes, throwing her arms around Dax's neck, and kissing him.
"Does that answer your question?" She said softly.
Dax only smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her harder.