8

Acela POV

2 Years Later

"Happy Birthday!" Voices shout out startling me and causing me to drop what I was holding.

All my friends and Ron and Oliva are standing in the living room holding a cake with candles shaped as '21' are in the center. I can't believe they did this.

I put a hand on my chest. "You guys almost gave me a heart attack." I say laughing at the grinning faces.

Irelia comes towards me standing in the doorway and gives me a big hug with a huge smile on her face. "I know you said it was no big deal but we couldn't resist!" She says.

I hug her back and look at everyone as they grin. I shake my head laughing. "Thank you guys, this is amazing." I say as I keep looking around at everyone and how the room looks.

They have decorated the entire room with balloons, food, and drinks, the back door is open that leads to the garden and they even decorated the garden too, I'm utterly speechless.

"It's not every day you turn 21 dear, Happy Birthday." Oliva says coming up to me. "This is from Ron and me." She hands me a box prettily wrapped in paper and a colorful bow.

"Thank you so much, you really didn't have to." I say as I hug her and she hugs me back.

Ron pats me on the shoulder. "Happy birthday kid."

I grin and hug Ron for the longest time. "Thank you.. for everything Ron." I say as tears threaten to escape my eyes.

He grumbles. "None-sense, now let's go eat some cake! I got you your favorite, strawberry and cream cheesecake." He says as his eyes light up.

Not just my favorite, Ron's too.

I laugh as follow everyone out the back as I thank everyone for coming, especially, Irelia and Mort, who is supposed to be working today but after they told Elizabeth that it was my birthday, she let them have the day off to celebrate with me.

After I left and quit my job at the palace, it took a while to get used to a new environment outside the Palace and living with Mason's grandparents, Oliva and Ron have been my rock for the past two years, they are like family to me and they have treated me like family, which I will forever be grateful for, their kindness and their generosity for taking me in and lifting me back up.

It still hurts... a lot, but I've made a life for myself now. Mason quit his job at the palace soon after I told him about what happened and resigned the next day, he said he quit because he wouldn't be able to stand to look at the face of the prince every day knowing how he lied and cheated on me.

Mason and I have our own business now, Mason and I now own a little coffee and tea shop in town now. At first, business was slow but since that, I got deals for coffee and tea products from the human realm, all beings and people from the vale wanted to try our new business adventure since many don't travel outside the vale- they don't get to try human stuff much and it is perfect for us, Mason has an interest in human things and I know how to make a mean cup of coffee.

I have not seen or spoken to Caelan since that night I left the Palace, I have heard his name on the news here and there.. it hurt a lot knowing he is out there, feeling the same as me.. but as time went by I learned to hide my feelings for him deep down so I can get on with my life and at least try and be happy.

"Acela dear this just came for you." Oliva says as she places a small envelope and a box, wrapped in black wrapping paper with a gold bow on the table in front of me.

I look at my friends and they shrug.

It's not from them then. Who could this be from?

I open it anyway, it might be from a customer from the shop or a neighbor or maybe it's from that Fae guy that keeps coming into the shop and tries to ask me out every Friday before I get off work.

I open the envelope and see a card inside. I open the card and stare at it. That's when I feel the air leave my lungs and I feel myself pale and grow cold.

Dearest Acela

Happy Birthday

I hope this day brings you happiness and everything you desire and want in life, you deserve it

Please accept this gift

Signed: Prince Caelan Black

I open the small box with shaking hands and pounding in my head as I tear the wrapping off. The box is beautiful, red velvet with gold lining around the edges. Opening the box I see a necklace.

It's a gold necklace with a small glowing Piqus fish inside of a rare transparent pearl, it's beautiful..

But I can't accept this... I- I just can't have this.

Mason grabs the card from my shaking hands then reads it. "You can't be serious." He says angrily as Mort and Ron go to read the card.

I feel a chill run down my spine and I begin to feel the urge to throw up.

"Oh dear, come with me." Oliva says as Irelia follows behind worried as I head straight for the bathroom toilet and empty the remains of my birthday cake into the toilet.

Irelia rubs my back and holds my hair out of the way as I lead over and empty everything out of my stomach.

Oh god..... why, why is this happening, how did he know where I live? Why did he send me this gift and what does it mean? I don't want to feel like this anymore, I hate it.

"Hey, it's alright- it's okay, it's just the bond, you're fine." Irelia says comforting as he strokes my back in circular motions.

I nod my head as tears stain my cheeks. I'm sat on the floor beside the toilet with Oliva and Irelia by my side.

"Acela dear let's get you a drink and some fresh air." Oliva says as I nod and they both pull me up from the ground.