Serene’s POV

The outskirt of the cemetery was strewn with herds of black unicorns. The magnificent creatures stood as guards behind the fence of the cemetery. Their flawless coal-black bodies shone and glistened under the sun. It appeared as if they had come out to pay their respects.

Zian and Crimzon, both adorning white attire were waiting for me near the cemetery door. They had been receiving guests and guiding them to their respective seats. They hugged me closer as I approached them, their expressions solemn.

Crimzon offered me a small bouquet of white lilies which was wrapped with a white ribbon.

Thanking her I stepped inside the cemetery with Zeph. An icy blue shield covered the whole cemetery while royal guards from both Hexum and Fae Realm were guarding and patrolling the surrounding area.

We made our way to the area where the funeral was to be held. White chairs decorated with white daffodils and ribbons had been arranged in neat rows. It was a clear area reserved for memorial services.

Our extended family was here as well from the side of both grandma and grandpa.

Individually I met every one of them to accept their condolences. Holding their hands, some of them patted me on my head, and others gave me warm hugs. After meeting everyone Zeph and I settled down in the front seats with my father, who sat with a gloomy face but his head held high.

A fresh grave had been dug and my grandmother’s coffin rested on a catafalque beside it. My heart tightened at the sight of her white coffin and it was hard to believe she was truly gone.

Getting up I approached the coffin and peeked at her eternally sleeping being for the last time. She had been wrapped in a white cloth and two white flowers covered her eyes. I placed my hand on the glass as two fresh tears fell on it. Zeph rubbed my back and led me back to my seat.

As per tradition, her extended family was to wrap her coffin in white silk. Her brother who was two years younger than her and was now the oldest member of our family stepped forward with a long white silken cloth. My father got up from his seat as well and joined him.

Both of them began to wrap her coffin up in the long piece of cloth. A few of the family members dabbed their eyes with their handkerchiefs. I watched on with teary eyes and a constricted throat, it was difficult to even breathe.

Once they were done, father remained there by her coffin. All the guests who had brought the red piece of cloth stepped forward and began to tie them in different places on the coffin. Alexis and Artins Sensei were the first ones to do it.

It was their way of showing reverence to her. Offering red cloth was considered a symbol of their utmost respect for the deceased, especially according to Hexum traditions.

Folkels had brought wreaths, Prince Zohun Li was the first one to tie his wreath with a ribbon to the coffin. Xin Li, Ana and Ralph did the same. Zeph took the wreath from his mother and was the last of the folkels to tie his to her coffin.

She was now ready to be lowered into the grave. The air seemed heavy with sighs and silent tears of the people present. The sun shone brightly today as bright as her smile used to be. Long red pieces of clothes were picked up by six people, including my father, Kilamin, Zeph, my grandmother’s brother, Artins Sensei and Zian.

They slowly descended the coffin into the dug-up hole, my heart seemed to descend with her, my emotions choking me, and the endless stream of tears flowed down my cheeks. The red cloth strips were then dropped on top of the coffin.

Stepping back they gave space to master Amiyan; Fae in charge of the cemetery. He swished his hand and the grave swiftly began to fill up with soil. Swirling in the air like a small whirlpool and dropping inside, filling it. He then levelled the top and smoothed it out.

Two fae guards brought a white epitaph with my grandmother’s name inscribed on it. My father positioned the epitaph in the direction of where her head lay. Silent tears flowed from his eyes and disappeared into the soil of her grave, remaining with her, forever.

I finally got up and took my bouquet of lilies to be placed alongside the epitaph. Placing my hand on the soil, to feel any lingering part of her. I squatted beside her grave. Zian and Crimzon followed my example along with all the other people who had brought flowers and placed them on her grave.

Kilamin brought a single white rose and placed it alongside my bouquet of lilies.

The pain he felt was evident on his face and yet he couldn’t express his emotions as openly as we did nor he could hug me although I desperately needed him close.

Father began to recite our holy prayer and everyone bowed their heads in respect. I closed my eyes and listened on, it didn’t ease the boisterous emotions bubbling inside me. After finishing I went over to him and embraced him, both our hearts heavy and burdened. It will take a while for us to soothe them.

I sat there for an eternity. Zeph placed his hand on my shoulder and gently squeezed, letting me know it was time to go. Reluctantly I got up and staggered to my seat, he wrapped his arm around my waist, in case I would fall.

Zian used his magic to completely cover the grave with tiny plants and flowers. Small fairies who dwelled in our realm and made flowers their abode, began to appear, and settle down on the flowers. Even they were paying homage to my grandma. It was a magnificent scene to watch, magic mingled with nature bringing forth a mesmerizing display of different species of our realm, all of them saddened to lose a beautiful soul.

The guests began to leave slowly. I greeted everyone before bidding them goodbye. Ralph and Ana decided to return because of the little ones back home. Prince Zohun Li had decided to escort them back. Zeph decided to stay with me for a few days. I was full of gratitude for him.

Kilamin and our guards made sure that everyone reached the portal safely. By the time evening arrived most of the guests had returned to their respective realms and we had to our castle.

Father had retired to his room early, for he was drowning in sorrow after lowering another woman to the grave. Kilamin went to patrol the borders and access the situation, surprisingly it had been very uneventful for the past three days.

Zian went to check on Arlo, who was still unconscious and it was adding to my worries. First Ayrden and now Arlo had succumbed to her mind control. Prayers left my lips every time I thought of my friends.

Zeph accompanied me to my room. I asked Agatha to prepare a room for him and bring food, some part of the castle was still under construction due to the damages we received. Luckily, my room remained intact.

"Make yourself comfortable and get refreshed, Agatha will bring food," I informed him as we entered our room. I went over to my bed and lay down, having zero energy left.

"How are you feeling now?" He inquired sauntering over to my bed and sitting beside me, extending his hand he caressed my cheek with his knuckles.

"I don’t know, my heart aches a lot." I held his hand against my cheek, feeling him close. He lay down beside me and pulled me closer to him, hiding my face in his chest.

Security and warmth were the two feelings that swept over me, whenever he was closer. He smelled of fresh forest trees, I inhaled deeply, trying to soothe my senses. His ardent lips softly kissed my head. "Try to get some sleep," he breathed in my hair.

I lifted my head and my eyes found him, they shone bright, the coal-black colour of his eyes had always mesmerized me, they were like bottomless pits I wanted to lose my way in. His face had bruises which were almost fading now.

I traced my finger over them and asked: "What happened?"

"Nothing, just some thorny bushes I fell in." He responded in a soft tone. I leaned closer and kissed his bruises and he closed his eyes to feel my touch on his skin, his lips were inviting like a tender and delicate delicacy. I traced his lips with my thumb and whispered: "How?"

He opened them and engulfed the tip of my thumb in his mouth and sucked it softly, his pitch-black spheres watching me intently.

Before he could answer a slight knock on the door pulled us out of our little trance, unwillingly he let go of me and I got up to give the command to enter.