Celestial Gardens(The Last Star Trilogy #2)

I put all my concentration into manipulating that stupid rock and when I finally lifted it off the ground it hit my forehead. Hellen couldn’t help but laugh and I joined in.

“This is too hard,” I complained.

“You just have to focus.”

“What do you think I’ve been doing these past few weeks?”

“That’s not what I meant,” she said. “You’ve been working really hard.”

“Then why can’t I do this?”

“It takes time and practice,” she told.

We were in one of the rooms in the Conference Hall building. She was sitting across from me, on a small wooden table between us was a Star Stone from Virgo.

“I hope you’re not distracted by the wedding planning,” she worried.

“No, it’s no trouble at all,” I started. “It’s fun to plan an event. Besides, I’m not the only one.”

Hellen and Alfred had decided to have their wedding in one of the huge rooms in the Conference Hall building. It was only a couple of their friends and some of my friends.

“Do you have your dress?” I asked.

“I’m still working on it,” she smiled. I could tell she was excited but also a little scared.

“Are you sure about the time?”

“In a week.” She shrugged.

“I think a week would be fine but you and Alfred should discuss it together,” I said.

“We have been talking about it,” she played with her black hair. There were grey streaks, indicating she hadn’t dyed it in a few days.

My insides turned all of a sudden. After so much Astral Travel I’d been feeling queasy. The Star Stone manipulation wasn’t helping.

“Those earrings look good,” she complimented.

“Thanks,” I smiled. My ears still hurt from the piercing. Now I had two earrings in each ear. Lyra really did a good job, she had given me her small star earrings. Four of them, of course .

“Who did them for you?” Hellen asked.

“My friend Lyra,” I told. “She did them for some of the other girls too.”

Hellen nodded. There was a long pause. I tried to move the stone again but it gave me a headache. I didn’t give up though. I concentrated on it as if I was trying to conduct Virgo. No luck. I only moved it a little and then it toppled over. I retrieved it from the floor.

Hellen opened and closed her mouth a bunch of times, beads of sweat had appeared on her forehead. She looked like she wanted to tell me something.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“I wanted to ask you something, Annabelle.” She sat up straight.

“Go ahead,”

“It’s about...” she hesitated. “It’s about Alec.”

“Alec?” I repeated.

“Yes,” she said. “When you first met him, how was he?”

“I don’t understand,” I puzzled.

“How was he? I mean, was he doing fine?” she worried.

“Ummm...” I thought for a moment. “He seemed like a really nice guy,”

“That’s not what I asked.” she said.

“He was doing fine,” I mumbled. “I mean, what do you want to know about him?”

“Just want to know if he’s doing well without...” she trailed off.

“What’s wrong?”

“I suppose you deserve to know,” she said to no one in particular. “I’ve been keeping this inside of me for way too long. I talked to Alfred he doesn’t seem to have a problem with it and...”

“Woah. Hold up!” I demanded. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s a long and complicated story,” she told. “It’s something to do with your family,”

For some reason, I thought of the letter Alfred had given me that was from mom. “What about it?”

She sighed, then shifted in her seat. “What I am about to tell you is a complicated story but eventually you’ll find it a bit amusing and you’ll know why it’s important that you know,”

She rolled up her sleeve and I knew she was going to show me her Sign. I had been wanting to know what Constellation she was from.

“My name is Hellen Hydrus,” she said. My eyes nearly popped out at those words. “I was first married to Jaxon Hydra, he was also my cousin. He’s the one who named Stellarego’s capital city, Hydrus after my Constellation. I left Jaxon after I found out his true intentions of stealing all the Stars. But I didn’t just leave Jaxon, I left the title of Queen, a job that I valued and most of all, I left my son, Alec Hydra.”

“What?” I yelped.

“Yes,” she nodded. “Alec is my son but he was an infant when I left so he doesn’t know I’m his mother. Jaxon didn’t let me take him because at the time he was the heir to the throne and he was a descendant of Hydra. I came to Crimsyn State, Jaxon was furious with me. See, we were cousins and we were married to secure our family’s relations.”

“After a few years, Jaxon married Sophie Serpens. She’s mine and Jaxon’s cousin, they had Lydia and Keegan Hydra. Till this day I haven’t spoken to my son, Alec. I have been banished from Stellaregno. the only mercy Jaxon had was that he spared my life.”

“That’s got nothing to do with my family,” I said. Still shocked.

She showed me her Sign. The symbol of Hydrus. It was complicated, hard to describe. “When I left Jaxon he removed Hydra’s Sign from me. Hydra and Hydrus aren’t much different though.”

“What has this got to do with my family?” I wondered out loud.

“Here’s the complicated part,” she sighed.

“Oh, that wasn’t the complicated part?”

“My younger sister was Ariana Hydrus,” she continued.

“I met her in Celestial Gardens,” I remembered suddenly. My eyes widened at the implication. I gasped, getting up, almost knocking the chair over. “You’re related to my grandmother!”

Hellen stared at me as if to imply that I was being overdramatic. I cleared my throat and sat down.

“She was married to Grayson Ophiuchus,” she said. “He was your mother’s father. Your mother, Eloise Ophiuchus was their only child. I was your mother’s aunt.”

“Is there anything else about my family that I don’t know?” I asked, though Pops and Grandma had told me that part, I still hadn’t imagined it sounding this complicated out loud.

“Just listen,” she demanded. “Please don’t get confused.”

“Why would I be confused?” I said. “My mother’s aunt is marrying my grandfather!” I tried not to look too uncomfortable.

“Please don’t say it like that,” she begged.

“I’m sorry,” I sighed. “This is too much. So, you were my mom’s aunt, married to Jaxon Hydra, the King. Which means you were the Queen, and you’re Alec’s mother. He doesn’t know that. My grandmother, Ariana Hydrus Ophiuchus died in the assassination along with all the other Ophiuchus. And now, you’re marrying my dad’s father, Alfred Virgo.”

“Yes,” she confirmed, a little embarrassed.

“Not to mention, I was about to marry your son,” I added, horrified. I gasped at another realization. “Alec is Mom’s cousin.” I shuddered. “Ewww!”

Mom, how could you do this to me? My mind shouted. I hoped her spirit heard me.

“It’s not so bad,” Hellen said. “At that time we didn’t even think about the fact that Jaxon was my cousin. That type of relationship doesn’t matter in the royal household.”

I swallowed down the meal I had earlier, threatening to come out. “Why doesn’t Alec know you’re his mother?”

“I made Jaxon swear he wouldn’t tell anyone. No one in the kingdom is allowed to speak of it. they removed Hydrus just like they did with Ophiuchus. Jaxon took it out on my family. They’re all gone now.”

“I’m sorry,” I wanted to get up and give her a hug. Her eyes were glassy but there was also something satisfying about this for her.

“It feels good to finally let that out in the open,” she sighed in relief.

“I’m going to tell Alec about all this myself. He may not have inherited Hydrus from me. He may be full Hydra but I can change him into a better person. He’ll lead us with pride. He’ll be a part of this revolution. Alec will help us defeat the Hydras.”

“Wait a minute!” I yelped. “You can’t do that. Alec is a Hydra he’s going to lead the Hydra’s. You have me.”

“Well, if Alfred can change you into a fighter I can do the same with Alec,” she defended.

“Wait, so, you don’t want an Ophiuchus as the leader of Stellaregno?” I asked. It’s not that I wanted to lead a kingdom but I didn’t think it would still be a Hydra on the throne.

“When I tell him everything. When he knows the truth. He’ll be on my side and we will fight together,” she said confidently.

“And you’re certain he’ll understand?” I asked.

“I am hopeful,” she answered in a low voice. “Now, continue.” she pointed to the Star Stone but I couldn’t focus.

“I’m sorry,” I got to my feet. “I have to go,”

I exited the room, not paying attention to Hellen calling my name. I couldn’t believe everything she had just told me.

“Wait, wait!” Tristan and Lewis held up there hands.

“Tell us again,” Lyra said. She was back to being Lyra today. Thank Gemini for that.

And explained to them my entire family tree, including the part where I met my mother’s parents in Celestial Gardens. I went through it one more time in my head: Hellen Hydrus, sister to my grandmother, Ariana Hydrus Ophiuchus was married to Jaxon Hydra, father of Alec Hydra. Alec was my mother, Eloise Ophiuchus Virgo’s cousin. Making him my uncle. My dad’s father, Alfred Virgo is marrying my mother’s aunt, Hellen Hydrus. Sidenote: I was engaged to Alec, my uncle.

Not complicated at all.

For a minute they were silent, exchanging looks. Lewis raised his hand. “I have a question,” he spoke innocently.

I glared at him, my eyes narrowed. “After hearing all of that you only have one question!” My voice boomed, almost everyone in the cafeteria turned to me. I cleared my throat and lowered my gaze. After a while they all came out laughing.

“This is not funny,” I demanded. Lewis nearly fell off his chair at the sound of my voice.

“You have a great family tree.” Tristan gulped.

“I can’t tell if you’re teasing her or not,” Amara spoke.

“Obviously I am,” he confirmed.

“Yeah,” Lewis agreed. “No offence but there’s nothing about your family which is worth not getting teased about.”

I grunted.

“At least your family doesn’t believe in superstitions,” Lyra pouted. She was still upset about her split-personality disorder. Lyra told us that Lyla, her second personality wasn’t aware of this. Amara had helped her realize that she had two personalities but Lyra didn’t know that before.

“But-but-this-is-this is....confusing!” I stammered.

“But, now, you have another reason to not marry Alec.” Tristan smiled with contentment.

“Tristan!” Lyra scolded. “This is not about you.”

Lewis gave Lyra a high-five. Amara giggled.

“I’m not talking about myself!” Tristan said defensively.

Lewis cleared his throat, “What she meant was: this is not about Tristan and Belle.” he rephrased. Lyra and Lewis laughed uncontrollably.

I groaned and Tristan tried not to blush. “Will you guys stop it?” Amara demanded, though she was smiling too.

“Belle, why are you so worried?” Tristan asked.

I opened my mouth but couldn’t find the right words. “I don’t know,”

“It’s nothing,” Lyra said. “You’re just worried about that egg thing.”

Tristan had told them about the Star Stone scenario. It was still in the Conference Hall, Alfred kept it looked at night and didn’t let anyone except me and Hellen check on it. It had more fissures and cracks now, even though it had only been a few days since Alfred had told me what that was.

“Yeah, how is your snake doing?” Lewis asked.

“I think it’s about to hatch,” I had a tingling sensation in the back of my head. I heard a voice hissing, Rasalhague.

“How can you be sure?” Amara asked while Lyra looked disgusted.

“I have a feeling,” I said, sounding creepy.

“Ohh...” Lyra said. She pushed away her plate, as if her dinner wasn’t appetizing anymore.

“Not weird at all,” Lewis mumbled.

I rolled my eyes at him. Just then, Anthony appeared in the door frame of the cafeteria. “Annabelle,” he said loud enough for only me to hear. “It’s your Star Stone.”

I got to my feet and rushed to the Conference Hall. Tristan, Lewis and Lyra were running behind me but they weren’t allowed inside the room. Anthony was also waiting outside eagerly.

“Did it hatch?” I asked as I locked the door behind me.

“No.” Hellen turned to face me. The stone was still on the table but pieces were falling off and slime dripped from it. It had a green aura.

“But it’s about to,” Alfred added. They were both hovering over the stone and breathing on it.

I stepped a little closer. I almost sat on the table. I put my hand on top of the stone. It burned my Sign so much that the skin completely peeled off, revealing a faded version of the Ophiuchus symbol.

Hellen put her hands on my shoulders from behind me. “I’m okay,” I told her. I got off the table and stood in the corner.

“It’s happening!” Alfred said. The stone broke off. A ball of white slime, it burst open. The serpent was ten feet long, with emerald green scales and fragments of Star Stones embedded into it’s skin. It didn’t open its eyes. I thought I might throw up.

Hellen took my hand and pulled me over to the serpent. I tried to pull back but I couldn’t fight against her tenacity. “He won’t open his eyes until you put your hand on his head and allow him to,” she told.

She placed my hand on his head which was scaly and slimy. I didn’t pull away because now I could hear him talking in my head.

May I wake? he asked, though I was baffled.

Yes, I answered.

He opened his yellow eyes. It slithered to the floor, I stepped back. He lifted his head and looked at me.

“Belle, show it your Sign.” Alfred whispered. I rolled up my sleeve. He stuck out his thin tongue and opened its mouth, baring it’s two fangs. It bit my Ophiuchus Sign, I felt like I’d had a dozen energy drinks. My eyes widened and his teeth dug farther into my flesh but I didn’t mind. For some reason, I knew this would help make my fading Sign visible again.

When he pulled away there were two holes which healed quickly and my Sign appeared more prominently on my wrist. It stung but the pain stopped just as quickly as it had come. If he had bitten someone who wasn’t an Ophiuchus they obviously would’ve died but he had injected something which brought back my Sign.

Thank you, I said to him.

It was my honour to protect you, he hissed.

If serpents could bow their heads, Rasalhague certainly did. I knew his name but I felt like I should confirm it from him. I didn’t want anymore surprises.

What’s your name? I asked.

Rasalhague, head of the snake-charmer, servant to all Ophiuchus.

I gulped, trying to commit the name to memory. But I didn’t have to. It was already present in my brain. As though I had been reminded of a long lost memory. It tingled in the back of my head.

“Rasalhague is too long,” I decided. “I’ll call you Rasal.”

Hellen laughed nervously and Alfred tried to smile.

As you wish, milady, he spoke in my head, and bowed his head even more. I apologize for the mess I’ve made. It’s part of my reproduction and rebirth.

“That’s alright,” I accidently spoke out loud.

“Who are you talking to?” Alfred wondered.

“To Rasal,” I smiled.

“You can communicate telepathically?” Hellen asked, amazed.

I nodded. “He apologizes for the mess, it’s just how he’s born.”

“I’ll clean it up,” Hellen said.

“I’ll help,” I offered.

“That’s okay, Belle.” Alfred said. “Go take your snake outside. Give it some fresh air. get to know each other.”

“Are you sure?” I asked anxiously. Alfred nodded.

I sat down, next to Rasal. I touched his scales. I noticed that he had a huge Ophiuchus symbol imprinted on his skin in bright green but it was only visible in the light.

I would also like to apologize for the damage to your Sign, he started.

That’s your fault?

I have been reforming for quite some time now and it may have caused some astronomical hardships for you, he told. If there is some activity on your Constellation’s Star you will feel uneasy.

That’s alright, I hesitated. He had healed me so it didn’t really matter, anymore.

Come along, I said. I walked out with Rasal slithering behind me. He didn’t leave a slimy trail, thank Ophiuchus because I didn’t want to clean up after him.

Rasal, I demanded. Climb up.

He slithered up my leg and rested around my waist, like a belt. His head was at my side and he lifted it every time someone stared.

These people are being disrespectful. Do you want me to inject poison into them through my fangs? he hissed.

No! I almost spoke out loud. It’s okay, let them.

I walked to the girls’ quarters. Amara yelped and jumped ten steps back. Lyra actually screamed. Raelynn noticed and copied her, even Phoenix looked afraid.

“What is that?” Lyra shrieked.

“Where did you get that?” Phoenix asked curiously.

“This is Rasal,” I told. “He’s the snake of Ophiuchus and he came out of my Star Stone.”

Their mouths fell open. The rest of the girls lined up against the walls, scared.

“Don’t be frightened,” I said. “He won’t hurt you unless I want him to.”

“How nice,” Lyra said, mortified. Amara was on her bed, rocking back and forth.

“I finished altering your dress,” Lyra said. “I even got some for Raelynn and Phoenix.”

“But, my dress was fine. Only Amara’s was a little lose.” I remembered.

“Oh, nonsense!” Lyra said. “I had to make it fit perfectly. It’s in my suitcase and since the wedding is in two days I got them done just in time.”

“Thank you,” I embraced her.

We all tried on our dresses. Raelynn had a pink silky one with capped sleeves. Phoenix got a navy coloured with lace and it gave her body shape much like mine. Lyra kept her dress a surprise but we all knew she’d look the best...next to Hellen.

Rasal had his eyes closed and was resting on my bed. He turned his head everytime I twirled in my dress.

What is it? I asked him.

Though you look breathtaking, milady. He said. I think you’d look better in green, then you’d match my scales.

I actually laughed out loud. Everyone thought I was going mad but they didn’t know I shared telepathy with a serpent.

“Why are you laughing?” Amara asked.

I told them.

“So, he’s your personal servant since there are no other Ophiuchus to serve?” Phoenix asked.

“Yeah, he belongs to me. Even his life is tethered to mine.” I told.

“My dad told me that in our home province we had a sacred bull, in honour of Taurus,” Phoenix told. Raelynn made a face at that, Phoenix slapped her arm lightly.

There was a knock at the door. Raelynn answered, still wearing her dress. “It’s Tristan, Belle.”

“Let’s hope he’s not jealous of a serpent.” Lyra teased.

“Oh, hush!” Amara demanded.

I changed into my sweatpants and a hoodie, walked outside, underneath the Stars with Rasal slithering behind me.