Chapter 32

Thirty-Two

Not only didmy parents come to meet Jake, but my grandparents did as well. Which was unexpected, as I’d not heard they were coming, but not a surprise. I was sure they were just as eager to meet Jake.

They disembarked from the carriage, my father coming out first so he could assist everyone else down. He gave me a warm smile, the corners of his blue eyes crinkling up from his delight. My father was one of the few Fae who was fair of skin and hair, and I saw hints of silver in that blond hair, a silent reminder he was slowly aging. But he looked as fit as usual, spry as he hopped out of the wagon, which reassured me.

“Son, it looks amazing here! So much better than the last time I saw it.”

“Jake’s doing. Hi, Mom.”

My mother came out in one swift leap before catching me up in a firm hug. She was a tall woman, so I didn’t have to bend much to hug her back. Even after days on land, she still smelled of the sea, and I soaked in the scent and the feeling of having her nearby. She’d taken some care on the way in, neatly dressed in her favorite blue dress, her dark hair in a crown braid around her head.

“We’re staying through the winter,” she warned me. “I want to get to really know Jake.”

“Really? All winter? I’m all right by that, but who’s taking care of home?”

“Don’t worry, it’s taken care of. Oh!” Mom popped up a little more to look over my shoulder better before whispering, “Is that him? He’s beautiful, honey.”

I turned to look and there was Jake, coming out of the main castle doors in long strides. He was in my favorite outfit of his—a hunter green jacket that brought out his eyes, with a contrasting cream vest and dark brown pants that highlighted his ass beautifully. Jake looked good enough to eat when he rolled out of bed, disheveled and half asleep, but when he put effort into his appearance? He was heart-stopping.

“You don’t know the half of it, Mom,” I whispered back as I let her go. “His heart is the most beautiful part of him.”

“Oh my,” Jake greeted, looking between everyone. “People! Hello.”

I took care of introductions. “Jake, this is my mother, Shael.”

Mom went straight to him, holding out both hands to take his. She looked him right in the eye, as they were the same height, and for a moment they almost looked like mother and son with their fair skin and similar builds.

“Jake, it is such a pleasure to finally meet you. Theon’s letters were sparse, and I didn’t get nearly enough information.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed. I knew better than to say, “I was a little busy, Mother”; she’d just dismiss my protest, anyway.

Continuing introductions, I indicated the rest of the family crowding in. “My father, Ivaran, and his parents, Grandma Haera and Grandpa Orym.”

Grandma Haera and Grandpa Orym came in closer for greetings. They were a little stooped with age but still moving fine. I was anxious sometimes about their health, as they were both pushing five centuries, but the sparkle of delight in their eyes belied their age. I had a feeling my mother and grandmother had done each other’s hair. Grandma also had her white hair up in a braid around her head, with flowers tucked in. Interestingly enough, Grandpa’s long hair was also in a braid with a flower woven in. Boredom? Or for laughs? Who knew with Grandpa.

“Jake,” Grandma Haera announced, her voice cracking a little with excitement, “I want to try a potato.”

Jake grinned at her. “I think I can grant that wish. Anyone else? All right, follow me.”

I quickly lost my mother, grandmother, and grandfather as they all followed him inside. Apparently the novelty of potatoes and my boyfriend outweighed grandson.

Dad lingered at my side, watching them go with an indulgent smile. “They were plotting about potatoes half the trip here. After all that sitting, I want to walk a while. Show me what all you’re doing here.”

“Gladly.”

I let the staff take care of carriage and baggage—there was a lot, which was expected with a four-month stay—and chose to focus on my father. I started him off on the main street so I could explain better what he saw on the way in.

“As you can see, we’re putting in a better road system. We’ll finish the main road before winter hits, I think, and then we’ll do the other roads next year. Ara and I have been inscribing heating and clearing sigils into the pavers, so it should stay clear of snow throughout winter.”

“Smart, considering how much snow you get up here. But what are these glass structures I keep seeing all over the place?”

“Ah, those are greenhouses. Made to put plants inside so we can grow during the winter months.”

“Greenhouses? Never heard of them before.” Dad paused to stare at the largest one, the community greenhouse sitting next to the temple. I could see both confusion and speculation in his eyes, his prominent nose scrunched up in a habitual “I’m thinking” expression.

“Your growing season is all year round on the islands,” I pointed out dryly. “We’re lucky to have a four-month growing season here.”

“Jake thought of this?”

“He did. He freely admits a lot of his ideas are something from his home planet. He also freely admits he doesn’t know how half of them are built or function. He’s managed to get some books here from his home world. With anything not in the books, he either draws it out or describes it as best he can, and then the master craftsmen figure out how to do it.” I had a great deal of pride in that, my people’s ingenuity.

Dad gave me a measuring look for a moment, tugging on his dark blond beard. “I’m still amazed by his story. That a Fae coin brought him here and gave him divine powers. But I think what impresses me the most are things like this”—he gestured toward the greenhouse—“because of what it signifies. This man is the type to thrive wherever he goes.”

“Yes, that’s very much the case. I’m convinced he could go anywhere and thrive. He’s that smart, that versatile. And his heart, well, his heart is the best part about him. He won this entire town over in three days because he’s so genuinely good to people.”

“Is that why you fell for him?”

“That’s definitely one of the reasons.”

“But it’s the main reason why you offered courting,” Dad said knowingly. “You want his skill set for governing your people.”

“He’s one of the finest administrators I’ve ever seen. Professionally speaking, I’d be a damned fool for passing him up. Personally speaking, I can trust him. A life partner I can trust and depend upon is not something to sniff at.”

“No, indeed. It’s half the reason I married your mother.” Dad gave me an approving nod. “All right, show me the rest. Then we should probably rescue your Jake. Leaving him alone with those three for an extended time probably isn’t nice.”

He was right on that. When those three got excited, nothing could slow them down. “Then let’s make this tour quick.”

We all had a nice,fun dinner that night. Jake introduced a new dish, what he called a loaded potato casserole, and it was divine. Hands down, easily one of my favorite things he’d ever made. Everyone had seconds, and I do mean everyone.

I sat in the den, idly watching the flames dance and pop in the hearth. I might have been in something of a food coma. The idea of moving sounded blasphemous.

On the other side of the room, near the window, Jake sat with my parents and grandfather. They were all crowded around a table, doing a puzzle together. Ostensibly, at least. There was a great deal of laughter going on over there, which made me think stories were flying fast and freely.

Grandma Haera propped her legs over my thighs, sinking even farther into the couch. If she did that much more, she’d meld right into the cushions.

“You all right over there?” I asked in amusement.

“That boy’s cooking should be illegal,” she said with a groan. “I had four helpings. I’d be ashamed of myself if it wasn’t so good.”

“Trust me, I know.”

She cracked open one eye, studying me. “Theon. If you don’t marry that boy, I will disown you.”

Pure joy made me laugh. “Can I take that threat as permission to marry, then?”

“You may. I hope that’s all that was slowing you down.”

“Just needed my family’s blessing.” Joy kept a smile on my face, and I had a feeling it would linger for a while. A few decades, maybe. “How does a spring wedding sound to you?”

“Sounds splendid, dearheart. Ah, and I did bring the ring.”

I perked up, delighted all over again. I’d written to my grandmother asking for a family ring to use as Jake’s wedding band. It had originally been my great-great-grandfather’s wedding band, passed down on my grandmother’s side. It had been a gift from his Fae bride, with magic imbued in the ring so my human grandfather could match his bride’s lifespan. I knew it worked, too, as they’d died within hours of each other at the ripe old age of six hundred and thirty-three.

I wanted that with Jake. That longevity. A few decades wasn’t enough time with him. I needed centuries to know and love the man properly. Grandmother bringing that ring to me was the best wedding present she could ever offer.

I leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Thank you. So much.”

“I want to keep him in the family for a long time, too.” Grandma winked. “That boy’s not done cooking for me yet.”

“Ahh, I knew there was an ulterior motive in there somewhere.”

“You best believe it.” Grandma paused, lips pursed in a thoughtful manner. “I wonder what kind of potato dishes would work best for a wedding?”

I had a feeling I’d need to intervene at some point in the wedding planning. Wish me luck, as frankly, I had no idea how I was going to do that.