Chapter 24

“ S o, that was an interesting send-off?” Bernadette said, dusting off the invisible dust off her bloody clothing. “You sure you want to keep this one? I mean, he needs a lot of work…a lot of time…and a whole lot of patience.”

I squeezed my eyes, rubbing the bridge of my nose. Bernadette had been whispering in my ears since we left Greyson’s home for breakfast. How could I have forgotten that she loved gossip and talking? Two of the worst traits a ghost could have since I could never get rid of her unless I sent her to the underworld That would be a huge burden for me because if you send one off, then a line of ghosts would want me to do the same for them.

Fat chance!

My magic brought us right outside the village perimeter. The red tint of my mother’s protection spell shimmered in the late afternoon sun. My plan to bring us directly inside the village would have been ludicrous. At least bringing us outside of the perimeter would buy us—me some time to think about where to hide Greyson. Should I place a cloaking spell on him? No, that won’t do at all. Despite everything, Greyson smells like a shifter, and I could only cloak his appearance with magic. I would definitely have to go to Merrell’s shop. They normally kept deodorizers in their store to cancel out the distinct scents from the witches that frequent the store. Yes, that was it!

My head swiveled to where I left Greyson. He was finally standing upright with that ridiculous sham of a smile. It will get better! As I stared at my mate, the corners of my mouth twitched, and now I was the one with the ridiculous fake smile. Now, if my stomach could stop churning, then everything would be okay.

“It’s not too late, you know?” Bernadette said, leaning on the tree trunk next to Greyson. “We can just chuck him back into the portal, and I’ll help you through your curse.”

Bernadette’s arms flew up in surrender when she saw the pointed look on my face.

“Youna! You’re no fun anymore,” Bernadette said with her lips pursed.

“Bernadette!” I said through my clenched teeth. Flicking my wrist, I vanquished her to Tou-sin village for the time being.

“Let me guess, our friend has been bothering you?” Greyson said. His voice sounded small, almost nonexistent. His skin was pale as the white snakeroot that surrounded the wooded area.

I turned that smile onto Greyson. “Yes, she’s gone now.”

He nodded.

“Listen, I think I’m going to take you to my Dragon’s feeding house. It should be safe there. No one besides me goes there frequently…”

“Dragons!” He took a step back as his eyes widened as big as saucers. “You’re going to feed me to your dragons?”

“No, Grey,” I said, stopping myself from rolling my eyes. “It’s the safest place to be right now. Until I can get things sorted out.”

“O-okay, I trust you, my Hiema,” he said, but his voice shook, letting me know he thought otherwise.

I would just have to make him believe me then.

My arms wrapped around his long neck and kissed his sunken cheek. That was the wrong move, since he smelled like acid and the old soup he ate. It took everything in my power to prevent myself from throwing up.

We tugged through the bushes and the old trees, breaking the twigs of dead branches that had recently fallen as nature prepared for winter. No longer confined, my magic vibrated and pulsed just below my skin. It knew we were back home, and that meant I could finally be myself again. The light orange shimmered in the patchy sunlight that broke through the tree canopy. The crisp fall air kissed my skin, welcoming me back home. Greedily, my nose inhaled. Someone had to be making peach cobbler. Just the very thought made my stomach lurch.

As much as I complained, I was overjoyed to be home. Not being able to use my magic caused me to reevaluate some of my pessimistic thoughts. Hell! Call me crazy, but I would take my village over the Swiftwater’s any day of the year. Just the mere thought of being raised in that village alone causes a slight tremor to run through me, causing me to fold my arms around my body. Greyson asked if I was cold. I shook him off and chalked it up to being home.

We stepped out into the small clearing that housed the feeding shed. Without thinking about Greyson, I called for Sera and Luc. This has been the longest time I’ve spent away from them. Luc’s big blue head was the first to appear in the small clearing, followed by Sera. Both crawled straight toward me. Their massive heads rubbed against me as they scented me.

“I’ve missed you both,” I said, stroking them lightly as I placed a kiss on each of their scaly heads.

Sera, never one to miss anything, turned her attention to Greyson. A deep grumble from deep in Sera’s massive chest made the ground tremble. As she rose onto her hind legs, her red translucent wings expanded, sending branches and reddish leaves tumbling from the tree canopies. The sun burst through the broken trees, highlighting Sera’s thick phalanges in her wings. Sera pulled back her thick mouth to bare her teeth to our new guest, which wasn’t unusual for Sera since she hated everyone except anyone I’d deemed worthy.

Any other day, I would let Sera continue to taunt, but she would most definitely cause Sir Reid or someone brave enough to venture here to see what the problem was. Poor Greyson. He was stuck to the dusty brown shed door. His skin was the color of my white shirt. I guess that was a better look than the sickly green he had turned after we teleported here . Sera’s snout inched closer to Greyson, sending him scrambling against the shed. Let me put a stop to this as I placed myself between Sera and Greyson, reaching out to wrap myself around her mouth.

“Sera, be nice,” I said, scolding the dragon that could easily fry or freeze me if she wanted to.

“K-K-Kaydian,” Greyson stammered, causing me to turn around. Luc had slipped past me. His long naris grazed Greyson from his feet to his head, causing him to tremble. Luc moved back, bowing his head to him. As mates, Sera sensed Luc surrendering to Greyson, turning her head when I let her out of my embrace.

“Greyson, come over here so she can scent you,” I said, without turning to look at the outrageous look he was probably throwing at me. I continued, “If you want to live through the night, then come on, or Sera will surely eat you when I’m gone.”

Greyson or his wolf, I couldn’t tell at the moment, whimpered slowly. He took his merry, sweet time getting to me, standing just a hair behind me in case Sera decided to make him a mid-afternoon snack. My hand wrapped around his thick arm and pulled him closer to Sera.

“Kaydian, I don’t…”

His words died in his throat when she turned her head sideways to peer at him. Those red, fiery eyes surrounded by fire roamed over Greyson. Sera cocked her head as if deeming Greyson was unworthy of her time, lowered her scaly head slightly, and turned her wide body, making her way back to the broken tree path. Strange . I’ve never seen Sera treat anyone like that before, not Sir Reid or anyone else. My mind was flooded with hundreds of scenarios.

If Sera and Luc didn’t fully accept Greyson. What did that mean? My dragons were a gift from the goddesses themselves. I’d like to think their standoff position was normal for dragons, but as I stood there with my nails digging into my wrist, I wasn’t sure. Am I going to have to hide him from them, too? It was too late to doubt myself as the heaviness sat in my chest. I already had to hide Greyson from my parents and the coven. Now I had to hide him from my children.

And I hate to even mention it out loud for fear it may come true, but I was scared.

“Shit!” I whispered.

“W—What was that, Kay?” Greyson stammered.

“Nothing, Greyson,” I said, shaking off the voice. Once Luc followed Sera back to their spot. “See, it wasn’t bad.”

“Yeah…for you! I wish you would have reminded me of your pet dragons. Shifters and dragons have never played well together. Remember the emergence war.”

Oh, right!

How did I forget that minor war that happened almost a million years ago? I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. Honestly, that war shouldn’t even be called a war. It technically started when the dragons finally came out of their caves and made the shifters their target. It lasted two weeks, and the dragons won as they destroyed the packs.

“Well, Greyson. I hope you take Sera and Luc’s peace offering. They’ve done worse things to Sir Reid.” I said, remembering the first week they met Sir Reid. Both of my hooligans lit his black cape on fire. It was amusing watching him stomp out the flames until he ripped it off. Poor Sir Reid never wore capes around them after that.

“Listen, I have to run to the bookstore in town before I can use the cloaking spell,” I said, opening the small shed door. The old rotten smell had long since gone. “It’s small, but it will work. I’ll clean up.”

An image of the small yellow room in Greyson’s home was the first thing that came to my mind, and with a flip of my wrist. My magic took hold of the small shed. It circled the room as I walked into the middle of the magic storm. The floors were cleaned of the hay, a single window replaced the open hole in the wall, and a small bed fit the small area. A small bathroom was squeezed into the back.

“I-I hope it isn’t too much to ask, but what about food?”

“Oh! Right, well, I will bring you food from the kitchen.” I said, heading to the door. “Greyson, please stay inside until I get back. I can’t save you from my mother if she finds out you’re here.”

Greyson, still slightly peaked from his near-death experience, crossed his long fingers. What a waste of fingers, I thought, squeezing my eyes shut at my lascivious thoughts. There wasn’t any time for that. Greyson just needed a bit of work. Nothing I wasn’t used to. Maybe I could teach him to be a better leader while he was here, right?

As I stepped outside of the shed, my heart leaped into my mouth as a squirrel the size of a cat barreled past me and into the bushes. Yes, I was improvising with a little faith in Youna to see me through this time, for once. Locking the door with my magic, I opened a portal and the thought of being in Merrell’s shop popped up in my head as I stepped through the portal. I knew I had at least one more chance to use the portal before I became too exhausted to do anything but fall asleep in my bed…. my warm, soft bed.

“Oh, fuck, let’s get this over with,” I muttered.

The portal teleported me right behind Merrell’s store in front of the older brown wooden door that led to the back door. When I entered the back door, a loud crack ricocheted in the store as everyone turned to look toward where the ruckus was coming from. Several eyes, from young to old, gawked at me as I stood frozen like a deer in headlights. Show no fear! At least, that’s what was ingrained in me. With my head high, I moved through the small crowd, trying to avoid their stares and the whispers, which was harder than it looked, seeing as they weren’t exactly good at whispering.

“The princess is back!”

“What is she wearing? She looks worse than the humans in Houston!”

“I heard she was locked up in preparation for her going mad.”

“…you know… maybe Jaqueline is a better choice.”

Some new, some old rumors mixed amongst the gossiping coven. If I were on the throne, I would cut every one of their tongues out and when it grew back. I would cut it over again.

Bastards!

It took me five minutes of maneuvering between the coven members before I realized the bookstore. Something was off… way off. The familiar turpentine and citrus scent hadn’t greeted me. Soft music from the magic cast instruments wasn’t playing as usual. No one occupied the big fluffy couches by the front of the store, not even the chatty children from town. In all of my twenty-five years of living, I’ve never seen Merrell’s bookstore like it was now. If something happened to Merrell while I was gone, I would never forgive myself. They were my little sanctuary from the craziness.

“Merrell!” Looking around the tiny store.

Merrell popped their head around the corner. Dark rings circle their blue eyes. They’re dressed in dull, muted black. Merrell was dressed for a funeral.

“Kaydian…I meant Princess Kaydian,” Merrell said, as they lunged for me, wrapping their arms around me. “Where in the seventh hell did you go? Your mother was a one-woman army. I’ve heard about momma bears, but she takes the cake.”

“My mother was here?”

Merrell’s blue eyes squeezed shut. “Kaydian, you know your mother would burn down this world for you.” They paused.

Merrell all but dragged me into the back room, shutting the door with a click.

“She found out about the canvas, and she came here with the Golden Army. They took it all and destroyed them in the middle of the town. She ‘allowed’ me to keep the books because it was an essential hobby for the children. I should be mad, but if I had a runaway child, I would kill anyone that stood or helped them,” Merrell continued.

My face heated, and not because of my mother’s overprotective antics.

“I’m sorry, Merrell. I was only supposed to be gone for a day at the most, but…” I paused, debating whether I should tell them the truth or just a half-truth. “I—If I tell you, then you can’t say a word, Merrell. Promise me?”

Merrell cocked an eyebrow at me.

“Okay,” Merrell said, painstakingly slowly.

“Listen, Merrell, I, um, I found my mate, and he’s a shifter.” They placed a hand over their mouth as they muttered, “fuck.” Using my hair to hide my heated face, I continued. “I need to borrow a bottle or two of deodorizer, please? I need a backup. Since I won’t be able to be with him every day.”

“Kaydian—what do you mean... never mind, I’ll get you it. The less you tell me, the better. Hold on a minute, and don’t move from this room,” they urged.

Merrell’s curls dropped from the hair tie as they shook their head. They went around the counter and produced five small bottles with the translucent purple solution filled to the brim. I didn’t have enough time, but I thanked them profusely. Merrell finally let me go after repeating that they were sorry for the hundredth time and giving me some food for Greyson. When I slipped out the back door, I heard Merrell whisper low enough for only me to hear, “And please, for the love of us all, take a shower before you go back home. You smell like you were playing with a pack of dogs!” I cringed.

Using the portal again to get back to Greyson was more taxing than it should have been. The sun’s bright orange glow almost disappeared in the sky. When I opened the door and handed the bottles and the food to Greyson, he looked relieved. He had changed out of his clothes and was in bed.

“Sorry, I had nothing else to do, and I didn’t know how long you were going to be gone,” he said, dropping his colossal frame onto the small bed. He wasted no time digging into the food. “Thank you for the food.”

I hadn’t had the heart to tell him my stomach had been growling for the past hour.

“You’re welcome, Grey.” Clearing my throat. “I think it’s time for me to face the music. I probably won’t be back until the morning…and yes, I will bring you extra food?—”

“And maybe something to read or whatever.”

“Yes, of course.”

My foot tapped the creaky floor, rolling my neck. I placed a chaste kiss on his lips and told him goodnight. Right before I exited the shed. I made sure he knew not to step outside. And for extra measure, I locked the door again with my magic. I couldn’t have Greyson wander around. Especially at night, Seraphina might mistake him for a midnight snack.

I thought about my emerald jumpsuit and my magic wrapped around me, cleaning me and removing the old clothing. My green aura swiped around me, washing off Greyson’s scent.

My heavy body padded through the pathway. I can only hope it’s almost over. Just the thought sent a small bolt of energy through me. I have my speech and my apology recited and ready to regurgitate. By the time I approached the kitchen door, a warm sensation filled me, pushing through the warm, decadent smell of the peach cobbler and gumbo filled the large kitchen. Closing my eyes, I inhaled the familiar rich scents. Pots and pans had stopped rattling as the staff in the kitchen became quiet. My eyes opened, and all seven of the staff were staring at me like I was hallucinating. I felt like I was an alien that just landed on Earth.

I cleared my throat, causing the staff to fumble and avert their eyes.

“Hello, why is everyone so shocked to see me?” I said joyously.

Chef Dubois was the first to answer.

“We didn’t know that you were coming back home…We?—”

“We never expected you to come back, Your Highness. But we will work on a plate for you.” Mary said, cutting off Chef Dubois, jumping as she started fixing me a plate. “You should go to your room, and I’ll bring your food up.”

“Go to my room…and eat…Do you want my mother to have my head?” I said, astounded that Mary, of all people, would suggest that idea.

What is wrong with them?

The one time I tried to eat in my room, my mother placed a spell that made anything perishable that entered my room rotten in mere seconds. I learned my lesson that day and never repeated it again.

“Just bring the food to the dining room. I know my mother is still eating.”

Not waiting to hear another preposterous word from the staff, I bolted from the kitchen and sped walked to the dining room. If I hurried up, I could eat and finally get a good night’s rest in an actual bed. I missed my bed and my bathroom, silly, but just the thought of taking a bath in a real bathtub had me weeping for joy.

I stopped mid-stride when I entered the dining room. Everything was the same as I left the grand room. The walls were the same colors. The dining table was the same. My parents were seated in their typical seats, except for my mother’s lasered eyes that bore a hole in my face. Her arms crossed with a frown the size of Texas on her face that became even more prominent when I walked into the room. The brown hue of her skin turned a deep shade of red. If I knew anything about my mother, she was beyond furious. And by the way her dimples deepened when she clenched her teeth, she was going to kill me. My father just stared at me. His brown eyes bounced between the strange woman at the table and me until they finally landed on me. With a nervous smirk on his face, he tucked his hands underneath the table even though we could all hear his hands rubbing together.

But it was the girl who was sitting in my seat that was out of place. Her deep brown skin glowed. She had a short straight bob and a pink kaftan dress, and she was beautiful. My feet shuffled, adjusting to their stares.

“Mother…Father,” I said, slightly bowing, and headed to my seat. “We should talk.”

“About what?” My father said, swirling the ice and, what I assume, Fae wine.

Right.

I stood at my seat where the strange lady sat. Unmoved. Clearing my throat, I hoped she would take the hint to get out of my seat. But her brown eyes just stared up at me from her seated position like I was a stranger. The nerve of this girl.

“Excuse me, but this is my seat, the Royal princess,” I said in my most pleasant voice. I was not the one to force my title down people’s throats, but this seemed to be the time to do so.

“Jaqueline can stay seated. She’s been in your spot for a week now. So, she shouldn’t change because you came back.” My father coolly said, but the words left my cheeks burning as if my father had slapped me. My mother stayed silent. Her head was still glued straight, as if I hadn’t walked into the room. My chin trembled as I made my way to the seat next to Jaqueline and sat down.

Pathetic! I must admit. But what was I supposed to expect? My mother trusted me to take the throne, and I’ve ruined it.

Mary hurried in with my plate. She looked around the tension-filled room and fled. Most likely formulating the gossip she will spread amongst the staff already. And I would be damned if I hadn’t wanted to run behind her.

I wished I had taken her advice.

We sat in total silence as I picked around the plate. Not hungry as I was before I walked in. The soft rhythm of the instruments mimics my breathing. No one uttered a word while I ate the now lukewarm food. Everyone’s faces were glued to their plates as they ate. Ignoring the big intruder to their dinner. Me. I guess I should count on my blessings. Maybe I could stay silent until she leaves, and then I can try to make this situation right. A win for me. That was until my mother’s fists pounded on the table, sending the other side of the large table and some of the table decorations into the air. Lights flickered with my mother’s magic right before the heavy wooden table landed on the floor with a loud boom that ricocheted throughout the large room. Dishes clattered to the floor, leaving food scattered everywhere. Her magic stifled the air, causing Jaqueline to choke on the thickened aura.

“For over three weeks, you’ve been gone! And you waltz right in here like everything is okay. Not an apology or an explanation,” my mother yelled. The vein in her neck extended, and her tiny hands gripped the edge of the table for dear life. I’ve never seen my mother this mad enough to yell at me in front of a guest. The poor dinner staff who stood off into the corner shook as he remained in his position against the wall.

“I’m disappointed, Kaydian. I’ve raised you better than this…” my mother said, pointing a long finger at me as she rebuked me in our royal language.

She didn’t need to use magic. Her words cut me deep, dragging the air from my lungs. Biting into my lip was all I could do from sobbing in front of everyone in the room.

“I’m truly sorry, Mother. It was only meant to be for a day or two.” Easing the pain in my throat, my hand found my comfort spot on my wrist. It’s a miracle I don’t have scarring from it. “Do you mind if we talked in private?”

“You can speak in front of your sister,” my father said as he blotted the wine with his napkin.

“Excuse me. I don’t think I heard you correctly, Father,” I repeated, shocked.

“I’m Jaqueline. Your sister,” she said in a silvery tone, bravely holding out a hand for me to shake. My eyes ogled it as if she just told me she was from a different planet, which could very much be true.

This situation was a conundrum, and I couldn’t decide if I was going mad or if this was a sick joke. My chest trembled as it worked its way up to my mouth. And I couldn’t help but throw my head back and laugh. Guffawing, the sound bounced around the room, holding my sides as a stitch sent my arms, hugging my stomach soft.

“Is she mad?” I asked, wiping the tears from my glassy eyes. Jaqueline’s hand faltered as her mouth twisted into a frown.

“Your sister was brought here to fill in your role since we thought you had fallen deep into the curse and ran away,” my father said, avoiding my mother’s murderous stare. Her hands never unwrapped from the edge of the table.

Rage filled me. The small salad fork, the only thing that survived the crash, cut into my fleshy palms. The corner of my mouth twitched. Never show your anger, Kaydian! As the hair on my arms stood, my magic skimmed the surface, waiting.

Taking several deep breaths, talking myself down from the ledge. I turned to my mother to follow up, but she beat me before I could speak.

“Jaqueline, please see yourself out.” My mother finally returned to herself. Her face washed off the tight expression, and in return was my mother’s typical unreadable gaze as she picked at the imaginary dust on her coral-colored dress.

“But—” The daft imbecile stuttered. Her angry gaze landed on our father. “You said I could rule. You said she’s mad with the curse.”

My father averted his eyes, staring at the silver watch I brought him. Rocks formed in the pit of my stomach just knowing he spoke so lowly of me. He didn’t even have the decency to look at me as I stared with contempt at his blurry image. Flexing my hand around the fork, which had bent under my manipulation. My magic spilled slightly into the stuffy room, causing my father to choke. The man I called my father, who I once looked up to, could give a rat’s ass about me. All the times I defended his name because he was my father, which was a waste.

“That’s enough, Kaydian,” my mother said, causing me to break away from my intrusive thoughts. My father’s wheezes greeted my ears. His eyes were the color of strawberries and the size of saucers. Jaqueline had slipped away from the room. I hadn’t realized my mother had moved from her spot until her hand squeezed my shoulder. Rose and cinnamon mingled in the air.

“I’m sorry… Father.” I said, which I think I meant. “I lost control of my magic.”

My father took a deep, haggard breath, rubbing his throat, “I—It’s okay. I think we’ve both got up on the wrong foot today.”

He threw me a shaky smile as his hand slightly trembled. Maybe I was supposed to feel bad for him, but in the dark recess of my mind, it gave me a little thrill knowing I paid him back for humiliating my mother and me. The unmitigated gall of my father to pin his indiscretion on me. Dark, reddened shade lingered on the tips of his short, pinned ears.

“So, enough procrastinating, spit it out,” my mother demanded, waving her hand in the air, forgetting about her choking mate. “And tell me everything because for the life of me, I couldn’t imagine you would leave for weeks without a guard or a word to anyone. Not even Delphine! I was worried sick about you.”

Tucking my hands underneath the table, holding them, so no one could see how they trembled. Stretching inside my chest, my magic felt content with what little freedom it had. It took me a moment to tell my mother about my time in California and Greyson while omitting the shifter part and his name. Of course, I didn’t need her to figure out what happened on her own.

My mother, who was the principal of indecipherable, looked dumbfounded. Her red cherry lips hung open as she sat wide-eyed, hanging onto each word that spilled from my mouth. She probably thinks I’m a completely manic person. My father’s shoulders slumped as he tugged on the white sleeves of his shirt. This might have been the longest I’ve seen him this quiet. Ten minutes later, my mouth dried out from speaking for so long that a comfortable silence fell upon us.

“You found your mate?” My mother was the first one to break the silence. Her arms wrapped around me, enveloping me in her warmth. “I’m so happy for you, my moon. I guess you needed the time away.”

All I could do was smile. My poor mother would never think that if she knew the truth about Greyson.

“Of course, mother. Everything is falling into place.” My voice strained as I tried to keep up my imposter smile.

“Well, I guess better late than never,” my father said, getting up from his seat. He was standing next to my mother. “Kaydian, I’m sorry for jumping the gun. I was thinking about you and your mother’s legacy?—”

“You never had faith in me before. So, I wasn’t holding my breath on you, father,” I said.

“Kaydian…” My mother’s voice was soft-spoken as she pleaded.

“Mother, he didn’t even care enough to wait until I got back before he dragged his bastard here to take my spot,” I choked out. Turning to my father, I continued, “We may be witches, but we have feelings. And I’m tired of not being protected. I would expect that from a common witch, but from my father?—”

Shaking my head, “I know that everything has been about the curse lately, but you’ve written me off without even trying. I think that’s what hurts the most. That I’m just another expendable person on your power trip.”

“I never meant to hurt you, my little princess,” my father sighed heavily. Dark circles decorated his eyes. “We all make mistakes, and I’m sorry you felt that I abandoned you for Jaqueline. My intentions were never to hurt you but to give us another option. I hope you can see that I was just thinking about the coven.”

His words went down hard as I tried to digest them. “Mother, why would you even entertain this plan?”

My mother’s mouth opened before she closed them shut. Her emerald eyes scanned the room before they landed on me. Sadness dripped from those gems when she said, “In my moment of doubt, I thought you left us. Jaqueline was presented to me, and she had no one. So, she would be easy to bend without there being anyone to influence her besides us. It was a foolish mistake on my part. I wasn’t thinking when I agreed to it. For that, I apologize because I would never hurt you, my emerald moon. I love you.”

And maybe I was foolish as well, because I forgave my mother at that very moment. “I want her gone, though. As soon as possible.”

My father, who had poured himself another glass of Fae wine, said, “Kaydian, your…Jaqueline has no family left. Evie and Urick need more help at the Inn. Why don’t you allow her to work so you can keep a close tab on her?”

I do like the sound of having to watch her clean puke off of the floor. Something about Jaqueline on her knees scrubbing the putrid puke and piss from the drunks off the floor warmed the cockles of my heart.

“Fine. She can work in the Inn as that’s it, Father.”

My father nodded. His presence used to bring me joy, but now all I can see are the fine cracks in his charm. It was a damn shame, was all I could say.

My mother, who was rubbing my back. Sniffling, she said, “I think we’ve all had a long day. And I, for one, am just happy you’re alright and that you could make your way back home to me in one piece.”

“It’s okay, you’re right…we’ve both had an extremely long day,” I said, dodging my father’s attempt to hug me, to pacify me. Leaving his arms splayed out in the air, hurt had the nerve to show up in his large brown eyes. He really thought his excuse was acceptable. It was as if I was viewing my father for the first time—only this time, I could see through the cloud of bullshit and empty words that surrounded him.

“But I wanted to let you know. I’m back, and although you may not believe ‘I’m ready,’ I will earn your trust again. I’ve tried to hold off the inevitable, but this trip was exactly what I needed to see that I was stupidly ignoring my destiny. Our beloved Youna has never steered us wrong, and it’s time for me to put my full support into leading our people.” Stopping, I laid a hand on my mother’s cheek, swiping the tears that soaked her skin. Those gems swam in a red sea as she gazed back at me. “I’m ready, and there’s no turning back now.”

The warmth from my mother’s arms, coupled with her scent, greeted me like a warm welcome home. Stuffing my face into her curls reminded me I was where I belonged, and the only thing that mattered was to make everything right. My mother broke our embrace, planting kisses around my face, which made me want to complain, but I let her have this moment. Plus, her toothy smile had me mirroring hers. I missed her. Even when she was a thorn in my side, I would take that over anything any day.

“I’m going to bed now,” I announced when she finally let me go. Turning on my flat, I was prepared to leave when my mother's question stopped me in my tracks.

“So, when are we going to meet your mate?”

“Oh, I’ll have to coordinate a time for you to meet?” I replied hurriedly.

“Okay,” she said, watching me with her keen eyes. “What’s his name?”

“And what does he look like? Maybe I know his family?” My father picked up from my mother’s last question.

Lies, lies, lies…

And ones I didn’t quite think of until this very moment. Shuffling on my feet, I did the only thing that came to mind.

“Tomorrow, I’m longing for a hot bath and to sleep in. Goodnight, Mother…Goodnight, Father.” I yelled as I turned on my heels and fled the dining room with my mother calling after me.

All the way to my room, I couldn’t stop thinking about how I would make this lie work.