8. Chapter Eight

MEKHI

The dining room table in our family home, high atop the largest mountain on Rexuna, is playing host to a metaphorical tug of war.

The rope? Rose, apparently. It's Dads versus Chaos.

The firing squad stands before us, and for once, I'm not the one under fire. Glancing down our row of seats, I see I'm not the only one who's pleased about this. Jax and Deakan wear matching smirks. Bennett has a look of pure glee across his usually smug face. Theo, ever the professor, has the best poker face of us all.

"If I'd known you'd go off to college just to collect mates, I would've locked you in your room." Oz paces in front of the long table, his normally cool, collected fa?ade cracking.

"It's not too late for that." A slow curl of steam billows from Penn's nostrils as they flare.

"You're upset I want to be just like Mom?" Rose raises a brow at her fathers, and I suppress a smirk by tucking my lips between my teeth. Nothing good will come of me showing any kind of amusement right now. I've learned to tread carefully, especially around the mind-reading ones. Feigning ignorance and keeping my thoughts meticulously guarded is better than giving any of them mental ammunition to use against me.

A stunned silence falls over the room. Rose's dads wear that deer-in-the-headlights look, visibly grappling with how to respond without offending Lana. We all know who really holds all the cards in their relationship.

"She's a child!" Breaking the quiet, Gideon gestures wildly towards Rose. "Practically an infant!"

"I'm a full-grown adult," Rose mutters under her breath.

Lana leans forward to reach for her mug of tea, and Finn nudges it towards her with a gentle flicker of magic. "She's only attended the academy for a year?—"

"Not that I agree, but the academy is just a formality at this point." Bennett's chair teeters on two legs as he leans back. Pink gum snaps between his lips before he continues. "Before we stepped foot into college, we were already practicing magic we shouldn't have been." As if to demonstrate, he extends his hand and conjures a clear orb, hovering just above his palm. With a focused glance, he causes a burst of energy to swirl inside it, rapidly escalating into a whirl of colors. The orb pulsates, and then with a controlled intensity, a small explosion erupts within it, flames and sparks colliding but never escaping its boundaries. The orb then calms, settling back into a harmless, translucent sphere as he casually closes his hand, extinguishing it with a shit-eating grin on his face.

That display reminded me of how things used to be.

Penn, a powerful dragon fae adept in pyrotechnics and former king of Draconum, watches with a blend of pride and admiration. Although new to our family dynamic, his eyes betray a growing paternal fondness as he takes in Bennett's confident display of magic.

It took a long time for Rose and Bennett to warm up to Penn, Grimm, and Casimir after the war, and this is how they've been able to bond: blowing shit up.

First, Bennett and Rose set little explosions to go off any time one of the former kings crossed a specific boundary. Let's just say neither of them liked their new step daddies very much. When the explosions did little more than scuff their shoes, Penn took it upon himself to teach them the proper way to dismantle their enemies.

Before long, their retaliatory pranks became something deeper. It was no longer just about lashing out for the kidnapping of their mother; it was a means for Bennett, Rose, and even for me, to start healing from the deep wounds that act had inflicted upon us all.

In the shadow of conflict, we learned that wounds of war run deeper than the battlefield. Here, amid the remnants of battle, we found not just the pain of the past, but paths to healing we never knew we needed. This understanding became our new foundation, a shared agreement that we were moving forward, not just surviving the past.

Now, while not perfect, there's an easy camaraderie between us all.

"All of us are already performing blood magic." Rose smirks conspiratorially at her twin brother.

Lana's face pales as she grips the table, her knuckles white as she defers to her high king mate with a panicked glance. She doesn't need to say a word to him before he's picking up the reins.

Despite not being as tall, Finn parks right in front of Chaos and stares the overgrown giant down. While both sporting deep tans that speak of a lot of time in the sun, Finn's eyes and hair are light in contrast to Chaos's black hair and green eyes that might even have some gold in them. "You're older than I am. Older than any fae in existence." His countenance adopts a still, predatory intensity, the kind that unnerves prey caught in his sights, though Chaos doesn't even flinch. "And yet, you're vying for our daughter's heart?"

Chaos, unfazed, sinks into the unoccupied seat next to Rose, leans back, and smirks. "You know as well as I do the fates have a sense of humor. But even you can't argue if she's going to be fated to anyone, shouldn't she be the soul bond of the most powerful god in existence? You can try to keep me from my soul bond at your own peril. I've crushed kingdoms for less," he says, picking up a glass and swirling the chunks of ice around before taking a sip with a loud, obnoxious sound. He looks back up at Finn. "But here's the crux of it: without her, magic itself will begin to destabilize and deteriorate. And that, gentlefae, should be of concern to you all."

Finn's eyes widen, and a flush of fear rises to his cheeks as he momentarily loses his poise. Staring at Chaos, he attempts to speak, his voice catching in his throat before he manages to steady it. "Does my mother know about this?"

"I believe Luna knew before I did," the god answers, the timbre of his voice laced with power.

I catch Bennett and Rose wincing at that, but it seems to escape the notice of everyone else in the room. I will be asking them about that later.

"I-I have noticed it. A change. A weakening in my magic," Lana whispers. Her hand trembles as she takes a sip from her drink. "And I've seen it on others too. Tiny things. Charms going awry, that sort of thing."

Chaos' back is ramrod straight, not showing any weakness in front of Rose's fathers and mother. "The rest of the god's council knows, too. They've already put it to vote. Though that was strictly a formality." He smirks. "You and I both know the checks and balances of the realms all pass through me anyway."

"You're not taking her from us." Lana clings to Casimir, her wolf fae mate and former king of Luporia. The sound from his chest cycles between a deep, rumbling purr to soothe her, and a low growl directed at Chaos.

"I have no intention of keeping her from any of you. You found a way to have each of your mates and both of your thrones realms apart, all while keeping your families together." He inclines his head before turning his eyes, all syrupy, warm, and starry-eyed, at Rose. "Though I'd give it all up for her if I had to."

Gasps ring out in the room, but it's Rose who speaks first.

"You can't do that."

He settles the full weight of his attention on her and crosses his arms. "I will if it means I can be with you. It's not easy to abdicate as The God, but I'm sure some sorry sap would be more than happy to take over in my stead. They all want power until they have to face the consequences of wielding it." His voice trails off, the last words seemingly more for himself than for the others.

A deep flush colors Rose's cheeks.

"Advanced in magic or not, she needs more control of it. What will you do about her schooling?" Auguste leans casually against the wall, absently cleaning beneath his nails with a knife. His relaxed posture belies the sharp, observant gaze of a seasoned tracker, one accustomed to vigilance. His eyes, with a predator's keenness, subtly sweep the room. "She's not dropping out."

"That's up to Rose what she wants to do with her academic career. We can put her on an accelerated path so she finishes this summer, or we could tie it up in one more school year. She's already way ahead in her magical studies." Theo turns his laptop around for them to look.

Her parents gather around the laptop, trying to get a look at the small screen. Each of us mates have already seen this, as this afternoon we all helped come up with a few learning paths for all of us. Frustrated, Grimm mutters a spell that projects the image onto the wall. Everyone readjusts their positions to view the different paths we put together for Rose based on what she already knows. Her grades appear alongside several data points displaying her weak areas, such as Fae History and Elemental Magic, though there's a touch of pride on his face next to Rose's mastery score in Astronomy.

Professor Theo Pyxis, despite his brilliant mind, isn't your typical academic — he's got a rebel streak and a penchant for fun. He'd probably turn his entire curriculum upside down if it meant making his class more enjoyable for his soul bonded mate. The thought of her not being engaged in his Astronomy class? That's something he wouldn't stand for.

Lana's attention swings back to her daughter. "This is all as expected. But I think it's pretty obvious this isn't why you went to the academy in the first place. You told us that you wanted to be just a regular student, living a regular, albeit magical, life."

"You and I both know I was never going to lead a regular life. Not with seven-ish dads with more magic than most of the population of Bedlam combined." Rose wears a smug expression, observing her mother's flushed cheeks. The high queen is making a concerted effort not to peek at Bellamy, who sprawls in a chair at the table's end, amusement coloring his features. He's the ‘ish' in question. Everyone here knows it's inevitable. The real question is, why the hell hasn't it happened yet? It's all the realm gossips about.

Oz's brows furrow together as he studies his daughter. "And what about Spar Games? You're just going to give that up?" His gaze slides down the table. "Jax? Would you?"

"In a heartbeat."

My eyes widen. Jax is one of the star athletes on the squad, alongside Kieran and Rose. If they all leave, Coach Thorn will be livid.

"Is this what you really want?" Grimm glances at Rose before looking back at the projection. "What you all want?" He directs his last question towards the rest of us.

The question haunts me, and I've thought a lot about it this year. I knew when I first met Rose that I'd eventually have to share her—she's maintained from the beginning she wants to be just like her mom. It'd be awful of me to have her fall in love with me and then rob her of that. Sure, it was a big adjustment in the beginning, switching schools, moving into Theo's. But now?

My family has grown, exponentially. It's been so long since I'd had a real one that I'd forgotten what that felt like until Rose's family came along. I haven't felt lonely for a single moment since.

Whether it's Bennett and I playing video games we've smuggled in from Earth, or being Theo's taste tester when he's trying to perfect a recipe he thinks Rose might like, there's never a shortage of love to go around.

Especially when I can crawl into bed each night, knowing that even if I'm asleep, between each of us, my mate is safe. That isn't something I'd ever give up.

I waited almost two decades to feel this kind of safety and security again.

"Being a guardian sounds pretty sweet." Deakan leans back in his chair, propping his elbow on the arm as he chews on the end of a pen cap.

"But where would you live? Theo built that beautiful home?—"

"Wherever she wants, we'll follow," I say. "Though I do really love the cave." I glance at Theo, who inclines his head at me in thanks. The house is a work in progress, as we need more space in the bathroom, and could use a lot more closet space with everyone crowding into the bedroom now.

"But what about what you want? Codependency isn't cute." Lana frowns as she makes eye contact with each one of us before landing on Theo. "Will you still teach?"

I bite my tongue. She knows I have my own hobbies: metal work, enchanting, and martial arts. Deakan has surfing. Jax has Spar Games, which is multi-disciplinary. And then there's Chaos, whose responsibilities are realms-wide. Lana is just being a mother hen right now.

"Of course, it's what I love." Theo smiles warmly at our mother-in-law. I quickly redirect my thoughts about what else he loves to do, wary of the mind-reading dads in the room. The last thing I need is for them to catch a mental glimpse of Theo's rule-skirting antics, like his hand-built motorcycle, which is a clear defiance of our realm's ban on engines. "Besides, it sounds like my expertise in astronomy might be needed." The professor leans forward to grab his mug and take a sip of the mint tea that probably has more sugar in it than actual tea or water.

"What do you mean?" Oz casts a nervous glance to Finn before redirecting his attention back to Theo.

The professor clicks around on his computer a few times before pulling open a document he can project on the wall.

"The alignment of these celestial bodies," Theo begins, pointing at a series of interconnected stars and planets on the chart, "isn't just a rare astronomical event. It's deeply tied to the flow of magic in our realm, and potentially others. This convergence," he taps a particularly bright star on the chart, "is directly linked to the strength and stability of magic. It seems that Rose's impending bonding with Chaos isn't coincidental. It's cosmically significant."

Oz leans in, squinting at the chart as if its offended him. And it probably has. "So, you're saying this star alignment thing … it's affecting magic?"

"More than that," Theo continues. "The celestial alignment needs a corresponding terrestrial anchor to maintain the balance of magical forces. Rose, being soul bonded with Chaos, is that anchor. As her other soul bond, I'm her tether. She's the keystone on which everything rests. If their bond isn't solidified, the imbalance could lead to unpredictable fluctuations in magic, affecting everyone."

Gideon grumbles, "Bullshit. Our daughter doesn't need more mates."

Theo smirks fondly at him. We're all used to their fatherly posturing, though Chaos is just getting his first taste of it. "Thought you might say that …" he clicks around on his computer a few times, eyes scanning the screen before he finds the folder he needs. "Here it is." He clicks the folder, opens the file, and then pushes back from his chair and folds his hands across his tattooed chest as he reclines. He always used to glamor his tattoos around Rose's parents, but he doesn't anymore. It's a sign we're all a lot more comfortable around them.

"What are we looking at here?" Lana sits up, glancing between the projected image and the griffin fae.

The screen shows a diagram with each of our names across it, what appears to be power levels, and magical rope connecting the icons.

"Go ahead and double-click the illustration for me." Theo gestures to Lana, who leans over to do as he asked.

The screen now displays an intricate web of connections, each line representing a bond between Rose and her mates, including Chaos. The diagram pulsates, the lines glowing with varying intensities.

Theo explains, "Each line here represents the bond between Rose and one of her mates. These aren't just emotional connections; they're conduits of magical power, channels that stabilize and enhance each other's strengths. Each are necessary components."

Lana leans closer, wariness stilling her features. "And these fluctuations in the lines?"

"That's the flow of magic between them. See how her line to Chaos is the most vibrant? Their bond is the strongest. It's a necessary anchor for balancing his immense power. But it's not enough alone. The other bonds," Theo points to the lines connecting Rose to her other mates, "they act as support structures, distributing and balancing the force that flows through Rose and Chaos. It's a network of power, a living, breathing magical ecosystem."

Gideon frowns, still skeptical. "So, you're saying Rose needs all of them just to keep Chaos in check?" His features shift to distaste as he eyes the god in question.

Casimir's purr turns to more of a growl next to Lana.

"Exactly." Theo nods. "Each mate plays a vital role. Without us, the system becomes unstable, and the magic can become volatile, not just for us, but potentially for everyone connected to this network. The oversight once managed by the gods' council alone is no longer sufficient." He leans forward to click around on the computer, and the image pans out. We're now getting a realms-wide look at every single tiny little web of connection the fae have to magic.

"Do we really need magic?" I catch the faint whispering Gideon says to Penn. "Oz and Auguste don't have it. My life was just fine when I was without it."

Finn, digesting this new information, finally speaks as he crosses his arms. "That's why the gods' council is involved. This isn't just about Rose or Chaos. It's about the stability of our entire magical ecosystem."

Lana bites her lip, her gaze shifting between Rose and the chart. "This is bigger than we thought, and it changes things. You're not just collecting mates; you're deciding the fate of magic itself."

Rose breathes deeply for a moment, her eyes darting across the faces gathered around her. She bites her lip, then sits up straighter in her chair, a quiet intensity settling in her posture. Her hand reaches out to smooth the tablecloth in front of her. "This isn't just about what I want anymore. It's about what's needed."

Rose is already immortal as a fae, but she can be killed. If she's a goddess? Indestructible. There isn't a mate in the world that wouldn't wish for that.

Growing up, I heard it all: "You're talentless," "You're weak," "You're worthless." Each word was a blow, not just from fists but from the one person who should have been my protector—my uncle. After my parents died, he took every chance to remind me that I'd never amount to anything. He made me feel like I was nothing, a shadow of what could have been if love, rather than cruelty, had shaped my years.

Fuck you, Uncle Blain.

Here I am, sitting at a table that couldn't be more different from those dark memories. It's crowded with Rose's dads, and there's the High Queen and King of the Fae themselves. There's even a god, casually chatting as if I'm his equal. Around us, Rose's other mates, guys who've become like brothers to me, pass dishes and look to me as though what I have to say matters.

It's a mindfuck sometimes.

They don't see me as broken. They don't pity me. I'm just Mekhi, part of something special. I'm not that shadow anymore; I'm real, solid, seen. Sitting here, with this crazy, loud, magical family that's adopted me as one of their own, I know things are different.

For the first time in a long time, I feel like I belong. I'm not just surviving; I'm living, thriving. Happy.

So, I blink away the tears that've gathered at the back of my eyes and snag a bread roll off the table before taking a bite, soaking this all in. I meet Bennett's eyes down the table, and he inclines his head, checking in. I give him a smile in return.

All's good.

So, so fucking good.

Oz sighs heavily as he parks a new mug of tea in front of his daughter. "We always knew you were destined for greatness, kiddo. We just didn't realize how literal that was going to be."

Jax reaches out, squeezing Rose's hand. "Whatever you decide, we're with you. All of us."

The room falls into a heavy silence as everyone contemplates what this means. And then, like a serrated knife ripping through silk, Rose's sister, Nova, stalks up to the computer, clicks around a few times, and then points the cursor to the second image that was on the screen. "So, who's that?"

I didn't even see Rose's little sister come in, and based on the surprise on everyone's faces, no one else did, either. It's well past when she's supposed to be in bed. She's been working with Auguste on stealth in preparation for her attending one of the academies in the fall. Her matching set of pajamas has little frogs on them with knives—a gift I got her for Christmas. Her parents won't let me make her real knives until she reaches full maturity in a couple weeks, so this was the second-best thing.

My eyes follow her as she skirts the table and walks up to the wall, tapping it several times. "I said, who is that?" she demands. Thwacking her hand against the top of the image where a giant storm rages in the sky, she declares, "This is obviously Chaos." Then, tapping the giant blue moon that illuminates the sky and drawing an exaggerated circle around it, she adds, "And this is clearly Rose and her big bu?—"

"—Watch your tongue, little lady." Lana interrupts her daughter, silencing her with a charm.

In response, Novaleigh scowls, rolls her eyes, and twirls her hand, as if to say, ‘get on with it.' As soon as she's released from the charm, she smirks and turns back to the projection on the wall. Though she's only nearing two in human years, fae mature at a different rate, with her age equating to that of a human teenager. Her palm smacks against the wall as she indicates to the images on it.

Slap. "Theo." His griffin is soaring amongst the cosmos.

Slap. "Jax." Just below that is his dragon, dodging a lightning strike amid Chaos' storm.

Slap. "‘Khi." That's me. Nova is the only one who calls me that. My image is less majestic as I'm just a witch, but mine shows my hands stretched out wide, as though I'm a conduit between the fae realms and Earth.

Slap. "Deakan." His lion stands proudly atop a rocky cliff, overlooking the land.

She strikes the last of the projected icons at the bottom of the wall before spinning towards us and folding her arms across her chest. "Who is this?" It shows something in the tall grass at the foot of the mountain, and we all lean in close to get a better look.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me." Penn growls as all our attentions snap towards Rose.