30. Thirty

Thirty

Willow

To say that the palace is beautiful would be like calling the Taj Mahal pretty. Those descriptions are unparalleled, mediocre.

I've never laid my eyes on such a magnificent structure. In a picture, in person, on the internet, there's just simply nothing like it in this realm or the nonmagical.

I'll give the guys the benefit of the doubt that because they grew up here, this is normal for them so that's why they did a poor job of describing this place to me. Corentin explained it was a collection of mansions that are basically spaced out by north, east, south, and west wings and they're all connected to the central quarter.

So in my mind, I was picturing our house times five spread out.

No.

This is a true fairy-tale palace that stretches far beyond my sight can see. We've apparently entered in at the private entrance for the central quarter, so currently, this is the only wing I see and it's just…everything.

With the sun rising high behind us in the sky, it bathes the walls of this majestic building in a shimmering glow that makes the white stone glisten with a thousand colors. Its beautiful, timeless color looks even more stunning with the vibrant plants that climb the sides in shades of green.

From this angle, the large, elegantly framed windows suck up everything the sun's offering and I just know inside is covered in the natural light that would warm my skin comfortably. The large balconies have intricate railings, peaceful seating areas, and I want nothing more than to sit there and drink a couple cups of coffee first thing in the morning.

The roof of the palace is complex, with multiple levels. There're vast spires that sit on top of towers stretching upward toward the heavens and just judging from the outside, those are towers I'd be okay with being locked in.

It's not just the palace itself that's impressive but even the landscaping is immaculate. The grounds are enchanting, with lush, radiant gardens filled with plants and flowers that are blooming in impossible patterns and colors. Multiple fountains slowly cascade water into sparkling pools, creating a serene atmosphere. There's no loud sloshing that overpowers the sounds of nature. It's just…peaceful.

The garden leads to a large clearing that stretches out until it meets the forest and we follow a stone path to where Gaster, Keeper, Dyce, and Tanith are. Standing back, waiting for them to finish up so we can head in, a laugh I tried to choke back flies out anyway when Gaster smacks Dyce's hand like he's a child after he tries to pet Tanith.

It's hilarious to see Gaster scold this grown man but also mind-boggling because it just shows Gaster's mysterious age has weight if he can pop a member of the ruling Nexus and all that happens is a mumbled sorry from said Nexus member.

"I can't believe you all didn't tell me how amazing this place is," I whisper into Caspian's arm as my grin lingers on.

"It's something. That's for sure, Primary," he says with a smirk on his face that screams they purposely didn't fill me in.

"You love it, huh, little wanderer?"

"It's stunning. Is every wing laid out like this?"

"No, princess. They're all different. We changed pretty much everything in our wing when we moved in there. Granted, we were teenagers who got a little element happy."

"A little element happy, son? You four nearly destroyed your wing over the years. Do you not recall sending a couch through the window when you were trying to rearrange the foyer because you didn't like the way the sun hit your face when it was rising? What about when Caspian flooded your entire hall when he was trying to adjust the water pressure in the shower? Or when your uncles and Aunt Tilly had to rebuild half of Tillman's bedroom because Caspian scared him, and he created a sink hole? Or how Draken burned down at least ten different sets of curtains because he ate that dark pepper and burped fire balls for a week?"

By the time Dyce is done snitching the guys out, I have tears streaming down my face from laughing so hard. They each look properly chastised but in a loving way. None of them deny a single statement made and each of their childlike mischievous smirks shows their fond memories over the accidents.

Based on the stories Gaster has shared, I already knew they were rough and tough boys who caused problems in their spare time, but hearing Dyce jokingly tease them on the mischief they caused warms my heart. How freeing it must have felt as children to be able to make mistakes without the fear of punishment because of it. Knowing you had loving parents who were going to discipline you in a healthy way and teach you how to do better, had to eliminate the fear of trying something new.

Oh, how I wish I could know them all.

"It did, little warrior. They gave us freedom to grow. We were incredibly blessed with a village of very loving adults. It wasn't like we had five parents but ten, twelve really with Gaster and Uncle Orien. You may only get to meet half of them and I wish more than anything they were here for this moment, but my parents would've loved you fiercely, just like my aunt and uncles are going to," Tillman says lovingly, thankfully mentally rather than out loud for Dyce and Keeper to hear.

I'm growing more excited about meeting the in-laws, but I don't think I'm quite ready for all of them to hear of the traumatic upbringing I had. Keeper has some knowledge already that I would've liked to still be kept in the dark, but neither of us can help what we were exposed to.

Making our way back to the gravel path that leads to the palace entrance, I get lost in the view and laugh freely as the others carry on. Keeper begins asking a million questions about the architecture, the wards, everything he can think of to ask. He's itching to ask more about Draken's time growing up here, but my dragon has drawn a line in the sand about that for now and Keeper's doing a good job of respecting that boundary.

Dyce gives every answer to him freely and the makings of a budding friendship start happening in front of me. My next thought about how the two of them would be epic to see in battle together sullies my mood slightly because it's shit that's one of the first thoughts to come to mind rather than say them just enjoying a conversation together over coffee, but I guess being in the middle of war will do that to your perspective.

"Let's go over this one more time. There's Aurora, Dyce, Theo, Roye, and Neil, correct?" I ask quietly as we grow closer to the palace.

"That's right, princess."

"And—"

"Primary, they're going to introduce themselves to you in just a moment. Relax," Caspian commands lightly with a chuckle.

"It's hard to relax, thank you very much. This is nerve-wracking. What if they hate me?"

"Firstly, they won't hate you. Dyce has made that obvious. Secondly, if by some off the realm chance they do, we leave and never speak to them again," he says seriously.

"That's a little extreme. You all couldn't cut them off if they didn't like me." I snort, but no other laughs follow. Gazing at my guys, their eyes are staring through me seriously. "Why…They're your parents. You couldn't cut them off for me."

"I could and would. You're above them, Primary. You're above everyone. Elementra herself doesn't come before you. Make no mistake of that. Our parents are no exception," he vows, then swoops in for a dark and demanding kiss, silencing me.

"Come on, little wanderer, no more doubt or fear. It's going to be great," Draken adds on, pressing into my back and calming the rising nerves.

"You're right." I shake my hands out beside me and release the nervous energy.

Everything's going to be perfect.

They're going to love me.

They already do, according to Dyce, so suck it up.

My steps falter a little as we approach huge, elaborate wooden doors that are decorated in delicate carvings of the four elements, patterns of vines, riverways, and flames. It's so detailed, the trees that are engraved look like they're blowing in the wind.

My breath stalls in my chest as I run my fingertips across the grooves and the love pulsing off the enticing entrance could bring me to tears. I know without being told the guys' parents made this door. I sense Dyce's signature on it and the four other unfamiliar presences give away who else they belong to.

I snatch my hand back like I've been shocked when Corentin places his against the handle and turns the knob. Both doors swing open, revealing a breathtaking foyer, and the sense of wonder I felt the first time I ever witnessed the academy hits me all over again.

As I cross the threshold, the first thing that catches my eye is the vast expanse of the room. The marble floor beneath my feet is a blended mix of gemstones that shimmers from the warm midday rays and the high, vaulted ceilings that soar above my head are bathed in the light from outside just as I predicted.

I could dance across this floor, and it'd feel like I was gliding over the stars in the night sky.

The center focus of the foyer is a grand split staircase that curves upward, leading to a balcony that overlooks the entire space. Hanging from it are the same flags that decorate the academy's entrance, and the familiar sight pulls an elated laugh from my chest.

Air, earth, Primary, water, and fire.

I turn in slow circles so I can witness it all. I soak in all the wonder, awe, and beauty of this place. Although it's elegant and grand, it also feels so homey. There's a warmth in the air that doesn't come from the sun outside, but from the essence of the people who live here and the sweet hint of jasmine ties it all together.

"Let them give her a tour first, Aurora," a deep masculine voice faintly echoes from down the hall, and I turn toward the noise.

"I'm more than capable of giving her a tour." Aurora's voice is laced with sass, and I hear her shoes pattering across the floor heading our way as she doesn't heed her Nexus member's words.

My chuckle floats through the open space, drifting down the hallway I know they're on, and for a second, there's a beat of silence as the footsteps and chatter stop. Then a stampede starts, and I know Aurora plus the rest of her Nexus are heading my way.

"Get ready, Willow, she's gonna be coming in hot." Dyce chuckles from somewhere behind me and I brace myself.

She, in fact, does round the corner like her ass is on fire with her men hot on her heels trying to stop her, but the second her gaze collides with mine, time seems to stop with her steps.

I'm overcome with happiness, relief, and my smile stretches across my face as I take her in from head to toe. I become solely focused on her. She's all I see.

Gaster's words about Aurora and Tilly almost passing as twins come barreling to the forefront of my mind as Tillman's awakening surfaces. They're the spitting images of one another. The only difference is Tillman's mom had curly chestnut hair that she obviously passed to him. Aurora's is straight and a beautiful blond that has natural high and low lights running through it.

From the distance that's still between us, I can tell she's a few inches taller than me, and she looks like what the nonmagical realm would believe an angel resembled. There's a glow to her caramel skin that's even more pronounced as I take in her bright aura and her measured steps seem to glide her across the floor. Without meaning to, I fall into the depths of her light blue eyes that have a ring of amber around her pupils.

They seem so familiar yet so foreign.

When she takes another step toward me, breaking her eye contact as she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear, it's like the spell I was under is broken and I can feel my own emotions again. They're a concoction of happiness and confusion, and now I'm not so sure what in the hell I'm feeling. It wasn't because of my gift that I was sensing her so keenly, nor was it my men's feelings pushing into me.

It was her.

Clarity sweeps through me when I recall Gaster telling me he uploaded some of the major gifts throughout the realm that I needed to study up on so I could use his gift properly.

It makes perfect sense now.

"You're an empath," I whisper.

An empath was the first gift listed in my journal after my men's, and I figured that they must be incredibly powerful beings for them to be so high on my list, but once I read the description, it didn't seem that it'd be a gift I should fear or be too concerned over.

Now facing Aurora, I understand.

There was a memo that was inserted about rarities seen in this gift and the list was short but important enough it stuck out. All empaths can feel what you're feeling, but few, very few, can push their feelings onto you. Some abilities stretch far enough that they can influence a whole room if they want to or keep it pinpointed to one individual.

Aurora most certainly can do both if she wants to.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to let my gift leak out. I was just taken by surprise," she whispers back to me as she grows closer.

When she finally approaches me, she takes my hands in hers and gently runs her thumbs across the top of them. It's like my body's been wrapped in a shell of safety and nothing will ever hurt me again in here. She's so warm, inviting, and the love reflected in her eyes makes my heart thunder wildly.

I'm a stranger in all senses, but she looks at me like she's known me my entire life.

"It's so nice to meet you," I choke out through the emotions clogging my throat.

She smiles softly at me as she slowly reaches her hands up to cup my cheeks. Her thumbs skim under my eyes and I feel the wetness I didn't even know was leaking coating her fingers.

"I've waited what feels like a lifetime to meet you, filia mea ."

Static races across my brain as everything grows hazy. The silence surrounding me is haunting and the only thing that's piercing through is her words repeating like a broken record stuck on the same song.

My face slackens as my jaw hangs open and her features grow weary with concern, but I can't get any words to come out of my mouth. My mind is splitting open, and my chest burns to ash from the power of my Memoria stone as flood after flood of memories try to pound their way through the barrier still blocking them.

I can't catch my breath and it takes considerable effort to force my lungs to work for me. The lack of oxygen is only adding to the dizziness taking over my brain and my legs wobble as they become too weak to hold me up.

I latch on to her wrist to steady myself, but it's useless as I fall to the floor on my knees. She follows me down with tender care and her lips are moving, but I barely hear her. I'm aware that the guys are now surrounding me, trying to pull me into them, but I don't focus on them.

"Wh-What did you call me?" I whisper, but my voice doesn't even sound like my own.

Honestly, I don't know if I said it out loud or in my head.

" Filia mea . It means…"