Chapter 27

Darah

"Ember, I am sorry you had to meet like that, but I am so happy for you and my brother. He is the best! He deserves to live. I am glad he will have you."

We hugged each other and just cried. I could not imagine imprinting just to be separated moments later. Candy jumped on the bed to lay over our laps, licking us both frantically. He knew something was sad for us and wanted to fix this.

"It will be okay Ember. We will get you home, and my brother Jason will find his way to you soon."

I rubbed her back, trying to soothe her. Our wrist alarms broke us apart. Ember took a deep, calming breath.

"Thank you, Darah. I was worrying about my family, and now I have a new mate with a new extended Family. It was hard to imprint just to be separated. That is not natural for my kind." Ember spoke with emotion as she wiped a stray tear off her cheeks.

"Honey, we are gonna get you home, and you will have your side of the family and our side of the family celebrating you and Jason. We need something great like this to celebrate after everything we have gone through. I am happy to call you, my sister."

"Darah, there are no sides. We are all family now. Thank you for supporting me."

"You're right, Ember. One huge family now." I couldn't help but radiate happiness.

"These communication things are so intrusive. Ember said as she tapped at her device. We use the mind push to communicate long distances in my world. You, people, need some magic in your life instead of machines."

I laughed. "Don't I wish I could be magical? You are spectacular, Ember. Jason is lucky to have you."

"Thank you, Darah. Tell me what this means?" pointing at her wrist device.

"It means we are arriving at Laverian and must report to Flame five minutes ago. I guess there's no time for tea." I said as I grabbed my charred backpack and guitar to rush and meet Flame.

Candy and Flame kept pace with me as I entered the docking port of the medical city vessel that transported us to Laverian. Guards, let us pass per Flames orders.

I ran to my Flame and jumped in her arms, landing a sweet kiss. I knew it was incredibly unprofessional, and I should save this type of stuff for privacy. I needed to love my mates after such an emotional experience. Flame kissed me back and held me tight, not bothered by our audience.

"I am happy to see you too, my love." Flame said.

Gods, I love her sultry red eyes. She gave me and Terrek a particular gaze that radiated her love.

"Where's that purple demon man of mine?" I asked, searching for Terrek.

He is checking on his mother. A jump ship just landed here from the other carrier to reunite them. I did not want to meet her without you with me. He will get us when they are ready to go to the surface. I have his relatives prepared to go in that ship over there."

Flame pointed out a small jump ship that was waiting to launch. Her sad eyes said she felt terrible for what the enslaved people had endured.

"Flame, you did well. We saved them. Now we can all heal together."

I hugged her tightly. Candy rubbed his head up against her thigh, saying hello.

"Flame, meet our new sister Ember," I said playfully, explaining my dream encounter with the Goddess and my family.

"Welcome to the family, Ember. I am so glad we are more than friends." Flame said as she put her fist over her heart and bowed, giving Ember a warrior salute.

"Thank you, Flame. I am glad, too," Ember said.

Terrek came around the corner of the jump ship. As he saw us, he smiled, his black eyes smoldering. I ran to him and jumped in his arm, greeting him with a kiss.

"Mmmn, that's my girl." He moaned as he reluctantly let me slip down his body to stand on my feet.

Flame leaned up to kiss him briefly, "How is your mother?" she asked.

I stepped back so he could tell us. His gaze went sad just briefly.

It is so good to see her. She is frail, though. They tried to assimilate my mother, who is not controllable, so she suffered.

We cried over losing my father. She is still sad but pleased to be home and thrilled that I am alive. She wants to meet you both. Shall we?"

Terrek held his hand out in a wave, gesturing for us to board the ship to meet his mother.

"I am so sorry about your father, Terrek. I know it must be hard to stay stoic."

I grabbed his hand and said, "I am eager to meet your mother."

"I hope she likes me." Flame said, taking his other hand.

"She will love you, Flame. She will love you both." Terrek said.

"What's not to love, Flame? You are badass." I tried to reassure her.

My nervous energy flared up as I felt Flame's anxiety, my fingers entangled with hers. Terrek's sadness radiated backward toward us as he walked with a small limp in front of us.

My mates need to be well and loved. I reached my free hand out to rub his back in the only way I could give him support. I will love them always. I wish I were enough to keep all their pain and worries away. Reality can really suck at times.

After feeling the emotions from my brother and Ember imprinting and then being separated. Now that I was awake, we were about to meet Terrek's mother in the aftermath of war. My emotions were all over the place.

I would be strong for everyone. I must be. Flame said she found his mother but she was not in the best of health. Terrek was hiding his grief well, for our sake. He was so protective. We all were of each other.

We entered the jump ship and found Terrek's mother, Tora, sitting in a chair with a blanket on her lap. We got to have this meeting privately. Flame thought of everything. She was truly unique.

Terrek bent over and kissed his mom on the top of her head. He kneeled on the grated floor and held his mother's hand.

"Mom, with great pride, I introduce you to my true mates. This is Darah of Earth and Flame of Gia's.

"Flame, this is my mother, Tora of Laverian." Flame stepped forward and bowed with her fist over her heart in her warrior greeting.

"I am so happy to meet you, Mother Tora." Flame said.

"Flame, look at you, such a beauty! My son is blessed indeed. Please come hug me."

Toro lifted her shaky arms. She was so frail that I was affected by the sight of her in that state. I received genuine love from Tora. The moment Flame leaned down to hug Tora. Her anxiety melted away. This was beautiful.

The frail, sickly woman transformed before me into a strong matriarch presence. Flame had not discussed her family much. Clearly, she prioritizes family as she melts into Tora's gentle hug. I loved this about her. We will need to meet all of her family next.

Flame stood with a sweet smile. She turned to me, and I smiled as I moved forward.

"Darah, you are such a beauty as well." Tora held her arms open for me. I hugged her and felt her acceptance and love. I felt her illness, too; she was strong for us, but she was very ill.

"I am so glad you are with us now. I feel so lucky to be a part of this family."

"My sweet child, our lives are saved, we have been returned home, and we have hope now. You made all this possible. You, Terrek, and Flame have saved us all. We are truly the lucky ones." Tora insisted, her voice frail.

"All my favorite ladies are with me. Let me take you home now," Terrek said genuinely.

I sat next to Tora as Flame and Terrek allowed the medical team to enter the ship so Tora could get her medical attention, and Flame launched, taking us home.

She planned for us to be the first to land. My heart was so whole and happy. My anxiety lingered, though. I worried for Tora. She was being humble and sweet. However, I sensed she was suffering greatly.

Flame landed just outside Terrek's village. I had only glimpsed his home in his projected memory when he was in the worthy machine. When I stepped outside and saw his house, I was breathless.

The deserted village was eerily empty. His home was wellmade and beautifully beckoning. The smell of this land was refreshing, and the sense of being at home was simply wonderful. While this world lacks advanced technology, these homes were built with stunning craftsmanship.

"Come see our home. This one is my home next to my parents' home. The Chief house is my parent's or was . . . I suppose now our house is the Chief's house."

Terrek gave his mother a sweet glance as he offered to assist the medical team in escorting his mother off the ship. "Mom, we are home now."

"Indeed, Son, I am happy to have returned home." "We should take your mom home first. Get her settled." Flame insisted.

"These houses are so beautiful. Terrek, I am happy for all of us to be home." I said as we walked behind Tora and the team.

The moment we entered Tora's home, Terrek sat with his mother on a couch sitting area. He held his mom as she silently cried.

"I never thought I would see my home again. I can feel the difference in the air with your father gone now. Take your new bride's home and celebrate together. I need some rest and want to say a private farewell to your father in my home." Tora was helped up, and she waved us off, insisting that her help would get her to her room without us. Her fatigue, Terrek's sadness for his mother, and his grief. It was so overwhelming. Terrek insisted on helping his mother.

Flame's concern for them both shown in her eyes. I saw the wheels turning. She plans on making this her next priority. I planned on helping her. The earth tones and wood walls made the inside of this home cozy and had a cabin style.

"Come step outside with me." I pulled on Flame's elbow. She would learn how stubborn I could be when I insisted on helping her ease the load. She was always taking on too much by herself.

"Okay, I can use some fresh air. Laverian has very crisp air. I will enjoy it here." Flame said. Terrek stepped outside. "My mates are you ready to see our home?" he asked.

Terrek took our hands and walked us to the house across the path to his chief house, our home now. The moment we entered. I knew I was home. Very detailed hand-crafted wood lined the walls, and sturdy furniture was made of the same wood style and upholstered with rustic patterns.

I looked around and saw a spacious seating area with a tiled fireplace. I just wanted to fill this home with our babies. The big open window that overlooked the center of the village and the tall trees made into a gate kept the wild out. Gave us the best view, I pictured our future children running and playing. This was my happily ever after.

We were happy together and eager for a proper home welcoming between us, but we were all keen to start the homecoming of the Laverian people and refugees who chose to live here after the rescue.

The Galactic Empire's resources allowed us to help everyone reasonably smoothly.

Ember and Candy came down in the second wave of transit jumper ships.

After everything settled for the night, we returned home to the Chief's house. Ember and Candy slept in one of the many spare bedrooms. I kissed my sweetheart's good night as I was exhausted and fell asleep fast.