Chapter 206

Chapter 206
As the family dissolved into happy chaos—Bianca planning the welcome party, Dante ordering t-shirts, and Vernon trying to shield Nixxon from the sudden noise—Maren pulled Blue toward the quieter expanse of the glass wall.

"So, Black?" Maren asked him quietly, nodding toward the artist who was now packing his small bag near the door, laughing with Dane.

Blue sighed, ​"Black is leaving today, by the way," he smiled, "He got his dramatic scene, and his flight is in an hour."

​"He was a good actor," Maren mused. 

Blue chuckled, placing a soft hand on Maren's cheek, "But you know, Maren, even if the bond hadn't flared... I think the tart would have done it."

​Maren smiled, a genuine, relieved smile that Blue hadn't seen in months. "I'll keep the recipes coming, then. For life."

​He gently turned Blue to face the wide, endless ocean. The early morning light glittered on the surface, a vast, powerful entity that had witnessed their betrayal and their reunion.

​"I need to say this, Blue," Maren said, his voice dropping to a serious, royal tone. "I will spend the time earning back your trust. I will never doubt you again. But more than that, I want to give you what I took. Freedom, security, and a choice. Whenever you are ready, I want you to choose me again, not out of the bond's compulsion, but out of your own free will. And when you do, we will celebrate under the sea, with Princess Kaiya cheering us on."

​Blue leaned his head against Maren's shoulder, feeling the strength of the Prince, now tempered by humility.

​"I think," Blue murmured, his voice soft, "I might have started choosing you the moment I realised you were willing to sleep on the floor for me."

​He tightened his grip on Maren's hand, the cool, polished stone of the green bracelet resting against Maren's skin—a permanent reminder that their bond was not a chain of fate, but a conscious, fought-for choice.

​"Now," Blue said, pulling back with a mischievous grin. "Since we have a few hours before we have to pretend to be civilised in front of royalty... why don't we go back upstairs and see how well this new commitment is sealed?"

​Maren's eyes instantly ignited with bright, eager gold. "Your wish is my command, my mate."

​He didn't need any further urging. Maren scooped Blue up into his arms, ignoring the chuckles of the family, and carried him swiftly up the stairs, leaving the drama, the tarts, and the past behind them, ready to embrace the unpredictable, beautiful future together.
_________

ONE YEAR & A HALF LATER...

At a public beach, Dante and Dane wore red shorts, a little Kaiya between them, holding their hands.

Her cute pink swimsuit made her look incredibly irresistible as people stared at the very beautiful baby walking between two handsome men, her long, black hair gently swaying behind her as she moved. 

"Um, excuse me. Are you the parents?" A young woman with her baby in her arms asked as she approached them.

"Who's asking?" Dante asked, raising a brow at her.

The woman frowned slightly, clearly not appreciating the way Dante spoke to her. 

Dane cleared his throat, smiling at the woman and her baby, "Hello, Ma'am. I'm Dane, this is Dante, and this angel..." he carefully carried Kaiya in his arms, her blue eyes smiling at him, "Is Kaiya." He introduced.

"We're his uncles. Why do you ask?" Dane asked.

"Handsome," Kaiya suddenly leaned toward the baby boy in the woman's arms, trying to touch him.

"Oh, she's so cute. She called him handsome –"

"He's not," Dante said but instantly cleared his throat, smiling at the offended-looking woman. 

"I meant...he's not any of your fathers, princess," He laughed, poking Kaiya's cheek cutely.

"Her parents like to call each other that way and she thinks that's the name for every man... even babied. It'd not like she has a crush on your son, from the looks of it, he wouldn't be her type –"

"What if they're mates?" Dane suddenly asked. 

Dante scoffed, "Oh, please. Not him and it's still early to decide. He's not her mate." He frowned slightly, his over-protectiveness shining through.

"What are you guys talking about?" The young woman questioned, looking from Dante to Dane.

"Anyways, since you're not the parents, I just wanted to come over and share my advice as a mother of three with you guys –"

"We don't need it –"

"We would love to hear it, Ma'am," Dane stumped on Dante's foot, shutting him up with a glare. 

The woman scowled at Dante before she faced Dane with a smile on her face.

"Children are quite mischievous and since you're not the parents, likely, you don't know the tricks she has up her sleeves. Just, never leave her alone in the water and always keep a close eye on her. Okay?" She asked, touching Kaiya's cheek with a smile. 

"You don't have to worry. Our little princess has nothing up her sleeves. Thanks for the advice, but we won't be needing it," he gently took Kaiya from Dane's arms and walked away toward the water.

"Water, water, water," Kaiya clapped excitedly.

"Yes, yes, water. Bit, promise your favourite uncle... no talks?" He asked her quietly as he stepped into the water.

Kaiya slowly nodded, her blue eyes shining brighter than the sun and sky.

"No tails..." she nodded her small head, wriggling her legs to be let down. 

Dante kissed her forehead and smiled, "You see? I told your parents ik the best uncle and you only listen to me. Here you go, sweetheart, let's get you to experience how it feels to swim with real people," he said and lowered her to her feet, sitting himself on the ground and allowing his shirts get soaked as he sank into the water.

Kaiya cackled cutely, sitting between Dante's legs and slapping her hands on the water, enjoying the splattering sounds it made.

Dante watched her, smiling fondly as the girl played with the water.

"Dante," Dane called from behind. 

"Yeah?" Dante answered, turning his head to look at Dane.

"I'll be right back. I need to –"

"Ahh! The baby! The baby is gone with the waves!" The young woman from earlier screamed at the top of her lungs.

Dante froze, the fear in Dane's eyes confirming his own fears.

"Oh, shit. Come on, not again!" He growled and looked between his legs.

Truly, Kaiya was nowhere to be seen.