Chapter 61

Bastian stood outside the chamber. Why wasn’t there a window or something that allowed them to see in? He knew she’d be coming back out with the sigil on her arm, but he still wanted to be able to see her. Was she scared? She had been quiet during the whole thing. While he showered, and changed, his mother and cousin explained all the bits or Solrelm that he found boring.

They had brought her over to the private room his family used for porting to and from places. Liri had given Nova a cloak to wear. His mother and Liri had also put one on. With Trendan, Ulric, Tor, Riaz, and himself, they’d walked to the chamber, cloaked women in the center so no one could see them. It looked like a royal ceremony was taking place, although those didn’t normally happen in the middle of the night, but no one would question it.

He stared at the ornate doors to the chamber, it was a royal ceremony of sorts, and his other was in there becoming one of them.

His mother moved and stood beside him. “Now,” she said softly, “if anyone dares touch her it’s a crime against the crown of Solrelm.”

Bastian looked down at her. “That’s why this is happening before we’ve shared our souls?”

She smiled. “No, but it’s an added bonus, don’t you think?”

Liri was standing across the hall, her smile was so big, he thought maybe her jaw might lock that way permanently. He should be just as happy, as she was, except he was worried as he’d never been in his life.

The sound of boots in the corridor had all of them turn to see it was his father coming toward them. In his hand was a black velvet case. Bastian knew exactly what the case held. The last time he’d seen one like it was when he’d passed his time in the chamber of truth and been given his fibula of the family seal and his royal sash.

He glanced down at his mother.

“You didn’t get her a gift?” She gave him a concerned look.

He smirked. “I did, but it’s not something I can carry with me.”

“Is it something in the human realm?” She looked intrigued.

Bastian nodded.

“That’s fun.” She smiled up at him. “It’s about time this family had a fun human princess.” His mother looked so excited.

“I’m not sure Elyas will agree, he’s not fond of humans.”

She waved her hand. “His opinion doesn’t count in this. I finally after so long have a daughter-in-law and soon grandbabies.” She stopped and touched her stomach. “They can grow up together.”

Bastian glanced at his father, the look on his face told him he already knew how excited his mother was. “I wouldn’t get too excited about that just yet, Mom, we can’t even share our souls until we catch a traitor.”

She sighed, “I know, but you will.”

The door to the chamber opened and Nova came out it. She paused and pulled the hood of her cloak up. It was then he saw the mark on her arm. It looked so fresh compared to his aged one, but it was there. He breathed a sigh of relief. She was officially a member of the Solrelm community—or would be when they no longer had to keep her a secret.

Liri squealed and rush over to her, hugging her tight against her body. Trendan was next and lightly took her hand, raised it to his mouth, and kissed it. Nova didn’t know it, but in that action, he was already accepting her as his future queen.

Bastian glanced at his hand. He would punch his brother if he ever tried to kiss his hand. He had to stand there patiently as Tor, Ulric, and Riaz repeated Trendan’s action.

Nova smiled sweetly at all of them as they did it, but each time she would look over at him.

He went over when his crying mother hugged her. Gently, he pulled her off Nova.

“Sorry. Hormones,” his mother sniffled.

His father bowed his head to Nova and then held out the case to Bastian and took his mother by wrapping his arms around her.

Bastian opened the case so Nova could see in it. “Your royal sash and fibula, the family emblem.”

She looked at them for a moment and then at him. He closed the case. “We’ll have to hide it at your place until you can walk around freely here.”

Nova rubbed her hand over her forehead. “I feel like I’m dreaming right now.”

Tucking the box under his arm, Bastian held out his hand. “Let’s get you back home and get some sleep.” He shook his head. “It’s been a long day.” He loved how she leaned into him, it felt so right. Glancing at his mother, he was reminded that he needed a moment with her to ask about controlling the humming that was vibrating through his entire body now. Had it gotten stronger now that she had her mark?

“Tunnels, wands, stabbings—I guess you could say it’s been a day.” Nova leaned her head against his shoulder as they walked. He didn’t care that they were supposed to be moving to his parent’s private quarters without drawing attention to themselves. “Where’s Elyas?” He glanced at Trendan.

“Control room. I told him I had an issue to resolve.”

Bastian nodded. The longer he could delay Nova having to meet him, the better.

“You’ll have to keep popping back here.” His father said in a quiet voice, “Keep up appearances.”

“We’ve dealt with my sister for now.” His mother turned to Liri. “You have a few weeks of freedom before you have to be back here.”

Liri smiled. “I’d like to find out more about the safe houses that the Alterealm royals have set up, but I’d like to keep an eye on Sedric and help him settle.” She winced. “Queen Alona told him a little bit about the realms, he took it well until she showed him her fangs.” She grinned wide at Bastian. “I’d never seen fangs before, it was so cool.”

His father laughed. “That’s the most harmless one you need to worry about with the Alterealm residents.”

“Really?” She looked even more excited.

“The princesses have told me stories,” Nova confessed.

“I want to hear them all.” Liri’s eyes were huge.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like some time with Nova before we have to continue finding the traitor.”

His father cleared his throat, “I would suggest time together be kept brief, and keep her pendant nearby,” the king glanced at Nova, “your mother asked me to make inquires to some of our elders and see if there’s something to help the both of you, until such a time you can be close without your souls blending. I’ll have to think of a reason to be asking such a thing.”

As if she just remembered, Nova straightened and moved two feet from him. The only consolation he had was she continued to hold his hand. He’d waited centuries to have his other beside him, and now he did. She was more than he could have ever imagined, and he had done that often, pictured what she could be like. He’d cursed fate through long lonely decades for making him wait so long, but now he had his soul mate, his other half, his heart and she was human. Fate couldn’t have selected one better for him, not if he looked for another thousand years. She was perfect, and she was his. He looked down at her—and he couldn’t go anywhere near her. That part was like a dunk in an icy pond, he thought, and then smirked at her look that told him she knew he was lost in his head, again. Absolutely perfect.