Family

Family
Evie Pov

I feel a bit of relief from the guilt that crashed into me the moment that my mom asked my dad if they were horrible parents, knowing that they might understand why I left now. But even as we walk to the dining room I felt the pain in my chest from making them question this for the months we have been apart. I never meant to make them feel this way I just wanted a bit of freedom of my own. Sometimes I realize how selfish I have been always thinking about me and not how what I choose will affect others. Maybe this is a sign that Damon and I should just take our places on the thrones, and stop hiding from destiny what will we gain from pushing off the inevitable. More guilt more pain inflicted upon those that we love? These are the thoughts swirling around my brain as I open the doors to the dining hall and my eyes land on my mate embracing his brother that joy once again radiating through him. I wonder if that is how he saw me last night when I was embracing my family again after so long apart, even though it was nothing compared to the years they have been separated. Damon turns to us and invites his brother to meet my parents who greet him with a smile as they study my mate. I wonder if they see some of the lightness that has greeted him since last night in the garden like seeing his brother has lifted a weight from his shoulders. I glance around the room and see Hazel and Lizzie over in the corner whispering amongst themselves and I slip away to join them. As I approach on silent feet I realize they don't hear me coming and over hear Lizzie say "I am worried will she be safer here, with the King as her guardian you saw how cruel he was last night maybe we should take her home? I know Carter would come with us. But I don't know if Damon would join, and I don't think she would leave without him." I lean right between the two of them their backs still to me when I whisper "You're right I won't" They both jump and let out a squeal before whipping to face me, I am laughing so hard I think I might fall over. "Jeez Evie you scared the shit out of us!" Hazel says lightly punching my arm. "Maybe you will think twice before whispering about me in the corner next time!" I say with a small laugh. I look around the room and realize it must be so relaxed because the King has yet to arrive. I look back to my friends whose faces show the hint of guilt they must be feeling before Lizzie says "we're sorry we just didn't think you would be open to talking about it, or that you might still be working through it since it just happened last night." She reached for my hand giving me a supportive squeeze. "I understand why you guys are concerned, but don't be the King apologized and I know Damon won't allow him to hurt us again. Plus with Daniel returning I don't know if the King will be too focused on us for a while. I don't even think he has been informed of his youngest sons return yet." I say my eyes gliding over to where Damon and Daniel talking. They both look so at ease and comfortable but just as quickly as I had noticed they both resume the stiff posture that I saw on Damon last night at dinner. The smiles quickly vanished from their faces replaced with a look of indifference towards the door that opened to reveal the King. He looked bored and uninterested in dining with us as I felt him gaze across the room while making his way to the table. I watched him closely waiting for his eyes to land on his sons and when it did I saw the shock run through as well as what appeared to be some joy at his sons reunited in their home once again. He quickly moved to the boys and I could see the happiness dancing in his eyes and when I glanced to my mate and his brother I see shock in caution in their eyes. The king stopped a mere foot in front of them and then asked the same thing Damon asked last night in the garden "Daniel is that really you?" The King asked his son taking a few slow cautious steps in is direction like he was trying to gauge if his son would embrace him or back away. To my surprise Daniel took a step forward "Yes father it is really me. It's ... it's good to see you." Then before anyone could let out a sign of relief they did hug and I would swear that I saw tears glistening in the Kings eyes while he held his son like his life depended on it. It made me wonder if the King was just as broken as his sons at the loss of his wife maybe not a monster, but someone pretending to be one to hide is never ending grief as if being a monster would be easier than dealing with what happened to his family and how it ripped them apart. The king pulled away just enough to be able to pull Damon closer with one hand on each of his sons shoulders the King looked at them and said "Both of my boys have returned home, I didn't know if I would ever see this day again." This time I saw the tears in his eyes especially the single one that fell and slid down the Kings face while he continued to stare at both of his sons, and I decided then and there that he was no monster just a father who needed his family back and there was no way I would leave and rip that hope from him no matter what concerns my family had about my safety. We would stay and we would rebuild this fractured family.