Chapter 151: Going Home

Sienna

We gathered around the long dining table for breakfast the next morning, and Sebastian looked like a man paying interest on every drink he’d had the night before. A splitting headache was clearly pounding behind his eyes, matching the stiff ache in his shoulders and neck from sleeping on my mattress.

He sat tall, as he always did, but the subtle wince every time he lifted his coffee cup gave him away.

My parents were eating in complete, uncharacteristic silence, picking at their eggs. The awkward, subdued look on their faces made me heave a heavy sigh before I even picked up my fork.

Even my brothers and Ares had dialed back their usual morning chaos. They didn't know the full story of what had gone down past midnight, but they could feel the leftover of my temper hovering over the table.

I set my teacup down, breaking the ice.

“All is forgiven,” I announced, looking between my parents. “But no more of these fake ‘traditions,’ and absolutely no more strip clubs.”

Theo’s spoon stopped mid-air halfway to his mouth. “Oh, damn. You went to a strip club, Sebastian?”

Ares turned her head toward him, her eyebrows raising. “Are you interested in a strip club, Theo?”

Theo swallowed a hard lump in his throat, instantly abandoning his breakfast to lean in and start frantically whispering soft excuses directly into her ear.

“Of course, none of those ever again,” my mother said smoothly, dismissing the entire spectacle with a wave of her napkin. “I simply wanted to test Sebastian a little, but I didn't realize having a son-in-law could actually be fun. I took Ares on a little overseas trip before, for your information.”

Son-in-law.

She was casually tossing that word around as if there was already a ring heavy on my finger.

As much as I wanted to point out that I had barely gotten any sleep because of Sebastian murmuring about a daughter and my hand in what I believe is marriage, I can’t. Mostly because, despite my lingering anger, I had slept like a baby curled up against his chest all night.

I shook my head, shifting my gaze over to my father.

Dad raised both hands in immediate, mock surrender. “I haven’t even done anything yet.”

“We’re not staying here long anyway,” I said, resting my chin on my hand. “We’re returning to Regalia today.”

“Today?!” My mother gasped, her dramatic flare returning in full force as she nearly threw herself out of her chair.

“Yes. Do you have a problem with that, Mom?”

Her shoulders sloped in defeat, and she slowly sank back into her seat. “None at all, sweetie.”

There was no way I was keeping Sebastian here a moment longer. Leaving him unsupervised around my mother for one second meant she’d find a new way to push. And my father hadn't even had his turn playing the ruthless ‘father-in-law’ yet.

My eyes drifted toward Dante, remembering the other reason I had wanted to stop by Clairelle in the first place. “How’s Reyna?”

This time, Dante was the one frozen mid-bite, his spoon hovering inches from his face.

“She’s... fine,” he said flatly.

I raised an eyebrow. Just fine? From Dante? That was suspicious on its own.

“She’s currently working as staff at our hospital now,” he added, clearing his throat and trying to sound nonchalant. “Do you want to see her? I can call her to come over.”

I caught the casual slip immediately. “You have her phone number?”

He didn't answer, suddenly becoming intensely interested in buttering his toast. I let out a soft huff and decided not to push it. Whatever weird, unspoken thing was brewing between the two of them could wait for another day.

“I know how insane hospital shifts get,” I said. “I’ll see her sometime soon. Can you pass that along to her when you see her?”

“Sure.”

“Who is this Reyna?” my mother chimed in, her nosy instincts flaring up instantly.

“Just a healer,” Dante cut in, his voice dropping into a warning register that signaled even our parents shouldn't poke further.

An hour later, the cool wind of the landing pad was whipping my hair across my face. Flying back to Regalia was infinitely faster than the eight-hour drive through the mountain passes, but my mother was still acting like I was being deployed to the front lines.

“Are you completely sure you have to leave today?” she asked again, pulling her coat tight as the jet’s engines hummed on the tarmac.

“Mom, we’re practically on the stairs,” I laughed weakly.

Sebastian stepped forward beside me, placing a hand gently at the small of my back. “Please, it would be an honor to receive you in Regalia whenever you wish to visit, ma’am. Sir.”

“Oh, we would absolutely love that,” Mom beamed.

“Please, don't,” I muttered under my breath, though a small smile tugged at the corner of my lips anyway.

Despite their overbearing smothering and completely unhinged methods of showing love, they were still my family. I loved them fiercely, even when they drove me straight up the wall.

Dad walked over, wrapping me in a massive hug that squeezed the air right out of my lungs before pressing a hard kiss to the top of my head. “Take care, my little princess.”

I let out a soft, exasperated breath against his shoulder. That nickname was never going away, no matter how old I got or how many wars we survived.

“Yes, Dad. You too,” I murmured, pulling back to look at him. “And don't go disappearing for years again. You’ve already traveled the entire world as far as I can recall.”

He gave a dry chuckle. “Not all of it yet.”

My mother stepped up next, pulling me into a warm embrace and kissing both of my cheeks. She leaned in close to my ear, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. “Do you want to know the secret of how I conceived your triplet brothers? This information will be very necessary once you two—”

“Oh, Goddess, Mom, please stop!” I squeaked, pushing back.

Mom just laughed softly, her eyes warm and affectionate. “Take care, my love.”

“Take care, sis,” Dante grunted, throwing a hands-in-pockets nod my way.

“See ya,” Theo called out with a lazy wave.

Ares offered a sweet, gentle wave. “Safe travels, Sienna. I’ll see you soon.”

After a long round of final goodbyes and lingering hugs, we finally boarded the aircraft and left Mount Clairelle behind us.

As the private jet cut smoothly through the clouds, the quiet hum of the cabin settled over us. I leaned back into the leather seat, letting out a long breath I felt like I’d been holding.

Sebastian sat beside me, his long legs stretched out. He turned his head, his gray eyes soft as he reached out and took my hand, lacing his fingers through mine.

“Are you all right?” he asked gently.

I looked at him, tracing the steady, handsome line of his jaw, and felt the last bit of tension from the weekend melt away completely.

“I am now,” I whispered, resting my head against his shoulder. "Let's go home."