Chapter 11

In less than twenty minutes the entire family was clean and seated in a large room gathered around a huge polished wooden table. There were a few portraits on the wall, so I spent most of the time picking out the resemblance to the brothers seated at the table.

Autumn had come back a few minutes ago and reported that both Rena and baby were in good health. I was still a bit tired, but happy to hear all was well.

The amount of food Mitz had put on the table was astonishing and it was disappearing at a rapid pace.

“Did you tell them?”

I looked up to see Crissy looking at me.

“Tell them?”

She nodded. “That you are the key to the climax.” She knelt on her chair and looked around at the others. “Reagan has the answers we need.”

I opened my mouth to say I had no answers when Rafael spoke first.

“Judging by her expression, little sister, I don’t think she has them right now.” He grinned at me.

“No.” Crissy rolled her eyes. “I know she doesn’t now, but she will, then the end will finally come.”

“Uh, Criss, you really have to stop saying things like that.” Daxx pushed her plate away. “The climax, the end.” She turned and looked at her.

“I-I don’t know how else to say it.” Crissy looked to Victor.

Victor held her hand for a moment, then glanced around the table. “I believe what she is trying to relay is Reagan’s arrival will give us the answers to ending this struggle.”

“We found out about the Solrelm traitor when Reagan was there.” Bethany nodded.

“And, if she hadn’t been there, our brother’s injury could have led to—” Chase paused and looked around the table, “where is Quinton?”

Rafael grabbed a platter and passed it to Leone, “said he’d catch us later and went out the back door with a plate of food.”

Leone shrugged. “More eats for us, I say.”

Troy looked at Bethany, she nodded. “Like I said, strange behavior.”

With a serious look, Troy turned to Kara.

She froze with her fork halfway to her mouth. “Don’t look at me, I can only know what’s going on if he thinks it, I’m not psychic.”

“Mmm,” Troy turned to his twin, “I’ll talk to him.”

Chase grinned, “yes because that always goes well with our big brother.”

Arius chuckled, “we could beat it out of him.”

“Again,” Chase waved his fork around, “that never goes as planned either.” He grinned Daxx, “does it, Kitten?”

“Don’t remind me.” Daxx sat back and crossed her arms. “I need a nap.” She looked at Michael, “what time is Bastian going to be here?”

Michael glanced at his phone. “Not for four hours yet.” He yawned. “I think we all need some rest.”

I wanted to ask why he was coming, but wasn’t sure if I wanted to know if he’d found information about my father.

“Why are we meeting him?” Alona asked, giving me a quick glance.

Michael rubbed his hand over his jaw. “Follow up. He says he knows more of his are helping Willis.”

“Any news of Reagan’s dad?” Paisley asked giving me an understanding look.

“He didn’t say.” Michael motioned to Rafael, “we’re going to set up a meeting with that woman from the asylum after we talk to Bastian though.” He turned to look at Autumn. “Everyone get some rest; we’re going to need to be our best.”

“Where should we meet her?” Bethany asked.

“Somewhere we can control the situation.” Leone told her.

“Which is?” Daxx leaned onto the table.

“We don’t know yet.” Leone answered.

“I have the ladies’ guards scouting a few locations now.” Victor informed all of us.

“Speaking of.” Rafael stood up and motioned to the door behind me. “Perfect timing, Derian.”

I turned to see a large man with a long, jet-black ponytail standing in the door. I didn’t have to ask his profession, his whole aura screamed warrior.

“I was asked to arrange a personal guard for you, Reagan.” Rafael came to the end of the table.

“For me?” I got up out of the chair. “I don’t—” I glanced to Autumn, she shrugged.

“All of the ladies have one.” Victor came to the end of the table.

“Derian has been on your side many times, he works with some of the people that live over there most of the year.” Rafael explained, “I thought you’d be more comfortable with someone that has been on both sides.”

The big man’s pale green eyes assessed me briefly, then he bowed his head. “Miss.”

“Uh,” I glanced over my shoulder to see the woman all had the same look. A look that told me to go with it, because objecting wouldn’t yield me a thing. “I don’t know that I need a personal guard, but okay.” I held out my hand, “Reagan.”

He looked at my hand for a moment, didn’t take it, but did smile. “Derian.”

Clasping my hands together, I exhaled silently and then turned to Rafael. “Well, I need to go see the doctor to get my results…”

“I’ll escort you.” Derian stated and moved back from the doorway.

“Oh,” I nodded, “okay.” I turned to Rafael. “Do I come to this meeting with Bastian or is it just…”

“I’ll come and get you.” Autumn said as she stood up.

With an awkward smile, I nodded. “Okay. I’ll see you then.”

~

I turned the corner Derian motioned to.

“Are you all right?” He finally spoke after several minutes of uncomfortable silence.

I gave him a puzzled look.

“You’re going to see the doctor.”

I grinned. “As far as I know I’m all right.” I paused as we passed a servant carrying a stack of linens. “I heal people,” I paused not missing the fact that I could freely discuss this part of myself now, “with my hands.” I held up my glove covered hands, “and Prince Quinton wanted the doctor to check my overall health after years of doing this.”

“That’s something.” He looked at my hands and smiled. “Have you known the royal family long? Your connection wasn’t explained to me.”

“A few days.”

“Oh, I got the impression you had known them longer.” He gave me a sideways glance. “To be eating in their dining room.”

I chuckled. “I can’t even explain it, Derian.” I stopped and stared at the hall in front of us. “My mother was from Alterealm,” I glanced up at him, “my father was—” I didn’t know enough about that situation to go into detail, “not.” Looking back down the hall. “In the past few days, I’ve gone from surviving on the other side, to a palace in Alterealm.” I huffed out a breath and looked at my gloved hand, “I’m not sure why I’m here,” I gave him an exasperated look, “here helping the royal family, not here in Alterealm.” He didn’t move. “Never mind being told by Crissy that I’m the key in ending the war they’ve been fighting.” I lifted both hands and let them drop. He still hadn’t moved a muscle. “I don’t understand most of what’s going on.” Deciding I’d said enough, I started walking again.

“Crissy?” He was beside me again.

“Victor’s mate.” I slowed down when we neared the door with the pin pad.

“Oh. If the seer of light has seen it, then I guess you must be.” He paused to look at me before entering the number, “she hasn’t ever been wrong, from what I’ve been told.” He punched in numbers and opened the door. “She can even decipher the prophecies.”

I stepped out the door, noting guards were there again.

Derian nodded at them and we started walking across the yard.

Halfway across I stopped and looked at him. “I’m sorry for being short with you.” I blew out a breath and began to walk again. “I spent years looking for a way to get to Alterealm and gave up.” The guards stood at attention as we got closer. “After being alone for the last century, I’m having a bit of a struggle getting used to so many people around me.” I hadn’t even realized it until I said it out loud.

The guards inclined their heads to us.

I waited until we went through the door, to look back out at them. “Everyone keeps doing that.”

“Doing what?” He checked out the guards too.

“Bowing their heads to me.” I headed toward the room Quinton had taken me before.

“Well, you are in tight with the royal family.” Derian shrugged his large shoulders, “which means you’re a VIP in some capacity.” He smiled and motioned to the door I was heading toward. “You’re even using the royal family’s office here.”

I frowned. “That’s what it is?” I opened the door and went in. He stopped on the other side.

With a smile he stood there. “I’ll be here when you’re finished.” He closed the door.

Sighing I looked around. There was no one here. I was going to knock on the door the doctor had come through before when I heard voices.

“My prince, I can’t increase it anymore.” It was the doctor’s voice.

“What about that elixir stuff you used on Autumn?” It was Quinton.

“That—that is for injuries, not,” there was a pause, “not your situation.”

I frowned, wondering what was wrong.

“Keep looking.” The door handle moved.

Like a naughty schoolgirl, I darted to the other side of the room and sat in the first chair I reached. The door opened and Quinton filled the frame.

“Reagan?”

I gave him a brief smile. “Hi. I’m here to get my results.”

He stepped into the room, then looked behind him.

The doctor moved past him hesitantly, then nodded to me. “Miss Hayden,” he went over to the small desk and picked up a folder. “I have your results right here.” He opened it and looked inside, then nodded and looked back up at me. “I couldn’t find a thing wrong with you.” Shaking his head, he glanced briefly to Quinton, “in fact you may be the healthiest patient I’ve ever had.”

I stood up. “I guess I have a good immune system.” I clasped my hands in front of me. “I don’t even recall ever having a cold in my life.”

The doctor’s expression was thoughtful for a moment. “That may be tied to your ability.” He nodded slowly, “I’d have to speak to a few colleagues to confirm it, but if you’re able to heal others it may be that you can’t get sick like the rest of us.”

“You mean her body just heals itself?” Quinton crossed his arms over his chest and stared at him.

“It may be something like that, but I have no way to know for certain without DNA testing, and someone more knowledgeable with her genes’ and biology, perhaps…”

Quinton raised his hand and looked at me.

I looked from one to the other. “Pass. Hard pass.” I nodded. “I’d prefer not to know the details.” I held up my hands. “They heal and that’s all I need to know.”

Studying me for a moment Quinton then nodded his head and looked at the doctor. “No more tests then.”

“As you wish.” The doctor inclined his head for a moment, then turned and went back into the other room and closed the door.

Quinton looked at the door for a moment more. “Did I miss anything?”

“Everyone is going to rest before a meeting with Prince Bastian.” I tried to look directly at him, but the traces around him stood out and distracted me. Not wanting to attempt to explain that, I adjusted my gloves.

“Did Raf find you a guard?”

“Yes.” I looked at the door. “Derian is standing outside.” Turning to him, I locked my gaze on his eyes, so I wouldn’t look around him like I was dissecting him. “Do I really need a guard?”

He nodded without hesitation. “Yeah. You do.” Stepping around me like I might bite him, he opened the door, then motioned to it. “I’ll see you at the meeting.”

I went over and stood in the doorway and watched him walk away. The haze around him wasn’t red, but it wasn’t clear either. It was there though. The same color I saw when people were ill. I’d seen it when he was hurt, bright red, but not since. I bit my lip and looked at Derian. “Healthy as ever.” I smiled.

He inclined his head. “Are you going back to the chambers?”

I shook my head. “No. I’m going to rest.”

Derian smiled. “Then, it’s to the palace.” His smile widened. “I’m very excited I’m detailed to someone staying in the palace.”

I laughed. “Well let’s not take the long way then.” I held up my wrist with my porter. Stepping closer he put his hand on my shoulder just as I pushed the button.