Chapter 20

I opened the door to see Autumn standing on the other side of it.

She grinned at me. “I didn’t know if you knew the meal schedule, so I thought I’d come get you.” She tucked her hands into the pocket of her hoodie. “That was pretty decent, what you did for Rena.”

I stepped out and closed the door. “I think she’s a lot stronger than I am.” I hadn’t planned on eating with the royal family after earlier. “Is the man still breathing?”

Autumn made a noise of disgust. “Unfortunately.” She motioned down the hall. “Arius has banned all of us from seeing him, even himself.”

“That might a good thing.” I shrugged, “so the doctor can do tests…”

Autumn shrugged, “yeah. The baby being healthy is the most important thing.”

“So how do you feel about being called Mom?” I smiled at her.

“You know, I wanted this and still do,” she made a face, “but I still can’t feel it in my gut, you know?”

I nodded, “I’m sure a lot of parents feel that way until they hold the baby.”

“You think so?” She put her hand on my arm and stopped me.

I nodded. “I think so.”

“Okay,” she nodded and released me, “okay then.” She shrugged, “let’s go eat. We’re taking the whole night off to sleep.” She laughed, “I don’t even know the last time I slept more than a few hours.”

We walked in silence for a few moments. “I’m sorry about earlier.” I said quietly. “About that scene.”

She made a short noise. “Don’t sweat it.” She grinned at me, then shook her head, “I get it. When you aren’t drooling over their bod, you want to kick their teeth in.” She chuckled, “It’s messy.”

I couldn’t help but to smile. “Yes, it is.”

~

I’d walked through the dining room in the palace, when I was learning the layout of the building, but I never thought I’d be sitting at the table. I watched Emil come in, he stopped and looked at me, then sat in the furthest possible seat. Leone and Bethany came in behind him, paused and looked where he sat, then sat beside him. I didn’t know if he’d just rearranged their usual seating because of me, but I couldn’t dwell on it. I was tired, hungry and just wanted to go lay down and sleep—if I could shut off my brain long enough.

The rest of the family came in and took their seats, more than one gave Emil an odd look, no one spoke out loud.

A few women came in carrying trays and placed them in the center of the table. Mitz came in after they left with a smile on her face, as always. She was carrying a basket and I couldn’t help noticing that the men watched that basket, hopeful looks on their faces.

She stopped beside Leone and held out the basket. “Phone.”

Leone jolted like she’d hit him. “But…”

With a shake of her head, she held the basket closer. “No phones tonight. You’re all going to have one quiet and complete meal, start to finish.” She nodded and held the basket closer.

Leone pulled out his phone and put it in the basket. “We’ll have to sort through them later.” He mumbled.

Bethany dropped hers in, then Emil did as well.

Mitz paused and took out of one of the phones, she pressed the button then snickered. “Oh, I think the screen backgrounds will tell us fast enough whose phone it is,” she looked back to Leone, “superman.”

There were several chuckles around the table.

“I didn’t…” he looked at Bethany, then sat back and crossed his arms over his chest.

When Mitz walked out with a full basket, the room was oddly quiet.

“I feel like I’ve been grounded.” Chase said.

Rafael nodded, “I don’t think she’s ever done that before.”

Quinton shrugged, “I’m not going to complain about an uninterrupted meal.” He reached over and picked up the closest platter.

Arius looked back toward the door Mitz had gone out. “She’ll check them if they ring, right?”

Victor passed a dish to Crissy, “I’m sure she will monitor them for anything important.”

“I’m okay without a phone.” Crissy smiled and looked at the dish he’d handed her, then shook her head and passed it to Daxx.

Autumn put some food on her plate. “I’m looking forward to downtime tonight.”

Bethany nodded, “me too. I’m going to start it with a hot bubble bath.”

Leone smirked, but made no comment.

“I think I’ll read.” Kara said.

“Oh?” Chase glanced down the table at her, “have a new dictionary, cupid?”

Kara rolled her eyes, “no, a thesaurus.”

Rafael laughed and nudged her with his shoulder.

“I’m looking forward to waking up feeling pumped for the day.” Autumn waved her fork around, “anyone want to go for a run with me in the morning?”

“A run?” Bethany grimaced, “like on purpose?”

Autumn laughed, “yeah.”

“I’ll go.” I wasn’t sure if I was invited, but I’d missed my morning jogs since starting at the palace.

She gave me a thumbs up and put the food into her mouth.

“Stick to the patrolled area we discussed.” Michael said softly.

Autumn nodded, “you know it.”

The mood continued to be light as everyone ate. It felt good, to just relax for a moment. No pressure about what I should or shouldn’t do.

~

Alona pushed her plate away. “Is anyone else excited for life after Arwan?” She smirked, “I don’t know what we’re going to do with our time, but not having to guess his next step will be wonderful.”

“I, for one, will have a years’ worth of prisoners to go through.” Arius said with a smirk.

“It’s not done after we get Arwan.” Crissy said, then looked back down at her plate.

Daxx paused mid-bite. “What do you mean?”

Crissy gave her a blank look, “oh, I see other things that aren’t us, but are.” She nodded and picked up her glass.

“Meaning?” Quinton leaned forward and looked down at her.

Crissy frowned for a moment, then the look cleared, “well, I see Prince Bastian and the woman and a bus.” She nodded, “and the prophecy says it’s not done.” She slumped her shoulders, “I mean it could be talking about other things, but I think we’re still involved even after we get that mage.” She looked at Victor, sighed and then took another drink.

“The nine brothers’ prophecy?” Leone looked at Michael, who shrugged.

“Mmhmm,” Crissy put her glass down. She looked like she wanted to get on her knees on the chair but continued to squirm around in her seat. “Yes. The end of it.”

“Criss, what does the end of it say?” Daxx glanced around the table, “I don’t think any of us have it memorized.”

“I know I haven’t.” Alona stated.

“Oh,” Crissy smiled and closed her eyes, “Together the brothers nine, with mates of strength,” she opened her eyes and looked at Daxx, “that’s us.”

Daxx only nodded her head quickly so Crissy would continue.

“Will rule and protect all of Alterealm and the other realms within their reach.” Crissy finished and nodded once more.

“Well damn.” Michael mumbled.

“So, we’re on cleanup after this?” Leone turned to Rafael.

Rafael shrugged, “I don’t see how we can help deal with rogue residents from Solrelm or worse FaTerra.” He turned to Troy, “they’ll just fairy magic our asses and it’s game over.”

Troy gave him an odd look for a moment. “A collaboration to end this on all fronts may be necessary. The women’s realm is ours to police, so if there are things transpiring there, we’ll have to.”

Paisley sighed and set her fork down. “Can we just focus on finding Arwan and ending our part of it?”

Bethany nodded, “yeah, please let us have a small victory before we’re bouncing from realm to realm,” she lifted her hand, “or whatever.”

“I agree with the ladies.” Victor set his cup down. “We need to bring justice to Arwan and then we can proceed with the other aspects.”

I just sat there. I couldn’t speak on any of this. I knew what Crissy saw came true, and that the prophecy had been right so far—other realms and the war continuing? I didn’t know if I was built for that. I glanced down the table to see Emil watching me, his face wasn’t showing enough of an emotion to gauge what his thoughts could be.

“Do we have locations from the glass thingy yet?” Daxx asked.

“Any with snow?” Crissy gave Troy a look with her eyes huge.

Troy paused and looked at her for a moment. “We have a few, it’s a long process comparing things that we’re getting from the ones we sent back from the park, and pinpointing and matching them with what Romulus is unraveling.”

“Good.” Autumn nodded. “I can’t wait to crash their parties.”

“You’re sure of this snowy place, Crissy?” Alona pushed her plate away.

Crissy bobbed her head a few times. “Yes. The feeling I get with it is,” she glanced to Victor, “intense.”

Victor gave her a look of adoration, before looking to the others. “It’s overwhelming for her.”

“Okay,” Kara turned to Rafael, “we need to get winter gear ready.”

Rafael gave her a quick smile. “Mitz is already on it.” He motioned to Crissy with a jerk of his head, “as soon as she told us the first time, I discussed a list with Mitz.”

“Something that won’t restrict movement?” Leone asked him.

Rafael nodded, “we went over that. She’s confident she’ll be able to come up with something.”

Quinton glanced to Michael then Victor, “I’d hoped we were done fighting in the snow.”

Michael sighed, “if it’s where Arwan is, I’ll do it naked if need be.”

Autumn laughed, then sobered when he looked at her. “Sorry,” she shook her head, “I just pictured that.”

Michael scowled at her for a moment, then turned to Troy. “We have a location,” he patted his pocket, then remembered he didn’t have his phone, “that I know has been confirmed.”

“You’ve sent teams in to check?” Troy set his fork down and placed his elbows on either side of his plate, clasping his hands together. “Are they able to confirm numbers?”

Michael exhaled slowly, “not as of yet, just the location and movement.” He glanced to Arius, “we haven’t been able to see inside.”

“What kind of place?” Chase leaned back and rested his arm on Alona’s chair, running his thumb over her shoulder in an absent movement.

“A building,” Michael huffed out a breath, “that we’d never think to look inside.”

“I am so glad we got that piece of glass.” Bethany looked down the table to me, “no more wandering into portals and finding spells.”

I’d only been present for the cave of water, but I’d heard stories about the other things they’d gone through in the past months. “I’m all for confirmed locations and shutting them down.”

“We’re going in the morning?” Quinton asked between bites.

Michael nodded then looked at Rafael, “we have the guard ready to go at a moment’s notice.”

I silently blew out a breath. I didn’t miss that feeling. Being put on standby was the longest, tensest thing ever. Knowing you’re going to a fight, but not knowing when led to some long sleepless nights and pacing, a lot of pacing.

“Does Romulus know how many locations yet?” Daxx looked around, “is that something he can figure out from that glass?”

“I don’t think it came with a table of contents.” Chase said with a grin.

Daxx rolled her eyes at him, “I just meant, does he have a ballpark number?”

“I ordered him to rest.” Victor stated quietly, “he was making less sense than usual and hadn’t stopped since we brought it back.”

“The tablet is under lock and key?” Michael queried.

“It is.” Victor inclined his head.

“Okay,” Reagan nodded her head slowly, “the next few days are going to be busy.”

“And then some.” Leone added.

“Think there’s any dessert tonight?” Quinton picked up the tray in front of him and put more food on his plate.

“Are you eating for two, brother?” Chase smirked at him.

Quinton paused and gave his brother a bored look. “We never get to finish a meal.” He jerked his chin toward his plate, “I’m finishing this one.”

“Planning at breakfast?” Paisley stood up and picked up her plate.

Troy and Victor both nodded.

“We’ll have more information by then.” Michael said and sat back in his chair.

Autumn got up and took his plate, then stacked her own on top. “I’m taking these to the kitchen.” She smiled, “and to thank Mitz for the quiet meal.” She bobbed her head then turned toward the door.

Paisley nodded and followed her with more dishes.

“Great idea.” Bethany did the same.

“It is.” Chase leaned over and kissed Alona on the cheek. Standing up, he picked up their dishes, then watched Quinton shovel in anther bite. With an amused look, he went down the table and reached over and took the plate Quinton was just aiming to take another forkful from. “Don’t want you getting chubby, brother.” He quickly walked out of the room.

Quinton sat there with his fork in the air and watched his brother leave.

Reagan covered her mouth as she tried not to laugh.

Dropping the fork on the table, Quinton stood up. “I’m going to ask for a plate to go.”