Chapter 39

I took another bite and looked down the table at my parents. Dad seemed to be taking it all in, then again, he wasn’t a verbal thinker. I glanced at my mother; she was in her glory. I looked at my plate, there had to be a way to limit her visits, right?

Emil reached under the table and squeezed my knee.

I looked at him, and he gave me an understanding look. He could feel everything I did, and knew how much I needed to get my mom out of here. Taking another bite, I looked around the table.

“…but they’re back.” Crissy nodded, “and all different.” She said, nodding again.

“I still can’t believe they stopped completely for almost a day.” Daxx said waving her fork toward her.

Crissy nodded, “I slept so hard.”

Victor grinned, “I found myself checking her pulse too often.” He glanced at Daxx, “I have never witnessed her sleep that deeply.”

“I feel like I could run to the moon now.” Crissy sounded excited.

“Please don’t.” Paisley said, “we’d have to follow.” She leaned into Arius’ shoulder, “actually, sleep felt amazing.”

“Didn’t it.” Alona leaned back I her chair, “I don’t think I’ve slept like that in years.”

“Could be the pregnancy making you tired.” Autumn nodded and pointed her fork at her, “Rena had that at the start too.”

“Yes,” Alona smiled, a soft light in her eyes, “growing a baby is tiring I’ve discovered.”

“Congratulations.” I said, then shrugged, “I’m a bit late but was—busy.” I smiled.

“Thank you.” Alona touched her stomach. “This app I have says it’s the size of an apple right now.”

“I may never eat an apple again.” Daxx mumbled. “You’re sure there’s only one?”

Troy smirked at Daxx, then turned to see Alona nod slowly.

“So, Emil said there’s cleanup to do?” I glanced at my mother, then to Rafael, he shrugged.

“We still have to keep an eye out for stragglers over here.” Leone said.

A woman came in and began removing some of the trays and plates.

“Oh, let me help.” My mother stood up and picked up her plate.

“Mrs. Hinton, you don’t need to.” Troy said.

“Nonsense, I had a wonderful time with Mitzie earlier.” She waved her hand in the air, “I’ll leave you to discuss important royal business with my daughter, the princess.” She turned and went out the door.

I dropped my head down until it almost rested on my chest. “I am so sorry.” I looked up and down the table to my dad.

He was smiling. “She’ll be happy at home for a year after this.” He rolled his eyes. Standing up, he came around the table and leaned down and kissed the top of my head. “I’ll go try to get her out of here—now that she’s seen you are perfectly fine.”

I patted his hand. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Anytime, princess.” He said with a chuckle.

I watched my dad walk out.

“You definitely take after your dad.” Bethany said.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Thank the gods for that.” Chase said.

Troy nodded too. “Your mother,” he glanced to the door, “is exhausting.” He whispered.

I know, I mouthed.

“So,” Chase looked at every one sitting at the table, “the brothers nine are all finally mated.” He looked quite pleased.

“Just tell me we get to have a long vacation now.” Leone said as he pushed his plate away.

“We could…” Chase frowned and pulled out his phone, he glanced at the screen, then tapped it and set it on the table. “Bastian?”

“Yes. Where is the little seer? Is she there?”

Crissy leaned on the table. “I’m here.” She said loudly.

“The woman—the one with the bus, what did she look like?” There was a lot of noise in the background.

“I,” Crissy stared at the phone, “I didn’t really see her.”

“I think I’ve found her.” He mumbled something, “Kings, I may need that favor soon.” There was the sound of sirens in the background. “Someplace secure in your realm. It can’t be here, and it will have to be guarded.” Bastian sounded like he was running. “Damn, why didn’t I see this?” There was a loud siren blaring, “…the easiest way to take down the leadership of my realm…” the noise was too loud to hear what he said, “…take out the soul I can’t live without, the one that I live for.” The background noise stopped suddenly. “I’ll call you later.” The line went quiet.

Chase turned and looked at Crissy.

Crissy shook her head. “I don’t know.” She glanced at Victor, “I didn’t see any more than that.”

He reached out and touched her hand, then looked at Michael. “We better prepare a secure location for him.”

Michael nodded and pulled out his phone.

“That answers the time-off question.” Leone sighed.

“Oh, this isn’t over for us yet, brother.” Quinton motioned toward him with his glass. “Not anywhere close to over.”