Chapter 37

Abe walked into the room, feeling better than when he’d been ushered to the room they called the Chamber of Truth. He still didn’t understand what had happened there. He’d gone in alone and stood there. The air had been different, or he was fairly certain it had been. He had goosebumps on his arms as if something had given him a chill, and then his shoulder felt like it was burning, but it wasn’t in a painful way. The next thing he knew, when he looked at it, he had the same Solrelm emblem that Liri did. In one day, he was suddenly a part of another realm, for a total of three, he now belonged to.

Closing the door, he followed Tor into the sitting area. He gave Liri’s hand a squeeze and then released it, so their contact didn’t insight more pouting from Bastian. He sympathized with his situation, to have Nova and not be able to be near her. He felt for the guy—wouldn’t change places with him for anything, but he still felt bad.

Liri went over to her aunt, the Queen, and Abe turned and then froze. His uncles Troy and Quinton stood there, and behind them, Uncle Victor, and his mate.

“I’d ask what you’ve been up to, but I can see exactly what.” Uncle Troy grinned at him, making a point to look at his arm.

Abe shrugged, “spent some time at my cabin watching the moonlight on the bay.”

Uncle Quinton smiled, “Got mated and a Solrelm tatt, just another Friday.”

Aunt Crissy squealed and rushed over to Liri, “Welcome to the family.” She hugged and released her so quickly, Liri had no time to react.

“Thank you.”

“Daxx says we’ll have a hot tub party when you’re able to.” Crissy went back over to the chair in the corner.

“How much trouble are we expecting?” Troy crossed his arms over his chest and glanced at the Solrelm King.

“More drama than trouble, I imagine.” He smirked, “Bella is going to have a small fit.”

Liri’s aunt chuckled, “I have just the thing to shut her up.” She placed her hand over her stomach.

“You’re going to tell her about the baby to shut her up?” Bastian smirked at his mother.

“I think it will work, don’t you?” The queen gave Liri a cheeky smile, “If her daughter being part of two royal families isn’t enough to settle her.”

The door opened, and Ulric came in. Abe was startled to see his father right behind him and his mate, Kinsley.

“Dad?”

“Thank you, Ulric.” Liri came over and took Abe’s hand.

His father stopped, looked at his arm, and smiled, “You didn’t expect me to stay home and wait for you to tell me I had a daughter-in-law, did you?”

Abe smiled, “No.”

Kinsley came over and hugged Liri quickly, “Welcome to the family.” she stepped back, “I’m so glad it’s you.”

“Aliria’s parents will be here in a moment, sir.” Ulric moved by them and stood by the door.

“Hold on, people, this is about to get bumpy.” Bastian went over and stood by the window. He motioned with his head, “might want to stand over here, Abe. Clear a path.” He smirked.

Abe squeezed Liri’s hand and then went over to stand beside him. He wouldn’t admit it to anyone but was a little nervous about meeting her parents. The era of his youth was still with him, where you needed parental approval in all things, especially those of the heart. He blew out a breath and glanced over at Liri. She looked terrified. He waited until she looked his way and jerked his head so she’d come over with him. If they were going to have to justify being together, then they could do it as a united front.

The door opened, but before he could get a glimpse of his in-laws, King Osbert, Uncle Victor, and Crissy stepped in the way.

“Osbert.” A woman said.

“Bella—Bronson.” The King said in a formal tone.

Bastian was gone from his ‘safe’ spot by the window to the entrance without comment.

“We were told…”

“Auntie, allow me to introduce the Justice, Prince Victor of Alterealm, and his lovely mate, Crissy, seer of something, something,” he waved his hand around, “we’ve invited you here to…”

“I was told Aliria was here and needed to see me.”

Abe watched the woman try to look around his large uncle.

“Arabella, give them a moment.” A man said.

“I’m sorry, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Prince Victor and Princess Cissy,” Liri’s mother said in a very polite tone.

“I don’t see any bad, Vic.” Crissy pushed between his uncles and went back to the corner she had come from.

Liri’s aunt got up and went over, “Bella, there is a lot to cover, and if we could do it without drama, it would go much faster.”

“Cover? With what? Oh, Ama, is Aliria all right? Has something happened?”

Liri sighed. “I’m fine, Mom.”

“Aliria,” her mother pushed between his uncles and came rushing toward her. She was about three feet from her when she stopped and stared at her daughter like it was the first time she’d ever seen her. “What—Bronson, she has a tattoo on her arm.” Her voice squeaked.

Liri had a death grip on Abe’s hand, and he wished he could do something to ease the stress of this situation.

“You’ve shared your soul.”

Her father came over and stopped beside his mate, but his eyes were on Abe and not so much as glancing at his daughter. “How is this possible?” If eyes could shoot daggers, several would have been embedded in Abe’s chest at that moment. The man looked behind him as Bastian and his father came over.

“It’s a fantastic tale of secrets, treason, and deceit.” Bastian drawled and then shrugged, “real big screen plot kind of stuff.”

“Bronson, you need to sit down and listen.” The King instructed them. “We couldn’t tell you anything until we were sure you weren’t involved.”

“Involved?” Bronson scowled once more at Abe and then looked at his King. “In what? And what does it have to do with my daughter mating with another realm’s being.”

Abe quirked an eyebrow at the word being. He’d been called much worse in his life, but for some reason, he was more offended by that than he had ever been. He released Liri’s hand and stepped forward, extending his hand, “Abraham Whitham, sir,” Bronson looked at his hand, and he could see he was deciding if he wanted to touch him or not, “my uncles and I are here to…”

“Uncle’s?” Liri’s mother looked around, “your part of the royals?” She spun around and glared at her sister, “Ama, tell me you haven’t bartered my daughter off in some diplomatic…”

“Arabella, sit down.” Bastian’s mother said in a very authoritative tone, “I don’t need this stress.” She put her hand on her stomach, and the whole room went silent.

Abe withdrew his hand, knowing that her father wasn’t going to shake it. He glanced at his dad to see he was anything but impressed with the behavior. He shook his head quickly to tell him that now was not the time to address it.

“Amadine? You’re expecting?” Gone was the offended tone from Liri’s mother, and in its place was that cooing tone that women seemed to get when it was anything to do with a baby.

“Yes.”

Arabella rushed over and took her by the elbow. “You should be resting. I don’t know why they would involve you in this.” She ushered her sister over to the sofa and helped her sit down, “seriously, Osbert, she shouldn’t be doing anything.”

Liri snorted softly and put her head down. Abe went back over and put his arm around her. “That went well.” He whispered and leaned down to kiss the top of her head.

“Mmhmm.” She leaned into him for a moment and then huffed out a breath. “Yes, Dad, my mate is from another realm, and apparently, it is not some anomaly,” she motioned to where Nova sat, “Meet your future queen, Nova, Bastian’s other, and she’s human.”

As far as a mic drop went, that was epic, Abe thought. His mate, along with her cousin and aunt, the queen, was going to keep it interesting for sure.