Free Web NovelChapter 172: Chapter 172 Extended Family
Amber’s POV
Elia and her family stayed with us for the rest of the day, and we invited them to stay for dinner and sleep at the castle in the guest rooms, rather than going back and forth between their home and here. She refused at first, claiming they didn’t want to intrude, but one pout from the girls and she surrendered with a chuckle. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
The others teleport back to get some clothes and other necessities. Elfia kisses a guy goodbye, and I assume he is her mate. His aura changed with hers the moment Oblong was exposed as a murderer, abductor and liar.
"Elfia, may I ask you a question?" She nods, sitting on the floor just in front of us with Elina on her lap and Melody beside her. She’s more wary of her, and prefers to still know I’m here, so she’s constantly touching my leg or feet. "Your aura, it changed the moment we exposed Oblong. How come? And what is your relation to the girls?"
"My mate, Hirand, and I are the next leaders of our people. That is why my aura changed. Oblong was Obsidian’s younger brother, and therefore it was natural for him to take over when Obsidian and Elvira died." A tear slides down her cheek, but she wipes it and continues. "I’m the oldest of me and Elvira. So, seeing as there was no other in the original leader family, other than the girls who are not of age, the title of leader reverted to me and my mate because of my sister." I raise an eyebrow, thinking that’s pretty complicated to follow, but as long as they know how, who, when and where, that’s all I have to know as well. "As to my relation to the girls. I’m their aunt, and all I want is a chance to get to know them. I can see how well they are, and you love them as your own. I will not take them from you, nor will I force them to choose. You are all welcome to visit our hidden village any time. Now that we are here, we’re out of hiding anyway." I make a mental note to ask her about her kin at dinner, or after even. I remember someone saying the shadow dragons should be extinct, but here they are - adults and she’s talking about a village.
The day goes smoothly. We inform the staff about the visitors, and they prepare the rooms. Hirand comes back in the late afternoon, with only two more people - a teenage girl and a young adult guy. Elfia gets to her feet as they walk to us, and the two young ones stop in a respectful distance to bow and courtesy. Both Chase and Blaze are relaxed and I know none of us detect anything but mild curiosity from them.
We have used the day to talk and get to Elfia, and from that I know these two must be her children. We have also had a lot of market visitors ask about the newcomer, and we have been honest with them all; she is the aunt of their Princesses and the leader of the shadow dragons who are not extinct after all. The news travels fast, and soon the other Royals have joined us as well. Queen Adalia returned after the burial of her mate, telling me she felt more at home in our company. I welcomed her with open arms, until our great journey through the country later this year. She agreed she would move back to the North by then, but come to visit every other month.
"Welcome Harmony and Elsren. We are delighted to meet you both, and we hope you will enjoy your time here." I say as I stand, but I can’t say another word before someone behind me growls and Harmony freezes to the ground. I look back to see King Oron looking at the girl intently. She must be 18 then for him to know she’s his mate. He doesn’t move and neither does she. Hirand, Elfia and Elsren looks utterly confused, until Elfia seem to understand the situation. She makes a happy jump, and squeals in delight. This seems to wake the two up, and they approach each other with slow cautious steps. Oron is probably afraid this is going to be another fake matebond, and Harmony seems to be really confused to meet her mate here.
They finally reach each other, and Harmony smiles at her new mate. King Oron keeps looking into her eyes, and then he turns his back on her and walks to me. I roll my eyes, do a turning motion with my hand and nod. He narrowed his eyes at me, and I sigh.
"She’s the real deal. Go away!" I say with a laugh, and while explaining everything to the confused and slightly angry family members of Harmony, Oron takes her into his arms, whispers something and kisses her with a passion. So much so Hirand growls, earning a head slap from Elfia.
"Shush!" She says, and he just scowls. First at his mate, then at his daughter’s mate.
The rest of the late afternoon is comfortable. Harmony and Oron go for a walk amongst the people at the market, who move when the King of the East makes his way through. He keeps saying it’s not necessary, but as far as I can see, they keep doing it. Bowing and curtseying for the cute Royal couple.
"So, he’s a King, huh." Hirand asks, sitting down besides his mate. He looks down in surprise when Elina, unceremoniously, plops herself down in his lap, smiling at her uncle. He’s been accepted by my youngest, and I know Melody will come around soon. She actually sits herself down beside Elsren, but still within touching distance of her papa.
"Yes, he’s the formal King of the East. We gathered the Kingdom under the reign of myself and my mates not that long ago, making us High King, Queen and Prince. But he is still the King there, and will run the everyday with Harmony as his Queen. She’ll be crowned as soon as they have mated and marked each other." Hirand slaps his hands over his ears, making a loud humming sound. We all laugh and relax in each other’s company.
Later that evening, after tucking in the girls, I lay in bed between my mates. Blaze is snoring lightly, while me and Chase are still awake. We talk quietly amongst ourselves about the day, and we decide it’s been a good day, despite finding out what exactly happened with the girl’s parents. I know we need to honor them, and when I tell my plan to Chase he agrees.
"It’s gonna be a beautiful memory for the girls, baby. I’m so proud of you." He says as he kisses my temple. We haven’t had sex tonight, but we have been intimate in other ways, laying closely together and feeling each other’s skin. I’ve been so hungry for skin contact all day, so when Blaze asked if we were doing the naked sleeping, I jumped at the opportunity for some recharging.
We also decided to tell the girls about them becoming big sisters by taking them to the scan tomorrow. I just really hope they don’t get too disappointed or rather want to live with their blood relatives. I’m really afraid they will think we won’t love them anymore, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. I love them both unconditionally, and a new addition will not change that.
I don’t know when I fall asleep, but at some point during the night I wake to a terrifying scream. I jump from the bed, knowing the scream is coming from the girls room, and when I burst in there they are gone.
Chase and Blaze are right behind me, close enough to catch me when I collapse in a cry of agony and despair.
"MY BABIES! WHERE ARE MY DAUGHTERS?!" I scream, before an aura I recognize slams my senses. Keres. Ignis and I growl together, shaking the entire castle. We are beyond angry at this point, and she has no idea who she just messed with.
"Keres." I growl before stomping back to our bedroom to get dressed.
It’s on Goddess of Darkness. It’s on.
