Free Web NovelChapter 216: Elias’s return.
Sienna’s feet tapped against the polished marble floor as she sprinted to the elevator, her heart hammering with a mix of relief and excitement. As the elevator ascended, she clenched her hands tightly, breathing restlessly. When the doors slid open on the last floor, she rushed out. All of it was Elias’s floor, and he was not so far from the elevator.
More elders had ambushed him before he could make it to his office. Sienna didn’t hesitate, she pushed them out of the way and threw herself into the arms of her husband.
Elias staggered, caught off guard. His mental strength surged instinctively. Invisible threads of power steadied them, keeping their bodies upright despite the force of her leap.
The elders gasped, scandalized by the display. Their dismay was palpable, like that of all the secretaries and leaders of different sectors that were waiting to see Elias. The corridor was lined with at least sixty people. Whispers were already forming like storm clouds.
"She almost tipped him over."
"More like she almost killed him."
"They seem more affectionate than people say. I thought he disliked her."
Contrary to the doubting voices, Elias’s face lit up, thrilled by Sienna’s unabashed excitement.
Sienna buried her face against his chest, inhaling the familiar scent of him, and for a moment, she was simply glad. Glad he was back. Glad she could finally hand over the endless duties that had weighed on her shoulders. Already, her mind was drifting to the beach, the comfortable chairs, the sand, the sound of waves and sea gulls and mostly....the lazy rhythm of a life without accounts ledgers and petitions.
"I am so glad you are back," she slapped his back gently, "I am so glad you are back." If she didn’t see Timothy’s face for the next one month, she would not be displeased.
The cubs arrived in a flurry. Eli, composed and graceful, bowed slightly, his book tucked under his arm. The most bizarre thing about him was the walking cane Mija had gifted him. The boy was a vivid representation of a little old man.
Ali, however, dashed forward with unrestrained glee, shoving people out of her way. As soon as she was within touching distance of her father, climbed up his thigh, just to start rummaging through his pant pockets. with tiny determined hands. "Papa, where are they? Where are the gifts you promised to bring me and mama? Do you want to be hit with the pan?"
The little one did not even noticed the elders horrified expressions.
Elias chuckled, "Ali, they are not in my pockets."
The girl gasped. In her eyes was a look that could only be described as part betrayal and part dismay. "Mama, did you hear what he said?"
Sienna smirked. "Yes baby, I heard what he said."
"I will get the pan." Ali declared.
Sienna let go her husband. "Well, you do that while I talk to your papa in his office." She looked at all the people waiting to see him. "Unless its a matter of death, go away. He has not even had time to bathe or drink a cup of coffee. Come back tomorrow or I am calling the guards to move you."
Nobody moved immediately, they waited for Elias to respond.
"She is the boss." He said, with an easy smile.
There was grumbling, and looks of displeasure shot at Sienna, but the crowd started to disperse, until only the couple, Timothy and their cubs were left.
Elias hugged the cubs, and ruffled their hair. "Have you been good for mama?"
"The best." Ali answered loudly.
Eli nodded, like a good silent, disciplined soldier. "There was an incident at the beach. But I took care of it."
Sienna’s mouth fell open. "Wait. You took care of it!"
"I brought Ali and Thunder back home, didn’t I?" Eli responded quiet proudly.
Sienna snorted. "Care to tell your father about your black eye?"
The boy sniffed."What black eye?"
All the adults chuckled. It seemed like Ali was about to tattle, but Eli covered her mouth. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
Elias sighed. "You did good. Take your sister to the kitchen on the ninth floor and bring us some fruits."
Timothy took the cubs by the arms. Finally, it was just the Sienna and Elias left. He did not even give her a moment to savor the reunion before cutting through the moment with a news she did not want to hear.
"Sienna," he said, "we are attending Lina’s wedding. It’s a royal wedding, all invited nobles must go, unless they are dying."
Her smile froze. The very wedding she had schemed not to attend over lunch with the queen and her loud mouth sister-in-law! A wedding that would be tangled with politics and obligations, in addition to the bride making snide remarks about her guests and their appearance! Surely, she would be one of the people to be commented on!
"It can’t be avoided," he added. "My mother’s recent comments have put my father on edge so much so that he called my grandparents back. He will not relax until I have a talk with the king to clear the air."
Sienna’s heart sunk.
"Days like this, I am glad that you are on good terms with the queen.
She looked into his eyes, searching for the slight hesitation. "Must we?" She asked, though her tone carried more defiance than plea.
His gaze softened, but his words did not. "Attendance is not optional. The king expects us, he heard about your encounter with Lina from the queen and your claim that we would not be available for the wedding. He called me to apologize for anything offensive his sister might have said, and promised to send you a purple pearl bracelet in compensation."
She gasped. "The same purple pearl bracelet that was stolen in the palace?"
He took her hand, leading her to his office. "It was recovered."
"And Lina expects to wear it on her wedding." Her lips curled in a scheming smile. "Would it be mean of me to show up at the wedding with it? Not as a gift, on my wrist, visible to the bride. It would probably ruin her day, but considering how many of her friends she made miserable at their weddings, this would be a deserved punishment."
Elias, sensing her newest scheme, tightened his hold. "Sienna," he murmured, "Can we put out the old fires before starting new ones?" freёwebnoѵel.com
She forced a smile. "No. It will be more fun if the wedding is chaotic. Perhaps the bride will write about herself in her gossip column." She chuckled like a small villain plotting delicious evil.
