Chapter Nineteen
B eing back in the earth realm means I have access to my teleportation magicks.
The guys tried to fight me on using it, so I simply grabbed their hands and gave them no choice.
Unfortunately, that left poor Midori completely unprepared.
Which is why Lucian is now carrying her after she completely fainted.
Oops.
I’m glad she is patient with me because I might suck at this whole friend thing. That doesn’t mean I am willing to stop trying, though. I have to get it right eventually.
Right?
The village has been cleaned up since we last saw it. Although some of the former residents have chosen to move elsewhere. Which is kind of a good thing since about half the homes were destroyed.
I smile wide as the familiar building comes into view before me.
Cordelia’s house. I know, I know. She left it to us. And we will take the time to make it our own, but until then, I am fine with holding onto this bit of her.
“Sythia, are you ok?”
“Yeah, Blake. Just… memories.” I admit gesturing to the house. A sad smile crosses his face.
“I miss her too.”
“Were you planning to traipse into the village and completely ignore your upbringing boy? It is commonplace to visit the leader of a village first and foremost when you are not a resident.” Dagon voice makes me roll my eyes. After all the shit we have been through and all the shit stains we have faced off against, Dagon is such a petty little child.
Not giving Blake a chance to cower before his father, I simply take charge of the conversation.
“Dagon, so lovely to see you again. You are looking much better. I trust you are feeling well? All healed up?” I hit the nail on the head with that one. Dagon grumbles but says nothing else.
“Great! We were just headed home.” I point to the house and watch curiously as Dagon’s anger rises.
“That is not your home. That was my mothers home and upon her passing became mine.” What a selfish little asshole.
“Father, you have a home already. And you never liked Cordelia’s house. Why would you want to lay claim to it?” Blake sounds exhausted. Hell, we all do.
“I hate to interrupt, but I have something you may want to see father.” Ronan Coakley, Dagon’s second oldest and the hero of the village children, comes out of nowhere and passes Dagon a piece of paper.
The merfolk leader scans the page. Several times, in fact. The scowl on his face grows deeper before he finally meets my gaze.
“Very well.” Two small words are all we get as he passes me the page and heads directly toward the waters.
I peer down at the writing I quickly decipher as Cordelia’s, and my heart swells.
When I glance the direction that Dagon went, I see him entering the water.
“Well, clearly, he has no interest in sticking around.” I didn’t mean to verbalize my additional snark, but based on the snorts from all the men, I would say they agree.
“Father will never acknowledge me as clan. By naming you leader, Cordelia was putting me before him. Perhaps once he licks those wounds, he will visit.” Blake seems hopeful, and I refused to squash that for him, so I will embrace the idea as well.
Who knows? After everything we have all been through, maybe he will have a change of heart.
Only time will tell, I suppose.
Ronan clears his throat, and I give him my full attention. “I have yet to build a home of my own, but I would very much like to stay in this village. That is if you would have me, Noctifer Witch.”
I roll my eyes and internally smack myself. The guy is blind, he can’t see my stupid expressions. “Ronan, please call me Forsythia. We are family now. Which also means that you are more than welcome to live in the village with us.”
He smiles and bows slightly in my direction before turning his attention to Blake. “Only if my brother would teach me how to build my house, of course.”
“I can think of no better way to spend the summer. Besides, it will give you a chance to bond with the little ones, Uncle Ronan.” Blake beams with pride at his declaration of our upcoming arrivals.
Ronan’s smile is blinding as he turns to me. “So there are two then? I had wondered. Such a miracle. Congratulations to you both.”
“Oh, don’t congratulate us yet. You may have just become our unofficial date-night babysitter, mister.” Is it insensitive to have a blind man watch your kids? I mean, he just saved a bunch of kids, I’m sure watching two would be fine. Right? Maybe we don’t need date nights until they get a little older.
Oh, Gods, now I sound like one of those crazy moms.
“Does she always think out loud?”
“Usually.” Both of my mates answer in unison, and they all bust into a fit of laughter.
I am seriously outnumbered here. Groaning in Lucian’s arms has me relaxing. Finally! Now Midori can help balance out some of this testosterone.
Lucian sets her on her feet, but before I get a chance to check on her, Ronan zips passed me.
For a blind guy, he moves pretty fast.
I watch as they stare at one another before bringing their hands to each other’s chest. That’s odd, that’s right where…
Oh, my Gods!
They’re mates!
“It’s you,” Ronan says quietly, bringing his free hand to cup her face gently.
“How can you be so sure?” She responds to him with hesitation in her voice.
“Can’t you feel it? You are my gift from the Gods. I have prayed for you every night, and now you are here. Am I dreaming again?” Ronan leans closer and runs his fingers through her hair.
“Only if I am also dreaming. How is this possible?”
Unable to hold it in any longer, I burst into a fit of tears.
My voice is high-pitched, and my words are barely discernible. But does that stop my word vomit from interrupting the sweetest fucking thing ever? Hell no.
“Fuck this is so damn beautiful. I can’t believe… and you two deserve…, and it’s so romantic. Look, Blake, they are mates! Lucian, aren’t they beautiful together?” My sobs continue as I trudge over and make a Forsythia sandwich out of my new favorite couple.
Thankfully they took pity on me and hugged me back, or that would have been awkward as fuck.
At some point, my sobbing ebbed, and Lucian swooped me off my feet. I am so tired I feel drunk.
The five of us make our way to the house.
Midori and Ronan take one room, while Blake, Lucian, and I take the larger of the two.
I barely register the guys helping me change into a soft nightgown or tucking me into bed.
They cuddle against me, and I sigh.
Ok, maybe a happily ever after isn’t such a bad thing for a hero to get.