Chapter 14 Kaleb
Chapter fourteen
Kaleb
Unfortunately, the Dumas Heir was never found, leaving the Dumas Coven devastated. Till this day, Edwin and Lyra Dumas are convinced their son is still alive and won’t stop searching until they are able to bring him home.
-Heart’s Hollow Tribune
Darius guides my parents to the table, encouraging them to sit down.
Autumn gives Anya a quick hug, and it’s clear they know each other.
As soon as we are seated, Darius flags Anna over, and she quickly takes everyone’s order.
I ask for a pastry and some water, just to have something to do with my hands.
“I’ll be back. I’m going to take Maple on a quick walk and meet up with Rook. I’ll give you time to catch up.” Autumn pats me on the back as he walks by.
I study my parents. Even though I’ve been having visions of them, they actually look younger in person, leading me to believe that maybe those happy visions are further along in the future.
Just knowing that warms my heart even more.
If the future unfolds the way I’ve glimpsed, then I’m happy I’m reuniting with them.
On the flip side, it’s kind of weird that both Edwin and Lyra look a lot younger than I thought they would.
What if they really aren’t my parents? Maybe the little boy they were looking for is a lot younger than me.
No, that doesn’t make sense. Darius said they’ve been looking for their son for twenty years.
Plus, there are all my memories and visions.
Darius must sense my nerves because he leans back in his seat, pressing his thigh against mine under the table.
A stray image of Darius sitting here in his mer-kraken form comes to mind.
I imagine one of his pretty blue tentacles wrapping around my calf to give me comfort, and another wrapping around my shoulders.
The image is so clear, I yearn for it.
“Oh,” he gasps quietly as a blush spreads across his cheeks. Surprise pulses down the bond.
“Did I just send you that image?” I ask him with a shy smile.
Darius nods, speechless. “No one has ever…” He pauses for a moment, perhaps to gather himself. “I don’t usually shift in public.”
Surprise flutters in my stomach, and I make a mental note to ask him about this in private.
“Is everything okay?” Lyra asks, tucking some of her hair behind her ear.
Hair that’s almost identical to mine. She’s wearing a nice pair of dress slacks and a form-fitting purple sweater.
The entire outfit exudes wealth, sophistication, and power.
Even so, her facial features are warm. I can definitely see the similarities between us. Darius was right, too. I have her eyes.
I offer her a smile. “Everything is fine. I’m just still a little nervous,” I explain. “All of this is still new to me.”
Lyra reaches for my hand. “It’s completely understandable. Do you have any questions? I’d be happy to answer them for you.”
Of course, this is the moment a million questions pop into my head all at once. Suddenly, an image comes to mind, or more like a sound. Something I used to hum when I was nervous or scared.
“Did you used to sing to me?” I blurt.
Lyra cocks her head curiously. Before she can answer, I start humming a song I pluck from memory. Tears fill Lyra’s eyes, and she nods quickly. “Your grandmother used to sing that song to me, and I used to sing it to you and Anya when you two were younger.”
Anya nods, humming along, and Lyra begins to sing. She has a beautiful voice that makes me feel so many emotions. If I questioned it before, this confirms it. Lyra and Edwin Dumas are my parents. That’s my mother’s voice.
We chat for a long time, as Lyra and Edwin tell me about my childhood, the kidnapping, and the reasons they think the witch named Trumble took me.
Since he’s no longer alive, there’s no actual way of getting answers.
My sister was only three when I was taken, so she doesn’t really remember me, only the pain my parents shared as they continued to search for me.
As I get to know my family, Darius stays by my side, a comforting presence, silently giving me strength.
A few times, he sends me questions down the bond, making sure I’m okay, or asking if I need anything.
I try to answer back, but I can’t be entirely sure I’m sending them properly.
Every time he smiles at me or checks in on me, the faster I fall.
I don’t know if it’s even possible not to fall in love with your fated mate, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we developed feelings for each other quickly. There’s something very intimate about sharing thoughts, feelings, and memories.
At one point, Cleo rejoins us, purring at my feet as she settles into a catnap. My fingers casually reach down and run through her black fur.
By the time we finish chatting, all of us are laughing, with huge smiles on our faces.
But when Lyra—Mom—lets me know that my bedroom in their manor is ready for me, I panic.
It’s obvious they’re my family, and that as a witch, I probably belong in the Dumas coven.
But I don’t know if I’m ready to live there.
Or if I’ll ever really want to live there.
I’m a grown adult and just don’t know how I feel about freeloading off people. Blood or not.
‘Stay with me,’ Darius says eagerly through our magical link. Our eyes meet.
Edwin clears his throat. “Why don’t you let Kaleb decide where he’s going to stay, honey?”
“Oh, but Edwin, he just came back into our lives,” Lyra says, with an adorable pout. Ah, so that’s who I got that from. I chuckle. I swear she’d stomp her foot if she could. “Christmas is almost here.”
I glance over at my dad right as he winks. “Lyra, sweetheart. We can still see him as often as possible. Plus, we have the entire Christmas season.”
“I can visit several times a week, I promise. But if it’s okay with everyone, I’d like to stay with Darius.
He—he’s my fated mate, and I would really like to learn more about our connection.
” As soon as the words are out, joy courses between Darius and me.
He’s so happy that it’s actually hard to tell if I’m feeling his emotions, mine, or both of ours.
Damn, I want this. I want him.
I want to learn everything about him. I want to wake up in his arms every morning and fall asleep together at night.
I want to go on dates and explore the heat that seems to sizzle between us.
But not only that, I want to be there more often when he shifts.
To prove to him that he’s beautiful in any form.
I want all of him.
“No freaking way,” Anya gasps, eyes bouncing between Darius and me. “What are the chances the tracker Mom and Dad hired to look for you is your fated mate?”
I lean across the table and press a kiss to Darius’ cheek. Darius grins. When his golden-brown gaze meets mine, I lift my peppermint potion to my lips. “I guess Fate really does know what she’s doing,” I tell him, never breaking eye contact.