Chapter Eleven #3
It was hard to pull up any memory of Mah’s side of the family that didn’t come with drama and fighting.
“We can go with you,” Alek said. “Or at least I can.”
Mah was already shaking his head. “I don’t want any of you children there. Especially Evian. They’ve petitioned for decades to have Evian join them. With the changes coming, I wouldn’t put it past my family to use you children against me to get what they want.”
“What do they want?” Theo asked softly.
Mah smiled at the little shifter. “They want to run my life. And that would not include my mates or my children.”
“Why?” Theo asked. “Aren’t they proud of everything that you’ve accomplished? You’ve saved realms. Kept wars from starting.”
In a rare show of emotion, Vadir walked over to the couch and pulled Theo up to hug him.
Theo fumbled for a brief moment before hugging the vampire back.
“I hope you never lose the innocence that is inside you. Even after every challenge that you have had to overcome, your heart is still filled with love and peace. Hold on to that,” Vadir whispered into Theo’s ear. Although they all could still hear the words.
Theo tilted his head back. “Of course I will. I can only be me.”
Vadir kissed Theo in the middle of the forehead. “Our Mah is much like you. Even as his family turned his back on him and our family, he still craves the love that should be given freely.”
Theo made a sad sound that broke Alek’s heart. “I get that.”
“I know you do,” Vadir replied. He pulled back to smooth the front of his shirt as he darted his gaze around as if he was nervous. “It won’t be an easy trip but one that we must take anyway.”
Alek nodded. There was nothing he could do for his fathers except follow their wishes.
“The seelie court has requested an audience,” Seb told them. “With you all.”
“Do they know about Bramley?” Theo questioned.
“They have been informed,” Seb replied. “The unseelie have gone to war with each other. There has been a new king or queen crowned three times already. The fae realm is currently in shambles and there is concern that it might bleed over to other realms.”
Wrapping his arms around himself, Theo dropped back down onto the couch. “Is this my fault?”
“No,” Seb replied quickly. “This is Bramley’s fault.
“Not only did he attack a chosen but he did so without the approval of the unseelie court. They are still unaware of why Bramley targeted you. Your parentage is still our secret. We hope to keep it that way. It would be best if you met with the seelie court sooner rather than later.”
“You think we’re ready?” Alek asked. He knew the rules and protocol of these meetings. Everything very formal. But he’d always had one of his fathers by his side as he witnessed them work.
Mah lifted his head and smiled. A real smile that wiped the sadness from his eyes. “I know you are.”
Alek turned toward Dario. This would change things once again.
“If we accept this meeting, we will be announced as the chosen,” Dario stated clearly.
“Yes,” Vadir said. “Word has already gotten around. Scrolls and ledgers have been updated with your names. This will be official. If you do this, it means that you are fully accepting your responsibilities.”
“I thought we already accepted our responsibilities,” Theo said.
“I do have this pretty tattoo that claims my mates,” Wylder added.
“Being mated doesn’t pass the responsibilities,” Vadir informed them. “Yes, that is the first step, but it is a little more formal than that.”
“Much like the mating bond, you must accept the life of the chosen,” Carson said.
“It’s a choice you make here.” Mah placed his hand over his heart. “The power shifts when every member of the chosen has accepted it in their heart.”
“Magic is all about balance,” Seb added. “It might have not felt like it, but the ultimate choice is yours. Together. Each member of your mating must want this.”
Alek dropped his gaze to the three men sitting in front of him.
He knew this already and had no doubts that Dario was already one hundred percent committed.
He doubted Mitch would back off. He was a fierce warrior who was going to do everything in his power to protect the mates he loved.
Mitch’s life was already filled with responsibilities, but this time he had his mates at this back.
Really it was Wylder and Theo who were questionable. Did the two of them fully want this?
He wouldn’t blame either boy if they weren’t ready. Or not sure. Alek had known this was his destiny his entire life. Wylder and Theo had been thrown into this with no warning.
Was it in their heart to accept their destiny? Truly?
Wylder rose from the couch. He stood in a pair of dark-washed jeans that didn’t have one hole in them, which was dressing up for the human. Wiping his palms on his jeans, he gave a wobbly smile. “We can do this.”
Mitch stood beside him and nodded. “We are ready.”
Dario nodded. “It is time.”
Alek reached forward and squeezed Theo’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else but my mates.”
Theo’s voice shook. “We accept our destiny.”
Nothing dramatic happened, which Alek realized when Wylder threw his hands up. “Well…”
“The power has passed,” Vadir stated.
“Where is the lightning or thunder or new tattoo or something!” Wylder questioned.
Vadir laughed. “It’s inside you.”
Wylder huffed. “That was sort of anticlimactic.” Then he leaned forward and kissed Theo hard.