Chapter 8
Astrate
Ahazu runs out of the house, engulfing me in his arms. He whispers in my ear, speaking in Elvish about how much he has missed me, how happy he is to see me, and how he has so much to tell me. I can’t speak. I feel as if a piece of my soul has finally returned to me.
We stand there, silently taking in one another, heads together, hands clasped together at our sides and the rest of the world fades away. Thoughts of mates, quests, and assassinations just fall away as I soak in the warmth of my twin and familiar touch of his skin. Wait …. His skin? Where are his gloves? He hasn’t gone a day without them since we were seventeen. Pulling my head back, I clutch his hands tighter, bringing both up so we can see them between us then glance into his eyes with all the questions in my gaze.
“I did say I had much to tell you, big sister.” His eyes flick to the men behind me and a small smile twitches on the corner of his lips. “And it sure seems like you have much to tell me as well.”
I growl under my breath, but nod in understanding. Glancing over my shoulder, I laugh at the sight of all my men tied up in vines. Even Syrinox looks a bit chastised as Dree’s narrowed gaze slips his way. The twins are staring at mine and Ahazu’s joined hands and Glavior is staring intensely at my face like he always does. The fire burning in his eyes sets my body aflame with desire and I have to clear my throat and look away before the desire to jump his very large bones overwhelms me and I do something stupid.
“Boys, this is my twin brother, Ahazu. Baby brother, these are my very temporary partners, Glavior, Onyx, Cerise, Draoithe, and Syrinox.” As I introduce each man, I point his way and the vines slowly loosen their grip.
They all look a bit relieved when I say Ahazu is my twin, but really, they should have known. The only difference between us is our eyes, and the fact he has a dick. Clearly he is related to me, but it seems my guys … I mean, the guys, because they are NOT mine … whatever, they didn’t like Ahazu touching me. All I know is they better get over it quickly because my connection with my brother is non-negotiable. It”s actually one of the reasons I don’t want mates. The bond between mates takes over everything, and I already lose enough time with my brother, I don’t want anything else coming between us.
“Problems?” I raise a brow and look at Dree, who clearly is responsible for the vines.
He smiles at me, his eyes opening from their narrowed positions and back into their normal half lidded state. He glances at Ahazu, but lifts his hands as if he is surrendering. “Nothing wrong here love.”
“Good.” I say, ignoring his little pet name, even as Ahazu chuckles under his breath. “Let”s go inside, it seems my brother has some news for me.”
Ahazu and I keep our hands locked together as we lead the group of men into the house. I can hear someone behind me suck in a deep breath and I glance around the large living room, looking at it with fresh eyes. I’ve lived in this house my whole life. My father built it for my mother when they first moved from Faerie. I guess it is a bit grandiose, especially considering the only people who live in the main house are me and Ahazu, Boo and his parents live in a smaller house at the back of the property.
The room covers the entire length of the house, and about half of the width. There’s a large fireplace with a roaring fire against the back wall, one that I know extends into the kitchen and keeps the whole first floor warm. There are four leather couches around the fireplace, one of which is filled with Boo, Dallie, and some other guy I’ve never met. The right side of the room, beside the fireplace, is a hall that leads to the dining room and the kitchen, with a bathroom around the middle of the hall, and on the left hand side of the room, is a grand staircase that leads up to the second floor where the two master suites and four spare rooms are. The third floor is our chapel, where Ahazu has several altars set up for prayer.
“Big sister, I’d like to introduce you to Elizis, the fourth corner of our troupe.” He waves a hand towards the last man on the couch.
He is tall, standing around six foot six inches, His eyes are red, but not the solid red of Cerise. His long black hair is pulled back into a slick bun and his suit looks expensive, even without the jacket or tie. The first three buttons of his black shirt are unbuttoned, and his belt has a shiny buckle with a family crest. If I remember correctly, it”s the crest of Vampire royalty, although his magic is earth based. He is interesting to say the least, especially since he is a healer of some kind.
“A pleasure I’m sure.” I say, still eyeing the man moving towards us.
I can’t keep my focus on him for long though, because before I know it, I’m yanked off my feet and tugged into a bone crushing hug while dangling in the air. Dallie’s natural mint scent fills my nose and I can’t help but smile and throw my arms around her neck.
“Dallie! I’ve missed you.”
“Oh shove it! Az told me you’ve known since Academy and you decided it was better to let me figure shit out on my own. How could you?”
I can’t help but laugh at her, knowing exactly what she means. The silly girl has been surrounded by her mates this whole time and never bothered to notice. Az wanted me to tell her as soon as the bond clicked in when she turned eighteen but I thought it was something she had to discover for herself. The gods have a way of doing things, of letting you learn things when the time is right.
“Come on Dalphine. You learned when you were meant to know. That isn’t my fault.”
Dallie rolls her eyes, putting me back on my feet, but throwing an arm around my shoulders as she leads me to the couch. The men follow us, all of them watching us with strange looks. I see Syrinox sign something and Dree smirks. Ahazu glares at the man and I’m a bit shocked that he knows the language and that he seems to be a bit pissed by whatever was said.
“I don’t think it”s funny to say those types of things about my sister and my mate. I don’t know who you are, but the only reason you aren’t dead after what you said is because you came with Astra and Gynnie says you are important, but make no mistake.” Ahazu takes a step closer, his snow white magic circling his bare hands and his eyes narrowed on Syrinox. I have to admit that my heart beats a bit faster and true fear clouds my mind, my heart torn between the two men as I watch Ahazu draw closer. “If you make another comment like that, especially when I know my twin doesn’t know the sign yet, then I may just forget what my familiar said and kill you myself.”
The new man, Elizis, wraps his arms around Ahazu’s chest, holding him back as he leans down to whisper something in his ear. Boo chuckles, but stares at Syrinox with narrowed eyes, clearly as pissed as my brother, but hiding it better. I’m not entirely sure what to do in this situation. I don’t know what was said, and I don’t want to seem like I’m picking sides. I know that it’s up to me to ease the tension.
“Little brother, it seems you have something to teach me tonight. If my new friend is saying some unsavory things, I think I should know his language. Come on everyone. Sit down and we can all take some time to get to know one another.”
Bowman chooses that moment to walk out of the hall with trays of drinks and snacks hovering behind him. He smiles widely at us all and bows at the waist, always proper that one. He waits to be acknowledged before raising from his bow. I don’t say anything, just jump up to throw my arms around him and hug him tight. He left with his son to do a fourth honeymoon with his wife and just got back. It took over a year to convince him he should go and I would be fine alone. I just hope he didn’t notice I replaced the pans in the house after burning them all so badly.
Bowman pats my back, the closest thing to a hug he will give me, but it makes me smile anyways. He is so different from his son, the dichotomy is hilarious. Boo is so out there, funny and mischievous, just like what typical nightmares are. Bowman is mixed with brownie blood, and he has more of their characteristics than that of a nightmare.
“Mistress and Master Morningdew, I’d like to formally give my resignation. Boo will be taking over as caretaker of the house given his newly acknowledged relationship to the master and Mistress Kari. It has been a pleasure to serve the house of Morningdew and I do hope that we remain close friends and you give me the pleasure of sticking around to see your children grow and thrive when they come around.”
Tears well in my eyes, but I smile at him regardless. “Of course, Bowman. You are family. Even if Boo moves into the main house, you and Tyunie will always be welcome to keep your home. I’d be offended if you left.”
He smiles back at me and wraps me in a proper hug. Ahazu smiles at me from over Bowman’s shoulder and I can’t help thinking that this is the start of a major change in my life. Change has never been something I handle well, but I guess I have no choice now. Bowman retiring, Ahazu getting all of his mates, and my supposed mates showing up … All of it is new and terrifying, but Astrate Morningdew isn’t scared of anything. I’m strong enough to handle anything the gods throw at me and keep going. I just pray to the Goddess that I can keep going with my heart intact.
Bowman leaves shortly after that, giving Boo a warm hug and instructions to come see his mother in the morning. Ahazu stole my spot on the couch, sitting between Dallie and Elizis with Boo sitting in front of them on the floor, his shoulders resting on Dallie and Az’s knees. Az is holding Dallie’s hand, their bare skin touching and making me wonder once more what changed my brother’s mind about the gloves. Elizis is running his fingers through Az’s hair, a small smile on his face as he watches Syrinox sign fast, his face flushed a deeper blue.
The twins and Dree are all laughing, not even trying to hide their enjoyment of Syrinox trying to cover his ass with my brother. And I know whatever he said must have been good because Az keeps rolling his eyes.
“Whatever, just keep those thoughts to yourself or at the very least wait until I’ve left the room. And make sure she has a chance to be in on it and not hide behind her lack of knowledge. If she knew what you said, you wouldn’t have gotten a warning before she killed you, or at the very least kicked your ass. Who are you anyways? Why do you sign instead of speak?”
Now is a great time to start the conversation and get to know everyone a bit better. It seems like everyone in the room will be around for a while so it”s better if we all get along at least a bit.