Chapter 58
Fifty-Eight
LUCCA
ONE MONTH LATER
It’s been a month since Uncle Raphael left with Vivi’s father to Ellnesari, and even though we all know time moves differently there, so it’s probably only been a few days to them, it’s impossible not to worry.
I tried to hide my concerns as best as I could from Vivi, but I think she only pretended I was calm. She knows me like the back of her hand.
We’ve been spending a lot of time in my uncle’s house, and to distract ourselves, I suggested we play a board game. We settled on Monopoly. Currently, Saxon is on the verge of going bankrupt and about to throw a tantrum. He lands on one of Vaughn’s properties with hotels, and the rent is steep.
“No! What the fuck, man.”
Grinning from ear to ear, Vaughn extends his hand toward Saxon. “Pay up, bitch.”
Saxon glances at the money he has left—or better yet, the lack of it—and says, “I’m wiped clean.”
“You’ll have to sell some of your properties, Sax. I’ll take your Park Place.” Aurora smiles sweetly.
His jaw drops. “So you can build your empire? The betrayal.”
I open my mouth to tease him more, but a change in the air makes me sit straighter in my chair and glance at the window facing the front courtyard. Vivi has a similar reaction.
“What is it?” Vaughn asks.
“My father is back,” she replies.
“Stay here. I’m going to check.” I’m out of my chair before she can say a word.
“I’m coming too,” Saxon pipes up.
Mauricio beat me to the door, but when I see everyone who’s returned with King Ruel, and my uncle standing next to Manu, I break into a run. Manu turns to me just in time for me to pull her into a hug. “You got me so fucking worried. Don’t do that again,” I whisper in her ear.
“Can’t promise that.”
I step back, and Saxon takes my place hugging her. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“It’s good to be back,” she replies.
I turn to Ronan and Cheryl, but my attention immediately zeroes in on the kids in their arms.
Saxon arches his brows. “Holy shit! You made babies? How much time has passed in Ellnesari?”
Karl laughs when Cheryl glowers at Saxon. “We didn’t make babies, dumbass. Come on!”
He puts his hands on his hips. “Don’t ‘dumbass’ me. It’s totally possible. It seems to be the trend.”
For fuck’s sake. I elbow Saxon to get him to shut up. They’ll know soon enough about Vivi’s pregnancy.
“What?” Manu cuts in. “Is someone pregnant? Is it Aurora… or is it Miranda?”
“You can discuss that inside.” Mauricio gives us a hard stare, and we all pipe down.
He then turns his attention to Uncle Raphael and bows. “My king.”
“Hello, Mauricio. How long was I gone?”
“Four weeks. Nothing has changed yet.” He turns his attention to a man I’ve never seen before, and pales. “Sweet heavens. Adrian Van Helsing?”
“Van Helsing?” Saxon repeats, his eyes bugging out. “As in the Van Helsing family that wanted to kill us all?”
Adrian seems lost. “Van Helsing… yes, that’s my family name. As for wanting to kill you all… that I don’t know.”
“You’re alive?” Mauricio continues as if he doesn’t believe his eyes.
“It seems so, but I’m beginning to think that maybe I’m a ghost,” Adrian deadpans.
Saxon twists his face into a grimace. “Don’t even joke about that, man. I’ve had it with ghosts.”
I keep my attention on Adrian. “Why are you here?”
“I do not know why.” Adrian looks at my uncle. “But your king does.”
Uncle Raphael locks his jaw tight. His reaction makes me even more curious. There’s definitely a story here. After a moment, he says, “It’s complicated.”
“He helped Karl and me when we were trapped in an awful place in Ellnesari,” Manu chimes in. “Let’s not judge him too harshly. He’s been a victim of that bitch queen for longer than we all have.”
Karl draws Manu closer to him and kisses the side of her head. That’s a new development I didn’t expect. “You’re together again?”
“Yes,” Karl replies, beaming. “For good this time.”
“Is Queen Maewe dead, then?” Saxon asks.
The entire party lets out a collective groan. That doesn’t bode well.
“No,” King Raphael replies.
I run a hand through my hair, pushing it back. “As much as I want to see that vile female gone, I’m not completely upset.”
“Why the hell not?” Manu frowns. “She deserves to die.”
“A lot happened while you were gone, sis.”
“Yes, and there’s much to discuss, but not out here.” Uncle Raphael glances at Adrian before he turns into black smoke, his favorite method of departing.
“Gee, he couldn’t walk the ten steps to get inside the house?” Saxon whispers.
“Watch it, boy. That male is your king,” Mauricio snaps.
Saxon drops his chin. “Sorry.”
The baby in Cheryl’s arm starts to cry loudly. I didn’t know such tiny lungs could produce so much noise. Is that what I have to look forward to?
“What’s wrong with him?” Saxon asks.
“He must be hungry.” Cheryl bites her finger and lets the baby suck her blood.
The front door opens again, and there comes Vivi with Aurora. I’m surprised they didn’t follow us sooner. “Did I hear a baby crying?”
“You couldn’t wait inside, could you, babe?” I smile. “You’re supposed to stay off your feet.”
“What’s wrong? Is she sick?” Ronan asks.
Vivi cradles her belly. “Not sick. Pregnant.”