14. Maya #3
I looked over his shoulder to where Sai and the twins were staring at three men who were at the door.
Well, staring wouldn’t be accurate—they were actually blocking their entrance.
The men were dressed similar to Eleven but seemed far less serious than her and almost looked relaxed about all of this.
“We need to go,” Eleven reminded us. I could feel my boys tense, and I had a feeling that they were really uncomfortable with the orders she seemed to be throwing around…
or maybe it was more the lethal energy coming off her.
I could feel them subtly blocking me. It wasn’t something I would have noticed before, but it was amped up majorly being here in the Dreki realm.
Or maybe it was just the more connected I became with my magic, the more I noticed it.
“Okay,” I whispered.
I kept hold of Marco’s hand as we left the room, the two of us walking at the front of the group as my other six mates lined up in two rows behind us.
It confused me at first, until Eleven and her three men lined up on either side of them.
I swallowed, feeling as though this was a far bigger deal than I realized.
I liked when my mates and I could relax, and this felt anything but.
It wasn’t long before I realized how correct I’d been.
As we left the part of the castle where our room was, we were led through a series of hallways that we hadn’t explored before.
My eyes traced the luxurious furnishings and decor as large flags, displaying the gold and blue crest, created a stunning contrast. Banners and flags decorated every surface, along with gold and brown decor that seemed to celebrate harvest foods, from wheat to corn.
It was beautiful, and so were the people flooding through the main hallways from outside.
I frowned, realizing that it was truly more men than women.
Although, both were beautiful, and everyone seemed larger and more impressive than myself, dressed in expensive tailored clothes and seemingly in a celebratory mood.
Well, until people began seeing us.
That was when the stares and whispers started, the sound anything but quiet considering the large number of people present.
I didn’t think it was just me, either. I saw how people were looking at my mates.
I didn’t understand it fully, but I saw the caution.
It made me wonder who they thought my men were.
I was sure they had some type of reputation here, but that didn’t matter to me. I knew who they really were.
When eyes began to stray to me, I was tempted to put my head down, a blush blasting my cheeks, but I was able to keep it together.
Marco’s hand in mine gave me strength. Did they know who I was?
Had my parents announced it? I wasn’t positive I wanted to know their reaction either way.
At least on Earth the human media could be ignored to some extent, but in this crowded hallway with whispers surrounding me?
Not as easy. A shiver ran over my skin as my phoenix tried to push through, wanting to show off despite me knowing it was not the time.
We neared a set of large gold doors, and I assumed we were back at the throne room until the guards opened them for us, revealing a ballroom completely decorated for celebration.
From floor to ceiling, everything sparkled, and my eyes widened as I looked around, unable to process how they were even able to decorate the four-story ceiling.
Gold feathers and decor seemed to spiral down from chandeliers and dusted the marble flooring with gold glitter that was cleared off to give way to a dance floor.
On all sides were long tables and a table up front that looked set to fit over twenty people, including a throne at the very center.
It was clear Cyra wasn’t here yet, but that didn’t stop anyone from beginning their celebration.
Music danced through the space and I looked at Marco, feeling both excited and overwhelmed.
That was when I noticed how tense he was. His jaw clenched as he looked around the space, all of my mates seeming a bit on edge. I moved closer to him, wanting to lend him the same type of comfort that he usually gave me.
“Are you okay?” I drew his attention down as he examined my expression and let out a low rumble, not fully answering but making me know I wasn’t far off base about him being tense and not his normal, relaxed self.
Well, ‘relaxed’ wasn’t really the right word for Marco…
just more controlled than he was right now.
In fact, the only one that seemed even relatively calm was Croy, and I had a feeling that was because his wolf was feeling a bit more settled now that we had marked one another.
His possessive feelings rang clear and vibrant through our bond, making me blush as his green gaze met mine, practically on fire.
“This way,” Eleven instructed, leading us forward.
I briefly noticed that there were several tables that seemed to showcase school banners, and I assumed they represented the military academies that the boys had mentioned.
There were students sitting at them already, large mugs in their hands and the scent of alcohol surrounding most of the room, letting me know that this was truly a celebration in their eyes.
We sat down at the large table, choosing seats on the right side of the throne, leaving the middle open. Commotion almost immediately started up once again as I looked around for the reasoning behind it.
If I had been further away, I wouldn’t have heard Eleven curse under her breath at the explosion of cheers and chanting of names.
My eyes flashed up to find a group of men walking into the hall that…
well, that sort of looked like me. Okay…
‘sort of’ was an understatement. Obviously there were differences, but not only did they look like me, but they were wearing uniforms similar to my mates’ and had gold crown-like bands on their heads.
I may have still been figuring all of this out, but I was putting it together as I remembered Croy’s information regarding the queen’s situation.
Not only was I their lost daughter… but this would be their six sons. My brothers. Wow. How was I going to explain myself to them? Maybe I was wrong, but I felt like it was a bit jarring to just look at someone and announce that you’re their long-lost sister.
They seemed in rather good spirits, loud music announcing their entrance, and the response from the crowd made me realize how popular they were.
Everyone was clapping them on the back and greeting them, the six of them making their way to the front where Eleven was still muttering what sounded like curses under her breath.
I turned to look up at her and she offered me a tight smile, legitimate discomfort in her gaze. Did she not want to be around them?
“You can watch me from back there, if it’s easier?” I offered softly, not wanting her to be uneasy, especially if she had an issue with them that I was unaware of.
Softness invaded her gaze before she shook her head. “I’ll be damned if they get me kicked out of this position. They have been trying to do that for years now.”
Oh.
My surprise must have shown, as she winced. “Sorry, I realize they’re your brothers.”
“They could be jerks, I wouldn’t know,” I pointed out.
“‘Jerks’ isn’t the word I would use,” Eleven managed through a tight jaw, her eyes flashing up.
My own eyes widened because suddenly a man stood behind her, a pair of gold eyes briefly meeting mine before looking back down at a stone-still version of my guard.
I felt a defensive flare in my chest, but Atlas had wrapped his arm around me and settled me on his knee, so I watched with curiosity, wondering if I needed to step in.
I figured my mates would at least give warning if we needed to help…
not that Eleven would need it. It was very clear she was capable.
“And what word would you use, Eleven?” the man asked, amused, his smile anything but nice. It wasn’t mean, either… there was just a lot there between them. I saw Eleven clear the expression from her face before she turned and looked up at the man.
“Overbearing asshole.”
My eyes widened as Atlas put his head down on my shoulder, amusement radiating through our bond.
“Now come on, we aren’t that bad,” another voice chimed, my gaze moving to a man that looked identical to the first. Okay, so they were clearly twins.
And younger, if I had to guess. Out of all the men, I was pretty sure they looked the most like me, with their brown hair and gold eyes. It was a bit unsettling.
“You’re the worst,” Eleven declared, her eyes darting over their shoulders to her three teammates, who were seemingly scared of the men talking to her. I mean, unless I was imagining the way they seemed to be making themselves as small as possible.
“Why the hell did you come with them?” a third voice sounded. My brows raised, watching a dark, long-haired man stride over, his hair pulled back in a braid and a sword strapped to his back. “We invited you as a guest, not to work.”
“And I rejected your invitation, several times,” she leveled, her eyes narrowing. “Like I always do and always will. So stop acting surprised.”
“Pretty sure it’s treason or something to talk to us like that.” The second twin chuckled, making Eleven’s mouth twitch up just slightly.
“Leave her alone, it’s not worth it,” a fourth voice, darker than the others, had Eleven straightening slightly, her jaw clenching at the man rounding the table, who had my eyes widening.
Not only was he huge—like Atlas huge—but he had a scar running down the length of his cheek to his jaw and neck. It was extremely intimidating.
“That’s not true,” the first twin voiced.
“He’s not wrong. It’s not worth it.” Eleven’s gaze was set on a place over one of the twins’ shoulders as the fourth man examined her expression before shaking his head and stalking off towards the other side of the table.
Without comment, the third man with the long hair followed, leaving only the twins.
“Come on, Ven,” the first encouraged her. “You know he’s always a grumpy bastard. It’s not you.”
“Oh, it’s me,” Eleven assured and then looked back over at her team. “I need you guys to go sit down. I’m working right now.”
“My parents are having you work today?” a fifth voice asked, smooth and rather polished, almost professionally so.
I watched with interest as a man with lighter, almost gold hair reached them, examining her with interest. Also a bit of affection, but I was almost positive that she didn’t notice that.
“I requested a shift,” she leveled.
“Of course you did.” I reared back as the sixth man finally made an appearance, sitting on the edge of a chair and not even making her flinch.
I felt shock radiate through me at how he just appeared, though, as he reached out and tugged on a piece of her hair while watching her with intense, almost unnerving focus. Honestly, he seemed a bit odd.
“I don’t know what you mean by that.” She narrowed her eyes.
“I mean that you would do anything you could to actively distance yourself from us, and you think an assignment, working for our parents, proves something when it only gives us more access to you.” His dark eyes narrowed on her expression, which turned slightly pink.
I was so fascinated with everything that when cheers exploded again, I was authentically confused until Eleven straightened up and distanced herself, all of them seemingly upset with that as well, although I couldn’t understand why.
My eyes moved to where my fathers came from the back of the room, eventually revealing my mother, her eyes locking with mine as she flashed a bright smile.
I stood up, unable to help but return it.
When Eleven bowed and my men offered the same courtesy, I nearly did myself.
Henry shook his head, and I looked over to find that my brothers hadn’t, my action causing them to notice me with confusion.
I almost laughed, because seeing my similar confused expression on the twins’ faces was a bit freaky.
Music started up once again as my mother reached me and pulled me into a tight hug.
“I’m so glad you decided to wear it. You look gorgeous.” She flashed a smile, her royal blue gown made of the same material and making her look almost glowing.
“I love it,” I admitted.
“I can’t wait to reintroduce you to everyone.” She squeezed my hands and offered me a small, almost mischievous smile. “Now, are you interested in freaking your brothers out?”
“Yeah?” I asked, wondering what she had in mind. Wrapping an arm around my waist, she led me over. I could feel my mates stand, and I knew they weren’t far behind. I watched as Nuriel spoke to the man with the angry scar on his face.
“We were worried you wouldn’t make it,” Nuriel admitted. “I was surprised you guys made such good time coming back.”
The man’s eyes darted to Eleven. “We couldn’t miss the festival.”
“Well that and to welcome your baby sister back home,” my mom said nonchalantly, causing half my dads to shake their heads as if they had known she would do this. All of my brothers looked at me as confusion and then realization followed by shock dawned on their faces.
“Did you say ‘baby sister’?” the angry one with long hair demanded.
“Yep.” My mom flashed a smile. “She’s come back to us.”
All of them stared at me as I turned red in the face, making me look up at my mom, who was staring at me with pride and affection.
“Holy fuck.”
Honestly, I didn’t disagree with his statement.