Chapter 21 #2
“When you opened the gate, the guardians found us. They wanted to inform Aaren about what was going on with his father—I have no idea how the bastard got past us when we were right there in the parking lot,” Ruby growled in frustration before shaking her head, adjusting the skirt of her black dress and causing me to be momentarily distracted by the stars that seemed to be embedded in the fabric.
That had to be from the divine realm; I had never seen a fabric like that before…
Then her words hit. “Oh, Aaren knows then? That they took him into the divine realm?”
That relieved me in a way I couldn’t explain. I really didn’t want to have to break that type of news to Aaren. I didn’t think he would want his father around anyway after what he’d done to Ruby…but he was still his father at the end of the day.
“Yep. He went to say goodbye to him. Reaper even went with,” Aanya explained.
“Ruby mentioned to the guardians that we would want to be here as well, so they came to get us. Of course we were totally freaked out because the sky itself looked like it was burning when they arrived…but it all worked out. Plus, look at the dress they had for me! Isn’t it so pretty? ”
“It really is,” I agreed, looking over the vibrant orange and red ombre material, the gold sparkles making her look like she was on literal fire.
Considering she was a kitsune, it was a very cool effect.
I also couldn’t help but love the ease she was handling this entire situation with—although both of my friends had experienced more ‘true magic’ than myself, so maybe this wasn’t that odd to them.
Then I asked my other question, unable to contain myself. “Is Aaren okay with what happened?”
“Yes. He would’ve killed his father himself, honestly, especially after the shit he pulled with all the young women across the city…but yes, completely fine. I’m just so glad we can be here with you,” Ruby said softly. “This is…this is crazy! Your parents are the literal sun god and moon goddess!”
“I know,” I whispered.
I looked around the ballroom, noticing my parents staring at us, and admitted, “This entire place, this entire experience—It’s something really special.”
“Are…are you planning to stay?” Aanya asked softly, the concern in her voice clear.
“No,” I said with conviction. “I want to go back to London and start to really live. I don’t think I can go back to Silver Falls after everything that’s happened.”
“I get that,” Ruby said. “We’re returning, but only because Aaren wants to figure out someone to take over his father’s position—the guardians promised to help him with that. After that, we were thinking maybe Europe or exploring for a bit.”
“What about you three?” I asked Aanya.
“I think we’re going to stay at Silver Falls for a while.” Aanya shrugged. “I love my program, and I figure it gives me some time to sort out where we want to go after. Plus, then I can keep everyone updated on whoever takes over.”
That settled a part of me I didn’t realize had been anxious. I may not have wanted to go back to Silver Falls University, but it still was a special place to me. I wanted it protected.
“Your parents want us up there,” Dakota said, appearing behind me and gently running a hand up my back “As far as I’m concerned they can wait, but people are staring and probably wondering who we all are.”
“Especially since we’re the only non-gods here,” Aanya agreed. “Well, except for Effie.”
“I still can’t believe that,” I admitted before looking towards my parents, Mona sitting up straight and motioning for me to come to the table.
Inhaling, I decided to take the plunge and stride forward with my mates following, my friends deciding to watch on from the center of the room.
I think I knew that my parents would be making some type of announcement, but after they both hugged me and asked me to stand with them, motioning for my mates to sit at the head table, I still found myself surprised by my dad’s voice that boomed through the celebration hall.
“Gods and goddesses! Thank you for joining us on such short notice!” My father spoke clearly, my gaze catching that Aaren had slipped into the hall and was now standing behind Ruby, talking to her and the others quietly. He didn’t look upset—in fact, if anything he looked relieved.
I looked up at my father as he continued, “After decades of being cut off from the realm of our blessed creatures, we have been reunited. The gate has been opened, and our daughter who was taken from us so many years ago was the one who succeeded in doing so. Tonight we celebrate her accomplishment and the honor of having her in our home once again.”
I smiled at his sweet words as he squeezed my shoulder. “It’s wonderful to have you back, little moon.”
“Glad to be here,” I responded, hoping that the happiness in their expressions wouldn’t dim once they realized having me ‘back’ here didn’t mean I was staying long-term.
Maybe they did understand that though, because he hadn’t exactly said I was back…
just that they were glad to have me back in their home. I was hoping that was the case.
“That isn’t the only thing we’re celebrating, though.
” Mona’s voice rang clear and even. “We thought it was fitting that with the opening of the gate and the change being brought throughout the realms that we bring some change here. A long time ago, the gates were closed because of a mistake that we—”
“That I made,” my father interrupted. “I made a mistake of selfishness and jealousy.”
Mona offered him a small smile. “But those years are long gone, and we want to live in harmony with our fellow creator. Alcuin, please join us.”
My brows shot up as the dark god appeared in the center of the room, the crowd parting as people gasped in surprise and awe. He wasn’t paying attention to any of that, though. His gaze was purely on my mom, only moving to Samson for a moment to offer a polite nod of understanding.
“Alcuin and his son Reaper have lived in the shadowlands for years now…” Samson motioned to Reaper who stood near Ruby, looking unsure about all of this. “But I want both of you to know you are welcome here. After all, I would like to consider us family.”
A cheer of excitement rang out, and I softened at the tears pricking my mom’s eyes, her gaze on Reaper who looked a bit lost. My dad swallowed down his own emotion and added in a clear voice, “Please! Enjoy dinner, all of you, and let’s make tonight a celebration to remember.”
Now that the speech was over, I squeezed my mom’s hand and turned my back to the room to talk to both of them. “Would you like me to introduce you to Reaper?”
I already knew what my mom’s answer would be, and I couldn’t imagine how hard this was for her. I mean, that was her son, and she hadn’t seen him in far longer than she had gone without seeing me.
“I would love nothing more, little moon.”