“Elliara?” Darius murmured, and Samantha elbowed him in the stomach to be quiet.
Ellie blushed but stepped closer to Mother. “Just Ellie, actually. It’s a pleasure, ma’am, ah, Your Highness.”
Alandra and Aerolus suddenly appeared, hand in hand.
“Might as well start calling her Mom,” Alandra said with a grin.
“Man, I hate when they do that,” Tessa said as she joined hands with Marcus. “Freaks me out.”
“I have all my children together, and such beautiful brides. Ellie,” Mother said, tears in her eyes. “Welcome to the family.” She embraced Ellie with a sincerity that made my own eyes burn, and I had to blink rapidly to keep from looking like a lovesick idiot.
Fortunately, everyone was watching my mother and Ellie. The pleasure on Ellie’s face at being accepted made my homecoming more than special, and I couldn’t thank my mother enough for her warmth and love. By the Light’s breath, I’d missed her.
“It’s so good to be home again,” I said thickly, kissing her on the cheek.
“Yes, it is.” She linked one arm through Ellie’s and the other through mine. “This calls for a celebration.”
Marcus groaned. “I knew you were going to say that.”
“Hey, at least you don’t have to procure several barrels of rare cinarum,” Aerolus complained. “That ale is expensive and ridiculously difficult to fabricate.”
Alandra chuckled. “Not really. He just likes to grumble to feel duly appreciated.”
Aerolus gave his affai a look, one that had her batting her eyes in innocence.
“You see, Arim? I told you everything would work out.” Mother beamed, looking around at all of us. “So much joy in our house again. How I’ve missed it.”
Arim’s gaze settled on Ellie, and he pursed his lips. “Everything is working out. I just wished I knew for whom.”
Chapter 28
Ellie (BEGIN)
Though everyone had been more than pleasant, and Cadmus’ mother a genuinely caring woman, Ellie felt tired and overwhelmed. Tanselm had so much more magic than Foreia. Her jump from Seattle to Foreia had felt strange, but Foreia’s Darkness and muted power had eventually felt as natural as breathing. In Tanselm, she felt as if she were continually being tested. Probing mind touches, feathers of Light mixed with welcoming Darkness, and the pressure of keeping a pleasant front so as not to interfere with Cadmus’ welcome home had taken its toll.
And then there was Arim—a hulking mass of testosterone who kept a constant eye on her, as if waiting for her to do something evil. The first hour she’d tried to be understanding, but now, half the night had passed, and the powerful mage still watched her.
While the others continued to talk and dine, she whispered into Cadmus’ ear, “I’m really tired. Would you mind if I went somewhere to rest? You don’t have to leave, though. I know how much you’ve missed your family.”
He glanced down at her, his brown eyes sparkling, and a wave of lust replaced her tiredness. As if he sensed her feelings, he grinned, a sensual smile that made her stomach flutter.
“It’s no problem, baby.” Oh, no, not the I’m-going-to-make-love-to-you-for-hours baby. “I’ve been getting a bit tired myself.”
He put a hand to her shoulder and rubbed softly, the heat of his palm spreading Dark want through her system.
Cadmus turned to his mother. “Mother, I’m sorry, but Ellie and I are pretty tired. It’s been a long day.”
“Of course it has. How thoughtless of me.” Queen Ravyn leaned close to accept a kiss from her charming son and shooed them away. “I’m sorry to have kept you, but I’ve missed you so much. Ellie, it’s been a true pleasure. I look forward to getting to know you like the daughter I’ve been missing.”
Cadmus raised a brow. “You’ve got three daughters sitting right down the table.” He motioned to Samantha, Tessa and Alandra joking and eating with their husbands.
“Yes, I know. And I’ll never take any of them for granted. But now, my last, irascible son has finally found a bride, and I couldn’t be happier she’s so lovely.”
Ellie smiled but wondered, uneasily, if Ravyn had been told who and ‘what’ Ellie really was. Would the queen find her so acceptable if she knew of her heritage?
“Relax, Ellie. Light or Dark, it doesn’t matter to me,” Cadmus sent with warmth.
Maybe not to him, but Cadmus didn’t feel the need to prove himself to his family. Whereas she had a hell of a lot to prove.
