"I trust your judgment." Annani squeezed his hand. "I know the burden this places on you, Kian. I wish I could spare you from having to deal with it."
He smiled. "I'm glad I can do it so you don't have to."
"Thank you. I appreciate everything you do for the clan, my son. Do not ever think that I am taking it for granted."
"I know." He squeezed her hand back. "Anything else you would like to prepare for Areana's arrival?"
"Actually, yes." Annani felt a flutter of excitement. "I want to throw a party for Areana and introduce her to the family. We can do this in your penthouse."
"Lokan and Carol are staying there," Kian reminded her.
"I know, but I am sure they would not mind if I host the gathering for Areana in the penthouse. Naturally, I shall ask, and if for some reason that I cannot imagine they refuse, I can do it in Amanda's old place. That is where Areana will be staying until Navuh is released from the clinic and moved to the dungeon. I am certain she would want to join him there."
"Perhaps you should wait with the party and not do it on the actual day of Areana's arrival. She will be in no state to celebrate."
"Of course." Annani waved a hand in dismissal. "The first meeting will be just us, her sons, their mates, and Darius. Areana cannot wait to meet her grandson in person. Possibly also Ell-rom and Morelle. She does not know about them, and I am sure she will be thrilled to discover that we have two more siblings. No party, though. I will just bring Ogidu to serve some appetizers."
"Lokan and Kalugal plan to meet their mother at the airstrip," Kian said. "They are as impatient as you are."
"Naturally." Annani took a sip from her tea and then put the cup down. "They can give her a ride to the keep and then spend a pleasant time with her at the penthouse. I want Areana to meet my children as well. You, Syssi, and Allegra. Amanda, Dalhu, and little Evie. Alena, Orion and baby E.T. and of course, Toven and Mia, although I believe Toven and Mia will have to wait fora later time, when Areana is no longer worried that her mate might expire if she is not constantly watching over him."
29
TULA
The jet's door stood open, and Tula stood frozen in the aisle, her hand resting on her belly not because she felt the need to shield it from what was coming but because she needed the reassurance it provided.
In a world of uncertainty, her baby was a constant, the one thing everything else revolved around, the one thing everything was measured against.
"Come on," Tamira said from behind her. "This is a very nice plane, but I've had enough of flying to last me the rest of my very long life. Let's get out of here."
Tony stood next to Tula, looking just as frozen as she was, but he shook himself off first and applied gentle pressure to the small of her back, propelling her forward.
A group of people were waiting on the tarmac, but her gaze zeroed in on just one.
Gulan.
Except it wasn't Gulan anymore.
The woman standing there and bouncing on her toes with barely contained excitement looked like Gulan but also didn't. She wore jeans and a simple T-shirt. Her dark hair cascaded down her shoulders in gentle waves, and her green eyes shone with happiness and unshed tears.
She looked like a modern woman. A stunning modern woman. A free, American woman.
The Gulan she remembered had been pretty, but she'd always felt awkward in her big, strong body. This woman radiated confidence, she was comfortable in her own skin, and she knew her own worth.
She now looked like someone who owned her place in the world rather than someone who'd been given permission to occupy it.
What an amazing transformation.
Calling herself Wonder after the famous movie character was most fitting.
"That's Wonder," Tula whispered to Tony. "That's my sister."
He touched her lower back. "Go ahead. I know you want to run to her."
The touch unfroze her. Tula moved forward on legs that felt disconnected from her body, down the stairs, and across the tarmac.
She was running, and Wonder met her halfway.
