It was a testament to Damien’s character that he hadn’t become frustrated by all the interruptions. He continued his story, “We released the other captured Fellat before Mira formed the portal that brought us to you. Sly had no idea that you would be here. The joy it brings me to see him reunited with his Faction is immeasurable.” Damien smiled gently at Mom.
“Damien, Jasmine is safe in an Aurathion town not too far from here,” Pop said, realizing that Damien had no idea what had become of his own family. “We’ve kept in contact with her, making sure she’s safe. Jasmine never wavered in her belief that you would return to her.”
Damien fell to his knees and started sobbing. Mom rushed to him, dropping to the ground and murmuring words of comfort. Dad joined them, laying a hand on his friend's shoulder, a look of absolute joy on his face.
“I’d gotten information that the Dark Factions were getting ready to attack, and we knew we had to return here as soon as possible.” Damien wiped tears from his face. “Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to leave without any issues. Selene, who was put in charge of the coliseum by the Brummond, had been closely monitoring Sly since his recapture. A member of Selene’sfaction, Beatrice, learned of our plan and was killed trying to prevent our escape.”
Mom’s gaze jerked to Dad, “Beatrice? Selene? The bitches that hated me at Emberhold?”
Dad hung his head, “Yes. Selene made me part of her Faction.”
There was complete silence until Mom yelled, “I will murder that motherfucker!” We watched in awe when she levitated a foot in the air, her hair blowing behind her with the wind she was generating.
It looked like my mom was regaining her abilities. That bitch, Selene, better watch her back.
Chapter 9
Reverie
We all looked at Mom, stunned by her outburst and the show of her power.
Well, everyone but me.
She was a passionate person, and I had always been aware that as much as my fathers worshiped her, she returned their feelings twofold.
After bonding with Nathan and Oren, I understood completely. I hadn’t even bonded with the twins, and I had no doubt I’d kill for them, too. I wasn’t ready to admit how I felt about Jet, even to myself.
Mom looked at Dad and demanded, “You will tell me everything she put you through. Do not try to keep anything from me, thinking that I can’t handle it or that I would think less of you.”
She lowered herself back to the ground and walked up to Dad, grabbing his face even as tears poured down hers. “I vow to you right now on all that I hold dear, I will kill her for you.”
The smile that broke over Dad's face was unexpected. He grabbed her and pulled her back into his lap. “Adelaide, I’m theone that’s supposed to protect you.” She started to protest, but Dad stopped her with a kiss. “Let me finish, " he admonished her gently.
She nodded her head.
Dad kissed her once more, slowly, then smiled against her lips, keeping his eyes closed. “I’d forgotten how fierce you can be.” He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts, then opened his eyes, meeting her gaze. “There are things I will never tell you. Not because I think you can’t handle it, but because I vowed long ago not to let that bitch live in my head more than necessary. I lived for years feeling like I had betrayed you. Terrified that if you were alive, and I ever found my way back, you would reject me when you found out everything that had happened.”
The thunderous frown on my mother’s face was frightening.
She started to speak, but Dad interrupted her once again. “I know it was stupid, and being back in your presence, I realize just how ridiculous that was. I think losing our bond caused doubts to sneak in, and for that, I’m sorry.” He brushed her hair back. “Now kiss me and help me forget that we were ever parted.”
My mom’s expression at his words was like seeing the sun break through the clouds.
“I love you.” She raised her lips to his.
Grumpy stood and walked over to embrace them both. Pop immediately joined them. Seeing them together brought tears of joy to my face.
I watched for a few more moments, then motioned for everyone to follow me outside. My parents deserved a few minutes to have a private reunion, after everything they’d been through, before we continued our conversation. When we gathered outside, Nathan pulled me into his arms.
“These months I’ve been gone have felt like forever.”
I pulled back, “Months? Plural?”
He frowned, “Yes, why do you say it like that?”
“It feels like you’ve been gone for years, but it was just a little over a month for me.” I was confused.
“Time can move differently from dimension to dimension. Initiation can be confusing because of this. Sometimes it seems like you’ve only been gone a matter of days, and when you get back, weeks have passed. Sometimes, for you it’s been months and in this world, you’ve only been gone days,” Damien explained.
