Eden blinked. “Surfing?”
“Sure. I can teach you, or we can get you an instructor.”
Eden’s eyes were full of wonder. “Wow.”
Moira turned and saw the jungle giving way to a grassy hillside leading to the beach, then the open ocean, and sunset beginning its dance.
Rache exhaled. “That’s gorgeous. How could you leave a view like this?”
Moira said softly, “I thought my life would be on the mainland, and then when this happened, I just wanted to be home again. I don’t even know what my parents will say.”
Rache looked at her. “You are nervous.”
“Yes. I am ready to be rejected, which is why we all head to Wonder tomorrow. I built in an out.”
Eden touched her hand. “You will be fine. They will welcome you. I am sure of it.”
“Really? I am always the family screw-up. My impulses lead me to weird places. Like a dog that keeps messing in the house.”
Rache blinked. “Well, suck it up. I can hear people.”
Moira smiled. “Oh, yeah, greeting visitors is always a fun social event.”
The carriage went through thick trees, and then the warmth and open space of the royal village were suddenly all around them. The carriage rocked to a stop, and Moira smiled. “I have to do something.”
She vaulted out of the carriage, and there were exclamations as she walked toward the royal family, who were waiting. Moira went down on one knee. “King Syar, a traveller has returned.”
She kept her head down as Syar put things together. “Moira Barnes?”
She looked up and blinked. “They say travel changes you.”
He looked at her. “Oh, Mimi. Give us a hug. Welcome home.”
She got to her feet and hugged the king, who was now a few inches shorter than she was. Having an omega as king meant that a lot of formal greetings turned into hugs.
“Have you met Ven?”
“Yes, but not here. I brought a friend to the book club a few years ago, right after I moved out there.”
Ven looked at her and blinked. “Moira! There you are. Reynaldo, hold this.”
Ven took the toddler and handed it over to her alpha, and then Moira was wrapped in a hug. “I like the ears.”
“Yours, too.” Moira chuckled.
“You are going to have to turn around eventually,” Ven whispered.
“I know. You feel nice.”
“So do you.”
“Coconut lotion?” Moira asked casually.
Ven laughed and turned her around.
Moira exhaled and looked at the Barnes family. “Hey, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Edgar, Liam, and Bron. How are you doing? Lovely weather.”
Her mom looked at her, sobbed, and then rushed forward with arms open. “Baby!”
