Chapter Nine
River
By the timewe arrived in Wester Lea, it was later than I had anticipated. I had hoped it would have been earlier when Octavia and I walked into the pub where we were going to meet the boys that she had no idea about. I scanned the interior of the pub for the boys just in case they had made it herealready.
“How about that table over there by the window?” I suggested when I had not seen any sign of theboys.
Octavia nodded, and when we reached the table, I pulled the chair out for her. I preferred to sit across from her so that I could see the door when the boys got here. I knew that we were limited on time before the boys should arrive. And that was assuming that everything ran smoothly for them and according to my timetable.
We ordered a couple of ales and sat back in our chairs to relax for a moment. My heart thudded in my chest as I tried to think of how to start this conversation with her. I was eager to see the boys and make sure that they were doingokay.
“Your gentlemen are very loyal to you,Octavia.”
“I know that they are,” sheagreed.
“I mean it. They love you verymuch.”
“I adorethem—”
“No,” I shook my head. “None of this adoring shit. Be honest; you lovethem.”
She considered what I was saying and then slowlynodded.
“I love them. And you,” sheadmitted.
“They would give their lives for you.” I paused and glanced over Octavia’s shoulder as I saw the four boys walk toward the pub. “Theydidgive their lives foryou.”
Octavia narrowed her eyes at me and cocked her head to theside.
“What do you mean?” she asked as Liam, Michan, Ethan, and Sean appeared behindher.
With a smile on my face, I stood, moved around the table and hugged each one of them with a firm slap on their backs. I was proud of each one of the guys for making it this far so quickly after the change. They were all smiles, and their eyes were as blue as thesea.
“What? What are you boys doing here?” Octaviaasked.
“Could we get a round of ale over here, please?” I asked the barmaid while Octavia hugged and kissed each of theboys.
I pulled up additional chairs so we could all sit down together and catch up. Octavia was full of questions, and the guys were great about just letting her ramble on. I was taken aback by how much better I felt now that they were here and in front of me. I was deeply connected to these four gentlemennow.
As I looked at each of the boys while Octavia spoke about our journey, it profoundly hit me. Perhaps for the first time in all of my centuries of life, I felt what it would have been like to have been part of a vampire clan, or family. The bond runs soul deep. I was always close with Merc while growing up, but what I felt with these four gentlemen, and for them, was something very different. They were literally part ofme.
“We passed a witch on our journey yesterday and—” Octavia stopped in mid-sentence and framed Sean’s face with her hands. “Sean, what is wrong? Are you feeling alright?” she asked with afrown.
“Yes, my Queen. I have never felt better. Though, I am really hungry,” Seansaid.
Octavia frowned and glanced atme.
“Your eyes, Sean. They are dark…blue,” she said slowly as she pieced ittogether.
Octavia took a close look at Ethan, Liam, and Michan and covered her mouth. She shook her head and sniffled back her tears. This was the outcome that I had hoped for. I had wanted her to be overcome with happy emotion rather than anger. I had prepared myself for her to be angry and seeingred.
“Your eyes are all blue,” she whispered again and looked at me. “Damn you, River,” she said through grittedteeth.
I clearly was not out of the woods as Ithought.
“Do not cry, my Queen. We are alright,” Michan said and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He tugged her closer and kissed hertemple.
“Boys, excuse us for a moment. Please go to the washroom and clean up,” Octaviainstructed.
