4. Grace, Harvey, Hazel, and Seiji
5. The Nakaya folks
I had to upgrade Harvey when I found out he and Grace are mates. Angel says I have to respect my sister’s mate.Ew.
“How about you retire now and take me on a trip across the realms… or give me that second baby you promised.”
“Nope. No sex talk at the dining table, guys,” Seiji objects, rounding the table to sit beside his mother just as Grace and Harvey return with soft smiles on their faces.
“Watashi no akachan,” Yua coos at her son. “My baby boy can be so shy sometimes.”
The water I was drinking went down the wrong pipe, and I started choking. Angel hides his face behind me, trying not to laugh as he pretends to pat my back. Everyone is barely holding it together, while Seiji looks at his mother with a mix of love and exasperation as he shakes his head.
“Forgive my mate. She’s a little delusional when it comes to our son.” Papa Nakaya stirs the conversation away from “Seiji’s shyness”.
Everyone breaks into smaller conversations. When I tune in to Angel and Papa Nakaya’s discussion, it’s all about security, politics, and the kinds of heavy topics leaders with responsibilities on their shoulders tend to discuss.
I squeeze Angel’s hand under the table when Akihiko talksabout waiting for Seiji to find his mate and spend some quality time with them so he can eventually retire.
Unlike humans, supernaturals age at half the speed after their twenties and can live up to three centuries if they’re lucky and healthy. Typically, the Horsemen leaders wait until their successors have experienced life, found a mate, and built a family before shouldering them with such a big responsibility.
I hate how unfair life has been to Angel. He was forced to grow up too soon, forced to sit in a room full of adults who decided a teenager could do a better job instead of being better themselves.
Holding my mate’s hand, I silently promise I’ll never be like his parents. I won’t let him carry the weight of our world alone.
After lunch, we leave Famine Castle with a dozen Tupperware boxes filled with food and plans to visit again. The Nakayas loved having a little kid in the house again. They even offered to babysit August if we ever needed some “alone time.”
It’s safe to say they won Monkey’s heart. Give that boy good food and a little pampering, and he’ll follow you to the ends of the world.
The group decides to walk around the kingdom to digest the feast, strategically leaving Angel and me alone to meet the former Horseman of Conquer and his Queen.
Seiji’s sulky face and Hazel’s literal walk-off to avoid the meeting made it clear they didn’t want to come either way. Angel agreed in the end, saying it’s better if we deal with his parents on our own and spare others the mindfuck.
A chill wraps around me the moment I step into the Conquer castle with my mate. Nothing about this place feels welcoming, especially not the overwhelming amount of gold used in the decor.
Standing beneath a lavish chandelier in the center of the grand hall, I can’t help but gape. The place looks like it was stolen from an ancient god, with its high glass ceilings and vintage paintings on every wall.
If I lived here, I’d forget which door led where every day.Don’t even get started on the names. But of course, Angel doesn’t have that problem. He holds my hand firmly and pauses to greeteveryonewe pass.
Pride bubbles in my chest with every interaction. Anyone with eyes can see how much these people look up to him.
As we walk through an empty hallway, Angel tries to let go of my hand, but I hiss at him and tighten my grip. “Don’t do that. I’ll get lost in the first fifteen seconds of you leaving my side.”
I’m completely serious. I’ve never been good with directions. It’s a curse.
Angel squeezes my hand reassuringly, clearly amused. “You’ll learn your way around in no time.” He presses a button to call the elevator. Anelevator.In acastle. Talk about filthy rich.
“No, I won’t. Let me make it clear… if I’m ever late for something, it’s because I’mlost. Don’t think of any other reason. I’m not being rude. I’m not making you wait on purpose. I’m just lost, and you need to come to find me. I’m directionally challenged, Angel.”
He throws his head back and starts laughing his ass off.
I just told him about my very serious struggle, and the asshole thinks it’s funny.
If I weren’t so obsessed with his annoyingly perfect face, Angel would be nursing a lovely purple bruise on his jaw for making fun of me.
“I will hit you, Angel,” I warn when he doesn’t stop cackling. But of course, that only makes him laugh harder. He leans into me, burying his face in my neck, and I feel the vibration of his laughter ripple through my body.
As much as I want to stay annoyed, I can’t help but the proud smile tugging at my lips. I made him laugh like a dying hyena.Me!
