Page 80 of Rot In Knotty Pieces

“I do. So much. I won’t leave you. I won’t let anything happen to you,” he says in a rough voice.

I’m happy. This is my happiest day. I bounce to him and hug him tight.

“Thank you, Rolly. I love you, too.”

He finally breaks free and hugs me back. “Shall we go find the others? We have to show them your spell.”

“Yes! Do you think they love me, too?”

“Oh, yes, I know they do.”

“Rolly?”

“Yes, Dove.”

“Are you my family? You said before that taking care of each other is what family does. Is that what we are?”

He pauses, then turns and puts his hands on both my shoulders, ducking down until he can stare into my eyes. “Yes, I am your family. If you will have me.”

“Of course, I will have you!” I say tartly.

“Then, we are family, for now and forever.”

The princess looks at me and smiles. “Keep that little bird. It can be a reminder of this day. Plus, I think that doves suit you.”

I squeal and give the princess a hug, which she returns.

“You be safe, little bird,” she whispers and shoos me back to Rolly.

He takes my hand, pulling me close to his side, and we go and find the others, threading through the throngs of people. I don’t feel scared anymore, even when people shout and laugh loudly.

King gasps, and the others turn. All of them watch me, staring, and then they smile.

Pix laughs. “You are a princess, I knew it!”

I giggle. “No, silly.”

“Oh, yes, you are. I can tell.”

I don’t ask if they love me, but I watch them and how they treat me, and I think they are my family and that they love me, too.

I love them. They saved us. They don’t hit us or hurt us or make me do bad things. Just thinking about Father is scary, so I push him out of my mind.

We walk and eat ice cream and hot chips. They buy lots of cute little things and get me anything that makes me smile.

It’s a wonderful day.

It’s going perfectly.

Until I see her.

I go still, staring. The alphas notice at once. The girl is holding the hand of an older woman. She looks like she’s about twelve, and she’s not happy being there. Across the vast distance, our eyes meet and lock. She stops, staring at me. Her face goes white, and she looks terrified.

Of me.

“Dove?”

I take a step towards her, trying to remember who she is.