Page 98 of Cheating Fate

“I’m fine, Mother,” I said with a chuckle.

She reluctantly let go so that my father could give me a manly hug. I turned to introduce them to Zhara, but my mother had already pulled her into a clingy embrace. My heart melted seeing the two most important females in my life like this.

“You’re so incredibly beautiful,” my mother said as she cupped Zhara’s face with both hands.

“Thank you, Mrs. Aldriss,” my mate said timidly. “You are also quite stunning.”

“Oh no! No Mrs. Aldriss! You can either call me Mama or Grace,” Mom said sternly.

“Then Mama it is,” Zhara replied with a sheepish grin.

I laughed at this eerie déjà vu of my interactions with Amalia.

I introduced her to my dad, who gave her a gentler hug. When he released her, he held on to her shoulders and locked eyes with her.

“Thank you for healing our son and making him so happy,” Dad said in a deep voice filled with emotion. “He has waited his entire life for you. I used to think he was crazy, and then I realized that he was just wise beyond his years. You have a wonderful mate. Gavin is our pride and joy. He’s everything I wish I would have been. Take good care of our baby. As I know he will give his life for you.”

“He already has,” Zhara said, pressing herself against me as she glanced up with an air of pure adoration.

I kissed her, my heart filled to bursting with love for my woman. Reining myself in, I turned my attention back to my parents and gave them an inquisitive look.

“How did you get here so quickly?” I asked.

“That adorable Rhadames teleported us here,” Mom said with an air of pure awe. “Such a stunning young man. Too bad Naya is still too young.”

I snorted at her trying to match him with my baby sister.

“Rhadames is way too sweet to be stuck with that insufferable brat. I’d sic her on Nolar instead to make his life miserable,” I said teasingly.

“Hey! Don’t be mean about your sister!” Mom said with false outrage, knowing I adored that brat.

“She deserves it. But I’m still curious. How did Rhadames get you here? He’s powerful, but Venus Hive is much too far for him to grab you from all the way over there. Otherwise, I’d have bribed him already to take me home for a visit, or to bring you to Veredia for an evening,” I argued.

“You’re correct,” Dad said. “We flew a vessel to a much closer location so that we would be within range of his abilities. We traveled in the ship Ravik and your Grappa Krygor used to visit Veredia. So Rhadames was familiar with it and was able to come get us.”

“That’s amazing!” I exclaimed before turning to my mate. “Did you know he was doing that?”

“It was her idea,” Rhadames chimed in. “Zhara knew how much you missed your parents and figured it was a great opportunity to address the other matter while I could facilitate a swift journey.”

My throat constricted with gratitude for her thoughtfulness.

“You’re so perfect,” I whispered as she shyly tucked a lock of her obsidian hair behind her ear.

I kissed her then turned to my parents.

“Two days ago, I found out something incredible. And it concerns you, Mom. I have something that I was going to have delivered to you. But since you’re here, let me give it to you now,” I said carefully.

Perceptive as ever, my father immediately sensed something bigger was happening. He narrowed his eyes at me but kept his peace.

“A present?” Mom asked excitedly. “What is it?”

“Come, I will show you,” I said, feeling ridiculously nervous.

I led them to my room and retrieved the necklace Grappa Taseus had given me. My mom extended her hand with an air of genuine curiosity when I extended the small box in which I had placed the necklace.

“Oh wow, Gavin! It is beautiful!” Mom exclaimed when she opened it.

“This gift is not from me,” I said cautiously, taking her aback. “It comes from someone really special. There’s a holographic message embedded in the gem. It’s meant for you. We will leave you so that you can have some privacy while you listen.”