I stared at the man who was an older version of my mate. Even Pyra didn’t look as much like the king as Gyyx did. It was crazy.
The man smiled and his teeth glistened in the sun. Automatically I felt a calm override my nerves. He pulled me from his son’s arms and wrapped his around me. My head came up to right below his pecks, and I found myself burying my head into him taking in his comfort. The comfort of a father. The dam broke and I sobbed against him. I didn’t know why, but I wasn’t able to stop it.
No one said anything and he patted my hair soothingly and let me cry. After several minutes I pulled myself together and blushed when I pulled back. “I’m so sorry. You are just very comforting.”
The man laughed and shook his head with a light in his bright orange eyes. “Oh my new daughter. It’s a great day for new family members. I am happy both of my sons have found their other halves.”
I stepped back, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me inside leading me through a giant foyer and into a dining room that rivaled anything I had seen during my time with Bill. He was the rich man that liked to have me hanging from his arm. He was older, fat, but incredibly wealthy. He paid well too. But even his giant house and dining room didn’t compare to the immaculacy to this place. It wasn’t even over decorating and it didn’t scream wealthy.
He led me and Gyyx to the table. “Sit, food will be served, Thiea will be here shortly. She is so excited to meet you—”
“Leia.”
“Leia, what a pretty name.”
“Thank you.” The men were all charmers; all three of them. It was strange but you could tell they were the royalty. There was just something about the air that surrounded them.
Thiea came down the stairs wearing a long silk dress and her orange eyes shined brightly. Her white hair was curled and pulled from her face. Her face was long and fierce. Even though she looked sweet, I knew inside she was an independent woman. She could hold her own.
She smiled and floated to me. Yes, I didn’t even see her feet touch the ground. She pulled me from Gyyx and hugged me. “Oh my you’re so beautiful my dear. I’m so glad you’re awake. My poor boy was a wreck.”
“Mom,” Gyyx said and I could hear the embarrassment in his tone.
“Oh stop, she knows you were hurting for her, don’t you?”
I nodded. “I was aware. So I got to know you all pretty much. Well everyone who was around a lot. It’s quiet strange.”
“Oh I imagine. Now we must feed you and put some meat on those bones of yours.”
“Mom.”
I turned and laid my hand on his arm. “It’s fine. She’s right. I could gain some weight.”
He wasn’t happy when his parents carted me off taking over. Every time I looked at him he was pouting. I found it incredibly adorable. I knew he wanted me to himself, but alone with him meant either sex or him digging deeper into my past wanting to get to know me, and for a while I just wanted to forget everything. I knew the time when I was questioned about my time with the monsters would be coming shortly, and I wanted to enjoy his family before they bombarded me, asking me questions. Some of which I wouldn’t even know how to answer.
Several hours later Gyyx sat next to me and sighed. “Sorry, they’re excited.”
“It’s okay. I like that your parents want to know me. I’ve always wanted a big family.”
He chuckled. “Well Sweetheart, now you’ve got one. They won’t let you go now.”
I smiled. For the first time I felt settled. I didn’t feel the urge to get high or find some random man to sleep with. I had everything I needed and my heart would eventually heal.
“Good,” I said.
His mother peppered me with questions, and none of them were all that hard to answer. She seemed to know that there were topics that were off limits. I wasn’t sure how, but she was very intuitive.
“So you were supposed to be our first exchange student?”
“Yes, I was on my way here when the ship was attacked. I don’t remember much about what or how it happened though.”
“And then they kept you?”
“Yes.”
She waved her hand at her husband. “Now’s not the time. We can figure it out later. Now we just have to thank the Goddesses she made it out alive and in one piece. You’re one tough woman.”
“Finally, someone sees it,” I said and winked at Gyyx. He laughed and shook his head.
His mother smiled at me and patted my hand. The warmth from her reminded me of the one I had lost and never mourned. It was nice to be around a woman like her. I found I liked where I was very much.
(To be Continued in Part VI… )