Page 140 of Warrior Revealed

“Agreed,” Brennan chuckled as he pulled Providence onto his lap and kissed her cheek.

She’d been happy to see Pro, but her father had been moved to tears. It was one of the few times she’d witnessed the man cry.

Peanut happily plopped down on Brennan’s other knee while she took a seat on the arm of the upholstered chair.

“They claim we’re such a hardship,” Bregma commented to Carol.

“I know. See how miserable he is,” her mom laughed as she ruffled Brennan’s hair.

“Well, this terrible burden is going to refresh her glass.” Axilla held up her cup. “You and Aculus enjoy your voyage.” The matron gave her a genuine smile.

“Thank you,” she said as Axilla and Bregma took off.

Since the Trial, Axilla and the rest of the Conclave had treated her like an actual daughter. She’d more than proven she wasn’t some weak human and just might be deserving of their son. She didn’t really care how she convinced them, just that she did. And the more she grew to know them, they weren’t so bad.

“On that, Axilla and I agree. Please, everyone enjoy yourselves. Nadzia, you’ll like seeing the Cnidaria. They’re quite a sight. And, Brennan, please consider my offer.” Tellar patted her father’s arm.

“I will. Again, thank you,” their dad replied before Tellar left.

“Cnidaria?” Peanut asked.

“They’re some sort of creature,” she explained to Abby. “Aculus and I are leaving after the party to see them migrate or mate. It’s our honeymoon. Aculus is really excited to go. I’m kinda surprised he hasn’t hustled me out of here.”

“Yeah, that’s the reason he’s excited to haul you out of here,” Peanut giggled.

“Abigail Murray,” her mother and father chastised.

“Oh my gawd.” She rolled her eyes at her rotten sister.

“I’m just glad she has someone else to pick on. She’s been harassing me for the last few weeks,” Pro snickered.

“I can imagine.” Nadzia shook her head, then turned to her dad. “What offer was Tellar talking about?”

“Offers actually. He’ll make space for Mom and I here in the Sanctuary, build us a home in Fossa or on some planet that’s between here and Cadi,” Brennan named off the various generous offers.

“That’s really sweet of the Conclave.”

“Don’t forget he’s also giving us a spaceship. It’s like a flying RV so we can travel between Osi and Cadi,” Carol snorted.

Carol always said she wasn’t going to be one of those retirees that rode around in an RV, spending her golden years in campgrounds.

“You girls can live anywhere you want as long as it’s within a two-hour drive,” she, Pro and Abby mimicked their mom with a giggle.

They all grew quiet as they were reminded that half their family was still so far away.

Pro turned to their dad. “Are you really okay with staying?”

Her heart ached that they couldn’t visit Bethany and April back home, without risking their lives. It was a shame her people feared what they didn’t know.

“I am, sweetheart.” Brennan kissed Pro’s cheek as he gave them all a good squeeze.

Nadzia wiped the corners of her eyes as tears leaked out. This was their new normal. It wasn’t perfect, but after everything they’d been through it was a blessing.

“Would you guys stop being so morose,” Abby insisted. “We can easily go abduct April, Bethany and the boys.”

“Peanut!” they all declared.

Aculus

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