Page 232 of A Soul to Embrace

“I will call for the others then,” Magnar stated, before he tipped his head back and parted his fangs wide to let the full might of his roar come through.

Lehnenia squealed as she covered her ears but was seemingly unafraid.

Jabez hung back to give everyone space as Delora and Magnar descended the porch steps – and Zylah refused to let go of him. Merikh ushered Raewyn forward and allowed her to properly meet them.

The human’s hands shook as she spoke with his half-sister, who was nearly a foot taller than her, but she managed to shove a false smile upon her face. Although quiet, meek, and shy with her greetings, Delora immediately came across as kind and welcoming, and rather quick to adjust to a situation thrownat her with no warning. She looked awkward and unsure as she greeted the demonling, who immediately shied away from the human and tucked her face into Raewyn’s shoulder to hide.

“I don’t want to stay here by myself,” Zylah muttered, refusing to let go of his arm. “I want to go with you both.”

Jabez kept his voice low. “I imagine our next location isn’t going to go over well,” he admitted, foreseeing Merikh was likely to keep the emotionally hardest meeting for last. He turned to her fully and offered a reassuring smile. “I’m sure everyone will welcome you, so there’s no need to worry.”

Jabez also knew it would be best if she met them all without him by her side. He would be a hinderance to her, and he wanted her first meeting with her family to be pleasant. He’d rather they warm up to her first before having to swallow that she’d bonded with him.

Zylah already tended to feel awkward and out of place, but she had a radiant personality that people easily warmed up to. He was sure they would adore her as he did if she gave them the chance, but she could also be rather protective of him.

He just hoped they didn’t say or do anything that made them irreparable in her mind, even if how they felt was justifiable. Just because she forgave him, didn’t mean any of them had to – and they likely wouldn’t, not unless he went out of his way to seek it.

That would require more time than the synederus council had allotted.

“You also have Raewyn,” Jabez added, reminding Zylah of her new companion. “She’ll help guide you, and I’m sure she’ll be fine with you leaning on her if need be.”

The woman really was a nuisance, and she tried any means to spend time with Zylah when Jabez was busy working for the council. He’d tried to prevent it at first, but decided it was healthy for Zylah to have an ally within the city – someoneto spend time with, so she wasn’t truly alone in an unfamiliar environment.

She was also helping to teach Zylah Nyl’kira while they spent time together. Both females liked each other, so he saw little harm in this. It’s really what made him warm up to Raewyn in the first place.

“And,” Jabez continued, darting his gaze to the side when he noticed Delora fidgeting and constantly glancing between Merikh and his family, and them. He could tell she wanted to approach. “These are your parents. Theywantyou to like them. I can tell Delora will go out of her way to make you feel comfortable.”

The fact she was allowing Jabez to remain on her territory was already a testament to that.

“But they don’t approve of you,” Zylah grumbled with a pout in her voice as she averted her skull to the side.

“I know, but it’s best you let everything play out freely and try not to judge them too harshly if they speak ill of me. Don’t forget, I’ve done a lot wrong to these people, as Delora has already stated.” He let an overconfident and arrogant grin fill his features. “Remember, Zylah, I really,reallydon’t give a shit what any of these people think of me. I wouldn’t have done what I did if such trivial things as words and little threats weighed on my conscience.”

He’d spent every moment of his life filled with hate, and he had no qualms about receiving it in return.

Jabez stepped to the side and gingerly removed his arm from her hold so he could place his hand on the small of her back. He guided her towards an awaiting Delora so they could greet each other.

The little human’s gaze abandoned Merikh and turned shy as they approached. She offered Zylah a sweet smile, her faceturned up to both their daunting heights.Humans are so small,he noted, since she just came to his broad chest.

He subtly pressed his face into the fur of her neck to take in her soothing jasmine-and-violet scent and muttered, “I’ll be back shortly.”

Jabez then dropped his hand away, although he couldn’t help twirling his forefinger into the tuft of her cute tail as he separated from Zylah. She gave a satisfying shiver while he was turning away so he could meet Merikh waiting for him.

Magnar spoke to Raewyn in abject curiosity, studying the child in her arms and their Elven features. Lehnenia was more inclined to interact with the Mavka, and he figured that was due to his skull reminding her of Merikh’s.

Delora, a short human with tanned skin, dark hair, and round ears, probably appeared too alien to a Demon child brought up in Nyl’theria.

“Alright. I’m guessing the twins first?”

“I hate it when you do that,” Merikh stated, while giving him a gruff nod.

A grin had him flashing his pointed fangs, knowing Merikh loathed when he assumed correctly,repeatedly. “Do what?”

“Don’t give me that.”

Merikh offered out his arm, and Jabez blatantly held his hand like a lover would with humour tickling his chest. Merikh gasped and immediately ripped his palm away in disgust. He raised his hand in a flattened manner, like one might when they were threatening to backhand someone.

“Do youwantme to bash your skull in?”

---