Page 26 of Devastation
Maybe everything is finally on the right track for our family.
Zedd promptly supplies my plate, and I snag a seat at the dining room table that's made out of the same white oak as my bedroom furniture. My mind tingles at how familiar it looks and feels. "Aha!" I yell. "It's the same oak from the fae realm!"
My mind is instantly pleased by the solving of this mystery.
Hale slides into the seat across from me and nods in agreement.
Munching happily on my bacon, I watch all of the guys take seats around me, and I'm pleasantly surprised to see Ash and Hale chatting easily.
Did they have a chance to talk about Hale’s darkness?
Plowing through my food, I don't realize how hungry I actually am until the plate is empty and I'm left pouting at it with puppy dog eyes.
Oh well, time to tell them what we need to do first today.
Leaning back on the wooden bench on this side of the table, I pat my food baby in contentment. "So, Leo told me you guys know I read through the journal last night. I'll make this as quick as I can so we can get on with it."
They're all still eating so they either nod or hum in response.
"First things first, we need to figure out how to go meet up with Eros, the god of love. Gaia's notes told me that we need to figure out our bond completely and how it works now that I have accepted my demi-god powers. She's speculated that I could be immortal, and we need to figure out if that has been shared with you all as well," I end with a smile, satisfied that we are being so productive already.
That is until I see that they’ve all stopped eating and have ashen looks on their faces.
Waving my hands in front of me defensively, I amend, "Okay, okay. I know that sounds like it could be extremely depressing if we don't get answers that we want, but you know what? I think we've had enough shit thrown at us recently that I'm going to hope that life will toss us a fucking bone for once."
Under my breath I mutter, "Maybe that's naive of me, but I gotta believe something good is coming our way.”
Leo chimes in after a few moments of tense silence. "You're right. We need to stop sulking like a pile of shit is about to be lobbed at us at every corner. It isn't good for our mental health."
Several nods happen around the table and I just take a moment to truly look at my five mates. My fake bravado of positivity is diluted a fraction by an overwhelming feeling of gratitude as I think back.
When was the last time we were all truly us and together eating food?
So much time has passed, filled with so many life altering moments and loss.
Discreetly, I pull the linen napkin to my face and dab at my eyes, blinking them rapidly to try to keep the emotions at bay.
Zedd catches my gaze from his catty-corner position across the table and gives me a knowing look. He mouths, "I love you," making me blush and causing butterflies to erupt in my stomach.
I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing my mates say that.
When we're all finished with breakfast and dressed, I call out with my eyes closed, "Hypnos. Hypnos. Hypnos," and clack my heels together for dramatic effect.
When I open my eyes he is before us with his impeccably braided white hair running down to reach his waist. The twinkle that is normally in his eye is absent. "What am I, Bloody Mary?" he grumbles while smoothing down his already flawless blue tunic.
Feigning innocence, I place my hand on my chest and exclaim, "I... would never!" I give up the charade instantly when he scowls. "Okay, it was a cross of that and Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. I didn't expect you to know those references."
"How can I assist you?" He moves on immediately, much to my relief. I hadn't wanted to offend him and am concerned about how he's doing mentally with his clear state of irritability.
I approach him quickly and place a hand on his bicep while looking up at him with genuine remorse. "Hey, I'm sorry. I was just being goofy. Are you okay?"
The honest shock on his face blows me away and he mumbles, "I can't tell you the last time someone cared enough to ask if I am okay."
Upon hearing his sorrowful words, I quickly wrap my arms around him and squeeze him in a tight hug. He's tense at first, but quickly relaxes and wraps his own arms around me in return.
I whisper for only him to hear, "I'll always be here for you now. We’re family.”
Chapter Eleven
