Page 123 of The Powers of Nyx

We took it quietly, each holding onto plates of my mother’s favourite dishes. She’d always had a love for pasta, and the trayswere laden with some of her favourites. She’d always told me, if she were to return to the human world, she’d be in Italy. Not just for the pasta, but for the wine, too.

My throat tightened, and as soon as we were let off the elevator, I started down the familiar hallway towards her bedroom. The suite was at the end of the hall and sat between the rooms of my father and the other mates, and the bedrooms for the children.

The doors to Mother’s bedroom were open. I inhaled the familiar scent of lavender and citrus that reminded me of childhood. The curtains were open to let in sunlight and revealed the mountain and trees beyond. The rest of the space was as I remembered it; there was a large fireplace centring the room, with sofas surrounding it. There were doorways on either side of the fireplace leading into her actual bedchamber and a small office.

My mother sat at a table in the corner of the room, one with windows overlooking the grounds, and she offered me a tired smile as I walked up to her.

“My son,” she murmured, holding her hand out to me. “You got sidetracked, it seems.”

I lowered the plates and immediately went to her side. “I was looking at the old photographs. Father found me.”

I gently took her hand and leaned down to kiss her cheek. But rather than rising, my mother held me to her. “I am so proud of you, Adrian. I need you to know that,” she whispered.

My throat tightened again. “I know,” I replied, breathing her in. It was harder than I thought it would be. Knowing that this could be our goodbye. “I know you are.”

She released me, and I rose. My father had already taken his place at her side, so I slid into the chair next to her. “Tell me everything, Adrian. I want to know all about your life right now. Your plans for the future,” she said tiredly.

“You know most of it,” I replied, reaching for a bowl of salad. Out of habit, I scooped a portion onto her plate.

“Just a small amount, honey. I don’t have as big an appetite anymore.”

I stiffened but forced myself to nod and added some to my own plate. My stomach churned; I doubted I’d eat much today, at least not until I had Ivy in my arms again.

So, I told her as much as I could bring myself to. Any of my worries washed away with each question she or my father asked. I had to remind myself that after she left us, he would, too. They all would.

It made the afternoon harder, realising that soon, my parents would be gone from my life. That this really was goodbye.

~

The suite fell quiet when Ivy returned. Elias entered first, exhaustion written across his face, but I pushed past him to find my girl in the entryway. My heart stuttered when she came into view, relief flooding me when our eyes met.

She was out of her uniform, instead wearing jeans and an oversized sweater, with her hair braided back how she preferred it for class. There was a slight flush to her cheeks, and as soon as our eyes met, she dropped her book bag and rushed towards me.

Fuck, it felt good to have her in my arms. She buried her face in my chest, hands clutching the back of my sweater. I brushed a hand over her hair, hugging her tight to my chest as anxiety and pain from earlier finally washed away.

“I’m so glad you’re back,” I murmured into her hair.

Her arms tightened around me, and she sighed. “It’s good to be home.”

I held onto her longer, very much aware of the others. But I was grateful they were at least giving me a moment with her. I fucking needed it. The hopelessness from being with my mother didn’t feel as heavy now that I had Ivy in my arms again.

“Don’t be a prick, Kingsley. Let her greet everyone else,” Elias muttered, earning a soft chuckle from Ivy.

With a groan, I released her into Rowan’s embrace. He took the opportunity to press a kiss to her lips, which had the children gagging. Ivy laughed against his mouth, and when she pulled away, she hugged him while turning to the children.

“You’re going to have to get used to this, you know that, right?” She raised her brows, but the kids shook their heads.

“It’s so gross,” Ginny muttered, hugging Ivy’s side. “I missed you.”

Ivy released Rowan and she hugged Ginny back. “I missed you too, Bub. You and Maisie and Eloise.”

That had the other children gathering around her. Ivy hugged each one with a ferocity that let me know the life I wanted with her—the one I hadn’t had with my own family—was within reach. She’d never let any of that happen.

Will you come out with me?I asked through the bondhopefully.

Her dark eyes found mine, and she frowned.Is everything okay?

I tried to offer her a smile, but my heart raced.Of course, but I wanted to show you something.

---