Page 68 of Gift from the Wing

“Oakly, what the hell do you mean they’re supposed to sign over responsibility of you and they needed knowledge of them before your bonding?”

“See, I knew you were going to get pissed.” She tsks as if I shouldn’t be mad.

“Hell yeah, I am. That all just sounded as though Primaries need our parents’ permission on who we decide to spend our lives with. And why the hell does anyone have to take responsibility for us? We aren’t children.”

“Technically, we’re supposed to get their permission for, well, everything. It all started when true Primary bonds became more and more rare. People were bonding however they saw fit, and society decided that there needed to be more power balance involved. So their solution to that was parents would be responsible for their daughters’ well-being until they completed the highest level of the academies. That includes everything, even who they bond with. If the parents didn’t feel like it was a good fit, they wouldn’t allow it. It’s barbaric, old-fashioned, and a way outdated practice, but neither the five, nor the elite society will agree to change it.

“Corentin’s bent the rules plenty for many people. Me included. He was technically supposed to inform my parents the moment Ry’s and my awakening happened, but he didn’t.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and breathe while I process this bullshit. This is a level of control I’d expect from the Mastery, but everyone else in Elementra? No. This is ridiculous.

“This is bullshit, Oak, but that’s beside the current point. This is something that’ll get fixed. If Corentin’s already bending the rules and not informing parents, that means he’s already working on a way to get rid of it completely. And I’ll make sure to see it through, but for now, explain to me what this means for you. What happens when you get to your parents’?”

“Well, I’m hoping it’s going to be a civil discussion. The deed’s already done. But the plan is we’re all going to go have breakfast with them and be as sweet and fake as possible. The guys will hopefully charm my parents, they sign over responsibility of me, and we leave. And I never speak to them again.”

I snort at the sarcasm and nonchalance of her plan. From the shit I’ve heard her talk about her parents, I don’t see it going according to that plan. At all. I see screaming, yelling, Ry losing his shit. Jamie may charm and calm everyone down until her parents say something sideways about her, then he’s going to flip as well.

“Okay, well, what’s the backup plan? What if they refuse to sign over responsibility of you?” Those words taste like ash on my tongue.

That’s something that’s going to change, one way or another. Hopefully, as soon as we get rid of the two of the five betraying us. Aurora can fill the seats with people who aren’t corrupted by the Mastery and their disgusting beliefs.

“The next step is more complicated. The proper channel would be to go to the ruling council of our territory, but each of my dads are from a territory, Mom’s from the Central. None of the five of them would agree to claim one of the other territories as home, so they’ve been pandering all five territories their whole lives.”

Of course.

“Couldn’t I just get Aurora involved? Get her to sign this shit and be done?” I ask, growing frustrated with this whole stupid-ass situation she is in.

“Fuck, the way you speak of the Matriarch as though she’s just a friend is crazy to me.” She squeals, causing me to laugh.

“Sorry, I kinda forget she’s the Queen. But she’s also my mother-in-law and yeah, a really good friend. I’ll call in a favor.”

She blows out a breath so harsh I hear her lips flapping together and I laugh at her dramatics. “I mean, yeah, she could sign off and it would be done and over with, but I’d prefer to talk with my parents first. The last thing I want is for them to realize how close I truly am to the ruling family now because of you. That’s another reason why I haven’t told them about our bond. They’ll smell an opportunity and be completely fake. I’m just ready to cut ties with them, Willy.”

The sadness in her tone eats at my heart and I wish like hell she had a better relationship with her parents. It’s so unfair. All she’s ever wanted was their love, but all they wanted was a top spot in society and they’ve treated her like shit her whole life because she doesn’t feel the same.

“I know. Go with your plan and hopefully they’ll agree. But we have this plan as backup. One way or another, we’ll get you from under them, so you’ll be free to do and love your men however you see fit. Okay?” I ask softly.

“Yeah, sounds good. We’ll let Jamie do all the talking.” She sniffles.

“That sounds perfect. It’s all going to be fine and afterward, you all will come stay here at the palace with us for the few remaining days of the academy closure.”

“At the palace? You aren’t going back to the mansion during the break?” she asks, surprised. It surprises me too.

“Probably not for break. We’ll have to work out the logistics after the academy opens back up, but I…I love the south wing and there’s much I need to learn here. I know CC well, so I know there’re more secrets hidden within these walls that I have to figure out. I love the mansion too, though. I don’t want to only live in one, but for right now, I’m meant to be here,” I admit.

The south wing is where my heart’s calling me to be, for now.

I haven’t said it out loud to the guys yet, but they know, they feel it too. They’ve also put off exploring their rooms to the full extent, just like I’ve put off exploring the rooms I know were made for my benefit.

“Shit. Never in my life did I think I’d ever visit the palace. Now I’m about to be hanging out there like I’m somebody special.” Oakly snorts.

“First off, you are special. Secondly, get used to it. I don’t think you’ve thought it all the way through, Oaks. You’ll be living here one day with me. Tillman will be commander of the entire E.F. army when he takes over from Roye, which will pull Ry, Nikoli, and San in higher positions. Jamie will become the palace’s healer and Master Inventor. You’re my sister. You’ll automatically become my most trusted advisor. You’ll be working alongside Gaster as Master Archivist. Hell, knowing him, in two hundred years when I pop out a kid, he’s going to want to step down and you’ll be taking over completely.”

My laugh fades out as everything I just said in a teasing manner slaps me back into reality. The silence coming from the other side of the communicator screams the deafening truth of it all. I’ve been listening, learning the structure of the ruling family, and I guess subconsciously, I’ve already started accepting it and working it out in my mind.

“Holy shit, Oakly,” I whisper.

“Yeah, talk about a fucking wake-up call.”

---