Page 126 of Live Like Legends

When Ariel’s ceremony had finished causing me to lock eyes with a somber Morgan, I had a sense that she wanted to talkto me. I had nothing to say to her, but despite everything that happened she did bring the Enchanters to The Skies, so maybe she did have a heart somewhere in there. She started to make her way over, but when Dani came up to my side, pressing her body into me, Morgan paused.

She sucked in a deep breath and nodded at me before turning away. I laughed softly.

“What’s so funny?”

I looked down at my girlfriend. “Nothing, just ready for things to get back to some kind of normalcy.”

“You know that’s pretty impossible.”

“Normal is for the weak and grossly predictable,” Elise said, sidling up next to me. Beetee walked over, wincing just a little, but not as much as she had been for the past two weeks.

My father placed his hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump a little. “Please take a seat. The last time you tried to move too fast, you opened up your wound.”

Beetee huffed. “You are worse than my moms.”

“Your moms love you very much, so youletthem worry as much as they want.” Daya slipped her arm in through my father’s, swatting Beetee’s arm lightly. She looked up at my dad. “Leah wanted to say she was sorry she couldn’t be here. They are going to spend some time with Garrett today.”

The conversation lulled as it normally did when we spoke about this. Oculus had a special place where they buried their own. Leah and her kids spent a lot of time there, which was understandable. I’d gone to speak with her, letting her cry into my shoulder and shedding my own tears as I spoke about how much Garrett loved them and how he nearly fought me just to get back to them. Yuri and Jasmine missed their dad, but they were resilient kids and they each had a ton of strength that carried their mother when she felt like she couldn’t do it anymore.

My father and Daya let Leah know that they were always open to talk. They had both lost someone dear to them in manners in which they weren’t expecting. They understood more than any of us ever could.

Reese let out a loud laugh, making his way over to us. “Why didn’t you tell me this one was so hilarious?” He pointed at Alex who shrugged as if it was obvious.

“And what was so funny?” Dani asked, cocking her head to the side.

“Oh she was making a bunch of Ariel jokes.”

I scoffed. “Wow, at the guy’s funeral ceremony, seriously?”

Alex stuck her tongue out at me. “I cope with jokes, leave me alone.”

A few angels came by my father wanting his attention and he leaned over to kiss the side of my head and did the same with Dani. “Excuse me would you?”

“He’s so popular,” Reese pointed out.

“Pretty boy should pay attention, he’s next in line.” Elise patted my shoulder as she walked past me. I closed my eyes, trying to forget this fact completely. The last thing I wanted was a high executive title looming.

“Hey, look at me.” Dani brought my face down so my eyes were on her. “Your father will reign for a very long time. I’m not sharing you with any angelic followers. I have you all to myself.” She pecked my lips and turned around running right into the High Priestess.

I looked around spotting Zane not too far away. Reese bent his elbows, holding his arms out for both Alex and Beetee to take. Natalia chuckled softly as we watched him escort them inside The Skies.

“Your father seems to be taking to his new duties well, despite the circumstances,” Natalia said, running her hands down her dress.

“He was meant for this even though I don’t think he’ll ever admit it,” I said, running a hand through my hair.

Natalia chewed on her bottom lip. “Nicholas, I have something I need to discuss with you.”

I couldn’t hide the skepticism in my voice. “What is it?”

The High Priestess fiddled with the earring in her ear. “You told me that if I could find out how to retrieve your memories then I should.”

“Okay…”

“My mother seemed to believe you deserved them at some point in your life because I found them. If you want to know then please come by Oculus, but I would understand if you aren’t interested. Time and life have gone by for you, you’ve grown up without them and it might alter you in some way by placing them back inside your mind. The choice is yours, always.” Natalia pressed her hand to my cheek, his skin warm and comforting. She gave Dani a small smile before she retreated towards another group of people.

I opened my mouth but Dani cut me off. “You want to know what I think?”

“Even if I said no, you would tell me anyway.”

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