Page 133 of Fated

“My family has been hoping I would find someone for a long time. They will be beyond happy that I finally have.”

“Even some random girl you brought home yesterday?” I asked.

“The girl who saved my life is not some random girl. Jesus, Areya, do you forget you hold royalty in almost every kingdom in Gardonia?”

“Ok.” I nodded, shaking my hands out in front of me. “Ok. I’m ready.”

Ash kissed my forehead and searched my face, lingering a moment as if deciding if I were truly ready. Finally, satisfied, he rolled up his black sleeve, revealing the white mark of the fated bond etched onto his forearm. Then he rolled up my sleeve, exposing the identical mark on my own arm. He grasped my hand firmly as he led me into an intimate dining room.

Seated beside each other at a large oak table were Nadia and Xanth. Xanth wore the same military attire as Ash and me. Nadia looked up first, her warm smile welcoming us.

“Areya, Sebastian,” she greeted us, her eyes softening as they met mine.

I smiled back, trying to calm the nervous fluttering in my stomach. Xanth looked up next, offering a welcoming nod and then Ash just stopped in front of the table, squeezing my hand.

Nadia paused, tilting her head as if sensing something. Her eyes scanned the two of us, her gaze making its way to our intertwined hands. The instant her eyes landed on the marks, her expression shifted, her breath caught, and her lips parted slightly as she pieced it all together.

Xanth, sensing the shift in his mother, gave her an odd look before following her gaze to our hands. His eyes widened as the realization hit him. “Fuck, Sebastian.”

Nadia smacked her son. “Xanth!”

Then, grinning from ear to ear, she stood up and hurried toward us, Xanth following close behind. Without hesitation, Nadia wrapped me in a warm embrace. “I knew it. I just knew it by the way you two looked at each other. Oh, Areya, you’ve made me a very happy mother.”

Her voice was full of joy, and she squeezed me tight before pulling back, stealing my hand from Ash’s grasp and holding both of mine in hers.

“Sebastian came to see me and Xanth this morning. He managed to keepthathidden.” She pointed to the mark on my hand. “But he told us more about what you two have been through. He told us about your mother.” A deep sadness fell over her eyes, and she touched my cheek lightly, a tear rolling down her face.

I fought my own emotions as my lip began to quiver.

“I am so sorry, Areya. I don’t have words to express how deeply sorry I am.”

I nodded, unable to speak as the lump in my throat grew larger.

“But I want you to understand you are a part of this family. As much as Sebastian is my son, you are now my daughter.”

A tear finally slipped down my cheek.

“We will love you and protect you as one of our own. Do you understand?”

I nodded, crying freely now as if I might never stop.

“You are so brave, Areya, and I know your mother would be so proud of you.” Nadia smiled at me through her own tears. “You are home, Areya. This is your home.”

That was it. The dam broke, and I crumbled, tears spilling down my face uncontrollably. Nadia pulled me back into herarms, her hand rubbing soothing circles on my back as I cried into her shoulder. I stayed there, letting myself fall apart in her comforting embrace for a few minutes.

Finally managing to pull myself together, I wiped my face and whispered, “Thank you.”

Xanth was beside her, offering me tissues with a small, reassuring smile. I took the tissues gratefully, wiping my eyes as he said, “It’s true—you are one of us now.”

I could only nod through my tears, and Xanth pulled me into a quick, tight hug before handing me back to Ash.

He wrapped his strong arms around me, pulling me close to his chest, where I buried my face and let the last few sobs dissolve. He whispered, “I told you there was nothing to worry about.”

Nadia returned to her seat, a warm smile on her face as she gestured to the table. “Come eat with us, Queen Areya.”

Ash looked at me with eyes full of love and pride as he pulled out a chair for me across from Nadia and Xanth. I sat down, my heart lighter than it had been in days.

“Reize is going to flip when she finds out she has a sister.” Xanth chuckled.

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