Page 16 of Their Princess

“He took me shopping for a birthday present, even though he hates shopping, and he says things that are very romantic,” I answered.

“Taking you out shopping isn’t romantic,” Trey countered and folded his arms over his chest.

“It is when it’s something he despises, but he does it for me and doesn’t grumble or look upset the entire time.”

“I took you to the concert and got you a second shirt to wear,” Kayden said.

“Yes, that was a great night,” I said, and nodded.

“The real issue is we’ve been lacking in our romantic gestures in general,” Trey said and let his arms fall. “I’m sorry.”

“Kind of hard to do romantic gestures when I’m in another world you can’t reach,” I said with a soft laugh.

“We’ll remedy that soon,” he promised.

Someone knocked on the door, startling all of us.

“Who could it be?” I wondered and started to stand, but Mason gripped my arm, stilling me.

“I’ll check,” Trey said. Since it was technically his house and he was the highest ranked of my mates, I allowed it.

Plus, Kayden had put a piece of toast with jelly on my plate that had my attention.

“It’s for you, Lily,” Trey called.

I listened to two sets of footprints approaching and raised my eyes only for them to widen at the guest.

“Great Nana!” I gasped and leapt to my feet to run to her.

Great Nana Kara was one of the oldest elves, the mother of Great Uncle Silverowl and Grandpa Foxfire. She was also one of the most powerful healers in the world.

“Hello, Rubyserpent,” she greeted. The elves were big on their animal-centered names and only elves received the extra name.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, concerned. She never showed up randomly, especially without her mate at her side.

“I brought her,” Grandpa Foxfire said as he joined us, carrying several bags. “Boys, take these.”

Mason and Kayden rushed over to take the bags from him.

“What’s going on?” I asked, now suspicious, and took a step back from Great Nana.

She smiled and patted my cheek. “Smart girl. Be suspicious of even your family. However, you don’t need to worry in this instance. I’m here to perform a check-up on you. Since you won’t come to me and we all know you’d refuse your mother or Jolie, I’m here.”

I opened my mouth and Trey swatted me on the butt. “Don’t backtalk your great grandmother. The check-up will make us feel better as well.”

Actually, I was fairly certain it would make them worry more.

“Come on, show me to the living room so we can do this check-up and set everyone’s minds at ease. Your fathers, all of them, have been pestering me since the battle ended. I get a call from one just to hangup and have to answer a call from another one of them.” She smiled warmly and said, “They’re worried about their daughter and if they’re worried, that makes me worried. You’re one of my few great grandchildren, so let me ease my own worry.”

With no other recourse, I took her arm and lead her to the living room. We both sat on the couch turned towards each other and she began using her magic to check me.

Her brows furrowed after the first second. “Lily, you’re just like your mother and grandmother, you know that?”

“Because we don’t like to worry people?” I asked with a wide smile.

She frowned at me. “Yes.” She focused again before lowering her hands and sighing. “You’ve lost part of yourself; it’s been burned out.”

Frantically looking around, I was relieved to see my mates weren’t in earshot. I leaned closer to her and whispered, “When I transformed into a goddess and channeled the demons’ powers, it destroyed that power from every being able to be used again. My mates don’t know, so please, keep it between us for now. I just need to go to the demon world for a recharge.”

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