Page 141 of Gift from the Source
“Get me out of the Vito men cocoon before we miss the ball.”
The four of us grin down at her flustered state, but I nod at Cas, telling him to drop the shadows. She isn’t the only one feeling that, though, I can assure you.
“Shit,” she says when the sight of what was the foyer comes into view. Her eyes eat up all the changes and her eagerness runs through my chest.
We’ve all known that she was looking forward to this night. Even with everything that’s been going on, she wanted to experience this with us. Despite all our distaste for these events, I’m determined to make sure she has a wonderful time.
“Come on, princess. Let’s join the others so we can get out of everyone’s way. They’ve got to finish up.”
“They aren’t finished? This is amazing.”
“No, they still have some finishing touches, then they’ll start letting people in. They’re probably already starting to arrive.”
The foyer’s already empty of our family. Apparently, we were taking too long or they all figured they’d give us some space. Either way, I appreciate it because I’m selfishly eating up how Willow’s reacting to everything with such wonder.
I’ll never grow tired of being able to stand at her side as she experiences things for the first time.
With my hand on her lower back, I guide her toward the grand staircase and we both get our first good look at it.
My parents always keep it pristine and nice, but today it’s a little more, of course. There’s a gold runner coming down the middle of the stairs and the railing has matching fabric interwoven around it. On each step, at the ends, a candle within a globe around it casts a glow across the space that makes it look like we’re walking on stars.
The landing at the top has been extended in order to accommodate the entirety of our family. To the left, hanging from the banister, are the more elegant, royal flags that represent air and earth. To the right, water and fire. Dead center, hanging from the ceiling, is the flag that represents a Primary.
Again, I get a sense of seeing it for the first time in my life.
Its appearance is different. The structure of it makes more sense.
The symbols of the elements are all placed in a position that if you took a pen and connected them, they’d form the mark of the Nexus. The swirl in the middle of them is the Primary bringing us all together as one.
It still feels like more, though. Like this particular flag is for my Primary. How she legitimately brings not only us but all four elements together.
As we reach the landing, I find myself experiencing another first. I’m not dreading standing at the top of these stairs with all eyes on my brothers and I like I normally would.
Being announced was always my least favorite part. Granted, we never stayed for the after, so I don’t have much to compare it to, but I’m finding myself both anxious and ready.
Tonight, the people will see the Vito heirs for the first time as completed men. A completed Nexus. Everyone will witness the woman who means more to me than this realm that they live in.
“So about how long now?” Willow asks, pulling me out of my mind.
“Thirty minutes, give or take. We’ll go into the dining room up here, Mom will more than likely make a toast for us, say something emotional, then we’ll hang out until the palace Master of Events comes for us.”
“At first, I thought it was really funny there was a whole-ass role for that, like on a Master level. Seeing everything now, though, I get it. This is a lot of work,” she says, shaking her head as we make our way down the hall.
“It is, but it’s typically in their personality to enjoy stuff like this. Mom doesn’t enjoy putting parties together. I don’t believe you will either. And honestly, he’ll like that. Give him the reins to do as he pleases, and he’ll have it all taken care of.”
“Yep, I’ll greatly appreciate that.”
I will as well. Maybe…
Laughter and conversations drift the short distance down the hallway toward us and Willow’s bond glows. The second we step through the open double doors, all heads turn toward us.
“Well, that was quick,” Oakly cheers, winking.
Multiple groans sound from all the men while the four Primaries laugh like she just told the realm’s funniest joke.
“Elementra, I have the filthiest-minded granddaughters in the realm,” Gaster says as he hustles over to us. His eyes betray the teasing in his tone as they land softly on Willow. “Let me get a look at you, child.”
“Is it too much?” she asks, doing a slow spin.
