Page 144 of Gift from the Source
The sound of the announcer welcoming the people drifts in through the doors. She’s giving her normal speech about all our blessing from Elementra and what a wonderful spring this was. The words never change really, but the enthusiasm behind her tone always gets everyone excited.
“We’re more ready than ever, Janko. Thank you very much,” Mom says.
“Of course, my lady.” He bows slightly, then straights back up, clapping his hands once again. “On me. Come on, Lady Mercie, you and your men first.”
Oakly turns around to look at us and I smile as she mouths, “Lady Mercie. Oh my Elementra.”
Willow and Aria both snicker at her.
The way Willow’s eyes grow out of focus just a smidge the moment Oakly’s shoulders straighten tells me she’s talking her through this.
The rest of us follow them out of the room and down the hall, but we stay a few feet back as the announcer calls for attention. You can’t see any of the people from here. We won’t be able to until we pass through the newly hung curtain and step down to the first step.
Oakly’s Nexus will go down three steps and to the right. Aria, Lyker, Lennox, Kyan, and Zane will go to that same step and to the left. Gaster and Keeper will each go down two steps, then one of them on each side.
On our turn, we will stay center but a step down.
My parents will stand behind us.
“Ladies and gentlemen of Elementra. On behalf of the Ruling Nexus, it is my pleasure to introduce to you our royal court. Please welcome our Awaiting First Advisor, sister of our Awaiting Matriarch, Lady Oakly Mercie, and her Nexus, Second-in-Commands to our Elemental Forces, Ry, San, Nikoli, and Master of Science Jamie Mercie.”
Willow’s gasp is barely audible over the roaring happening in the foyer as Oakly and her men walk forward. They each hold their composure and I know they’ve kept their shock to themselves.
“Did they know they’d be announced like that? Is it official for San and Nikoli? When did Jamie earn his title?”she asks our link.
“No, they didn’t. It was a surprise. Well, it was a complete surprise to everyone but Ry. He asked Tillman and me if we would consider it. We told him we’d discuss it. They’ve each more than earned them and they deserve to be recognized as such.”
“Any more surprises?”
“Yes, but your brother asked we keep it to ourselves,”I say slyly.
She’ll just have to wait to hear that one.
She groans a little but sucks it up quickly when the announcer holds her hand up to silence the crowd.
“Next, please welcome our Awaiting Second Advisor, Lady Aria Conan. Accompanying our lady is Alpha of the Terravile Wolf Pack, Lyker Quinn, and his brothers Kyan, Lennox, and Zane Quinn. The Quinn Nexus is formally and officially recognized as the brothers of our Awaiting Matriarch.”
Her body startles and she laces our fingers together as she steadies herself.
“They all wanted to claim me as their sister?”
“They were adamant about it,”I say, leaning down to give her a kiss on her forehead.
“Annoying is a better word,”Cas grumbles.
“AndLyker—”
“Was pleased they were being enthusiastic about it. It took him some time to grasp the fact he was in the royal court. After that, his brothers all jumped on board and asked for his blessing to officially claim the title as your brothers as well,”I say.
A harsh exhale falls from her. The pulse of her racing heart beats through her fingers, and I rub soothing circles across her knuckles to calm her. Her shock quickly gives way to a profound feeling of appreciation and approval.
She knows the magnitude of what it means to be formally claimed as family in this realm.
We aren’t just teasing when we say she’s collecting one. She really is.
A breathtaking smile takes over her face as her brothers and Aria take their first step down the stairs. It’s a sweet look that pulls me into her orbit.
All I see is her.
