Page 51 of A Fate of Blood and Magic
“I wish blessings on the young princes, who will be Niev’s future,” Everly said. “May they be as wise and courageous as their parents and always lead our kingdom with their hearts.”
Around the table, each fae offered their blessings to our unborn babies and me. After Alastor spoke on behalf of himself and the lirio present, Ryenne followed, her tears making mine fall quicker. While Nate and Donnie murmured something quick, Javier’s friends made us laugh.
When Javier’s turn came, he spun the flute slowly by its stem. Just as I went to offer him an out, he started. “Being a big brother can sometimes be annoying.” He smiled at the girls. “But it’s also my favorite role. I don’t know how this whole blessings thing works, but I know you’ll both be terrific parents to your babies.” He cleared his throat. “You already are, although I think you spoil the girls too much.” He smiled while Elias shifted beside me, and George laughed. “So I guessI wish blessings on all of us because those two boys will be little terrors.”
Holding a trembling hand to my mouth, I let out a watery laugh.
“When we first moved here, Brent and I were talking,” Javier continued. “I can’t remember what I said, but he told meyou never outgrow needing or wanting a family.When my parents died, I tried really hard not to need anyone and to be all Jazz and Juanita needed. Maybe I would’ve been enough, but I’m glad y’all stepped in.” His eyes bounced to each of my friends before they settled on Elias and then me. “You didn’t just help us survive but have given us a life worth living and a family I think our parents would want for us.”
His eyes dropped to the table, where he continued to spin the flute in slow circles. I squeezed Elias’s hand once before I made my way to Javier. When I reached him, he turned to hug me tight while he dug his head against my shoulder.
“I love you,” I whispered, and he nodded against my shoulder. “I love you and your sisters so damn much.”
He said something I couldn’t make out while Elias wrapped his arms around us. Moments later, I felt the tiny arms of Juanita, Jasmine, and Victoria wrapping around us as well. These beautiful little people. How did we get so lucky to have this family and be able to add to it?During moments like these, I wished my mom was still here to see this. All of it. Elias. Our makeshift family. Our babies yet to be born. God, I missed her.
I wasn’t sure how long we stayed like that but I didn’t want to leave the moment.
“Enough of that already,” Brenton shouted, a tease in his voice and smile on his face.
The room broke out in loud chatter and laughter. Javierpulled away, his eyes glossy and red, and I wondered if mine looked the same. Elias gripped the back of Javier’s neck. While he didn’t say anything, I felt Elias’s emotions as if they were my own.
In my mind, I heard all his doubts and regrets, which reminded me I hadn’t yet told him how I’d spoken to Javier about his dad. It was something we’d have to talk about tonight.
Javier ducked his head, and after I patted his cheek, Elias and I returned to our seats. Brenton shot me a smile that didn’t touch the rest of his features while Finley watched him from afar. She pursed her lips together in a way that looked a lot like worry. I ruffled his hair, and as he batted me away, I pinched his cheeks.
“Will you tell your mate to stop?” Brenton asked Elias.
“I can’t help it that your cheeks are so squishy,” I retorted.
Finley laughed. When Brenton stared at her, she diverted her attention to the table and the food now sitting in front of everyone.
“It seems you’ve finally met your match, Brenton.”
We all turned at the sound of Elias’s mom’s voice to find her standing at the entrance of the banquet hall. Javier’s friends jumped to their feet to bow to the queen. She seemed timid and unsure, turning her head toward the stairs that would lead her back to her room.
Elias pushed his chair back and rushed to his mom’s side. “Mama,” he said, his tone surprised.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.” She rubbed the center of her chest. “I felt all these emotions coming from you all. So much happiness. I had to come investigate.”
“Of course, Mama,” Elias said, understanding her empathmagic would’ve picked up on our emotions. “We’re glad you came.”
He didn’t bother mentioning how we’d gone to her room earlier that day and asked her to join us while her eyes remained vacant. Elias had left her room with his shoulders slumped forward as if the weight of his mother’s sorrow was too much for him to bear. A part of me resented her for neglecting him when he still needed her, but more than that, I wished I could carry some of that burden for him.
“Mama Renee.” Brenton stood from his chair and offered it to the queen.
She took a second to stare at the empty seat at the head of the table. Hands clutched to her chest, I saw the moment her eyes took on that faraway look. Her pain sliced into my chest like a shard of ice. I took her cold hand in mine to lead her to Brenton’s seat while Brenton ran out of the room to grab himself a different chair.
“We have some news we’d like to share with you,” I said quietly, hoping she’d stay present long enough to offer Elias even the tiniest bit of support and encouragement.
Was I selfish in those desires? I wasn’t sure, yet honestly, I didn’t care. She was his mother, and for once, I’d like her to act like it. I understood grief, I truly did, but this went beyond that.
Maybe finding her a therapist would help—if therapists existed among the fae. It didn’t seem like something the fae would invest in, though.
Queen Renee blinked a few times before her attention settled on me. She forced out a smile as her eyes dimmed in color. While Elias sat beside her, Grandma Richter stood on her other side.
“The children have some good news they’d like to sharewith you,” Grandma Richter said, her tone taking on that no-nonsense lilt that had once made everyone in our congregation, including our pastor, listen.
“What is your news?” she asked Elias, her hands shaking on her lap.
