Page 82 of The Sovereign: Part One
A laugh escaped me as I crawled across the mattress, settling into his lap.My arms wound around his neck, legs curling around his waist, drawing him in.“I’m sorry,” I said with a grin, my lips grazing the sharp edge of his jaw.
“Forgiven,” he said immediately.
We held each other for a few lingering moments, our grins refusing to fade, until my eyes drifted to the clock.I groaned, reluctant to leave the warmth of the bed.Maxim pressed a slow kiss to my bare shoulder before I finally forced myself to rise, a shiver chasing up my legs as the cool floor met my feet.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been up before Calyx adjusted the climate.”
He frowned.“That’s my fault.I didn’t expect you to wake up so suddenly.”
“That actually makes it my fault,” I teased.
He rose with me, his movements unhurried, watching as I stretched before reaching for the robe hanging from a hook next to the threshold.As I slipped into it, he remained nearby, his gaze steady as I selected my clothes and dressed.There was something about the way he watched me—not intrusive, not expectant, his presence notably patient and content.
When I was ready, he walked with me to the transport, opening my slipgate before jogging to the other side to slide into the driver’s seat.I watched him, my gaze drifting to his hand, to the curve of his fingers, memories of the night before unfurling in my mind.The transport hummed to life, and for a brief moment, I observed the horizon, taking it in.Calyx announced our estimated time of arrival to be fourteen minutes to the southeast edge of Hyperion Proper, where my parents were waiting to meet Maxim for the first time.Even knowing how naturally Maxim would navigate the situation, I couldn’t help but feel a slight tightness in my chest.
Maxim glanced over at me as we sped down the path toward my childhood home.“Strange, isn’t it?”he said, breaking the silence.“That we’ve not heard from The Citadel?I can’t tell if I should be relieved or concerned.”
I nodded slowly, watching the landscape pass by.“It’s certainly suspicious,” I agreed.“But it’s also lucky.Almost too lucky.We’re being protected somehow… but by whom, and why?”
Maxim turned his attention back to the road.“I don’t know.But something tells me we’ll find out sooner rather than later, and by then, we’ll be Oathbonded, with our rights firmly in place.”
The thought brought a sense of peace that I hadn’t realized I was missing.Maxim’s words settled over me, easing a tension I hadn’t fully acknowledged until that moment.It was a subtle but undeniable comfort, one that smoothed the edges of uncertainty and made the unknown feel just a little less daunting.I hadn’t realized how much I needed it, how long I’d been bracing for impact, waiting for the Regs to descend.
We arrived at my parents’ home, nestled along the southeastern curve of Hyperion Proper’s wall.They stood waiting on the landing, their smiles warm, expectant.Papa wore his years with quiet dignity.His eyes kept that gentle almond tilt, while mine took on more of a combination between his and my mina’s, shaped in a softer, rounder version.His posture was composed, a man who met the world with unwavering patience.Mina stood beside him, exuding a timeless elegance despite the subtle signs of age Supplicants were required to adopt with each passing decade.Lean and poised, her chestnut-brown hair—glossy, voluminous, and shot through with understated amber undertones—cascaded in soft waves over the shawl draped across her shoulders, just brushing the apron tied neatly at her waist.Now in her sixth decade, her angular beauty remained undiminished: sculpted cheekbones, a porcelain complexion with a cool undertone, and sharp, intelligent eyes that watched us with sweet affection.A flicker of amusement tugged at the corners of her lips, as if she already knew what we were about to say.
Stepping out of the transport, I was instantly wrapped in the familiar comfort of my childhood home, each step toward them stirring a sense of nostalgia and belonging.
“Papa!”I said, hugging him tightly.He kissed the top of my hair, then wrapped an arm around his accordant, holding us both in his arms.
“Mina, don’t fuss,” I said, trying to slink away from the shawl she was attempting to transfer from her shoulders to mine.
“Shush!”She wrapped the tightly woven fabric around me.“No jacket in this chilly, damp air?Have I taught you nothing?”
“Maxim,” Papa said, extending his hand with a firm shake.“It’s a pleasure to finally put a face to the name.”
“It’s a true honor, sir.Isara’s spoken highly of you both.”
“Avaryn’s running late,” Papa added, a slight chuckle in his voice.“Not that you’re surprised.One of my daughters is always early, and the other?Never on time.”
“Not even the day she arrived,” Mina teased.
We made our way inside, familiar comforts wrapping around me like a well-worn blanket.The rich, inviting scents of brunch drifted through the air: freshly baked bread, stewed berries, and poached pears.The drone of the home’s climate system blended with the quiet clinking of dainware from the galley, a reminder of the warmth and routine that lived within these walls.As we walked, we exchanged pleasantries.Updates on the morning, lighthearted remarks about Avaryn’s habitual lateness, and the usual questions about our journey to the outer ring of the city.It was effortless, a conversation that smoothed the edges of time, as if there hadn’t been a day’s wait between visits, and Maxim didn’t just join the flow of dialog, he matched it flawlessly.
“I’ll make sure Avaryn isn’t too far behind,” Mina said, heading toward the galley.
I settled into the sofa beside Maxim, and he took my hand into his.As we waited, we chatted more about trivial things—my recent work at Dominion, the latest social events in Hyperion Proper, and the ongoing developments with The Crèche.
A few minutes later, Avaryn burst through the threshold, breathless, her cheeks flushed.
“Sorry, I had to jog from the Skith port,” she explained, dropping into the chair beside me with a dramatic sigh.“Again.”
We exchanged amused grins as Avaryn caught her breath, her presence infusing the room with her vibrant, magnetic energy.Once she settled in, the conversation took on a livelier edge.She launched into updates on her Tier Four classes, weaving through the latest sorit drama and the challenges of her studies with dramatic flair only Avaryn could manage.Laughter punctuated her stories, the comfort of family filling the space, until Papa shifted his attention to Maxim.
His expression remained restrained, his voice carrying paternal authority as he began his line of questioning.“So,” he began, leaning forward slightly, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.“What should we know about the Oathbond?Have you chosen a venue?”
Maxim looked at me, and I could feel my heart quicken.The Oathbond.It felt both far away and right in front of me, something I knew was coming but still hard to grasp.
“We’ve discussed it,” I said.“I don’t think it’s been a secret that I’ve all but solidified the plans for years.”
