Page 13 of Knights of Past

“I see the number of people I owe a life debt to is growing by the minute.”

“Good job we have a house here,” my mother commented wryly, making my dad wink down at her.

“Yeah, about that, there may also be some more people in the elemental realms that could do with a handshake,” I added because, well, if we were sharing and all…

“Elemental realms?” my mother questioned, making me laugh when my dad said,

“Keep reminding you, sweetheart, we do have a very well stocked library, wife of mine.”

“Yeah, didn't you used to be a librarian, Mum?” At this my mum blushed before gripping my dad by the collar of his jacket and pulling him closer before hissing,

“Yes, and I also remember what happens every time you find me in said library.”At this I covered my ears and did the typical daughter sex talk freak out,

“La, la, la, la, soooo not listening!” The McBain brothers chuckled obviously, before Vern commented,

“I am starting tae see whaur she gets it from.”

“Shut it, ginger, anyway what happened to posh Vern…? I miss him,” I mocked.

“He fucked aff, thankfully… and don’t ye dare git any ideas, lass!” he said, aiming his narrow gaze at Nero and wagging a finger her way.

“Well, I miss him,” I said, making Nero hold up her hand and say,

“Chill your tail, Wyvern… I learned my lesson… besides, I have such a thing for the French accent.” Then she winked at him when he growled her way. A sound that even I could tell was without malice, making me wonder… what, if anything, was going on with these two?

“Well, I think it's clear to see that our daughter is in safe hands,” my father said before turning to address everyone.

“I cannot thank you all enough for aiding our little Queen here in her quest,” he said, teasing me.

“Hey, less of the little, old man,” I said when he ruffled my hair, making me mutter,

“Trying to look like a bad ass here.”It was at this point that he cupped his large hand at the back of my neck and pulled me forward as he leaned down to say,

“I think beheading a God on the battlefield already set that badass status in stone, my daughter, no matter how little you may be.” I gave him a wry smile.

“Annoying, isn't it? I get little everything, little one, little vixen, little Queen, little wife… now ask him if size matters.” My father growled at this, but it was definitely on a more playful side, and one that made everyone within ear shot chuckle.

“Yeah, Mum, definitely not going to do that,” I commented dryly, making Lucius's brother laugh behind me.

After this, I said goodbye to my parents before watching as Dariush led them away into his office, no doubt creating them a portal back to the mortal realm and doing so away from prying eyes. It was also a place that, at this moment, held the Crimson Eye locked away in a vault that was hidden behind the wall.

I would have liked to have placed it back where it belonged, but without Lucius being here, well, there was no way to get into his private quarters. And let's just say, I wasn't trying my luck by sticking my hand inside that creepy ass door of his. So, this made his intimidating tower of doom off the cards.

It had also been after we had locked away the Crimson Eye that Lucius’s brother realized that after everything I had been through, a much needed bath and sleep was to me, a glorious idea. As, well, I may have been wearing a pretty kick ass warrior dress, (thanks, Dad) but that didn’t take away from the fact that I still looked like crap. Which meant that once my parents were long gone, Dariush showed me to a room I could do all of these things in. Needless to say, I nearly wept for joy.

But then one look back at the door towards the throne room and he could guess where my worries lay.

“All will be fine, Amelia, after all, I have spent more years on that throne than not. Now rest…” He paused before looking me up and down so as he could add,

“I will also have our servants run you a bath.” I laughed before looking down at myself, saying,

“That bad huh?”

“For Hell, no not at all, but for my brother, well, I can imagine scenting a certain Cockatrice on you will be the very last thing he will want to come back to. Unless you want your first moments reacquainted to be of the murderous kind?” I rolled my bottom lip in between my teeth before saying,

“You may have a good point.” At this he stepped forward, kissing my forehead before telling me in a cocky tone,

“I usually do, my soon to be sister.” I smirked up at him hearing this as it warmed my soul to see how deeply he had chosen to accept me into his brother’s life. Oh, and let’s not forget, taking his place on that throne, as that was quite a biggie.

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