Nyxara
[Sunday, Umbrafall 7, 4310]
—Ajei Palace Front Garden Courtyard
Unexpectedly, the Kin-Branch made it back home, a week earlier than predicted. They arrived back yesterday night with a whole regiment of soldiers and healers who were ecstatic to be home after months away. I didn't get a chance to welcome them home because I went to bed early as recommended by Aspen.
After a light day of training and lessons, Lux and Aspen won the right to escort me to the Kin-Branch residence for a family dinner prepared by Aunt Zira. As we passed through the gate of the residence, the sun dipped low enough to stain the wooden walls in gold and ember. Warm light spilled through the tall windows of our destination, carrying with it the mingled scents of spice, seafood, and something herbal I couldn't place.
Ahead of us being welcomed inside by Uncle Cor, my parents were playfully moved along by Uncle Hael so Uncle Cor could greet us. I stayed slightly behind Lux and Aspen as we entered, content to observe for now. Uncle Cor gave back-pounding hugs to my brothers while I took him in for the first time in real life. So this is Nimra's fraternal twin. He didn't exist as far as I know back on Earth.
I instantly feel a strong Tharym bond to him, so this is the bloodline resonance mentioned by Azrail. Being able to instantly recognize kin if they aren't actively blocking the resonance from being perceived would be a fun way to meet family unexpectedly. I couldn't help the giggle that bubbled up with the imagery of me coming across an aunt or cousin while out shopping. On another note, even though I can feel the passive pressure of his aura, I can't catch his scent. I wonder if he smells like iron since he is a vampire. Would that be too stereotypical?
Uncle Cor's focus is now on me. His gaze met mine, steady and assessing. He did not reach out to me; he simply inclined his head wordlessly. We looked into each other's eyes, and our bond strengthened with an innate understanding of each other. We acknowledged each other without expectation, causing something in my chest to loosen up. I hadn't realized how much I'd wanted that kind of quiet acceptance from him until it was given.
Our stare off was interrupted when Keir bounded up behind me then moved me to the side so he could embrace our uncle. He proceeded to excitedly introduce Venus and tell Uncle Cor about his intentions to bond with Venus. Uncle Cor glanced at me as I walked past him to follow the voices and laughter to the dining room. He gave me a mysterious smile before giving Keir and Venus his full attention.
I entered the dining room in time to hear Uncle Hael made a dry comment about travel delays that earned low chuckles from my twin brothers. I watched as he offered each twin a personalized drink before starting up a conversation about how he and Aunt Zira have brought back some ideas for how to improve our fighting units and healing corps.
As I drew closer to them, Uncle Hael reached out, pulled me into a side hug, then handed me what smelled like a tea cocktail. He never stopped his conversation. He kissed my head, gave me a flirty wink then nudged me in the direction of my Aunt Zira.
He is even more of a dangerous man in person. His scent of black raspberry and dark cacao truffle is like a fine, decadent dessert—intoxicating. I'm very curious to see him fight now. I bet he is like Azrail and Keir; a completely different person when it comes to his role as a paramilitary squad captain. "I wonder what division his squad belongs to." I mutter softly as I sip the delicious drink he gave me. The alcohol and tea are perfectly balanced.
I looked down and sniffed the drink in wonder. I hadn't expected him to so easily put together a perfect drink for my mood and energy. "I'm sure you will be brought more into the fold about the military side of things once you are more settled and not so focused on meeting your recovery deadline." Aunt Zira came up beside me with a flowing grace I found mesmerizing.
She too pulled me into a brief side hug before pulling back so she could look me over critically. I guess she was content with what she saw. The worry line between her brows smoothed out, and I became the recipient of a captivating smile. I went into a bit of a daze before I quickly snapped out of it.
I wasn't quick enough to escape Aunt Zira's notice. With amused eyes, she said, "I'm sorry, niece. I forgot that you are still sensitive to auras as well as scents. I'll pull back so I'm not pressuring you." I hadn't noticed before that her Omega aura was soothing me subtly like a warm blanket. It's not enthralling like Alpha auras or tickling like Beta auras; it's more dangerous because it's empathetic. It's a siren's call that can shift to be whatever I need.
I raised my own guard up a bit, realizing I had relaxed it more than I should have. "Don't. I consider it training. Thank you for your guidance." I give a slight head bow, which seemed to please Aunt Zira, causing her golden eyes to glimmer. She then shifted the conversation to how my recovery has been going, whether I preferred tea or cider, and if I wanted to join her and the other ladies of the family in a girls' spa day for bonding and prep purposes for the twins' birthday celebration.
She—subtly—watched me as I answered. Not critically. Attentively. There must really be something wrong with me that all this close, caring attention doesn't feel creepy but loving. Even if my brain is telling me it's weird that everyone, including my younger cousins, is keeping one eye or ear on me. I never even dreamed I would one day be drowning in overwhelming family love.
When we began migrating to the table, Rhodri pulled out a chair for me before I even tried to pick a seat. She and Taen positioned themselves on both sides of me by claiming chairs beside me. They smugly stuck their tongues out at Keir, who was playfully glaring at them. We all chuckled at their acting. We were serving ourselves salad and shrimp cocktail when Taen leaned really close, too close for my comfort to be honest, and asked, in complete seriousness, if I ever wondered whether dragons preferred honeyed meats or smoked fish.
It took my brain a moment to process that completely unexpected question, and when I didn't, I couldn't figure out the logic. I lost it. I laughed. I laughed so hard at the nonsensicalness of it. While I was wiping away tears, Taen was sipping from his goblet with a huge grin, as if he had won a prize.
The unfiltered sound surprised me as much as it did everyone else. It bubbled up, bright and unguarded, and for just a moment, everything was perfect. I was enjoying a delicious seafood dinner with my family. Laughter and love overflowing.
That was when the first chill hit.