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“Patrol sees her walking the woods at night. I think she kind of creeps them out,” I told her, remembering the conversation I had with my warriors a few days ago.
“She was cooped up in a room for centuries, I don’t think she can handle all the sunlight Arizona has to offer. She’s always got the blinds closed when I go check on her.”
“I can’t believe Bastet was his prisoner for so long. I feel like this is my fault,” I admitted.
“Nickolas was sick, Helios,” Nat said softly. There was silence between us for a moment as I struggled with the guilt.
Nat walked over and sat on my lap, letting me stew in my thoughts. She knew how this process went for me; how it was any time I found one of my siblings, and they were traumatized just from seeing me. Even after almost thirty years of trying to right the wrongs and protect them, so many had gone into hiding and cut themselves off from the world, that they never got word I was no longer their enemy. It still stung any time one of them looked at me with so much fear and terror in their eyes.
“This one is not on you, my love. You have enough demons. This one is solely on Nickolas’ shoulders,” she whispered, kissing my temple.
“What do we do now?” I asked, wrapping my arms around her waist and resting my head on her bosom. My favorite place to be.
“We can only give her time. She’s been through things we can’t possibly imagine for hundreds of years. I’ve asked her to go see a counselor, but she’s refusing.”
“Why did I never check up on her?” I asked out loud, but the question was meant to be internal, rhetorical. I knew why. Because why would I?
“Why would you? You had no business with her, Helios. You’re not responsible for every deity in the world.”
“How’s Adrien?” I changed the subject. This was a demon I wouldn’t conquer today.
“Kassie said he’s grieving. He’ll be back from Sam’s in a week, but Kassie thinks he’s pushing everyone away. That he’s still blaming himself.”
“It’s going around, I guess. It’s going to take all of us time to grieve for Tori and Violet. We’re all going to be thinking about the could have, should have, would haves over the next few months. We could have ensured they left with more guards. We should have locked down the pack grounds. We would have gotten there in time if we knew Janet was a traitor. If we had listened to Cory’s doubts months before everything escalated. If I had continued to look for Nochehuatl’s body like Theo wanted to, maybe we would’ve realized he never died.”
“It will take time to get back to normal and there’s no rushing it. I’ve been through many grieving periods in my life.” I looked up at my mate, her sad eyes breaking my heart. I grieved for centuries for one person I never truly knew. Nat grieved mates, children and friends. I kissed her breast.
“We’re going to be running out of time soon. We have twenty-five years before Tezcatlipoca finds us.” I said, despair flowing through my voice. All the loss we just went through... It was hard to imagine this wasn’t the worst of it yet.
“We’ll be ready and we’ll have the next generation to help us,” she cooed and I snorted.
“Xochil and Miguel aren’t even looking for their mates. We’ll have to depend on Cory’s kids at this rate. I’m older, why does Markus get to be a grandfather first,” I harrumphed, making Nat laugh and the sound did a lot to help my grim mood.
“Trust your sister, my love. I’m sure she’ll work her magic on both of those knuckleheads.” We sat silently for a while before she sighed and kissed my forehead. “Bastet wants to see you.”
“I’ll go in a little while. I want to stay here with you for a touch longer.”
"Centuries could pass and you wouldn’t see me complain about that,” Nat mumbled, her lips on my head. I smiled and hugged her tighter to me. My stubborn mate had come a long way from when I first met her.
“Ama(Mom)!! I need to go buy stuff for a school project. Where are you?” Santiago, our youngest, was shouting down the conference rooms, from what I was assuming was his mother’s luna office.
“Time to adult,” Nat giggled and tried to stand, but I held onto her firmly.
“Over here, son!” I called out. Santiago opened the door a few moments later and made a face.
“Gross, Dad! I don’t want to see this,” he complained, making me chuckle. “Mom, can you take me to the store?”
“Yep. When is it due?” Nat asked and I saw a sheepish look come over his face.
“Tomorrow.”
“Santiago!” Nat chided.
“I forgot. I’m sorry,” he defended, making me chuckle.
“Alright then, let’s go.” Nat sighed. I let her stand, and Santiago opened the door to let her through first. Before she could, I grabbed her hand and brought her to me, dipped her down and kissed her.
“Dad!” Santiago complained again, but I could see the hint of a smile on his face. I let a dazed Nat up and patted her delicious ass as she walked away.
