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Hinrik got up and away from his brother, shaking his head. “Walked right into that.”
“You know what I mean, dove—”
Melora put her hand on his face and pushed him away as he tried to lean in and explain. “Go dove yourself, you ugly bear.”
“Do not mind them, sister. It seems I shall be the only one to properly introduce myself,” Hinrik said as he walked up to me and kissed my forehead. “I am Hinrik Deo Thorbørn, Theseus’s elder, much wiser, and most-handsome brother. My mate Matias is not here, but he shall welcome you when he returns.”
“Thank you.” I smiled, tempted to touch my forehead, amazed at the feeling there.
“Don’t thank him; he’s lying.” Ulrik pushed him, literally out of the way. “He is not the most handsome, and clearly you have eyes and know it is me, sister, Ulrik Leo Thorbørn.”
He grabbed me by the hands, pulled me to him, and kissed my forehead.
“Gently,” Theseus growled at him, but Ulrik just grinned.
Next up was, Melora. “I am Melora Mahidevran Osman Thorbørn. Welcome, sister, you do have the most handsome of the brothers.”
“Is that so?” Ulrik questioned, clearly mocking her.
She grinned, ignoring him and moved for Arsiein.
“Sister, welcome, I am Arsiein Thorbørn, forgive me for using my gift against you. Mother gave me no other choice,” he stated directly, kissing my forehead quickly, and I noticed, he kept his answers direct—but not as harsh and pointed as Pelopia— and stepped aside, allowing his mate to step up.
She smiled brightly at me. “Young one, how good it feels to call someone else that.”
I exhaled, really not enjoying that name.
“I have been the young one for decades now. I’m so glad you are here to take that off me.” She giggled and kissed my forehead. “I am Atarah Thorbørn. I loved your dancing, by the way.”
Oh dear God, I’d forgotten about that. “Thanks.”
It didn’t go unnoticed that both of them had no middle or other names to share with me.
“Druella, you now among family,” Sigbjørn spoke, and all the laughter, the winks, pushes, and the joking ended.
Everyone looked at him as he lifted a golden goblet of blood Pelopia held on a tray with other types of cups, two of them being drinking horns that were balanced on tips. One all black, which Hinrik took. The other rimmed in sliver for Ulrik. Melora took the large, ornate teacup. Two silver drinking cups were for Arsiein and Atarah. There were three crystal glasses which Rhea and Theseus took...the last one Pelopia handed to me.
“You may choose yours later, daughter.” Sigbjørn voiced only for me to hear before speaking to us all. “As family, what happens to one of us happens to us all, Druella. You should not be fearful, nothing you say shall be taken lightly. Many of us have seen many things. All of us smelled your magic earlier and again when you were alone. Theseus nearly disobeyed me to find out what was wrong.”
“Forgive me, Father,” Theseus replied.
“You would have to be truly contrite for me to do so,” he replied, moving to sit back in his chair by the fire which was still burning. “And you are not, it seems you have not only forgotten the last century but how much I hate your false apologies.”
“I have not forgotten that. I must give them anyway, or mother then complains.” Theseus stated, leading me over to the couch, everyone moved to sit as well. “I’d rather face your wrath than hers.”
Everyone else chuckled, but Rhea pretended she could not hear him while drinking her dinner. Sigbjørn looked at his mate, grinning. “Are you listening, Draka? Our son fears you more than me.”
“I heard him.” She licked the blood off her lips. “But I am not in the mood to jest with him or you. I am more concerned about why my son has lost a hundred years of his memory and why you trust this...our new daughter so much.”
They stared at each other a long time, and he tapped his finger on his goblet before looking to us. “It seems she will not let us ease into this conversation, so daughter, tell us, or them about the voice, the visions, everything, as it is one of the reasons you came here.”
All of their eyes now shifted to me. I held onto my glass.
“I...I don’t know how to explain.” I was barely grasping at the straws of everything as it was.
“Do try your best,” Rhea stated, clearly impatient and annoying me; it was only my life and mind I was sharing.
“Fine.” I turned to her. “Before meeting your son, I was a normal vampire. I went to work, I hunted on animals, and I went home to read. Then one night, all of a sudden, he appeared naked, out of nowhere, in the middle of the forest, trying to mate me, telling me he had no recollection of the last century. I thought I was being a good Samaritan, and I took home, even after he killed a bunch of witches—”
