AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Not these guests,” she said. I whined pathetically as her hands dropped from my hips and she led me inside and down the stairs.
I was confused when she led us past the floor of our home and further down towards the foyer.
“Why are we waiting here?” I heard a gruff, angry, familiar voice.
“Patience, we’re here for Percy.”
I turned to Selene with my silent question. She nodded and released my hand. I ran down the rest of the stairs.
Father stood from one of the golden sofas of the foyer when he saw me and ran towards the stairs. I jumped the final steps and into his arms.
“Father, what are you doing here?” I cried when he let me go and I was quickly pulled into Rosemary’s arms. Her stomach was much larger and giving her a proper hug was difficult.
“We were summoned,” Father answered, and I knew he was fighting to remain irritated.
“You’re very pregnant, Rosemary,” I told her. She laughed and took my hands, placing them on her stomach.
“He won’t stop kicking,” she told me and I felt, as well as saw, the movement she spoke of.
“He?” I asked.
“We’re having a boy,” she told me excitedly.
“A brother.” I was so happy. I turned to Selene, instinctively wanting to share the news with her. She stood at the top of the stairs watching the interaction. She smiled softly when our eyes met and I held out my hand to her. She hesitated only momentarily before she slowly descended the steps. My father watched her closely, moving to stand protectively beside Rosemary. “Rosemary is having a boy. I’ll have a little brother,” I told Selene as she reached me and I wrapped my arm around her waist protectively, not liking how my father eyed her.
“That’s wonderful news, pet,” she said and kissed my head.
“What is this?” Father asked.
“Please, Oceanus,” Rosemary softly chided.
“No. We don’t see or hear from you in months and you’re here holding on to this monster?” he shouted. Selene growled threateningly and I saw Rylan move discretely closer from his position near the door.
“Apologise,” I demanded. “Take it back - apologise. She isn’t a monster.” I was outraged that he would come into my home and insult Selene, the woman I loved. He knew she was my soul match. What did he expect to find? Father looked at me as if I’d grown a second and third head.
“Percy,” he growled.
“Would you have preferred to find your daughter broken at my feet?” Selene asked coldly. My father looked from me to her. “No need to apologise. I can be monstrous if you’d like, Oceanus, but for the sake of my love, I’d prefer not to have to put you in your place,” she continued threateningly.
“Please, dear, we haven’t seen Percy in so long and she’s here now, healthy, happy,” Rosemary spoke softly to my father, taking his arm and pulling him back to the sofa. “Let’s sit down and catch up.”
Once Father and Rosemary were seated, Selene took a seat on the opposite sofa and pulled me down into her lap, her arms tightly around me. I turned to kiss her cheek and ignored the looks of surprise from Father and Rosemary. I knew the interaction was difficult for Selene. As far as her instincts were concerned, I belonged to her and it calmed her to hold me, to show her ownership, in stressful situations.
“How have you two been?” I asked curiously. “Has the money helped?” I wanted to know what they’d done; did they still live in the same house in our village, was Rosemary still working as a baker, was Father still fishing?
“We haven’t touched that cursed coin. How could you, Percy; how could you sell yourself?” Father asked me. I was surprised by his response. Why was he angry with me?
“There was no choice. I was going to take what is mine. Percy, as she is inclined to do, managed to bring something positive from what I am sure she viewed as a negative situation at the time. Your anger is misplaced. Aim it back in my direction,” Selene answered for me.
“I thought it would help,” I told him quietly. His frown lessened as he looked between Rosemary and me.
“I know, Percy. You’ve always done your best to care for me. I apologise for being rude,” he huffed out and I watched Rosemary squeezing his arm approvingly.
“We were distraught when you were taken,” Rosemary told me. “I’ve been so worried. Your father barely sleeps. We’re beyond happy to see you again. I thought I never would.” She cried.
I turned to Selene and she freed me from her arms and gently patted my thigh, permitting me to go. I stood and went to Rosemary and held her.
“Tell me that you’re safe here, that you aren’t hurt,” she said as she pulled back to look me in the eyes.
