AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I dart a glance at Kell, pleading for direction. She’s ready to do more than that.
“Okay. We appreciate it,” she offers, extending a hand toward Mother. “But I’m fine, as you can see.”
Veronica nods, conceding that point—but not all of her mission. “So, you girls decided to leave the fundraiser before the photo ops were finished, with your brother flying the whole Valari banner during the bowling game, to do exactly what?” She taps a foot. “Don’t think this coy twins thing is going to take you far either. Doug might be wrapped in his little Ferragamo frenzy right now, but you know he’ll eventually talk to me. The inevitable doesn’t have to be your enemy.”
“Why do I feel like I should know what movie that’s from?”
I’m as surprised as my mother and sister when Maximus’s mother accents her interruption with an easygoing laugh. Anyone within ten feet of this conversation, empath tendencies or not, is likely aware that none of us are thinkingeasyright now. But the woman’s smile stays open and deferential.
“Or perhaps the line is an original?” she says, nodding toward Veronica. “Wouldn’t doubt that. Kara’s a smart and beautiful girl. I have no doubt her mother is the same way.”
Veronica tilts her head the same direction, though her expression isn’t jaunty. “Excuse me. Andyouare?”
“Oh, goodness. Where are my manners? Hi.” She extends a hand. “I’m Nancy Kane. It’s lovely to meet you, although it seems I’m doomed by a ships-in-the-night thing on getting acquainted with all you busy Valaris.”
Her attempt at humor is lost on my mother—no surprise, since it coincides with Zeus’s fresh appearance at Nancy’s side.
“Well. It seems the mallisthe place for all the cool kids—and pooches—tonight. Nice to see you again, Veronica. And you too, little one.”
I’m astonished to see the sour twist of my mother’s expression become more melty—and even more surprised when her socially testy Chihuahua nudges Z’s hand for a repeat ear scratch.
“A pleasure as well, All-father,” she says with a cordial nod, seemingly copied by the dog. I think it’s Calliope this time, who’s prettier but pickier than Crius. It’s not the largest thing to think about right now, especially as we all look on while Z wraps an arm around Nancy’s waist.
I trade a quick look with Kell, who’s clearly sharing my Mother’s paranoid reaction to the move. But after a couple of seconds, our stress vanishes. Z’s affection is like an approval seal across Nancy’s forehead, softening Veronica’s stare to an outright smile.
“Your majesty, if we’ve interrupted anything…important…please don’t let us—”
“No, no,” Z cuts in, lifting what’s supposed to be a casual smile. But nobody here, especially and obviously my mother, is believing it. “Of course not. As a matter of fact, this might be advantageous timing.” He circles around to reach for Maximus, drawing him—and me, by way of my latch on Maximus—close. “Isn’t that right, son?”
For a long second, I’m too dumbstruck by the sight of my man next to his parents to comprehend anything else.Wow. With the towering stance, tawny hair, and arresting blue gaze, it’s clear Maximus got a huge chunk of his father’s DNA. But the noble bone structure under it all, along with the kind ridges at the corners of his eyes and mouth, are all Nancy.
The recognitions make my head spin. My throat go dry. This obvious evidence of what he and I are about to do—bringing a living, sentient being into this world—hits me harder than the roof caving in.
Thankfully, as soon as Nancy speaks again, the rough moment fades.
“I was just thinking the same thing, Z.”
But the woman’s kind tone and bright smile don’t dull the jab of her inference. Her good intentions are weak persuasion against the memory of Dr. Doug’s warning.
Until we figure out a way to balance peace between the realms, Twiglet Kane and I aren’t anywhere close to safe.
Not that Nancy is getting that exact point yet. Instead, she pivots toward her son with a cute but challenging wink. “Well, Maximus? Are we calling this right? Might this be an auspicious moment to have your loved ones near? Perhaps for a very special…announcement?”
Somehow, Maximus manages a neutral veneer, and I avoid swathing a hand to my middle. But our efforts are wasted. The point bashes Veronica like a punch.
And doesn’t stop there.
Like the world’s biggest bad penny, Hecate suddenly pops up on our perimeter again—at least forty feet closer. And this time, there’s a new piece of spare change next to her.
I jerk around and back, not happy about the unnerving jump scare.
Who is she?
Not another Iremiaministra, as I would assume at first glance. But I don’t know her at all. Her spirit is too cautious and guarded, even after my gentle prods. The resistance is an unnerving contradiction to her outward beauty, with her huge eyes, long nose, and full lips balanced into an arresting overall beauty. Her titian hair, in a half-up style, is as long and curly as Hecate’s. At the ends, the intense crimson blends into various shades of obsidian.
But none as dark as the depths of her pupils.
Those eyes that settle on me, intense and unblinking, and don’t flinch even after my mother visibly startles. I look her way for a second, hoping to probe for a small hint about our guest’s identity, but Veronica jerks her head with violent emphasis.
