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Tears blur my vision as I pull her against me, wiping them away as I snuggle into her shoulder. This woman cared for me… She was there when I needed a shoulder to cry on, or when I needed someone to cheer me up. She raised me, knowing what I was and what I was destined to do, and sheltered me from the wretched assholes I burned, to keep me from sharing my birth mother’s fate.
“I love you so much,” I say, pinching my eyes closed. It’s not until a rough hand slides between my shoulder blades that I let go and give my aunt a chance to breathe. My uncle’s eyes are red, his cheeks streaked with tears as he steals me away. He smells like home, and I never thought in a million years I’d miss it. The hay, the honeysuckle that bloomed in the yard he used to play with mine. “Pops,” I say, squeezing him as hard as I can.
Minutes pass before he finally lets go. The faint tap of boots on the obsidian stone drawing our attention. Kai slowly makes his way into the throne room and my uncle hugs me to his side.
“Is he good to you?” he whispers, not nearly quiet enough for Kai not to hear.
“I love him more than anything. He’s my other other half in every way that counts and there’s no one I’d rather spend eternity with,” I say, I can feel my uncle’s awestruck stare, but I don’t look away as Kai nears.
His dark hair is fixed, not a strand out of place. He’s not in his royal attire–he doesn’t even resemble royalty at all beyond his strong chiseled jaw and impossibly perfect face. Layers of lean muscle flex as his slow gate draws on until he’s standing in front of us.
“I’m so glad you could make it. I wasn’t sure when I sent Allister to get you if you’d be willing to come in the first place,” he says and my uncle clears his throat.
“Of course. She’s our little girl.” His crows feet crease as his bright blue eyes flick to me for a brief moment. “We wouldn’t miss a chance to see her for the world.” Noah loops his hands behind his back, shuffling in place. “I’m sorry. I’m not quite sure… Are we supposed to bow?”
Kai’s lips split to reveal his striking white teeth. “No. I wouldn’t expect that, but I thought you’d all want to share this moment together… Alice was about to meet Celeste and Azazel for the first time, now that they can come out of hiding. I understand that you were close.”
My aunt squeals, throwing herself at Kai and hugging him tightly, he sucks in a breath but doesn’t push her away. Though it doesn’t stop me from peeling her hands off him.
“Auntie,” I say, lacing power in my tone. “He’s injured. Don’t squeeze.” She stills and drops him like a hot potato.
“Oh my… I’m so sorry.” She smooths her sundress. “I’m not sure what came over me.” Her lips twice as she attempts to reign in the Cheshire cat grin. Her attempts are in vain.
“Alice!” Finn shouts, barging through the front doors of the castle. “We need words!” Glancing around Kai, I see the guards rush forward, looking to me as if I’ll give the order to stop him.
“What? Is your Solarian castle not suiting you, Milord?” I mimic Clamara’s accent.
“No… The castle is fine, it’s your cat! She nearly mauled me the moment I entered the Hell Hold. Her nose was very thoroughly shoved up me–” His spine straightens as he looks between my aunt and uncle and me. “Is this…”
“The people who raised me, yes. This is my aunt, Elise,” she waves at the mention of her name, “and my uncle, Noah.” He gives Finn a nod.
“In that case, I’ll let you get back your reunion,” he says, glancing at Kai who’s using his hand to cover his silent laughter. Finn wipes at the small tear in his blouse, and I can’t figure out if it’s from a claw of a horn. “I’ll suffer the abuse for now.” He bows, awkwardly. “You Grace.” Then turns to Kai and repeats the motion. “Your Grace… I might just start saying that plural.” All it takes is for Kai to narrow his eyes in the slightest and Finn sings, ‘Leaving,” and scampers toward the door.
“So… That’s what we do,” my uncle says, leaning slightly toward me.
“Not at all,” I say, linking my arm in his.
“You have a cat! Like a house pet or a familiar?” My aunt asks, bending slightly to look around her mammoth-sized husband.
“Familiar,” me and Kai say in unison. My eyes meet his and a smile pulls at my lips.
“Well let’s go! I want to meet this… What’s its name?”
“Luri,” Kai says, holding his arm out to her.
“Luri…,” she repeats, putting her midwestern accent on it. “Such a pretty name.”
“I’m sure she’s waiting right outside. Wherever Finn’s concerned, she’s close by. Especially now that he’s getting married. I think she knows he won’t be around as much.” We make our way out of the castle and stand on the front steps. Sure enough, Luri is sunbathing in the courtyard.
“Oh wow… That’sher?”my aunt gasps, holding a hand to her chest as if it might fall off from sheer shock. It’s all fun and games until someone loses a nipple, I suppose.
“She’s huge!” My uncle is halfway down the steps before I register that he’s left my arm. “Can I pet her?”
“At your own risk, yes. She’s not usually one for affection, butI’m sure this time she’ll make an exception,”I raise my voice during the last part, nodding at Luri who’s yellow eyes squint at me, making sure the message to not eat my uncle is loud and clear. Within minutes, he’s scratching beneath her chin and Luri’s leg is kicking like a domesticated dog.
We spend the day making our way around Hell Hold, letting my aunt and uncle see where I live. By the end of the tour, they’re thoroughly traumatized, which I suppose is usual. We end the tour near the Morningstar family crypt, where both Lucifer and his wife, Persephone have been laid to rest. Kai stares at the flowers the people in Hell Hold have placed by the entrance for far too long and I let go of my uncle, moving to take his hand.
“Are you alright?” I whisper, squeezing it. “We can do this another day if you’d like.”
