Solace

XXIV

KUEA POV

me, granny gulf and aunty goddess did not ride anything going here. we just, as per granny gulf explanation, folded space. i dont know what he was talking about but it seems like one moment were still walking out of the private hall and then the moment i looked up, were already at the hotel lobby surrounded by security.

"well leave you here honey. dont be afraid. were always here with you." granny said gliding with the goddess and merged with the crowd.

i was then ushered to the door to where i was supposed to enter. 

and enter i did.

there i was in the throng of people clad with eyes of red. i can feel my skin prick and tingle as i recall the needles that had punctured my skin. their eyes resembled those glasses that they wore. they may not be wearing white like they did but the feeling of under their gazes put me back when i was confined in the capsule.

my breath hitched at the memory. the spotlight was pointed at me making it hard to discern familiar faces. 

i could have run.

i could have walked out of the door.

i dont want any part of this scrutinizing gazes.

if not for the hand that reached out to me, embraced my torso and covered me with a comfortable scent.

"its okay. im here." said lian by my side making me sigh loudly. hes here but the blinding light still covers my sight. i cant see him clearly.

"dont let go." i murmured catching my breath.

"never." lian squeezed my hand in reassurance.

lian ushered me toward the stage where other familiar faces were already seated and anticipating my presence. my mate then seated me like all the mates are. at the very center was lian grandfather ethan donning some elegant jewelry i dont even know what theyre supposed to be called. it stretches from his one shoulder to another. every member all donned the same type of gem like him but of different styles. as soon as i was seated, lian adorned me the same. it was a subtle necklace of ruby and diamonds with its matching ring. the cold touch of each made me shiver more and had felt the weight of the responsibility that is still alien to me.

"you okay?" lian caressed my arm in worry. perhaps i looked pale.

"yeah." i let out a giggle not to calm him but myself. i swear my hands are all clammy.

the party suddenly stood still when another person entered.

a man bearing the air of regality walked in. both the mates of granpa ethan then stood up from either side of him.

as soon as the man approached the elevated platform, he knelt and said, "greetings my sons. how are you after all these time?"

"ephraim, hows your travels? i heard youve been basking naked under the dark sun somewhere down the pacific." one of the twins said smirking at something fitting as a jolly remark while the other darker haired one just looked down and shook his head.

"what you heard is unfortunately correct, son. forgive this father of yours. no matter how much i appreciated the dark sun after you had given me freedom from all the responsibilities, i grew weary and terrified from all the rumors i had heard regarding the clan."

"what had made you come back from your vacation, sir?" said the darker haired twin.

"i had heard from one of the council elder that the new king had neglected his duties. did i heard, right, dear councilman?" he said as he turned toward the elderly man dressed in robes.