Once Upon a Child of the Stars

Thirty Five- Dinner Shenanigans

My mother and father left the room shortly after my father's gracious entrance and let me know dinner would soon be served. I told them I would be out soon, but part of me never wanted to leave the comfortable bubble I called a bedroom ever again. 

I don't know how much time had passed since they left, but a knock soon came to my door, breaking me out of my trance-like state of thoughts. 

"Come in!" I said loudly so the person on the other side of the door would hear me. 

My heart skipped a beat as the door opened and revealed Xavian. A soft smile came onto his lips and I watched as his eyes traced my body. 

"It is dinner time. Your mother told me to come get you," he said, his soft smile now a cocky looking smirk. 

"Alright. I'll be out in a few minutes," I reply hoping he would simply leave. Instead, he took a few steps forward. 

"She told me, and I quote, if I do not bring you with me she will remove my reproductive organs and feed them to the wild animals. Your mom looked serious too so please come with me," he says and I could not help the laugh that escaped my mouth. 

Though watching my mother sterilize Xavian would be a high source of entertainment, if we did work out I knew I would need all of his body parts intact. 

"Fine, fine. I'm coming," I say with a chuckle as I get off of my bed. 

"Thank you," he says and he holds a hand out for me to take. 

I hesitate for a moment, but his eyes show no malice and I place my smaller hand in his. He gently takes it and guides me out of the room and down the halls of the castle. 

When we arrive in the dining area, my mother looks up and gives me a knowing look. I roll my eyes at her and she chuckles. 

"Well I'm glad to see you two are finally getting along," Kaedian says with a smile. 

"It isn't without encouragement," I reply slightly with a chuckle, shooting a look to my mom who was still smiling. 

"Ew, they're holding hands! Lumi you're going to get cooties!" Thea, Zor and Mia's youngest yells in repulsion. 

"Ew cooties!" Ryker, the youngest of my cousins and the youngest of Zeek and Harper's kids copies Thea. 

"They are mates! They don't get cooties from each other!" Harper says to the kids. 

"It is still gross, Aunt Harper. That is my sister," Zenith says and I roll my eyes. 

"Like Mom and Dad never hug or kiss," I say to my brother as I take my seat at the table between Xavian and my mom. 

"It is gross when they do it too!" Zenith states firmly crossing his arms. I can see where he gets his attitude from my mother, which is the same place I got it from. 

Zor, Zeek, Theo and my father all came in with plates of food and set them on the long dinner table. After they entered, my grandparents soon fallowed. Everyone took their seats and an abundance of chatting filled the air as my family made their dinner plates. 

"King Xavian, how are you enjoying your stay here on Dyspheria?" my aunt Mia questioned. I knew she had knowledge of what had occurred between he and I and I am sure she was testing his waters now. 

"It certainly has been a whole new experience for me, especially with the lycans. Your planet is beautiful as well as the inhabitants of it," he replied, the last bit said as he looked at me, causing a blush to creep onto my cheeks. 

"I love it here! I wish I could live here forever," Kaedian chirped in. 

"Speaking of the planet, I actually was hoping to ask King Xenophon if it would be acceptable if we three stayed a bit longer," Xavian said, looking over to my father. 

"I would have to get a consensus with the family but personally I do not see why it would be a problem," my father said, looking between my mother and I to gauge our reactions to my mate's request. 

 "What about the kingdom?" Raegar asks his brother. 

"It will be managed by our father until our return," Xavian explains as though he has it all figured out. He must have planned everything before he left Hellian to come find me.

I bite my lip thinking about what this would mean for the two of us. I am sure he is doing this to strengthen our connection and try to get me to leave with him, but my heart has scars and I fear everything is a trap. 

"We can discuss this after dinner in a smaller group," my father tells Xavian. 

"Thank you, sir," Xavian replies politely. 

"Mom, isn't tomorrow the trip to the phoenix kingdom?" Wynn, Zeek and Harper's daughter asks. 

"Yes I believe it is. We will have to pack your bag after dinner," Harper replies. 

"Phoenix Kingdom?" I ask. 

"Yes! The school has been invited to the phoenix kingdom to learn about their kingdom! We are doing an overnight trip," Zenith answers with enthusiasm. 

"Oh so you're going to see Uncle Thane?" I ask with a smile.

"Yep!" my brother replies. 

"Lumi, I was actually going to bring it up tonight but I suppose now is as good as any. Would you like to chaperone for the trip? Thea is scared to stay away from home and I thought having someone adult that she is more comfortable with would help her. Zor and I would love to go but we have some stuff we need to take care of with my parents," Mia asks me, her eyes showing how much she wants me to be with Thea for her first trip away from home. 

"Of course! I would love to go anyway. It has been so long since the last time I saw Uncle Thane and Aunt Azar," I say with a warm smile to relive Mia of her anxiety. 

"Oh perfect! I will give the school a call tonight to let them know you'll be coming with the first grade class," Mia says, relief clear in her words. 

"Is it possible for me to tag along? I would love to see different parts of Dyspheria," Xavian asks a moment later. 

"I'm sure they could use your help too. The first graders can be a handful after all," Mia says with a smile. "I'll go call the principal now and see if they are all set with chaperones," she says, standing and making her way away from the table. 

We continue to chat among ourselves at the table when Mia soon comes back, the phone in her hand. We all turn to look at her, curious as to why she still has the device in her hand. 

"They are looking for one more chaperone for the eighth graders. Any volunteers?" she asks the table. 

"I'll do it!" Kaedian is quick to speak up. 

"Perfect! Thank you so much, Kaedian!" she replies to him before she walks away and begins speaking into the phone again.

Mia is one of the most amazing women I have ever known. She is extremely dedicated to the school and welfare of the children, so much in fact my father appointed her to the school council. The school council decides how the school is run and is in charge of school activities such as the trip they are going on tomorrow. 

Once dinner was finished, we cleared up and went our separate ways. I went to my room and began packing for the fallowing days trip. Excitement filled my body with the thoughts of seeing my extended family. I loved being with Uncle Thane and Aunt Azar mostly because their energetic nature was a source of some amazing entertainment. 

My mind, as I found it so often doing, drifted to Xavian. He was going to be with me helping keep children under control. I chuckled at the thought. There was no way he would be any good with children! He was so gruff and stone-like, it was impossible the children would not find him intimidating. 

I giggled one last time before zipping my bag shut for the next adventure; the trip to the phoenix kingdom.