Des'Tai: Book Two

118: Faye

The minute I walked through the Orb, a calming sense of security washed over me. I slowly released a deep breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. I was home. Transporting through the Helath, or transporting at all, was getting easier. I felt less out of sorts but was still comforted as Artie continued to hold my hand for a few brief seconds while I gathered my bearings, and the tingling sensations wore off.

"Chev. My darling marara," Luna stood with her hands flat together against her lips as if she had been saying a prayer moments before we walked back into Difoda. "You're home!" 

Luna, wearing one of her flowing gowns, this one a deep teal with pink scarves, stepped towards us and wrapped us in a warm embrace. Tears hit my eyes faster than I'd realized they were coming because this feeling of pure love and happiness was what coming home should feel like. Luna leaned up to brush her forehead against Artie's before turning and kissing my cheek while wiping a few stray tears from my cheeks, "How was your trip? Are you hungry? I can wake Senna if you'd like, she's missed you!"

Shaking my head, I smiled, "No, I'll wake her on my own. Ty?"

I'd known the moment I entered Siofra he wasn't home yet, but his presence was suddenly there. It was so distant it barely even registered, but there was a gentle humming in the back of my mind where he tended to reside. He must still be in Seran.

"He called Maya about two hours ago; they plan to return by dinner this evening!"

Still smiling, I bit my lip, "Does he know we've returned early?"

Luna had taken a few steps back so her Mate could wrap his arms around her. With a gentle smile resting on her lips, she shook her head.

My return was going to be a surprise! I was so giddy I could barely contain myself. I suddenly felt like a sixteen-year-old school girl who just found out her crush likes her back because he's asked her to the Valentine's Sweetheart Dance.

"Would you like me to deposit this into your quarters?" Artie lifted his head from where he'd been resting it on Luna's, raising his hand still gripping on to my duffel bag.

"Wait, let me get something from it first."

I quickly dug through the black bag and found a few items I'd picked up for Senna as well as a little blue box, something I was hoping she'd hold on to for me. Zipping it back up, I handed it over to Artie, who quickly whisked it away, and I knew I'd find it in the sitting room on the 4th floor.

After another round of hugs from Luna and a quick one from Artie, I was sprinting through the palace, my sandals slapping against the marble flooring as I made my way through the servant's passageways towards the second floor in the West Wing where Senna's room was.

Knocking gently on the heavy wooden door, I stepped back a few feet in preparation for the attack I was sure was coming. I could hear shuffling, and it sounded as if Senna was talking to someone. It was after two in the morning, who could she be talking to? Maybe it was the VS? The door gently opened just a crack as a pair of sleepy hazel eyes flicked from my feet to my face.

And just as I expected, Senna threw the door wide open as she launched across the threshold and into my arms. Closing my eyes, we spun each other in a tight embrace before we both pulled back and broke out into laughter.

"You're home early?!" Senna whisper screamed.

Nodding my head, I grabbed her hand to tug her into her quarters, but she hesitated by pulling back in the opposite direction. Looking over my shoulder at her, I scrunched my brow in confusion. Senna had her lips smashed together as she peered past me into her room. Turning in the opposite direction, I found a sheepish Nero standing in the middle of her sitting space.