The moment we heard the click of the door, Chris relaxed. “Are you really going to take him in?” She frowned, looking at me like she was trying to read my thoughts. “You didn’t ask him to leave because you are thinking of subtle ways to let him go, are you?”
“What made you think so?”
“I don’t. It’s just -”
“I didn’t lie to him. I told the truth when I promised to take him in after speaking to my mates. You didn’t expect me not to lie, did you?”
She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “There’s no way to know what’s going on in your head. I just wanted to know what you thought about him.”
“He’s a witch. Of course, I will take him in, just for that. I only asked to speak to my mates because this place is theirs. I can’t just bring in anyone I want just because they let me do whatever pleases me.”
“True.” Nodding, she crossed her legs, something that made me frown. It wasn’t fair she got to cross net legs whenever she wanted while I had to sit with mine spread just because of the baby.
No one informed me pregnancy would be this difficult. But what if they told me? I would still have wanted a baby. I just need to endure this until I push my darling out.
“We have seven days to discuss everything about him before he returns. I just hope my mates won’t oppose strongly to it.” Letting out a sigh, I aired my fears. More than my desire to have him in the palace was my fear that my mates wouldn’t want to take him in.
“They won’t. As long as that’s what you want.”
“I hope so. It will be a pity to miss such an opportunity.”
….
Chris and I spent the day discussing the strange witch hybrid with hair that changes colour depending on his mood. After we had lunch. I put Chrys to bed, to nap, before I returned to the sitting room to wait for my prodigal mates.
They didn’t return when I thought they would. The sun had almost gone down by the time they returned from wherever they went. They were discussing in hushed tones as they walked in. However, when their gaze landed on me, they froze in their steps. My stare alone must have told them exactly what I figured out about their actions today.
“Bunny,” Fred called out after what felt like an eternity of silence between us. “Why are you still downstairs? We assumed you would have gone to bed by now?”
“Gone to bed?” Scoffing, I got up from the couch and folded my arms, scrunching my face up in a frown.
“Guess who we brought here?” Blue smiled, gesturing towards the door.
Against my better judgement, I looked, expecting it to be a prank from them, to get me to forget why I was angry. However, when the door opened, a small smile broke out on my lips when Aunt Margaret stepped in.
“Aunt!” I rushed over to her side, ignoring my mates. I would have enough time to bite their ears off.
Aunt Margaret’s eyes crinkled at the sides as she opened her arms wide to embrace me. Oddly enough, I felt a familiar warmth wafting from her, one that made me burrow deeply, inhaling.
“I missed you too, my child.” She patted my hair. “Can I have a minute with you?”
I looked up at that, frowning as I stepped back. “Is everything okay?”
“Of course it is. Why do you think it’s not.” She reached over to caress my cheeks. “There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“I see. Let’s go then.” Without sparring a look at my mates, I led her upstairs to the study because it was one of the rooms with soundproof. I knew she wanted a secure and private space.
The moment the door closed behind her, I turned, folding my arms. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Let’s sit.” Gesturing towards the only couch in the study, she walked up to it and sat, patting the space next to me. “We need to sit for this. It isn’t a conversation I want to have standing.”
“I see.” I walked over to her and sat next to her on the couch. “So, what is it?”
I tried not to act apprehensive, to pretend like I didn’t know whatever she had to tell me was something serious. Else she wouldn’t have had that expression.
She inhaled sharply as she reached out and took my hand without saying a word. The more she remained silent, the more panic I felt.
I felt a knot forming in my stomach as dread crept in. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last.
“Aunt Margaret?”
I tightened my grip on her hand, my palms growing sweaty as I searched her eyes for reassurance, but they revealed nothing. As she silently held me, looking into my eyes, each passing moment felt like an eternity.
“I know what I’m about to tell you will sound surreal,” she started, breaking the silence and shattering my fear and doubts, “but I need you to listen to it.” She patted the back of my hand, smiling, even though it didn’t reach her eyes.
For the first time since we entered the study, I noticed how sad she looked.
“Is everything okay? You are scaring me!” I held her hand tighter. “I don’t know what you want to tell me, but if it’s something you can’t bear to reveal, then don’t. I’m not trying -”
“It’s alright.” Smiling, she gave me a pat on my hair. “I lived so long to see you, dear child. I didn’t think I would ever meet you, at least not in this life, but I held the belief, choosing to truth in the prophecy.”
“Prophecy? What are you talking about?” I stared into her eyes. “Aunt Margaret, are you okay?”
Once more, she smiled, the expression still as sad as the first time. Exhaling, she dropped a bombshell on me. “I’m not your aunt, dear child. I’m your mother.”