💬 Content Warning: Family Humor, Innuendo
Nyxara
[Seraphelle 17, 4310]
"So, Lady Ajei, everything seems to be in order for you to return home today. You've made significant improvements from the condition you were in when you were initially admitted. How do you feel about this?" Dr. Fillion asked as we conducted my final assessment.
"I must admit, I feel a mix of nerves and excitement. My family shared plenty to jog my memory and teach me the basics, but it's not the same as living it. Nonetheless, I'm ready to take my first step back into the world. You've been an incredible doctor to me, and I genuinely appreciate the times you distracted Aspen and the nurses so I could take extended breaks." I can't help but chuckle in memory of those almost daily occurrences.
Every day, when I desperately needed a break but was too stubborn to ask for one, Dr. Fillion would arrive and distract me, allowing me to get much-needed 5-10 minute breaks. "It was my pleasure, Lady Ajei. Not only because you were my first resurrected patient with bond sickness from a Velintra, which helped me with my current research project into bonds, but also because it is always an honor to serve the Ajei Enclave." Dr. Fillion helped me into an earth-toned wraparound jacket after removing the clinic's medical sensors.
Although it appears thin, Mama said I'll be able to tell how well it protects me from the winter cold once I step outside. I slipped on the jacket and fastened it. Now that I've put it on, I can tell the fabric is indeed soft yet deceptively dense, promising more warmth just like Mama said than its slim profile suggested.
Looking around one last time, the soothing neutral colors remind me how much they've helped ease my heightened senses during recovery.
It is also my belief that the consistent neutrality of Sanctum Ajei's colors is what helped me notice the faint colorful glimmers of glyphs places in various areas throughout the clinic. Aspen disagreed, though he was pleasantly surprised I could visually detect the glyphs and sigils, which aren't easily seen by the untrained.
He theorized that my body and essence are evolving to compensate for the metaphysical injury from the Velintra. He informed me that Grey couldn't perceive essence manifestations without an artifact. I however am inclined to believe she hid her abilities because I doubt I've unlocked a new feature of this body. I will admit Aspen's theory did sound interesting so I did make a note about the possibility.
With the assessment over, orderlies loaded all my accumulated belongings onto a bellhop cart. While I waited for someone to come pick me up, I enjoyed a few cups of tea with the healer and discussed a variety of topics. I told them to surprise me when they started arguing about who would come. In the middle of our conversation, Dr. Fillion abruptly stopped talking and stared over my shoulder. I froze, suddenly realizing a person stood directly behind my chair.
Like a tentative hug, the scent of incense resin, crushed basil, and frankincense enveloped me, triggering an unexpected body memory. The person whose scent this was made me feel safe and protected. "Azrail?" I turned my body to face him, but before I could see him, I was pulled out of my chair into a tight physical embrace.
"Thank you, Dr. Fillion. I'll ensure you receive your research grant. Leave before I kill you." His voice was deceptively soft, yet there was steel concealed beneath that command. My fingers curled into the smooth, perfectly pressed fabric of his suit jacket while my arms and legs wrapped around him like I was a koala.
"I wish you a speedy recovery, Lady Ajei. I'm just a call away if you need me again. It was a pleasure to serve you, Patriarch, Matriarch, and Crown Consort." Though I wasn't looking, I could sense the moment Dr. Fillion vanished from the room.
The heavy silence as I clung to Azrail wasn't tense, but it wasn't relaxed either. "Do you recall me as well, little queen?" Azrail asked, walking around with me clinging to him. "I do, sort of. I remember your scent, and we've been talking, so I know your voice." I mumbled into his neck. He froze for a moment, as if processing my words. "You don't have any actual memories of me."
If you had seen me before you scented me or heard my voice, you wouldn't have recognized me." His monotone voice conveyed the emotions that his words did not. He is hurt that I don't remember him the same way I remember Mama and Papa. I don't know how to rectify this situation. He did not exist in our lives on Earth, so there is no way I could know him. His scent briefly shifted from feeling protective and steady to haunted yet restrained.
I clung to him tighter. I think I heard his spine pop. Which seemed to snap him out of his thoughts before he resumed walking. Slowly his scent faded until I could no longer smell it. He kissed me on the head with a sigh, then spoke, "Well, this will be a chance for us to build an even better relationship then. Let's get our official introduction out of the way so we can go get some breakfast. It'll be just the three of us. Your brothers are getting to have dinner with you, just the four of you. This was the compromise to keep them from pouting too much that they were excluded from coming to get you this morning." Azrail gently unlatched me and set me down on my own two feet.
I had my eyes closed as if to delay things even at this point. "What they don't know is that I'm okay with them keeping you occupied for the night. That means I get to play catch-up with my mates. I've been busy harassing…I mean taking care of some business so I haven't had the chance to help your Korran take your Nimra apart, then put her back together over and over again…"
My eyes popped open in shock at being told my mom is about to get fucked all night. "Why would you tell me that!? I need brain bleach. That was just wrong and cruel of you!" I smacked him on the arms a few times in irritation. "While I didn't need to tell you about my plans to break your Nimra's back and pussy tonight, I did tell you this so you would stop being silly and open your eyes to gaze upon my immortal beauty."
I froze when I realized I was looking into the most beautiful pair of golden eyes I had ever seen. I was mesmerized by his entire appearance. From his long gray-blue hair in a ponytail to his impeccable black and silver suit. He looked like an immortal descended to the mortal plane. Damn, Mama did good when she picked out her men. Each of them are solid DILFs. Now that I've had that thought, I'm going to throw it in the far recesses of my mind to never be thought of again.
"Hello, little queen. I'm Nyota Ajei. Your other father, who you once called Azrail. I'm happy you are recovering well. We will have to find time to chat with each other one on one. I feel we will find we have a lot more in common than previously." He stared at me like he could see all my secrets, and I stared simply because he is the most beautiful man I had ever seen.
I can see traces of him in all four of our faces. Which means he is not just an additional parent. He is most likely also a biological parent to us. I know I'm already 21, but I sure do hope that as I age I will get more of his razzle-dazzle.
How does Mama let him out of the house? I sure as hell wouldn't. Papa's presence is at least barely manageable. Azrail's presence, on the other hand, is complete war material. We continued to stare at each other until my other two parents entered the room. I looked at Mama, and my mouth ran ahead of my brain.
"Mama, you've picked some incredible men. Papa is primally handsome, and Azrail is immortally beautiful." She pulled me into her embrace while she laughed at my statement.
"It's hilarious to hear you say that again after all these years. You said almost the exact same thing when you were younger." She kissed my forehead before releasing me. "Even if you don't consciously remember things, it's comforting to know that you're still the same person."
Navigating what my body knows when information suddenly unlocks in my head has certainly been an experience. It increases the odds that the memory restoration ritual will be successful since I seem to be very receptive to memory triggers.
As we leave the room and head down the corridor to the exit, I walk beside Mama. I just wish each time I "remembered" something it didn't raise their expectations for the ritual's success. It makes me feel a bit like a fraud since I'm not remembering Grey's memories; I'm just being myself.
I genuinely hope that I'll gain Grey's memories during the ritual, so I'll feel less like an imposter and more like I belong. It would also make my assimilation here easier so that I can return to SAA (Sentinels of Accord Academy) sooner rather than later. The rank of number one is calling my name. I have always been top of my class, and I'm not about to end that trend. Adjusting the biometric bracelets, I try to temper my ambition, but the excited smile refuses to fade.
"Are youready to take this first step back into the world, Nyx?" Mama asks once we reach the double doors to leave. Papa and Azrail stand by each door, ready to push them open. "Yes, I'm ready, but I'm not sure Solhara is ready for me," I say as my two dads open the doors, allowing me to get my first real look at Solhara.
Ready or not, here I come.