Nyxara
"And with that, Nyx, we've set up your suite for the most part. The only things left for you to do are add some personal touches, purge the rest of the unwanted things, and get some study supplies." Nimra straightened the pillows on my bed, then made sure all the remotes were lined up on my nightstand. Her nervous fiddling with everything was sort of cute and reminded me of my own nervous habits.
"I do have to say the direction you went with the color scheme for your bathroom inspires me to want to redo our own bathroom's colors." Nimra's eyes sparkled as if she was just brimming with ideas.
The bathroom, which had been the only room I hadn't requested be painted before I returned, is now painted in black with gold embellishments. The sinks, floor, shower, bathing pool were redone in black marble veined in gold. It feels like pure primal indulgence in there now. It also didn't hurt that it turned out to be a good bonding activity to do with my mom.
When we peeked into the study, then walked into the living room, I had to admit to myself that while I did visualize all of this in my layout, I hadn't expected the men to bring it all together so well. It feels so comfortable and intimate in here now. The small dining area, the artwork, the carved wood side tables and shelves all fit the aesthetic I was trying to create better than expected. Maybe I have a hidden talent for decorating.
The men acknowledged us but didn't pause their conversation. Lux was giving them a quick update on one of Ajeivara Holdings' newest projects.
I sat on the arm of the sofa next to Keir while Nimra was simply picked up and put over Azrail's shoulder before I could blink. She kept poking his head, and he kept talking with Lux and Korran while rubbing her butt. Keir leaned over, softly asking, "Everything looks good to you, dragonfly?"
"Yes, it is better than I could have hoped for. I will take a look at the other rooms later. Thank you." I gave him a side hug, which he returned. "This move-in day has been so stress-free but labor-intensive that I've built up an appetite for dinner now. Has it been decided already what we will be eating?"
Azrail must have been waiting for me to say something to this effect. He stopped talking and once again moved faster than my eyes could track. Kneeling in front of me with my Nimra's butt right there, he said his goodnights. "Since you are ready to eat and relax, we will be heading off to do the same. Like promised, Lux, Aspen, and Keir will get to have an offspring-only dinner with you while we find other ways to celebrate your return. Love you, little queen." He kissed my head, then went down the line kissing my brothers' heads. It amused me that while they looked resistant, they still leaned in—no one dodged his kiss.
"Love you, little fighter. Love you, little healer. Love you, my firstborn. Don't stay up too late, Nyx still needs to rest and adjust to being back. Nyx, you have a whole rest day tomorrow, then on the 19th you will start your home recovery and training." I swear that last sentence was said after he was no longer visible. He was already out the door with Nimra waving goodbye and blowing kisses by the time I realized he was gone.
I could not control my shock at how fast Azrail changed the situation. Which is probably why I didn't notice Korran's advance. He picked me up, embracing me so tightly that I felt like a little girl again. His amber and smoked birch scent instantly soothed my tired mind and body.
I would never admit to it later if anyone questioned whether I let my Korran cradle me for a moment or two in his massive arms. "You have had a very busy day. Take a shower before dinner to properly relax. I recommend having dinner in the family room for comfort. Rest well, Emberling." He nuzzled my head and cheeks, his scent wrapping around me like a weighted blanket.
"We will possibly see you for a late lunch tomorrow. Mandatory Tharym meals are on Sunday. You have been added to all of the Tharym chat groups and calendars. Your Nimra decides which meal will be mandatory based on our schedules. I better go catch up before Ya hides away with her somewhere. Take care of your sister, boys." Then I was on the sofa next to Keir, Korran was gone, and the door was shut. "Did he just teleport?" I didn't sense any essence use, but I could just be unable to do so at my tier level.
"No, he just moved incredibly fast. I'll teach you how to move like that during training." Keir informs me before standing up. "I'm going to go freshen up, and then I'll meet you all in the Tharym room. Lux, order me teriyaki chicken and house-fried rice with wonton soup when you place our takeout order."
Ruffling my hair and making me look wild, Keir then disappears with a grin. Annoyed, I finger-comb my hair to tame my wayward locks. Again I was caught unaware when Aspen and Lux, in quick succession, flick me on the forehead.
I glare at their backs, rubbing my injured forehead. Before completely leaving, they turn around in sync with identical soft smiles. "Welcome home, Nyxara. We missed you." I couldn't explain it if asked. My vision blurred, and my smile wobbled, but I desperately needed these words from them. "I'm home now. Thank you." I bowed my head, not wanting them to see the tears that welled up in my eyes.
"I'll send you the menu for the restaurant we're ordering from. See you in three hours, little wolf." Lux's voice echoed through the room as the door closed with a click. Finally alone, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. I had to stand up just so I could breathe. I walked around the room, turning on a few lamps.
With tears still streaming down my face, I pressed on the right wall in the sanctum hallway to reveal a hidden doorway into my master bathroom. Deciding my emotional well-being needed a bath more than the recommended shower, I turned on the water, laid out towels, soaps, and bath bombs for my upcoming mini spa bath. Next, I went into the closet to pick out some lounge clothes.
"It was only in my wildest dreams before coming here that I would have imagined getting to hang out with my brothers again," I whispered to myself. The reminder brought a fresh wave of tears, but they dried up soon, leaving me even more emotionally exhausted.
As I looked through my drawers, I ended up throwing another set of clothes with Minette's face on them into a basket by the window. Finally finding something I wanted to wear, I pulled out a plain pair of grey sweatpants and a worn T-shirt that read "Ajeivara Holdings—Woven in Purpose. Forged in Quiet."
Smelling the shirt, I caught a whiff of Aspen's scent, which brought a sense of comfort to me. "I wonder if I can borrow shirts from Lux, Keir, and the parental trio, too. I could ask them, or better yet, I'll see if Mrs. June can help me get the clothes. Yeah, I like the thought of that better." With a devious smile, I grabbed my clothes and headed back to the bathroom. Everything was ready, so I undressed and walked down into the bathing pool. Sinking into the warm water, I let it relax my tired muscles.
As the bath worked its magic on my body, I pulled up the menu on my phone to see what my food options were. "Thank the gods that food has been relatively the same so far. Some of the options sound weird, though. What does torah bison even taste like? What is an enkai frog?" Deciding to get the same as Keir but adding something new, I included 8-piece emerald chicken wings to my order before sending it off to Lux.
Placing my phone on a nearby towel, I wash up, then relax for a while longer before getting out of the pool. I pressed a button on a nearby panel to drain the bath and start its self-clean cycle. Who wouldn't love a self-cleaning bath pool? It'll take time to adjust to Asari's advanced technology.
Drying off quickly due to the chill in the room, I put on my loungewear and fluffy dragon slippers, plus a light jacket. I hadn't realized how cold it was until now. After five minutes of fruitless searching, I ask Aspen how I change the temperature in my rooms. He guides me through finding where the thermostats are located and how to use them.
While the room becomes suitably warm, I use the remaining time I have to continue the purge of my closet. Earlier, Nimra and I had mostly focused on putting things away. Only the most obvious pieces made it into the basket. Now I'm really going piece by piece to choose who will stay and what will go. I quickly realize I have a lot of Minaiya merchandise, which is apparently Minette's stage name. According to this world's version of the internet, she is an idol trainee who will debut after graduating from Virellis College of Arcane Performance next year.
She is doing various contests and small concerts while building a growing fan base. Grey, other Nyx, was the fan club president, but during my hospital stay, my family notified the vice president of the club that I would be stepping down. I can send all this Minaiya stuff to them. Some of it looks limited edition. I'll tell them to do an auction, and we can split the proceeds 50/50. Plus, having some extra spending money never hurts.
Lux's scent slowly permeated my senses to the point I could tell he had entered my suite again. "Little wolf, the food has arrived and I've come to get you. We realized that you may not remember where the tharym room is, so I won the right to come get you." From the sound of Lux's voice, he hadn't come into my room. Curious, I put the clothes in my hand in their designated baskets before walking out of my closet to confirm Lux's location. He was indeed standing in the doorway. "Is there a reason you didn't come inside like you all did earlier?" I asked with curiosity while putting my jacket back on.
"Earlier you hadn't started personally claiming this suite as your domain. Now you have, and I'm respecting that. The more space you claim, the more I will respect that claim. It's part of my nature as a shifter." Lux nonchalantly responds. I, however, stuttered to a stop. "You're a shifter? What kind of shifter are you?"
Lux, for once, looked very shocked. "You don't know? I thought since you haven't asked, you remembered or someone told you. Do you know anybody's race?"
With annoyance, I glare at him. "If I knew, would I be asking you what kind of shifter you are? No. I've been waiting for someone to tell me—anyone—but no one has."