Nyxara
With the trial portion of the night over, our gathering shifted to a relaxing night out. Since I wanted out of this room, Lux called for the room to be cleaned and the furniture to be replaced. We were then led to a private room on the second floor in the public section of the restaurant. After we placed our orders for drinks and appetizers, Lux, who had nabbed a seat on my left, spoke up. "Nyx, Little Wolf Queen, I just want to be sure that you know you don't have to finish the Sentinel program just because Grey started it." His quiet tone relayed his seriousness.
"You can be and do whatever you want. We will support you regardless." The eager puppy look in his ruby and gold eyes let me know his wolf was close to the surface, making his included acceptance of me endearingly sweet. I was scratching behind Lux's ear, making him close his eyes blissfully before either of us realized what I was doing.
I snatched my hand back to the laughter of Aspen, Uncle Cor, and Azrail. Lux coughed and turned away, probably trying to hide his blush, but the red tips of his slightly pointed ears gave him away. I inhaled slowly, then released the breath just as slowly. "I've researched what life as a Sentinel looks like.I've also looked into what else I might want to do. I've considered if being a Sentinel will be fulfilling to me personally and for my cultivation. Each time doubts pop up, I remember I get to kick ass and defend the law as a Sentinel. That is essentially my dream job. One I didn't pursue in my past life."
I squeezed Lux's hand when I said, "I'm already living my dream of being reunited with our family. Now I can chase my dream of being an essence-wielding witch upholding the law. So I promise, I am doing exactly what I want to be doing."
Azrail's proud smile shone down on me like moonlight from his position by the open balcony doors. "Do you still want to go through the ritual? Is there any point in still going through with it?" Uncle Cornelius asked, tapping his finger against his blood goblet. "I still need the ritual," I insisted calmly. But internally, I was feeling panicked that they would call it off. "There are still memories for me to recover. If possible, I guess we should make any adjustments necessary for the memories to be recovered from the soul instead of the mind."
I met Aspen's eyes since he was the main organizer of the ritual. "Soul memory recovery, you say? I will have to discuss with Nimra about adjusting the ritual in that direction. If anyone else has any insights that will help reorient the ritual, please forward them to me." Aspen fell into work mode quickly as he pulled out his tablet, making notes and muttering seemingly random thoughts out loud.
The drinks and appetizers arrived, but now three of the four were in a deep discussion about how to adjust the ritual. While I was making myself a plate, I felt a shadow tendril tug me towards Azrail. Since I was being politely summoned, I took two small plates and my drink over to where he stood on the balcony. I handed him a plate, which he accepted with a grateful smile and nod.
We stood quietly together, simply enjoying being in each other's space. We often did this at the end of our lessons, so there was a warm sense of familiarity in this moment for me. Halfway through his plate, Azrail spoke quietly enough that the others would not be able to hear him unless they were trying to eavesdrop. "Your secret. Everything from your origin to the switch will be kept as a Tharym secret. No one outside our Tharym will ever know. It will be up to you to share with your future mates, but I do not foresee you needing to tell them."
I thought about trying to tell my story again. Nope. I will not tell another soul unless I absolutely have to.
I glanced at him, then up at the huge disk of a moon. "I don't want to do story time again. You or one of the others will have to share my tale." My non-negotiable tone made it clear this was not up for discussion. Azrail searched my face before squeezing my arm. Nodding once, he said, "Then you won't have to tell another soul. I'll handle it." Pulling out his phone from his pocket with a mischievous grin, he snickered as he called Rakesh to release Korran and Keir.
Why were those two locked up somewhere? Were they training like Saiyans in a time-dilated chamber or something? I could totally see them doing something like that. I wonder if they knew what these four were up to tonight? Did Nimra or the others know? I'm taking tomorrow to truly process all that happened tonight. This was certainly not on my bingo card.
When I glanced over at the table to check on the others, they were no longer discussing my upcoming ritual. Instead, they were all looking over the menu. Azrail guided me back to the table, then got me seated between the twins. He claimed a seat next to Lux, but it put him across from Uncle Cor. He refused to look at Uncle Cor, instead staring everywhere else. Whatever is going on between them really makes me curious to find out why Azrail appears to have a deep grudge against Uncle Cor.
Azrail's smile as he held up his phone for me to see was sweet, so I was a bit wary about what he was trying to show me. Turned out it was an innocent message from Nimra. "Your Nimra is on her way with Malcolm and Keir. They will be here soon. They even sent along drink and food orders so they won't have to wait long." Uncle Cor looked from his phone with his own sweet smile that made Azrail become disgruntled. "I've messaged Zira too. She'll bring the kids and Hael over to join us."
I blinked. "So our whole Tharym is coming out to join us?" Azrail's expression softened. "Impromptu family dinners are the best ones. Also, this can be considered your official welcome party. That makes this even more exciting and surprising."
In unison, the four shouted, "Welcome to Asari, Nyxara. We are glad you are here." Happy tears welled up, and I nodded while raising my glass. This body is way too emotional. I've cried more in two months than I ever did in 28 years on Earth.
Nyota
By the time the food arrived, the room had changed. We put up decorations and had some light music playing. When everyone arrived, they helped with the set up. We ate appetizers, mixed drinks, and laughed at stories of past mayhem and milestones.
We weren't loud. Nor was the atmosphere entirely calm. But we were whole and together. That is all that mattered. We can't change the past, merely help guide this young woman the Creators saw fit to bless us with.
When we sat down at the table, I watched as Nyx focused on her plate quietly, like no one would notice her shift in behavior. The familiar rhythm of eating seemed to anchor her in ways our words hadn't completely managed to do. She listened as our voices rose and fell around her, careful and measured. She didn't look up until Davi rested a hand on her shoulder, grounding her without demanding anything of her. I saw Davi's warm essence settle close, steady, and certain around our daughter.
When Malcolm placed his hand on her other shoulder, Keir pulled her and her chair away from the table, then he quietly crouched down slightly in front of her with a crooked smile. His actions said more than his words ever could. Hael and Zira joined the moment next, pressed kisses to her head. Taen hugged her without hesitation, quick and fierce. He held her left hand while Rhodri held her right. Rhodri, Nyx's new self-designated protector, stoically watched everything, seeming to pick up that something was going on with her cousin.
Wanting to focus on Nyx, I nudged Cornelius with a shadow tendril. With a glance at me and our deep knowledge of each other, he knew what I wanted from him. So he began to tell those who were not here what had transpired. Mid-way through, he got choked up, from there Aspen and Lux finished the telling. I stayed close but let the others be the storytellers. I wrapped my essence around her waist so she would feel my presence even if I wasn't physically next to her.
The room settled into a hum of quiet acceptance and passing dishes. When no one asked her questions or treated her any differently, I saw wonder and gratitude settle on her features. I watched with deeper sight, Nyx subconsciously rooting herself in the reality of our world a percentage more. Her acceptance, soul-deep acceptance, that she wasn't inhabiting someone else's life anymore, pushed her cultivation closer to the next level.
This was her life now. The truth hadn't taken it from her. Instead, it had anchored her here. She was one of us now. Spiritually, I wondered as I used essence to add a few things to her plate, if for the first time since she woke beneath unfamiliar skies, Nyxara felt undeniably home.
Welcome Home, Nyxara. Welcome Home.