Nyxara
I signaled the three chosen servers to begin their assignment for the rest of the night. I'll have to make sure to clear the hazard bonus with Mrs. June for them later. They immediately took the five plates from Zen, while Líma seamlessly brought Zen over to our group. The man-child kept talking and handing over plates of food to the servers like nothing had changed.
I made eye contact with the servers who looked back with questioning expressions. I could do nothing but playfully salute them for their sacrifice. They immediately sent me evil looks but then professionally put on blank smiles ready to earn their hazard bonus. My group seemed pleased with how smoothly Zen had been extracted from Byron. Even Elias was relaxed again, looking proud of my quick thinking. I promptly ignored the way my heart fluttered and my aura tried to follow. I am in control. I'm just horny. Breathe, girl. Just breathe. I created some distance between us to prevent myself from leaning into his warmth, as my body desperately wanted to do.
When Zen finally registered she was back with us, she suddenly burst into quiet giggles. Her giggles plus her scent and aura releasing for a moment lifted everyone's mood. They gave me a round of soft applause. I accepted my due praise with a bow.
Somehow, Korran turned his head at the exact moment I straightened from my bow, silently reminding us to return to our social duties. So that is what we did. Now more familiar with the guests, I unintentionally led the others to mingle and converse with those I found interesting earlier.
We stayed in a loose group—never far from each other. Close enough to intervene if needed, far enough to mingle. The formation felt instinctive in a way I could not explain. I'm getting a sense of …rightness in us moving and supporting each other like this. Aware and respecting our collective skills.
I took a deep breath and refocused on the story Florien, the Salgrave heir and Zen's oldest brother, was telling us about one of Zen's experimental oops. Zen kept poking and pinching him, but the group kept rescuing him from her so he would keep telling us stories. It was a fun, unintentional game we started to see how fast he could finish a story coherently before Zen shut him up, and he tried to tell a different story.
It didn't hurt anything that Lux, Raine, and Sänti enjoyed redirecting Zen from getting to her brother. It had gotten obvious how hands-on they were with redirecting Zen that Florien stopped mid-tale and looked at all three with suspicious eyes. Zen caught him distracted. She was laughing about how she finally won after six attempts when she noted that her brother was glaring at Lux, Sänti, and Raine. I giggled with Venus as we got to see Zen's adorable little sister side. "Big Brother, is everything okay?"
Florien stopped glaring at the three to look down at her. "Yes, Z. All is well. I was late to the party, so I didn't get to see you and Lady Nyxara using the illusion artifacts we have been working on. Come sit and tell me how well the demos functioned and if there are any bugs we need to work out. If we are to present them at the next innovation meeting, it would be best to make necessary adjustments now."
Florien proved in this moment how well he knew his sister by engaging her inventor mind. He gently guided her away from the unwanted—in his opinion—male attention. They sat down at a nearby table immediately, pulling out schematics for the artifacts. When Zen extended her hand, I handed over my bracelet to her. I loved seeing how this incarnation of Zen and Earth Zen have very similar behavior quirks. Some things are really coded into a person's soul.
Keir and Venus had made their way over to where my parents were talking to some representatives from other regions. Keir smoothly joined the conversation while introducing Venus to the guests.
So that left me, Aspen, Líma and Elias watching Zen's suitors observe the siblings with similar calculated expressions. Because I hadn't gotten the hang of speaking to multiple people telepathically, I angled myself so Elias could see over my shoulder as I texted Aspen.
[DreamMaestro03: When do you plan to tell the parental trio about Lux finding potential Kaelin and pursuing Zen?😏]
[SeaDoctor13: I've been recording clips all night. I'll start leaking hint videos tomorrow.🤫]
[SeaDoctor13: I look forward to seeing how he will avoid Nimra's schemes once she knows he has pretty much found his mating circle 😈.]
[DreamMaestro03: As a loving but nosey little sister, I must inquire if you found anybody tonight you were interested in. Platonically or romantically?🧐]
[SeaDoctor13: Not really. Unlike Lux, I did try for the first hour, but it was all rinse, wash, repeat for the serious candidates. The ones just here to get their family off their back were cool, so I made some new connections, but we agreed we didn't feel any particular connection beyond becoming good friends. ]
[SeaDoctor13: We agreed to be shields for each other for a month, so I got three people to present to Nimra as Kaelin candidates and two as Velari candidates if needed. Oddly enough, all five actually intend to form their own mating circle but aren't ready to tell their parents yet.]
[SeaDoctor13: So I promised to help give them time to figure out their internal matters in exchange for a few favors. They are all elite and intelligent people in their fields, so they truly were good connections to make anyway. They said they do have a friend that was running late who they wanted to introduce to me. If we didn't hit it off, they did also recommend her for the role of being your primary therapist.]
[SeaDoctor13: They truly think I might like her like her, so who knows, maybe I'll find a future member of my mating circle tonight too.]
"Master Aspen had obviously been waiting to share all that. Do you think this mystery woman will be a potential match for him?" Elias had bent down to whisper directly into my ear. I suppressed the shiver that his proximity was causing. I would not let the heat of his body make me lean into him like my body was still pushing me to do.
I took a deep breath to focus on the question. Since the moment tickled my senses, I decided to try doing a fateweaver casting. With a raised palm, I concentrated on forming strings of essence. Is the woman Aspen is about to meet one of his potential matches? The essence strings started to form a knot pattern that I had only seen in my book titled, "How to Read Your Knots: a Guide for Knotty Fateweavers." It had been a lovely gift from Zen.
Once completed, the pattern revealed itself to be the fated mates knot pattern. My instincts flared telling me this prediction was not to be revealed. So I quickly dispersed the essencecraft, making sure no one but Elias and Líma saw it. "What did the pattern tell you?" Elias asked, eyebrow raised in curious concern.
"Nothing to worry about. Everything will happen as it should." I responded. Elias's eyes flashed in understanding. He didn't ask any further questions. I joined Zen and Florian at their table. Aspen was called away by the group he had mentioned. Their mystery friend had finally arrived. Elias, on the other hand, did not leave my side. He continued acting like my guard.
Lux and his two new companions settled at the next table over, close enough to keep Zen within their sight while they talked. When I sat down next to Zen, she had paused in her discussion with Florian so he could go grab himself a few plates before Byron took it all. Yes, Byron had already demolished the food from his first eight plates and was back at the buffet tables.
He did not care that Zen had disappeared from his side. In fact, he appeared delighted by this fact as he sleazily tried flirting with the servers. He even attempted to flirt with the palace guard who had been called over to contain his wandering hands from the servers. His broken hand quickly made him realize the female guard was in fact a protector like her title declared. How anyone would want to marry their daughter or son to him is beyond me. He acts like he needs to be treated for rabies.
I couldn't stand to acknowledge his existence any longer, so I decided to ask Zen point-blank about the speed train that was heading her way before things got out of hand. "Since your situation will be handled soon, are you ready for them to pursue you?" My question immediately caught the attention of three very attentive sets of ears.
Zen threw a cookie at me, which I caught out of the air and ate while she blushed. She was very purposefully not looking at the next table. "No comment. I have to handle the situation first, then I'm going to focus on completing my Sentinel education and training. So I'm not really going to consider any serious pursuit until after I'm officially assigned to my unit next fall." I winked at her and gave her a thumbs up. Líma followed my lead, giving Zen a thumbs up too.
"That sounds like a wonderful plan. I'll follow your lead. No serious relationships until we are settled in our units." I thought for a moment. Elias had froze at my words, but when I glanced at him, he looked completely unaffected.
I made eye contact with Lux, then Raine, then Sänti, making it clear with my gaze that if they pushed her on this, I would make them disappear. They didn't respond for a moment, then in unison they stood up, bowed to us, then completely left the small ballroom despite Nimra's glare and the dismay of interested parties.
It was as Florian was coming back to the table with his assistant carrying a few plates that we heard behind us, Byron's voice rising. "—and where did all the shrimp go? Also, where is Zenaida? She has been in the bathroom for a long time."
When Florian's assistant set a massive platter of shrimp on the table, I immediately knew where all the shrimp had gone. Florian and the assistant smirked as they invited us to dig in with them. Zen and I laughed, doing as requested. I made a small plate, then handed it over my shoulder to Elias. I had noticed earlier that he really seemed to like the sweet and spicy seasoned ones. If asked, I would swear he deliberately let his long fingers brush the back of my hand when he took the plate.
"Thank you, my Sharii (Spark). I appreciate your kindness." He whispered his breath warm against my ear, then stood up, eating his shrimp while blocking me and Zen from Byron's sight. Zen looked at me, amused, mouthing something about karma. I stuck my tongue out at her in return.
Florian and his assistant laughed at our antics. "It brings me great joy to see you two united again. Great joy. I can't wait to tell grandfather, grandmother, Mom, and Dad. Does second sister know of your reunion?" Apparently, Zen had been keeping our reunion quiet, which made me a bit sad, but I could understand her wanting to make sure we were still compatible friends before spreading the news.
"What are you talking about, Flo? I told Mother Nina and Big sister Carina weeks ago that Lady Nyxara and I were reunited. That we weren't just tutor and student but were like sisters again. Did she not tell you all at the main house?" Zen looked very upset about this miscommunication, which only cemented my suspicion about her second mom. She was sabotaging Zen. The question was why.
Now Florian looked confused. "Mother Nina only said that things were looking difficult for you. That Lady Nyxara hadn't forgiven you for whatever you had done to make her cast you aside two years ago. Which is why I'm so delighted to see that you two have reconciled so well." Florian looked thoughtful before he looked at Zen, then me with a calculating gaze that reminded me that Florian is a Crest House heir, so he knows sometimes the facts aren't black and white.
Florian's expression shifted back to the joyful, easygoing man he had been before after a moment. He glanced at his assistant, who wordlessly gave a nod. "Well, what matters is you two are reunited and can support each other in school and training. Creators willing, you two may even get assigned to the same unit. Anyway, Zen, pick up where you left off about how well the charms worked."
Obviously used to her brother's behavior, Zen launched back into her explanation, while I just enjoyed the rest of the evening with my best friend, her brother, his assistant, my trainer, and Líma.
Aspen
After being called over by my new group of friends, I was introduced to their late friend, Pavo. A Root witch omega. We all chatted for a while before Pavo and I broke off to chat just the two of us. We ignored the gentle ribbing from the others as I guided her outside to enjoy a platter of desserts on the heated enclosed patio. The music was softer out here, and the night had stretched into something comfortable and warm.
I took in the beautiful woman sitting across from me. Honestly, I was a little intimidated by her. Pavo Nolawi: second highest overall scoring trauma therapist from one of our Kaethryn Institute of Mastery branches. She graduated with the highest honors and holds a secondary specialty in female psychology. My reigning overall score only surpassed hers by five points, so yes, I was enchanted by her.
Who knew smart women who could challenge me would be like catnip to me? She held my attraction with her exceptionally sharp mind, but her kind eyes that told me she wasn't as inflexible as her first impression would have led me to believe.
We talked shop first. I brought up the possibility of her becoming Nyx's primary therapist. I wanted to step back and focus on the upcoming ritual and managing any lingering medical symptoms. Nyx and I both acknowledged that while she could totally tell me anything, there are some things I prefer not to hear, and she would prefer not to talk about. So for this next phase of her treatment, she needed someone she could be completely open with. She needed to have adequate support in dealing with any mental and emotional issues she still harbored.
Pavo listened and asked the right questions. She even made a binding vow not to discuss anything we talked about in reference to Nyx's treatment plan and needs. This is certainly the kind of honorable and sincere woman I wouldn't mind getting to know. I wonder if she feels the same spark of connection I've felt since meeting her.
"I'd like to review her whole case," Pavo said carefully after sitting quietly sipping hot tea. "If you're open to allowing me access to it, that is."
"Give me your contact information and I'll send you available time slots. You will have to come here to review her file as the current medical by-laws dictate." My response came so quickly I surprised myself. Tentatively with a small smile, she stretched out her hand, allowing her fingers to brush mine.
I enjoyed the way her aura mirrored her fingers brushing up against mine. There was a steadiness to her aura that quieted the constant background noise of my psychic senses. Done with business, the conversation drifted to lighter topics of school days and annoying practical assignments. When she rose to leave, I offered my arm to escort her. We walked in silence, but neither of us was blind to Mrs. June blatantly taking our photo and talking into her phone as we walked past her.
We felt her gaze until we turned the corner and were out of her sight. Pavo's car was waiting for her when we arrived at the front doors. I retrieved her coat from the attending butler and helped her into it. Then, I pulled on my own coat, which was handed to me by my personal butler. I extended my arm again, and she gave me an illuminating smile. It made me wish I could spend more time with her.
Just as she was about to get into her car, she paused. She looked up into my eyes, searching. "I know this might sound strange coming from me, an Omega, but I'd like to start as friends first. I need any relationship between us to start like this if Lady Nyxara is to be my first official client. She, as my client, is my first concern before I begin any sort of romantic relationship. Especially since you are her brother." She looked adorably determined, so I didn't interrupt her when she looked like she had more to say.
"If that is not okay, then understand we can only be work friends and colleagues." She bowed, then tried to bolt into her car. I gently grabbed her hand, stopping her. I ignored the watching eyes as I lifted her hand to my lips. I smiled, "I'd like that. In fact, you saying this removes any lingering doubts I had about you being the perfect therapist for my sister. She should be your priority in this situation."
"Before you go, I would like to make it clear that I do think we are highly compatible. So while getting to know you as your friend first is no problem, understand that once Nyx doesn't need you so much, I will begin pursuing you in earnest." I couldn't help adding that last cheeky part.
My boldness, thankfully, didn't scare her away. Instead, she took me by surprise when she kissed my cheek, got into her car, and drove off while I was still in a daze. I watched her taillights disappear, then I turned to go back inside when I found my siblings and Venus watching everything from the front doors.
Lux gave a regal nod, having no clue the chaos about to reign down on him from Nimra and Mrs. June. Keir and Venus were loudly discussing how complimentary Pavo and I looked together. They were also plotting how we could all go on double dates and where we should go first.
I haven't even officially started dating the woman, and they are already researching where we could go on dates. I ignored them and my traitorous twin to offer my arm to my sister. Nyx took it, then guided me towards the inner courtyard. We didn't speak; we just walked and enjoyed this moment together. Nyx glowed under the moon. Her smile was peaceful, and it lightened my heart seeing her this way.
Maybe, Little Queen really is good luck. Keir and Venus have come out as officially engaged to become Velari. Lux has very likely discovered his mating circle tonight. Even I have possibly found a Velari tonight. This has truly been the best birthday I've had so far.