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CHAPTER 10

NOVA

“I have no idea how we’re going to bring all of this with us,” I lamented as I stared at the growing pile of supplies and armor.

Gray had given the castle staff instruction to provide us with whatever we needed, and as much as I appreciated that…my men hadn’t hesitated to grab a ton of shit. The gigantic armory was currently a mess with the center of it being a pile of equipment.

“I have a solution for that!” a bright peppy voice called out as Gray’s daughter Luna appeared, shifting from cat to human girl in a second flat.

“I hadn’t even known you were there,” I said in awe. “That’s impressive.”

“It’s how I get the best gossip.” Her gold eyes twinkled before she looked around the space. Ramsey stood near me, frowning at the growing pile like myself, but everyone else was moving around the room. Even Volkan was near some shields, examining the shiniest one.

“See, gorgeous, the kid has a solution!” Fox called out, tossing a dagger up in the air and catching it between his fingers. Cassian chuckled at the scowl the label ‘kid’ brought onto Luna’s face, and I offered her a sympathetic smile. She was a kid to us, but I knew it didn’t feel great being called that.

Their humor did cause me to relax, though. Last night had been intense, but it had shown me so much about the twins and where they’d come from. It had also been kind of eerie to see their mother exhibit facial expressions and mannerisms that I saw every day on Fox and Cassian. I suppose it was the same with most parents, but I’d never expected to meet her. At least not under pleasant circumstances.

All I had to say was that their grandmother better count her blessings that the Maker took her when they did—because if I had found her first, I’m not sure I would have been as generous.

We’d stayed long into the night, telling them about everything going on and what Fox and Cassian had been up to before meeting me. We left out super scary stuff like the world eaters, but we gave her enough information that she knew what was going on. I could tell their mom hadn’t wanted us to leave at night’s end, but I promised we would visit when we were done saving the world. I hadn’t expected friendliness from her, let alone the hug she’d given me as she asked me to keep them safe.

Which I totally would—just like how they would keep me safe.

So yes, I was very glad they were in lighter moods today. It probably helped that the three of us had slept so deeply before I woke up to go check on our pixie gardens. I had no idea who’d Gray had watch them—hell, she may have been the one doing it—but they’d been placed on a shelf in the back of the house near a window that got the perfect amount of sunlight. They were filled with beautiful flowers, and occasionally one of the flowers would produce a poof of magic and glitter. I really wanted to see what the stones would be like in a larger garden.

I had no idea I would be so into gardening, but I could feel the urge growing. Once I got back from the war, I would make sure no one could call me an ‘absent’ plant parent.

“What did you say the solution was?” Nour prompted.

“Spelled backpacks!” Luna cheered. “You could put a freakin’ house in them if you wanted.”

“Oh, like the big carriages,” I chimed. “I like that.”

“Let me go grab some!” Luna went to the east side of the room where Fox and Cassian were playing with weapons as August and Rowan examined some leather armor. I doubted we needed all that. Or maybe we did. Actually, come to think of it, we probably did need some badass uniforms for this expedition.

“What’s wrong?” River asked, approaching me with concern.

“I feel like I need some cool god armor, right? I mean, we can’t go into battle wearing our street clothes. That would be unprofessional.”

River snorted in amusement and shook his head, the worry leaving his face. I could tell the others hadn’t loved how long we disappeared for yesterday, but they also understood. For sure Rowan and August understood, especially after what we’d gone through with Row’s father.

“I bet you don’t even need armor, baby,” Everett called out. “You’re tough enough.”

“Thanks, Ever.” It was total bullshit, but I still appreciated it. My magic appreciated it even more, preening under his compliment like a freakin’ peacock.

“I’ve got eight bags!” Luna called out, dropping the heavy leather backpacks that shimmered with gold and silver clouds of magic. I didn’t think anyone else could see the colors, but they were the first thing I noticed. “I wish we had more, but you sort of have a huge group.”

“We are sizable,” I admitted, wondering if Luna knew all these men were mine. I had to assume that since she had multiple fathers, the idea wouldn’t be too far-fetched in her head.

“Well at least in this case you don’t have to carry one,” she teased. Even if I tried to carry one, I knew my men wouldn’t let me. Something that was absolutely ridiculous if you asked me.

A young boy called Luna’s name, and she turned to the main doors of the armory. It was the boy who’d been with her the last time we had a meeting in the castle, this time with a friend in tow.

“Hey, you two.” She smiled. “What’s up?”

“We’re going hunting. Do you want?—”

“Yes,” she said before he could finish. “Good luck, Nova! I know you’re going to kill it.”

As she ran off, I was filled with a sense of determination. She was so relaxed, absent of any anxiety, because she truly believed the adults in her life had this situation handled. And I would prove we did.

“So how does this—” My mouth hung open as August dropped a huge shield into the bag and it just… disappeared. “Damn, I love magic.”

“It’ll still take a while to pack up with how many items we’re taking, but this is extremely helpful,” Ramsey admitted. As everyone grabbed a bag, Rowan playfully tugged me into his arms from behind.

“Nova and I are going to make a stop in the medical center while you guys pack,” Rowan said, kissing my shoulder. “So I’m stealing her. We’ll meet you guys out front.”

“Want me to come with you?” August asked.

“I’m just saying bye to my dad before we leave,” Rowan said, surprising me. Up until this point he’d been quiet about the previous conflict and tentative reconnection with his father, especially around the group. “It’s up to you.”

“Auggy, I can stay if you want to?—”

“All three of you go,” Everett said, interrupting my offer. “Or else I’m going to get annoyed hearing you debate back and forth.”

That was exactly why Everett was the leader of their team. That type of decision-making was fantastic when it came to situations like this. It also allowed me to ditch with absolutely no guilt.

I hummed happily on the way to the medical wing, walking between August and Rowan and loving the warmth they naturally radiated. When we came to a large open bank of windows overlooking the kingdom, all three of us stopped, the fresh breeze encouraging me forward. It was a bright sunny morning, and the land was almost silver from the early daylight shining on the slowly melting snow. It was moments like this, that I wished I had the ability to paint or at least take pictures in hopes of capturing the beauty.

“My family’s home was right over there.” August nodded, and I looked up at him before following his gaze. Despite the casual reference, I could tell it still caused him pain. “I have a feeling they’ve built over the land by this point.”

I squeezed his hand. “We could walk past it before we leave, if you want.”

“Maybe.” He sighed and offered a small shrug. “I’d rather not though. You know they weren’t buried in the Horde? At least the Horde ‘proper.’”

“Really?” Rowan asked.

“Yeah, they were buried in the pixie circle. I asked for that. It was the one place we all loved going together as a family…but I think it was also so I wouldn’t be able to visit them often. The guilt was already too heavy at the time.”

“You can’t just enter the pixie circle?” I frowned. “River said the pixie realm was destroyed and they moved here, so I’m guessing they have a section of land here that’s ‘theirs.’”

“Exactly.” Rowan squeezed my waist.

“They’re still a suspicious group and tend to keep themselves hidden. Though many have decided to join the royal guard,” August drew out looking in the distance. “When we’re done with this war and have the time, I’d like to go there with the two of you.”

“Absolutely,” I said softly as Rowan nodded in agreement. Before any of us could say anything else a door closed in the distance, turning our attention to the medical hall. Quietly, we made our way toward it, and I considered how much had changed in such a short time.

In terms of the calendar it had been a long time, but for us it had been weeks—maybe one or two months—and so much weight had been placed on our shoulders. Everything was so incredibly heavy. So dire. I looked forward to a time when we could claim life had been boring for a bit.

It also didn’t escape my notice that many of my men were looking for closure, whether they were seeking it out like Rowan going to visit his father or it happening upon them like with the twins. I think the reason was twofold. Partially because we had no idea what was going to happen in this battle, but more so because after this war, we had a future to build.

The Horde held heavy, painful memories for my men, but I could also tell that those moments were being replaced by healing ones. I didn’t know where we would live in the future, but I wanted this to be a place we could come back to.

A thought spurred in my head. Before we left tomorrow, there was one more place that I would insist on checking on with River…one that I needed to ensure had been wiped from the books. From reality.

That way when we came back here after the war, it would be without any lingering darkness.

* * *

“Y ou look a lot better.” Rowan’s words filled the quiet space of the private medical room that his father had been placed in. His father, who was looking healthier and honestly a lot more like Rowan now that he was recovering.

His gray hair still had some hints of gold in it, and his eyes were filled with much more light and life as he placed down the book he’d been reading. I briefly scanned the title, realizing it was an art history book.

I would have thought it was just an act if it wasn’t for the pile near his bed. Tucked away to the side and nearly out of sight were similar texts alongside some historical nonfiction. Not my taste, but I couldn’t judge.

“I feel much better,” he agreed, putting his book on the nightstand. “Nova, August, it’s good to see both of you. I trust the three of you have been okay? It’s been a few months since I last saw you. I’ve been worried.”

“Shit.” Rowan frowned. “That’s a long story, but for us it’s only been a week or so. We went to a realm that had a massive time difference.”

“Makes sense,” his father said. “I remember when I traveled to one of the dwarven realms. We lost six months in six hours. My parents were not very happy about that.”

“Dwarven realms?” I asked. I hadn’t even realized there was a dwarf species. “How many realms do they have?”

“So many,” his father said, his gaze going distant for a long moment. “They were particularly talented when it came to architecture and engineering. Most of the realms are connected through an intricate system of high-speed rails that go through portals…although I’m not sure what it’s like nowadays. The entrance is near Berlin, if you’re ever interested.”

I was beyond interested in exploring a place like that.

“One more place to add to the travel list,” August mused as if reading my mind.

“Well, after we deal with all this nonsense,” I sighed.

“Which is actually why we came here,” Rowan said, pulling up a chair to sit next to his father’s bed. “We’ll be gone again for a while. There is a?—”

“War is coming to our realm. I know; I can feel it,” his father said quietly. “I didn’t know if you’d be involved, but I figured that may be the case.”

No need to tell him that we were literally the ones leading it…

“We should be back soon, hopefully, but if we aren’t?—”

“No.” His father stopped him. “There are no other options. You are coming back, and I’ll be waiting right here for you. Besides, once I’m healed up, I’d like to take up a class or two with you.”

He said it nonchalantly, but it caught my full attention.

“Class?” Rowan asked.

“Yes, an art class. I think it’s time this old man figured out what this is all about.”

Rowan smiled. I wasn’t sure if this was the best way of handling his past mistakes, but the effort was there.

“I’d like that.” Rowan stood and squeezed his shoulder. “We should head out, but?—”

“No goodbyes. I’ll see you soon,” he finished, his eyes filled with warmth. The man was really set on not saying goodbye.

“Alright.” Rowan chuckled, emotion thick in his voice.

“Good to see you’re healing,” August said, the door creaking as he and Rowan left the room. I stayed for a moment, watching them walk into the hall before turning to face him.

“I’ve made many mistakes in my life, ones fueled by anger and grief. I hurt him. Physically. Emotionally. Mentally,” he admitted, his lighthearted tone gone. “I thought I’d lost him.” His gaze moved slowly to me. “I have to believe that this isn’t goodbye and that he’ll survive this war and the massive role your team plays in it.”

“You know about what’s going on? Fully?”

“I still have friends within the Supernatural Enforcement. They’ve told me how important my own son is, and how important you are, Nova. You’ll make sure he comes back to me, won’t you? I thought I lost him once, and I don’t want to lose him again.”

I inhaled sharply. While he didn’t mean to, he’d echoed the twins’ mom’s sentiment about keeping them safe, and most of the responsibility did rest on my shoulders. My men would never admit that, but I was well aware of it.

“I love Rowan. I will do everything I can—just as he will for me—to ensure that we have a future after this,” I whispered before offering him an encouraging smile. “Stay positive. We’ve dealt with a lot, and we’re still here. I promise, you will see us in no time.”

“Until then, I’ll keep reading. An old man has to stay entertained somehow,” he said, taking a shaky exhale. “Good luck to the three of you. Know that I’m here rooting for you.”

As I caught up with Rowan and August, the two of them laughing with each other, I couldn’t help but smile. Even without his father saying a word, I would have fought with every inch of my life to keep this .