Page 59 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Sienna

“ H ow do you feel?” Mama asks as she combs her fingers through my hair.

I nod. “It feels good, it’s better than the glamour. I just wonder why I can’t shift back…” I sigh softly.

“I think it might be because your demon form is not yet complete.”

Tilting my head, I look at the fountain that sits in the centre of the garden. Before leaving for Egypt, I made a stop at home. I know how worried Mama was about a mission abroad. I get it, too, especially since Dad never came back.

“You mean like Ahren’s horns and tail?”

“I don’t know exactly what, but according to Ahren, the full potential of my transformation was stemmed due to Endora constantly draining me of my power, to the point it damaged me.

” She twirls a strand of her white hair around her finger.

Her hair was brown when she was younger; it was because of Endora that her hair became like that.

“So you think there’s more to my demon side?” I ask.

“I think so.”

“That would be intense, considering how much things have already changed,” I say with a sigh.

Mama places her hand on mine. “I know, but you’ve come such a long way, my Little Chocolate Chip Cookie. Look at how well you’ve done controlling your powers.”

I blush. “Oh, I can’t take credit for that. Jayce has been an incredible teacher.”

Mama smiles, tilting her head. “Mhmm… So, about that note you gave me, I know I said on text I’ll wait for the day you want to share more, but by any chance… is it Jayce?”

My head jerks up as I look at her, wide-eyed. “What- why do you think that?”

“I got my answer,” she whispers, and I blush.

“Yeah… It is…” I admit shyly. “He’s so sweet to me, and he makes me feel so safe and loved. He makes me happy, Mama. I really love him.”

She wraps her arm around me. “That makes me happy,” she says, kissing the top of my head. I rest my head on her shoulder, wanting to tell her about the dreams and Dad, but I was warned not to. If there’s even the slightest chance that I can save him, I’m not going to sabotage it.

Staring at the water fountain, I think of Helios. I haven’t dreamed of him again, but I’m impatient, wanting to see him again. Maybe I’ll cast that spell again and visit him instead. But am I really talking to a god?

A god who is promising Dad’s return…

It’s not a trick, right?

“So, he doesn’t really talk too much, but he really respects his parents. It’s always nice to see that,” Mama continues.

“Mhmm,” I agree, smiling softly. “He’s perfect.”

Mama laughs. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you, Mama.” I take out the small pouch from my jacket pocket, taking out one of the necklaces Jayce had picked out. He had purchased a few extra items on our first date, but when he had given me this specific one, I was shocked – but it also filled my heart with such warmth.

“What is this?” I ask, taking the small velvet pouch from Jayce.

Opening it, I take out a beautiful silver necklace that twinkles in the sunlight. “You’re going to see your mom, right?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“I got it when we went to that jewellery shop on our date. Give it to her as a gift from yourself.”

I look up at him in shock. “You got this for Mama?”

“I got one for Katara, Mama and Grandma, so I thought, why not your mom, too?”

My eyes sting, and he cocks a brow, but I don’t speak, hugging him tightly. “I am the luckiest girl in the world,” I whisper as his strong arms wrap around me.

“Oh yeah? I think I’m the lucky one…” He kisses my neck softly, making my entire body tingle with pleasure. “So, want to see what I picked out for you?”

“You got me something, too. I got those necklaces.”

“You chose those; I chose this for you myself.”

I smile at him, gods, this man is perfect.

I look down at the silver necklace with the bright blue gem set in the centre.

“That is a beautiful necklace,” Mama says.

I nod. “Yeah, it’s for you.”

“For me?” Mama looks surprised as she gently takes it from me. “Thank you, Si, it’s beautiful.”

“I didn’t get it. Jayce got it for you. Although he told me to give it to you from me, the truth is he thought of you, and he’s the one who got it.” I try not to get emotional remembering that moment.

“Oh, he’s so sweet. Tell him thank you. I’d love to talk to him, I mean, I’ve talked to him, but you know now that you’re dating.”

“Once we’re back.” I smile. “I don’t think his family knows yet.”

I look down at the anklet I’m wearing, it’s a double chain in gold, with red little drop gems on the lower chain. It’s sexy and gorgeous.

“Did he get that for you?” Mama asks.

I blush, nodding. “Yeah, that day we were attacked. We were on the way back from our first date.”

“You know, at that moment, the way the two of you were so concerned for one another, it did cross my mind.”

“Really?!” I ask, shocked. Mama nods, and I smile. “It was a terrifying experience…”

“It was, but I’m glad both of you are safe.”

I nod as I look over the garden, well-kept and serene, beds of flowers are scattered around, with marble pathways winding through them. I remember playing with Dad as a child in this very spot…

I look at the time on my Schattensicht as I don’t have long before Ahren takes me back to the Academy. “Ahren and Kaden have been gone for a while.”

“He always has a lot going on. Ahren is really good with Kaden; he takes him for quite long periods when he’s working in the packhouse. It gives me a break, too, and the staff love fussing over him there.”

“They are thick as thieves, and Kaden knows exactly how to get people to treat him like a king. They make the perfect pair.” I giggle.

Mama laughs. “Oh, I agree! And they love to sneak down to the kitchen at night.”

I smile listening to her. “They have always been like that.” I love the bond they have, the bond we all have. If only Dad were here.

“I got the herbs you wanted for your friend all packed. Tell her to keep the ones with the white labels out of sunlight, which she probably knows, but just let her know anyway.”

“Oh great! Thank you, Mama.”

“Take care of yourself on the trip. I know everyone goes in with protection spells, but they aren’t invincible.”

“I promise I’ll be safe. I’m going to try my best. This is my first real mission; I won’t mess it up.” I didn’t even expect to be allowed to go, but since I am, I’m not going to be a burden.

“You will do great because you are my and Rayhan’s daughter.” Mama cups my cheek and smiles confidently. Her voice filled with confidence and warmth.

“Thanks, Mama,” I whisper, hugging her tightly.

I’ll make her proud, and I’ll make Dad proud.

I promise.

It’s later that night, and I’m spending a little time with Heaven and Allie, both of whom are not too happy that they aren’t allowed to join.

“Well, you guys are still young,” I remind them, but that doesn’t satiate either of them. “I know you’re both strong; heck, your control is better than mine, too.”

“That’s not it, I’m just frustrated because I could have been of use,” Heaven says haughtily. “Magic is more important; we might need it. How come three of the Westwood boys get to go? So annoying.” She crosses her arms and sits on her bed in a huff.

“Agreed, dumbasses. And they got their wolves less than two years ago, I shifted three years ago – that means I should be given priority,” Allie adds, frowning deeply.

“I think that’s something to complain to Leo about.” I’m not helping, but I don’t know what else to tell my two very angry friends.

“Hmm, I think I will,” Heaven says haughtily, making me smile.

“Yeah, we’re a team,” Allie adds in displeasure.

“I have some other news, want to hear it?” I ask.

“Sure, but it won’t make me forget this,” Heaven replies.

“Same,” Allie adds.

“Well… I told Mama about Jayce.”

They both look at me, surprised, before smiling. “Nice! But when you tell Uncle Liam, can you record it?” Allie asks me.

“I don’t think this trip is the time to do that.” I giggle.

“Well, whenever you do.”

“Oh, and before I forget, that night when I went on a date with Jayce, we went to the shops and I found these necklaces. So I- well, Jayce paid. I’ve been meaning to give them to you, but you know how things have been wild.”

“Yes, I blame Jayce for that… he’s stolen you from us.” Allie doesn’t sound so pleased.

I smile. “I’m sorry, but I’ll always be yours first. Friends forever, right?”

“Sisters,” Heaven says, smiling at us.

“And only death will separate us,” Allie says with a nod. I look at her and shake my head.

“Not even death,” I promise. Reaching over, I place my hand on her knee and reach out for Heaven’s hand with my other hand. She takes it, and I give them both a smile. “We have to survive this war. We have to see the dawn that rises on a new era.”

“Those are deep words,” Allie says. “I like it.”

I release their hands and take out the necklaces that I had selected. “So when Jayce took me to that shop, I saw these and wanted to get them. It’s a set of three.”

I hold the long chains up; the star is set with iridescent stones, the moon with deep blue and the sun with white. “Heaven, I thought the sun was perfect for you, and Allie the moon for you.”

“It’s cute,” Allie says. “Thanks. It also makes me happy to see you were thinking about us on your date.”

I giggle. “Of course. Oh, and I cleaned yours with an alcohol wipe,” I add to Allie.

“Thanks.”

I smile watching them put their necklaces on before I decide to head to my own room. I’ll spend my night there and have a little catch-up with Shahira, too, and then I’ll perform that spell.

I had set up the spell after having a mug of hot chocolate with Shahira. She was really grateful for the herbs and Mama had packed her a lot more than she was expecting. I loved seeing her eyes sparkle with excitement.

I now wait for the spell to take effect as I drift into slumber.

Heat burns my skin as I find myself in the breathtaking castle once more. Helios’ home…

My heart thuds as I look around, wondering where he is.

“Helios? My Lord?” I’m not sure how to greet a god respectfully. The Solaris bloodline worships him. Hmm, I’m not sure if I’ve heard Royce address him by anything but Helios.

And here I am talking to him. Why me? Why does he even want to help me?

Unease suddenly fills me, but hearing footsteps, I turn. There he is, wearing a sky blue wrap with his usual gold armour. The gods live like kings…

“What a nice surprise, you were indeed in a hurry to see me,” he says, smiling.

I can’t look at him directly; the glowing light around him is far too intense. “You promised me my father, I want to know what you want in return, My Lord.”

Yes, I’m sticking with ‘My Lord’, it sounds fitting enough.

He smiles. “You said you’d pay anything…

You see, although your father is stranded in the place between life and death, it will need great power to restore his human body, if you want him intact, of course.

There is dark magic and other forms which will return him devoid of the man he was, but I don’t want that. ”

My heart thunders as I nod in agreement. This sounds too good to be true… Was my thought earlier correct?

My stomach churns with unease.

“What is it that you want? If the price is hurting someone-”

He laughs, cutting me off. “I don’t revel in hurting people, my beautiful maiden, but there is a price. In return for restoring your father, I want you. I want you to be mine, to marry me and be my Queen.”