Besides her was a younger but none less stunning version of her, who I guessed was Kimberlee, and she had a smile as dazzling as her mother as she stood from one of the other couches and walked towards me. Her hair was also thick and long, with one side dyed an inky blue and the other side in a light blue color. She was as tall and lean as all the Hyades I had encountered, with some curves which made her black, ripped skinny jeans look like they were made on her. They were paired with a cropped top that showed of a red belly-ring and I noticed the same ring I had noticed on Leukas’ finger on her thumb. I figured then that it was some kind of family heirloom, but aside from it and a couple of studs on her ears, Kimberlee had no other accessories. When she was in front of me, she wrapped her arms around me and I couldn’t help noticing how great she smelt. Like champagne and peaches. Exactly like Elena and Adrian had always smelt. I realized then that the smell was a common one in the Hyades family, Leukas and Lanthe were the exceptions to the scent. At that moment it struck me as odd.

It never had before.

Elena and Adrian are mine, every single part of them is perfect in my books. But it struck me as odd that the whole family seemed to emit such a sweet and unusual scent. Kimberlee’s hug was warm though and I quickly forgot all about the curious scents as I felt feelings unlike any I had ever felt flowed through me so thickly I could have sworn I could touch them; warm feelings, feelings of companionship, comfort and kindness. Their potency stunned me for a while but I smiled back at her as she pulled apart from me.

“Hey. I’m Kimberlee, but please call me Kym. I’m so happy to meet you, and mom was right, Leukas really picked the most beautiful girl in the US. You’re really very pretty. Welcome to the family. I can’t wait to meet my niece and nephew.” She said with a giggle and I couldn’t help but laugh along with her.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Coming from you, I’m really flattered. Thank you so much. It’s nice to meet you too Kym.” I responded.

I wasn’t surprised when Kym started fingering my hair with wide eyes. I was used to the attention. “Wow, is this your real hair color? It’s gorgeous.” she asked the familiar question before answering herself even as her mother nodded in agreement. Lanthe’s eyes widened comically as she took in my outfit before I could thank them for their compliments

“Oh my, what the hell are you wearing? You’re a hot mess.” Lanthe exclaimed dramatically, standing up after giving the baby a kiss on the forehead and placing him on the plush carpet, near some toys which he immediately started playing with, much to my absolute delight. I couldn’t remember a time I had ever felt so unburdened, so free to smile. Never mind the fact that I still had the council meeting to attend to, I was happy at that moment despite Lanthe’s reaction to my clothes. Clothes she’d supposedly sent for me.

I said as much.

Lanthe waved me away, shaking her head as if scandalized. “No I had asked Jason to have that arranged, clearly a mistake on my part, I had a thing last night. He obviously sent someone else to throw in the nearest outfit at the boutique. I’m so sorry Aleks, I promise we’re really classy people.” Lanthe whined, quite theatrically. Kym smiled indulgently as her mother picked up Bené who was getting a little bit fussy all of a sudden and handed him to me with a wink. I gladly received the eager toddler, who gave me the biggest smile and began bubbling to me about his toys and his friends as his mother and sister hurried around the room, pulling switches that mechanically lowered the hangers, and searching for size seven shoes that would fit my feet.

“We’re going to war honey, and we’re going to look good doing it.” She said from across the room. I was shocked by her admission of the direness of my situation, but I was also glad she said ‘we’. I wasn’t going to be alone. I decided not to fret just yet, because for some reason, I trusted Lanthe with my fate. I just watched while peppering the sweet, peach-smelling child on my arms with kisses that made him giggle and smile as I tickled his sides, an odd feeling of peace encompassing me.