|
Post by Ventia on Sept 30, 2022 18:41:18 GMT -5
"Of course." Aiden wrapped his arm around his daughter's back and gave her a tender squeeze, his body felt warm from having his family next to him, the dragon blood within him steaming in pride with seeing Gem and Lynn together again. Even now, a few months after Lynn's rescue he still felt overwhelmed with emotions that they finally had their child in their lives again. He had blamed himself for that night, the one time he had left his girl's sides only to come back to a hysterical Gem and a empty crib.
He tried not to let the past ruin the present, and bent his head to kiss Lynn's crown before feeling her tense up and then easing away from her, hiding the pained expression that wanted to come from that one reaction. His gaze went to Gem's and from their bond and the look behind her eyes, he could tell his mate was feeling the same way. He wished he could magically fix the situation, wished that they could walk into a fairytale of a family, but fairytales were fiction and he'd rather have every real moment he could get with his family.
"Can I get you guys anything?" Jareth intercepted, feeling the tensed moment as he came up behind Lynn his hand going to the small of her back, providing her with some warmth and comfort as he watched as Lynn finally took the white pot of flowers. He scratched at her back lightly before rubbing the spot, sliding his hand around to hug her casually.
"My family is a little late," He added as a afterthought, "they should be here soon. It's a beautiful day today, if you want we can move over to the back and get some fresh air?"
Aiden moved closer to Gem, needing her closeness as his eyes zeroed in on Jareth's hand on Lynn's hip, unable not to notice how she leaned into him with obvious comfort when she had shied away from him. The anger, the possessiveness he felt for what belonged to him, tried to crawl up to his throat, like a roaring fire ready to come out and burn all in its path. He found Gem's back, his fingers sliding under her shirt and touching her skin, her coolness of skin eased his burning flesh, made him breathe deeply get his control further under wraps.
"Anything is fine, what do you think Gem? Some cold drinks too would be nice." With lots of ice, he thought, hoping the coldness would shock his system into being more submissive than overbearing.
"Sounds good. Make yourselves at home while we get that ready. Are you guy's hungry as well?" Jareth smiled warmly at the pair, he always thought this, that they too were tethering on the edge, desperate for their daughter, he knew he was in the way, that he was hogging Lynn, but even if he was bringing them pain Jareth couldn't bare to leave his mate's side. She was, and always would be, the main thing in his life, everything, everyone, would always come second.
|
|
|
Post by Thea on Oct 2, 2022 22:42:29 GMT -5
It wasn't their fault. Lynn knew this. It wasn't their fault that she had been spirited away. That they weren't able to raise her as they should have been able to. That she had been fed lies all her life about her parents, down to what they looked like. And it wasn't like they weren't actively trying to be in her life now. However, two decades of conditioning and imprisonment didn't just go away in a few short months. She knew that Gem and Aiden wanted their daughter back. But right now, she wasn't able to be that for them. Not when they didn't feel like her parents.
The realization hit her hard, knocking the breath from her lungs and causing her to tighten her hold on the white gardenias as if they would catch her from falling. If it hadn't been for Jareth swooping in with his gentle touch she probably would have spiraled into an attack. She definitely didn't want for that to happen today. It was embarrassing, to say the least. She didn't think that Gem and Aiden knew about her disorder. She hadn't told them about it, and she'd like to keep them oblivious to that fact. She didn't want for Ventia or Katie to walk in any second to find her having a meltdown either. Lynn was raised from a very early age that showing any sign of weakness got you treated differently. She knew better now, and Jareth has shown her that her worth was not dependent on her anxiety and how she controlled it. Even so, she found that her instincts ran deeper than her knowing, and it was difficult to reprogram things like this.
She stayed quiet, watching Aiden move to Gem in much the same way as Jareth moved to her side. Seeing them together like this eased her mind even further. Lynn took a much needed deep breath, as if her body suddenly remembered that it needed oxygen. She read somewhere that statistics revealed that couples tended to separate after the loss of children. She couldn't help but be glad that it wasn't like that with them. That despite the trauma they went through in losing her they stuck by each other. Hell they might have even gotten closer in the twenty years she had been gone.
What would it have been like had she been raised by them?
Gem's index finger found one of Aiden's belt loops as she pressed her hip against his thigh, feeling Lynn's eyes on her as she looked up at him reassuringly. She felt his jealousy, his possessiveness, through their bond. Her own emotions seemed to mirror his own, but if there was one thing her grandfather taught her was control. There was a time and place to let her feelings out. But now was not the time. And she held on so tightly to that control Anderson beat into her. Humming her agreement, she focused on Aiden's comforting heat at the small of her back as she looked back at their hosts. "Oh, no. We just ate. Pancakes and eggs for breakfast."
"We had pancakes ourselves, this morning! With sausage and hashbrowns." As an afterthought Lynn threw in, "I had to throw away the first batch of sausages because I burnt them. Jareth's usually the cook around here."
"I usually end up burning whatever I touch, so I get that," Gem replied with a chuckle. "It must be in the genes, because Jewel can't cook either."
Thankfully, Lynn laughed. Cool, sweet relief washed over her. Lynn didn't take offense, and she didn't mind being told about familial ties. Baby steps. Baby steps.
"We have soda, tea, juice, water?" Lynn offered, pulling away from Jareth to lead them into the kitchen. It was open to the living room, so keeping Lynn in her line of sight wasn't difficult.
"Water is fine," Gem replied, moving to sit down on the edge of the couch and pulling Aiden down with her.
"What about you, Aiden? Ice to the brim?" Lynn asked, washing her hands at the sink that was still full from dishes from breakfast. "I think last time we hung out you said you liked extra ice." That was something she had in common with her father. She usually ran hot and found that the ice helped ease her throat when she got worked up. A testament to her dragon heritage she was sure.
|
|
|
Post by Ventia on Oct 5, 2022 18:25:56 GMT -5
"I did. I do. Thank you Lynn." Aiden told his daughter as he took his seat, the furniture was larger than what was normal because of Jareth's size and it was yet again another comfort in Aiden's case too. The cushions sank letting Aiden's tensed muscles relax as Gem's warmth began to heat his side, her body naturally curving and leaning on him, he sighed letting out a long low breath letting his back sink onto the back of the sofa and turned to look at Gem as the younger couple moved into the kitchen. The soft sounds of tinkering and low murmurs filled the quiet but warm household.
He reached his hand up, brushing Gem's face tucking back some of her lovely hair out from her eyes. He still found her to be the prettiest girl in this world as the day he had first locked eyes with her at that shabby bar all those years ago. He smoothed his thumb over her cheek, cupping her face warmly the constant fire that burned all through him at having his mate so near was a gift only Gem could give him. She was the only thing that kept his dragon spirit alive, his fire that had almost died igniting alive the moment they've crossed paths.
"I love you." He whispered softly for her ears alone. Her love for him was a even greater gift, he could shed every part of himself but not Gem, never his Gem. He found her thigh with his other hand and gave it a comforting squeeze as his daughter's soft laugh could be heard behind them, another gift he wouldn't ever lose again.
Jareth leaned against the counter, his eyes drifting back at forth between Lynn and her parents who were looking as chummy as ever. He bent again, pressing his lips to Lynn's ear, letting his breath tickle her again. "I see it runs in the family, how irresistible you girls are. I should have known, both Nate and your Dad and me for that matter cant seem to get enough." He smiled slowly not at all minding his predicament and he knew it was probably the same for the others.
"Even now I'm trying hard not to finish what we started in the shower." He dipped his voice lower making sure her parents sure as hell didn't hear that. But lord was it true. He couldn't seem to get enough of his lovely lovely Lynn. He also wanted her to relax a little more and if he could take her mind off by getting a little embarrassed instead of worrying about her parents, then it was just the icing on the cake.
-
"So you've found her then." Ivy said softly, looking out from the passenger side window as her mother continued to haul ass. They were almost there now, by the end of this song they'd arrive. For a second, nothing was said as the song continued but her mother did slow down a little at that, now the trees passed her by gently letting her get a pretty view of Jareth's long drive.
"Ivan did yes." Ventia mirrored her daughter's soft voice, peeking out at her from her side view as Katie continued to look out the window. "She's been so close all this time, right under my nose and I still managed to not notice her." She hesitated wondering if she was going to make Katie feel some type of way with her words. Ventia's always worried that both Jareth and Katie would feel like Ventia loved the one that got away more than them. Scared of knowing the truth, she's never had the courage to ask them if they ever had such thoughts.
"That's okay. You didnt know better. Hell you didnt notice me when I was in full Ivy getup and you even shot me in the leg." Katie chuckled lightly, trying to make a joke of the matter and turned to face her mother. She watched shock then pain filtered through those grey silver eyes and found herself smiling geinuenly.
"I did?" Ventia blinked, easing into Jareth's yard parking next to one of the cars. She left the engine idling for a while and racked her head for such a moment. She's seen pictures of Katie's disguise now that Katie was back in her life again, usually the ones with Jaimie and had found it so cute how similar they looked with their red hair. Instantly her mind plucked the moment out of her catalog of a brain and Ventia groaned lightly, feeling ashamed instantly.
Katie chuckled again, louder this time, "It's okay I was a rogue at that time. Plus I healed just fine. It does make for one hell of a story and some pity leverage to use in the future. I'm just saying that none of it was your fault Mom. I really hope you believe that one day. Now come on, we're late." Then she popped open the door and headed out, fluffing over her long black hair over her shoulder.
Knowing she was meeting parents, Katie tried not to dress that bad, it was the sole reason they were late she had too many revealing clothes back at home. She really needed to call Thea for a shopping spree one of these days and soon. She opt for leggings her favorite combat boots and a crop shirt of her favorite band, the one the only Dark Paradise. Of course she had to represent her brother's band now that they were famous throughout the entire state. She was so proud of him, of his dream taking the world by storm, she couldn't wait to be on the stage of their next concert and see thousands of fans cheering for her brother and his bandmates.
Ventia came and hung a arm around her daughter's shoulders, bringing her close to her chest, "Thank you baby. I love you, you know that? I love you all so much."
"I know. I love you too." Katie wrapped a arm around her waist, feeling both a wave of sudden tears and happiness swelling her chest as they walked up the couple steps and her mother knocked on the door three times before trying the handle, she opened it slowly because she wasn't so keen on opening other's doors but they were expecting them and it seemed like Gem and Aiden were already in.
She saw them all and relaxed, holding up a hand to them, "Good morning guys, sorry we're late."
|
|
|
Post by Thea on Oct 7, 2022 14:47:54 GMT -5
Gem was a warrior through and through. She walked like a warrior. Spoke like one. Held herself like one. She was never meek or mild. But Aiden made her feel ... soft. When he was beside her, he dwarfed her with his large size. She made peace with it long ago, and even enjoyed the sensation of being protected and cared for. When she was with her mate, she felt like a woman, worthy of such attentions that Aiden bestowed upon her.
Being raised by her grandfather had been ... well, it definitely was a different experience than what others would have if they were raised by her grandparents. Anderson was set in his ways, which could very well be said by other people raising their grandchildren. But Anderson was immortal. And his ways were dated all the way back to the 9th century. He instilled those ways in both her and Thorn, from the sense of honor to the methods of fighting. Hell, even certain phrasings she's found herself using. She could very well be considered an old soul.
With Aiden, she wasn't any of that. She was just a woman in love with her mate. He's told her what a gift she was to him. Gem had to always tell him that he was a gift as well simply by loving and caring for her.
"I love you, too," she replied just as softly, cupping her hand over his as his thumb swiped familiarly against her cheek. She smiled softly, taking the comfort his near-scorching skin gave her. During cold nights, that heat was a blessing. Though even during the warmer seasons she found herself beside him - she guessed that her body was used to him so much that she became cold natured. In the back of her mind she wondered if that was going to happen to Jareth - Lynn's body seemed to be running at the same temperature as her father.
Lynn was pouring water from the filtered pitcher she retrieved from the fridge into the two glasses - one filled to the brim with chunky ice for Aiden - when Jareth's lips caressed her ear. An involuntary shiver skittered down her spine and goosebumps pebbled her skin. A small blush colored her cheeks a bright pink, pleased as punch and admittedly a little embarrassed at how her body was reacting. "Is that so?" she asked with a small smile, her body leaning toward Jareth like a magnet searching for its other half.
Then she laughed, the sound light and full of surprise because she didn't expect for Jareth to say that, especially when he told her earlier he didn't want to be incinerated by her father. It had Jareth's desired effect though; she wasn't worried about Aiden and Gem right now. She was more focused on her mate. "Oh yeah?" she murmured just as lowly, raising her brows suggestively. "Too late to cancel now. You're just gonna have to wait, buddy." She definitely fully intended to finish what they started later, after everyone left.
As if to reinforce her words, there was a knock at the door before it opened. Lynn's heart stuttered, knowing already who they were because they were expected. "Good morning, Ventia," she said loud enough for her mate's mother to hear. "Don't worry about it, we had a late start this morning too." Her hair was still damp from the shower, her already black hair darker in certain spots. "Come in."
|
|
|
Post by Ventia on Oct 20, 2022 20:49:27 GMT -5
Jareth chuckled darkly, lightly touching Lynn's hip as she turned around to greet his mother, his eyes were still on his mate's lovely face though as it was always hard for him to tear his gaze off of hers. Still, after seeing that sparkle returning to Lynn's bright eyes Jareth felt satisfied enough to give their guests his attention once more. Turning his face, he could see his sister and mother entering in the house, they looked chummy together the most he had seen in a very long time and it made that satisfied happy feeling spread throughout his entire body.
"Thank you Lynn," Ventia smiled at them all and closed the door behind her, unwrapping her arm from her daughter's shoulders and easing into the house as comfortable as ever. It wasn't the first time she's been here, she did after all recommend this house to her son and future daughter in law, and was quite happy to see how far its gone to becoming a home in the few months that Lynn and Jareth had lived here.
"Gem Aiden, nice to see you two again, I hope everything's been good." Ventia said as she came around to the couches, holding a hand when both of them were about to get up.
"It's okay, you don't have to get up. Let me introduce you to my daughter..." Ventia paused unsure what name her daughter was sticking to these days but fortunately the girl in question stepped forward and what she said made Ventia's heart swell up with pride and reassurance.
"Katie Black at your service." Katie waved friendly at them both her eyes taking them both in before going past their heads to where her brother and his mate still waited in the kitchen.
"It's nice to meet you Katie and it's good to see you again Ventia."
"Likewise." Ventia grinned before moving to Gem's side and sitting next to her patting her knee in a hello and turning to face her best friend's sister.
"How have you been Gem? Me and Jewel were just talking about you guys the other day, it's been awhile since we've all sat down we should do it again soon."
While the grownups began to chat a bit, Katie excused herself to enter the kitchen area not at all shy as she approached the famous Lynn.
"So you're the one that finally managed to get this boy's interest." She giggled, looking at her brother for a second before back to Lynn. "I thought he was gay with how little he interacted with girls, plus a boy band?" She tsked, grinning again, poking Jareth on his arm at his exaggerated grumble.
"Gay?" He scoffed, wrapping his arm around Lynn's waist, "Am not gay, just wasn't interested in anyone." He rolled his eyes at his little sister, turning to get Lynn's attention.
"I told you she was annoying, don't even listen to her."
"Oh? You said I was annoying? You want me to be annoying, okay, do you wanna hear all of Jareth's embarrassing stories Lynn?"
"Don't even Katie."
She giggled, wiggling her eyebrows at Lynn before coming forward and attaching her arms around Lynn's free arm, grinning at her new best friend if she had anything to say about it.
"Ohh I have so much dirt on him, I'll tell you all about it when he's not around and I got the pictures to prove it."
"Don't you dare, and leave her alone, you're too close." Jareth grumbled again, gripping Lynn and trying to pull her more into his body but Katie continued to cling on to Lynn's right arm. Sticking her tongue out at him as she did it before giggling once more and looking into Lynn's eyes.
"It's nice to finally meet you, thank you for choosing my idiotic brother and making him happy. I hope we can be good friends too, so don't be shy with me we're practically sisters already."
|
|
|
Post by Thea on Dec 13, 2022 22:55:23 GMT -5
Lynn was always worried about meeting new people. Katie had been no exception.
Her heart thudded in her chest louder than she liked, making her afraid that Katie could hear it with the supernatural sense of hearing most shifters had. Her jaw seemed to be wired shut with how tight she had it. Her lungs all but stopped working. When she noticed that Katie was making a beeline for them she had to look away and count to ten. If Jareth hadn't been there to anchor her she might have booked it.
But then Katie started speaking. And suddenly, she wasn't sure why she was afraid in the first place. Hell, she was pretty sure she was expecting a mini-Ventia, who was intimidating to be around if one didn't know her all that well. (Which, Lynn couldn't really say much of that, but if she could initiate contact with her mate's mother then she'd say she was doing pretty decent in that department.) The more Katie spoke, the less worried she became. She was breathing deeper, her heart was slowing its pace. Still, she couldn't seem to find her words. It didn't seem to bother Katie all that much, and soon Jareth joined in.
Seeing her mate like this was ... in a word, enlightening. Never had she seen him like this. While on the surface it looked like he was being a grumpy pants and she personally didn't have any siblings, she knew that he deeply loved and cared for his sister. It wasn't just how he was talking about this day since they made the plans, but how he was interacting with Katie now. Lynn couldn't help but laugh at the sibling banter.
What she wasn't expecting was Katie attaching herself to her. She stood still for a moment, unsure of what to make of it, and looked to Jareth questioningly. She was used to Jareth touching her so freely, but that was to be expected. This was definitely out of her comfort zone. When she realized that he wasn't going to be much help, with how he was tugging on her, she figured that Katie wasn't hurting her.
"It's nice to meet you too, Katie," she said with what she hoped was a genuine smile. "And if anything he makes me happy. I'd love to be friends."
*
Gem was genuinely surprised to hear that Jewel spoke about her. It wasn't like they didn't have a growing relationship of their own. Jewel had taken it pretty well that she had two extra siblings after the initial "I'm pretty sure I would remember if I was one-third of triplets, thanks". Not having grown up together, they were vastly different from each other. Gem was a hardened warrior for example, and Jewel was a prominent healer. They had so many varied interests between them it was difficult for them to bond over something. Even now, after finally finding common footing, she still had doubts Jewel liked her.
"It has been a while!" Gem responded, smiling genuinely. Warmth spread in her chest. "I'd love to catch up again, just have to find a date where all of us are free," she continued with a laugh. "I've been doing fine. What about you?"
|
|
|
Post by Ventia on Jan 26, 2023 13:48:25 GMT -5
"Aww you're too sweet," Katie told Lynn and meant it, she was really happy that her brother had found such a good girl. Even only being in their presence for five minutes she could already tell how perfect they were for each other and though she liked to tease, knowing Jareth and Lynn had found each other and were happy, made every worry she had for her older brother fly away. He was in a good place, with the person he belonged with. For that alone, Katie would love Lynn to death.
She let go of her arm, not wanting to be too overbearing and grinned at Lynn. "Perfect, if he ever annoys you, there's some great caves around that can hide a body and no one will ever know." She winked, then scoffed giggled before shaking her head. As if, though if Jareth did managed to make Lynn cry or something then Katie would definitely give her brother a good talking to.
"Do you need any help?"
"No we don't, go sit and stop trying to steal my girlfriend." But Jareth still had his grin on from hearing Lynn saying that he makes her happy.
"Don't be jealous." She teased but skipped away towards the couches since it seemed they didn't need any help.
Jareth sighed under his breath and glanced down at Lynn's face, "Come on," he chuckled and finished helping her with the glasses and once she was done he would start to pass out the drinks.
Ventia smiled back, both Gem and Jewel's smiles were always contagious to her and Ventia always felt at ease with both sisters. Maybe that was why she had warmed up to Gem so quickly, though they couldn't be any different there was still that same feeling to them that Ventia liked.
"Well everyone has been a little busy but I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later. And for the most part, everything has been good. I can't complain. I have my daughter home now and Jareth's happy with Lynn so I couldn't be any happier." Not to mention Ivan was back in her life as well, but Ventia had never mentioned him in the past and well it was still too confusing to mention him now as well.
"Some Pack issues but nothing I can't handle." Ventia sighed lightly, the main issue with the Pack these days was that she needed more members, needed more in Power as well, but there was only a handful that she trusted enough to make into Heads, becoming Alpha meant she needed to find someone to become Beta though who could do that? Ventia wasn't sure and she didn't like the idea of putting the wrong person in charge. She pushed aside her worries for now, so far at least she was doing a damn good job in handling everything.
"And you Aiden? How have you been?"
"I've been good, we're both just happy to have Lynn back in our lives. Everything else isn't important." He gave her a smile and rested his arm around Gem's back for his own comfort. The never-ending heat of having her in the room was another comfort he was happy about, but Gem already knew that.
|
|
|
Post by Thea on Feb 15, 2023 23:58:02 GMT -5
Lynn tuned into their parents' conversation right at the end. A bolt of guilt shot through her heart at Aiden's words, Gem's smile only reinforcing it. She tried not to let it show on her face, or even let it get to her because she knew that her separation from them wasn't her fault. Neither did she owe them any kind of daughterly behavior. Maybe the issue was that she had so wished that she had never been taken away from them. It would have prevented a lot of heartbreak and headaches.
Within her bond with Jareth she felt a wave of reassurance go through her. What's done was done, and there was no reason to cry over spilled milk. With a hopefully imperceptible sigh she handed the glasses she made for her parents to them. "Two waters, one with lots of ice."
"Thank you, sweet," Gem said, grabbing the glass from her daughter at the top so as not to weird her out with any touching. And when Aiden did the same and everyone was seated around the coffee table, Lynn nestled into Jareth's side with a small smile. Seeing them together, sitting like two little puzzle pieces, had Gem's heart melting. It was so easy to hate Jareth. But seeing Lynn happy now, and knowing that it was all because of Jareth, she couldn't. "So Jareth, how did you end up becoming part of a band?"
|
|
|
Post by Ventia on Feb 16, 2023 1:58:33 GMT -5
Jareth glanced at all the staring eyes and felt a little embarrassed at the question, if his band hadn't made it big that embarrassment would only grow yet he and his friends were pretty famous at this point, gigs were lined up for the next year and their songs were regularly played on the radio, it was hard to believe how far they've come in the last ten years.
Pride filled him, what started out as a hobby and a pipe dream had turned into his own reality, hard work, and a little faith went a long way. Jareth pulled Lynn into his side a little more, his arm resting comfortably around her while he scratched at his cheek in outwardly embarrassment.
"Well, I was home-schooled by Mom so I didn't meet Andy and the boys in the usual way, they were already high school friends and pretty much a band themselves before I came along. I was part-time working at this diner that had a karaoke night, and that's when I met the boys. I was already into music myself back then, using Mom's old guitar and the new ones she'd buy me later on. Became Andy's friend, but just in passing, and continued to watch them play until the day they needed a fill-in for a guitar solo."
"By then we're all really good friends, so I offered to get them out of a tough spot and as they say, it's been history since then. We all realized how much we liked the sound of all of us playing together, so then started the countless band practices and yeah I was pretty hooked on the dream of being a Rockstar. We all were. Honestly didn't think we'd get so big as we are now, it's really been one hell of a ride. I really got lucky." Jareth smiled at Lynn's parents, and then glanced at his mother who was doing her best to hide a smile and the fact that her eyes were beginning to look shiny.
He cleared his throat, "I can give you guys some tickets to our next concert if that's something you would like. Lynn has been a huge help these days, she works really hard to make each venue a success. We probably wouldn't be so big if it weren't for the girlfriends of the band, as we like to say." He chuckled as he told the little insider that went around the circles that knew them, for both Lynn and Amnesty were a big help in getting things done for the band and press.
"I did get surprised when I heard you on the radio the other day," Ventia began not bothering to hide her smile anymore. "You sounded amazing."
"Thanks, Mom." Jareth scratched at his neck again, happy that his mother had always supported him in his dream that society deemed as a risk.
"I definitely want tickets, and backstage passes. The whole VIP treatment." Kate pitched in from her spot in the armchair and winked when her brother rolled his eyes at her.
"I would like to come as well." Ventia said softly, she had been busy these days to sit in on one of Jareth's gigs especially since he's gotten more popularity.
"I can get tickets for everyone," Jareth chuckled lightly and reached for his own glass to swallow down some ice-cold water before setting it back on the table and looking down at Lynn.
"Well, enough about me. Can you tell me how the two of you met?" He said carefully after taking his eyes off Lynn to look across toward her parents, "And a little more about Lynn's heritage?"
|
|
|
Post by Thea on Feb 17, 2023 2:30:06 GMT -5
Gem has heard some songs from Jareth's band. Was it her favorite genre? No, but maybe that was because she was getting older by the day. Though occasionally she did get curious and look up the songs' writers, always blown away that they were written by the members of the band and not some outside source. Jareth said that it was luck that led them to their popularity. Though from the sound of it, there was a lot of hard work and dedication behind what Dark Paradise was today.
Lynn snorted once, amused. "Nah, I just make sure the sound people at the venues don't mess up." But Gem knew that Lynn did more to help her mate and his friends. She knew that her daughter was just that type of person. If Jareth said that the band wouldn't be where it was today without her and Amnesty's help, she believed it.
"Tickets sound great," Gem said, smiling. Though she felt a little caught off guard when Jareth asked how she and Aiden met. And about Lynn's heritage too. It took a few moments to gather her thoughts, as was evident in the "Well..." she received. Though by the look on Lynn's face, it was evident that she wanted to hear about it too.
"It was shortly after Thorn, Grandpa - Anderson - and I overthrew the then-reigning alpha of Dark Lupis. The pack was run by ..." she was having trouble finding the words to describe them without cursing, having no clue as to how her audience felt about it. "A bunch of males who thought they were superior to their women. Not even the Luna had any say. 'Seen, not heard' kind of thing. Anyway, we met at a bar just outside of the border. Thorn liked to sing and they had karaoke night so he and I went to have a little bit of fun."
What she didn't reveal was that it had been the first night that she was physically able to get out of bed and not hurt every time she walked. Her scars were gone since that day, but the memories sometimes liked to freshen themselves. It was something that was best left unsaid. "Aiden was sitting at the counter. And it was like something pulled me to him. Which," she continued on a laugh, "sounds so cliche, because isn't that how everyone feels about their mates? But it had me being bold enough to make the first move." Then with a playful roll of her eyes - "Although he swears up and down that he was the one to do it."
There was a brief look at Aiden in which she asked him silently if he wanted to tell his side of things. After all, he was the alien here. But with a slight shake of his head her mate let her go first. "As for heritage, it's not like we can do the fancy D-N-A tests without red-flagging it to the humans that don't know about shifters. But Anderson says we're descended from Vikings. He's a history buff when it comes to that. He also says that our grandmother, Colette, was part-witch, part-shifter. She communed with gods and spirits, telekinesis. Worked out of a grimoire on occasion. Honestly I didn't believe him until Jewel confirmed it. Not about Colette," she said as an afterthought. "But about how we were descended from magic users. She even had the grimoire that side of the family used to work out of before she gave it back to ... oh what were their names ... Felicity! And Sarah."
Gem waved her hand in the air dismissively, snorting in much the same way Lynn had a little bit ago. "Felicity is Irish, as are the rest of the witches. The split happened when our direct ancestress Aideen fell in love with a French Alchemist named Acel. They had three kids: Bael, Cerise, and Simon. Bael fell in love with a werewolf, they had kids, and Colette was the only one to survive. Which then led to Colette falling in love with Anderson. Then came to my mother and her siblings. Then led to me, Jewel, Thorn, and Little Thorn."
"Little Thorn?" Lynn asked.
"Jewel and I assume he was named after Thorn. We aren't sure why. The only two people that could give an answer for that would be Shade, our half-brother on our father's side. But I've never met him and Jewel says she hadn't seen him since she and the woman Lupita had a falling out. Her sister, right?" she asked Ventia. "She said she used to be Beta of the New Dawn under Angus."
|
|