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It's only Leah's thoughts that pull me up short. I turn to face her, bringing my hands up to cup her face.
"Hey, hey. Don't let your mind take you there, Leah."
"I made you miss his ceremony because I asked you to stay three more days. I missed my sister's bonding ceremony. This is all because I wound up at the mental institution. The trouble for your village, that people might not accept us, even—"
I bring my lips to hers, silencing the untrue words, ending the blame she’s placing on herself. I won't have it.
"I would not change a thing, Leah," I say against her lips. "How we came together. Well, I wish I could have changed that...I wish I had been there sooner for you, but nothing else. Nothing. You are here with me and that's all that matters. I am taking you home, to your sisters and your new family. We are at their bonding ceremony. We didn't miss it. I will be your side unless you tell me it's okay to leave it. Do you understand?"
She closes her eyes, nodding. "Thank you."
I smile. "Anytime. You ready?"
"As ready as I've ever be."
I link our hands again and we continue walking. Right as the lights from the market begin to come into sight, much brighter than the ones above us in the tunnel, I see her look down at the dress she's wearing. Before she can even question if it's nice enough for a bonding ceremony celebration or to see her sisters again, I pull her close.
"You look beautiful," I say low. She smiles and I continue. "Now kiss me before my mother sweeps you away from me."
She quietly laughs, then her lips are coming to mine, a gentle caress before she murmurs. "I love you, Kayo."
"I love you, Leah. Nothing will or could ever change that."
She walks slightly behind me, her hands on my sides as we enter into the market area. Eyes are instantly on us. Some are happy to see me, clearly knowing who Leah is and smiling at her. Some simply stare, expressions unreadable. Others give me stern looks, but are wise enough not to look at my mate the same. I would kill a male for far less than looking at her wrong.
Her anxiety rockets high, although she tries to distract herself by taking everything in. She holds my sides tighter and I reach my hands back to link them with hers. I can tell the moment that she sees her sister though, her mind filling with the vision before her, her hands tightening to the point of pain in mine. A relief so immense and deep that it almost makes her cry rushes through her.
Keri.
Then we're right behind them, Linc reaching for Keri's hand. In this moment, I realize I have no idea what to say or do. I'd been so focused on preparing Leah for this moment, that I didn't prepare for it myself. How do I announce that I'm home, with my mate beside me, after all that I'm sure they will have heard, seen? Especially on such a joyous occasion, with all the questions my presence will bring?
"Room for two more?" I ask, bringing Leah beside me now, still holding her hand.
Linc turns around slowly, but Keri is quick to look around his body, only passing me a glance before her eyes fly to Leah. A cry leaves her as Leah gives her a nervous smile and a small wave. Keri goes towards Leah, but my attention is on Linc, and his arms enveloping me. I don't let go of Leah's hand, so I wrap one arm around him at the same time that Linc begins moving. I hear Leah reassuring Keri that she's okay, then a warmth fills her as Keri hugs her. She never thought she would feel those arms around her again. Or the other pair of arms that hugs her, Grace's now.
"I was okay. I am okay," I hear Leah say as Linc releases me. I look over at her to find her eyes on me as she continues, "Kayo made sure I was okay."
Keri looks at me, a protective glint in her eyes. I didn't exactly prepare myself for meeting her other sister either. Grace already knows I'm a good male, Keri's not so convinced yet. I can't say I really blame her, given the circumstances and what none of them know about those circumstances. I swallow nervously as she continues to level me with her stare. Her eyes move down though when I wrap my arm around Leah's waist. She watches us, the way Leah leans into me and looks up at me with that soft smile that's just for me.
"So, you're my sister's mate," she says.
"I am." I nod.
She smiles at me then. "I was told you're the least serious of the bunch, but I don't know, you look pretty stoic to me."
I release a pent-up breath at her joke, and my shoulders slump with relief. "A hug then?"
She nods. "A hug."
Still only using one arm because I refuse to let my mate go, I hug her. Then, Grace hugs me before setting me back to murmur. "I am going to strangle you, Kayo."
"Not if I beat him to it," Olex threatens, but it's with a smile before he hugs Leah. "I'm Olex."
"Grace's mate." Leah nods, then looks at Linc. "And you're Keri's mate."
Linc hugs her then. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself first. And yes, we surely have room for two more. You can join us at—"
His words cut off and Leah's hand is ripped from mine as my mother practically drags Leah into her arms.
