Nemia and Julia has returned to Julia's room. Giving her time to sort through the bag of clothes that were hers, slipping into a powdered blue cotton dress. One that cinched at the waist, then dropped in stitched, loose layers to just below her knees.
All the while, Nemia flipped through the first few pages in her mom's pregnancy journal. After the initial page, the first few following was her rambling of how she'd break the news to Nemia's dad. As well as her brothers.
Going over several elloborate ideas for each one. Asking questions on the paper like Nemia was going to respond to them from the womb.
A frown creased her lips and pinched her brows. What she would've given to be able to answer even one of her mother's questions. Then would've been impossible either way, but now... God's.... Why does this have to be my fate?
The thought echoed in her mind and simultaneously she felt pulls from three separate locations that offered a form of comfort.
Adira growling softly, nudging her mind. Dorian seemed to wrap himself around her soul. Offering comfort in presence alone without the need for words. But now, the marked warmed on her chest and her blood heated within. Solis charting through her with a weighted silence.
It was weird, being able to feel him now. Just realizing his presence for the first time since the vision he pulled her into. It was comforting, warm. Powerful, to be understated. But also weird by all comparison.
Solis was a foreign entity to Nemia and she wasn't quite sure how she felt about feeling his presence stretch through her. Almost as if he was stepping into her body, literally. Focusing hard enough inside herself, she thought she could even feel a second pulse within.
So this vessel thing is literal, it seems. Nemia's nose and lips curled in mild annoyance at the thought and the mark pulsed as if saying yes.
"What's that face for?" Julia pulled Nemia from her internal dilemmas. Her eyes flicking up to her and shut the book at the same time. Met with a raised brows and curiosity etched on Julia's face.
Nemia's lips pursed softly. "What face?"
Julia rolled her eyes. "The silent snarled look you had, what for?"
Nemia's lips disappeared into each other and her chin dimpled from the pressure as she shrugged haphazardly. "Didn't realize I was doing a face."
Julia shook her head. "Was it something in the book?"
Nemia glanced at the book clutched in her hand and then shook her head. "No, just realizing I can actually feel Solis inside my body now and I'm not sure how I feel about that."
"Oh.. ho-" Julia started to question.
"Weird, it feels weird. Warm, comforting, light etc., but also really damn weird. Like something foreign has taken residence in my veins." Nemia kicked her leg up and wiggled her barefooted toes. "I can feel his power coursing in my toes... That's unnatural and... Well, fucking weird.." Her lips turned down into a small pout and her leg dropped back down with a light smack on the stone flooring.
Julia bit back a laugh but Nemia could still see the twinkle of humor shining in Julia's eyes. "Oh? Okay. Well, surely you'll get used to it?" She cheekily smiled with her low-balled comfort.
Nemia's eyes dropped to slits, sarcastically glaring at her before letting her face relax. Shrugging a bit as she stood from the chair she has perched herself in while Julia got changed. "Who knows, but I sure hope so. And sooner rather than later would be the preferred timeframe." Nemia let out a small laugh.
"I'm sure it'll happen before you know it." Julia offered, having walked close enough to pat Nemia gently on her back. A warm smile brightening the air between them.
"Ready to head back to the rest?" Nemia asked about the time her stomach growled softly. She glanced down. "Well, maybe the kitchens. Surely they aren't serving breakfast anymore in the dining hall."
'I can make them whip something up for you.' Dorian pressed in her mind softly but as Julia's eyes lit up, Nemia smacked his offer away.
"That sounds like a plan, the kitchens here are so much larger than the apartments was." Julia's smile was infectious, Nemia's lips mocking hers.
"Show me the way then." Nemia motioned for her to lead, keeping the book tucked against her chest with her left arm.
Julia beamed and turned to prance out of her bedroom. Turning back just to make sure Nemia has followed along. Satisfied, she continued her prance down the hall.
Nemia could feel Dorian pressing into her mind. Not trying to encroach or overbear. He really was putting in an effort to control the strength in his feelings but Nemia could still feel twinges of the masked feelings.
'You know you and everyone else can join us in the kitchens. Julia would be more than happy to cook for you all as well. If you all haven't eaten yet in the first place.' Nemia shot the thought into Dorian's mind, letting herself fall into the warmth of his own mind completely.
She could feel Dorian perk up and she knew he was already discussing it amongst the others. A few moments later, his voice was rumbling in the recesses of her mind.
'Ajax is more interested in the library at the moment. Nik and Milli are going to take him up there. Lillian and I are both famished however and little Theo wants to see the pretty fairy and his Aunt Nemia.' His chuckle echoed in her mind and she was filled with the pride he felt about his two youngest nephews. As well as the happiness he exuded from just simply getting to meet them finally.
Nemia smiled and nuzzled her mind deeper into his. Wrapping herself in his as if it were a blanket during a horrendous winter storm. Everything may be happening fast, but she couldn't regret less in this moment.
'The hope is I can make you regret nothing.' Dorian responded to her thought. Nuzzling back against her mind.
She sighed mentally. 'The only thing I regret right now is no longer having private thoughts.' She mused, half way joking.
Dorian's chuckled vibrated the cavities of her mind. 'Give it time. The bond links us eternally but after the first few days the initial strength loses potency as we learn to control it.'
Nemia frowned. 'I thought this is how it would just be, permanently.' Slightly depressed at the thought of not being able to feel Dorian like this at some point.
Dorian chuckled again, softer this time. 'It'll be like a switch, one that can be turned on and off at our leisure once control is established.' She could almost feel his hand brushing across her cheek softly as he thought vividly of doing so. 'You can keep the link open for as long as you like.'
Nemia's mind leaned into his, the smile on her lips blanketing her expression as Julia turned to introduce her into the kitchen.
"And here it i-...s... What's got you so dreamy eyed and smiley?" Julia started her introduction, waving her hand into the now opened double doors leading into the kitchen. Dropping her hand and smiling softly at Nemia's expression.
Nemia blinked and cleared her throat the blush already creeping into her face. "Dorian, Lillian and Theo is going to be going us, that alright with you?"
Julia beamed once again. "Of course! You know I love feeding peo-" Julia's face contorted into a frown as she paused mid sentence.
Nemia's brows furrowed. "You okay, Jules?"
"The bakery... I was supposed to go to a meeting with the real estate agent on the spot in purchasing yesterday and I completely forgot!" Julia's frown deepened and her shoulders sagged in defeat.
"Oh no!" Nemia frowned momentarily. "Can't you call and try to get it rescheduled?"
Julia threw her arms out to the side. "With everything going on? I don't think it's wise to continue right now... Maybe in another few years." She sighed lowly, casting her gaze down in disappointment. Though Nemia could tell the look was meant for herself.
Lillian and Dorian walked up then, little Theo swinging in the air. Suspended by Lillian and Dorian's hands holding each of his hands.
Nemia flashed a quick smile but returned her focus back on Julia. "No Julia, you should not give it up." Glancing over she pointed at Dorian. "Cover his ears." The minute Theo's ears were covered, her eyes flew back to Julia's. "I give zero fucks about Kyth or Malcolm. You've wanted this damned bakery since I met you, come hell or high water you're getting the damned bakery."
"But Nemia..." Julia started but Nemia raised a hand and shook her head.
"Feet are firm in the ground on this one. After you cook and eat, get on the phone and call the damn real estate agent before the property is bought by someone else. Okay?" Nemia pressed, left arm still tucking the book securely to her chest while her right hand was placed haughtily on her hip.
Julia's lips twitched and she nodded slowly at first before the enthusiasm returned. Her eyes brightening again. "Okay, okay. I will. Let's get in here then." She urged the others to come on inside the kitchen then.
Dorian dropped his hands from Theo's ears who cheekily grinned. "You said a bad word, Aunt Nemia." He giggled.
Nemia's lips parted slightly and her eyes flew to Lillians empathetically who was struggling to control herself from laughing.
"He's learned to read lips really well." Lillian explained, letting the laugh slip on our then.
Nemia closed her eyes and laughed softly. "Of course he has." She popped her eyes back open, resting them on little Theo. "You sure are one smart kid."
He cheekily grinned again. "I know."