"The rubies accepted you," Jepatie said, as we watched Deloria cry and hug Justice for the hundredth time. "I can feel their power on you now. You've been chosen as a royal."
I shrugged. "I promised them everything to save Justice. If that means I will one day rule here with her, then I will work that out with my family. We can try and fit it all in. I'm not worried as long as I'm wherever Justice is."
Jepati's hand landed on my arm, a warm and comforting gesture. "You won't have to worry about it for a long time. We’re happy to continue ruling for many years, and when the time comes, I'm confident that you two will lead our people to even greater success and happiness."
I nodded, and he lifted his hand. One day I hoped Justice's parents would come to respect me as their daughter's mate, and even if that didn't happen we would still tolerate each other because we all loved Justice.
"Please tell me you're staying here now. At least let me have you for a short time," Deloria begged, sobbing between words. "You took a hundred years off my life."
Justice just wrapped her arms tighter around her mother, turning eyes that were brimming with gut-wrenching emotions on me. She wasn't sure how to deal with this outpouring of grief and love, but at the same time she loved it.
I felt her happiness through our bond.
I adore you, she said with a laugh. But stop psychoanalyzing me. It's not your job to keep me at all times in peak mental health … my mind has a normal ebb and wane of emotions.
Raising my eyebrow, I just crossed my arms. It was my job to ensure her eternal happiness, however unachievable she thought that goal was.
"Mom," Justice said, pulling away to see her mother's face. "I promise I'll be back for an extended visit soon, but we have to return to Earth first. Jacob's family hasn't seen us for weeks in their time and are no doubt wondering if we're both dead."
I hadn’t been able to reach any of them through the new bond, and I knew they’d be beside themselves with worry.
"Grace was here," her mother said, “but I didn’t have any information to give her. So, you’re probably right. They’ll be beside themselves with worry.” Her fight disappeared, as she nodded at Justice needing to leave.
My surprise must have showed, because Deloria shot me a lopsided smile. "I'm not the tyrant you have come to expect. Normally I'm pretty free spirited and as far from a clingy parent as one could be. It's just…"
"I understand," I said when she didn't continue. "You've sacrificed and suffered. You deserve these moments with your daughter, and I don't intend to stand in your way. I'm hoping we learn to work together. For Justice."
Deloria nodded, and what did you know, we might have just had a moment.
"I'll be back soon, Mom," Justice said, hugging her one last time before moving to hug her father. Jepati held her for a long time, squeezing her tightly. "I love you, child," he murmured. "Communicate through the gems. You've felt their connection across the ley lines. You can use them to find us."
Justice's smile was brilliant when she stepped away. "I will always find you."
That was the right thing to say to them. They looked relieved and at peace. Justice and I waved goodbye, before turning to make our way back to the center of the lands.
"What's our plan?" she asked as we walked through the town. She looked around like she was seeing the ruby city for the first time, and as fey appeared in the windows and doorways she waved at them. Most cheered when they saw their princess.
"Hopefully Tyson or Louis have made some grounds on that spell to slow the time difference,” I said. “If we can close the gap at all, then moving between them will be much easier."
She stopped waving, turning all of her attention on me. "Do you think something like that might really be a possibility? Ty has been working on it for a while.”
“I don’t know. But if anyone can figure it out, it’s him.”
Her face was thoughtful. “Either way, as long as I can communicate with my parents easily, we’ll make the rest work. My home, at the moment, is in Stratford, so that’s where we’ll be based."