Triton's Oath - His Hybrid Princess

27 - Family Gathering

Ava

Triton and I walk into the receiving room, hand in hand. My heart is fluttering like a trapped butterfly. I love my family, but most of them have never heard of keeping their thoughts to themselves.

I am a little worried about Aurora and Levi being here. They aren’t Triton’s biggest fans after what he tried to do. But I do hope they won’t cause a scene; I don’t think I could handle it. I’m not expecting anyone to bend the knee, but just one person says anything against my mate, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to hold my tongue!

Enough is enough. I cannot continue to allow people to disrespect Triton. It’s not on! My mate would never allow anyone to disrespect me the way my family has disrespected him. They wouldn’t allow it toward their mates either. I feel terrible because my own family treats my mate like crap, and I won’t stand for it any longer!

The room’s soft cream walls whisper elegance and warmth. The air is suffused with the scent of gardenias and vanilla, a nod to Triton’s family’s preference for a welcoming ambiance. Poseidon and Amphitrite have been wonderful in organizing everything for my and Triton’s wedding. They’re so good to me, and I love them.

The room is a flurry of activity, a sea of faces I haven’t seen in too long. My aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, siblings, parents, Lycan, and Dragon form a vibrant tableau of laughter and warm embraces. The clack of heels on the marble floor, the rustle of fabric, and the distant clinking of glasses can be heard all around. It’s a cacophony of sound, a symphony of familial love.

My eyes scan the room, trying to take in every detail, every person I have missed. My mother’s side of the family has a way of filling spaces, leaving no corner untouched by their boisterous presence. But the Goddess knows I love them.

“Ava!” I laugh and pull away from my mate, running into my mother’s arms. “It’s so good to see you, baby girl.”

“I’ve only been gone a few days.” I chuckle. “Grandad!” I kiss my mother’s cheek and run into Ricon’s arms.

“Hello, my princess. You look well, darling.”

I giggle while pulling away from him. “I am. Triton is so good to me. In fact, everyone is.”

“He better be,” Grandpa Leviathan grumbles from beside Ricon.

“Father,” My great-grandfather, Dragon King Xale, sighs. “You promised.”

I smile at my dad as he strokes the back of my hair and kisses my head.

I look at Leviathan. “I know what you think of my mate, what everyone thinks, but I need you to keep your opinions to yourself. This really isn’t fair to Triton. Whatever he did in the past, you need to leave it there. I love him, and nothing anyone says will change that. All you’re doing is pushing me away, which I’m trying not to let happen because I know you’ll all blame my mate for that, too.”

I sigh in frustration while scrubbing my hands over my face.

“She’s right,” Esme wraps her arm around my shoulder. “It’s time everyone backed off. I saw a whole new side to Triton today.”

The whole family gathers around to listen to Esme recount what happened earlier today. Everyone listens, and I even see my mother smile in awe. I can’t keep the smile off my face, as everyone agrees that Triton’s handling of things was impressive.

Speaking of Triton, I haven’t seen him in a few minutes. I look around the room for my mate, but I don’t see him anywhere. Hmmm. He’ll be around somewhere. Triton is probably mingling, which is weird when he said no one would want to talk to him. But I’m glad he’s trying. He’ll find me when he’s done, and if not, I’ll go looking for him.

I spend time with my siblings and cousins, laughing like old times. It’s so nice just to be with them all again. Ivy and Azrael are full of smiles, and seeing them with their babies makes me so happy. They forgave Triton years ago and don’t pass judgment on us. Not like most others, anyway.

Aurora takes my hand and smiles. “How are you doing, sweetie?”

“I’m good. How are you, Levi, and the kids?”

“We’re good, Ava. Levi was worried about coming here, but I made him see it would be shitty not to come.”

I sigh. “Levi still hates Triton, doesn’t he?”

“Levi doesn’t hate Triton; he hates what your mate almost did. But to be honest, Ava, we both got over that years ago. Levi just doesn’t know how to approach Triton.”

“Levi doesn’t have to be friends with my mate, Aurora. But being friendly costs nothing. You’re my cousin, and Levi is my great uncle. I miss you both.”

Aurora smiles while rubbing my arm.

“Miss you, too, Midge.”

I turn and smile at Levi. “Still calling me that?”

“Of course!” Levi laughs and opens his arms. I smile and let him hug me. I don’t hold grudges against family, especially when I can see they want to be better. “I’m sorry I’ve made you worry, Ava. That’s the last thing I ever wanted.”

I pull away and look up at Levi. I have to look up at him because he’s so damn tall!

“I know that, Levi. I don’t expect you to forget the past. But Triton isn’t that man anymore, Levi. He’s so different, and he treats me like a Queen. He also regrets the past, Levi. My mate doesn’t want the animosity any longer. We’re getting married, and I want everyone to treat Triton the way I have always treated everyone else’s mates. Is that too much to ask?”

Levi shakes his head. “No, sweetheart, that is not too much to ask. You have every right to want Triton to be treated respectfully. I promise that I will do just that. You’re right; the past is gone, never to return. We must focus on the future now, and you deserve to be happy with the one you love.”

My smile is wide as I hug Levi hard. What he said means the world to me, and I couldn’t have asked for more.

My gaze falls on a group by the fireplace, where Triton is standing. Hel, her poise as icy as the Realm she governs, leans in, whispering something into his ear. I wonder what she’s saying.

Next to Hel, her brothers Fenrir and Narfi chuckle, their eyes glinting with mischief. Aether, Nafir, and my cousin Cree’s mate, listen intently, his usual brooding expression replaced with curiosity.

Triton nods, his smile growing, and again, I wonder what Hel is telling my mate. I never imagined she could say anything to make my mate laugh.

Making my way through the crowd, I feel a hand on her shoulder. I narrow my eyes.

What the fuc.k is he doing here?

“Loki?”

He smiles, his grin as wide as the Cheshire Cat’s, his eyes sparkling with that infamous glint of mischief. “Ava, how wonderful to see you and your... companion. Tell me, how does it feel to bring a sea God into our midst?” His words are light, but there’s a hint of challenge in his tone, a reminder that Triton is the first of his kind to marry into my family.

But Loki isn’t part of my family!

I look around me to see if anyone else has noticed Loki here today. But no one is watching me, and it seems no one has noticed Loki either.

What is going on?

Because I know no one would have invited this man here today.

And another thing, how is he here with so many Gods present?

How have none of them noticed him?

Are they all blind or just stupid?

“What are you doing here? Who invited you?”

Loki laughs. “I’m not really here, Ava. This is all inside your head.”

Typical.

“Of course it is. What do you want?”

“Just a little warning,”

I roll my eyes. “Why would you warn me about anything? Isn’t your forte to cause misery?”

He laughs loudly, yet no one notices a thing, which means he really is inside my head.

“True. Family gatherings can be as treacherous as the stormiest sea. Keep your wits about you, little girl.” He winks and disappears in front of me.

Well, that was spectacularly helpful.

Not!

I’ve learned a lot in my life, including to never ignore a warning, no matter how cryptic it is or from who. Loki could be playing games, and he more than likely is, but I need to speak to Triton before the night is out. There’s no way I will keep what Loki said from my mate.

I swear if that bastard does anything to spoil my wedding, I’ll kill him!

I blink as someone screams, followed by more screams. I feel a little disorientated. I turn around to see Aurora, Ivy, Alivia, Alice, Sophie, and Katy standing with mouths open, water dripping down from their now-wet hair to the floor. It seems someone dumped water on their heads.

“Who did this?!” Katy screams.

There’s a lot of mumbling going on, and as I turn my head, I smile. Well, well, I didn’t see that coming.