A/N: YES! Finally after more than a month, I have the next chapter out. Though, in my defense, I bumped out two chapters last month! I hope you all like this chapter, as I've stated previously, the chapters are going to start getting significantly longer, to make sure I keep the story under thirty-one chapters. I don't like stuff that goes on and on.

Dedications: I actually would like to dedicate this to Banshee's Tears, Muse of Scrolls, and Carmel March who've been giving me quite a bit of support. Thank you ladies! I hope you enjoy this. :)

Chapter Twenty-Six – It’s about Family

How the situation escalated from finding nourishment for an infant to Doc leaving Adara’s home, was not clear to Adara. She suspected it was more her sister’s doing than it was her own because she could not honestly say that control of the situation was taken by her own hands. No, control of the argument had been in Amira’s hands as quickly as it left Adara’s. It was so strange, this alliance between Amira and herself, Adara thought. As far back as she could remember, they hardly ever got along after they were ten years old.

Or was it more like seventeen years of age? Adara couldn’t remember clearly. All she could recall is being at ends with her twin sister for far longer than she would care to admit. Though similar in appearance, they did not handle problems identically. Amira spent most of her time complaining for change. Adara on the other hand, spent most of her time trying to dominate the situation so that the result would be in her favor.

Unfortunately, Amira’s whining nature had made her powerful within their family. Amira adapted to their father’s distant nature by pouting and manipulating their mother’s favor. Adara could not recall one moment in their youth where Amira was not given exactly what it was she wanted, one way or another. Amira had at one point exercised so much influence over their mother that at one point that she very much controlled the most basic of Adara’s privileges. It grew to the point where Adara was not allowed to pick her own gowns, or her own books, unless Amira influenced her mother enough to allow Adara her choice.

This influence and total lack of regard for her sister, led Amira into a rift with her twin sister unequalled in the family. Adara had often resented how easily her parents had allowed Amira to control them, but most of the time never voiced such resentment. It could be said that Adara had sealed her own fate as a young girl, by not voicing her opinions. The reality was that no matter how much she would have protested, her mother would never relent to being manipulated by one of her children. It was simply a case of pride.

Until just recently, Amira and Adara spent as little time in each other’s company as possible. Their relationship never really recovered from Amira’s past flights of fancy. Adara’s take on dealing with their father’s absence had been a little less trying on her brothers and sisters. She achieved getting her father’s attention by exceeding at everything she set out to do. From fighting to reading, everything was for her father’s benefit.

She over compensated to acquire his notice, giving little thought to the price for such high praise and attention. Ultimately, she gave up her right to have a private life without her father’s daily influence and control. It was not so much his overbearing and all consuming attitude, but control over the outcome of her life’s achievements.

As Adara looked on at the empty space where her father had only moments earlier stood, she realized her mistake with having given her father so much free reign over her personal affairs. The entire ordeal had served as a wake up call for her. Adara felt as if she was finally stirred awake from studying someone else’s life flashing before her. Self doubt riddled her mind as she thought, Have I been living in this dream, my entire life? Did everyone else know? God, I don’t want to be the fool again….

Adara’s head dropped a fraction as she began to think about how she would break it to her father that it was indeed her fault for having allowed him so much freedom with her decisions. After so many years of compliance, at least toward her father, she would herself unsure on how to proceed. It was not as if she had never had issues with Doc, it was simply that they never incorporated her love life.

The men in the room with her were oblivious to her internal struggle. They themselves were still trying to make heads or tails of the conflict between Adara, Doc, Caleb and Amira. Yuri and the others weren’t paying heeding Adara at all, as their own minds were encompassed with their own troubles. The only man, who watched Adara with the scrutiny of a hawk, was Caleb. Caleb had not missed the faint trace of uncertainty crossing Adara’s mind before her mind turned toward thoughts of Amira. He ached to hold her and comfort her, but he could not, because he was certain she would take offense. So, he watched on, waiting for the opportunity to talk with her and tell her how much she meant to him.

Amira looked to the men in the room and smiled politely, trying to bring some resemblance of order, “I apologize for the outburst gentlemen….” Amira began softly, but was quickly interrupted by Adara.

“Oh, don’t apologize just yet. We’re not done with this little dilemma,” Adara said as good naturedly as she could, considering she’d just been banned from returning to her family’s home. She was trying desperately to regain her composure, but calm and collected were slow in coming.

“Do you always interrupt people?” Amira groused as she passed the baby over to Pasha, who was already reaching for the sleeping infant.

“No, just on special occasions and on family, you know, to make you all feel special,” Adara sneer as she began to walk out of the sitting room. Normally, she would have apologized to whomever she interrupted, but Amira despite her well placed verbal slap earlier, didn’t deserve much sympathy. At least, that was Adara’s take on the matter.

“Where are you going?” Caleb asked gently as she walked past her.

“Someplace where I’m less likely to hurt you…” Adara called over her shoulder coolly. The smooth delivery of the comment had caused Caleb’s brows to shoot up almost to his hair line.

There was a deafening silence in the room before Caleb asked her what she was talking about. All the men in the room stiffened again, as if to brace themselves for was surely an argument between their Emperor and his Lady.

“Oh, you know I wouldn’t want to burden you; after all, it’s not my business, this life of mine. I am quite sure you will be ready and willing to decide what is good for me all on your own,” Adara snapped back as she twirled to face Caleb once more.

“Do not play these games with me, Adara. I find that I am no humor to deal with your moods,” Caleb’s tone was deceptively composed. His good intentions flew out the window as his temper stirred. Adara can infuriate a saint, Caleb mused as he looked to his wife.

In reality he really didn’t know how to handle her rollercoaster emotions. He was still not accustomed to women questioning his intentions, or his motivations. Caleb was very well aware that arguing with Adara had to be nailed down into an art, lest he misstep and cause her to fling him away.

“My, moods, you say?” She asked through gritted teeth. “My, MOODS…,”she repeated before continuing in a tone that would normally be considered gentle, were it not for the feral look in her eyes, “…I see. When they’re in your favor, it’s one of my charming traits. When I’m starting to get on your nerves, they’re my…moods. I can see how my tempestuous behavior can prove to be too much for your very organized life…”

Adara took a step toward Caleb as she continued to speak as quietly as she could manage, “Do not for one moment think to control me. I will be damned if I will ever let another man dictate what I will and will not be made privy to when it regards my life. Try that little stunt again Caleb, and I will be happy to kill you for it.” Adara began to walk out of the room when Caleb took her arm, holding her back.

Caleb raised a brow as he now regarded with a bewildered expression. As if she’d just declared she was having wolf cubs. Caleb took in a breath and as calmly as he could say, “You do remember you are my bride, do you not? I will control aspects of your life Adara. It is how it is.”

“…you know when you go out to dig your own grave, you don’t fuck around, I’ll give you that, and after all you’ve done tonight-“Adara growled.

“You lay this debacle at my door?” Caleb asked incredulously.

“You said I should stay out of it! As if we were talking about him eating your fucking lunch! It is my life Caleb, regardless of whether or not you are involved in it, which by the way, is up to me. This little issue was not over some fucking article of clothing you borrowed without his permission!” Adara exclaimed as she turned to face him completely.

“You are preaching to the wrong crowd, my dear. I was not the one treating you as if you were naught but a part of my precious collection!” Caleb countered vehemently.

Yuri was now enjoying himself again; at least he was starting to, until he noticed Samuel regarding him with a hostile glare. It wasn’t often he ever witnessed Samuel in a mood, but Yuri noted that Samuel was definitely not impressed at the moment. Yuri figured he would have to say something to make the Emperor and Empress remember where they were, and whom they were treating to their little spat.

“Do you two mind, Your Highnesses? We have a bigger issue on our hands than this little lover’s quarrel. My children must be relocated, as this…mansion will not suffice,” Yuri declared imperially, ready for Caleb’s heated retort.

Caleb opened his mouth to growl out a response when Adara sighed out, “You’re right. I apologize…well, Dad did leave…”

“…and we still do not have the bloody formula…,” Amira said exasperatedly. She’d stayed silent as Adara began giving Caleb hell for having treated her like chattel. Though, Amira did agree that Caleb’s behavior was far more seemly than that of her father’s. It did not matter though, her opinion was strictly that. Amira had learned a great many years ago, one simply did not get involved in marital affairs.

Adara smirked as she cast her sister I sidelong glace and said, “You know what? Fuck it, I know who I can ask, gimme your phone Amira….” Adara had extended her arm toward her sister expectantly at this.

Amira’s face contorted into one of disgust and insulted sensibilities. She wove a hand toward Adara and said, “I do not carry one remember? Sorceress here…I do not need such things.”

Adara rolled her eyes at her sister’s haughty tone and bit out, “…then will you please conjure up Caine or something? I need his help, err, we need his help…”

Amira glared at Adara once again, miffed now beyond her manners, “What the hell am I, a magical telephone line for your convenience?”

Adara snickered at Amira’s retort. With barely suppressed laughter Adara sputtered, “You have your uses...”

That was made Amira growl and spit out, “Bitch! I just bloody helped you-“

Adara lifted a finger and shook it toward her sister, as if chiding her, “You owed me that much sis. From the abominable way you’ve behaved with me in the past, you must agree, it was due. Beside, he was ready to toss you out on your ass.” Adara finished with another snicker.

Amira actually scoffed at that and raised her chin a fraction higher, “Like I would have allowed him to do so…”

Adara snorted in retort and crossed her arms under her chest, “Like you could’ve stopped him; he is your father…”

“Who says you would have made an impact on the outcome then?” Amira asked with a smirk.

“There you go thinking you’re indispensable. Dad can’t fight logic, no matter how much he tries. This IS my house, MY land; he can bitch about it all he wants, but he doesn’t have much control here. Hence”, Adara deadpanned, “why he banned me from his own…err, Mother’s.”

Amira smiled, her ill humor forgotten at the thought of her mother finding out Adara married. “She is not going to appreciate that little bit of information. Especially once he tells her you have wed. It is more than likely she will demand he let you go home with your husband.”

Adara shook her head and muttered, “Then she’ll be waiting for a bit, I still need to get something to feed that little girl. I’m just going to call Caine. I know he’ll know what to do about it.”

Amira rolled her eyes, “You sometimes give him too much credit Adara. He works for NASA, which does not mean he can figure out what to do with a child who is hungry.”

Adara smirked humorlessly, “With all due respect Amira-no, fuck you. You don’t even know him. You were far more involved with taking care of your selfish needs than you were inclined to assist Mother with rearing him. I suggest you keep your character assessments to people you know or you’ve manipulated, it’s what you’re best at.” Adara’s retort made Pasha mentally flinch. It wasn’t often he witnessed Adara tearing someone apart that brutally with her words alone. If there was any question that the two sisters had suffered hostilities in the past, he had doubts no longer.

It wasn’t that Adara was ungrateful for the assistance Amira had given her during the argument with her father. No, it was the fact that Amira didn’t know Caine’s range at problem solving. At least, that was what Adara was telling herself after having snapped at Amira. Adara was quite aware that children were not Caine’s area of expertise, but just because someone doesn’t have a degree in it, or does not have children, is not reason to disvalue their opinions or aid.

Amira did not like how Adara worded her retort. It was obvious from the narrowed gaze she pierced Adara with as she looked to her and said, “I was unaware that someone in as big of a childless state as your own, Adara, can really have much to say about rearing children-“

“-Amira, if you value those teeth in that viper’s mouth of yours…I suggest you not finish that sentence…” Adara spoke quietly, the anger gone from her face, her eyes trained on Amira’s.

“You haven’t the faintest idea, of what I’ve done for my brothers and sisters. I’ve bled, for every, Single. One. Of. You, you are an ungrateful, conniving, self-serving, bitch.” Adara said as she walked over to stand inches away from Amira’s face. Adara’s actions caused Amira to take a step back out of instinct.

“Damien and I made it possible for you to walk down the fucking street without having someone slit your fucking throat-“

“-You-“Amira began to interrupt

“Shut the fuck up...Damien and I made it possible for you to bare your daughter in fucking peace! I remained unwed and childless so that your worthless ass could sit around at home complaining about the folds of your gowns, and later bitch about how much you hated staying indoors because you were pregnant…don’t you ever tell me again, that I know nothing of rearing children. I reared two while our parents took care of our safety, and helped rear eight, while you lain in the safety I fucking provided!” Adara growled fiercely.

Amira, perhaps because she did not think better of the situation, or because she simply did not fear Adara’s threats, continued to say, “You have obviously taken Caine’s adoration to heart. He does not know any better than you, so naturally you think that-“

Samuel having made the decision to stop the argument before Adara did good on her threats, physically pulled Amira out of the room in two swift movements. Amira was out the door before Adara said a word, or took a step toward Amira.

Adara did not move for a few seconds more, before walking briskly to the phone and giving Caine a call. She didn’t want to sit and think about what had just occurred. She was certain if she considered the problem too long, she would surely walk out of the sitting area and kick the living hell out of Amira. She hoped Samuel would keep Amira away from her as long as possible, for Amira’s sake.

Had Caleb not witnessed what transpired between Adara and Amira, he would not have believed such hostility was possible between two siblings. The sheer spite he’d heard in Amira’s voice, and the barely contained fury he knew Adara leashed was unbelievable. Both women were like children when they argued in such a manner. He could understand a certain dose of rivalry, but nothing this hostile.

Caleb turned toward Yuri, only have Yuri look back at him with an equally puzzled expression. As they both studied one another in silence, Caleb began to see Yuri and himself in a new light. Had they both behaved in such a way in the past? Caleb internally scoffed at himself for questioning it in the first place. He was very well aware that Yuri and he had always been at each other’s throats.

Their relationship, if it could be called that, always consisted of a few fights, and skirmishes, but they usually got along well. That is to say, they coexisted as long as they didn’t interfere with each other. If Yuri remained in Russia, and he in Romania, they usually did not bicker at all. Their difference of opinion was usually passionless on his part, and snobbish attitude in Yuri’s part. He would not ever say their arguments were personal.

To watch Adara and Amira go at one another in such a way, despite being sisters, was somewhat of an eye opener for Caleb. He knew that along with marrying Adara, he’d married her family and their problems as well. His very organized life, as Adara had called it, was never going to be the same.

Giovanni Manor

“Doc, I must insist you slow down! What are you talking about? Who kicked you out?” Morridgan asked as Doc paced the length of her opulently decorated office, talking about what seemed a dozen subjects at once. She had been in the process of embroidering a new dress for Amira’s little girl, when Doc burst into her office yelling about their disobedient daughters.

She had yet to acquire any answers to the questions she repeatedly asked Doc. “Doc! Stop at once! What are you talking about? Did Melissa disobey you again? I cannot see how you could possibly be upset with her for dating that young man-“

“Morridgan? Did I fucking say it had anything to do with the cock jockey Melissa’s dating? At the moment, I don’t give a shit about that little shit she’s courting! Adara just…she…she’s fucking married!” He bellowed as he stopped a foot away from Morridgan’s desk and turned to face her.

“Wha-she’s married? Who did she marry? Why didn’t she tell us?” Morridgan asked before she could stop herself. Her excitement was obvious, as getting Adara to marry had been her pastime for many a year. A pastime cut short when Adara made it a point to keep Morridgan in the dark about her personal life.

“She, married, him! HIM! The fucking suck head that had us all condemned to death! After all I’ve done for her she fucking betrays me this way!” Doc ferociously growled as he sat back in one of Morridgan’s oversized chairs.

Morridgan took in a breath, before sitting down behind her desk and calmly saying, “Doc…stop growling and tell me everything….”

Adara’s Mansion

“Why did you take me out of that room? I am not about to let her think-“Amira groused as Samuel led her into Adara’s study.

“-I assure you, this is nothing personal, nor is meant to be in your favor. I will simply not allow her Highness to do what she wanted to do to you in anger, for she may learn to regret it. I do not think she would think twice about causing you some substantial amount of harm at this moment. I know her well enough to know she does not regret much of what she has done in the past, though, I am sure harming you would cause her grave guilt,” Samuel interrupted calmly.

“So you are doing this to spare, her? Does it look like she needs much assistance? Conceited, attention wh-,” Amira began before Samuel interrupted her once again.

“Need I remind you Madame, that I have no loyalty, nor do I owe any loyalty to you? I confess I know very little about her, and even less of you, but I will not keep my tongue if you insist on belittling her character before me. You are her sister, yet you do not attempt to understand her,” Samuel sagely chided Amira, as he motioned for her to take a seat.

Amira sat down gently, folding her skirts about her, a care she always exhibited when in company of men. It was a trait her mother had instilled in her since she was old enough to understand. The action was not lost on Samuel, but he did not comment on the gesture.

“Why would I care to understand her? She has made a point of telling me how little regard she holds for my opinion,” Amira stated imperially as she folded her hands neatly in her lap. It seemed to Samuel as if she were discussing a bad mending job done to a dress she’d torn.

Samuel wasn’t sure how to answer her question. In truth, he was accustomed to dealing with men who though well before they spoke, not girls with a superiority complex. He sighed gently before sitting down in a chair across from Amira. “Is it possible, that she does not care to heed your opinion, because you have belittled her own, in the past?”

He knew he could end up opening the proverbial Pandora’s Box, but he wanted to see if Amira would consider any blame, or rather, any wrong doing on her part. Amira looked to him with a puzzled look in her eyes and shook her head.

“She led her life, I led mine. There is nothing she should dislike me-“Amira stopped mid sentence her eyes drifting close.

“There is something, is there not?” Samuel asked politely, trying to coax Amira to admit that she was partly to blame for their estrangement.

“It happened years ago, why would she still be holding a grudge?” Amira asked politely, completely oblivious about the affect her behavior had on others.

“It is not directly my business, Madame, but could this possibly be the problem she has with you? Did you ever ask her forgiveness for whatever you did to wrong her? Again, I know your sister very little, but I am sure she would probably have forgiven you, if you had shown any remorse or concern for her feelings,” Samuel knew he was over stepping himself. Broaching the subject alone would probably cause Adara to become annoyed with him. What was done was done, and the only other course of action now was to actually get to the bottom of Adara’s anger alongside Amira.

“…why would she care if I…oh…,” Amira trailed off looking out the study’s large window.

888888

“You…are…married?” Caine asked calmly as he mixed the infant formula his father had devised years ago. He along with his mother were alone made privy to the formula, simply because; One, his mother needed to know, as she was the one giving birth to many children, and two, he was a scientist. Which meant, he could provide an extra supply should Doc ever go missing.

He looked on at Adara as he handed Pasha the baby formula without casting him a glance. He could not believe his eldest sister had taken a husband, and behind their father’s back.

“Yes, I’m married. I don’t really want to get into an explanation, but yeah, Dad didn’t know up until today, which isn’t such a big deal since it really did happen only a few hours ago-“Adara stated calmly as Caine interrupted her.

“He must have been thrilled that he didn’t get to decide who you’d marry. Honestly Ada, don’t beat yourself up about it. Dad needs to learn to mind his own fucking business. No, no, wait; don’t eat me alive just yet. Nobody said he has to stay out of your life. All I’m sayin’ is that he should stay the fuck out of your decision making. I personally don’t think you’d make a rash decision, especially when you’d be married forever. I don’t fucking understand why he can’t trust you to make the appropriate decisions for you. I guess he fucking thinks you’re going to sacrifice your personal life for the rest of us,” Caine finished with disgust.

Caine wasn’t saying these things to prove his loyalty to Adara. No, Caine was speaking his mind, because he knew how controlling his father was and how much it would pain Adara to keep their father out of the loop. It was no secret among the family that his brother Gabriel and himself thought of Adara as a surrogate mother. In their family’s time of trouble, Morridgan had spent most of her time trying to keep their father in control, while leaving her young brood to the care of her eldest children. Had it not been for Damien and Adara, who know what would have become of him?

It was Adara and Damien’s support that led him into making a life in the sciences. He now was a consultant for both the American and Russian Space Programs and often worked for both countries at once, when there was an issue both countries needed to collaborate on. Caine became accustomed to his family coming to him with issues like the one Adara had brought to his attention that day.

“It’s not that I get myself in a twist about it, Caine. I’m just…,” she sighed before continuing, “I simply wish he’d listen to fucking reason sometime.”

Caine chuckled as he walked over to his sister and gave her a hug. He was about two inches shorter than she, which made it effortless on his part, as he did not have to stoop to embrace her.

“I know, Adara. Don’t worry, I’m sure Mom will make him see reason, even if it’s kicking and screaming,” Caine chuckled once more as he pulled away from Adara, and looked up to eyes that mirrored his own. “Just remember that you’ve put in as much as he has, just like Damien. If he tries to get a lil’ high in the instep, don’t forget to mention that part. I cannot wait to see how he tries and convince the rest of us to shun you. It ought to be an interesting conversation,” Caine smirked as he turned to Pasha.

“I’ll leave more in the kitchen; she’ll need to be fed every three to four hours. Not any sooner because you’ll be over feeding her. Breastfeeding is different from formula feeding. Don’t forget that,” Caine said in perfect Russian to the Yokhovich first knight.

With that bit of information, Caine bowed his head lightly toward his sister and smiled, “I’ll have to get back now. Who knows what these humans will do without me.”

Adara chuckled, “Probably what they did before you were born….”

Caine grinned, “Which means it would take them another century to finish this project. So yeah, I better go finish help them out. I’ll talk to you later Adara, I’m sure Dad’s bitching at Mom about you taking your life into your own hands as we speak.”

Caine vanished as quickly as he appeared leaving Adara to her thoughts once again. Caleb was still in the room though he’d taken a seat when Caine arrived. She knew she would have to talk to him before the night was through. Adara simply could not find a way at the moment to speak with him without becoming violently angry. She wasn’t certain why it was her emotions were so volatile when she thought of him, but she had a feeling it had something to do with her trusting him.

Adara was starting to become increasingly convinced that she was upset with Caleb because she had in all honesty thought he would stand up for her and treat her as an equal. She decided it was her own fault for having put opinions in his head that were never really his. Caleb had never stated they would be equals; it was her own interpretation of what he’d spoken that had led her to believe that.

Caleb came to his feet and motioned for Yuri and the others to leave the room. Yuri came to his feet slowly and quietly, for once since they arrived, not speaking a word of protest. Pasha was the first out the door, as he now had what he’d been waiting for since the entire ordeal started.

As the room emptied and the doors closed behind Caleb, Adara turned to face him, her eyes bespeaking disappointment. Caleb ached to take that emotion away, though he wasn’t certain if that disappointment was in him, or in herself. Had he really pushed too much, too fast? Was he wrong in trying to defend his wife, and keep her secluded from the argument? He wasn’t certain, but he was sure Adara would not leave him in the dark about her feelings. That simply was not in Adara’s nature.

“I apologize for snapping at you, Caleb,” she began as she took a seat where Yuri had been sitting only moments earlier.

“I…just, I thought you would include me, not usher me aside like every other man in your time would. I apologize for having made this assumption, as you never said any different, “Adara finished calmly, her eyes still focused on his own.

Caleb was taken aback by her apology. It was certainly not expected. He thought that she would demand he apologize for his argument with her father.

“Adara, it, was not my intention to hurt you. In fact, the opposite is true. I see you fighting this alone, and it sits ill with me. He would have used your love to his advantage; I know you know this to be true. I do not have to be fond of your father to love you. Nor does he have to adore me, to respect you,” Caleb said softly and fervently as he kneeled before Adara, taking her hands in his own.

“This argument was between your father and me. You must understand that your father and I have not modernized as you and your siblings have. He and I still live by a bygone era’s ways of dealing with marriage. I understand he wanted me to ask for you. I realize had I not been so, consumed by you, I should have done so. It is a respect that must be given to every father. I know how he felt, as I felt the same when I found out Verheiden had married without my permission,” he said calmly, trying to clarify the situation as much as he could without bruising her feelings again.

“So you’re saying he was in the right?” Adara asked incredulously as she rested her head on Caleb’s left shoulder and pulled him into an embrace.

“…no. I am saying I did not go about this in any way better than he did. Your father was and still is very much in the wrong. You, as your brother Caine has said, have put enough of your self into your family, to earn your own decisions. He has a right to protest, of course, but he does not have any right to try and break your bond with me, simply because he does not approve of it. I mean your family no harm, beloved. Because of this, he should let it stand, and leave it alone, if he does not approve of our union,” the low timber of Caleb’s voice as he spoke lulled Adara back into a peace similar to the peace that followed their love making. It was unbelievably soothing to the senses.

“I’m not accustomed to fighting him. I’m not used to arguing with him about what is good for me. We usually think alike when it comes to what may be good for me. I suppose I’m not surprised he would feel inclined to dissuade me from marriage. He doesn’t want to give up control…,” Caleb chuckled in shook his head as Adara trailed off.

“I think…he is afraid for you. He fears that I am using you and mean to mistreat you when I am done. He does not credit me with any tender emotions; it would be much more difficult to kill me then. You must understand my dear; I am the very person he probably swore to protect you from. Now you run right into the arms of your predator,” Caleb murmured softly into Adara’s hair as he continued to embrace her.

Adara chuckled softly and said softly, “I can only imagine what he’s telling my mother.”

Caleb grinned and said with much humor, “I am sure your father will let us know. From what I have gathered about your father, he is not one to hide his emotions. You will find out at the same time the rest of this mansion will be made aware of it.”

Giovanni Manor

“I am not, overreacting!”

“Yes dear, I am afraid you are. She is an adult by our standards Doc, you cannot stop her from marrying whomever she chooses,” Morridgan countered softly as she poured herself another cup of tea.

Dealing with Doc’s emotional outbursts was something of specialty with Morridgan. After years of being married to her temperamental husband, she had learned the only way to deal with it was to hear him out until she could talk reason into him. Unfortunately with Doc, talking him down from a fit usually took hours to accomplish. She had not shifted from her seat since his tirade began. Doc had continued to pace after she’d asked him to explain what it was he was talking about.

“She is not allowed to marry anyone I do not approve of! You agree to this, at least, you did when you wanted her married!” Doc bit out as he glared at his all too calm wife. He often became frustrated over Morridgan’s lack of emotional outbursts, but he supposed he would hate a hysterical woman more.

“Adara has always followed her own will, Doc. I believe you worked diligently for that to be the very case. You wanted her to be independent, but now you do not seem all too sure if you like what your work has wrought. In truth Doc, I am happy she is wed. That girl needs a husband to help her carry the burden she deems is her responsibility. I often see her alone, looking into our circle from the sidelines. It bothers me, Doc. I do not like seeing the forlorn expression that often graces her face when she does not think anyone is looking. She was lonely; cannot you be happy that she has found someone to keep her company?” Morridgan asked sagely, trying to convince Doc to see past his own reluctance.

“She could have picked any thousand men on this miserable planet to grace with her hand in marriage! Why the fuck would she choose that son-of-a-bitch?” Doc roared as he continued to pace once more.

Morridgan snorted as she set her teacup and saucer down, “Please, Doc. You know as well as I that she would have scared any human half to death. No mortal would have been able to keep up with her, and she would have been bored with them within the year. Not to mention, if she had married a mortal out of love, she would eventually have to bare witness to their death. You think our daughter would take any one of her loved ones dying before her, well? You do not know her if you think that is the case.”

“I know her better than you do Morridgan, don’t pretend otherwise. You two have not been able to talk to each other amiably since she was a teenager,” Doc snapped as he once again to a seat in front of Morridgan’s desk.

That comment made Morridgan instantly bristle. “I will have you know Doc, that if I did not know Adara as well as you claim I would agree with you about whom it is she married. But, as this is not the case, I will give them my blessings, Doc. With our without your permission, as long as they wed in our way, I will stand by her. Which is what someone who knows her as well as you claim to do, should be doing,” Morridgan counted smoothly as she came to her feet.

“Like it or not Doc, she has chosen Caleb of Brushia to be her husband. She is now Adara of Brushia and you will have to respect her as such. Oh, and before you try and go to Gabriel, make sure to remember that he reveres her as if she were his mother. He will stand by her Doc, just like every one of her siblings. If Amira stood up for her, I can assure you, there is nothing wrong with Caleb. He is now your son-in-law, LIVE WITH IT!” Morridgan shouted as she breezed past a startled Doc and out her office door.