The clinking of utensils rang out inside a large dining room as the entire family sat around a long mahogany table, quietly eating.
Everyone was present.
Magnus sat at the head of the table, with Avalon at the other end. Anastasia was seated by his side, followed by Atticus… and then Zoey.
Next ca Aurora, then Ember.
Opposite them were Lirae, Maera, Ae’ark, and Caldor.
Since the war and destruction of Eldoralth, the Apexes had all called this place ho.
Lirae wanted distance from her duties. Maera wanted to be close to Atticus. Ae’ark… was just winging it.
It went without saying that all eyes were on the new face at the table.
For one, she had just woken up after eight months in a coma.
And for another, she was currently seated in one of the most sought after spots on the table, right beside Atticus.
Lirae wore a small smile, but Maera’s eyes were practically burning holes through the wood.
She had wanted to hug Atticus the mont she saw him, but Zoey had sohow beat her to it, clinging to him like it was her birthright and refusing to let go.
There was tension at the table, and everyone could feel it.
"I’m glad to see you’re finally awake, Zoey," Lirae said, her crimson eyes glinting. "I’ve heard so much about you."
"Really?" Zoey’s voice was calm. "That’s odd. He didn’t say anything about you."
Cough.
A cough broke the silence.
All heads turned to Atticus’ father, an Eldorian who sohow had a cough.
Atticus shot him a glance, then returned to his food.
All eyes were now on Lirae, whose smile only widened. "Well, you only just woke up yesterday. There’s plenty of ti to let you in on the hot and steamy stories."
She licked her red lips, casually taking a sip of juice.
Zoey tilted her head.
"Oh, Mrs. Ravenstein, this al is incredible. You’re an amazing cook," Ae’ark suddenly interjected, trying to steer the conversation before it could escalate.
"Yo, bro. Why you trying to ruin the drama?" Caldor leaned in and whispered in Ae’ark’s ear, but with everyone’s enhanced hearing, the whole table heard it clearly.
Zoey didn’t let it go.
"What do you an by hot and steamy stories?" she asked.
Lirae waved a hand and chuckled. "You’re far too green to hear anything that naughty."
"You an you had sex with Atticus?"
Silence.
Atticus’ eyes shot wide open as the probing gazes of everyone at the table locked onto him.
Before anyone could speak, a firm voice cut through the air.
"Ahem."
All heads turned to Magnus, who had just audibly cleared his throat. There was a slight flush on his cheeks, clearly uncomfortable with the current line of discussion.
"Enjoy the al," he said flatly.
And just like that, the conversation died.
Magnus wasn’t the strongest on the table, but when he spoke… everyone listened. He just had that air around him.
Still, Atticus had been visibly rattled.
He kept throwing Zoey reassuring looks, and Lirae… a what the hell are you doing? glare.
On the side, Aurora was stifling her laughter, Ember looked way too amused, and Caldor was practically shaking.
Atticus cleared his throat and focused on his al.
A few more minutes, he told himself. ’Just get through this.’
The al went on quietly, though the tension still lingered in the air. And then, as they were wrapping up, Anastasia unexpectedly broke the silence.
"So, how was your night, honey? Looked like it was quite… eventful."
Atticus turned toward his mother, confused at her tone.
"It was… good?" he answered carefully.
Anastasia’s smile widened. She nodded. "Good, good. Just know that I’m ready for one."
"One what?"
"Grand child."
Atticus nearly choked on the spot.
His brain stalled. What the hell was she talking about?
"She must’ve seen coming out of your room this morning and assud we had sex."
Zoey’s words didn’t help. They made everything worse.
Atticus could feel everyone’s eyes return to him. Even Magnus and Avalon were staring, though the latter had a proud smirk on his face.
Clearly, he was proud his boy had bagged such a beautiful woman.
Atticus cleared his throat. "I didn’t sleep in my room yesterday…"
"You didn’t?…" Anastasia blinked.
Atticus shook his head. "Zoey was tired, so I let her sleep on my bed. I went outside to train."
The table fell silent.
"Only my handso cousin would leave a gorgeous woman to train," Caldor slapped his forehead, shaking his head dramatically.
Aurora and Ember couldn’t help but nod in agreent, the forr breaking into laughter.
"You’re one to talk. I don’t see any n hovering around you," Atticus shot at Aurora, and she instantly flushed red.
"There are a lot of them! I’m just turning them down!" Aurora fired back, flustered.
Atticus chuckled. "Sure, sure. I believe you."
"You!!!"
"So nothing happened?" Anastasia’s question interrupted the conversation, her eyes now focused on Atticus with a small frown.
"…No?"
"Oh." Anastasia looked genuinely disappointed. "Why?"
Atticus blinked. ’Did I hear that right?’ He was a god questioning his hearing.
He turned to his side to see Zoey looking at him intently, clearly waiting for the answer too. So was everyone else. The entire table stared at him, quiet and clearly expectant.
"Alright, alright." Avalon ca to the rescue.
He stood from the table and began clearing the dishes. "Your mother’s clearly tired from cooking all these amazing dishes. You’re all excused, go carry on with your day." He laughed, tossing a look toward Magnus and then Atticus.
Both n understood instantly. They stood from their seats.
Magnus gave a small nod to the family before silently walking out of the room.
Atticus was about to take Zoey’s hand and follow, but Anastasia’s voice stopped him mid step.
"Wait."
She stood up and walked toward Zoey, still speaking. "You’ll be training all day, I assu. But she just woke up from a long sleep. She’ll need soone to talk to."
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