Once the storm abated Lotus went back through the portal to take a bath, change her clothes and fetch the others. Cassandra’s chamber was chosen as the place where they would open portals and meet. The pack didn’t know about Aiko’s powers and they wanted to keep it that way.
Lotus sat snugly in the bathtub, soaking her body in the warm water filled with bath oils. The steam that rose from it curled like white snakes.
"Ah! I was dying for this."
"So?" Cassandra raised her right brow at her sister as she scrubbed her sister’s arm.
Lotus nonchalantly said.
"Well, all I can say is you will most likely have a wedding to attend to if we make it back from there." She arched her back as the hot water seeped into her pores but also from the rush of emotions that coursed through her.
Cassandra almost screamed out. The cloth dropped from her hand as she placed her hands in front of her mouth. She jumped up and down like a kid who gets excited to get a new toy.
"For real?" She shouted and leaned in to hug her sister, not caring about getting her clothes wet in the process.
"Yes." Lotus had a hint of a smile after seeing her sister’s reaction.
"We spoke and we did some things and I think he can handle me, which is quite an accomplishment, so yes, we will be getting married."
Cassandra squeezed Lotus’s shoulders in excitement.
"I can’t wait to plan it."
The sisters spoke briefly about the matter as Lotus gave her some juicy titbits.
After the bath Lotus changed into fresh clothes and they all gathered in Siroos’s chamber. Razial was still in the dome so they had to get back to him and start their journey again.
Lana and Aiko’s mother, Aresa, again prepared a lot of food and packed it so they could take it along. Along with waterskins and cleaning herbs.
"Here! I wish you a safe journey ahead. Seeing all of you alive and well calmed my heart." Aresa affectionately spoke to her daughter and his mate, she could sense that their relationship had taken a new turn. Faris now held her by the waist.
"We will try to drop by again. That soup and bread are to die for," Faris playfully chuckled, making Aresa brilliantly smile.
"Situation is under control here? I will try to check up once again in a few days." Siroos hugged his mother.
"Just focus on your journey, Siroos. We will handle everything here."
Saying their goodbyes again to Haylia, Aresa, Ranon and Lana, Aiko opened the portal. Faris held her close. And from the mildly cool weather of the Dusartine, they stepped in the blindingly cold one of Volsra. They were now on the border between Grimhollow and the West Continent.
"Welcome back." Razial scampered to his feet seeing the portal open. He had brought down the dome and tended to the horses, keeping them covered and warm. The snow had stopped falling.
His smile widened when Lotus stepped out seeming fresh and in new attire.
"Razial!" Siroos stepped up to the brave commander and thumped his shoulder. "Thank you! We appreciate what you did."
"You are the man, Commander. I brought you freshly baked bread with nuts." Faris hoped toward the man with black hair and handed him the warm cloth containing bread baked by Aresa.
Razial generously accepted.
"Well, I have some good news so I guess it was worth it." His meaningful glance went towards Lotus.
She slowly walked over to him and nodded while biting her lower lip, granting her permission to tell their companions. She had only told her sister, for now, no one else knew.
"Something happened," Faris stated, rubbing his hands together, he could tell from the subtle glances and little blushes on their cheeks.
A wave of excitement ran through Aiko too, seeing the looks both of them shared.
Razial tenderly slipped his arm around her waist and tethered her to his side, safe and secure.
Finally, Razial stole his glance away from his girl and focused it on the rest of the group before revealing.
"I proposed to Lotus and she accepted it. We have decided to get married, once we return from this journey."
"Bless-o!" Faris was the first to cry out excitedly and lunged at the couple hugging them, others rejoiced.
Razial and Lotus hugged him back and thanked him with brightened smiles which said it all.
"Thanks, Faris. We appreciate you." Lotus was elated, she hadn’t believed she would be this happy with the news.
Aiko followed her mate.
"What wonderful news, I knew something was going on." She held Lotus’s hands and winked.
"Well, to be fair, I didn’t know it myself until it happened."
Laughter followed her words.
"We did. We all guessed Razial was in too deep when both of you visited us initially," Siroos added with a smirk making Razial throw his head down, embarrassment coating his whole being.
"I tried to vex him so he may come out of his shell and lay claim earlier." Faris winked, pulling his hair back from his forehead.
"We even placed bets on how long it will be before you will run out of patience and punch Faris," Cassandra snickered leaning into her mate as his strong arm snaked around her.
"Oh! Seems like everyone knew and was just waiting for me to give in." Lotus shook her head at them while more guffaws followed.
"It’s like they say, ’all’s well that ends well’ so congratulations. Both of you are more than welcome to stay with us after," Siroos graciously offered.
Lotus and Razial knew Siroos and his pack would accept them without blinking their eyes. Cassandra’s chest tightened from overwhelming emotions. She knew Siroos would never have any problem offering them a place but hearing him say those words brought a different feeling for her.
Razial offered a thankful nod.
"We appreciate it, Alpha Siroos. Lotus will decide where she wants to live and I will follow her."
"Call me, Siroos. There shouldn’t be any formalities between friends."
Razial’s smile widened at this while Faris loudly whistled and remarked.
"It’s time to kiss the lady, Razial. You should properly celebrate this moment."
With a shy smile, Razial turned towards the petite woman who still wore the flower he had given her. Warmly taking her smiling face in his hands, Razial pressed his lips on her tempting ones.
"Whoooo!" Others cheered and celebrated the precious moment.