Chapter 24

**Odette’s point of view: The day after returning home.**

The journey back home seemed much shorter, than the one we took to the vampire realm. During that whole time, we were on the road, mom and dad supported me physically and emotionally, because I felt very sad and alone and I physically also felt tired and weak; since the moment we went on board of the ferry boat. It was as if my whole being was urging me to stay in the vampire realm and not to leave my second half behind. But luckily, I pushed through it, with the love and support from my parents.

We finally returned to the fairy realm much later and when we arrived home, the rest of our travelling companions, were already settled in and relaxing at their homes.

Everyone who was part of our group, were very curious about the reason why we stayed behind for so long…

After a good night’s rest, I recovered a little and was feeling a bit more like myself, the next morning. Mom and dad were relieved that I was feeling better and couldn’t keep their excitement hidden for much longer.

The next morning, after I had left the house and went down to the lake with the rest of the girls; mom and dad invited the rest of the council members and their spouses over for tea.

During tea time, mom and dad shared information about what happened with us, after they had already left for the ferry boat. They also told the others about the wonderful discovery of my immortal mate. At first, everyone was shocked and speechless at the mere thought of who my immortal mate is… After processing the information for a long while, everyone was still overwhelmed, but ultimately shared my parents feelings of excitement and happiness.

As the day progressed, the new exciting news of my mate, spread like a wild fire, throughout the entire village! By the time the girls and I had returned from the lake late afternoon, everyone already knew that the Emperor is my immortal mate.

As soon as I stepped foot into the village square, I was overwhelmed with curious questions and congratulatory hugs, coming at me from all sides…

I quickly took in a few deep breathes, before reaching up my hands and waving them downwards in a calming motion, until I had everyone’s attention and they all had become silent around me. Only then, I lifted up my head and made eye contacted with everyone, while a confident smile spread across my face and I spoke to them for the first time since arriving home.

I then took my time with them, while answering each and everyone’s questions and thanking them for showing their love and support towards my happiness. It was already well after sundown, when I finally walked through my front door!

Mom and dad greeted me with worried expressions on both of their faces. I instantly knew the reason behind their worried expressions. It’s because they were actually worried that I would be mad at them for telling everyone so soon, about Alex and I.

I slightly lifted up one of my eyebrows and gave each of them an all-knowing glance.

Odette: “Mom, dad…”

I said with a serious expression.

Sofia and Charlie: “Yes honey.”

They both answered at ones, with a nervous tone in their voices.

While holding my pose for a while longer, I thought to myself: Both of them always look so adorable, when they feel guilty about doing something, they know I wouldn’t normally approve of or when they do something without my knowledge.

I love both of them so much, I could never stay mad at them for too long. I almost always forgive them immediately after the fact, because I know when they are excited about something they act impulsively, without thinking it through properly!

Odette: “Mom, dad, I’m not mad at you for telling the others.”

With that said, I softly smiled at them, before walking over to where they were standing and giving them both a tight hug. Gradually, they relaxed in my embrace and returned my hug with a tight squeeze and a loving kiss on my cheek from both sides.

After we cleared the air, we walked through to the kitchen and dished up the delicious smelling meal, that mom and dad already had prepared earlier this evening. Later on, after dinner, we cleaned everything up, before spending some time together in the living room. We talked about everything that happened in the last few days and we also talked some more about Alex and the role he’s going to have in my life.

When it was time for us to go to bed, we slowly stood up from the couch and hugged each other while saying goodnight. Afterwards, I went up to my room and drew myself a warm bath.

Before washing up, I glanced over at the beautiful, dark blue overcoat. While touching the soft, warm material with my fingertips, I recalled the night before last, when we stayed overnight in the castle. The coat reminds me that it wasn’t just all a wonderful dream, its real, everything is real, Alex truly is my immortal mate, my fated love!

Later on, after the refreshing bath, I climbed into my bed and looked up at the wooden ceiling, while holding the snowflake necklace in my hand. I thought about Alex how alone he must have been all these years, without his parents in or any other family members close by. From now on he will always have me by his side.

Even tho, I cannot always physically be by his side, I will always be with him in spirit form. The same goes for Alex, even tho he’s not physically here by my side, I can still feel the warmth of his presence in my heart; thanks to the growing connection we share, through the immortal bond, that is pulling our souls closer to each other.

After a while of just lying there in bed and staring into the darkness, my thoughts slowly turned into silence, when I finally fell asleep. I dreamed about Alex and the future we are going to share with each other, with the snowflake necklace still firmly grasped in my hand that’s resting on my chest.