Chapter Forty-one

 

“Where’s Stern?” Vulk asked once training had ended.

 

“He wanted to make sure everything was prepared for dinner,” Trish replied.

 

“He’s cooking?” Cammie asked.

 

“No,” Cyra smiled. “He thought tonight should be special. He’s reserved a room at a restaurant for us.”

 

“Special?” Vulk asked.

 

“We know that you have a lot on you,” Trish cut in. “And we’ll be leaving in the next day or two, so yes.”

 

Cammie smiled softly as she considered what her friends were doing for her brother. “It sounds good.”

 

“He said he was going to invite Emma,” Cyra said.

 

“Oh,” Vulk smiled. “Let’s not keep them waiting, then.”

 

The women all held silent laughter as Vulk started away at a brisk walk. As they trailed him, Cyra and Trish thought about the surprise to come at dinner, and Cammie wondered if she shouldn’t try again to speak with her brother about staying in the city.

 

They got back to the manor as a carriage came to a stop outside of it. Vulk was instantly cautious, but the door opened to reveal Emma in a spectacular dress of black and silver. Vulk’s face softened and his eyes lit up upon spotting her.

 

“Emma, you look lovely,” Vulk said, moving to help her down.

 

“I’ll wait here for you, miss,” the driver said.

 

“Thank you. We won’t dally, but we do need to get prepared,” Trish said. “There’s a courtyard around the back. You can wait there in the shade, sir.”

 

“Much obliged, miss. Thank you.”

 

“I’m early,” Emma said apologetically. “I got a little impatient.”

 

“That’s fine,” Vulk said. “Come inside, please.”

 

Vulk led Emma ahead of the others.

 

~*~*~

 

Bathed and dressed, the group came back together in the front parlor. Vulk had put on a dark blue suit with a light blue shirt. He felt awkward without his beard, which had just started to get past the irritation-stubble stage. Cammie was wearing a dress similar to Emma’s, which made sense, as they’d gotten them at the same time a couple of weeks prior. They both had a long black dress that went to their ankles and sleeves that stopped at the elbows. Silver trim decorated all the hems in a scroll knotwork pattern. Trish’s red dress was tight and short. Stopping just before her knees, it hugged her figure, showing off her fit physique and a few scars. Cyra had on a blue dress that went past her knees, but showed off her shapely calves. The straps holding it up tied behind her neck, allowing her arms to be seen.

 

“Funny. None of our dresses have a daring neckline,” Trish grinned.

 

“It would have had to have been you,” Cyra said.

 

“I don’t know,” Trish commented. “Cammie could do it, as could Emma.”

 

Emma shook her head. “I wouldn’t.”

 

Cammie shrugged. “I don’t think I would wear it well.”

 

“Shall we?” Vulk asked, uncomfortable with the conversation.

 

“Carriage is out back,” Trish reminded him.

 

Vulk stopped heading for the front door and went the other way. “Right.”

 

~*~*~

 

When Vulk stepped out of the carriage, he stared at the building for a moment before turning to help the women out. Both Emma and Cammie had the same reaction, shocked at where they were.

 

“Is this right?” Cammie asked Trish.

 

“Thank you, sir,” Trish said to the driver, not answering Cammie. “They have a place to wait, if you don’t mind.”

 

“Not at all, miss. Enjoy your meal.”

 

“Yes, Cammie,” Trish replied to the dwarf. “This is the place.”

 

Trish led them into the reception area where a distinguished gentleman with gray temples awaited them behind a podium. “The Stern party, sir,” Trish said.

 

“Ah, yes. Please, this way.”

 

Trish walked behind the man while Emma and Vulk trailed her, both looking at the décor in wonder. The building was done in rich light wood and mithril fixtures that screamed wealth.

 

Cyra walked in the back with Cammie, watching the other young woman try to cope with where they were. “I was like that, too,” Cyra said softly. “Stern took us to Goddess’ Delight in Darkstone to celebrate before we left that city. It was like this.”

 

Cammie glanced at Cyra to see the same wonder, but not as much shock. “He’s that wealthy?”

 

“His family has power and money,” Cyra said. “He doesn’t talk about them much because he wants to be his own man. He still uses what he has from them to help us. If you’re his friend, he will move mountains to help you.”

 

Cammie looked back at the décor. “He’s singular, isn’t he?”

 

“He honestly is,” Cyra smiled, then took Cammie’s hand.

 

Cammie blinked, a smile coming to her as she squeezed Cyra’s hand back. “Thanks, Cyra. You’ve been a great friend.”

 

“And you are for us,” Cyra replied without hesitation. “I hope you enjoy tonight.”

 

“I don’t see how I couldn’t possibly enjoy it.”

 

The room they were brought to held a white wood table that seemed to catch the light and glow faintly back with it. Seven settings were arranged on the table, but the only other person in the room was the regal-looking elven woman in the chef’s jacket.

 

“Please let me,” the chef said. “I was informed of the seating arrangement. Sir, this is your seat, and the lady with you sits to your right. The other young lady who looks like your sister sits here, with you two beside her.”

 

Everyone took their seats, leaving just the head of the table and a seat beside Emma. Vulk wondered who the extra person was going to be, as he knew Stern would take the head seat. He also didn’t understand why Stern had put his lovers farther down the table than himself or Cammie.

 

The chef stepped back and smiled. “It’ll be just a moment. Dinner will be delayed another half an hour, as there was a surprise for this evening. I’ll be back when it is time to serve you.” Bowing, she exited the room through the other door.

 

When it was only the five of them left, Vulk looked at Trish. “Where is he, and who did he invite that’s late, too?”

 

Trish gave Vulk a knowing smile. “I believe he’ll be here in a second. He probably wanted the maximum impact.”

 

Cammie frowned, wondering at Trish’s words, but there was a knock on the door before Stern opened it. “Sorry for the delay. I brought a gift for my friends.” Stepping aside, Stern turned and motioned to the room. “Ma’am, they’re waiting.”

 

Vulk had to turn to see the door, but when he saw who was there, he froze. Tears came to him unbidden as he stared at his mother. Cammie was just as frozen— she forgot to breathe as she stared, wondering if this was all a dream.

 

Urika began to cry again as she rushed forward to grab her son. “Oh, my precious little boy!”

 

Vulk had barely managed to stand up when she hit him, hugging him tightly. “Momma?” Vulk asked as his tears wet her hair.

 

Cammie pushed herself up. “Is it… is it really…?”

 

Urika opened one of her arms. “Come here, my sweet, innocent Mie.”

 

Cammie ran around the table, hugging Urika and her brother as the trio cried.

 

They weren’t alone, though, as everyone else in the room was crying, too. Cyra and Trish were smiling and crying, holding hands on the table as they watched the reunion. Emma had gotten to her feet, choking back her own tears as she fidgeted, feeling awkward. Stern was leaning against the wall, silently sobbing. He’d thought he’d been prepared for the emotions, but it was far more intense than he was ready for.

 

It took some time, but Urika finally separated herself from her children and stepped back. “Let me look at you...” Her lips trembled as she stared at her children. “I missed so much… so very much.”

 

“How?” Vulk croaked, tears still streaming down his face.

 

Urika turned to look at Stern, who was crying on his knees. “It was… goodness…”

 

Cyra and Trish hurried over to Stern, their concern and love helping him once they were beside him.

 

“He’ll be fine,” Trish said as she knelt beside Stern, her dress getting dangerously shorter when she did. “Just give him another minute.”

 

“Stern?” Cammie whispered. “You?”

 

Stern took a shuddering breath. “When… we got… Vulk back. Family helped.”

 

“A powerful crew recovered me,” Urika said softly. “His family paid them. For me.”

 

Vulk swallowed hard as he stared at Stern. “Why?”

 

Stern was helped to his feet by his lovers as he finally got control again. “Because family is precious, and every Walker should choose when their path ends.”

 

Vulk inhaled sharply as he took a step back. His eyes darted toward Emma, then at his mother.

 

Urika turned to Emma. “Are you the one who my son loves?”

 

Emma brushed at her cheeks. “Ma’am… I…”

 

“She is,” Cammie said. “Emma, this is our mother, Urika. Emma was just as worried for Vulk as we were.”

 

“Worried for him?” Urika asked.

 

Cammie froze, looking back at Stern. “Uh…”

 

“We can discuss it after dinner?” Stern suggested.

 

Vulk went to Emma’s side and brought her to stand before Urika. “Momma, this is the woman I love.”

 

Urika took Emma’s hands in hers. “If you love my son as he loves you, then I would welcome you, Emma.”

 

Emma started to cry again, her smile brilliant. “Thank you…!”

 

The door opened on the far side of the room and the chef entered, but paused. “Do you need more time, sir?”

 

Stern shook his head. “No. We’ll seat ourselves. Urika, this seat is for you.” Stern pulled out the chair at the head of the table. “So you can sit beside both of your children.”

 

Urika kissed Emma’s cheek. “We’ll talk. Let us celebrate the love you have for my son.”

 

“And you being here,” Cyra said.

 

“Yes, and that,” Urika smiled softly. “As well as the friends who let me see my babies again.”