Healing Kisses (Sophia and Santiago) novel Chapter 200

199

General Ryan Kingston is a noble by birthright. His family has been around almost as long as my.own. He lives in a very remote part of the city in a mansion that looks like something out of a spooky movie. Yet it also has a very modern charm.

"How are you feeling?" Ragnar asks. I look over, not remembering how we got here.

"I'm tired," | answer, shutting my eyes so can massage them without smearing my makeup.

"My sister is a doctor," Oliver says. "I'm sure she'd love to help."

Hearing him call someone else his sister hurts. I smile tightly and nod. But I know he sees the displeasure in my expression. I have no right to the ties from before, I have to remind myself. He doesn't remember who I am, and to be fair, I no longer know who he is.

The moment we arrive, the massive black-tinted glass doors up front open up. A woman rushes out dressed to the nines in all white. Her eyes desperately search us until they land on Oliver behind me. Then her pretty, soft pink eyes land on me. Her mouth opens as if she were about to say something.

"Mother, Oliver says, stepping forward.

She lets out a heavy sigh and comes down the step to hug him. She whispers something into his ear and gently fixes something in his hair. Probably dust bunnies from when he passed out.

"Who are your friends, Oliver?" she asks. He looks back at me and smiles.

"This is Her Majesty Sophia and our King Ragnar, he introduces us. "Lady Zaraphine, her majesty's grandmother. Second Crown Prince, General Ivar and his mate Kaylee. You know Anastasia Polucci."

"Sup," Ana says, popping the p at the end.

"Forgive me," the woman says and takes a knee to bow to us properly. My grandmother stops her and lifts her up.

The woman looks over at Oliver, confused.

"It is an honor to see you here in our sector, she says, bowing her head. "Please, come inside. It's a bit humid out today.

"You're Alicia Roanoke," my grandmother states.

"I was,"

she nods as if it were the reminder is something

she's ashamed of. "I go by Alice Kingston now."

"Mother is Lilliann home?" Oliver asks. "Her majesty doesn't feel well."

"Yes, of course. She's out back with your father. Why don't you go get them?"

"''ll be right back," Oliver says, looking back at me before he rushes off.

The woman's eyes stay on me. She's very beautiful. Her caramel skin has small white blotches where her vitiligo appears. One of her eyes is beginning to turn pale because of it, but it only makes her more beautiful. She's definitely around my grandmother's age. I can sense shes powerful as well.

"I knew this day would come," she says sadly without taking her eyes off me. "You look just like him."

"He looks like my father, I nod and look over at my grandmother.

"Come on in," she says, turning to go inside. She waits by the door while the rest of us walk in. Ragnar takes my hand and links our fingers, not wanting to let me go. She tells her staff something, then leads us to a very vampyresque family room. "How long have you been looking for him?"

Shame heats my chest, and when I look over at my grandmother, I know she feels the same.

"What came after? Someone hurt you?".The tone is all too familiar, and it makes me smile.

"How are you here?" I ask myself.

"There was an explosion. One of the transport ships was hit by a serpent," his father explains. I'm handed a glass of cold water. Lillian smiles and encourages me to drink. I feel the water to make sure they didn't tamper with it before I take a sip. The moment the water hits my lips, I feel parched. "I was on the rescue team. There werent very many survivors.

" honestly believed that the damage he sustained was from the attack on the ship. We took him to the Oroboros hospital, where he stayed for almost two years. We sent out his photo and reported him missing, but no one ever called. When he transitioned, I brought him home with me. I legally adopted him as my son. He is part of my family."

He looks over at Oliver, and I can see the pride in his eyes.

"I believe that," I nod. "I'm not here to take him away, I set the glass down, and I stand up. The room spins, but I hold my ground and look over at my grandmother, who seems just as shocked as I am. "I want to go, please."

"Soph," she says quietly.

"Please," I repeat. My voice breaks, and I feel my affinity flare up. "I want to go home."

Ragnar doesn't hesitate to reach for me. He scoops me up, and we're outside in just a few strides. I can hear my grandmother say something to them, but I can't make out what it is as the sound of waves clashing echoes in my head.

The moment we step outside, I bury my face in Ragnar's neck, trying to calm myself, but it's not working.

"Deep breaths, Baby, he whispers as he strokes my head.

"Sophia," I hear Oliver call out. Ragnar sets me down.

I turn around to face him, and he reaches out to take my hand. The moment our skin makes contact, my affinity lashes out and touches his. I gasp, not knowing what the hell is happening, but I feel my body give out. For a moment, everything darkens.