He looked down to make sure I was okay. I smiled, giving him enough reassurance to continue.
"My parents took her in. I think at first, they were planning to give her away. Both my parents are dragon shifters, but this little girl was a lion shifter with strong magic that she had no control over. She was but a baby, so it wasn't her fault. Winterlya had been summoned and had helped my parents out with raising her. She didn't stay there every day, but would travel back whenever my parents needed her guidance. Once Luna got older, it got easier for her to control her magic. A woman named Saikikku also helped out whenever she traveled from Japan to visit," Marcus explained.
"Saikikku? Who is she?" I asked.
"Remember how all of us were gathered and a fortune teller told us that we'd be your knights? Saikikku was the one. She travels from Distala to Earthala often. I believe she has an adopted daughter in Japan. I forgot her name, but she's practically best friends with Luna," Marcus explained, smiling.
"Wow. So, she's your sister now?" I asked.
"She will be very soon. She's going to be sworn in when she turns twenty. Then, she'll be in the running for heir," he explained.
"Do you care if she isn't a dragon? Aren't your people going to be mad?" I questioned.
"Distala is mixed races. We have dragon shifters and tiger shifters and a few other breeds. Lion shifters are extremely rare. Many were hunted and killed during Aspen's war. It's also hard for females to breed. They need multiple mates and usually have to bond with them. If they all die, and the female doesn't replace them, she dies. Lion shifters are hard to kill so I'm assuming with Luna's mom she was already weak after her husband's death. It was an easy hunt. Either way, I doubt there would be much displeasure with my sister being a part of the running. I was called to be your knight, so they feel connected to Luna more. But again, there are a few shifters who think I'm older and because I've been a knight for so long I'd be better suited. When the time comes, we’ll deal with it, I'm fine with whatever the final outcome is. As long as Luna's happy," he finished.
“Multiple mates, huh. You’re fine with her having five or six boyfriends?” I asked, grinning.
“Yes. As long as I get first dibs to kick all their asses if they make Luna cry,” he replied.
I laughed, shaking my head. “Are brothers always like this? Like how they’re portrayed in stories?”
“Yup. When you meet Kade and Xavier you’ll see. Kade is very protective compared to Xavier. He’ll probably scold us when he returns to Heila for taking so long to bring you back,” Marcus explained.
“Xavier doesn’t mind?” I questioned out of curiosity.
“He does. He’s the scary, silent type who doesn’t show shit. Next thing you know you’re tied up, and he’s shining a light in your face threatening to destroy your entire family line if you don’t admit your mistakes.” Marcus shivered.
“I’m assuming that has happened before.” I giggled.
“We were a rowdy bunch and took a little proving in our department to convince Xavier that we were worthy of trying to find you,” Marcus concluded.
I nodded, smiling at the image in my head. I can’t wait to see them.
"What will happen...when this is all over? Like, if we conquer this darkness and everything is peaceful again. You all have to return to your realms, don't you?" I whispered; the possibility of being left alone worried me.
Marcus lifted my chin with his hand, kissing me. When he pulled away I noticed the seriousness in his eyes.
"I won't abandon you. None of us will. Ryder and Elias will be sworn in as the Kings of their realms when the gods think the time is right. Same with any of the heir potentials. Regardless, one of us will always be with you and we can always govern our realms from afar. Your father travels a lot, but Heila doesn't go up in flames when he steps out of the kingdom. That's cycles from now, Firefly. Don't worry," he reassured me.
We laid back down; my body plastered on top of Marcus as the float drifted on the calm waves.
"Okay. I hope to meet Luna one day."
"I've shown her your pic," he admitted.
"How?"
"Sent it to her via text message."
"What did she say?"
"You’re super pretty and if I make you cry she'll come from Distala and kick my ass." Marcus grinned, lifting his head to stare at me as I giggled.
"Please don't tell me I broke you again?"
I grinned, but shook my head. "Close call, but I'm good. No malfunction here."
He pressed his lips softly to my forehead.
"Makoto."
"Yes, Marcus?"
"No matter what happens from now to Heila. Know that you're important to all of us. I don't want you ever forgetting your worth," he whispered.
"What makes you say that so suddenly?"
"I don't know. Just felt like saying it." He shrugged, resting back.
"And if I ever forget?" I whispered, wanting to know my possibilities.
"Then, the others and I will have to remind you," he whispered.
I grinned, tightening my hold on him. "I love you, Marcus. I'll remember that," I whispered.
"I love you more, Firefly. Don't ever change," he replied.
Chapter Nine
DAY 3: 03:00 P.M.
SCARLET
"Can I touch it?!"
"No, Princess. You can't."
"But it's pink!"
"That still doesn't mean you can touch it."
"Please?"
“Sigh. Fine."
"YES!"
Marcus and I gawked at Makoto who now touched the brand new 5033 Suzuki Hayabusa that was on display, Junho beside her.
We'd had an eventful morning on the reserved beach; Junho and I returned from a long make out session in the forest to see Marcus and Mako asleep on the unicorn float and Elias, who I had no idea how he'd gotten there, was asleep with Nightmare who hugged a bottle of sunscreen.
We ended up waking them up when we were worried they'd actually get sunburned and had some fun swimming and chatting before it was time for Junho's appointment at his auto-plex nearby.
Today they were revealing the brand-new, Suzuki Hayabusa, dual quad motorcycle and it was only one of five in the world. With the addition of the model sent to Junho being pink, it was set to be revealed in an hour and auctioned off to the highest bidder. Seeing as Makoto had a liking to it, Marcus stated he might bid for it and give it to her as a birthday gift.
"When's Makoto's birthday?" I questioned as we continued to stare at the overjoyed Makoto and a pleased Junho. I had to admit, ever since he'd learned that Makoto was a princess, he couldn't say no to her. If she wanted something, she'd get it. For some girlfriends, they would be pretty jealous, but for me, it made me happy.