Return of the Mythic Bloodline

Chapter 507: Out of line

My visage turned serious from Nymeria’s question. I gestured for them to lean closer, crooking my finger. They moved closer, their eyes filled with curiosity, breath held in anticipation.

"I told her that you two do not want to marry me yet."

An instant crease formed on their foreheads, their eyes turning into sharp daggers that could have pierced steel.

"When did I ever say that?" Nymeria demanded, her voice rising.

"You ruined our image in front of her," Ume added in an angry hiss, her pink eyes flashing.

"Hehe, just kidding, my sweeties," I chuckled, gently placing my hand on both of their heads, ruffling their hair. My lips curled into a smug smile as I continued, "It is a secret."

"Tell us," they demanded in unison, their brows furrowing deeper. Obviously they were getting annoyed. Who would ever like their significant other keeping secrets from them, especially about something as important as marriage plans?

"You will know soon," I replied, leaning back into the plush chair, folding my arms with deliberate nonchalance.

For the entire flight, they kept pressing me for the answer, and I continued giving them vague replies, completely annoying them. Nymeria had already decided to make me sleep on the floor again, her arms crossed in righteous indignation, while Ume was already sulking, her face turned sideways in an adorable pout that made her look like a disgruntled kitten.

---

The plane landed at Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, the wheels touching down with a gentle bump. There, we were welcomed by Reyaan, the Chairman of the Indian Awakener’s Association and Sister Aisha’s father. More than fifty Awakeners stood behind him, all suited in formal black attire just like him, carrying grim looks on their faces. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the tarmac.

"Grandpa!" Inayat exclaimed, squirming to move down from her mother’s embrace as soon as we reached the ground. Her little feet hit the concrete running.

"Oh, my lovely Inayat," Reyaan chuckled, forcing a smile onto his weathered face as Inayat covered the distance between them with her small, hurried steps. He picked her up in his arms, raising her high in the air before rubbing his trimmed grey beard against her soft cheeks.

"Ack!!" Inayat screamed, pulling his hair in playful retaliation, her tiny fingers tangled in the grey strands.

"Good evening, father," Aisha greeted him in a respectful tone, bowing her head slightly.

"Good evening, Aisha," Reyaan replied, tapping her head in a blessing, his hand lingering for a moment.

Maa and Aryan also greeted him, followed lastly by me, Ume, and Nymeria. His eyes lingered on us with intrigue, taking in the presence of the two ethereal women beside me, but he held back his curiosity for the moment.

"Aryan, we have received the Saintess’s body last night. Your presence is needed at the funeral."

"I would have come even if it was not," Aryan answered, his eyes turning heavy, the weight of grief settling onto his shoulders.

Saintess Riya, the S-Ranker who had died in the San Francisco dungeon, was a close colleague and friend of Aryan. He had been holding back his grief when he was with the family, but now his demeanor was faltering. His eyes had turned heavy, his face lowered, shadows pooling beneath his jaw.

He turned to me and said, "Take the family back home. Aisha and I will come after the funeral."

"Alright," I nodded, taking Inayat from Reyaan’s arms.

Aryan and Aisha separated from us, entering one of the many sedans parked behind the Awakeners. Saintess Riya had been the only healer among the S-Rankers of India. Her death was a great loss to the nation, the reason so many Awakeners were attending her funeral. The solemn procession began to move.

We walked to the parking lot where Jasmine was waiting for us in an SUV, leaning against the driver’s side door with her arms crossed.

"Mr. Raj, when did you grow so strong!?" These were the first words to leave her mouth the moment we reached the car, her eyes sparkling with curiosity like a child seeing fireworks.

’Well, someone seems energetic,’ I sighed inwardly before replying with a smug grin, "I was always this strong. Just staying hidden to wait for the right opportunity."

"Booo..." She muttered, obviously not believing me at all, her expression dripping with skepticism. If it were true, I would not have gotten almost killed by Sword King Rudra back then.

"Taranis, who is she?" Ume asked, reaching beside me, her gaze flicking to Jasmine.

"She is my brother’s assistant, Jasmine," I introduced her. I pointed to Ume and Nymeria as I continued, "These two are my fiancées, Nymeria and Ume."

Her eyes widened like saucers as she looked at Nymeria and Ume back and forth, her mouth opening and closing wordlessly.

"Are you being for real?" She asked, unable to digest the words, her brain visibly struggling.

I nodded. Her head snapped at Ume. She nodded. Her head snapped at Nymeria. She also nodded.

Jasmine pressed her forehead with her palm, rubbing her temples as if trying to make sense of an impossible equation.

"I think I should stop thinking of you in logical human standards," she sighed, completely giving up, her shoulders slumping in surrender.

Somehow I found that offensive. Did she mean she did not think of me as human? I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and not ask. I was already suffering one blow after another to my reputation since last night. I did not want to add another one to the list.

We settled inside the car, me taking the front seat, Inayat sitting on my lap, while Maa and the girls took the seats at the back.

It took us half an hour from there to reach the home. The drive wound through familiar road, past shops and trees that stirred old memories.

"Is this the place where you live?" Nymeria asked, her eyes widening as we stood outside the car before the massive villa. A green garden surrounded the area, lush and well tended. A swimming pool glittered on one side, its surface undisturbed. A basketball court sat on the other. At the centre stood the modern mansion in an aesthetic white colour with large glass windows that reflected the golden light of the setting sun.

"Yeah, this is the place," I replied, my eyes savouring the beauty of the scenery, drinking in every detail. Although it had only been a few days on Earth, for me it had been years since I left this home.

"You certainly live like a prince in both worlds," Ume murmured, equally surprised, her pink eyes scanning the architecture. They had lived in massive castles several times larger than this villa, but just from its aesthetic design, they could tell it was an impressive place. The blend of modern elegance and comfort was something new to them.

"Come in," I chuckled, holding both of their hands, my fingers intertwining with theirs. Maa entered first, holding Inayat in her arms. The little girl had already fallen asleep, too exhausted from the long journey, her tiny chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm.

---

"Taranis, show us to our rooms," Nymeria said as we settled on the L-shaped sofa in the hall, the cushions soft beneath us.

"That is my room," I pointed at the door of the room on the upper floor, just at the end of the stairs.

Nymeria and Ume were about to move when Maa’s sharp voice cut through the hall like a blade. "Why do you show them your room?"

She was settling Inayat on the single bed placed at the corner of the hall, pulling a light blanket over her, and had overheard our conversation.

"Huh? Where else would they sta—" My words stopped mid sentence as she covered the distance between us with large, purposeful steps and pulled on my ear.

"Rascal! Are you thinking of sleeping together before marriage? You will be struck by lightning from the gods... wait, you are a lightning god..." She murmured, momentarily confused by her own logic, before her voice turned sharp again. "Still, sleep separately until you are married."

"Maa, what you are worried about has happened a long ag—"

Smack!

Nymeria’s fist landed at the back of my head, her piercing glare staring at me, her face blushing a deep crimson. I would be an idiot not to understand the reason behind the punch I received. She did not want Maa to know just how far things had already gone.

"What were you saying?" Maa demanded, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

"He is just speaking nonsense as always," Nymeria answered before I could reply, her heel pressing down on my toes with deliberate force. Now unlike Maa’s ear pull, her punch and the pressure on my toes certainly hurt. I bit back a yelp.

"L-let me show you to the gu-guest rooms," I blurted, rising to my feet, eager to escape the interrogation.

I guided them toward the stairs, my steps quick, when Nymeria hissed, pinching my stomach, making sure Maa could not see it from behind. "Come to our room in the night. There is a lot of disciplining to do."

"Ume..." I turned to her with pleading eyes, hoping for mercy.

"I observed you have been acting out of line a lot today. The disciplining is really necessary," Ume declared with a retort, snapping her head to the other side, her pink hair swaying. She was taking revenge on me for not telling her what I had said to Maa about the marriage plans. She completely abandoned me, leaving my fate in the hands of the terrifying Snow Goddess, who seemed to be out for my blood.