<h4>Chapter 383: Happy Family</h4>


    Eira’s POV


    A vast, endless stretch of sea opened before me.


    Wild winds rushed past, tugging at my hair and dress, carrying with them the scent of salt and freedom. The air felt alive, powerful, untamed.


    Kael’s arm tightened around me instinctively as I swayed slightly.


    Below us, waves crashed violently against gigantic rocks. The rhythmic thunder of water hitting stone echoed through the air. It was breathtaking.


    And terrifying.


    From this height, the sea looked endless, as though I stood at the edge of the world itself.


    I could see small boats scattered across the water. Not modern vessels, but simple fishing boats drifting as their owners worked.


    I had never seen the sea in my life.


    I had dreamed of it often. Of standing barefoot on soft sand, letting gentle waves brush against my feet.


    But this... this was something entirely different.


    Magnificent. Yet frightening.


    If not for the wide stone tform and the high parapet wall, I might have asked Kael to take me away immediately.


    No wonder I had always felt an unexinable affection for pictures of the sea. I had been born in a ce embraced by it.


    "This location is strategically perfect," Lucian observed, his gaze scanning the surroundings as always from a security perspective. "It would have been extremely difficult for enemies to attack and conquer it."


    Jason nodded. "That is why every king who ruled from this pce remained undefeated. The height alone makes a sea side assault nearly impossible."


    "In ancient times, yes," Roman added. "Modern warfare changes everything."


    "Still," Rafe said, looking out at the horizon, "for those times, it’s impressive. The one who built it had nned it so well."


    I listened quietly, a strange warmth filling me as they discussed thend that belonged to my ancestors.


    I imagined the kind of rulers they must have been. Powerful. Respected. Feared.


    "Would you like to visit the sea?" Evan asked Raven.


    Raven nodded without hesitation.


    He did not look afraid at all.


    Apparently, I was the only coward among us.


    Kael sensed my unease.


    "There’s a beach below," he said softly. "We can go there. It won’t feel this overwhelming. You’ll enjoy it."


    I nodded obediently.


    If he said it would be fine, then it would be fine.


    Evan quickly arranged for us to visit the private beach.


    "Are you really going to the beach dressed like that?" Rafemented, eyeing my simple peach dress that fell just below my knees. I had changed into it before we left for the estate tour. "nning to embarrass us?"


    All of them had changed intofortable clothes as well. Casual shirts, T-shirts, cargos.


    "I don’t see any of you wearing beach clothes either," I shot back.


    He let out a mocking chuckle. "We don’t need beach clothes. We can just take ours off," he paused, raising a brow, "Actually, you could do the same, remove your clothes. That would be perfectly suitable for the beach."


    "Shut up," I snapped. "I am not taking my clothes off."


    "I’ll arrange beachwear for you if you like," Evan offered politely. "It’s a private beach. No outsiders are allowed."


    "No need," I said quickly. "I’ll just watch. Maybe dip my feet in the water. That’s enough."


    There was no way I was walking around half naked in front of my son and my newly discovered brother, unting my round belly to them.


    No one argued further.


    We returned to the vehicles, since the path to the beachy through another route. The drive took around twenty minutes before the vehicle came to a stop on the wide stretch of sand.


    The moment I stepped down, my breath caught again.


    The sea looked entirely different from here. No longer distant, scary and overwhelming.


    Now it was close. Alive.


    The vast golden sand stretched endlessly, and the waves rolled in rhythmically, softer than they had seemed from the cliff.


    "You need to take off your sandals."


    Kael’s voice pulled me back.


    He knelt before me without hesitation and began undoing the strap of my t sandals.


    I let him.


    My gaze remained fixed on the water, anticipation fluttering inside me as I wondered how the waves would feel against my feet.


    Nearby, Evan had done the same for Raven. Then, he and Jason each held one of Raven’s hands as they began walking toward the water. The little guy looked truly excited.


    Lucian, Roman, and Rafe had already moved ahead, theirughter carried by the wind.


    And there I stood, Kael at my feet, the sea calling softly in front of me.


    After slipping off his own footwear, Kael rose to his full height and reached for my hand.


    He guided me gently toward the water.


    "Seems like a dream to you," he said, watching my face instead of the sea.


    I nodded quickly. "A dream I thought would always remain just that. A dream."


    "You can tell me every dream you’ve ever had," he said quietly, his voice steady and sincere. "I’ll make sure they alle true."


    There was no hesitation in me anymore. No fear of asking. He had spoiled me far too much for that.


    "I will," I replied softly.


    As we walked, I noticed the footprints the others had left behind in the sand. Then I stopped and looked down.


    There were mine. And Kael’s. Side by side.


    It was such a small thing, yet it filled me with an absurd amount of happiness. I watched as each step left another imprint, as though the earth itself was acknowledging my presence.


    I walked forward again, still staring at my feet sinking slightly into the sand.


    Kael smiled at me.


    "You think I’m being childish," I said, looking back at him,


    "Everyone is like this the first time they see the sea," he replied. "Most people just experience it when they’re children. So by the time they’re adults, they pretend it’s ordinary."


    "I always wanted to see it," I murmured. "But..."


    I did not finish the sentence, not wanting to bring those bloody abductors in our conversation.


    "It’s alright," he said gently. "I don’t mind having another child with me. Just be yourself."


    I smiled faintly at that.


    Ahead of us, Raven was already running toward the water. His small form looked adorably cute in underwear.


    Evan had removed both of their clothes already, must be so used toing here for a dip.


    Jason had taken off his clothes as well, walked close behind, keeping a careful watch as the two approached the edge of the waves.


    A flicker of worry rose inside me as I watched Raven venture farther toward the waves.


    "Don’t worry," Kael said calmly, reading me as always. "Evan is responsible. Jason is right there. And Raven knows how to swim."


    A mother’s heart is never easily convinced.


    But when I saw Jason’s full attention fixed on Raven in water, every movement measured and protective, I forced myself to breathe.


    The next wave reached us.


    Cold water rushed over my feet, and I let out a small, surprised gasp. The chill was sharp at first, then exhrating. A wide smile spread across my face before I could stop it.


    Kael guided me a little deeper until the water brushed against my calves. The waves rolled in gently, retreating and returning as though ying with us.


    And then—


    Laughter.


    Loud, reckless, and followed by very familiar cursing.


    I turned my head just in time to see Lucian sprinting toward the water after Rafe and Roman. The three of them had shed their shirts and shoes and were charging into the sea like a pack of overgrown children.


    "Bloodsucker, just wait. I’ll drown you to your death," Lucian shouted. "And you, money bagger, don’t think you’re escaping."


    Rafe and Roman were clearly responsible for whatever had provoked him. They entered the water at full speed, and Lucian caught up to them. Within seconds, all three were grappling and sshing, half wrestling and halfughing as they cursed at one another.


    I couldn’t help, butugh at it.


    "Kael, you should join them," I said. "I’ll just stand here."


    "It’s fine," he replied easily. "Let them enjoy."


    I cleared my throat, ncing at him sideways. "I can’t imagine you behaving like that. You always seem like the one who stands aside and watches."


    "Not exactly," he said. "I’ve had my share of chaos with them." Then he looked to his side, toward me.


    "And now," he added, lowering his voice slightly, "it’s time I have some fun with my mate."


    The words themselves were simple. But the way he looked at me was not. I could feel there was another meaning to it, the kind of fun that was different from what others were doing.


    I swallowed and quickly lowered my eyes to the water around my feet, pretending to be deeply fascinated by the waves brushing past my ankles.


    "I like it here," I said lightly. "I can just stand and watch them."


    He gave a quiet hum in response.


    We stood side by side, watching our son.


    Raven’s small head bobbed carefully above the water where the waves were gentler. Jason remained close, one steady hand ready at all times, while Evan encouraged him with patient enthusiasm.


    A little farther away, Lucian, Roman, and Rafe were still in their own chaotic world, shoving and sshing, theirughter carried by the wind.


    For a long moment, I simply watched.


    The sea. My son. My mates. My family.


    A feeling of having a happy and fulfilling family spread my chest. This’s how it always should be.


    I leaned slightly into Kael without thinking.


    For once, I did not feel like someone who had survived a storm.


    I felt like someone who had finally reached shore.


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