Page 70 of Vibing Unity

“They were all apologetic and upset they didn’t handle it better,” Iolas added. “Even your dad. We’re all just fried, and—it’s hard to see blood pouring out of your nose and ears. That is what made them lose their heads.”

I nodded. That was fair. I would lose my shit and blow a gasket if the situation was reversed.

I wasn’t even upset with them for being mad at me.

“We’re volunteering, Tamsin,” Onas said when I still hesitated. “We have the right just as you do when this is a threat against Faerie. You can put magic on us or—”

Shael snorted. “I’m not worried if he has a wing missing. I remember when the former queen had her stillborn baby. It was not even ten years before Meira. Vale blood or not, he’s not an heir and we’re way older.” She gave me a serious look. “I’mnotunderestimating him. Let us help and fucking finish this so you can enjoy the time you have left with your father.”

“Thank you.”

I left to get the video and returned to find more food and Morgan there with his game face on. I sighed and simply got it all loaded. The huge smart TV had a USB port, so I just stuck the drive right in and started from the beginning.

It was during my tenth waffle and fourth video that I realized what I’d been doing wrong. I sighed as I sat back in my chair.I saw Shael and Morgan share a look, clearly knowing as well. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll work on my assassin skills.”

Stefanie snorted and Iolas chuckled, reaching over and rubbing my shoulder.

Two videos later, Onas rubbed his forehead. “I don’t mean to criticize you here, Your Highness, but you should have gone for his legs so he couldn’t escape.”

I snickered. “Yeah, already figured that out.”

“That’s what she was referring to, dipshit,” Stefanie drawled.

“Oh. Sorry. I was focused.” He shrugged and loaded his plate as we moved on.

But he was right. I kept going for the neck to take Mario’s head and be done with it.Buthe was too good at moving with that rune and rolling out of the path. It was how I’d gotten an arm first.

Then an ear.

And finally, a wing.

“Could you teleport him tousnow that he doesn’t have as much magic to block you?” Iolas wondered, and I blinked at my food before launching it across the room.

“I’m such a fucking—” I let out a wordless scream.

Iolas hugged me even as I fought against him. “This just happened, Tamsin. You’ve been—you never get a break or real rest. Please, we didn’t think of it immediately either.Youalways say that’s why we need to discuss things. Now we can end this.”

“As soon as you’re recharged and the healers clear you,” Shael interjected. “Because we learn from our mistakes as well and won’t be flippant.”

I nodded, completely agreeing and appreciative of them being supportive.

18

“I know you wanted some space and I’m fine with that, but I’m freaking the fuck out, and I owe you a huge fucking apology,” Neldor told me Sunday night when he practically barged into my hotel room.

And went to the booze the hotel provided.

“Do you have any idea how expensive that all is?” I cut in as he reached for a dark bottle.

He slowly glanced at me over his shoulder. “I don’t fucking care. I’m rich. So are you. You feed like everyone and now you care about spending too much?”

“I’m still thrifty and that’s just wasteful,” I defended. “You act like all my takeout is from Michelin Star places and not like Taco Bell is my favorite most days.”

“You’re so fucking adorable it’s insane,” he muttered as he grabbed the bottle and opened it. He poured himself a double and tossed it back before refilling the glass and coming closer to me. He plopped down on an overstuffed chair and gave me an imploring look.

“What’s up?” I asked as I sat across from him.

“This is going to sound nuts,” he warned.

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