Page 62 of Finding Closure

But my poking worked, and he went off about the bear who took over, it being his dad’s old right hand. He went on and on about a bunch of people and was clearly happy to have the captive audience, not noticing the other Guardians who had arrived to listen to his thoughts and get what they could from him.

All while I tuned him out with a rune and focused on Julian. I did it to the two of us and listened to his thoughts as he read off what was on my tablet for me. I pretended to nod along with what Mason said and had a whole other conversation with Julian, getting a lot done. I did really well, glancing at Lucca when he asked questions or whoever was talking.

It lasted for over an hour before Mason caught on and jumped to his feet, slamming his hands against the bars.

Darby moved into my view and nodded, confirming that we’d been busted.

“Took you long enough,” I chuckled as I pulled the magic off the runes. I glanced over at Julian. “You were awesome though. Thank you. I needed to handle all of that and so much more.”

“Anytime, my cute wifey,” he said with a wink as he stood. “Any chance we can take a soak at your castle as a thank-you? I think I’m addicted to that hot spring.”

“Yeah, it is nice,” I agreed as I stood and stretched. “I…” I frowned and glanced at Neldor. “What is on my schedule?”

“You’re beating up all of the potential applicants for the royal security force,” he said with a shit-eating grin. “Morgan wants to see all of the applicants’ ability with swords, and since you’re the best, you’re getting some exercise after dinner.”

“Right, that’s it.” I thanked him and looked at Julian. “But yes, I will want to soak after that for sure.” I might have said more, but I saw Lucca wasn’t doing well and decided to help. I pulled up music on my phone and tapped in what I wanted before strutting over to my bear.

I sang Harry Style’s “Adore You” as I danced around him, smiling when he did. He took my hand and kept spinning and twirling me. He flipped me over his arm when I kicked up my leg and chuckled as I just kept going.

When the song finished, I jumped and he easily caught me. “Get what you needed?”

“Yes, I got the smile. Thanks, cream puff,” he chuckled.

“Not what I meant. I meant from the psycho.”

He brushed his lips over mine and nodded. “Yes, the younger generation of that sloth has been trying to get out for a while but had nowhere to go. Some hung in because it was clear Mason wasn’t of the same mindset as his dad, but once they learned he was fucked in the head, many have been trying to leave the sloth. It’s legit.”

“Good, then we can just hold interviews and make sure,” I told him. “Figure out some sort of trial period or way to do this so it’s easy but gets them free of a cult.”

Mason realized what had really been going on and what our true goal had been. He slammed his hands against the bar and snarled. “They’ve asked to join your sloth. You’ll become even more powerful with more people in your sloth—people who were supposed to bemine.”

“That part of it never crossed my mind. Guess we’re really as different as I’d hoped,” Lucca chuckled.

“You’ve got the balls to act humble when Prince of Faerie wasn’t enough for you?” Mason sneered. “Now you want to be Alpha too?” He focused on me. “He can’t be an Alpha and your mate. It’s against the law.”

Neldor snorted. “Why do all of these assholes lecture you about our laws like they’ve ever seen them or know better than you? It’s one thing if it’s those of us who grew up in Faerie, but all of these fool outsiders—it’s really ridiculous.”

“Especially when if it was, she is the one person who could make it legal, dumbass,” Hudson drawled.

I snorted. Good point. I hadn’t thought about that. “It’s perfectly legal. The only rules are that my mates must follow the laws of Faerie and never be a threat to Faerie. Him being Alpha of his sloth does no such thing.” I might have said more, but thenI rolled my eyes at myself for bothering to explain to aliteralpsychopath.

Why was I wasting my breath and precious time?

“You guys get what you need?” I gently asked the others, worried when they all hesitated.

“Yes,” Hudson answered first. “I think I needed to see for real that he was locked up, not just the video Neldor let me see. The guards are bored with him and clearly know his games. I was worried about that even if I didn’t doubt any Guardians. Mason fooled a lot of us.” He moved closer and gave me a soft kiss. “I can let go now. Thanks, shorty.”

“Same,” Julian said as he pulled me away and twirled me. “I think I just needed to see all of this with my own eyes.”

Neldor snorted when I looked at him. “I’ll dance on his dead body and piss on his ashes, baby doll. That’s the only feeling I have on this fool.”

“Way to keep it classy,” Darby drawled, but was focused on me. “Honestly, I’m a bit jealous Lucca got to hit him.”

“We could all look away and shut off the camera, Mr. Moore,” one of the Guardians offered seriously.

I wasn’t the only one who snorted. “But you believe me now that he doesn’t have a hold over me anymore, right? That’s what you really came to see.”

His eyes flashed shock. “Yes. You have too many reasons to be stressed and have nightmares. I’m relieved one is truly in the past.”

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