Page 78 of Veiled

He grunted but used that moment of closeness to swipe at my neck with the short sword, drawing blood before I launched myself back, kicking my legs forward, planting my feet on his chest pushing him back. Instead of the one step I expected of someone of his size he took several steps back.

My blood spilling filled me with a primal urge to destroy, and despite my magic liking him, she also recognized weakness was unacceptable. I threw my weapons to the side, ignoring the gasps of the crowd. I crouched on the floor, one hand on the training mat, and my eyes focused on Scail. He smiled at me and I licked my lips and winked. I briefly registered his surprise, he didn't hide quickly enough, before I pushed off and ran straight towards him, faster than I could track, before I wrapped my legs around his waist, took the swords out of his hands and crossed them over his neck.

“Yield,” a dark voice came from me. He smiled ferally, “never my queen.” He shoved his thick arms into the openings of my arms from where I held the swords and flung them to the side. Grabbing me, he flipped me as he came to his knees and used his upper body to press me down onto the mat. I vaguely heard the crowd becoming more agitated. I looked him in his gorgeous eyes and whispered, “I am magic, and my magic recognizes you.” My body heated and started to glow in swirling colors. I jerked my hips, and I wrapped my legs tighter around him, using my magic to twist him beneath me and pin his arms over his head.

“You made me bleed, now you bleed too,” I leaned forward and bit into his chest, drawing blood. On pure instinct I swiped the blood from my neck and rubbed it into his fresh bite. It felt dirty… sick… right. He arched his body as a red glow lit him from the inside and wrapped around me. A brief, but searing, pain, left us out of breath. I finally opened my eyes and I looked down at him, cursed and scrambled off him.

Fuck, fuck, double fuck. He laid there in a daze and I bowed to the crowd that must have been the entire village at this point, as a giant fuck you to them and hastily made my way out. I ignored the calls of my men and my friends. Nope, fuck that. I ignored everyone until I made my way back into the cabin and stripped off my clothes and took a shower. I tried not to look at myself as I showered but I felt it; the new and fresh sensations all over again. I marked him, and he marked me.

Iheard the guys come into the house a few hours later and snuggled deeper into my bed with Xena, who had gone god knows where all this time and wouldn’t tell me, watching Lucifer. I used these past few hours alone, to go back and forth over every possible situation I have ever put myself in. I couldn’t figure it out. I was just marking people willy nilly, left and right, back and forth.

I mean, come the fuck on, I already had four dicks and a clit to suck, flick and lick. Now, I also apparently had a Scail to shine. I groaned into my pillow and punched into it like a shit load of feather punching bags. I didn’t hear the door open, but I recognized the glare coming my way, even if I was hidden underneath the covers assaulting shit.

“Kalen, go away, I’m a filthy whore and you shouldn’t see me this way.”

He chuckled softly and I heard him move across the room to the closet before he closed it and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Hudson,” he sighed, and his gruff voice filled the room without him even trying, “look, I understand this is a lot for you at once. Hell, it is a lot for most people over a span of time, but in all the years I have known you, little girl, running is not something you ever did. You face problems head on. Even when Zane broke your heart,” I made a small sound of shock. “Yes, I knew it was him, I’m not stupid you know. You are strong Hudson- stronger than I think the prophecy ever truly described. Not because of something as stupid as destiny, we are the masters of our fate. But because your mouth, your kindness hidden under layers of snark, your inability to watch other people treated badly or to let them feel badly even though they warranted it.” I laughed, knowing he was thinking about Remi, and I poked my head out from underneath the covers, sat up and sighed.

“Kalen, I can deal with changes, challenges, fights, and battles. All of that is in what you taught me; how to find patterns and yet never have a pattern. Those things prepared me for more things than just combat, I started thinking that way for almost everything. I guess in a way you conditioned me to always be fluid and be ready to move and countermove. I see life that way. Does being part of a prophecy suck? Sure, but that’s just a strike of a sword I had to parry before I made my next move.” He gazed at me warmly, but fleetingly.

“I guess I never thought about it that way. You are very wise, daughter of my heart, and I’m proud to love you every day of my life.” He sounded a little emotional, but a quick peek and his face was a stoic as ever. I rolled my eyes. “I told them all to give you some space, and I think they needed some as well. They grew up with the idea of loving you by themselves, then Remi came along and now Scail. It is going to be a very rough transition and I would wish you luck but, in all honesty, I wish them luck,” he chuckled. Of course, they would probably piss me off and I would kill one of them. I looked at the time and sighed at the hour, it was totally dinner time.

“By the way, Hudson, usually I would push this back until you had more time to acclimate in the Veil, but after this afternoon, well, you are to attend a little dinner in your honor,” He rolled his eyes, meaning it was probably all a farce. “Well, you met the warriors, but you have yet to be introduced to the Guardians of The Veil, and they tend to be more traditional.”

“The guardians of what? Isn’t that copyright infringement?” He rolled his eyes, it's true though. That was just a terrible name.

“They are the ones that make the decisions and help the people here. Think of it as a counsel of sorts. They lead fairly, yet I warn you to be on your best behavior. There are those who would rather not see a queen of Fae ever again.” I frowned and sighed. I was good with this political stuff; I just didn't like it.

“I brought you a dress and hung it in your closet, and there are shoes there too. Everyone should already be there, but I knew you needed some time. So, get on up and I'll meet you downstairs in ten minutes.”

“Twenty minutes and if you insist.” He sighed and shook his head and made his way to the door and out of the room. I jumped out of the bed, brushed my teeth and washed the feathers off my face. Grumbling, I wet my hair, put in some curling cream and called it a day. When I opened the closet door, I gasped- it was a beautiful green dress with gold straps that crisscross in the back. I excitedly pulled it on, and it fit me like a glove but with just enough give that the gathering of the soft fabric would blow in the breeze. The dress fell about two inches below my ass and I had a feeling it was done intentionally to show off my marks as much as possible.

I sighed, the marks. Knowing that, I quickly ran to the bathroom to comb my hair into an upsweep to show off my new marks that went up my entire neck, upper back, and my pointed ears. I took the chance to spray on gold body glitter and then made my way to grab the pair of matching peep-toe see-through, gold stiletto Louboutin heels that Kalen also left. If his intention was to make me look like nature dressed me herself, he hit it right on the nose. I looked delicate, like the breeze, my curves in this dress calling animals in, like the anticipation of a storm, and the marks representing the deadly power nature can wield. Overall, he gave them a Fae Queen.

Ryder

Kalen asked that we gave her space and I respected that, not because he said it, but simply because I respected Hudson. Hudson was strong and faced everything head on. To feel that she needed to leave instead of face what happened with her magic and a new bond, made my anger spike. Scail disappeared shortly after, more than likely to make sure Hudson wasn’t unguarded at the house. As much as I wanted to be the one to do that, I knew she wouldn’t appreciate my intrusion and she couldn’t keep Scail out of his own house.

We spent that rest of that time fighting and training with the warriors. Despite the various insults and challenges that left us all pretty much fueled with nothing but blood lust, we gave as good as we got. Whether it was the marks shared between us or not, something here just felt right. We felt whole, our magic untapped, and we pressed our advantages and felt our power respond in kind. It was exhilarating, to be honest. Grayson observed and picked up on small things and while we all fought, we stayed connected, mind to mind, and were nigh on another level than we ever have been. Remi had an internal battle all her own, but with every snide remark she hit back in kind with a power and force that was indicative of her inability to back down, much like Hudson.

On our way back to the cabin, Kalen let us know about an introductory dinner to meet the counsel here. I’m sure that was going to go over great with Hudson. I smiled at the thought of her all dressed up, having to deal with the pomp and circumstance she left behind. I laughed as I showered and got dressed; at least she will be dressed better this time. I thought of those dresses she used to have to wear. She was adorable, even then.

I met Hunter, Zane, Grayson, King and Remi downstairs, all dressed in varying shades of green and white. If we didn't look so much like moss and seafoam come to life, I would say we cleaned up well. As it was, we looked like we were ready to play hide and go seek in the woods. Sigh, at least we would look damn good doing it.

We made our way as Luca and Jensi knocked and led the way to an outdoor pavilion area with a dance floor, vines with flowers hanging down, and glowing lights giving it a magical look. There was soft music playing a combination of flutes and harps, and there were tables around the dance floor decorated with flowers and champagne flutes, and the effect was beautiful. A little higher than the dance floor was a longer table with seven seats, which I’m assuming that was where the counsel would sit, and Luca and Jensi were explaining their role here. It was going to be interesting to see them interact with Hudson. A little blood thirsty; I couldn’t wait.

Hudson

I walked down to meet Kalen, and he looked at me and nodded his head and took my arm. He was dressed in a black and green suit and it was the first time I saw him dressed up. I felt like my dad was taking me on a daddy/daughter date and I felt so special. We arrived at the Pavilion and it looked gorgeous. I took note of the higher dais and my eyes flicked to it, noting the people sitting there, before turning away and looking for my group. I sensed irritation but ignored it as I saw my handsome group, and to my surprise Scail was also with them. Looks like we were also a group of seven, fuckers.

“I’m going to take you to their table first, your mates will stand behind you. I’ll present you and you’ll take your seats, and for the love of Gaia, mind your tongue.” I smiled and nodded, but I let go of his arm, to his shock and dismay.

My group took one look at me and stood up and followed my lead. We stood before the dais and all eyes flew to us, I inclined my head in a show of respect, but if we were to play the politics right, I needed to establish myself and my position from the beginning, otherwise they would always have a leg up. I looked at the table and met the eyes of a Fae with green eyes who looked startling familiar. He had an empty seat next to him that was quickly taken by...Kalen. I kept the surprise off my face and smiled. They looked alike, but I swear the Fae, there was something about him.

“Ah, if it isn’t another imposter queen and her trope,” said a shrill sounding female. I kept my face blank of any emotion and laughed a dainty laugh.

“Oh, it is indeed a pleasure to meet you…” I waved my hand, “doesn’t matter what your name is.” The curious male in the middle, and two other women and Kalen and another male hid a smile behind their drink, while another looked furious at the slight.

“Excuse me, you will address us with respect.” Said the red-faced Fae while the woman sputtered.

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