Page 18 of Within the Veil

A chorus of 'no's verberated throughout the room.

Oberon glowers, "Fine..."

I chuckle at his expression and start helping Hunter warm up the rest of the pizzas. Soon, they won't be as terrified of Oberon, but that day, was not today.

ChapterFive

"I summon forth the northern door:

Open now, reveal the road of earth:

Green as emerald, black as coal

Bring thy wisdom! Bring thy form!"

Storm Faerywolf

* * *

Hudson

* * *

It waslike waking from a long dream where you had some serious sleep paralysis. I took a deep breath, and I frown as I open my eyes, grateful that the room wasn't glaringly bright, the curtains slightly drawn.

Before moving, I paused and took note of how I was feeling. Realizing that while I could feel my mates in the same house, my thoughts and consciousness weren't open to them. I can't say I wasn't grateful for it, needing a few moments to just get my bearings. Guess that was an interesting Goddess perk; closing down our connection so they couldn't feel me. Though, I know they wouldn't love that. Especially Zane. My heart panged... God... Zane. I missed his scent. I missed them all, truly.

I sigh, despite knowing I was in this bed for five weeks, I didn't necessarily feel weak. In fact, I felt slightly invigorated. I took a second to move to my toes and my fingers before moving on to my arms and legs. I hit a snag when I felt a pinch in my arm and noticed I was hooked up to an IV with a thick blue liquid in it. I stared at it curiously, the liquid moving ever so slowly, as if with its' own current and it was slightly iridescent as it caught whatever rays of light were able to seep through the window curtains. Transfixed, I adjusted myself slightly, marveling at the ease, and reached for the bag, hanging slightly above my head. As my hand closed around the bag, I felt a jolt of power course through my veins. Words echoed through my head, the voice deep and grating as if hoarse with disuse.For those pure of soul, power will grow.Startled, I let the bag go.

What the fuck was that? No.Who, the fuck was that. The voice, despite sounding 'Goosebumps' as fuck, didn't sound evil. In fact, I was sure that the owner of that voice was far from evil and more along the lines of a, ridiculously powerful, benevolent being.

Interest piqued, I reached for the bag again. This time, no voice bounced around my head and looked closely at the contents currently pumping through my veins. The liquid seemed to jump towards my hands and the 'currents' became almost violent in its effort to reach me as if it was sentient. It felt...comforting...in a way, and despite the very small, unrealistic hope that I was being transformed into an Avatar, I realized, without a shadow of a doubt, that the liquid must have been made specificallyforme. To not only keep my muscles and body healthy, but to keep my power grounded in my body as it fully transitioned into Hudson 2.0 Goddess mode. If asked, I wouldn't be able to explain how I knew that the liquid was the Hudson version of the 'Sorcerer's Stone' but I was as confident in that as I was confident that I was breathing.

Letting the bag hang, I turned the little knob to stop the drip and pulled out the IV, ignoring the blood and putting pressure on the wound, knowing that it would close in seconds. I had no idea where everyone was but I admit I enjoyed waking up alone right now, as I could use a real shower. Old habits die hard; I cringed even as I thought the word 'die', knowing how close I was to actually being gone.

I took a deep breath as I slid off the bed, and the moment my feet hit the floor, I felt a low thrum of power coursing through my body and a breeze blow through my hair as if Tir Ag Nong was greeting me and welcoming me back. Despite knowing I was gone for a few weeks, even though it felt like seconds up in whatever realm Gaia was in, I was nowhere near as sore or weak as I thought I should be. For that I was both grateful and surprised. Although after examining the blue bag, hearing the voice of Dumbledore,andtalking with Gaia, I really should be. I made my way to my shower slowly but surely, still wanting to take it easy, and I closed the door behind me trying to make as little noise as possible. I took a second to 'mute' my emotions, so they were emotionally aware of my awakening. Although, when I took a minute to enhance my hearing, it sounded like everyone was in the middle of a conversation and maybe since they weren't expecting me to be awake, didn't bother to turn their attention upstairs. I shrugged, worked for me.

Taking a look in the mirror I bit back a gasp, the mate marks I recognized, everything looked normal...except for the giant swell of my belly. My boobs looked swollen as well and...i turned to the side...my ass is bigger too.I lamented internally that nothing I had was going to fit but had I been human, I probably would have lost the pregnancy, not to mention be thinner, malnourished, and had lost serious muscle tone. So truly, I am beyond grateful. As it was, with some sun I should lose some of my pale-ness and it would be like I never took this long ass nap. Thank fuck for Goddess-guided Fae-Comas. Turning to the side again, I smiled at my large baby bump that must have been a shock to the guys to see while I was in stasis. Four little ones, I felt the flutters again. Faerie baby flutters. Quadruplets. Remembering how they looked in the other realm, I smiled softly, my heart jumping in excitement.

I turned on the shower and stepped in, content as the water hit my back and poured over my body. Feeling invigorated and far from fatigued, I wash and detangle my hair, which definitely got a lot longer and heavier. In fact, I felt my arms getting heavy with that unfamiliar strain. Goodness gracious, I thought to myself, what was in that IV? Pantene for Faeries? At this rate, I was going to give birth to four miniature versions of 'Thing' from the Addams Family.Quads.I smiled. I had to get used to saying it but I admit every time I thought about it I felt like dancing.

After a quick shave of everywhere I could reach, not wanting to use my powers yet, lest everyone figure out that I was awake, I sighed as I got out of the shower and wrapped myself in a warm towel. Thank goodness my bathroom was fully stocked, I had looked like a pale, wildebeest. I had to take a second to catch my breath when I looked in the mirror again, not used to seeing a huge belly bump protruding from my body. I sat on the edge of the jacuzzi, as I ran my favorite cream through my hair leaving it curly and down to air dry while I moisturized. I stood up and brushed the icky feeling from my mouth, feeling a bit more normal,the miracle of a good shower.

I walked back into the room, and took a second to fully open the curtains to let in a lot more light. The sun warmed my face for a moment and I sighed in pleasure before I turned around to get dressed. It took me a few moments to register, seeing as how there was just so much to take in, that the room was covered in blooming flowers, gifts, well wishes and thank you cards. It was like a Fae funeral parlor and I realize it must have not been too cheerful for everyone to constantly be in here, and they definitely were; the sheets were fresh, the windows were open, music was playing softly. I smiled, knowing they were always close to me and I dug through my drawers.

I laughed softly, finding that all of my old clothes were pretty much gone, and in their place was a bunch of maternity clothes in a leather gauzy fabric that looks stretchy and indestructible. I slid on a pair of high-waisted fancy-looking yoga pants and a soft long-sleeved white shirt, with holes in the back. When I slipped on the shirt, a note fluttered to the floor.

"In case you're wondering who purchased these amazing clothes, it 'twas I, Ryder... PS. The holes are for your wings. PPS. I get the first night of you when you wake up. It's mandated. Thanks. Love you."I rolled my eyes and laughed softly. I felt my pulse speed up and a smile fix itself to my face at the thought it seeing them. From the note, despite so much changing all around us, it was still as though nothing has changed. Not in the way that truly counted, how we felt for one another.

My eyes caught six letters, neatly folded, on my dresser while I was digging for clothes and after I was dressed, I pick them up and start to read them.

My breath catches and I feel my throat go thick, as I read through each note twice over. Each word flooded my senses and I press my hand to my chest, trying to ease the ache in my heart. Even so, I continued to read them, my stomach doing somersaults. It was almost as if each sentence was its own roller coaster of emotions, every paragraph a breakneck turn into their very souls and each letter professed their love, sadness, pain, hurt and heartbreak.

I already had the pressing need to reassure them everything was going to be okay from the moment I woke up. But now, it was more of a need to hold them close, to never let go. To apologize for leaving them for even a moment. I just...didn't know how. I could fight, I could wield magic. Hell, I was a mythical faerie queen, but in touch with my emotions? I wasn't there yet, not like these letters. I needed to be more...Not only for them, but for myself, for my children, for my people.

I closed my eyes and let out a soft sigh, this is alot to process right now.

Instead, I put my hands on my belly, "You're going to have to teach your mommy to be a little bit more...everything. But when I get there, I'll be the best mommy ever."

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