Page 20 of Within the Veil

I cleared my throat, "This is the second time no one has bothered to let me know when there was pizza," I smiled as I walked into the kitchen, pretending everything was normal, I mean if you pretend enough you can make it happen right? I pointed at Grayson, "Didn't I say I wouldn't protect you from Hunter if it happened again?"

Their faces ranged from surprise to shock, to disbelief. Walking to the table and grabbing a piece of pizza I took a bite almost moaning at the taste, my eyes closed.

"No one thought of putting pizza in my IV Vine? I probably would have woken up sooner." I teased, despite the varying emotions and tension filling the room.

A chair falls to the floor as Hunter walked up to me slowly, his hands out, his eyes glazed as he reached out and touches my face.

"Holy shit, you're real, it's real." He grabs my face and presses his lips to mine, wrapping me in a gentle hug. Breathing in his masculine scent, my arms tightened around his waist, taking a second with him to compose myself just the same. Having read his letter I understood he seemed to be taking it harder than most and just as possessive as he was that night in the pool our first-time skinny dipping, he held me close.

"I'm real, I'm right here." Reaching up to his face, wiping his eyes, "No more of that," I spoke gently but firmly, kissed his face, and leaned into his chest. Behind us, Ryder whooped, and I feel my feet come up off the ground as pulled from Hunter's arms as Ryder picks me up and spins me around laughing all the while Zane smacked him upside the head and scolded him to be gentle.

"Stop shaking me asshole, you'll hurt the babies." At the reminder, everyone freezes and looks at my belly, as Ryder puts be back down.

"Holy twigs and berries, your belly looks so much bigger with you standing up," said Ryder reverently.

"I don't think you're supposed to say that to a pregnant woman," Jensi whispers to Luca.

I bite back a laugh,while I'm sure I would't love it in the future, I couldn't blame him. I probably did look like I was running around with a stolen yoga ball in my shirt.

"Those four are going to be huge," he continues, ignoring Jensi, and my eyes widened in shock.

"You know?"

"Yeah, Li'Ella came by when you, um, first fell asleep and told us four were coming," Grayson jumped in, gently setting Li'Ella on his vacated chair before coming around to wrap me into his arms.Holy fuck, what was he bench pressing, the serpent from the Chamber of Secrets?

"Serpent?" He raised his eyebrow and I shrugged, you could literally insert Harry Potter into every aspect of your life and there would be a situation that calls for a reference.

"Okay, okay. First, everyone come and give me a damn hug, then we all need to sit down and catch up."

As they all take turns giving me hugs, weightlessness takes over my body, warmth suffusing my body and I savor each contact. Swallowing past the ache in my throat I can't help but think how right this all feels because despite being at home, it is within their arms that I feel complete. As the feeling inside of me intensifies, my wings burst out of my back and I spin around as they flutter around me.

"Happiness equals wings got it," I murmur and try to take in the different hues of green, purple, and silver but find it impossible.

"I'll take a picture babe," Remi laughs happily as she walks around to observe them.

"Wow, Queen Mommy, you have the prettiest wings. But I knew you would," Li'Ella giggles and I chuckle with her. Because of course, she would know.

* * *

We all settlearound the living room while I gave them all my coma/goddess run-down, all the while fluttering my wings around. Because, um. Wings.

"So you basically had a long talk with a Goddess and you are pretty much a baby Goddess Fae Queen," Ryder blinks rapidly. "That's...Well...Wow, I guess."

"Man of many words here," laughed. Shock was written all over their faces. Emotions whirl in their eyes. I pick up fear, excitement, dismay, and concern, among other things. It was a bit overwhelming.

"Let's take several steps back. We have nine weeks...maybe ten until the babies are born?" Remi runs her hands through her hair, eyes wide.

"We will have to inform the midwife, give her a timeline to prepare everything," Oberon added succinctly.

Jensi cleared his throat, "Beyond that, I know Gaia mentioned you will be stronger, powers expanding. Did she give any tips about how to cultivate that power? Because I will be really honest here, Hudson, between your decreased gestation period and the need to really start planning our attacks now that you're finally awake, we really don't have much time here."

I considered my conversation with Gaia trying to remember if I was missing anything. "Hmm, not really. She was unsure of how all the influx of powers were going to affect me. She told me to practice, prepare and trust my mates. So I am all ears," I pointed at my pointed ears with a sly smile, "for solutions to figure this shit out."

Grayson grunts, leaning against the living room wall, not wanting to settle down, eyes always watchful. Hunter, King and Luca had similar positions throughout the room while Ryder, my feet in his lap, Remi, Zane, Oberon and Jensi, chose to sit around me instead.

Grayson, uncrossing his arms to pick up Li'Ella who was looking up at him, imploringly, he smiles at her before looking at all of us. "We suspected as much though. When your powers spiked and then especially considering Jensi and Luca received their sentinel marks, but now things make a bit more sense. All in all, it will make beating the other side a lot more feasible than it was. Especially with Hudson's increased power and, thereby, our strength as well."

"Not necessarily," King started, "I mean, sure we will benefit from the power boost, we already have been while she has been in her stasis, but we cannot and should not put all of our hope in her being able to battle, long term or close combat. We still have to approach this as if she isn't able to fight. She's an incredible fighter for sure, and I am sure the long-range attacks with her increased powerbase will be fucking phenomenal, but with the pregnancy she is going to be the primary target. Think about it from a battle perspective. If they get Hudson, not only will they weaken all of us, but it takes her out as well as the immediate line of succession." King shakes his head, "not to mention Nici has had years to cultivate a plan, allies, battle strategies and so on." Everyone looks around, gazes locking with their own internal thoughts.Oh no they fucking don't.

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