Page 26 of Within the Veil

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Hudson

"Okay, so give me the full-blown breakdown. According to Kalen's clandestine, creepy-ass notes to Shea, I know that all of you worked together during the start of the Rebellion--Saving shit, killing shit, hiding shit. I shared all of my weird cosmic bullshit," --well I didn't mention seeing tiny versions of our children, but considering the obsession they all seem to have with my belly, it will just make them more unhinged-- "Now it is time to tell me all that happened before you were mind-wiped and delivered to another realm by a giant winged fucker impersonating a Stork."

I clap my hands, "It's story time, fae-kers! Entertain your Queen."

I stifle a laugh with my hand as all six pairs of eyes narrow at me. But they can fuck right off. I've been conscious for all of forty-eight hours, and during that time, they've been scrutinizing me so closely I'm sure if they could watch my food digest, they would. For the first few hours, it was adorable. When they stood outside of the bathroom, it was less cute. When I took a nap and woke up to them standing over me like fucking dementors, I was done. I imagine even Dobby watching "Forbidden Sock Fantasies" on late-night Wizarding Network wouldn't be as riveted.

I may have been able to let it go, considering the scare they went through, but then King, Jensi, and Luca started popping in at random times and, barely a second after, would disappear.Without.Saying.A.Fucking.Word.

I'm essentially a late-night special, Serial Stalkers: Fae Edition, and at this point, if I close my eyes, I can hear the smooth yet dramatic voice of the host, Seelie Keith Morrison;'Tonight on 'Serial Stalkers, we bring you an exclusive look into the life of the recently found, heavily pregnant and recently-comatose, Queen of the Seelie. Unbeknownst to her, her every move will be monitored with rapt attention by her loving yet overly cautious mates. Will she so much as sneeze without a chorus of 'Bless yous'? Stay tuned and remember... danger lurks in every corner.'

But not tonight. I sent King, Jensi, and Luca out to 'secure the perimeter' and called for a movie sit-in with my mates. I made them position the couches around the room, essentially caging us in. Instead of focusing on me, I want a full run down on who they were before they were mind-wiped. Not only to sate my curiosity, which was making me climb the wall,almostas much as the stalking, but also to figure out how they would fit in with the war planning. Can't plan effectively if I have no idea of their increased capabilities. Or rather,rememberedcapabilities.

Now that we are settled in the living room, with several bowls of popcorn, snacks, matching pajamas --green and white onesies that say 'Fae-by Momma,' 'You Are the Fae-ther,' and Remi's special request of 'Not My Fae-king Uterus, But Touch My Fae-bies and Die,'-- and fluffy socks, I am ready to hear their stories. Plus all...well,mostof what I missed. I can do without the stories of Ryder's shopping addiction. I found the basement filled to the top with Amazon boxes and designer clothes. He is going to need a damn intervention at this point.

Don't get me wrong, the books we can keep. I'm not a monster. The body lotions can stay, too. Okay, half of it was for me. It can all stay. But no more shopping. Unless it's books, again, I'm not a monster.

"Babe, you're projecting," Remi murmurs, her voice tinged with playful accusation. I feel the warmth of her breath on my neck as she leans in, her head finding the curve of my shoulder like a missing puzzle piece. "No one is going to stop you from buying books, but we are going to need a bigger house."

I can't help the slightly crazed smile on my face. Any mate who offers a bigger house to fit your books is a unicorn I would ride into the sunset. When the men stay silent, I turn my head to catch all but Ryder, who looks smug as shit, rolling their eyes, and my smile melts into a scowl.

My gaze sharpens as the deep, violent need to stab them with a twig fills my anger pocket of destruction.Okay, my heart. But anger pocket sounds better."You see this?" I scowl, my finger pointing emphatically toward Remi, who still rests against my shoulder, and Ryder, who now has his head on my lap, taking advantage of my weakened book-slut haze. "This is what you guys need to aspire to--this right here." Savoring the sweetness of girl power (okay, I'm getting my feels in, but she's fucking hot), and Ryder's warmth, I snuggle into Remi's embrace while running my hands through his thick white hair, with a pointed look at the fuckers who dare deny me joy. "This is how you stay mated for life. Bigger house for more books, none of that 'get an e-reader' nonsense."

"It was one time," Zane grumbles.

I glare at him, "One time is enough. Enough for me to make me question your loyalty to the crown.I.e. me.I will let you know what the council decides. Which, coincidentally, is alsome, since I'm carrying several members of the royal court in my glittery uterus," I say primly.

"You won't be letting me know fuck-all, Hudson. As the King..."

"Not a solid argument when there a shit ton of dicks," Ryder interrupts with a laugh.

"Also, it is not a valid assertion when we reside in a matriarchal society," Oberon deadpans.

"It's not sound logic with Hudson, period." Grayson smirks.

"Can't even be king in my own house," Zane sighs, sitting back against one of the couches.

If it weren't for the fact that his jaw is clenching as he has a mini tantrum, the pout on his face would be absolutely adorable. But as usual, he fights for his wants for a short moment before tucking his tail and running. I project the last, doing my best to look unamused, but it's a losing battle.

He gives me a narrow, glinting glare, his green eyes several shades darker, "don't fucking start, Hudson. We are past that."

At his gruff voice, I burst out laughing, unable to stop myself.

"It's too easy," I choke out, watching the play of emotions on his face. So grumpy, so fucking handsome. Even in fuzzy pajamas, Zane exuded raw, commanding masculinity; the rich outlines of his shoulders, straining against the soft fabric, paired with his flawless, sun-kissed skin, should be fucking illegal.

He rolls his eyes, lips curling into a smug smirk, "Princess if you're craving something. There is no need to go to such lengths to get it."

Before I can respond, Remi saves me from being a lusty animal.

"Can we keep the pheromones to a reasonable level? Movie and story night, remember?" She says, her nose adorably twitching. To be fair, I'm lusting after her too, but orgies are off the table.

"A cock-blocker and a cock tease. Both of you are a pain in my ass," Zane teases, reaching over to tug my hair. I stick out my tongue.

"I know several things we can do with that," Hunter leans up from his position on the floor, his eyes heated.

I swallow thickly, feeling my eyes dilate. I'm going to need them to stop seducing me with their Fae hotness. It isn't fair. They were gorgeous before, but now? Wings, long white hair-- half of it braided, because apparently that is the warrior style, and I am not complaining--and muscled to all hell. With the mate marks and the ink they had from the mortal realm, they were just prime sexual meat. And I'm but a horny Fae-nivore.

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