Page 27 of Within the Veil

Ryder bursts out laughing, "Fae-nivore? That's a fucking good one. Kiss me." He demands from his position on my lap, where hewasattempting to hear the babies, his ear pressed close to the curve of my belly, but is now chuckling.

I roll my eyes," You're going to have to lean up here, I can't exactly bend with a giant beach ball full of wings."

"Fair point," he laughs and leans over to press his lips against mine. "Mmm I love you, babygirl."

"I love you more, you sexy beast," Oberon speaks up from the couch positioned in front of me.

We pause and stare at him.

His brow furrows and his lips twitch with a mix of frustration and confusion that comes through the mate bond, "What? I used it correctly this time, didn't I? Also, I quite like this popcorn and pajama tradition. I demand we do this more often."

"Obi, I told you already. You don't have to demand anything. You can just ask for a movie night and popcorn," I roll my eyes. He has this serious 'Me, King. You, Peasant' complex. I never noticed it before, but it isn't like we were mated for a long time before the world exploded. But I guess in a house full of four Alpha males and a Remi, who would stab first and ask questions later, he is trying to find out how to fully integrate himself. I can tell him now that the best way is just to beat the shit out of one another, but if maim each other, I'm liable to shake the glitter from their pores.

He pouts--yes, that look he has down perfectly--, "Demanding is a lot more fun. I am the oldest and the wisest..."

"Don't start, Obi. The timeline shit is confusing to me, which is why we are having this little powwow, remember? So you guys can finally tell me where you're from now that you have your memories back. Well, almost all of them," I say, my eyes falling on Hunter, who is still having a few issues recalling familial details. But it should all start coming back soon. Hopefully.

"So let's start with Gray! We will go in order of dick piercings," I laugh at his expression, and he rolls his eyes.

* * *

Grayson

I roll my eyes at the ridiculousness that is my mate. But having her back is a fucking balm to my soul. The giggles, the teasing, the sweetness, and the sass that is all Hudson is something that I loved from the moment I met her. And although I know that this, our mate bond, is forever...that I have the entirety of my immortal life to spend with the person made for me, I still feel like it wouldn't be enough.

I sigh as I try to figure out where to start. My history, my life, is quite extensive to sift through to give an adequate cliff notes version. Getting my memories back was something like having someone kick you in the balls and then kick you in the head right after. Fae did not get things like headaches or common ailments, although remembering that didn't stop it from happening.

"I'll try to break down centuries into a few minutes," I joke.

"Sure, make fun of the fact that you guys are essentially geriatric fucks with perfect skin and wings who got yourselves a hot young human," she jokes.

"Be careful, Hudson. Or I'll start taking tallies for your punishment later," I say with a mock glare.

She waves me on with a smile.

I chuckle, "Well, I am known to the Fae as O'Donoghue. While I am not sure what happened after I left Tír na nÓg, I was the King of Lough Leane, an underwater kingdom. While we lived underwater, it was still much like you see around you, trees, flowers, and the like. Consider it more like a domed realm of sorts that cannot be reached by normal means, almost impossible to penetrate. As such, my magic is very much so connected to the water, and I had control of the water Fae. Considering that technically I am no longer in my Lough Leane, I'm not sure if I still have that control. My brother would have taken over the mantle; however, since I never abdicated the throne, it stands to reason that he never achieved full control."

"Oo, a younger brother. The plot thickens! What was he like?" Hudson asks.

"A royal pain in my ass. Cormac was a spoiled brat who was undeserving of the title of 'Prince.' My parents were grateful every day that I was the one to take over the Kingdom," I reply.

"A spoiled brat is putting it lightly," Oberon adds. "Grayson was known to be the most magnanimous King. Well-loved, respected. As you know, the whole of Tír na nÓg is ruled by a Queen. But the Kingdoms within each have a ruler who defers to that Queen. If I recall correctly, and I do, during a summer solstice gathering that would later be followed up with a celebration, the pompous ass had the gall to request a recess so that he may frolic with a Nixie."

"A Nixie?" Hudson asks.

"A water spirit that can take on human form. Beautiful but mean as hell if they are slighted in any way," I reply.

"I like them already, continue. Tell me you smacked him."

"I don't think I have ever transported myself so fast. Tossed him outside the chambers, and I had to apologize for his actions. He is fortunate he was still considered young by our standards, or the Queen could have had him punished a lot more severely," I shake my head.

"How old was he?"

"About 300 years. Like Remi. Except she is nowhere near as bad as Cormac was."

"Except for the entire run away from her duties thing," Hudson teases her.

"I regret a lot of things. But I got you and brothers now, so I'll take the win," Remi laughs.

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