Page 28 of Within the Veil

I laugh. "Regardless, he wasn't much of a concern. I had a Kingdom to run, and I did so effortlessly. Everyone was welcome, and I rarely left my Kingdom after I took over. When I was younger, I would venture out with my grandmother, and that is how I became friends with these assholes. But after, I only left once every seven years or so."

"Wow. I'm going to want so many more details. But we have time for that, I suppose. Okay. Whose next? Ryder and Hunter both have just one piercing...but Ryder can go since his name is shorter and he probably feels like he has to live up to Hunter's six letters," she laughs and Ryder glares at her.

"I'll have you know. I have nothing to compensate for. I am the King of Spears," he huffs.

"Oh, tell me more, oh mighty spear stroker," she jokes.

"I will regal you with my stories of badassery," he sits up and grabs popcorn stuffing his mouth.

"Where will I begin," he starts, popcorn pieces falling out. Animal.

* * *

Ryder

"Okay, so I open at the close," I laugh, and Hudson's eyes sparkle. Nothing like a little Potter to make those green eyes dance as they come to life. Gaia, help me, but Hudson is simply perfection in a mortal body.

"So I am known as Aiwel. My people are a little bit different in terms of Realms. But that is just the way Tír na nÓg works. Every culture is represented by the way that Tír na nÓg is spread across the world. I'm sure you've noticed my glorious, deeply tanned body and the sparkle of the sun in my beautiful eyes? Yes? Moving on. My people are located roughly in the area that would be known in the human realm as South Sudan. But I was born or created, whichever you want to look at it, from my mother's relationship with a river spirit. I took over as my mother was too fragile to lead. Like Gray, I can manipulate water, but I also have an affinity with animals."

"Ooo...like Disney. But way sexier. I like it. Carry on, Sir Aiwel!" Hudson says. I laugh at her cute bounce of excitement.

"I shall do as my lady commands. As I was born from a river spirit, I also have an affinity with nature. Because of that, I have the unique ability to heal people and animals as well as make lands fertile. I would travel to the mortal realm to do just that periodically as to not upset the balance. I can also access the spirit realms where the Fae dwell when they pass and are waiting to be reborn, Tir na Síochaí." I pause as Hudson's eyes widen. I see the question lingering in her eyes, her hopeful stare and my heart breaks.

"No, baby girl. I can't seek out Kalen. My duty is to travel there when there is a pressing need. While I have a connection to the spiritual world, it would go against my very nature and all I have been taught to go there without ramifications. There is still a balance to uphold. Tír na nÓg recognizes the difference between need and wants. I'm sorry," I say softly, I move closer to her and press a kiss to her forehead, and bring her hand to my heart. "I wish I could, truly. I wish I could take away all of your sadness and ease all of your pain. I know you miss Kalen. We miss him too. Especially now that we remember him as more than the guy who showed up and made pancakes for you," I laugh softly and a small smile graces her lips.

"I get it, I just wish...I don't know that I could break all the rules," she sighs sadly.

"Me too, Babygirl. Should I continue?"

She nods and I pull her into my arms, holding her closer while I try to give the cliff notes of my extensive history. It was like trying to pack a house into a mouse hole, but I'm trying.

"Now, the Spear Master that is the great Aiwel. That's me by the way," I chuckle.

"Their ability with spear combat is incredible. I remember watching them fight during one of the many dick-measuring contests the Fae have during the solstice celebrations," Remi rolls her eyes with a laugh. "It was like watching a typhoon of music and skill come to life, if that makes any sense. The spears were like an extension of their bodies and fuck, it felt good to know they weren't the enemy. They would give Oberon a run for his pot of gold," she tosses in with a smile at Oberon.

"I do not covet pots of gold. The whole concept of a rainbow and gold is absolutely preposterous. However, I begrudgingly admit that the Spear Masters were precise, graceful, and agile--a perfect warm-up for a display of true power. Like my own," he crosses his arms, and I roll my eyes.

"I seem to recall my putting you on your ass during one of these competitions," I say, eyebrows raised.

"Really? My Obi the great?" Hudson snickers.

Oberon scoffs, "You must be quite mistaken. I can forgive that, considering your mind was tampered with. That particular memory must be damaged to some degree."

I laugh at his expression as if the idea of losing is a direct insult to his very being. It is an expression I strived to see at least three times a day... minimum. The truth is, I didn't knock him on his ass. Almost, but not quite. He's a scary motherfucker in battle.

"Kalen actually trained with us for a few years, he taught you spear combat, right?" I ask.

"Yeah, he also made it his mission to hit every blind spot so damn hard I would probably have no damn legs if I couldn't heal myself. And after I gained the majority of my powers, he couldn't cause any damage, but he would certainly try--savage ass," she grumbles lovingly.

Unable to resist, I press my lips to her neck softly before continuing. "When I was younger, we would spend a lot of time in the rivers. That's how I met these fuckers. Now that I think about it, our mothers and grandparents were always strangely there at the exact same time." I didn't really think about it then, but it is a tad strange that all of us met at a young age in the same location and ended up being mated to Hudson.

"Chalk it off to fate," Hudson shrugs. I look at the guys.

"Maybe," I murmur. "Regardless, that is the cliff notes version, Hunter is up!"

* * *

Hunter

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