Page 37 of Within the Veil

"What does one give a lion and a snake as a toy?" Oberon leaps off the tree with a slip, landing in a crouch.

Remi shakes her head, "show off."

Oberon grins. A look that was still at odds with the Oberon from tales and those from memory, it was a kinder smile, atypical from his usual feral sort of smile. It was comforting to a certain degree, to have Oberon become more thanjusta story, more than the great Scail, of tales. Once, Oberon may have been known as a great King, but the sheer magnitude of his power set him so far apart from everyone near him that he lost a lot of his ability to act...human? Normal? Sane? Non-violent? In fact, he was often so beyond typical sanity that many surmised that Oberon had been what inspired a lot of the tales of Fae in the human world. Always speaking in riddles, as beautiful as he was deranged.

"I will have you know, a mere flip in the air is not showing off my dear, Remi," he says.

"Yeah," She scoffs, tossing her blue hair behind her back, fixing a hand to her hip, her eyes rolling. "But maybe the jumping from over a height of over 60 feet, after swinging around like a barbarian would be considered showing off."

His eyes narrowed, "a barbarian? Me?! I am the most cultured out of all of us. You will do well to remember who I am, youFachan."

I wince at the insult and roll my eyes and start to rub my temples as everyone protests at once.

Remi launches herself at Oberon, short sword out, "I'll show you an ugly, blue feathered..." She growls and moves to stab him, which he parries blindingly fast, his own weapon out a grin on his face.

"Most cultured?!"-Ryder says, pushing his shoulders back a scowl on his face as he takes out his own sword.

Hunter's eyes flair red and his claws burst out of his hands at the promise of any sort of violence before he jumps into the fight, "yes, real training!"

I step out of the line of fire as they not only fight with weapons but summon vines and various forms of elemental magic. I lean up against a tree, cross my ankles, and press a hand against my lips as the soldiers, very briefly, paused in their duties. Years of tradition were engrained in all of us, but it was safe to say that we broke the mold, the mates of the Queen fighting and tossing insults in the middle of the forest, near the perimeter. It was either a testament to our confidence in our strength if we were to come upon a skirmish or a testament to our idiocy. At this point, I would go with both.

I sigh as King, Jensi and Luca suddenly appear next to me and their eyes widen while a smile brightens their faces, as they take in the equal display of skill and childishness, in front of us.

"Well, now I know why I felt a charge in the air. We were on our way to prep for today's council meeting," King chuckles, his arms crossing over his chest as he leans against the tree with me.

"My money is on Oberon," Jensi jokes, watching as Oberon weaves his magic and wields weapons in a way that is almost beautiful; every movement is controlled and graceful. Yet, from our bond, he wasn't even trying too hard. We have yet to meet the army that he has been amassing for several years, but seeing as he trained them directly, I looked forward to seeing them in action.

Luca scoffs, his eyes on Remi as she fights with a ferocity that was a bit terrifying, "Remi has a lot of rage. I'm not so sure."

I watch with a small smile as all four of them weave through the foliage, jumping over every obstacle gracefully as their connection to the vibrations around us tells them where to go and what to avoid. It hasn't failed my notice that we still don't have an answer to our initial question... How and why is she so good at now blocking us out now? We are supposed to be one. The thought is unsettling, especially after the battle and the outcome. I want...need to be tuned into her ass every time she breathed. If a blood cell moved, I wanted to know it.

After a few moments, I push away from the tree. "Alright, guys, cut it the fuck out, and let's head back. I allowed you to have your fun." I turn and nod to Jensi and Luca and they send calming waves to all four of them.

Ryder pouts as he sheathes his sword, "Unfair sentry usage."

I grin, "Part of the perks of being the leader."

They scowl and I disappear with a laugh, knowing they will follow. They always do.

* * *

Hudson

* * *

I leanmy head against the glass and sigh in pleasure as the cushions cradle my body and I lay my hands on my belly, for what seemed the thousandth time of the day, and marvel at its size. It was ridiculous as much as it was awe-inspiring. Gaia wasn't kidding about my timeline, and I felt the time creeping up on me like a perverse spider.

I could have gone back to my endless planning and research but at that moment, I just didn't want to. Instead, I turn away from the window and settle deeper into the plush couch, pulling my blanket over my head to watch 'Lucifer', choosing to take a mental break and trying to shut my brain off the best way I knew how. Demons.

After a few moments, Zane, Hunter, Remi, Ryder, and Oberon stride through the front door, sweaty and perfectly sculpted, as they come in from their morning training session and walk around. I love how their sweat almost glimmers in the light, making them look like every inch of the magical beings they are.

I frown as they move to sit next to me, "There is no way in this realm or the fucking next that any of you will sit near me without showering," I wrinkle my nose at the earthy scent leaking from their very pores. It wasn't unpleasant, however...ew.

They grin as they 'magic' themselves clean and into a new set of combat clothes. I roll my eyes, "Some things are just better the old fashion way."

Oberon flashes next to me, picking me up to settle me onto his lap, "you mean with a river and lavender nectar as soap?"

I roll my eyes as he kisses my neck, sighing in a growly type of contentment while nipping gently and rubbing my ever-growing belly.

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