Page 38 of Within the Veil

I lean into his touch, our bodies melting into each other as he leans against the couch. The feeling of his hard body against mine was delicious as it was sinful. The sm "No Obi. I'm not as worldly as you are. I meant with an actual shower and a loofah."

He frowns, "But we are magical beings. It's faster this way."

Ryder laughs, bending to give me a quick kiss before settling himself on the floor at my feet, kissing my belly, and leaning his head back against the couch, "Forget it, Oberon. There is no way you'll ever convince Hudson that magic will ever be better than an actual shower."

Oberon sighs, "Humans are so incredibly perplexing. Even the movies I've watched--and I've watched hundreds-- they either break into song in dance and the strangest of times or go on missions to 'Die Hard' during some sort of holiday. There is an interesting human, though, Keanu Reeves; I often wonder if he doesn't have some sort of Fae blood. Intriguing fellow." He hums, choosing to rub my belly while he contemplates popular culture.

"You've watched Die Hard?" I ask incredulously. Oberon firmly sticks to Disney films, so his branching out warmed something in me. It may seem silly, but it's hard to teach an Old Fae new tricks. Technology? He is all for bringing the Fae up to the new age... but media and music? Not so much.

He nods, looking up from where he is now, leaning awkwardly with his face on my belly, having lifted my shirt to press kisses on my swollen belly. How hot is a six-and-a-half foot ridiculously muscled Henry Cavill kissing your pregnant belly? No words. Just. None.

"Ryder has insisted on one non-Disney movie a week. The name appealed to me, I like to make several enemies Die Hard. Next week we are to watch something that is supposed to be Fast and Furious because I too am quite Fast and Furious," he says, face serious.

I laugh while the others roll their eyes and follow in Ryder's steps, kissing me and my belly. Hunter settles himself next to me on the couch, and I lean over Oberon to lay my head on his chest while I watch Zane and Remi head into the kitchen. I pray to all the entities that they stop Betty Crocker Grayson from trying to make a beef flavor protein shake to try to appeal to my craving for steak. Although he was shit out of luck if he thought I was drinkingthat.

I didn't seem to have an aversion to meat as they did, except for Hunter, who never had an aversion to it in the first place, being Djinn. No, I was still good to eat all the pepperoni pizzas and steak tacos I could stuff in my mouth, and the kids didn't seem to mind either. Whether that was because of Hunter's bloodline being part of their genetic makeup or the fact that I was part Goddess and therefore didn't have the same aversions that did, I'm not sure. Regardless, considering pepperoni pizza is a major food group, I'm not questioning it. But beef-flavored shakes? Yeah. No.

"Wait until you start really getting into the music. You'll question everything you know about humans then," Ryder sighs dramatically.

Oberon scoffs, "Our ballads are the things of legends. No mere human song will ever compare."

"There is only but so much, 'the cries of your enemies,' you can possibly enjoy, Brother. Give some Rock and Roll and chance." Ryder smirks.

"I absolutely will not roll on rocks...."

I roll my eyes as they bicker and turn to Hunter, who is rubbing small circles on the inside of my wrist, having stolen my hand when I wasn't paying attention. "What time are Jensi, Luca, and King getting here?" I ask. They've been so busy taking my place at the council, insisting, along with the guys and Remi, that I needed time to gear up with research, my mental and emotional connection with Tir-Ag-Nog, and getting a 'feel' for my powers before jumping into my duties.

So instead, Oberon suggested I send missives to advise them that they needed to come to a consensus and make decisions that would positively impact the Fae, instead of letting themselves remain comfortable in their bubble of 'tradition.' Well, not the last part, but I threwthatinto the first missive out of irritation. Everyone thereafter was just a bonus. The 'Just How Much Can I Piss Off Mythical Beings Bonus.' Although, admittedly, it was more than just a source of entertainment. I used this opportunity to brush up on the 'Professional Dickhead' tone my father had me perfect with his years on the council.

"Okay, so just pen them a letter saying what, exactly? Hey, fuck-holes, I am still on coma-related maternity leave. So while I am conscious, I don't want to deal with your shit so soon, so help my sentries make actual decisions instead of fingering your butt-holes all day with pixie dust?" I lean back against the chair of the kitchen, pen in hand, while Ryder laughs and King shakes his head. The idea of sending a missive was good, especially if it allowed me time to get my bearings back, do some research, and catch up on all the minutes from previous meetings. They were insisting, but in reality, I knew that they wanted to keep me to themselves a little longer, and if that meant keeping my movements to a few walks around the village to talk to the people and avoid the council altogether, they were all for it. I let them have that. They needed it. I needed it.

Zane rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, but not before reaching out to lightly tap my head, "Or you can use all of the years under your father's tutelage, and send dignified letters that have an undercurrent of disdain."

Ryder laughed, "Oh man do you remember when Hudson forged a letter to her magic instructor colalition from her father?" His voice takes on a deeper tone as if mimicking my father, "'While I do not wish to cast aspersions or make unfounded accusations, I have heard from multiple sources that there are doubts about Instructor Jilian's ability to effectively take her hygiene into own hands, let alone instruct young magic users. I request we assist said instructor in the ways of soap and magic...'" Ryder finishes off in a fit of laughter, and I hide a smirk.

Zane's lips quirk, " do I remember? It was our last year there, and all anyone could talk about was the gift baskets of soap she wouldn't stop getting to her office door."

Grayson and Hunter chuckled. Oberon's face split into a smile, "should I wonder why she brought on the wrath of our lovely mate?"

Hunter scoffed, "She was a new intructor just a couple years older than us, Hudson, even then had a little bit of a jealous streak especially when she started showing Zane here a little bit more attention than you would a normal senior. "

"You have absolutely no proof that was me, I was innocent. It is not my fault she couldn't keep her dirty thoughts about my lovely brother from her impure mind," I say sternly.

Zane unfolds his arms and leans over, grabbing my face, "adopted brother," he corrected with a whisper. "And it was you. It was also you who magically filled her car with soap bars and a rain shower. I loved you then, I loved you now, you little minx. Now let's use that destructive mind to fuck with the council." He grazes my lips with his, tracing his tongue along the seam of my lips before tugging me closer with a soft growl, our lips moving in sync and I feel heat unfurl in my panties.

Remi clears her throat," let's get to the letter before we all lose track of time here."

I blink as Zane pulls away and I clear my throat at the hunger in all of their eyes. Fuck I needed more hours in the day.

"Okay fine. Letter coming right up."

* * *

Council members,

I write to you with a heavy heart. It pains me to see us at an impasse, unable to make progress on the important issues facing our realm. I implore you to set aside your personal biases and think of the greater good. We must make decisions that benefit all the fae, not just those in positions of power. I urge you to come to the table with open hearts and minds, ready to work together for the good of all.

Rhiona of Faell, Queen Of The Seelie, Forger of Truth, Guider of Light, Vanquisher of Darkness.

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