Page 40 of Within the Veil

Although,to be fair, they were right. I begrudgingly admit to myself. The excuses of connecting with the land--which, at this point, I know more about avian reproduction than I ever wanted to, thank you very much--and powers were warranted, but it was time to take a more active role. Admittedly, I was grateful. I was able to use this time to bask in my mates, sex, food, and research and thereby avoiding the oncoming altercation with the fucktwats.

But I would never apologize for taking the time I needed. And considering the depth of my happiness, the light glow that emanated from my belly when I was with them all, the little uterine invaders needed it too. At this point, I could pick up on all their discomforts and even internal fights for space when they were pleased, and so was I, and vice-versa. It is...beyond anything I could have ever thought possible. Though, as I got bigger, so did their opinions. They got that from Zane... Okay. No...from me.

I was pissed that after all of that, the meetings, despite my written missives, had been far from productive. I barely saw King because other than my sentries popping in for nightly debriefs, King's mental grumblings about 'deep-fried fae,' hugs, and quick family meals, they were always in the war room planning. Or at least attempting to.

Now Brighid, Dana, and Bran insisted I appear in the chambers for a formal 'Royal Conclave.' Although, this particular letter would get a response in person. The fucking nerve.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you looked at it, it was time that I took shit over with an iron fist. At Oberon's insistence, we went over the 'Right of Conquest' with a fine tooth comb, and he was right. We met all of the criteria for it. Luckily, I also think I knew exactly how to convince the Fae that I wasn't suddenly a power-hungry whore to make this work to my advantage.

Dutifully, I got all my information together last night on what I've missed in past Council sessions in order to prepare for the meeting I called for later today. What did I miss? Absolutely fucking nothing, considering they were all essentially fae potatoes.

The one thing I was missing and really needed was more hands-on, first-account information about Nici, and unfortunately, there was only one way to get it: through the man that helped create me. Even if I wanted to punch him in his princely fucking fae-ce.

However, he was off doing more secret shit and hasn't been able to attend the summons Oberon issued. Which, I'm sure, grated on his nerves that a man of his position was being issued an official royal summons, much like I was. Irony. However, duty calls and the Queen needs her princely father.

At that thought, I added, "Also, any word on when Shea is due to return?"

Their response is cut off as I wince, my belly shifting visibly as the babies adjust themselves. Suddenly Zane, Remi, and Grayson appear in front of us, staring down at me like magical OBGYN's ready for war. I roll my eyes, "Tone down the 'Big Wing' energy, please. I am fine. I'm growing winged twerking beasts. Let me and them adjust."

Oberon and now Hunter rub my belly as he responds to my initial question, "They were just with us, but they are completing their rounds to check for weaknesses and then have to prep for the meeting. They should be back soon. As for Shea, he should be back in a week's time. In the meantime, we can use what knowledge we do have and get things situated with the Council later and start moving forward." I nod.

"Okay then. Well, might as well make the most of today. I want to make rounds in the village again and then take a look at the training sessions happening before the meeting." I push myself off of Oberon's lap.

"If you're up for it...."Grayson starts, and I glare at him.

"I've done all that I can, from inside the house and short walks around the village. The only trouble I have is getting onto my feet. My endurance is fine, I don't feel weak. I feel stronger than ever. So yes, I think I'm up for the longer walk and some important conversations all in one day."

I roll my eyes as I ignore their internal protests and make my way upstairs to change. Part of me understands how they feel; the need to keep me cocooned, safe, and within their orbit. However, three weeks was enough sheltering, I gave in partially because I knew I needed to do everything they asked of me and partially because I selfishly wanted to spend time with all of them.However, the other part wanted to come out and beat the shit out of them with my pretty wings. It was a lose-lose situation.

But the truth is, every day that passes, my sense of duty grows, and the pressing weight on my chest grows stronger. Every time I open myself up to 'link' with the world, people, and entities around me, I open myself up to hearing their needs, fears, and desires as well-- something I choose not to tell anyone. Because in the end, no matter how crippling it is to feel every facet of someone's emotions, it is my duty to understand the needs of my people. So, just like I was able to block them from realizing I had woken up from my coma so that I had a few moments to myself, I blocked out that portion of our connection, leaving just enough for them to sense the surface of my emotions. Is it the best decision? No. However, it is one that I make, knowing that they will, more likely than not, have me stop, and I cannot do that.

I love them with all that I am, but their desire to protect me is greater than their desire to save our world. I know that. Because if it were me, I would feel the same. Maybe that makes me a hypocrite, and that is fine because this is beyond me, beyond them, beyond labels. An entire Realm--one that my children should be able to grow up in, outside the boundaries of a rebel camp--lies in the balance.

And I will be damned before I hide behind someone else's fear while I sit on a gilded throne, only to watch my children play with the scraps of a Court they are destined to lead.

ChapterNine

Hudson

Quickly changing into a pair of tights and a fitted maternity shirt Ryder had collected for me, I shove my feet into my combat boots and march back downstairs. But not before snatching a modified weapons holder that went on like a backpack but looped comfortably under my belly with a thick elastic band that would work with my body as the babies grew. Along the sides of the holder were various knife sheaths that already held my favorite weapons as well as a few new bedazzled hand scythes with various gems. When I first saw this belt a couple of weeks ago, I immediately knew it was Ryder's idea, clearly indicated by the soft, supple, and expensive Italian leather but executed by everyone. I love it. It makes me feel extra stabby to have it on, and a bit more like the old Hudson.

"Oh yeah, it's going down," I mutter to myself as I make my way down the stairs.

I narrow my eyes as King, Luca, and Jensi pop in out of nowhere when I hit the last step of the staircase, "you are going to cause me to go into early labor, popping in randomly like that. Which I'm sure you want to avoid as you'll then be neonatal sentinels," I scowled. "You need to wear a bell or send an owl or something."

King laughed, reaching up to sweep his hair into a bun, his shirt straining to contain the muscles that they had all apparently eaten for breakfast every day while I was lying in bed for several weeks. He really is something magnificent to behold. Whoever ends up with him is going to be ridiculously fortunate. Jensi and Luca, while they have always been tall, with the added bulk, they look like Faerie dementors. Their easy smiles are still always present; however, the air around all three of them, especially when together, is lethal. If it wasn't clear by their active roles in the council when I couldn't be present, they take their sentinel duties seriously.

"One, stop looking at me like that. I'm a human being...ish, not a snack," King winks, and I roll my eyes.As if.Well...

"That goes for Luca and I. This new position has made my appeal and status rise. I am a hot ticket item for the Fae ladies. I do not have the time for petty crushes from my Queen," Jensi says jokingly while Luca nods emphatically. I rolled my eyes.Fae Fuckers.

"Two," King continues shoving Jensi away, with a chuckle, "I don't send owls, but I will send you a mental message before I pop in. Three, a big ass bird told me we are going to walk around the village and oversee the training grounds before the meeting? I figured it was an excellent opportunity to show you how we have the sentries posted as well and go over the security we have in place for the town."

"I'll show you a big ass bird," Grayson growls, coming closer to King, unfurling his wings that were suddenly now visible and smacking him. King laughs and dances away from further attacks while I stand, transfixed, admiring Grayson in all his glory. Grayson's 'wings', if you can even call them that, are different than the others--Which makes sense, considering he resided in an underwater Kingdom. His wings are slightly webbed at the fringes, and they shimmer like pearls in the sunlight, yet have a subtle iridescence that reflects light with every subtle movement. And just like everything with my gentle giant, they were large, spanning wide and majestic, yet delicate and intricate in their design, just like his soul.

I resist the urge to shiver at his perfection. Although I've spent these weeks with them, sometimes I had to pause to take in all their changes. White hair, pointed ears, and fuck... those wings. Let's take a moment and say a small prayer and give thanks to the majestic wings that add to their considerable sex appeal. I didn't think feathers and wings with gills, in Grayson's case, would do it for me, but fuck, that is far from the truth. My mouth goes dry, my skin tightening, as I stare lustily at a six-foot-plus muscular mountain with an impressive wingspan. At least, I could testify that the wings matched the package.

Grayson looks at me, licks his lips, and winks at me as we all stride to the door.Fucker.I blow out a tension-filled breath as I follow behind them. I have suffered great trauma in the past few weeks--from finding out I am a Queen, falling into a coma, to becoming a part of the cast for a new show called 'Extreme Faerie Pregnancies,' (okay, not the last, but you get it). Still, despite all of that, the most traumatic experience is having my mates flash me their wings and then walking away, only to leave me panting like a 1600s viscount after seeing a pale, hairy virgin's ankle.

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