Page 41 of Within the Veil

When we get back, I am going to get them naked and make them show me their wings. Right before I jump them and ride those Faerie dicks, like I'm a majestic, pregnant extra in "The Never Ending Story."

* * *

King

After a quick walk around the grounds, we walked into the training facility and everything went quiet. Everyone stopped sparring, dropped to one knee and a chorus of "Queen Rhiona" echoed around the entire room. This being her first time fully out, and not just for a brief walk around the village outside the house, since the coma, it is a heartwarming reminder that Hudson is a hero, not only to the people who were already established in the village but even more so to those who were saved when she poured her power into a magical net to release them from Nici's hold. Our village grew monumentally after that day.

I feel the brief panic flare in her belly as she looks at us, her eyes widening a bit, before addressing the room, "You may stand."

I bit back a chuckle as her voice flits through our head,I hope that sounded regal AF, because if it didn't I'm going to look like a punk bitch queen.

I don't think you could look like a punk bitch Queen even if you were a punk bitch Queen.

Goodpoint,she responds.

With great difficulty, I keep my face straight. Having her back with us fully instead of a human-shaped pillow is a breath of fresh air. No, it is like regaining the ability to breathe after being sick.

Despite putting my alchemy talents to the side these past few weeks and donning the sentinel and Council leader role, I couldn't stay busy enough to ignore the pang of pain from Hudson not being here. Being a sentinel connected us on a level that brought us closer mentally and emotionally. It was everything a mate would be,almost. While we shared power as well as a mental and emotional link, we didn't have romantic feelings for one another. Correction, she didn't have them for me. Because I fully admit, I would have willingly become her mate if she had wanted me to be. Then and now. Unfortunately, mate bonds just didn't work that way.

I learned a lot in the past few weeks, and one of those things was that according to research, mate bonds were determined by genetic compatibility. Or 'fae-te' like everyone else called it,whatever. While all that knowledge did was deepen the ache in my heart, I still had to know. Because despite what she had told me that day when we had made it beyond the Veil, there is something about Hudson that I don't think could ever be replicated by anyone else.

"I just want you to know that I always got your back. Of course, I got to learn a little bit more about my powers and what the fuck I can do, but I admit, King the Sentinel sounds badass. Who knows, maybe I'll find myself a nice Fae lady of my own, since the only one I wanted squishy-zoned me." I laughed, but the pain in my chest flared, and judging by the look in her eyes and the soft smile on her perfect lips, the sentinel connection worked well.

"King, if I could, I would snatch you up in a second, but the connection I feel with those five on an emotional level is beyond something I can explain." She sighed. "You and I are going to be the best friends who play pranks on those assholes. We are going to get you all the Fae girls, the good ones anyway, and I'm going to kick their asses to make sure they treat you right."

We laughed, and I shoved those feelings down into the deepest part of me. I knew where I stood then and I know my duties now. And until I can find my own perfect match, I swallow bitterly at the thought, my duty is all that matters. Because despite the constant reminder of my own loneliness--which echoes every time I see Grayson, Hunter, Zane, Ryder, Remi, or Oberon brush their lips across hers-- I love what I do.

Although, loving it doesn't make my feelings remotely less uncomplicated. At times, it makes it worse. How can you live each day next to the person you wish can be yours, protecting them and their family, and yet still separate the two and try to ease the loneliness in your own heart? And if by some miracle I am able to find someone, how can I have time for anything other than my duty? Especially with a war drawing closer, the aftermath which is sure to be a fucking cluster fuck.

I shove the thoughts down as far as possible because, internally, I'm waging a battle of my own, and there is no time for two separate wars. So while my heart is hollow and aching, externally, I exude calm and ease, my arms hanging loosely as I peer around the room, watching the familiar faces stare at us all unabashedly. I let my gaze fall onto her face taking stock as her eyes light up, her lips parting in a small grin as her eyes survey the room.

From the youngest child to the largest soldier, the looks of reverence etched on their faces are unmistakable--eyes glimmering with hope and love so profound that it's nearly palpable. Something about those looks trigger a desire that starts to take ro ***that trigger a nagging desire to continue with alchemy. Like an itch that won't go away, memories of the initial reason we left Delorean so damn quickly flash through my mind. Hudson being attacked by that good-for-nothing piece of shit, Blake, with a needle and a chemical compound that was supposed to take her out.

I still have a sample from that broken needle, and I knew Kalen wanted me to figure out what type of substance theythoughtwould knock Hudson out. While her genetic makeup rendered that crap useless, my scientific mind still wonders what was, and probably still is, being worked on in what I imagined is the dark, creepy dungeon of Unseelie death--fully equipt with weeping walls of blood.

I force myself to the present, turning my attention from her face to observe the room. When the Fae present are all on their feet, she bows deeply to them. Their jaws drop, and Hudson's laugh tinkles throughout the room, "I am honored to be back, healthy and rounder than normal," the room's occupants chuckle. "As you honor me as your Queen, I honor your devotion to the Seelie. I know I have said this to those in the village during my short walkabouts but we would not have survived without all of us working together. While I have been gone, you all continued to work hard and have made tremendous strides. I admire and deeply respect each and every one of you, and I look forward to jumping right back into the fray once my sense of balance isn't so horribly off." The room erupts in another round of laughter, this time mixed with warm applause.

"I would love to observe and see how your skills have progressed, so never mind me while I make rounds before I head off to meet with the Council. But I would like to make a brief request." I peer at her curiously at that, but as she opens her mind, I smile.

Amazing in every way-- no other woman will ever compare in this life, nor the next. In life and in my heart.

* * *

Hudson

* * *

As I walkinto the training facility, the smell of magic and earth, mixed with the tinge of sweetness that I was growing familiar with as the scent of 'sweat' that was mainly Fae. The sight of the large room with high ceilings and large windows illuminating the space punctuated with separate training areas made me immediately remember Kalen, but I pushed down the impending feeling of sadness to focus on the sounds of the swords clashing as various Fae practiced their combat skills.

In moments I pick up the varied Seelie, ranging from our high warriors with sweeping white hair and large wings to the more delicate fae, smaller in stature but fighting just as fiercely.

My people.

After a quick intro I clear my throat, "I would like to make a brief request. Weeks ago, I promised that it was beyond time for the Seelie to truly be apart of what a Kingdom looks like in my eyes. I would still love to have monthly gatherings with my people to ensure that you are all happy and to see what we could do better. While there are decisions that will fall to me and my consorts, I fully welcome a deeper connection with my people."

I paused as they cheered.

I smiled brightly, "On that note, while I have noticed a few women within our soildier ranks, from this point forward women, except for those who are expecting, and children who can hold a sword or weapon will be taught how to fight. For those who do not meet those criteria, you will be meeting with me personally while we all work together to hone our magic for defensive and offensive purposes. If we are all able to bring Nici to her knees then it is our duty to do so as a united front!"

---