Page 42 of Within the Veil

The other women looked excited, while the males looked a little green around the edges.

Ryder- The men look a little terrified.

Zane scoffed, I know the feeling. Sharp tools, trained fighters, castration. It all flows naturally in our heads.

Grayson- Men tend to piss off women. On the other hand, looking at Hudson, that capability offered all of us a sense of peace.

Hunter- when she isn't heading off to do some fuck-shit.

I turn to shoot him a glare and he winks at me. Fucker.

"Queen, are they all expected to be in battle?" One of the males asked, his eyes wide, a bit frightful.

I immediately walk further into the space, until I am directly in front of him and I grab his hand, peering up into his ice-blue eyes, taking note of his sharp, delicate features and mate mark around his forearm. His name floats through my mind at the contact, as well as an influx of information.Eiridis, 245 years old, all his training with Kalen, how he met his mate a few decades ago, and they finally conceived a child, a beautiful little blue-eyed boy that looked just like his father, just a few short years ago, and he loves them both fiercely. I looked over his shoulder at the little boy, not more than five years old, with a mop of brown hair over his face as he trained with a small sword.

I met his gaze with a smile, and although I am answering his question, I respond for everyone to hear, "Eiridis, right?

"I do not expect everyone to be in battle. Not at all. War is an unfortunate part of what is actually intended for us to defend ourselves in times of madness. As such, the women and children will need to be able to help themselves if our first, second, and third defenses fail, and they are put in a direct line of danger. The only way to make sure that they are able to hold their own is to train everyone as if their very soul depends on it. Because with Nici, it does. But I will fight like hell to make sure that it doesn't get to that point."

There is a collective release of tension in the large arena and he holds my hand for a beat longer, bowing slightly before stepping back.

"Thank you, my Queen." He turns to the arena with a loud shout, "All Hail Rhiona of Faell and her consorts. Let them live long and fulfilling lives."

A chorus of "Let them live..." Follow and I have to blink back several tears at the show of faith. I clear my throat, "Now show me how you all plan to kick some ass!"

* * *

King

Laughing, the soldiers turned back with a newly determined stride and split up into groups for training.

True to her word, after she breathes through the emotions flooding through our connections, Hudson walks around the arena observing, Remi at her side, not saying a word.

"She's not saying anything. The coma broke her," Zane chuckled, his arms crossed over his massive chest as we stand at the edge of the mat tracking her every move with our eyes. Waiting for the moment that she may need us in any capacity. Granted, at this point we should really know better. Still, it was more than a duty for us, it was an innate need to just protect her.

"I admit I expected a lot more shit-talking and corrections, but she really has a single-minded focus since she came back to us. Research, meditation, and writing in her notebooks. She isn't taking chances," Hunter grunts, clenching his hands, the muscles in his neck straining as he breaths through his need to fight. Ready to hit anyone who as much as grazed Hudson. Although it appears we were all on the same page with that, all of us shifting slightly on our feet, anytime someone moves too close.

"It is a great thing. Although I miss the hostility, it would get me going like nothing else," Grayson mutters, his hand resting on his chin as he observes Hudson from head to toe, his eyes sparking with the sudden lust that flows through our joined connection. I hide the brief flare of jealousy as I force a laugh.

Zane chuckles, "I think we can all agree on that. Speaking of getting going, these three weeks have been great and all but she needs a little romance, I think it's time we plan a little spoiling for our girl. She needs more than 'welcome back to the world of the living' sex," he muses quietly, humming.

I feel my face tighten of its own volition, "can we not discuss sex with Hudson? I'm sexless, mateless and my bed is cold as fuck."

"That is your fault, we have offered to hook you up with some hot Fae women," Jensi chimes in.

"Seriously, you don't have to cock block yourself," Luca added with a roll of his eyes.

I roll my eyes, "I don't want meaningless sex. I want something real," I sigh. I look at Hudson making rounds and my heart warms with joy. I had my time of fucking for fun if you can even call it that. I quickly realized how dull sex could be without actual sentiments behind it and I didn't see the point in a relationship that wouldn't go anywhere. Meeting Hudson woke up something in me for a woman who is strong, resilient, intelligent, and a bit of a badass. I didn't want to settle for anything less than a woman of her caliber or what she has with her mates. But I've come to terms with the fact that it wasn't justanywoman, I don't want to settle for anything less thanher. I groan internally, I wish I could control my heart, the first time I fall in love with someone and she is far beyond my reach.

Oberon grunts, "I have to agree with King. Let him seek someone real. I'm sure he will find one who warms his loins as well as his heart." We look at him with smirks on our faces. He has a tendency of flipping between an older style of talking while still trying to modernize his speech. It is a constant source of amusement.

"I'd rather warm my loins," Jensi adds with a laugh.

Oberon ignores him, "But to the matter at hand, our little troublemaker will have her romance. Let me, the oldest, the bravest, and the better-looking mate, plan this for us," he says plainly. We turn and look at his face for a trace of a smile, but seeing none, Hunter steps around us and they fall onto the floor grappling.

Zane mutters, "Twice in a day. These two are going to kill each other before Nici gets to any of us." He rolls his eyes and leaps back as Hunter and Oberon exchange blows and Oberon laughs as Hunter draws blood.

"That's the spirit, Brother!" Oberon grunts out.

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