Page 51 of Within the Veil

"Now, just wait one moment," Dana sits up straighter, disapproval lining her face, "that is out of the question. We cannot utilize non-fae, bringing them into the veil and putting our people at risk from... from... those who have no business with magic, to begin with." She sniffs and rolls her eyes.

My earlier amusement dies almost instantly. Did she just? She did. The room stills, and I release the hold on my power signature that I have been holding back. The Council's faces pale. They may have felt a higher power signature, but they truly have no fucking idea just how much power has been bestowed upon me so that I can fix the mess that they are so unwilling to step in.

"I have been patient with your useless existence long enough. You have grown comfortable in your position of power, but I am Queen. I once advised you all that those who dissent can be met with death, or they can choose to defect. The result will be the same either way. However," I pause and look each of them in the eye unflinchingly, "since you all know too much, you would no longer have that option. Our holding quarters have plenty of room for a few more council members. It would be a nice reunion for all of you, seeing as how you let their betrayal slip by on your watch."

"Your usefulness has run its course. As is my right, we are issuing a temporary Right of Conquest. Until I can speak to my people and ensure they understand why we have to take this step, then it will be permanent. That being said from this point forward," I extend a magical thread and wrap it around their throats," you three will not be able to discuss anything from this meeting with one besides me and my royal court. That includes amoungst yourselves. In future meetings, if I even allow you to attend, your knowledge, and input that is useful can be considered. Because the truth is simple. People have died because ofyourdecisions that span decades while I diedforour people. After just discovering who I was I made the choice to sacrifice myself. You have been apart of this world for centuries and still choose to hide. You all disgust me." I shake my head.

Tension vibrates through me and my voice quakes ever so slightly with the influx of power, "tradition be damned, I have a duty to Faerie and I will not let that fall to the wayside while deliberations take up the majority of our day. We. Do. Not. Have. The. Time. For. This. Shit." I tap the table to emphasize my point.

"You all have a choice, you can continue to be a part of the Council assilentadvisors and envoys as needed, or you can integrate back into Tir-Ag-Nog and do whatever it is you wish within our society," I pause briefly before leaning forward as far as my belly allows. "Or you can choose to dissent and die. Speak your choice now."

I feel the approval hit me full force from my mates and sentinels at once as they cheer me on from the inside, while on the outside, their faces remain stoic.

Their reactions vary as they look at each other. Brighids's eyes glint briefly with what feels like approval before going blank, "Of course, your majesties, we are forever in your service..." Brighad squeezes Dana's arm, who looks like she is bursting to say something, and shoots her a warning glare before continuing, "We will work with you closely as needed."

I stare at Dana for a beat longer before I smile and nod. "Okay then, now that we all seem to be on the same page...let's discuss training," I state, nodding at Zane to take over while I sit back, hands on my belly, ready to eat everything in front of me.

This is my version of strength training right now,I think to myself as I grab a sandwich and take a bite.

ChapterTwelve

Hudson

* * *

As we stepout of the temporary royal court, I take a deep breath of the sweet air and feel the weight of the responsibilities that constantly burden my soul ease as I open my senses and welcome the unique fragrance that dances on the breeze--acocktail of night-blooming flowers, wild forest and untamed magic that constantly electrifies the air. For a moment, I pause and let my eyes flutter close, taking in the symphony of sounds around me.

I sigh as I open my eyes, and the varying hues of colors assault my vision. The sun is long gone, but that didn't stop me from capturing every detail of the world around me. From the sharpened edge of the thorns on the flowers feet away, to the wings of the buzzing insects reflecting the light of the moon. It is almost as if everything is painstakingly etched in hyper detail; enough to play tricks with my mind and convince me it is all fake until I reach out my hands and caress every petal, like I have many times before.

While, arguably, any moment in time within Tir ag Nog is mind-numbingly beautiful, the evening is my favorite. In the morning, dew-kissed petals twinkle in the soft light of the morning sun, catching every ray and reflecting them like tiny prisms. The air filled with the scent of various flora while the quiet humming of the forest fills the air as the creatures that prefer the night swap places with those that prefer the day. The afternoon is comforting in its own way because while the sun beams down, giving a warmth that is just enough to seep into your bones without being oppressive, the village comes alive. The smells of foods roasting over fire mix with the sounds of music, laughter, and conversation from the Fae, mixed with the faint echoes of steel upon steel as the soldiers train, which filter through the breeze.

It seems as if this realm never stays still, in a state of consistent evolution. The moment you think you know where or what something is, it changes...or completely disappears with something completely new in its place. And with each change, I felt the spark of life fluttering within me as my unique connection to the land around me flare.

But the evening? With the moon casting its soft light and the stars watching over Tir ag Nog, it's the only time it feels as if the world seems to hold its breath. As if the land itself is singing a gentle lullaby to convince the sun that it is okay to let the moon take over its protective watch. Which I suppose is why the time of day resonates within my soul so deeply. I, too, am always in a constant state of evolution, nothing ever staying as it once was, even just seconds before. But as the day ends, it's the only time I feel everything around me pause, a short reprieve from the consistent emotional onslaught of the souls of all the living things around me. It's a hard-earned pause, one that I am grateful for even though part of me selfishly wishes it was longer.

I sigh, letting the thoughts float to the back of my mind, where I keep all of the unpleasant things that do nothing but fill my heart with an ache that can't be eased and lock them away. At least until they escape and I have to beat them back with a 'fuck you' stick. I like that stick. It's a very effective tool, mentally and physically.

"You have that creepy, 'fuck you stick,' look on your face. Whose ass are you beating in that warped little mind of yours?" Zane asks with a chuckle, grabbing my hand as we walk to the house. The warmth of his skin on mine sends a familiar jolt of electricity through my body and I look up with a smile on my face. One I hope clears the lingering shadows from my eyes, or at least masks them enough for him to look past it.

"Whose ass aren't I beating in my head? Considering that's all I can do," I roll my eyes with a huff. "I can't wait until I'm more stabby and less yoga ball."

"I'm not sure why. But picturing you with a baby carrier and a sword is as terrifying as it is ridiculously sexy," he murmurs, bringing my hand to his mouth.

I laugh, enjoying the feel of his soft lips on my skin as places soft, lingering kisses on the back of my hand.

"It also sounds ridiculously dangerous, not to mention impractical," Ryder frowns, and I laugh harder.

"You're only saying that because you have some weird obsession with designer baby carriers, I found an entire set of them in the basement. All of them tailored for big, giant men," I add the last with an eye roll.

He grins, "Well it's only fair. If you get to snuggle them internally then we get to cuddle them externally. Also, can we take a moment to imagine and admire how incredible your mates will look with babies strapped to their massively strong chests. I mean it would be a crime to deny the world the chance to admire the man-meat."

I scowl, "No one needs to admire my man meat."

"They don'tneedto. But to deny the universe, that is wrong," he shakes his head softly, a

The softness of his lips accomplishes nothing but taking me from stabby to

ChapterThirteen

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