Page 74 of Within the Veil

I have a myriad of other abilities. However, until I have completed my training and can utilize them effectively it is best not to say anything at all. As for the echoes, familiars can sense danger that is present near their chosen, however as of now I have yet to see an echo that is pertinent to Hudson or those around her.

Grayson frowns and I hide a smile behind a glass of juice. Nice way to deflect the question there, ninja kitty dragon, I muse.

"It is intriguing, this new development. If I am not mistaken, and I rarely am," Oberon says with a small smile and wink aimed at Hunter, who growls. "Dragons have their own laws and traditions. I wonder how that will affect our 'eventual unification,' as they so put it."

My eyebrows furrow, "what do you mean?"

"Well, they tend to kill first and ask questions later. Their disputes are handled with trial by combat, I can't imagine how that will turn out if one of our people insults them in any way," Oberon says wryly, a slight gleam in his eye.

"You will not challenge anyone. You're not a fucking dragon. If you want to fight like a savage, challenge Hunter," I scowl.

That won't be a problem,Xena chuckles in our heads. I raise an eyebrow, and she shakes her head. Okay then, cryptic kitty.

"My concern is the possible upset of the balance," King says curiously. I avoid looking at him like the coward I apparently am. Although in this case, I'll have to agree with that assessment.

"How do you mean?" Oberon asks, his face slightly puzzled.

"I mean, Hudson has discovered her goddess iced-coffee," he says with a smile in his tone. Whether he smiled or not, I wouldn't know. I still refuse to look. "She has also been granted an increased boost of power from the Keepers and has access to a wealth of knowledge. Ryder, Hunter, Zane, and Grayson are ridiculously strong in their own right. Assuming Grayson and Ryder can get their people on our side, that's an incredible show of force. Now we have Charlie, who is technically part fae because of Shea, she is going to be powerful and resourceful due to her background; that much is clear. But now we also have Dragons, who, alone as an ally, would have been incredible, but they have imbued Hudson and their children with their iced-coffee's. Just like with Alchemy, once you put all the ingredients in the pot, you can't take them back out. All of these things tip the war in our favor, almost to the point of 'too much.'"

Zane rubs his chin, "I see your point. Especially when you consider that Hudson is now impenetrable to blades and magical attacks, it seems almost too good to be true."

I sigh and swivel in my chair, "Except it isn't. Tir ag Nog is weakening because the balance is already too far gone. If anything, all of these advantages are what we need to bring it back. Nici has been in sitting on a false throne for 300 years. That is alot to fix in one go. Realistically, with the Prophecy in place, Tir ag Nog, was already prepared for an influx of power. You can feel the desperation of the Realm when you connect to the land, the way the trees wilt and the flowers weep," I shake my head sadly, consciously forcing my walls to remain down so that I am not overwhelmed as I close my eyes and reach for the land, soothing its' pain where I can.

I sigh, "I'm not going to look a gift -dragon in the mouth. What I wonder is, with all of these changes, when they are actually going to take place. According to Gaia's time frame, in accordance with the time that has passed, I have about four or five weeks and four days left until I am supposed to go into labor. We have to get these missives drawn up and sent...."

"Already done," King interrupts me. "Cerubus delivered them all last night and this morning. The missives state that two envoys will be visiting in a week's time to prepare for a Royal Summoning at the behest of Queen Rhiona of Fhaell and her Consorts. That way, our people have the time to return, and since the courts are aware they are being summoned after, it adds an extra layer of protection."

Fucking genius. I nod, take a bite of my forgotten food and avoid looking at him directly, "Thank you."

I clear my throat, "Okay, so considering I would rather not give birth without having you all there for me to yell at, you will have to set out soon. So, we need to get the most recent information on Nici's movements since no one will be able to just appear at their lands, it may be a trap. So you'll have to trek the last few miles there and recon. With Xena and Oberon, we should have that information in no more than three days. Assuming it takes you a week to go and return and then a week after that to hold Court, we will make good on time. But," I expel a breath, "realistically, we are going to need backup here."

Oberon nods his head in understanding, "You would like your sister to be here."

I sigh and nod. I did. Not just because of the backup but because something inside of me is telling me that she is a missing piece, I'm just not quite sure where she will fit. Regardless, if she is anything like me, having her close at hand when we are overrun with Fae dignitaries will at least be another line of defense. Or at least her presence alone will piss enough people off that someone will slip up. Either way, she would be beneficial.

Zane sighs, "We would have to go to her, convince her to cross the Veil, and then bring her back. Hudson, you would have to come with us; otherwise, the chances of her believing us would be slim. But the entire time, you will be in danger. It's a high-risk op."

While my initial thought is to tell him that he needs to deal with it, I swallow my verbal vomit and take a second to consider everything Kalen told me. Because the truth is, I don't always have to hide behind my snark. I am scared as they are, even more so, because the idea of a life where my children didn't know of their fathers is inconceivable.

I turn to give him a small smile, "I understand, Zane. You may not like it, hell I doubt anyone here does, but you will all be with me. Our path is never going to be easy, danger is always going to be a part of our lives. I hate it. But, if it all goes well, we will have extra eyes here. Right now, we have to consider the bigger picture."

"Which is?" He says with a small nod, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips

My voice takes on a chilling rasp, a dark euphoria washing over me as I close my eyes and picture rivulets of blood pouring from the sky. "Why, to paint the forest red with the blood of our enemies and bathe in their pleas for mercy, of course." I grin, wickedly.

* * *

The Previous Night

Hunter

* * *

Logically I knowthis isn't somethingIshould be doing. I'm more likely to kill first and ask questions later; however, maybe that is exactly why I'm using my connection to King to track him down. I can see destruction in everything I lay my eyes on. I can picture just how much blood would pour out of an artery after I rip someone apart. But after Hudson, I can see just how much pain can be caused after she is ripped away from you. But to have her close, to love her, and to not have her, I have felt that all too recently, and as much as I want to keep her all to myself, forever is a long time to long after someone you love. I'm not sure when I became such a pussy, but after I felt the depth of emotion pouring from King, all I can think about is the more people that love her the way I do, the way Zane, Remi, Gray, Ry, and Oberon do, the safer she will be, the more cherished. Because, as much as it pains me to acknowledge, the part of me that is familiar with war knows that the chances ofallof us surviving and having a happily ever after are slim to none.

After I tucked Hudson in without a word, the only thing on my mind was to confront him, find out where his head is because despite his promise to keep things as they always were, once his declaration was out, there was no taking it back. No way to pretend those sentiments didn't exist. And I've known King enough in these past few years to know that he has never expressed feelings for any other girl or woman, he preferred to stay single than to deal with anything that would take away from his studies or friendships. He is a good man, one that I am ridiculously honored to have by our side.

Now whether that will translate well to him and Hudson, I had no idea, but I would be stupid to pretend that I didn't feel Hudson's reaction to his words yesterday. She just loves and respects us too much ever to let herself linger on those thoughts. And while I appreciate it, her, to the depths of my dark soul, if there is one thing my mate has taught me, it is that her capacity to love and be loved it greater than anything I could have ever imagined.

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