Page 126 of Within the Veil

* * *

Three vitamin-infused waters,several more sandwiches, --and one competition of 'I Spy' Oberon swinging--later, we are a few minutes away from the spot where we are supposed to cross the Veil. At least I was able to gain some entertainment as Jensi, Ryder, and Luca threw in a competition as to who could move the most vines, branches, and fluffy woodland creatures out of the way. I didn't have the heart to tell them thatIwas the one who actually did all the moving and shit while they played with fire, water, and whatever else they managed to summon.

Okay, that's a lie, I had the heart to tell them several times to go fuck themselves. And I'm sure they did it on purpose to help alleviate the growing stress because, as of thirty minutes ago, there is now an oppressive feeling of being watched, and Oberon has been suspiciously silent. That I could handle, but my thoughts kept drifting to my sister, and to be perfectly honest, I would have preferred to stab a few people over than battle the growing anxiety over meeting my sister.

I'm not exactly sure when the excitement from earlier bled into a hearty panic, but it is extremely off-putting. But considering that other than my six mates, --seven if you count King-- my sentinels, Kalen, and an entire Kingdom of Loyal Seelie, I can count on one finger, how many friends I actually have. Xena. A giant lion, who will rip out your spleen, is my best friend.

Kalen always said that, when you're the most powerful person in the room, you are usually the loneliest. People will either use you, abuse you, or kill you. So when you find those who break the mold, hold them close.

My version of making friends is never allowing myself to compromise who I am to please others. Fuck that. So, I get that my personality is a hard pill to swallow, but it would be monumentally harder to swallow my fist after I ram it down the throat of whoever thought fucking with me was a good idea. So yeah, I hope my sister likes me because the alternative would suck.

I recount everything I know of her so far, for the hundredth time this journey alone. She is training at an elite academy, she is trying to bring down a geriatric council of bumbling fucks, she has several mates, like me, and she is amazing in combat.

Xena pops in out of nowhere, her head sweeping from side to side, and I do a double take, almost stumbling.

"Did you get bigger?" I ask, stupidly. Because the evidence is clear, she now reaches my shoulder, and her muscles are rippling as she strides, regally, next to me.

She huffs,Haven't you?

My eyes narrow. This fucking...

I hear her gruff laugh,If you are asking whether or not I have become stronger, then yes, I have.

I roll my eyes, "Not what I meant, and you know it. You also know damn well I wasn't referring to your weight--no idea how much dragon-shifting lions should weigh anyway," I grumble. "You reach my shoulder now. What in the ever-loving cat nip are these dragons feeding you? Or did Remi also sneak you a damn tea elixir that beefed you up?"

"Hey," Remi protests in a low whisper, her long blue braid swinging as she turns to glare at me.

"Hey, nothing, you asshole," I hiss. "You're lucky you're hot. Now, go away. I'm having a private conversation with my miniature, furry dragon."

I ignore her scathing look and the promise to hide all the Faerie wine when I give birth and look back at Xena.

I raise an eyebrow, and she rolls her eyes,Yes, I have grown. No, I do not know if I will continue, but all signs are pointing to yes. I woke up from a nap and was suddenly larger. According to Valerion...

She scowls at the name, and I try, and fail, to hide my smirk. Oh yeah, there is definitely something happening between these two; even if she won't admit it.

She shoots me a glare, her eyes flashing purple before returning to gold,I will ignore that. Anyways, apparently, the bigger the threat to you and my grand-charges, the larger I grow. The stronger my magic, the more lethal I become. And the more training I, must, undergo. But I am quite certain the training bit is a damn excuse to torture me.

I ignore the annoyance in her voice, and the cuteness of 'grand-charges,' focusing in on the danger part, and frown, "So, what you're saying is... we may be walking into a trap?"

She shakes her massive head,No, Charlie is no threat. But, there is something in the air. The Dragons are tight-lipped, but they have advised me to stay close and, when the time comes, to show no mercy, for even the slightest mercy will end in the unraveling of all that we have been fighting for.

I sigh, "so basically. Nothing. There is danger is afoot; like always. Great. One day, I'm going to know more than someone with all this magical future juice, and I'm going to dangle it above their damn heads and laugh like a psychopath while I say, 'Oh, you almost had it. Have to try harder than that.'"

Her amusement hums through our bond, her furry face not giving anything away. How do you tell if a giant lion is entertained? You don't.

Yes, well. The sentries have been doubled. And some of Oberon's men are strategically placed, if we need to move quickly.

Ah, yes, the secret army of the trees and shadows. Since I've only met one Whisperer thus far, and his lack of scent, or rather his overwhelming combination of scents, which were everything and, therefore, nothing, still freaks me out. If one of them ever turned on Oberon, --which, let's be honest here, would never fucking happen,-- the deaths would be quick and brutal. But still, I admit having a bunch of secret, scentless murderous assholes at our backs, other than Oberon, of course, is comforting. I, too, like to kill. Can't fault them for being good at it.

My eyes flick towards the dense, verdant, foliage above us, sensing Oberon moving swiftly above me. I couldn't see him, though. Which, is fucking hot. But then, I admit, I'm a whore for my mates. Queen Whore, to be exact. And damn proud of it.

Good to know, Mate.Oberon chuckles.We are approaching the edge of the Veil. Neutral territory. All accounts show that we have nothing to fear from the true Unseelie. But, this is the perfect opportunity for the Imposter Queen to stage an attack. My men have dispatched several of her soldiers already. We cannot afford to let our guard down. Be vigilant, my love. Your ties to the land will warn you before anything else.

Already? How did I miss that?

Your magic hasn't missed anything. Look down.

I do as he asks, and notice my hands sparking,oh.Well, at once of us was paying attention.

---