Page 83 of Within the Veil

King

A small sigh escapes my lips as I roll my shoulders to ease the tension in the back of my neck. A human habit really. But one that I've grown so accustomed to, that it was a hard one to break. As of fifteen minutes ago, Shea is actively working with the council to have them narrow down all leylines and find out which of them lacks guardians and during what time. It's going to take quite a bit of leg work and that brought me an irrational sense of pleasure. Seeing them actually work instead of bitching about working.

Even with the early hour, I head to the house, knowing that all five of the guys and Remi are there, more than likely discussing the influx of information that Hudson just gave us all. Regardless, I may have spoken to Hunter and Oberon, about Hudson but any other conversation held was directly related to my responsibilities within the court. I hate that has been avoiding me, and what's worse is that it's so obviously fucking clear. She couldn't so go more than ten minutes without reaching for our bond to make sure I was okay. I don't even think she was aware of that, the constant tug of our unique bond. So the fact that she has been actively avoiding me when I could hear her thoughts and emotions and still feel that damn tug as her soul reaches for mine hurts more than I want to admit.

I walk into the kitchen, giving everyone a nod, while I grab a cup and help myself to the coffee brewing. After a deep chug, I sink into one of the island chairs and I keep my face blank as meet all of their gazes.

Ryder, who props his large body against the wall, chuckles, "dude, even we don't have a two way connection, you've always been shit at keeping anything from us. The moment you lose your pretty boy smile, we know your ass is thinking about something."

An involuntary twitch cracked the edges of my mouth.

"Good to know. Looks like we will be practicing your facial expressions during tonights training. If you cannot hide, you cannot..."

"Be everywhere at once," I say, finishing Oberon's sentence, without second thought.

Everyone's eyes bore into my face and Zane is the first to speak, as per usual.

"We felt the depth of your emotions and even if we hadn't, we all saw Hunter's replay from a couple nights ago," Zane blows out a breath and crosses his large arms across his chest, feet set apart as he looks around the room and then back at me. "I wish you would have came to us, but I understand why you didn't. It was never a good time with everything going on, and honestly life tends to play out the way it's meant to. I think I speak for everyone here when I say, we will not stand in your way if you wish to pursue a relationship with Hudson. You will have to seek her out and have that discussion, of course..."

Remi scoffs from her seated position on top of the counter, cutting him off with a quirk of her lips and an eyeroll, "she's being a chicken shit. That girl is not subtle at all. As if we can't feel her damn emotions. Hot mess." She gives me a soft smile and gentle nod, relaying her acceptence silently. I incline my head in acknowledgement.

Grayson grunts from his position behind the kitchen counter where he is trying out different combinations of shakes for Hudson. "It won't be easy but you two became friends so damn quickly and fell into sync way faster than any of us did."

"Besides, I'm the Spear Master, I am not worried about you. Even if you do have wings and apparently like to bleed for fun," Ryder says, a playful twinkle dancing in his eyes as he stifles a laugh, a smirk teasing the corners of his mouth. Although the look does nothing to hide the undertone of heavy curiosity the laces the air.

I roll my eyes, "just ask what you want to ask. I have nothing to hide."

"Except your creepy lover-boy obsession for our sister," Jensi pops into the room with Luca on his heels, both in full combat gear, their long hair braided behind their back, as usual.

"Yeah dude, ew," Luca adds, a look of pure revulsion crossed his face, his nose wrinkling and his upper lip curling.

Jensi punches him in the arm, "dude. Its's gross but jeez a little overkill."

"No," Oberon starts from where he stands with Hunter by the french doors that lead outside. "This is quite acceptable. I want everyone to think of my mate as repugnant. King is acceptable. He's been in love with Hudson before we were mated. I would have killed him otherwise. Although, IdoI relish blood on my hands. Maybe..." Oberon pauses, his voice lowered, and taking on a thoughtful and introspective tone, as if carefully considering each word.

Hunter looks at him, his head tilted slightly to the side, as a thoughtful expression settles on his features.

Remi, throws two pieces of fruit across the room at their heads, which they catch, and she growls. "You mother-fae-kers arenotgoing to use Hudson as an excuse to start stabbing random people. Not more than usual anyway. Zane? Aren't you the self-proclaimed leader? Handle that shit." She waves her hand at the pair, who fight like savages at the drop of a dime, but give them both murderous options and they are happy to work together.

Hunter shrugs with a dark grin, "the idea has merit."

Zane nods his head, "leader.NotZoo Keeper."

Hunter and Oberon scowl and Ryder laughs, "Okay so let's hear it. What the fuck possessed you to go to Oberon? I've only heard stories of his fucking brutality, and while the details are never shared, a grown ass Fae male almost pissing glitter at the thought of fighting that jeweled mother fucker was enough to sate my curiousity."

At his question, familiar recollections fill the void in my head as it spins, instead, with memories.

* * *

Several Weeks Ago

Knowing that Hudson is in a coma is enough to drive me fucking insane but as of right now, I know I have to step up and do everything I can to make sure that when she does wake up, she has a home to wake up to. Her mates were in various stages of grief, and while I felt the same, I do not have the luxury to wallow.

As I leave the training grounds, I pause as I hear a few soldiers whispering. Normally that would't garner my attention, but the tone of fear making the voices of hardened Fae, stopped me in my tracks. I stand closer to where they are all talking and though I am not familiar with all names yet, the three near me, Ashyr, Eamon, and Lucyan I knew from training excercises and all three are brutal fighter with years of experience.

"Do you think King Oberon is going to take over some of our training?" Ashyr's voice, came out in a hushed and stammering whisper, as if afraid of the very sound they carried.

Lucyan's brows knit together in a deep frown, lines of worry etched across his forehead, "Gaia, I hope not. I heard of a few soldiers who tried, centuries ago and died during training. But not just died, rumor has it their souls did not grace the planes of Tir na Siochai."

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