She faltered, “You and I would’ve known that we were mates my whole life! My dad would’ve done something about Uncle Fabian before I was even born! That man wouldn’t have ever touched me and told me it was normal! He wouldn’t have made me feel gross and ashamed! My Uncle Arion could still be alive! These people DARE throw that in our faces every so often with my cousins around to hear them?! It is ENOUGH!”
Exsis stood and wrapped his arms around her while I wiped tears away. Exsis consoled her, “I’m so sorry about your Uncle Arion. I am sorry I did not fully know the extent to which Haley was suffering. For my own part, I could not prove it. We were trying, but we had nothing.”
He rubbed her back, “I would’ve taken even the tiniest shred of evidence to your father. It enrages me that fiend ever touched you. You are not dirty. He is a disgusting old man who should’ve never laid eyes on you.”
Aiylee held onto him crying, “I’m so sick of them doing this to my family. Everyone is hurting and I can’t stop it. It destroys my dad when he has to talk about the past with Aunt Haley. He hates himself for it.” Exsis sighed, “I know he does, my love. He and I have had many discussions about it.” That made my heart hurt.
He continued, “He cannot change it, but he would if he could. It kills him. He feels he should’ve known, but he couldn't have. That’s the thing about the Ring. They know how to hide. Fabian used Aiden’s grief about the death of his father to hide his true nature and wormed his way into his life. He became the rock Aiden needed.” Rain growled in my head thinking of Uncle Aiden being taken advantage of like that.
“That’s what manipulative people do.” Exsis said, “Fabian was a disgusting man, but he was skilled at manipulation. He was good at putting on a face with those he wanted to. I saw him around your father. It was a night and day difference from when a member of his family, besides his own sons, were around.” Aiylee cried harder.
Exsis whispered, “It wasn’t your dad’s fault. Fabian should’ve been a most trusted advisor, not a weed wrapping around the flowers in his garden slowly killing all that was there. What the Conners' children will see is that your dad turned it around. It is sad that your Uncle Arion fractured his soul because of your grandma’s whispers.” I touched my hand to my heart because he was right.
Exsis gently petted her hair, “He should be here to stand beside your dad. Haley and Aiden need him. He was meant to be there for them both and I will never not be angry that he’s not. He’s their balance, and they both struggle without him when they shouldn’t.” Aiylee cried into his chest.
After a few moments of silence, I conjured us drinks and cleared my throat. I handed her an alcoholic beverage. She wiped her tears and took it from me. When we finished them, she snapped us two more. Exsis smiled, “I’ll leave you ladies to talk. I’ll go wait for Aiden to finish his chat with the little wolves.” Aiylee kissed him, “I love you something ridiculous, Exsis. Thank you for doing that for him.” Exsis smiled, “Of course, my love.” He popped away.
I sighed, “What a freaking day.” Aiylee snorted, “The day is still young.” I muttered, “Tell me about it.” We had a few more drinks. I randomly asked, “You know what irks me?” Aiylee giggled, “I do! Men who don’t know what they want.” I pointed my drink at her, “YES! But that’s not what I meant.” Aiylee frowned, “Tell me what irks you then, cousin.”
I rolled over, “Alexander and EJ are sparring with Cayden, and they didn’t invite me.” Aiylee tilted her head, “Cayden Crawford? The man you insist is a hottie even though you haven't seen him yet?” I nodded. Aiylee continued, “The man who will one day lead the Hackura Army?”
I sighed dreamily, “That’s the one. They didn’t tell me until they were going. They don’t even know how long he’s going to be here for this time.” Aiylee laughed, “This, my dear cousin, is why you have me. Tap into that Fairy side of yours and pop to the Hackura realm. Use your stealth and spy on the possible hottie named Cayden. He might not even be worthy of your time. You must keep in mind girls that look like you need a man not a boy.”
I giggled, “Don’t you just KNOW he’s a man? His full name is Cayden Aaron Crawford, future Commander. He has to be hot.” Aiylee laughed, “Cassie and Cayden sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G.” I started laughing, “I can’t believe that until we came around, this realm did not know of that teasing taunt.”
Aiylee snorted, “Because it’s absurd. Why would two people trying to kiss, sit in a tree? You could get lost in the passion of the moment and FALL OUT OF THE TREE!” I started laughing, “You’re right!” We lost ourselves to a fit of giggles. I started waving my hands in the air, “Oh god, can’t you just see it?! Two people just falling out of a tree flushed from their passionate moment.”
Aiylee laughed, “The poor humans would probably have to go to the emergency room. Imagine the healer's faces!” I laughed harder, “We call them doctors.” Which she knew because she’d lived in the human realm for a time. In our territory actually.
Aiylee cackled, “Whatever. Just picture it!” I started laughing harder. Eventually we managed to stop laughing. Aiylee snapped us more drinks. She chugged hers and motioned for me to do the same, so I did.She clapped, “Now, go get your stealth on and find your hottie hottie with a possibly good body, Cayden. I bet he wants to meet you too.”
I rolled my eyes, “First of all, absolutely every Hackura male has a good body. Most supernaturals do. Second, most Hackura want to stay far away from me because of who my family is. I haven’t met one who isn’t hot though.”
Aiylee rolled her eyes, “The cowardice troglodytes who recognize the hotness that is Cassie Conners and do not act upon it because of a few hurdles do NOT deserve your thoughts. The FUTURE Commander of the Armies better have some balls. That’s what I’ll say about that.” I laughed, “You are too much Aiylee.”
She smiled, “I’m just right since one cannot be too much. Now, go get you some cousin of mine. Challenge him to a fight and DAZZLE him with your skills. Then he’ll HAVE to ask you out then.” I asked, “Do you really think so?” Aiylee nodded, “I know so.” I smiled then frowned.
Aiylee asked, “What?” I sighed, “When he meets his mate, she’ll have to have a tournament and fight a few people to get everyone all excited about their Commander’s mate.” Aiylee frowned, “Who says you’re not his mate?” I snorted, “Shut up, Aiylee.”
Aiylee smirked, “I will not shut up. You’ve never met him. He is a single, unmated Hackura male. You think your mate is a Hackura and you are attracted to men.” I gaped at her. Aiylee sighed, “Do I have to draw you a picture, cousin? Get to popping to see if Cayden Crawford is yours. If he is, you'll have to invite me to this tournament of yours. I WILL be your loudest cheerleader.”
I snorted, “My mom’s a very loud and enthusiastic cheerleader.” Aiylee smirked, “One might try to outmatch me but as your cousin, and future Queen I will be louder.” Rain purred, “Let’s take her advice.” We should. I laughed saying out loud, “You’re right. It could be him. Oh god, I’m getting too excited.”
Rain perked up, “He could be ours though. I love his name, I always have.” Aiylee wryly commented, “That would be our path in live. The both of us having men as mates that we should’ve known forever were ours, but we missed them by weird and sometimes cruel twists of fate. Don’t let the cruel twists of fate win any longer, cousin. Go!” I laughed and kissed her cheek.
Aiylee squealed, “Call me later! I want details. I better know either way mate or not if the man is a good kisser. You’ve been thinking about kissing him for YEARS!” I laughed, “Shut up, Aiylee!” Aiylee rolled her eyes, “If I have to tell you to get moving one more time, I’ll kick some ass.” I laughed, “You can’t kick my ass. I’m better with swords.” Aiylee laughed, “We would have ourselves quite a battle though, and I love you too much so away with you.” I laughed and popped away. I truly did love her.
I’d popped to a hill where I could see the training facility. I knew they’d be outside today. To my surprise, no one was fighting. That was weird. I heard people coming though so I popped into the tree. Rain asked, “Didn’t we just talk about how one should not be in trees? Wolves belong on the ground.” I chuckled, “I rarely get in trees. It was an emergency. Someone is coming and they’d know if we faded back.” She huffed, “Fine. A one-time deal then.” I chuckled.
I heard a sexy voice, “I swear to god it’s so annoying. How is it that I’m the only one who’s never even glimpsed Duchess Cassie Conners?” Someone laughed, “She’s beautiful.” I heard a punch, then a yell, “Hey! What the hell, Cayden?” Rain purred in my head. I couldn’t deny I already wanted some alone time to imagine him talking to me in that sexy tone. I was already wet from the voice alone. I was screwed.
Cayden ordered, “Leave before I hit you again.” The guy groaned, “Whoa! What IS IT with you and the Duchess? You know if you fucked her that could cause problems. If you break her heart, they will break you.” I heard another punch.
Cayden commanded, “Don’t you talk about her like that!” Rain was still purring, and I was having a hard time convincing myself not to relieve some pressure I now I felt. He’d definitely hear it if I had an orgasm.
The guy shouted, “Damn it, Cayden. You broke my nose! Look, people around here look but don’t touch when it comes to the Duchess.” Cayden snorted sarcastically, “Fearless protectors of the Realms indeed. I clearly have bravery to instill in my men.”
Rain whispered, “He sounds hot. Why are we still in this tree? They aren’t that close by.” She was right. I could hear them because of my heightened sense of hearing. A scent hit me like lightning. I could smell coconuts.
