Once I left his house, I was lying in my bed waiting for my phone to ring. I wanted to see her number flash across my screen. Finally, an unknown number came through. I flipped it open and quickly saved her under ‘My Duchess’ then memorized her number.
We teased each other. Then she ended our texting conversation by calling me her Commander. FUCK! For the second time today, I was painfully hard. I plugged my phone in and jumped into my shower. I couldn't stop myself from picturing her beautiful face. Next came her lips, swollen from our kisses. I remembered the feel of her skin on mine. I pumped myself quickly then thought of how soft her skin felt to my calloused hands, yelling, “CASSIE!” as I came.
I stayed under the cold water for several moments. Every touch, smile, and laugh replayed in my mind. I shut off the water and dried myself off. I hopped back into bed desperately wishing she was here in my arms.
I could picture her beautiful auburn hair tumbling over the pillow next to mine. Or better yet across my chest as it had been earlier today. I sighed, “Soon, you’ll be here to stay My Duchess and you will be all mine.”
I woke up and worked out with everyone in the gym. I wasn’t surprised Cora was there. She was always there the morning after I came home. After we finished Hendrix coughed, “Incoming.” Cora ran up, “Hi C, welcome home.” Another crazy thing she’d taken to doing. She never called me C when we were dating. Now, she said it all the time.
I replied, “Thanks, Cora.” She smiled asking, “Do you wanna go grab a coffee and catch up?” I answered, “Not really. I’m pretty busy. Thanks for asking though.” I’d given up telling her I didn’t drink coffee. Cora nodded, “Oh right, of course. You’re going right back out there again?” I nodded, “Yup.” She smiled, “Well, see you next time.” She skipped away and I sighed in relief.
Hendrix chuckled, “I know you haven’t dated much, but you’re too nice. You need to shut that down, or a certain fiery redhead might kick the literal shit out of her.” I snorted, “Hypothetically, fiery redheads have nothing to worry about.” Hendrix studied me then busted up laughing.
He waved his hands, “I’m sorry. We are talking about the same person, right? The fiery redhead with a fiery redheaded mother who has had a woman’s head, encased in glass in her husband’s office? A head that’s been there for the last seventeen years. Yeah, I don’t think she’ll care that she has nothing to worry about.” I smirked, “It will be fine.” Hendrix chuckled, “Hypothetically of course.” I grinned saying, “Of course.”
I took off back to my place and showered. I was about to head over to my parents’ house when the phone rang. It was Alexander so I picked up and walked out the door. “Hi Alexander.” Alexander replied, “Hey man, wanna spar in an hour?” I admitted, “I would, but I’m on babysitting duty tonight. My parents are going out with Aunt Astrid and Uncle Bjourn.”
EJ snickered, “You’re ditching us for a hot date with your siblings, I’m offended.” I joked, “Yeah, hot date. That’s me, the lady’s man. Let’s not act like you wouldn’t do the same thing.” Alexander laughed. EJ commented, “The two of you do need dates. Maybe it would chill you both out.”
Alexander argued, “I don’t need a date.” I chuckled telling them, “You have no idea how ironic this is.” EJ asked, “Huh?” I laughed, “Ask me later.” My mate’s brother wanted me to date. EJ sighed, “There are lots of girls who want to date you. Hell, I’ll even set you up with Cass and that’s saying a lot.”
I walked into my parents’ house smiling. I said, “Remember that, EJ.” EJ told me, “I don’t forget the things I say.” Alexander sighed, “Alright well, next time you’re in town hit us up.” I couldn’t hide my amusement, “I definitely will.” EJ said, “Ok, then. Bye weirdo.” I laughed, “Bye.” I hung up.
My Uncle Bjourn was standing there with a raised eyebrow. He asked, “Who was that?” I answered, “EJ and Alexander. They wanted to spar and set me up on a date. Which is funny…” Tenley ran in and jumped into my arms cutting me off.
She said, “But you said no because you’re all ours tonight!” I grinned, “I did say no, and I am all yours tonight.” Tenley clapped, “YAY! We are playing Twister first.” I tapped her nose, “Of course we are.” My mom laughed, “Thanks for doing this Cayden. They’ve been talking about it all day.”
I asked, “And where are my other siblings? I haven’t seen hide nor hair of them.” My dad snorted, “Who knows? Your brother is definitely with a girl. Your sister is seeing the boy next door and hiding it poorly.” I laughed, “I’ll be sure to tell her to be stealthier.”
My dad studied me, “You seem happy.” He tapped into our bond and his suspicions spiked. I replied, “I’m always happy to be home, dad.” My dad said, “Uh huh.” My mom said, “Cora called. Please don’t tell me you’re seeing her again.” I actually recoiled, “No, I’m not.” She smiled, “Good. Anyone who cheats on my baby is not welcome in my home. A simple ‘we aren’t together anymore’ phone call or text would have sufficed. Then I’d still want to kill her, but not in such gruesome ways.”
My Uncle Bjourn took out his phone and groaned. I looked at my dad in question. My dad asked, “Bjourn, do we need to cancel?” Tenley yelled, “NO! You have to go!” I assured her, “I’ll stay either way.” My Uncle sighed, “Cassie’s going on a date with a Fairy.” I frowned.
I did tell her to date, so we were technically off. I started planning ways to kill said Fairy anyway when she stopped showing interest in him. I could flay him. Or I could rip his head off his shoulders with my bare hands. I could gut him. Oh, the possibilities. They left for their double date.
I continued to plot ways to kill a Fairy by pumping him full or iron and smiling as her turned TO DUST. Yup, this was normal. I’m totally fine. I played Twister with my little siblings. Their bedtime was pretty early, and my parents weren’t back so I put them down. I read six books to Tenley before she fell asleep. She tried to fight it, but she’d been tired.
I walked out and caught my fourteen year old sister sneaking in. I cleared my throat, “Mom and dad aren’t home so sneaking in is superfluous. They’re on a date.” Aubrielle whirled around gasping, “Cayden?!” She ran and flung her arms around me. She asked, “When did you get back?” I laughed, “Yesterday.”
She sighed, “You’re just stopping by.” I nodded, “Yes, now tell me about the neighbor boy. He does know I can kill him, in so many different ways, right?” Aubrielle rolled her eyes, “Oh hush!” I teased, “But I can. I need to know that he knows that.” Aubrielle laughed, “I’ll go change then we can talk.” She walked upstairs.
My sixteen year old brother walked in next. I greeted, “Hey, Angus.” He whirled, “Cayden? You came home before your next mission!” I chided teasingly, “You and Aubrielle really need to pay more attention.” Angus sighed, “A little heads up would be nice since I’ve got a date outside. I just forgot my wallet.” I hugged him, “Have a good time, little brother. I’ll have a big surprise the next time I see you.” Angus winked, “I love surprises.” I chuckled, “I know.” He left and Aubrielle came downstairs.
We caught up for a while before my parents and Aunt Astrid and Uncle Bjourn got home. Aubrielle squealed and went to Aunt Astrid. Uncle Bjourn looked tense. I frowned asking, “What’s wrong?” Uncle Bjourn said, “Unknown. I know Haley is upset so I have Marcus heading to her now. FUCK!” He called someone several times.
Then finally he stopped and closed his eyes. His phone rang. He answered, “Harper, have Gunner track Haley’s phone now! She’s pissed, worried, and now she’s fighting someone.” I tensed. I told him, “I can have men ready to go in seconds, Uncle Bjourn.” He nodded.
I watched him add someone to the call and put it on speaker. Marcus Cambridge’s voice came down the line, “I’ve got her phone but she’s not here. On the plus side neither is Eric. So, she took him too.” Uncle Bjourn cursed again, “SHIT!” He went outside. I sent out a text to Hendrix.
Me:I wanted everyone on alert. We might need to go to the Conners.
Hendrix:Ok.
We waited for what felt like hours. My dad was sending me curiosity over my feelings, but I didn’t really pay attention to him. Uncle Bjourn walked back in. I asked, “Is Haley ok?” She had to be ok or Cassie would be devastated.
Uncle Bjourn sighed, “I don’t have details. All I know is Alexander healed someone and more details will come. The fight is over.” I texted Hendrix he could stand down and to spread the word. After fifteen more minutes Bjourn cursed, “FUCKING FAIRIES!”
My heartbeat stopped. No. It couldn’t be, but maybe it was. Cassie was with a Fairy. My mouth was dry. If that Fairy hurt Cassie, then she had to be ok. He’d said someone was healed. Alexander healed her. That Fairy’s soul was not prepared for his suffering.
