I kissed my mom’s cheek and went back to get dressed in my regular clothes. It really had been a good day. I skipped back out and my mom grinned. She told me, “I can continue to celebrate with you guys, but if you just want to go with your cousins I understand. I won’t be upset with you either way.” She really meant that. I asked, “What are we doing?” Aiylee answered, “Getting a drink.” I tugged my mom’s hand, “Come with us, please.” She smiled and nodded.
We made our way back to the place nearby where we’d popped in. Aiylee popped us to the Sky Bar. We floated on clouds to the bar and ordered our drinks. The clouds took us to our table then our servers came by.
My mom stayed until my dad practically yanked her to him in the bond so hard I felt it. I laughed, “I guess dad wants to see you.” She grinned, “I can stay.” I kissed her cheek, “Go on, mom. Thank you for everything today.” She squeezed my hand, “Anytime, you’re my little girl.” She popped away.
Aiylee squealed, “YOU ARE GETTING MARRIED!” I pointed out, “You’re already married.” She made a fun face then agreed, “Yes, I am. It was a glorious ceremony planned by Aunt Haley, my mom, Lexi, and TeleTed.” It had been quite extravagant and amazing.
She said, “But now it’s your turn.” I winked, “Soon to be Bea’s.” Beagan laughed, “I don’t know. They have their traditions.” Aiylee scoffed, “Who cares? Talk to your mate and tell him you want a wedding and to marry you.” I reached across the table and squeezed Beagan’s hand.
I said, “JP isn’t anyone else. He loves you and Aiylee is right. Talk to JP if that’s what you want. You guys can discuss it.”She looked down admitting, “It would hurt if he said no.” Aiylee jumped in, “Then I will place mean charms on his ass for hurting you.” Someone sighed nearby.
She turned, “Yeah, I fucking cursed get over it. I’ll be the Queen around here one day I can say a curse word if I want.” Several people looked amused before they looked away. She rolled her eyes, “Anyway…”
I jumped in, “It can be scary. I didn’t bring it up with Cayden, but he had the ring the whole time. He’d had it for a while.” Aiylee huffed, “I can’t believe he didn’t tell me. I would’ve had that whole thing planned in a second.” I grinned, “And we love that about you.” She brushed fake lint off her shoulder.
I said, “I know it can be scary because they have their traditions, but Cayden is a full blooded Hackura and he bucked tradition. JP is a hybrid. I think the conversation will surprise you.” She bit her lip, “He’s younger than me.”
Aiylee asked, “And? Exsis is older than me. Cayden is older than Cassie.” I added, “My Grammy Veronica is older than Grandpa Titus.” Aiylee snapped, “Yes! See? Age doesn’t matter to supernatural’s. I’m not saying drag him down the aisle, though I am not opposed to making such a plan, just talk to him.”
Beagan laughed, “You would, wouldn’t you?” She snorted, “If you want him dragged down that aisle, I am your future Queen and cousin at your service.” We all laughed knowing she was one thousand percent serious. Rain said, “She’s probably have him literally dragged by the Royal Fairy Guards.” I amended, “While also using magic.”
We drank more and Beagan gathered her courage. She whispered, “I’m doing it.” I opened a portal, and we left. She snapped herself into a sexy outfit and we practically shoved her through her door. A few minutes later Grimes came out shaking his head but smiling.
He asked, “Why is it always you three?” I grinned, “Because we are fun.” He snorted, “Well, whatever you’ve done my son is insanely happy.” We heard something slam against the door before Beagan moaned.
Aiylee grinned, “I’m so good at this. At least I don’t have use magic to get him down the aisle because I was serious about that.” I snorted, “I knew you were.” Grimes raised an eyebrow. Aiylee said, “Well, let’s celebrate to our cousin’s happiness and yours.” I grabbed her and popped her to the bar where the women danced on the bar.
She clapped, “I do so love this bar.” We ordered shots and eventually ended up dancing on the bar together. We started working and dancing. Word spread around because the place was packed. Someone paid for Aiylee and I to get water dumped on us. We did a routine we made up when we were little. I giggled with her as we ended it, and water was poured on us.
Cayden’s nearness slammed into me. I opened my eyes and saw his heated gaze on me. Exsis was next to him with a drink in his hand. I licked my lips and found the sugar. I got it on my lips then crawled over to him. I grabbed him by the back of the neck and kissed him. His tongue licked the sugar off my lips and the bar went nuts. He tried to pull me off the bar, but I used a move he taught me to get out of his hold.
I spun around on my butt and put my leg up to get back on the bar and dance with Aiylee. I yelled, “I found my wedding dress today!” The cheers went around the bar. I danced my ass off and saw more members of my family arrive. I sent them all my love.
Every single one of my uncles were here along with several of my cousins. My grandparents were even in the back. I smiled at them, loving that I lived here, and I knew they felt the same. Aunt Torvi got up on the bar with us which set off a chain of events.
I warned, “Aiylee, an orgy will definitely start.” She winked, “Then I’ll just make out with my mate until I give in and let him have his wicked way with me. When I decide to do that, I’ll pop us to the treehouse I made here.” I winked at her loving every second of this day.
What Magic?
Cayden is Twenty-Four
Cayden knew something was wrong. I was in a meeting with Uncle Bjourn and I was frustrated. I sent my dad my feelings to go talk to Cassie. My Uncle cleared his throat. I put the files on his desk. “We have been more successful in the last year with our busts than prior.” Uncle Bjourn replied, “Than ever you mean.” Yes, well having Ashley on the inside was invaluable.
I admitted, “I want her out, but she’s refused.” He asked, “And when you asked her to meet me?” I cringed, “She balked, big time. I don’t think I have heard one person say so many scattered words at one time in my entire life.” Literally. I’d never seen someone so nervous in my life. Her voice squeaked so high I nearly winced.
He sighed, “It goes against every instinct in my body to continue on with her without meeting her myself. Even though that would be to the detriment of our people and the realms. I am sworn to protect both.” I acknowledged yet again, “I feel very protective of her.” He nodded, “Oddly, I do as well, and I haven’t met her.”
He was clearly struggling with the decision of what to do. He changed the subject, “What’s wrong with my niece?” I snorted, “Isn’t that the question?” He stared at me. I replied, “In part it’s what’s wrong with all of us. All of them going down fucked us all up.” I refused to think about it. I couldn’t go back to it right now with everything so fresh in my mind.
I forced my mind to be in the present. Uncle Bjourn acknowledged, “It was a very scary day.” I asked, “Has anyone whispered about anything having to do with it?” He shook his head, “Did you ask Ashley?” I nodded, “Yes.” He waited, but when I didn’t say anything he added, “And?” I scoffed, “She looked at me like she had no clue what I was talking about. Before she could answer her friends swooped in and changed the subject.”
He pressed, “Then you asked them about it.” I nodded, “Yes, they all went down.” He drew a conclusion, “But Ashley didn’t.” I replied, “They weren’t with her and when they bring it up, she gets agitated.” He raised an eyebrow. I explained, “That’s why they claim they changed the subject and got her away from me. They are only somewhat lying.”
He told me, “Get with Eric and ask how their wolf less reacted. Maybe her reaction is normal.” I asked, “Then why would they get her away from me? They have wolf less pack members.” He reasoned, “You didn’t try to talk to them though.” That was true. We wrapped our meeting, and I left.
My mom was waiting. I greeted, “Hi, mom.” She crossed her arms, “Your dad has Cassie so out with it.” I asked, “Out with what?” She said, “I’ll hold a family meeting, and we will go through it all with you and Cassie until you both admit your feelings behind everything that’s happened. Alexander is going to come see Cassie and talk through it with her.”
I asked, “How do you know that? I mean, he texted me earlier but…” She cut me off, “I asked Haley.” Naturally. She said, “You and Cassie are struggling and I’m at the end of my patience for this bullshit. You guys feel guilty about being happy.” I argued, “I don’t feel guilty for being happy with my mate.” She replied, “Well, I’m certain Cassie does.”
