She waved cutting him off, “Yeah, I figured out what the fuck this is and to be blunt that cheating bitch is lucky she’s in the hospital already. I was told I couldn’t fucking finish the job. I popped here to get out my anger at that bullshit command and heard the fucking bullshit you’re spouting.” Hospital?
Damn. I really had blocked out my connections in my anger. If my sister had nearly beat Cora to death, I definitely needed to send Aubrielle my love. Also, that was impressive. Cora was older than her and in theory had more training. My siblings and I were trained harder than everyone but the Royal family though.
Haley’s eyes blazed, “You get the fuck out of here whoever the fuck you are before I kick your sorry gaslighting fucking ass the hell out of this realm.” Eagan ran from her as if she was the devil himself. He as in for s surprise because I saw the back of Alexander’s head following him out. I was guessing Eagan would join Cora in the hospital soon.
Hugo chuckled, “Aunt Haley, that things name was Eagan.” She snorted, “I think you mean it’s Eagasligter or Eagasshat. Cayden, if I could have a moment with you I’d appreciate it.” Hastein sent me his love and support as well as Hugo. I inclined my head to my dad’s office.
She walked in with me and closed the door. Before I could say anything, she gave me a hug. She whispered, “She’s a fool, but I always knew that. I tried to keep her away from you when you were little and I babysat you. I’ve literally never liked her fucking ass. Which is probably rude to say because she was child then, but I feel this proves me right. She never should’ve been near you.” My other babysitter had no such qualms but Cora had never gotten near me when Haley was around.
I hugged her back. I asked, “What does it say about me that I’m not that sad about her? I’m a bad person, aren’t I? I’m more upset Eagan betrayed me than my girlfriend.” She answered, “No, you were never serious about Cora. From what Astrid said she pushed for everything in your relationship. She sounds like an abuser and so does Eagan. That gaslighting motherfucker. Do you want me to kill them both? They seem like disrespectful shits.”
I laughed, “No, but thanks for the offer. It’s just hard to be betrayed by someone I considered a friend.” She nodded, “Yes, learning people you thought are something completely different is really fucking hard.” She’d know.
She studied me for several seconds before saying, “My boys are waiting for you at the fields to play.” I snorted, “Even Alexander?” She waved, “I’m sure he’ll be there soon. He’s nearly done doing what he was doing.” I chuckled, “I saw him leaving after Eagan.” She shrugged.
I changed the subject, “Play what?” She laughed, “I told them to come up with something fun and get their uncle’s to join. I’m sure your dad, brothers and sister are there now too. Hell, probably my nephews as well.” I asked, “What about Cassie?” She sighed, “She’s off in Faerie with her Cousins and my brother today.” God fucking damn it! I could not catch a break on meeting our Duchess.
She hugged me again, “You’ll be just fine, Cayden. If you change your mind about me killing those pieces of shit you let me know.” I laughed, “I’m glad you used to be my babysitter, so you love me.” She replied, “You were a good boy and you’re a better man. Whatever her bitch face name is lost out on something amazing. That’s her fault and problem.” I hugged her again and then left to go find out what this game was the partial Fairies had set up to cheer me up. Lord knows I’d need it since Cora announced to the whole damn realm she’d cheated by chasing me out in the street naked and screaming.
Flashback Ends
Cora smiled handing me a coffee in the present. I stared at it wondering when this would end. I hadn’t drank coffee in a very long time. She said, “I got it just how you like it when I heard you were back home.” I repeated for what felt like the thousandth time, “I don’t drink coffee.” She ignored me, “I was hoping we could go to our regular place to catch up.” Hendrix sighed, “I want to live where you do, Cora.”
She blinked, “You do live where I do.” He laughed, “No, I mean in the land of delusion. It must be a nice place and very serious break from reality.” Alexander popped in. Cora smiled seductively at him. He simply stared at her then asked, “Is that coffee?” I answered, “Yes.” He stared at me in surprise.
Cora said, “Well, if you’ll excuse us, Cayden and I have some things to discuss.” Alexander spoke before I could. “That’s odd because Cayden asked me to meet him here early for a sparring match. So, I doubt very much he has plans to speak with you.” Cora sighed and stomped her foot. “Cayden, you just got back and I want to talk.” Hendrix chimed in, “Well, he doesn’t want to talk to you.”
She rolled her eyes, “Please, that whole nasty business is in the past. Everyone’s over it.” Alexander casually commented, “I’ve often found bullies want someone to be over their actions and sweep it under the rug. Also, being over something doesn’t mean forgetting what happened. Two things can be true at once. He’s over you but he didn’t forget the betrayal you handed him. You even added another layer including his friend, which makes you pretty damn awful.”
He turned to me, “I’ve got to see Uncle Bjourn later so let’s get to it.” He did seem pretty keyed up.
I nodded, “Let’s go. I made no other plans at this time other than sparring with you.” He grabbed me and popped me to the ring.
He said, “You’ll want to set that coffee down. When did you start drinking it again?” I answered, “I didn’t. She just brings me one all the time despite the fact that I’ve told her I don’t drink coffee anymore.” He said, “So, tell our shared uncle she’s stalking or harassing you.” I dodged a hit from him.
I grumbled, “It sounds like we are related when you say that.” He laughed, “Plenty of people would love to be related to me. Everyone here knows we aren’t related.” He never picked up on why I always made sure people knew we weren’t related. It was silly but it always came back to Cassie. I’d meet her eventually and I wanted to ask her out.
Alexander said, “We missed you at Uncle Bjourn’s coronation.” Aunt Astrid delayed hers so that I could make it, but then Cassie couldn’t make hers. It didn’t make me like any full blooded Fairy at all. Which was somewhat crazy. I knew that it wasn’t their fault since Cassie made the choice to immerse herself into their culture and not leave their realm. To truly live there and get to know her Fairy side. I was proud of her and mad at them. It made total and complete sense.
I heard Cora huff then ask, “How long do they fight?” Hendrix answered dryly, “For a while.” She grumbled, “It seems more like they are talking about the Duchess.” I ignored her and fought Alexander. I said, “I was upset I missed it. I still don’t know how Micah got burned.” Alexander stiffened, “We’d have come for him.” I knew that. I asked, “How’s Max?” Alexander blinked, “That’s a subject change.” I wanted to laugh because he wasn’t picking up what I was throwing down.
Micah was Gunner’s son biologically. Micah always made sure to be scarce if Max Conners was around. He had a massive crush and was extremely shy. The Conners men had yet to pick up the clues I was throwing down trying to get those two together.
I grunted taking a hit. I threw out, “You seem intense today.” He said, “I’m intense all the time.” I shot back, “That’s evasive.” He didn’t answer but I didn’t need him to. Something was going on and he was working through it. I respected that.
Eventually my dad yelled, “Good fight.” Alexander frowned and I knew he’d wanted to keep going. I told him, “Si umquam vis loqui, ego hic (If you ever want to talk, I'm here),” He clapped a hand on my back but said nothing.
Cora slid up on him coyly looking at me. I stared at him impassively. She cooed, “Good fight, Alexander.” He said, “Thanks. Please stop touching me and it’s Duke Alexander.” Several people snorted. She backed up, “Sorry, you probably don’t like being all sweaty. I can wait while you shower.” He rolled his eyes, “I’m not interested in helping you make Cayden jealous. It’s not going to work because he doesn’t care, and I’m just not interested.” He popped away.
She gasped, “That was so rude!” Grimes, Cali’s oldest brother, called, “It was honest. He can’t lie and you made it very obvious you were trying to make the future Commander jealous.” Cora sighed saying to me, “I just want you to understand you still care.” I replied, “Cora, you joined the army. I care for you as a member of that because I will be your Commander. Whatever else there was between us died long ago.”
She had tears spring into her eyes. She whispered, “I made a mistake. We are so young and…” I cut her off, “And we have mates out there. It’s better this ended.” She wiped her tears, “I just want you to know that I’m really sorry.” I softened, “I know you’re sorry.”
She perked up, “Great. So we can get coffee and talk sometimes.” I said, “I still don’t drink coffee and I want to focus on training to be the Commander. I’m going out on every kind of mission I can.” She frowned, “I thought you were going to focus on your college classes. The rest of us are done with those.” I replied, “I’ve been getting a different education. I want to learn in the field. I take classes when I have time.” Which wasn’t much.
She sighed, “You really should have a college degree.” Hendrix asked, “Why? He only needs one if he wants it.” She replied, “It helps with missions. I think he’d be a great doctor.” Hendrix choked on his water so I clapped him on the back. Hendrix recovered, “No offense Cayden, but you were terrible at science.” I laughed, “Yeah, I really was. I don’t have any aspirations to be a doctor, Cora.”
Eagan walked in and I walked over to my dad’s office, shutting the door behind me. I sighed in relief. He said, “You need to shut that girl down harder.” He never called her a woman even though by our standards she was, but I didn’t blame him. I was his kid and he was firmly on my side.
