“I have often seen those younger and older criticize that which they do not understand. Or if they are raised by someone who does not. Things do not have to be like that. Aiden has led our people into a new era without cruelty to their mates.”
“Those who did so before were considered freaks. I personally had to hide for days after my first concupiscence to protect Aiden so that he would not be ridiculed for not hurting me. He was a man among boys. Don’t let the petty, insignificant words of those who do not understand you get you down.”
I let her words wash over me. I nodded, “I’ll try. You are very wise.” Lucinda chuckled, “A Queen must be kind, wise, understanding, but also able to show she cannot be crossed. Aiylee will be a better Queen than I am when she rules.” I replied, “I bet she aspires to be just like her mother.” I actually knew Aiylee did.
Before she could answer, Aiden and Xander popped in. My mate looked drool worthy in a tux. He popped us into a room full of people toasting… us? What was happening? A few women came up to me and kissed both my cheeks. Freya snorted in my head.
One told me, “We are pregnant because of you!” I asked, “Huh?” One laughed, “Aww she’s so innocent. We are referring to the magic the Duke released. It sent us all into a craze. You must be a tiger more so than a wolf in bed.” Freya scoffed, “I’m a wolf.”
Oh my gosh… This party was about my abilities in bed?! Freya said, “Well, you were worried about your skills. So, this should assuage that.” I retorted, “Because I thought Xander had a lot of experience, and I didn’t… which I still need to track those women down… the lying… CHARLATANS!” My wolf agreed, “We should do that.”
I grabbed several glasses of champagne and chugged them. They were cranmosa’s. Aiden didn’t miss a trick, but that didn’t surprise me… I’d studied the man, and he was very shrewd and intelligent. I looked around the party.
I saw there were more than a few jealous gazes being sent my way. I glared at them and most of them turned away. I’d seen a few women step out to what must be the bathroom…. At least it was based on my schematics.
I walked off and found it easily. I told Freya, “It’s so cool seeing things in real life and not just on my map.” My wolf chuckled, “Yes, but your maps of the realms are amazing.” They kind of were. Frey said, “Not kind of, they are cool. Mate will be so impressed.” Maybe….hopefully.
I stepped in and marveled at the wonderance of this place. It wasn’t like a normal bathroom… Nope. Fairies' version of bathrooms were definitely something. Once you closed the door on the stall you chose it was like you were outside. I could actually feel the sun on my face. I wondered what the Fire Territory bathrooms were like. My maps didn’t have these details.
Water Fairies seemed obvious... I’d bet somewhere near water. Earth Fairies probably had something like this… but what did Fire Fairies do? Did it feel like they were around a camp fire? Or just the scent of a fire?
I walked out to discover the sink was more like individual cascading waterfalls. This place was so cool. I washed my hands and stepped out. This was actually fun and going well. Other than ya know… it being weird this party was about bedroom capabilities.
A woman blocked my path. I said, “Excuse me.” She hissed, “I won’t.” I laughed, “That’s a terrible call on your part. I promise you… I can get by you. I can either do it with or without hurting you in the process. Either way works for me. I’d prefer not to hurt you though, it’s my first time here… and I’m kind of trying to make a good impression on my mate’s family.”
Her hands started to light up. She got in my face, “I don’t know how your trashy ass convinced Duke Alexander you are his mate, but you need to leave.” What sort of logic was she using telling me to leave and blocking my way to do so at the same time?
Freya scoffed, “Trashy?” I replied, “That’s nicer than what most people say about me.” My wolf replied, “They aren’t supposed to be able to lie and she did. You are not trashy.” I told her, “Just because someone else has their own truth, doesn’t actually make it true. She believes I’m trashy, so she’s not lying. Why? I’m not sure… I also know I don’t care.”
Out loud I said, “I’m trying to leave, but again… you’re in my way. Also, I’m not trashy. I don’t even know where that insult came into play. Come up with better ways to describe people other than masochistic terms to describe women to put them down.”
The Fairy snorted, “I don’t mean leave the room. I meant him. Leave Duke Alexander.” Freya snarled in my head. I told the woman, “You’re out of line, and Xander would kill you for saying that to me.” She paled and rolled her eyes, “How juvenile of you to call him that.”
I laughed, “Really? Because you sound a little jealous that I can call him that, but you still have to call him by his title. So… you may believe it’s juvenile, but he loves it… and I’ve always called him that. Which he knows… so… I’m not going to stop.” I watched her face flush.
I smirked, “Ohhh, it does make you jealous. Run along before my wolf decides she’s had enough of you.” The woman rolled her eyes, “I’ll have Duke Alexander in my bed. He didn’t even mark you, which means our Duke doesn’t want you. You’re just a reject whose own family didn’t want to see for years. Duke Alexander will see he belongs with me.” Pain lanced through my heart.
Freya slammed forward, “You will NOT talk to my human that way! Our family DID want us around. Magic kept us apart and you have no right to say such things to my human to hurt her. You will also NEVER touch my mate.” My wolf punched the Fairy full force with my hand. Her hand? Was it hers when she took over or just us? Huh… that was a philosophical question to consider later.
I told Freya, “I think you broke her cheekbone.” Freya snorted, “WE broke it. You work out a lot. I’d say sorry about her face but I’m not. She should not speak to you that way. I will not let anyone hurt you like that. Our family’s wolves have all talked to me. Some even asked why my name wasn’t Ember.”
Ok? I think Freya mentioned that when we came home, but that was a whole day…so…I was giving myself grace on being confused as to why Freya’s name would be Ember. Logically, they told my family that was my wolf’s name. A name that would make WAY more sense for a partial Fairy/Wolf hybrid with a Fire Element.
I felt Freya let me take back over this time instead of slamming me forward. So that was definitely progress. My insecurities were creeping back in from her comments about me and Xander. The fears I’d had for years of him truly wanting me were surfacing.
I quickly shoved them away when I saw Xander. He was mine and I’d prove it to these catty women. I claimed his lips and could tell he liked it. My mate was so amused it shot up my foot. I winced internally thinking I’d probably ruined the party. No wait… Fairies loved this kind of thing So… I made the party better in their minds for sure.
Xander, Aiden, and I went back out to the party. Several women toasted their drinks in the air to me. Lucinda winked in my direction. I sighed in relief taking that as confirmation I didn’t ruin the party. Xander and I stayed for a while longer before he popped us home.
My dad was waiting for us in the living room. I wondered how he knew we’d come here. Freya said, “It’s ok to be sad.” Well, I was. Pain filled me because this was the first time my dad saw me in a dress like this.
Actually, this was the first time I’d worn a formal dress. I’d dreamed of going to school dances and having my dad tell me how pretty I looked. I didn’t get to go to those though. Addison brought me once… but I didn’t even get in the door.
I was sad that my parents were leaving. It didn’t feel like we’d made much progress with each other. On top of the fact I felt bad because I hadn’t been helping Addison plan a single thing for her mating ceremony.
I didn’t even know anything about the plan besides she had her dress and the date. I was positive that my mom and Everly would help her. I hoped Elena was coming. I knew that she would be there if she could. I gave my parents a quick hug... because I was trying. I’d told Tristan I was trying and I really was.
It wasn’t exactly their fault… but it still hurt I’d been alone while they had each other. I really needed to find a way to get over that. Freya sighed, “It’s not just that. You feel like they should’ve come for you.” She was right, I did.
