15

"It's ready, Your Highness," Professor Sontar assured me, giving me a kind smile when I simply sighed.

Before classes even started, I had worked on and created the next step to healing Mrs. Craftsman and the now ten witches and warlocks who were living at Julian's estate to receive treatment. So far it had been working and was more noticeable from the first step, everyone involved agreeing that taking the slower steps had been the smart choice.

Even before the second step, the warlock who had wanted the help admitted he felt better. Mrs. Craftsman was still too far gone to know, but the healers said the change was minor.

I would take minor but noticeable when I'd been worried about exploding the woman.

Campbell wouldn't admit to it, but her thoughts said she felt different. Clearly, she was still a massive bitch though.

Now that they'd been working with the second level of treatment for over a month, the change was noticeable. Everyone agreed that there was a difference down to their auras.

Even Campbell couldn't deny it.

But that didn't mean I thought there should be a third step. It was more prudent to keep going with the second level instead of pushing.

Except the royal healers, White, and the other councilman agreed the rate of return on the magic was declining. I knew the term, but when I asked them to put that into values or something clearer for me, they didn't really have an answer.

Calarel said it was like the second level gave them five healing points each time they used it for the first week, four healing points the second week, three healing points the third week, and now two healing points this fourth week.

Fair enough. I understood that and even what a lowering rate of return meant. I simply needed to know how much each time or if it was big enough to notice. Yes, a twenty percent decrease in efficiency was a lot and people wanted more.

However, still having a positive effect, even if small, was progress in the right direction. My point and argument were doctors told humans that losing weight or improving health was a life change and a long road, not a quick month of working out. Slow and steady won the damn race.

And no one exploded that way.

Again, I was very worried over that possibility.

On more than just this if I was honest.

But I did work on the third step, not just because it was my assignment and midterm, but also in case the second level became a wash. If they got nothing out of it eventually then it would lead to backsliding.

When I made it work, people wanted to immediately use it.

"I agree with Tamsin that we not use it on everyone," Julian cut in when people were talking. "If you do on the original four, I understand, but the people who have only been here two months—we should know how long the second level works. We're jumping the gun on the proposed process because we're excited and want to see the results. We should know both sides."

"So your mother is the one who gets the benefits while my brother has to wait?" a witch snipped.

"Watch it," I warned, my tone cold. "Part of the reason Julian wanted to do this publicly and to tell the council was so it could be for more than his mom. We could have kept this a secret to save his family the embarrassment after all they've been through with the dirty members he put in prison. It leaked who it was and what was going on so—"

"You're right, Your Highness," she cut in, dipping her head to me. She let out a long breath and focused on Julian. "I apologize, Dr. Craftsman. I'm on edge and—I want my brother back. We need him to snap out of the path he's been on. I'm sorry I took my impatience out on you."

"I understand, believe me, I do," Julian accepted while scrubbing his neck. "Honestly, I want my mum to wait longer." He sighed when people couldn't hide their surprise. "She's the worst one of the group. I agree with Tamsin that we don't need to rush. It's smarter if we don't. But people want her as the test subject to see the results because she's the worst."

"We're not doing this if you're not ready," I said firmly, shaking my head when people argued. "No, we agreed slow and cautious." I gestured between myself and Julian. "I'm the one making it, and my ass is on the line and his mom. Enough. We don't move forward unless we're comfortable."

"I appreciate your prudence and concerns for safety, but all of the people here more seasoned and experienced aren't worried, Your Highness," White said after a moment. "I agree if he's not ready, we leave Mrs. Craftsman alone, but the others can answer if they're ready for themselves. And I agree only those in the first group."

I caved. That was reasonable, and it was hard to say it was too experimental when the demigod in the room was sure it was fine.

But again… Exploding people was a valid worry of mine.

The two warlocks and Campbell agreed to try the new device and go first. Campbell mostly because she was hoping I would fail and she could witness it.

Seriously, even if we cleansed her, I was fairly sure the woman would always be a fucking bitch.

The warlock who had wanted the help went first and I held Julian's hand as we watched. I was too nervous to see what happened but also like I couldn't look away. I held my breath as one of the royal healers handed the small hourglass over and told him to breathe deeply as the magic ran over him.

He nodded and closed his eyes and slowed his breath before flipping it.

Julian took in a sharp breath and was studying around the warlock. So clearly, he saw something in the man's aura. Julian squeezed my hand as if saying things were fine or… Not exploding?

I really hoped no one exploded.

It took a few minutes, but then the sand had run out and the magic was done. The warlock took in a few more deep breaths before opening his eyes and handing it over.

"I felt it. I felt it more than the second level. I can't tell you if it did more cleansing, but I felt it."

"We saw it," Calarel said as White and the councilman echoed her. "We could see it in your magical rivers. It was almost like the machine that cleans blood for the liver that humans use."

"Dialysis," White muttered. "Yes, it was exactly like that. I saw your rivers moving cleaner away from your hands and spreading out. Not a lot like when they're cracked and healing, but I saw it."

"So no one will explode? We're officially saying that, right?" I checked.

Lageos burst out laughing before coming over and kissing my hair. "No one will explode, Daughter. Please, stop worrying about that. It's relative progress, not jumping leaps and bounds."

I sighed and leaned against him. "I had another power jump, Dad. That always comes with risks and my magic being over the top."

"Fair enough, but we tested you, cleansed you, and made sure of the jump level. We know how to work with you now and make things safe."

Yeah, in theory, but there had been times we all thought things were fine and then I did weird shit in Faerie or my magic almost killed me. That was a hard worry to shake or feeling to ignore.

The other warlock and Campbell both went and agreed they felt it as well.

Julian and I shared a glance and he nodded that he was ready. I squeezed his hand this time in comfort before his mom was brought in.

She lost her head when she saw me touching Julian, but White silenced her fast looking as annoyed as I felt. The woman was doing better, and still her focus was always her hate for me.

Fine, she still wasn't in her right mind, but it was better, and she at least understood she was sick most times. Or at least just accepted what Julian said.

I didn't get too involved because… I hated her too. It was time to be honest about that. I was doing this for Julian and to help witches and warlocks who wanted help.

Mrs. Craftsman could go walk into a volcano when she was better for all I cared. Yes, I didn't want Julian to grieve, but I didn't want her in our lives.

Ever.

She held the hourglass and did as she was supposed to and White took back off her magic so Mrs. Craftsman could tell us if anything was wrong. She blinked her eyes open and flinched at the healer. She looked at her hands and went to toss the hourglass away, but luckily the fairy was on the ball and snatched it.

"Who are you people? What are you do—where am I?" She looked around with fear in her eyes but then focused on Julian. "What is going on?"

"You're sick, Mum. Do you remember me telling you that? You were losing time and—"

"No, that's not possible and—"

White moved by us and into Mrs. Craftsman's view. "You know who I am, yes?"

"Yes, Anya White. You work with Julian, Dean of the Witches," Mrs. Craftsman answered with a frown, clearly understanding she was being tested.

"You're behind on when it is, Mary. I'm a councilwoman now and haven't worked with Julian in over a year." She nodded when Mrs. Craftsman simply blinked at her. "You've been struggling. Princess Tamsin has been working with our council and Faerie's royal healers to help."

She snorted. "That selfish wench wouldn't ever do anything to help me."

"Mum!" Julian snapped. "She's standing right here and is my mate. How can you—you just said that in front of—"

"I would never normally say that so publicly," she muttered, glancing around before locking her gaze on me. "You did something to me."

"Yeah, I helped you, Mary. And no, I didn't do it because I like you. I did it for Julian and the others who deserve the help my magic brings." I let go of Julian's hand and turned to leave, but he kept his hold and moved as well so we faced each other.

"If you want to leave, I'm coming with. You're my team, Tams. The healers can handle my mum."

But he wanted to stay and see what was going on. I saw it in his eyes. He didn't want me upset, but he wanted to know the results.

I slapped on a smile and stood on my toes for a kiss, glad when he gave it. "It's fine. It worked, and I got the answer I needed that it's the right path. I've got too much else going on. Get the full report and answers."

"No, you're my team," he argued.

"Our team is doing great," I promised. I raised my other wrist and checked the time. "Meet up with me for lunch and tell me what you learned, okay? I have piles of everything to look over and sign." I nodded when he studied me. "Go ahead and cheat. I'm fine. Thank you for making it clear you're with me, but I'm fine."

He glanced around me and relief filled his eyes. He gave me another kiss and let go of my hand.

I teleported away and my dad followed, worry in his eyes as well. "I'm fine. Really. I just hate that woman and I can't be the problem—it's not helpful when I'm there to agitate her and even Campbell. Julian didn't pick her over me. I get it."

"No, I know, but I wanted to make sure." He leaned in and kissed my hair. "And for the record, the warlock yelled at his mother last week that she would never be allowed around your children even when she was healed. He didn't want her influence on his children even if they weren't yours, so she should stop blaming you for everything."

Wow. That was huge and I was glad my dad told me.

Not that we were remotely ready for children, but… I was glad to know that. It healed my heart some from past hurt and made me feel more confident in our future.

In our team.

I spent the next few hours going over piles of everything for the government. Neldor was handling so much now that he wasn't distracted with school and the path was clearer of what needed to be done. We'd handled so much in too many directions and laid down strong foundations that it was now about keeping the paths clear or things running.

And he was doing an excellent job at that.

But like always, there wasn't enough money. We were eating through the extended budget we'd pulled together for the year. We'd be fine if we only used that, but we wanted more done and progress handled. We were ahead of schedule on everything and that was amazing.

And it gave people hope. If they had hope and kept looking forward, they stopped looking back. We needed that so they could see peace was the answer and to let go of the way Faerie used to live.

Neldor proposed opening a butcher shop that would sell our animals to supes and it was the smart move. I completely agreed with him and wanted Juan to jump on it or someone else we could hire if it was too much for the dragon. But that took time to put together, hire people—all the business side.

What we could do quicker in the meantime was an auction like my art. The shifters who we had invited to the hunting event over the summer were still talking about it. And others wanted to be invited to another event, either with the same deal or pay for the tickets. That took a lot of work on our part, and we were planning one because we received a lot from it.

However, if we had a straight auction for the animals, people could do what they wanted with them. That was just a way to get money to fill the government's coffers.

And given we had already repopulated the animals of Faerie, it was the smart move. None had gone extinct even if some of the percentages were off.

We could auction off farming animals and buy tons of cows from this world with that money and feed a lot of my people. Hell, give it away and help people get back on their feet so we would have more taxes come in to keep the government running at this efficient level and doing so much for Faerie.

"You are always the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, but there is something so extra sexy about you when you're thinking and being smart," Julian said from the doorway.

I smiled at him. "Yes, but I'm also stressing myself out, so thank you for making me smile." I finished writing what I had been and closed the folder to show he had my full attention. "How did it go?"

He raised the basket in his hand. "I had your security pick up lunch from the rest stop. Want to have a picnic outside?"

"More than I can put into words." I nodded. Yeah, that sounded perfect.

We got everything together including a blanket, but then I glanced outside and told him I was going to change so I could get some needed sun. He nodded, saying it was a good idea and he would as well.

I went to my room and decided to wear something a bit much because I knew Julian had had a hard day too. I picked a crop top halter that couldn't be worn with a bra and tiny shorts that didn't fully cover my ass. I teleported back and gave my security a look to scram.

"We won't leave the property. I want lunch alone with my mate," I told them firmly, waving them off.

Ara caught on first and snorted, all of them bowing before making themselves scarce.

Julian came back in cargo shorts and a tank top and about swallowed his tongue when he saw what I was wearing. "My day just vastly improved."

"Mine too," I purred as I stared him over. I opened a portal to the back of the property by the grove and grabbed several things while he handled the cart. We went through and I set up the blanket and got things settled as he did. I handed him a fae juice once we were situated on the blanket and decided to discuss what we needed to so we could have fun. "Tell me."

He nodded, taking a big gulp first. "It was a noticeable help. It was that moment of clarity like we'd talked about before like I'd kind of thought would happen. It lasted about an hour before she slowly slipped back into her normal state but not as bad as normal. She didn't fight the yoga and idea of an ice bath."

"So she's retaining more that something is going on. That's good." Mostly for the fairies and healers in charge of her. Julian too. It wasn't easy on him to receive reports that his mom constantly swore at the people taking care of her and threw things at the hobgoblins who were trying to help her.

It was really hard on him.

He told me some more specifics as we started in on our food but then seemed done with the topic. He'd needed to know the result and if there had been progress. I got that. I would have been the same if it was Lageos. I couldn't have let it go.

Speaking of that…

"My dad told me something you said," I hedged. "And maybe it's wrong of me to ask if you meant it—I just wanted—"

"Yes, I meant it, my sweet mate," he said gently. He cupped my cheek and made me look at him before he gave me a soft kiss. "My life will no longer have my mother in it. Once she's healed, I'm going no contact with her. I planned to. I have been no contact—maybe low contact with her because I have to with her in my house.

"But that's it. There's no fixing or repairing our relationship. I mean that. That's my decision for me. Add to that how she treats you—I'm ashamed I didn't cut contact with her sooner. I should never have let her treat you as she did. I didn't—I was a fool. You deserved better and I don't want her in our lives."

I swallowed loudly. "And that won't change if we have kids?"

"No." His voice was firm and absolute. "My answer would be more resolute then. I'm not letting her toxic ass around them. I would never be that sort of da. I'm mortified I was ever that sort of mate. I'm only in her life until she's healed. Then she just lives there and manages the house. That's it. I might have to talk to her about that—she's had all the chances and more."

"Thank you, Julian," I whispered, leaning my forehead to his. "Thank you."

"I'm sorry I didn't make that clearer to you," he sighed.

"You might have, but everything has been… She's been sick. That could change—"

"No, not with her. Not in this situation. She's done too much and gone too far. There's no changing my mind on this. I swear it to you." He leaned back and studied my face. "That's what has been holding you back, right?"

I opened my mouth but then closed it. "I don't know. I didn't think so. I mean, I said I would marry you. I'm ready but… It felt like I would give you an ultimatum about her and I don't want to be that person. I can't be—"

"You're not. You didn't give me one. I'm making the call. You mean more. You are more important to me. We are. Mum did this to herself. You—you dealt with more than you should ever have had to. It's done. My choice is you."

I let out a shaky breath, really hearing him and believing him this time. "Okay. Okay, good." I gave him another soft kiss and went back to our food, deciding to switch the topic to what Neldor proposed and my idea.

"I think it's smart and exactly the right call. My sweet mate is always the smartest person," he praised.

"Really?" I purred. "What else am I?" I wiped my hands and reached for the ties of my top, smirking when he choked on his bite as I let the front of it fall down. I took it off and then shimmied out of my shorts. "What else am I, Julian?"

"Perfection," he whispered as he eyed me over. "Absolute fucking perfection."

I moved my plate over and moved onto all four, crowding his space. "I'm hungry for something else. It's thick and hot in my mouth. My mate loves when I lick it and swallow his cum. Will you give me what I want?"

He groaned. He groaned deep in his chest and ripped his tank top getting it off so fast.

Excellent.