4

"Those who are mates to Tamsin agree she not live primarily in Faerie until we figure out a way to cut the connection she has to the planet," Neldor started with a bang. "But it would look bad if I took up residence in my family's castle when she won't."

"It's expected now that you've graduated, Nel," Taeral argued with a sigh, clearly having brought this up to him.

"I know, but I plan to get around that with…" He looked at me. "Tamsin came up with a smart idea. Now that I graduated, the inheritance is fully mine. People have lived in the houses of the dark fairy trust and some things were done, but she updated some of her family homes."

"And you've done none of that," Iolas muttered. "You kept putting it off. Both of you have."

"We've had so much time to manage it, and no one would judge us if we focused on that," I drawled. I felt better when several people snorted.

Neldor focused on Lucca. "Cluym did not want the job of my right hand. He doesn't want late-night calls and to jump into everything. He's tired and wants to focus on Geiger." Neldor nodded. "Which you clearly knew. You really do pay attention and take in the whole picture. I never saw that unless it concerned Tamsin. She was right that you are the perfect person."

"For what?" Lucca asked, glancing between us.

"I want to offer you the role," Neldor said easily, nodding when people couldn't hide their shock. "At least for now. If you do ever mate Tamsin, you couldn't be my right hand. That would be demeaning as a prince of Faerie. I understand that, and this isn't about politics or trying to put you in your place—none of that."

"It shows an unparalleled amount of trust," Xavier muttered. "It's also the best way to prepare him if he does eventually become a prince of Faerie. He has training as a leader, but without any disrespect, being an Alpha of a sloth is vastly different."

"It is," Mr. Von Thann agreed.

Neldor nodded, still focused on Lucca. "I've tuned too much out. I've had to so I could survive and keep moving. Between the rumors and flack about being born male as a fairy royal—you know. I missed what was going on with Cluym. You didn't. You don't miss those important matters. You caught on about the other issue we had the huge meeting about."

Lucca nodded, but we left it alone besides that. People there didn't know about demons, and we definitely weren't going to talk about it with children around.

"Cara, Jordan, and Cluym want to work together over the next year or two and update all of our family residences in the human world. Plus, other residences in the trusts," Neldor continued. "Darby is helping in the government with Geiger and all the legal aspects and the laws we're planning on changing and writing up for when Tamsin is queen.

"She's discussed the role she hopes Hudson might have in the future, same with Julian. Possibly. Nothing is decided and we're not signing anything. I cannot say that firmly enough that what I'm offering is for now and subject to change if your relationship does."

"Meaning she dumps him again," Jason snickered.

It was nice when both of his parents cuffed him upside the head. Mr. Von Thann was faster, but they both got him one after another.

I wasn't the only one who snorted.

Neldor ignored it and kept his focus on Lucca. "And part of that will be beating some of the sexism out of the shifters and how they behave towards our future queen. Even the disrespect towards our female commanders. I have handled it with several dark fairy nobles and will continue to, but you would be in a good position as a shifter to be the good cop to our bad cop."

I snorted, shrugging when Neldor glanced at me.

He looked at Julian. "And yes, we want you to sell your condo."

"Nel," I hissed, annoyed when he ignored me and went on.

"You've seen that people will abuse you living in a human-run building and make a mess. Your cousins won't be the last ones, and the line of witches you now have that are hoping to be the mother of your child to—"

"What?" I hissed, breaking the glass of water in my hand… And shattering most of the silverware around me. I winced and looked across the table to Lageos. "They listened to me and didn't use like the priceless stuff of Mom's, right?"

"I made sure of it," he said easily. "Everything in the palace is lovely, but it's standard until the royals in attendance are at least fifty not to use ancient heirlooms or priceless items at any event. It's all safely put away in the correct vault still."

I nodded before slowly turning to Julian with a look that he better get explaining.

He cleared his throat and used his napkin to wipe his mouth.

Hudson was sitting next to him and quickly interjected. "Apparently, he humiliated someone who came to his office and berated the family about behaving better and not blowing covers. Also, about time and place and… It sort of backfired. Big time."

"But recently," Julian added. "I didn't—I haven't even been home much there's been so much to do. The front desk called and said I had people just showing up and waiting and…" He swallowed loudly. "I was going to tell you. There's—you've had so many meetings and events and were worried about tonight."

"I apologize," Neldor muttered, sighing when several people looked at him like they doubted that.

"I thought you knew too, Daughter," Lageos interjected. "You mentioned about his condo being an issue a couple of days ago, but you didn't know how to handle it. We—" He pointed to himself and the fairies sitting at that end with him "—thought you had learned about the…" He glanced at Hudson. "What did you call it?"

Hudson winced. "It wasn't flattering, and the kids shouldn't hear it."

I snorted. That meant it had to be good. I could only imagine. I thanked the servers when the next dish came out and waited until it was all handled and everyone had what they needed. I was annoyed and decided to cut to the chase.

"Neldor is going to live at one of his family's properties in this world. He was going to invite you and Juan to live with him whether you accept that job or not. It's less confusing and separate. Apparently, maybe Julian too, and that way you'll have the best protection. It's complicated, but Darby and Hudson live with me."

"It makes sense with your engagement to Darby. I don't see how that's fair even if you're public with Hudson, but you're not engaged," Mr. Von Thann poked.

Shit. I wasn't ready for someone to be so bold and bring that up.

And clearly, I wasn't the only one from the guilty look Hudson and I shot each other.

"You're going to marry the queen of Faerie?" Kagen squealed as she jumped up onto her chair.

Mr. Von Thann cleared his throat when everyone seemed too shocked to know what to say. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," I accepted. "It happened months ago. We're not making it public for a while. It will undermine the decision Hudson made and Connor's position. No matter what anyone thinks, my mate made a very wise decision about what was best for his people, and it was separate." I smiled at Hudson. "And I'm proud of him for it. I won't let anyone take away from that."

"It was a bold choice and I'm sure one he could only have made with your support," Mrs. Von Thann offered.

"I might have helped, but Hudson can do anything on his own," I countered.

"Thanks, shorty," Hudson said softly as he reached over Julian and took my hand. He gave it a squeeze while his parents tried to calm down his younger siblings. "Connor's the best choice."

"Thank you, Brother," Connor accepted.

"Must be nice," Jason grumbled.

"If you were half as mature and behaved as Connor on our side like he is on Hudson and Tamsin's side, it would be easy for me to say as well," Lucca threw right back.

Wow. I slowly looked at him with wide eyes.

And I wasn't the only one.

He tried to swallow a growl, but it slipped out as he adjusted his neck. "He's been better. He's gone through that training Dad asked for and worked with the fairies you pay to train with him. But I haven't gotten a fucking apology and I know you haven't for the shit he's started so yeah, I'm salty. I won't let people treat you that way and let it go to keep the peace, Tams."

Fair enough.

The next shock was when Lucca's two sisters shared a look and the one closest to Taeral caught my gaze. "I would ask you take this knowledge from me, Your Highness." She cleared her throat when everyone went quiet. "I haven't learned mental shielding yet or—I could slip. I can't be the one to slip. Even if Jason was an ass, those were his ‘friends' recording him to—"

"Thank you," I accepted. "Truly. I'm glad you understand how important it is and how tricky things can get fast. And it's not taking the information so much as you can't speak of it, and it's muted if you thought of it for some reason."

"I'd prefer you just take it," she said after a moment. "It's not about Lucca, and he's not in danger. Someone could be if I mess up and Connor's always been nice to us."

"Agreed," the other sister said.

"Thank you," Connor whispered. "Your support and understanding are—you're very mature to understand that you can't see all the possible ripples. I won't forget that."

Kagen and the Vogel younger siblings agreed to have it taken away as well when they learned that. As long as they weren't left out of the wedding or anything.

"You are going to have such fun planning the wedding," Mrs. Von Thann said to Sasha with a wistful tone.

Oh no.

"They want to elope," Sasha told her, sounding crushed.

"What?" Mrs. Von Thann gasped.

"Can you believe it?" Sasha sighed. "She doesn't want any weddings. She's going to elope with Darby and probably Julian as well. At least Lucca is too outgoing and would want a big mating ceremony. I mean, your sloth would never—"

"With all due respect, I would do whatever Tams wanted, Queen Sasha," Lucca said firmly. "I've known she would never want a huge blowout like bears have. Even when I was being a possessive jerk, I wasn't that deluded. I thought maybe a small family ceremony on the beach since we love kitesurfing."

"Really?" I gasped, blinking at him in shock. "You and Harry would be okay with that? Even back then? Not some…"

"I never cared how you became mine, Tams. I just wanted you as mine."

"Well, even I'm swooning over here," Neldor muttered, probably trying to cut through tension for us. But it wasn't the time and we both flicked him off.

"I'd do that," I agreed as my face flushed lava hot. "I mean if we get there. That sounds… Yeah, I could handle that."

"I'm going to cry," Mrs. Von Thann rasped.

"See? You said I was being too sensitive, but she understands," Sasha said to Xavier.

Shit.

They both seriously looked like I'd shredded all their dreams and beat up all the puppies and kittens in the world. I wasn't sure how to handle this, so I just… Acted like my normal goober self.

"You both can help plan the mating ceremony I have with Neldor that will be across two worlds and probably make me faint with anxiety and crazy," I blurted.

Severalpeople spit out what they were drinking or gagged on food. I blinked at them and couldn't think of what I'd said… Until my dad stood and dragged Neldor out of his seat.

"You tapped into her magic and did something to her mind, didn't you? I will fucking end you, you little pissant. Just because she lets you touch her—"

"Dad!" I bellowed and used my magic to freeze everyone.

Including the demigod.

Shit.

I gasped as I realized what I'd said. "Oh fuck." I teleported over to them and grabbed Neldor away, his shirt ripping in the process because Lageos's fist was closed around the material. "Dad, we're not together. Don't—I just—it came out—"

"Even I'm in a state of shock, baby doll," Neldor said from behind me.

"Not helping," I growled.

Apparently, he didn't care because he spun me to face him and cupped my cheek. "Fuck everything else. You just talked about us mating like it was—like it could happen."

I swallowed loudly. "I don't… We're not even—it would kill you if I ever mated another fairy. I mean what if—White's right. I couldn't put my child in that position. To be born first and not a fairy? Or not from a fairy when I have a fairy mate? I don't—I can't—you would—our souls would—"

Everything went blurry and I was out before I even felt myself go down.

"I've got you, Tams," Julian whispered when I came back around.

"And hurt yourself, you fucking idiot," Lageos grumbled. "You cannot tap into her magic to that level. You might not survive it one day."

"I felt her panic and realized what was happening," Julian grumbled, snuggling against me.

"I'm the worst adult ever," I groaned as I leaned into him more.

"No, you have too much stress and have the worries of two fucking worlds on you plus now the future children you don't even have," Neldor seethed. "And the demigod with the fucking temper doesn't help. No, you shut up or so help me, I'll let you squish me so she throttles you."

"Nel, she's fine, stop poking him," Taeral muttered.

"I'm not going to hurt any of you fools. Your souls are tied to hers!" Lageos snapped. "It would hurt her. Even the bear since their bond is reforming!"

"What?" several people gasped.

"Well, I know where I get my tendency to blurt shit out," I drawled. "Okay, everyone time out and tone it down. Priorities. Is Julian okay? Anyone hurt?"

"Like you?" Neldor worried. "Why are you not opening your eyes?"

"I feel lightheaded," I admitted. "I was worried I'd be dizzy and puke."

"Bring extra for the princess now," Neldor and Lageos ordered together.

"I'm sorry I ruined everything," I rasped, rubbing my hand over my face. "I didn't even get to your presents."

"And that's what's got you so drained," Julian muttered. "Something just flashed in your aura."

"Cheater," I sighed, groaning when I felt Lageos's magic heal me. I thanked him and slowly opened my eyes and looked into his worried ones, realizing I was sitting on Julian's lap. Fine, it was clearly confession time. "I was really worried my final wouldn't work. Or yeah, that concern I'd blow up your mom.

"And I threw a fit you were being so unfair to me about grades, that I didn't want to then fail. You would never call me on it then so I—and then I had this idea and I wanted to do something special. I didn't get a chance to do anything really special for Darby's graduation because it was so… But yeah, so I kind of prepared a separate final project with Sontar. It's the gift. Gifts."

"I am going to be the first demigod with gray hair because of you, Daughter," Lageos muttered, giving me a look that he might throttle me.

"Pot-kettle, Dad," I drawled.

"That's fair," he accepted.

We all sat back down and Julian was going to be fine but would need some more healing tomorrow and rest. Calarel was dragged from wherever and checked on both of us. I got a lecture about stressing about things I didn't need to.

And then my healer had the biggest proverbial balls I'd ever seen as she squared off with Lageos. "Your daughter hemorrhages magic when she's too stressed. That's not normal, and as her father you should have already caught onto that. I've said as much. I did when she made the geodes. So did the others. You were so busy bragging she's amazing, you forgot that part."

He winced. "The guardrails Iolas keeps telling me about. Right, yes, okay." He looked at me. "I'm sorry. I thought that wasn't needed anymore after your magic started telling you when to pull back."

"Only for waking fairies," I muttered. "And I don't think I knew I hemorrhaged magic when stressed." I held up my hands in surrender when Calarel shot me a nasty look. "I'm stressed all the damn time. I didn't get it. I thought stressed doing magic and—I'll be good. Tell me what you want me to do."

"First, I want to see this secret project that you were working on Sontar. That will tell me if I'm drop-kicking that man as well."

"Yes, ma'am," I said but then cleared my throat and looked out at the group before then looking at the servers. "Can we push anything back? Or bring the next two dishes together? It won't take long, and I don't want to ruin—"

"Informal is great, and we can take plates with us, Your Highness," Mr. Von Thann said easily… While giving me an apologetic look. He clearly thought this was all his fault and like he'd opened a huge can of worms on accident.

Yeah, that was clear when he shot his mate a worried look.

Luckily, the others got in on the idea and agreed, saying they'd take enough for the younger children.

I shrugged. Food was allowed in the temples. I kissed Irma's cheek after I accepted my plate and promised we'd be right back. I opened a portal to the first temple and let Iolas and Taeral go through first with our guards just to be safe.

"Umm, well, okay, I wasn't really ready for this part," I admitted before shoving an hors d'oeuvre in my mouth.

Lageos let out a heavy sigh and handed his plate to Iolas before teleporting away. I frowned, but before I could even think to ask what was going on, he reappeared with Professor Sontar.

"Seriously, Dad?" I growled.

"You're nervous and stressed and you just fucking fainted," Lageos defended. "And I want to know what he was doing with my daughter behind my back."

"Prince Lageos!" Professor Sontar gasped. "Crystals! The princess finished the normal course load of crystal classes even for a fairy, but after her creation of the geode, she had an idea and asked for my help in implementing it. Creating it. I have never been—"

"You're an honorable man," Lageos confirmed. "I didn't mean it that way at all. I meant we agreed to keep the level of Tamsin's stress down and communicate with each other on her studies."

"Yes, but I was worried the princess would go off on her own given she was too nervous about the situation with Mary Craftsman and she really wanted to do this for a gift." He held up a hand when people started asking questions. "It's better if I just show you." He shot Lageos a look. "Since I was trying to eat my own dinner and settle in for the night."

"Dad," I groaned. I rolled my eyes when he basically shrugged. "I apologize, Professor. I got overstressed and fainted because I stuck my foot in my mouth and then Calarel got grumpy with me and I get scared when she actually gets upset and… The night didn't go as planned. Several times."

"Normal is boring, shorty," Hudson comforted and tried to feed me more food.

"And Calarel loves you as much as her mate, so you're safe, Your Highness," Sontar said with a chuckle. "Tell me again what your idea was. That's all they need to know." He glanced at the others when we reached the covered alcove off to the side of the temple. "And that you were only able to make one so far, so it's not favoritism, but the location."

Yeah, that had worried me as well. "This temple is in the safe zone between the realms. It's neither light nor dark. Technically. It's been the site of many peace talks and back channel—"

"Sharing of information to stave off war," Iolas said. "I've been here with your mother many times to meet important dark fairies. Too bad they were ancients we shouldn't have trusted."

"Same with my queen and light fairy ancients," Taeral grumbled.

"Right, but to look to the future…" I focused back on Sontar. "Only citizens can own land in Faerie, have official homes here. And it would cause problems or issues given I blink and it upsets someone. But the temples are neutral. They're all about helping and hope."

"Yes, and you wanted people to understand how certain people giving you hope and help was the only reason you made it as far as you did," Sontar said gently when I couldn't seem to find the words. "You wanted people to see the mark they left on Faerie even if it wasn't visible. That we would not all have been saved if they had not been so instrumental in the journey."

"Right," I sighed. I wasn't sure what else to say and reached out and grabbed the covering and yanked it away. "This is the only one done, and I thought Neldor should have the spot in the safe zone so everyone is always reminded he's part of the reason we have peace. Us declaring there would be peace and sticking to it is what keeps everyone safe."

"Baby doll, what is this?" he whispered as he walked towards the three-foot iridescent crystal. It was the widest crystal I'd ever seen, and it was on a solid pedestal and protected with magic so no one could take it or damage it.

Only touch it.

"Hope," Professor Sontar said with a tone of awe. He was nodding when I glanced at him, staring at the others there. "See for yourself. Touch it. The princess used her vast magical talents to imbue a new type of crystal never created before with the feeling of hope. The feeling they are not alone and others are with them."

"The plaque you love," Lageos whispered as he moved closer.

I hadn't really thought of that, but I nodded. "Yeah, the plaque on the Statue of Liberty. Finding each of them and their help kept me going when getting the answers and keeping on the journey was too much. I wanted everyone in Faerie to see what they are—what they did for this planet. A dedication to what they've done and keep doing."

Neldor moved closer and touched the crystal. It flared with light and covered his hand with a glow as well for several seconds. He blinked at it a few moments before letting his hand drift down to where the dedication plaque was fixed to the pedestal with his name.

"‘Dedicated to Neldor Donovan and his service to Faerie. May his hope help you as it helped many,'" he read off.

"I can tweak that," I mumbled. "It's just what I thought—I wasn't sure what to say." I cleared my throat and looked at Hudson and Lucca. "Your plaques and pedestals are ready in other temples. I have to make the crystals and secure them magically."

"Tams, this is…" Lucca whispered before looking back at the crystal. "I don't have the words. I cannot believe you put honor statues in your temples for us. I'm not sure that's what you'd even call this but…" He looked at Neldor. "Can I?"

"Of course." Neldor dipped his head but then looked at me. "Does it work on non-fairies?"

I froze. "I don't know. Only Professor Sontar and I knew. We just finished getting this all in."

"Yes," he answered for me, shrugging when I looked at him. "I wanted to make sure. Cara's mate was there when I picked up the plaques from her. I asked him to try it."

Oh well, glad he was smart enough to make sure.

Lucca touched the crystal and it lit up again and made his hand glow. He blinked at it for several moments after it was done. Then my plate was out of my hand and I was in his arms.

"Tams, that was amazing! How—I can't—that's so—you are just—" He couldn't seem to figure out what to say so instead let out a huge laugh and hugged me as he spun us around.

So he liked it.

Cool.