3

Eventually he said, “You know full well if I’d ever thought you’d hurt my daughter, I’d pummel into the ground then my sons would be on you.”I took a drink and pointed out, “Yet you aren’t. I was hurting her.”

Alexander argued, “No, you weren’t. She was frustrated but you didn’t hurt her. She just wanted you to see it and you did. She used her Truth Seeking ability and you saw. You led the charge to throw Corursula in the dungeons.”

I pointed out, “She should’ve died then. We nearly lost Cass because I didn’t kill her.”

Alexander replied, “Cassie had that situation handled before you found out about it. I would’ve gone to her. They weren’t trying to kill her either.”

Visions of her getting shot hit me again.

I whispered, “She was shot because of me.”

Eric said, “No, she was shot because a psychotic bitch decided to play God and thought my daughter was in her way. We are not responsible for the thoughts and actions of others. She got obsessed with you and that’s not your fault.”

Marcus chimed in, “He’s right. It’s so hard to fucking see, but Haley finally got me to see it how it was.”

I asked, “How?”

He answered, “She asked if it was her fault the three stooges fixated on her. I told her that in no way was it her fault. She pointed out the Claudia situation was the same and I wouldn’t blame her. So, project the situation onto your brother. Would you blame him? Or Alexander?” I answered easily, “No!”

Gunner yelled, “WE NEED A CONNERS DOWN HERE!”

Alexander chuckled, “I might have linked Max. Oops.”

He popped away and Eric groaned. He said, “I swear to god those pups just live to egg each other on and give me gray hair.” I laughed, “You’re proud of him.” He stood, “Damn straight. No one messes with my pups. That includes you and Micah. She kept you from my Princess.”

I raised an eyebrow, “Surely you didn’t want us to meet sooner than we did.”

Marcus chuckled before Bjourn busted up laughing. Eric’s eye twitched as he admitted, “I wish you had known her longer. I wish that fate had not been interfered with. God that actually tasted bad coming out of my mouth.”

He groaned, “Give me that damn bottle.”

He took the whiskey and chugged half of it. He told me, “I’d rather you not have anything like this happen to you and have been with my daughter all along because you are a good man. I consider you one of my own and I always liked you. If I could’ve picked Cassie’s mate, I’d have picked you. Now, I have to before you all make me get more into my feelings and shit.”

We all laughed as he left.

He muttered, “I swear to god a tiny little pink loving partial Fairy entered my life and all I do is talk about my mother fucking feelings. I even encourage it. I followed his ass up there to console him. Prior to meeting Haley I’d just have talked to him later. God, this is all such bullshit that I wouldn’t change because I love my Angel.”

All of us laughed.

Eventually, Eric came back up with Max, Micah, and Alexander. Max was all over Micah until he popped them away. Gunner came up next with Harper. I nodded to both, and they clapped me on the back. Harper said, “Cali and Micah’s other moms are down there. Only Aesir can help that girl because they are rightfully pissed.”

And they came up here which meant no one would calm them down.

Eric asked, “Are you good here Cayden? Because I’m not down for a pity party. My daughter doesn’t need that. I speak from experience because Haley didn’t need to deal with mine. Learn from my mistakes, please. Or I’ll make you because I enjoy my daughter being happy.”

I laughed, “I’m good.”

He had Alexander pop him home.

We drank longer when Bjourn’s phone beeped. He smirked at took off. I asked, “What was that?”

Marucs answered, “I don’t know.”

Then his phone beeped, and a smirk overtook his face. He took off too. I asked my dad and brother, “Do we smell?”

Angus scoffed, “I thought we established your lack of awareness was a Cora magical induced thing. Oh god, is it still active?”

My dad answered, “No, it’s not. Bjourn got that answer before he joined us and texted me. He broke it himself when she admitted the truth about Cassie.”

I nodded glad to know that.

I sighed, “Good. Or I’d have to kick my own ass for hurting Cassie.”

Angus slapped a hand on my back, “No need for that.”

His phone beeped next. He threw his head back and laughed. I asked, “What?” He waved, “It’s too good. Oh my god, it’s priceless.”

Hendrix ran up and waved, “I see something happened here.”

I told him, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

He said, “Tell me later then when I will believe you. We have somewhere to be.”I asked, “Where?” Angus answered, “Here.” He showed me a picture.

I asked, “IS THAT MY MATE DANCING ON A BAR?!”

My dad threw his head back and laughed. Angus said, “With her Fairy cousin.”

I quickly noted Aiylee in the picture and groaned.I called Exsis. He answered, “Well, hello Cayden. Are you giving me my mate back?”

I sighed, “You have permission to come here.”

He popped next to me. He said, “You know, it would be fun if you just issued me a permanent invitation. This is tedious. What’s happened?”

Angus showed him the picture. He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. He said, “I did not know this realm was so exciting all the time. I quite love it.”

I opened a portal. He asked, “Does this bar always have a line outside?”

I answered, “It’s always busy, but not this is intense.”

He loudly said, “Aren’t we such lucky men to have such appetizing mates? They just happen to be all ours and no one else’s.” He threw a spark out behind him, and I watched in amusement as people rushed to put it out.

I commented as we walked through the door, “I think I just saw why you are the Future King of your realm.”

He waved, “She will be the ruler. I will merely be by her side.”

I pointed, “You don’t call them Consorts so you will be King.” He winked, “I was chosen by Azoney to lead by her side and guide her as she leads. I waited a long time for her, and she was worth every second of it.” I knew when he spotted his wife because his eyes softened.

I muttered, “If only I could get a Fairy power and start a fire.”

My gaze locked on Cassie. He pointed out, “Yes, well that wouldn’t work out since you are not mated to a Fairy with Fire blood.”

I asked, “Would Fenilton have considered her a granddaughter?”

He answered without hesitation, “Yes, he would’ve.”

I sighed, “I hate that she didn’t have him there for her too.”

He admitted, “I hate that Aiylee didn’t have him. He would’ve protected her from that scumbag.” He conjured himself a drink, seemingly to give him something to hang onto.

Cassie came over and teased me. He chuckled, “She’s all Fairy today.”

I muttered, “She always is when she hangs out with her Fairy cousins. I can’t believe Bea isn’t here dancing with them.”

Cassie announced she found her dress and the place went nuts.

Exsis said, “I think I might have to bring a bar like this to our realm. This is quite fun.”

I nodded. Grimes tapped my shoulder. He said, “Bea is having sex with my son. I’m guessing they talked about getting married based on his feelings. They set it up.”

He pointed at Cassie and Aiylee.

Exsis laughed, “Of course they did. Good thing he agreed, or I would’ve been tasked by my wife to do some mean charms.”Grimes ground out, “Which you wouldn’t have done.”

I replied, “Yes, he would’ve. He’s a sap for his mate just like we are. In fact, I just saw his possessive side before we came in here. He nearly set people on fire for wanting to get in here to see his Queen dance.”

Exsis winked, “You have to keep the masses on their toes. As you said, she will be the Queen. Many want to be me and be with her, but they can’t because she is mine.”

He smiled when he said it like he’d gladly slaughter people that tried to take his position in her life.

I admitted, “I’ve never felt closer to you in all these years. I feel like we just had a massive breakthrough in our friendship.”

He threw his head back and laughed. He admitted, “Yes, well I should’ve known that showing my murderous side would appeal to you.”

I agreed, “You definitely should’ve.”

He winked, “Just as you have killed for Cassie, I have killed for Aiylee. I did it before we met, and I’ve done it since. People have tried to kill me to be by her side yet here I am.”

I did know that. I played it off, “Good thing too because I don’t think I could tolerate someone else. We have hard feelings about Fairies in this realm. Someone else might’ve made it harder. Like someone who liked my mother in law for instance.”

Grimes spit out his drink on the bar. Exsis shook his head, “I’m disappointed it took this many years for you to bring that up. It was a prime ribbing joke. I have noticed you guys enjoy those.”

I told him, “It’s no fun if you don’t rise to the bait.”

He replied, “It doesn’t bother Aiylee therefore it doesn’t bother me. Her Aunt is beautiful, and I never touched her.” I asked, “What if a you does in another reality?”

He asked, “Would that be a problem in this realm?”

I admitted, “Probably not.”

He winked, “It wouldn’t be in ours either, but that’s not my problem. It could be another me’s. I am not glad our reality played out the way it did for Haley, but I am glad she and I never had anything. I don’t think Aiylee would’ve cared, but it could’ve been a challenge for us.”

I could understand that logic. I groaned, “Why are Fairies such good dancers?”

I realized Exsis had been drinking before he got here because he was drunk now. He slapped the bar asking, “You want to see me dance? Done.”

I yelled, “No, that’s not what I meant.” He dismissed me with a wave, “It’s what I heard and continue to choose to hear.”

Grimes snorted, “At least he’s honest.”

I pointed out, “He has to be.”

We laughed as the bar went nuts when Exsis began to dance. Aiylee popped over to him and they began to dance together. Then Cassie started pouting and sending me puppy dog eyes. Grimes was trying to play his laugh off as coughing.

I elbowed him in the gut, “Shut up.”

My dad was sending me his amusement and so was Angus. Grimes laughed, “Your ass is about to get up on that bar and dance.”

I warned, “Don’t even.” He inclined his head before Cassie popped to me.

She pouted, “Cayden, will you come dance with me?”

It was on the tip of my tongue to point out that I wasn’t that good at dancing. Instead, I glared at Exsis because this was his fault. He shot me a wink. I groaned, “Motherfucking Fairies.”

Cassie squealed when I hopped up onto the bar and danced with her. Grimes was laughing too much for my liking. Then I spotted the perfect revenge. I danced with Cassie over to the spot where his mate was. I grabbed her and pulled her up. Grimes yelled, “HEY!”

I told Cindy, “Give into your inner wild child. Dance on the bar.”

She admitted, “I did take lessons when Haley did this at a Bad Ass Girl Gang day.”

I linked Cassie, “Conjure her the water bucket.”

She did it giggled. Grimes shouted, “HELL NO! CINDY TURKS GET OFF THAT DAMN BAR!”

Calista came over and grabbed the water. So she’d left my evil ex. She shouted over the noise, “Do your dance and I’ll pour.” Grimes grunted, “CALI!” She winked at him. Cindy began to dance, and I lost interest in that situation.

I focused on my beautiful, dancing mate. She giggled, “I found my dress.”

I winked, “So I felt and heard you announce to the bar.”

She asked, “What did you do today?” I winced, “Let’s talk about that later?” Cassie’s gaze instantly sharpened.

Aiylee popped over and splashed us both with water. Cassie yelled, “AIYLEE!”

Aiylee grinned, “You two were going to do something that brought the mood down and I won’t have it. Not tonight. Be serious tomorrow because today is a happy day.”

I agreed, “She’s right.”

Cassie asked, “So, you’ll tell me tomorrow?”

I assured her, “I’ll tell you everything tomorrow.”

Then probably have to keep her in bed all day so she could keep to her plan with Cora. I wanted Cassie to have everything she wanted, and she’d detailed out how Cora’s life would end for me.

I wanted her to have that, but when she heard what happened she’d want to march over there and kill her.

So, I’d keep that from happening. If that meant I spent most the day buried inside my mate, well then, I’d do it. With a giant ass smile on my extremely satisfied face. The sacrifices I made for love.

My brother and dad sent me their amusement in the bond over my feelings. I was practically a martyr. That had us all laughing out loud.

I took a shot to the shoulder and whirled around to see Grimes was now on the bar glaring at me while dancing with Cindy.

I, quite childishly, stuck my tongue out at him. He rolled his eyes and kept dancing. Cassie squealed, “Uncle Gunner!”

He’d joined Calista on the bar. I said, “It’s not going to be long before most of the Royal family is up here.”

She pointed out Max and Micah were making out in the corner. She said, “My brother is going to start an orgy.”

I snorted, “They probably just made it out of bed too.”

I was impressed either had shorts on given how Max had most likely been feeling after hearing the Cora confession.

She said, “Something upset you and my brothers. Even my dad feels like he’s having sex with my mom to calm down. You went and had yourself quite a day.”

I snorted, “None of us mind having sex to calm down. I’m certain your dad is enjoying it.”

She agreed, “He is.”

I kissed her and the crowd went wild. When I pulled back Exsis asked, “Is this universal?”

He leaned in and gave Aiylee a kiss. She either intentionally or unwittingly grew vines to carry them over the bar. Everyone screamed and they came back down. Cassie grinned and then did the same to me.

Aiylee clapped, “Good job, cousin!”

Cassie blushed and that set off our kissing competition that turned into me pulling Cassie behind the bar. I slid into her from behind and she moaned. I bit her ear, “Is this ok?”

She pleaded, “God, don’t stop.” People around us started having sex too. I put my hand over her breast and squeezed. She threw her head back on my shoulder.

I thrust into her, “You’re going to be my wife.”

She gasped, “Yes. God, yes.”

I started thrusting into her with wild abandon. I felt pride fill me as I beat my chest. She was going to be my wife, and I was the only man she’d ever know. I was the only one who would know all about her. Only me. It filled me with such an intense satisfaction that I did not understand.

All I knew was that she was mine and I was hers. This life we were going to have together was nothing short of amazing and I was going to revel in every second of it.

I would count down the days until I was her husband. It was all going to official soon. She was going to be Mrs. Crawford and there was nothing and no one that would change a damn thing about it.