10

I was relieved that my "uncle" was barely even a blip on anyone's radar. Even supe media only reported how far over the line that station went and immediately focused back on the trial of the general of the Underground. That actually went ridiculously fast, and we were on the second one after a few days.

There were reports and speculations that something huge was going on in Faerie. The bakery was closed for a four-day weekend without any explanation and we were distracted.

They could speculate all they wanted. I just didn't want it getting out until after it was done.

While preparations were going on, I slipped over to the main location of HAVEN because I'd had a dream… Vision. This one was a vision, and I just needed to accept that. But it involved Avril Rothchild, and I decided to just tell her so maybe I wouldn't have it forty more times and ruin my sleep.

I didn't mean to be selfish, but I had enough trying to ruin my fucking sleep all the fucking time.

And I liked my sleep.

The door to her office wasn't closed all the way, so I gave a quick knock and walked in… To find something crazy.

I swallowed a yelp and booked it out of there before they even noticed I was there.

Yes, they .

I blinked at the office and stepped away when I heard moaning.

"Is everything okay, Your Highness?" Ara worried.

"I don't need to tell Avril that I had a vision of her with Sean," I mumbled, shaking my head as I walked to find Ellen. "Apparently, she already knows because he was eating her for a lovely meal."

"Oh my," she chuckled, the others on my security trying to cover up their reactions as well.

Ellen wasn't in her office, but then I heard something from the conference room and I figured it was her.

It was.

And she wasn't alone.

"Okay, fucking close doors if you're going to do this at work!" I snapped when I walked in to find Marshall screwing Ellen bent over the conference table. I slammed the door behind me and found my security falling all over each other. "Am I high?"

"If you are, you've shared, Your Highness," one of the guys said before bursting out all over again.

"What are the odds?" I whispered as I glanced behind me and then towards where Avril's office was. I headed for the main desk to leave them a note, but Avril came hurrying towards us with Sean on her heels.

And there was something off with them. I thought maybe I was just tired, but it was like coloring near them and then it was gone.

Auras. I was seeing a bit of their auras like before when I'd used Julian's power and we got a bit from each other. I shook it off and opened my mouth to say something, but Ellen and Marshall came hurrying out as well.

"We're sorry," Ellen blurted.

I blinked at her and then snorted. "I'm not upset like I'm your boss and you're working. Just close the damn door." I rolled my eyes when they seemed worried. "If I told you what Julian and I have done in his office—it's fine. Just close the damn doors and don't scar anyone. Me especially."

Marshall snorted and gave me a look that he'd seen worse from me.

Which was why I went over and smacked him. "And I thought we were friends? How could you not tell me? Both of you? You were my first wolfie friends and you didn't tell me you—"

"It's our fault," Ellen muttered. "We're not sure how our family will take us having wolf mates." She sighed when I couldn't hide my shock and then anger. "Not like—they're not racist."

"We're already going against tradition by breaking away from being knights and doing this," Avril explained. "It's not that—it hasn't happened much." She shared a glance with Ellen. "We're not sure when it last was that someone from our family has mated outside of dragons. Colton will be the first in generations. Now us?"

"I get it, I get it," I cut in. "But they also deserve better."

Sean waved off whatever Avril might have said. "We're not ready. I'm not. To be mated into the Rothchild clan is a huge thing, and… We're not there. We just figured it out, and—we want to take the time we need. Like you did."

I was glad when everyone there winced since that wasn't really what Hudson had decided for me . But it did leave me with a question. "Just figured it out?"

Avril and Ellen shared a look, Ellen answering me. "You're so powerful and your magic—you didn't have the normal dragon response from what I've heard you say. It's more subtle and even more so between different species. We met Sean a few times when you started all of this, but I really only saw Marshall from across the room. It's not fireworks for us like you described."

"Or it's because Prince Hudson is so powerful as well," Avril added.

I nodded like I understood, but I didn't. I mean, I did, everyone was different, but… It was all hard to explain.

As long as I got it off my list to handle, and hopefully I wouldn't have any more visions about this, I was happy. I wished them the best and checked they would be at the wedding Saturday, glad that they were happy to be there.

Sean came like he was going to give me a hug, but I backed away and pointed towards Avril's office when he looked offended. I wasn't hugging the damn wolf after what I'd just seen.

Marshall didn't even try, probably feeling the same.

There was a flurry of errands after that and mostly until the wedding. I had shoes that worked. I had to approve the final dress and it was gorgeous.

Instead of the normal spa day with my bridal party, I booked one for Julian and me. He seemed shocked, but I said I wanted some calm with him before the crazy and he gave in.

He always gave in… Plus, I wanted to see him get a pedicure and let him pick out what my nails looked like.

It was cute and we had a good time.

Even if I wanted to tell a few women to fuck off and stop staring at my man. I was using the glamour I wore now when I went around as his partner so people didn't know who I was. But it was clear we were there as a couple, and one bitch had the balls to come chat him up.

Julian was thrilled at my reaction and how jealous I got.

Yeah, he always was because that meant he got to act the same.

Well, I didn't drag the bitch away from him by her hair, so I acted better than she did. I interrupted her to say we were there together and trying to talk and she basically told me to not be "that girl" and petty jealous.

That was when Julian interjected and told her to sod off and not disrespect me again.

Only my sexy Brit could get away with that.

But we had fun, and he picked out white nails with some pretty emerald flowers on them. I wasn't shocked at all. I did my toes sparkly emerald for him, and he liked having his mark on me that way.

We got massages, and I had a quick hair trim by fairies who were ready for us. Julian was nervous, and I thought maybe he was worried they'd chop my hair or something.

It was for what came after.

He brought me back to where we were staying and sat me down before pulling out a large ring box.

And another jewelry box.

Huh? I thought he was giving me a bracelet?

"The five of us talked and I cheated," he said gently. "Even if you're healed and at the point to wear the ring Darby gave you, you don't want to. You're scared if you do, history will repeat itself like when you gave him another chance. Like when you did with me—any of us."

I swallowed loudly. "Yes."

He nodded. "He accepts that, and you can discuss this with him, but I didn't want to surprise you with this in front of so many people. So the five of us talked and decided that—the ring is from all of us." He opened the box to show me a wedding band with five stones. One diamond in the center and the others… I wasn't sure.

I frowned at him but saw he was smiling.

Then it hit me. The meaning.

"Each time I marry or mate one of you, they'll put in their stone," I whispered, glancing back at the ring.

"Yes, if you want. Only if you want, my sweet mate. Or it will stay this way forever. This is what we discussed and feel—this was our idea of what works. All five equal in a ring you would like. Nothing too big or gaudy. Easy to wear while working or working out." He brought his other hand towards the box and set a ring next to it. "And I picked this as my matching band."

It was a men's ring with five smaller diamonds. Probably platinum like mine and—clearly matching.

I reached out my hand to touch it but stopped just short. "And you're all agreed?"

"Yes, easily even." He nodded when I met his gaze. "The answer was easy when we stopped worrying so much. I didn't really care about—of course, I care, but it wasn't about being my ring. I just wanted to be included. We all wanted to be included and thought of. That was the part that mattered."

I loved it. I loved the simplicity of the ring and their feelings—all of it. "Yes."

"Yes?" he checked, smiling when I nodded. "Good, good. I'm really glad."

I was glad we had that handled as well. I kissed him and wanted to do more but had to handle a few things in Faerie. It turned out there was something else I had to do for the ceremony that Julian hadn't understood and would be insulting if I didn't. He promised it wouldn't be that bad from what Shael said, and I immediately agreed when he seemed nervous.

But of course, we also arrived to drama.

Katrina looked ready to pull out her hair—which was shocking in itself—but several of the hobgoblin kids were crying.

"Whatever is wrong, I will fix it," I promised them as I hugged a few of them. "Tell me and I will make it better."

"We want to match you," a couple of the girls bawled and hugged me.

That made no sense to me, and I looked at their parents for help, noticing they were an array of colors for upset and embarrassment.

"We made a mistake," Irma finally admitted. "We didn't understand human traditions as well as we thought."

"We thought everyone in the bridal party wore white, not just the bride," another hobgoblin admitted.

"And I told them the truth and that the children have to change their dresses and suits," Katrina grumbled, wincing when one of the boys said he wouldn't and cried.

Well, shit.

"Guys, you can't just throw a fit like this," I said firmly, fighting against my instincts to give them whatever they wanted because my heart hurt.

"You don't want us to match you?" Elasha whispered, her eyes too wide and filling with more tears.

"Not if you're going to behave like this," I answered. "You're not little kids anymore who can behave like this. And I know we're friends, but you're at the royal family's castle crying like this—people will talk about your parents. It's an honor to be in a royal wedding. You can't act like this and be in it, right?"

"Sorry," Darfin mumbled, the other kids agreeing and wiping their eyes.

I waited another few minutes for them to all calm down. "Now, we're going to handle this calmly, okay?" I waited until they nodded. "I get you wanted to wear what you wanted, but I wanted to elope, but I didn't so you guys all got to join in, right? You have to do things to compromise sometimes."

"But we're not human," Elasha defended.

"No, but it was how I was raised, and we always have to be considerate of others' beliefs," I said firmly. "It's considered very, very rude to wear white to a human wedding."

"You'd be mad at us?" Darfin asked, his lower lip quivering.

"No, because I do want you to match me and all of you guys to wear white." I hurried on when I saw they were about to cheer. " But now I'm upset you acted like this. What if it made me uncomfortable? Would you really hurt my feelings like that? You wouldn't change the color for me?"

"I would," one of the other kids promised. "Brides should be the prettiest and the star. I was mad no one asked you."

I felt better when they all agreed and seemed to think this was being done behind my back. Okay, well, that was too adorable, but they still couldn't just throw fits.

"And you're worried about how you'll handle having nippers," Julian whispered when it was all over. "You will be an amazing mother one day, my sweet mate. Please stop doubting that because the rest of us never do."

I felt my face flush, and I gave him a quick kiss before moving over to Shael who showed me what to do. It was fairly quick because of how powerful I was, but then I decided to help with the flowers for the decorations. Julian had everything gorgeous and perfect.

There were a few flower arches and areas set up with fancy fabric draped that would block the sun for pictures or where people could sit in the shade. It was all exactly what I would have wanted in gorgeous earth tones and low-key with lights. Nothing extravagant and elegant.

We were ready for dinner and to have an easy night before the ceremony… But silly us.

"Time for the bachelor party," Professor Nelson greeted when we arrived home. "And you have your own party to get to, Princess."

Fuck. Just fuckkkkkk .

And double fuck when I saw my dad with an evil glint in his eyes.

I waggled my finger at the two of them. "If you get him piss drunk and he's hungover for our wedding, there won't be one , and you won't be invited if we ever reschedule. I will only elope and make it clear it's all your fault and let people beat you. Even if you're a demigod."

And Nelson wasn't.

"Damn, Tams," Julian chuckled, leaning in and kissing my cheek. "But I agree. I want to go to bed early, so let's have a calm night and…" He trailed off when a few of the male commanders chuckled. He gave Nelson a death look. "If you got strippers when I'm marrying the future Queen of Faerie, I will fucking gut you, you git."

I ran my tongue over my teeth. I wouldn't be happy about that either, but I also wouldn't get in the way. That was totally normal, and I would be fine with it. "You touch one and you're dead."

He shot me a look like I didn't need to say that and had insulted him.

"Sorry," I mumbled. I sighed when that didn't seem enough. "I was looking forward to a quiet night for just us with enough Chinese food for an NFL team and getting the thank-you cards organized that we'll have to write. Not you getting dragged off to see naked women."

"Just for a bit and it's not a raunchy place," Nelson promised. "He's never been." He gave me a look to suck it up.

"I didn't say anything, but you're an asshole for springing it on him and with my father attending," I said between clenched teeth. I did a double take when I saw Julian was carefully not looking at me.

Shit.

I gave him a kiss and made him look at me. "Go. It's really fine." I shrugged when he seemed hesitant. "I've gone to lots of strip clubs for men and women. Go." I nodded it was really fine. "I know porn stars, remember?"

He let himself be dragged off after I promised him several more times that it was fine.

I noticed that Hudson, Lucca, and Neldor all handed money over to Darby. I simply raised an eyebrow and Darby gave me a wink.

They had a bet about this?

Okay, that was too funny.

"You get anyone else?" I asked Darby.

"Oh yeah, agra ," he chuckled. "All the commanders and captains joining us. They said no way with how jealous you are with Julian."

"I'm jealous with all of you, but people constantly offer to be his baby momma, and I dealt with a lot when he was a professor," I drawled, leaning in and kissing his cheek. "Go have fun and please make sure my father doesn't do anything."

"I heard that," Lageos drawled.

"I wasn't trying to be quiet," I threw right back, amusing the guys who were now excited. I turned to Izzy once they were all gone. "I'm assuming I have something waiting as well?"

"Yes, but I know exactly what you wanted for tonight, and I'm the bestest friend you could ever ask for," she said before giving me a huge hug.

Yeah, she really was.

We went to the huge party room at Natalie's business and all of our friends were there waiting. Izzy had hired mobile nail techs so everyone who hadn't had time for manicures and pedicures could get them. There was tons of food, and people were ready to help me get the thank-you cards all organized.

The "fun" was the cake decorating setup that we would get to play with and even cupcakes that the guys would get to have once they arrived at the Vogel's castle where they were staying for the night.

Izzy killed it. It was exactly what I would want for my bachelorette party. Booze and fun but nothing over the top. No guys or strippers. It was just chill and a bit productive but in a fun way.

I thanked her several times.

Mel was there with Avril and Ellen which surprised me. She said she could go, but I didn't want her to. I was glad she wasn't uncomfortable and knew she would be welcome.

She was one of the reasons Julian and I had gotten together and made it after all.

Everyone seemed to have fun and I did get to bed by like ten. Others went for a bit longer, but no one objected or gave me shit for heading out.

I did pout a bit that I went to bed alone. Tradition be damned. I had five men in my life. I shouldn't sleep alone… Ever.

The next morning, I woke up and it was the flurry of getting ready and some Faerie business that got in the way. But that was to be expected to some point.

I received updates about all of the food being picked up and no problems getting it all set out for the Guardians. Again, I was so happy that my gift was taking up so much of my time, attention, and money.

I felt like I blinked and all that was left was getting married.

To a man I loved.

I was a lucky, lucky woman.