13

"Wait, how do you know her?" Neldor cut in as I tried to make my mouth work.

Kerym was suddenly there speaking to one of the people near us in Korean. His eyes went wide and he burst out laughing.

Oh, that couldn't be good.

"She's Tamsin Vale," the idol said firmly, pointing to me. "She's a huge social media influencer, and—we tried to do a collab with her clothing company, but you don't do them."

I shook my head. "We don't do them—we'll do them if the artist wants to. Not everyone in your industry has a choice . We got some interest to dress female idols with what the labels and managers wanted, but they wouldn't let us talk to the artists or allow them input, so we shut it down. I'm not pushing this bullshit of men dressing females up like dolls."

He seemed taken aback at how firmly I said it, and several men in the group trying to speak to us frowned. They might not know English to speak with us, but they probably knew enough to catch part of what I said and didn't like it.

"What did you say now about me wanting to be an idol?" I asked him, waving off Neldor when he tried to interject.

"That's the contest," Kerym informed me, nodding when my mouth fell open. "The contest is—these are all record labels looking for the next big idol or group." He tried to smother his laugh as he focused on Neldor. "Didn't you pay attention to what the prize was or what this—"

"It was all in Korean," Neldor snapped. "Google translated it to ‘live like an idol' for the night or something. Dance like one." He frowned. "Yeah, it was translated to party like one or something."

Yeah, fair enough. We shared a look and I got it. We weren't going to claim the prize anyways and would leave before we won.

"I'm sorry, but there's been a misunderstanding," I told the idol. "Can you tell them that we didn't understand and will withdraw?"

"Why? You're really good!" he argued. "They all want to sign you both. One as a duo. You dance really well together."

"We already have enough going on and our attention needs to be elsewhere," I said politely. "Thank you, but no." I saw it pissed off one of the men who had been trying to talk to us, so clearly he understood enough. He reached to grab me, but I reacted faster and caught his wrist, squeezing it until he flinched. "I'm not one you can boss around because I'm the boss."

"That's not how it works," he said in broken English.

I nodded to Kerym to translate for me. "It should. People say, ‘Don't bite the hand that feeds you,' but you're an idiot thinking you're the hand. You're not. The idols with talent are the hands making you money. You would be nothing without them, and you should remember that going forward." I shoved him away. "And never touch a woman without her permission again."

People realized our answer was truly going to be no and a few got filled in on who we were, so we were hurried off the dance floor so it could continue. It turned out there were a ton of idols that were hiding among the contestants and were going to promote it later.

They were all very polite and nice, complimenting us on how well we danced and enjoyed the fun. I noted several of the women and made a point to say that I thought the judges had favorites they were going to try and ask out because there was no way they should have been asked to leave otherwise. I saw in their eyes they agreed.

So there was another reason some snuck into the competition. They wanted to make sure it was fair and not just thrown. Good.

Several asked to do collabs with our clothing company and a bunch of the guys asked about snowboarding and how our vacation went. The idol we'd first talked to wanted to rent that house for a vacation.

"It's my house," I told him, hurrying to get him Juan's information. "This is who you need to speak with on the Symbiotic collab, and he can let you use the house for a vacation." I nodded when he argued. "Please, take a vacation there as my apology for the problem we caused. We're sorry we didn't understand it was a competition to become an idol."

I realized something big and nodded for Neldor to take over the conversation, the man always smooth at handling issues.

"We're in Korea for a meeting before Tamsin returns to school, and I—Google didn't translate it well for me," Neldor accepted. "Unfortunately, the meeting didn't go well, and the store doesn't want to sell our designs but—"

That was the last I caught as I moved closer to Shael and put a barrier over us.

"We're already working on making a paper trail of the two of you arriving because this was all broadcast live," she told me. "And the Korean government will absolutely not like you just sneaking into their country." She nodded when I swallowed a groan. "We'll have a talk with Prince Neldor about not doing any more cute surprises when you're Tamsin since you're so visible."

As long as I wasn't in trouble for once and we could get it all handled… So I didn't spend time in jail.

Some of the idols wanted to talk to us more, but I told them I was seriously starving and the time difference. We ended up compromising when the police showed up with questions about how we were in the country.

Awesome.

The idols were great protection, and their people helped navigate everything along with our magic making the right papers glamoured. But their management clearly wanted something out of the deal, so after we got cleaned up and borrowed some clothes, we did more dancing TikToks to their songs than I could keep straight.

I didn't care because I was fed authentic, awesome Korean food.

Seriously, whatever I asked for just showed up and was delicious.

A few of the female idols asked how I could seriously eat all of that and it wasn't mean or bitchy. I simply smiled and took off the jacket they lent me before doing push-ups while easily still talking to them. The male idols were in shock and several joined me but had to tap out.

"I train a lot," I told them when I stopped so I didn't embarrass anyone. "A lot. I'll still have training today and miles and miles to run."

They asked me what it was like to be an extreme athlete and how come I didn't compete. It was a lot of fun, and I got some insights into the industry… Most I didn't like. I made sure to slip all of the women my number and Marisol's as well promising that if they ever needed help or there was a problem with a fan going too far we would handle it.

Also, to pass it along because women needed to protect each other, not be the problem. It warmed my heart when they all agreed and thanked me.

I also put magic on their phones that their managers or teams couldn't delete the numbers because I saw several frowning like they were going to do that immediately. Assholes. They should do more to protect the people they were supposed to instead of catering to "fans" who weren't fans at all but haters and crazies.

They'd have a lot less idols committing suicide or leaving the industry if they did.

We had to rent a plane for show and Neldor promised he would pay for it. I didn't care about any of that and promised him that it was totally worth it. The experience was once in a lifetime, and the Korean government backed down that someone just messed up because they were starstruck meeting an American celebrity.

Even better.

I took pictures with a lot of their police and… Police force? I wasn't sure what their like FBI was but I had a feeling that was some of who we were dealing with. They wanted to take pictures with me too and were all very respectful. Most spoke English well and had recommendations of places for us to eat before we left.

I really didn't get the hype until we were at the airport and then I laughed at myself. I shook my head and explained to the fairies. "I forgot I used to be a lingerie model. It feels like a lifetime ago instead of a few years getting the company and co-op going. I was confused why they were all so excited to take pictures with my cover now but…" I shook my head.

Right, I used to be plastered all over in barely any clothes.

"Yes, you do live more in one year than most do in a decade," Shael agreed, handing me a bowl of… Delicious. I wasn't sure what it was besides spicy. I could smell it was super spicy but couldn't taste that part with the runes I was wearing.

It was fucking delicious though.

We ended up doing the dance of getting me back to school once we landed in LA. That plane met one of my private ones and we landed in Kansas and had vehicles waiting. I wasn't there for all of it, but "Tamsin" was to be seen by anyone trying to take pictures.

I did show up to campus on Saturday after a long rest and even more food to get my schedule and books. I already knew what I was taking, and honestly my books weren't from the bookstore since they were all fairy classes or new ones.

My classes Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays were:

Power Training

8-9:30

Lageos

New Magical Development III

9:45-10:45

Lageos

Faerie's Legislation

11-12

Professor Sontar

Lunch

12:15-1:15

Advanced Healing

1:30-3

Professor Sontar

Tuesdays and Thursdays:

Practical Enchantments II

9:45-10:45

Professor Sontar

Faerie's Justice System

11 – 12

Commander Onas

Lunch

12:15-1:15

Or really, I was just done for the day. I was slotted for that lunchtime because we all had to be so the cafeteria could plan for how many people each time and food prep. I was there with my own food and a meeting, but I wanted to change that this last semester and have more in Faerie.

People were inconvenienced because of me, and the students didn't need to watch us like we were an exhibit at a zoo.

I met with Morgan to make the change and said we should have it rotating at the different rest stops around Faerie to show our support and trust in the hobgoblins after what happened with one poisoning me… Only to learn something truly amazing.

There was now a rest stop in every major town and city in Faerie. Both realms. The last was to open in two days, and staff was already hired and food was being loaded up.

Yeah, I cried. It was such a beautiful goal reached that I couldn't control my happy tears. It was so motivating that I just wanted to do more and more.

Eighty percent of Faerie was open again and running fairly well. We were still rebuilding and doing tons of construction, but life had to continue as it had been. There was just no other way.

But seeing the progress kept me and a lot of other people going.

Lucca asked to talk to me the next day, and when he said he'd pick up food, I thought we were going to "talk." And I was all for it.

And a side effect of my new periods that could be much rougher was the week before them I didn't just eat more than normal PMS… I wanted other things.

Desperately.

I kissed him hello when I arrived but then came back for a second, pulling his arm so he leaned down. He smiled and gave me a deeper kiss, shock filling his eyes when I moved between his arms and the counter.

And put his hand on my ass.

I easily hopped up on the counter and pulled him between my legs.

"Hi, cream puff," he chuckled before kissing me again. "I wanted to talk to you."

"Mh-hm, talk. All the talk," I mumbled as I pulled him into another kiss and mapped his mouth out with my tongue. "Talk while touching my tits, please."

"What?" He pulled away. "No, I meant—"

"Talk all you want, but I'm horny and dripping and want my bear to fuck me, like fuck me ," I told him as I yanked off my shirt. I raised an eyebrow at him when he just stared at me. "Do you want to take off my bra and get me naked or should I?"

He still didn't say anything, so I teleported my clothes off.

"Fuck, Tams," he groaned and attacked my lips.

Yes, that was the end goal I wanted.

"Wait, can we do this in my room so my bed can smell like you? Please?" he asked, hesitation in his eyes because that had been an issue before with us. He'd been so demanding and always bitchy about it.

I nodded and teleported us there, spreading my legs wide for him. "Eat me all you want, Lucca. Please, I need my bear."

He groaned again and tore off his sweater before diving onto the bed to join me. He fucking gobbled me up twice before rolling us so I was straddling his head. I stroked him as he ate me out, licking my ass as he did.

After two more orgasms for me and one for him, he flipped me around and begged me to ride him. I nodded and took him in me, knowing what he wanted. It was our version of slap and tickle. I would ride him and… Hit him. Not hard or anything mean, but it was—bears were a bit rowdy during their mating.

So I smacked his chest a few times while owning his body and it flat did it for him. He gripped the headboard and let me be the boss, telling him that I was going to punish him if he came before I wanted. It was fantastic and he fucking loved it. I chased my orgasms and then finally let him have one.

Then he took me against the wall how I loved, fucking me so deep that sometimes it radiated pain that hurt so good. I came again and again and begged for more.

Seriously, I still wanted more after that round, demanding he fuck me again.

"Fuck, you're about to get your period, aren't you?" he muttered as he moved me onto the bed on all fours.

I nodded, pushing my ass up in an offering.

"Shit, cream puff, that makes me want to fuck your tight little ass," he warned.

"Do it. Fuck me every way. Fuck me all night. Get the others and just fuck me," I begged, hating how desperate and crazy I sounded.

"I hate your new periods, but I kind of love how you sound as desperate as I feel for you," he mumbled as he slicked up my ass and checked I was ready for him.

Okay, well, that was something at least.

He fucked my ass twice and then we needed a break… But definitely would still have more sex even if we had to call in help. Which sounded crazy, but I didn't care. I just wanted more hot sex.

Who didn't?

"Let's go eat food, but I did really want to talk," Lucca said as he carried me to the bathroom to clean up.

"Oh, sorry," I chuckled, covering my face in embarrassment. "Are you mad I jumped you?"

The look he gave me not to be silly was amusing.

"So what's up?" I worried. "Are we—is it about us?"

"No, well, yes, but—" He shook his head. "I don't want to step aside like Hudson is for Connor, and I wanted to talk to you about it and be on the same page before others weigh in and pressure me."

I nodded. "I already told you to do whatever you feel is best."

"Yes, but that was before, and—we're different now. You're really going to be queen, and—we need a conversation now."

That was fair and I nodded, telling him to go ahead basically. I listened as he told me that while he loved me, he really did want to be Alpha. He'd thought it had been because he'd been raised for it or maybe he'd just resented it because his father had done a lot to puppet him, but watching me grow into the role I was born for made him realize that wasn't true.

He really wanted to be Alpha, the Alpha his sloth deserved—a better one than his father and not out of spite. Not to stick it to his father or brother. He wanted the job, and he was worried if he gave it up because he loved me, he'd resent me one day. I would be worth it to him, he knew that in his heart and his bear was clear on it… But he thought he could have both.

And he was worth maybe the few headaches it would bring to our lives when he would deal with a lot of them mating Queen of Faerie.

He was completely right and I cheated and listened to his thoughts even. It wasn't… This wasn't the old Lucca who was selfish and being a brat. This was a good man who weighed all the options and wanted what he thought was best for everyone involved.

Except maybe his brother because he would throw a fit over this, but Lucca truly believed he was the better leader for the sloth. Sure, his brother was still young, but while he was doing better, some people were just selfish at heart.

I didn't disagree which was why I always worried about Lucca more than others. I'd seen that in him before, but it seemed people really could change. Or maybe Lucca hadn't understood so much of how he felt was selfish?

Either way, his thoughts weren't of someone selfish. It was of a man worried how to balance it all. How to make sure he cared and loved himself and what he wanted to value himself.

Good. I wanted that for him too.

"I agree," I cut in when he started to talk a bit in circles. I nodded when he seemed shocked, throwing on his hoodie. "I agree with everything you've said. You should make sure you do what you want as long as it doesn't hurt me. You should be happy with your own stuff in any partnership, not just our mating. I fully agree. I do think we can make this work even if it's not normal.

"It's not against the law. And not to be a brat, but it would be different if you were my only mate. That's reality, but you're not. You're not any less important than they are to me or will be valued less, but you aren't my only mate. The role is split, and I think it a blessing because now you can do what you want without as much criticism.

"The only issue I see—we need to talk to the others and come to an agreement like we have with future children and getting rid of Mary from our lives. We all had valid concerns about your dad, Lucca. That doesn't change because you want—"

"No, that doesn't change," he agreed and firmly. "Dad's out and he did that to himself. I agree. We get him to sign whatever and Mom will back it or leave him and he cannot handle that." He let out a long breath when I gave a hesitant nod. "I also want to do this for our kids."

That one threw me and I didn't know how to respond.

"This is the birthright of my firstborn—whether with you or not, cream puff," he said softly. "And my firstborn with you cannot be the future of Faerie. You'll have that child with Neldor. I accept that, but it's not fair to take this from our firstborn then."

I felt small realizing that. I turned away and blinked back tears.

"Hey, hey, don't take this—he made the choice," Lucca whispered, knowing this was about more than us. "Hudson knew what he was doing and made the choice. He made it a while ago. He made it independent of mating you. It's what's best for his people. It's not the same for my sloth."

I nodded and let him hug me. I felt horrible though, realizing that I'd neglected—well, I couldn't have a dragon with Hudson since I wasn't a dragon. We'd have a fairy child, so… They couldn't be king or queen of dragons anyways?

Why was everything always so fucking complicated?

He brought me downstairs and we dug into the food while letting everything he'd said settle. He must have messaged Hudson when I hadn't been paying attention because my dragon came through the door with purpose.

"You told her?" he checked, nodding when Lucca confirmed it. He was on me a moment later, giving me a soft kiss. "Shorty, we're different, and—we can't have a dragon child. I accept that. It wasn't in the cards for us. A bear shifter is for you and Lucca, and that changes everything."

That was what I needed to hear. But…

I nodded but my heart hurt. "It's all too strategic and not—it seems so cold and horrible. Neldor and I will have a child to take over Faerie. Julian and I will to take over his family. Lucca and me for his sloth. It's like…" I shoved him away and harder than I meant to, curling into myself.

Darby was suddenly there hugging me and I let him. "I know. I know, agra . I know. I feel it too. It's okay."

"I'm lost," Lucca muttered. "Isn't it better to talk about this stuff? I mean… We have before—why is it a problem when I do it?"

"This isn't a you thing," Hudson assured him. "No, something else is going on here."

I was glad he understood that and could reassure Lucca because I didn't want him to feel that way. It took me several minutes to calm down and feel composed again, hating that I spun out so easily sometimes.

Then again, talking about kids and their futures maybe should be the time to spin out, and people didn't take that seriously enough too often.

Reality in general.

"We weren't raised like you guys were even if Tamsin ended up being royalty," Darby said for me when I was calm. "People just have kids because they love each other and want children, not for heirs and to take over worlds."

"That's not what—" Hudson defended.

"I know," Darby interjected. "I know that's not what either of you are saying or even what we've all said before. We've had this discussion before. Somewhat. You're just talking reality and logistics. I get it."

"But it's also that Julian and I are the only ones who have said—he's said that he wants to have children with me," I whispered, hugging my knees to my chest. "A girl with my hair and… I get it. I'm not open to the topic because I think I'll be a shit mom, but this all just seems too cold. The pressure. On us."

"On the kids," Lucca sighed, getting where my head went. He blew out a harsh breath when I nodded. "I'd never force or push my kid to be Alpha, Tams. I just don't like the idea of taking the option away when it's something I want."

"I get it, Lucca. I do. I think you're being good to this kid who's not even here, but as the one you're talking about having the kid with one day, it's all a bit too cold," I whispered.

"I'm sorry, cream puff," he mumbled, his voice sounding lost and hollow.

"It's also we're signing her up for a lot of kids," Neldor added, him and Julian having joined us at some point. He didn't say anything until I looked at him. "I'm with you that I want to be excited and have kids for love. I'm just not there after what my mom did. I don't think I'll ever be half the dad mine was. What if we have one and it's a boy or a girl who doesn't want to—"

"To be queen," I whispered, scared of that as well. "Do we have to have another like buying another car instead of making a life? Does Faerie deserve that, and—can we be that cold about popping out babies to love?" I glanced at Lucca. "What if we never have a bear child? Will you want us to keep having children until we get one?"

Tears filled his eyes as he understood the question I really wanted the answer to. "Will I hate you if you don't give me a shifter child to lead after me? No, cream puff. Never. The gods will give us the child or children we should. If we're not meant to have a bear—then that's what's meant to happen and my niece or nephew will take over. Family."

"What if you don't feel that way later?" I whispered, hating that I felt like I was opening another can of worms instead of us settling something.

Or really, Lucca did.

"Tams, you're spiraling a bit on this, and I think you need to take your hormones into consideration this time," Julian said gently, not backing down when I shot him a nasty look. "You've said it again and again that you worry people hate you or are mad at you when you're on your period or about to start it. That sounds like this conversation."

I opened my mouth to blast him but then sighed. He wasn't wrong. "It's still valid."

"Yes, but we won't know any of those answers, my sweet mate. Everything and anything can change. You might not ever be able to conceive with him. Or one of us. One of us could have a problem. My family could go bankrupt before we have to worry about an heir. Darby could try to take over the world and we'll have to deal with that instead of having babies."

"I would worry more about my little sister," Darby drawled. "She is a fucking demon now that she's talking. And she throws everything."

I knew they were saying that to add levity to the situation… And it worked. It really did.

It also really did take five of them to keep me in line sometimes. Seriously.