15

The next day, progress was made on healing the little girl and I wanted to check in on her siblings. The last thing I expected was a girl no more than fourteen exploding and threatening to kill people.

"You're fierce," I chuckled as I walked into the room, waving everyone else off. "Yeah, I remember the fear making me feel that way too, but you're shaking inside." I didn't make her admit it, continuing on. "Do you know who I am?"

"The leader of the fairies that my mom, stepdad, and most of the coven talk shit about," she answered, lowering the scalpel she had in her hand.

And I was impressed that she'd managed to get one. Like… From where?

"I am," I confirmed for her. "I'm the one who ordered your mom, stepdad, and coven leader all be arrested for child abuse and whatever else they've been up to."

She studied me closely. "My stepdad is cousins with the asshole coven leader."

"You called that one right, Your Highness," Ara chuckled. "Lass, put down the weapon please. It makes us all nervous for you to have one around our leader even if you can't hurt her. I promise whatever you're upset about, she'll handle it."

"Within reason," I agreed, shrugging when Ara snorted. "I don't know her. She could be throwing a fit because they won't let her ride my unicorns in Faerie."

She gave me a look to shove it. "You'd let them no matter who it pissed off after all they've been through."

She wasn't wrong.

I looked at the girl. "So what's up? Did someone hurt you? Treat you bad?"

She studied me a moment and then set the scalpel on the table near her. "They won't let me see my siblings. My sister, and they won't tell me anything besides she's alive."

I glanced around with a frown. "Why can't she see her siblings?"

"She woke in this state, Your Highness," one of the healers I vaguely recognized answered. "The Guardians brought them in unconscious for treatment because they were all injured in various degrees, but mostly mal everything. They should have woken a while ago, but they needed the sleep, so we let them sleep."

I nodded and kept the gaze of the girl. "Because you can't ever really sleep when you're scared. Not really. It's not real sleep. It's your brain just shutting off from complete exhaustion, and it's restless because the guilt you actually slept eats at you."

"Yes," she whispered. "I heard you were abused, but you're an only child. How do you know that?"

That was fair of her to ask when I was poking her. "I knew a few foster kids who were blood siblings. The older ones would talk about the guilt of sleeping. I know the rest on my own. I spent years never feeling like I was safe enough to sleep even after I ran from my last foster home. Only once I met Mel and only when she was in the house with me did I truly rest."

Her lower lip quivered. "I've not felt that since my dad died. Mom was always shit, but he was great, and then my stepdad just moved in and said he was the boss and…"

"You won't ever have to see either of them ever again," I promised. "Unless you need to see them locked up and you can tell them off for your own sanity." I shrugged when a few people gave me shocked looks.

She deserved much more than that.

"You can absolutely see your siblings. They might be sleeping and—we'll get you updates."

She swallowed loudly. "My sister?"

That was a much more complicated conversation. "They weren't jerking you around. She's alive, but that's about all we know for sure. She will live. We're trying to figure out how to heal her so she'll have the best life possible. That's why it's hard to give you a real update." I glanced at the healer who had spoken. "All of the life-threatening injuries were healed?"

"There's nothing left that's life-threatening, but they're still healing those injuries, Your Highness," he told me. "That was what I wasn't articulating well because she—I'm not used to children in her state of upset."

Yeah, I bet the guy wasn't ready for a young witch to cuss him out and threaten him with a scalpel.

"Let's get you cleaned up, food, and a bit of calm," I told her. "I'll be here." I glanced at Ara. "Let's see who of her siblings are awake and get some food here." I focused back on the healer. "Do they have dietary restrictions or just get them fueled up and hydrated?"

"Today should be simpler, and let's see where they're at. If you're getting quick, I would suggest like Panera. Soup and half sandwich of nothing spicy or over the top," he answered.

Yeah, I figured. I asked the healers if there was anything they wanted to tell Ara to add since she had my account on the tablet we always carried. It probably sounded weird, but given how large our online orders were for pickup using phones got to be a bit tedious.

I checked on the serious patient while everyone got things going, but my head was on the conversation I'd had with the witch who was awake… And it made me think about my conversation with Lucca. We were fine and it was settled.

But I felt unsettled still.

So I made a decision and excused myself. I opened a portal to Chief and gave the fae dog an assignment for me since he could contact me via our bond.

The other kids were awake, showered, and sitting with the one I'd met when I returned. Food started arriving and I was always happy to eat. I was also glad someone listened to me that we needed medical equipment more than just magic.

Magic was all about intent, and to fucking learn you needed to see things.

Which was why I was able to look at scans of the little girl's arm and leg as I ate. Luckily, her hip wasn't bad. A few fractures that could be easily healed. It was likely she landed on her side from the initial hit and the tire ended up over one arm and leg and the result the practically demolished bones.

There was so much to this, and I understood why it was so complicated. Even if we did the route humans would—she would never have a fully working arm or leg. They would use fake bones and titanium pins or whatever. I heard what the healers said, but I wasn't a doctor, so I didn't retain enough.

There had to be an answer here.

Stefanie arrived and I swallowed loudly as I glanced at her, thinking of her wing cut off. There were things no amount of magic could heal. I knew that.

I knew life wasn't magical like that no matter how much magic I had.

But this? This I felt like we could fix.

And it was about more than this one little girl. My magic was pushing me. It wanted me to figure this out.

Which meant the best thing right now was for me to get other things worrying me off my mind and cleanse. Maybe a lot.

So that was where I started after I ate. I promised the witch we'd talk more when I returned but I needed to get more off my shoulders so I could focus on her sister and get the answer. I think she—and everyone there—was shocked that I was so honest and even blunt with her.

We were all too busy to beat around the bush.

Hudson was available and happy to spend time with me even if I was in my head cleansing. We basically took a long walk while meditating.

And normally had hot sex after, but this time Chief alerted me that what I wanted was ready. I gave Hudson a kiss and told him that I had to go and to please cover for me. That I'd see him back at home and give him what he deserved.

"Great, now I'm going to be hard waiting for you, shorty," he grumbled, but gave me a hug and told me to be careful.

I'd be fine. I was going to have a talk with someone, but they weren't a threat.

Not to me. Not at the moment.

I was simply going to make sure that was true for the future as well.

I teleported to Chief and opened a portal to a few other fae dogs. I told them to put their flames on, but not to act no matter what unless I said so.

Then I uncloaked us so Ronald Von Thann could sense us. He was shifted in the woods near his house, his sloth's land.

And he was alone.

"It's this easy for me to kill you," I told him before making my own fae fire appear. A small ball that I tapped between my fingers as I looked at him. "This easy for you to die without a trace and no one would ever know it was me. You believe that, right? Seeing the fae fire and my dogs is what finally got Lucca's bear to submit back when we had problems."

Yes, it clearly worked. His bear was terrified.

"The question is do you believe I have it in me," I purred. "I don't think you do which is really silly with everything you know about me, but given this discussion is about my future children, you should." I met his gaze and saw hesitation. "I know we've discussed this and you agreed, but you've agreed to shit before and gone back on it.

"I also wasn't a part of that, and gods help him, Lucca still loves you for some reason. I don't. I would prefer you be gone." I snickered when he couldn't hide his shock. "They'd grieve and move on. Your mate could do way better—deserves better. You're fucking clueless in the way you treat her and you're this old?"

He shifted back and was careful so his lower half was behind a bush. "You also don't know everything, and I've been doing better."

"Yes, you have, which is why I won't demand Lucca cut you out of our lives like Julian did his mom. She wouldn't accept she lost and her crimes. You have, but you've also not paid for some of them the way I think you should. More than that, I can't cleanse you like her, and I worry you will backslide when you see the chance for more power."

He swallowed loudly, and I actually felt better that he was worried about the same.

"Fire out and go hunt," I ordered my dogs. "Bring me a fine kill as fast as you can." I smirked at Ronald. I didn't think it would take long.

And my "kids" didn't disappoint.

Chief came racing back not two minutes later with a huge buck in his mouth. He clearly had no problem carrying it either.

"You don't need to convince me of how lethal fae dogs are, Your Highness," Ronald whispered.

"Seeing is believing," I chuckled darkly.

He swallowed loudly, and I saw the fear in his eyes as he met my gaze—trauma even. "I was a boy when this sloth was really invaded last, not just a problem like you helped with. My father was too kind and hated all the bullshit as you did. Two different sloths were tired of his soft heart. It was dumb luck that a fairy was visiting his lover when the attack started.

"He opened a portal to Dark Guardians as you have before, any on Earth knowing how to contact help from the dark realm. They came through and brought fae dogs. I was seven when I saw exactly how lethal they are. The two sloths were just gone. Everyone who came to kill us that night was gone in next to no time. The fairies—"

"Didn't even have to give orders. We're mentally linked with the Alphas sworn to us, and fae dogs are as intelligent as your bear." I nodded. "So are unicorns. And you are mistaken that hobgoblins are mentally inferior or disabled in any way. They acted as they did because of circumstances and traditions."

He opened his mouth but then closed it, nodding.

I snorted. "Most hobgoblins are the ones explaining technology and smartphones to fairies who just can't process the change. You need to understand that."

"I am doing better and will keep trying. That doesn't explain why you're here or this conversation."

No, no it did not.

I let out a slow breath. "Because I love your stupid son and he loves me. I think we might actually make it this time against all logic that I should have walked away given the threat you are and problems you could cause if I can't take you out." I crossed my arms over my chest. "And Neldor agrees. Even if you doubt me—"

"If you ever become a real item with Prince Neldor, he will look for reasons to end my life."

I smirked at him. "Define what you mean by ‘real item' because people saw us kiss at the wedding."

He swallowed loudly, understanding I was with Neldor but we were keeping it quiet. "I hear your warning loud and clear and believe."

Sexist ass. He believed Neldor would kill him but probably not me.

Whatever, as long as he believed.

"Good, because Lucca still wants to be Alpha of your sloth, and I can't take that away from him. Not when he wants it, and it would upset him to walk away when it's the birthright of his future child." I was glad when there was only shock in his eyes and not anything darker. "And since that boy or girl will probably be my child—"

"There's never been a female bear Alpha," he corrected.

I snorted. "You think my child won't kick all of your asses? Even as a bear? There's no law against there being a female Alpha."

"There are females now that are strong enough," he said firmly, nodding when I was hesitant to accept he believed that. "I've met two that I know are stronger than me even if I'd never say that publicly and not just because I'm somewhat sexist."

I accepted that. "It's not smart with politics and posturing. Still, if we have a girl first, I think she'll be fine as Lucca's heir when her mother or older sister will be Queen of Faerie. Only those with a death wish would come for her. Or him."

He snorted. Glad he agreed.

"I hope you stay on this path so you can be in our kids' lives, Ronald."

"But you're not the trusting sort," he muttered.

"No, I'm not. I've seen too many backslide, and— I have trouble not backsliding into bad habits and toxic mindsets. You wanted to breed me. That's a line I don't know you can come back from no matter how you thought it would be for the good of your world. It was also selfish and you controlling it all so…"

I wasn't sure what else to say that hadn't already been said.

"I'll sign whatever you want," he whispered. "I'll let fairies in my head—just don't take my grandkids from me. I've done so much wrong and—I love my son. I can't—my bear would go feral if my human side messed up so bad that I can't be a real grandfather to his children. Part of the sloth when he's Alpha." Tears were in his eyes which shocked me.

I ran my tongue over my teeth. "You misunderstand that there will be some form of punishment if you pull anything again, Ronald. You're not hearing me. I won't pull the kids from you or go no contact."

Horror filled his eyes. He finally heard me and comprehended, swallowing loudly.

"If you try anything with my children or even talk—I don't trust you not to even try to push for alliance matings or—any of it. Even if you think it's normal or not a big deal, anything that's over the line and you think you have the right to have input on more than which cute ‘greatest grandpa' onesie to give them, I will end you."

"There are a lot of things I learned from my grandfather when I trained with him about being an Alpha," he hedged.

"Not alone. Not without Lucca. You can join in, but—I don't even want you alone with any of my children. Not ever." I unleashed a power clap without even having to clap, so it just knocked him down instead of really hurting him. "This is not a debate. Obey or die, bear. You wanted to breed me. You won't ever be alone with any child of mine."

"Neldor or Julian will have a squad of fairies with every kid no matter how suffocating it will be," Hudson said from about ten feet away, leaning against a tree. He snorted as I winced and gave him a guilty look. "Oh, shorty, this has been plaguing you since the conversation with Lucca. I agree more needed to be said, and I've known Alpha Von Thann longer.

"He was toxic to Lucca. There was always a better way to learn a lot, teach him what was important. And I thought he did a shit job preparing him even—you know better than anyone how toxic Lucca used to be. I'm pissed at his mom for allowing half of it. I told Neldor that I don't want any of our kids to be alone with the Von Thanns. Ever."

"Thanks, beastie," I whispered.

He nodded. "Lucca is doing better and seeing more, but… It took me a while to see that he's still the young boy wanting his father's love and—"

"Yeah," I agreed with a sigh. Lucca couldn't see reality. I liked his mom too, but she'd allowed too much abuse of her children. Even if not physical it—life was complicated.

But there was a reason I was good friends with Hudson's mom and simply friendly with Lucca's.

"I told you he should have just had an accident, baby doll," Neldor said from my right. He was beaming at me. "Really? You used me as a threat?"

I gestured at Ronald. "He's too sexist to hear that I'm the most lethal and kill-happy one here. And how the fuck did…" I glanced at one of my dogs when I felt guilt coming off of him as he brought another kill. "Snitches. You're all fucking snitches."

"I'm really good at bribing. You know that firsthand, My Queen."

I shivered. Fucker. He'd just "bribed" me a few days ago by eating me out for like two hours.

And that was just because he wanted to pick dinner. Seriously.

He and Hudson laughed as I flipped him off.

Ronald was appalled though. "How can you joke and flirt while she's just—you're discussing killing me?"

Neldor shrugged. "If I can flirt with her after eight hours of budgets and meetings…" He gave a wave at Ronald and moved towards me. "This is just the inevitable in my opinion. I respect Lucca, and I'll give you the chance to prove me wrong, but there is a list of people in Faerie who want you dead."

"My dad especially even if he was nice to you." I nodded when Ronald couldn't hide his shock. "You wanted to breed his daughter. In what world would you let—"

"I'd kill any who even suggested it about my daughter," he accepted, looking scared again.

Good. That was the whole point of this.

"Please just give me a warning if I get close to the line," he whispered after a few moments to mull over everything. "I beg you. I accept all you have said, but—your ways or wants are not what I know. Something could be completely normal grandparent-related to me."

That was fair, and he had only shown happy at the idea of Lucca being Alpha and us having kids, nothing darker.

"Fine, but if I give you that warning and you argue, that's when I'll pull the kids away and go no contact. Accept that now or…" I gestured to the pile of dead animals my dogs had brought me.

Ronald swallowed loudly as he looked at my threat and nodded.

I made sure to check with his bear and both surrendered. Completely and totally.

Good. Finally.

"I'm shocked you're throwing down about this," Hudson admitted after we left and picked up food. "You've been clear that you're not having kids anytime soon." He cleared his throat. "Unless you have different feelings with Lucca that—"

"No." My voice was firm and convicted. "He is the one I worry most about having a child with and seeing—I still don't know if it will happen. But I've seen too much go wrong, beastie. We've been through too much to not handle potential problems better. I've gotten hurt badly because I ran first and didn't just take care of what I knew I needed to. Others have."

I was glad he accepted that, but I saw the worried look he gave me knowing this was about more than Lucca and our nonexistent children.

Smart dragon.