20

"Did you finally figure out you could do this now, or were you just leaving me to be tortured before you killed me?" Mario asked after I teleported him to me.

It hadn't taken long to get everything set up with barriers and traps in place. The only sticking point had been where to do it. Morgan wanted somewhere open so there wasn't as much risk of anyone or anything else being hurt. Iolas agreed with him.

Shael and I wanted somewhere enclosed so there were less options for his possible escape.

And Onas saw both sides.

So we ended up going a bit cliché and picked one of my warehouses. It was dead during lunch, and I told the security to take a hike for an hour. They were fine with it when they saw all the extra Guardians and commanders.

I snorted. "You give yourself way too much importance." I waited until he glanced at me, noting how bad he looked.

Being cut down a piece at a time would do that to someone.

"You weren't even the priority today , bro," I taunted before snorting again. "Or uncle, right?" I rolled my eyes as I flipped my sword around. "I'm leader of a planet. It keeps me busy."

I was about to deviate from the plan when he opened his mouth and dropped to his knees.

"Just let me see Faerie before I die. Show me this one kindness. I was born there but have never even seen it."

Everyone froze, tension pouring off the four commanders and probably anyone else who could hear him. But my answer was simple and immediate.

"No."

His eyes flashed shock before he turned his lip up at me. "You're as big of a monster and as cruel as she was."

"You didn't know her," I sighed. "I don't agree with what she did, but you're also missing pieces of the truth. You just don't care about the truth, and she could have done it to save your fucking life, idiot."

"There's no world where—" he growled.

"There was at least one ancient more powerful than her and she was trapped by that," I snapped. I nodded when he couldn't seem to get his mouth to work. "What could an ancient who could use magic on a queen have done with you? To you? You might have lived in Faerie but been a madman's puppet."

"You can't know that," he whispered.

"I know it was what he wanted to do to me and thought he had every right to, the opportunity because I wasn't born of two fairies. So yeah, it's not a big leap I'm taking here." I flipped my sword around again. "But you didn't ever think . You just acted and decided for yourself."

I let the tip drop to the floor and drag as I moved around him, noting the way he watched it.

"I would have pitied you once. I would have honestly felt bad for you. Truly. You probably prove the theory that villains aren't born but made."

"Then let me see Faerie."

"Not a fucking chance in any world," I chuckled darkly. "You don't deserve to get what you want."

"It was always going to be you or me," he defended before I said what he thought was on my mind.

I moved back around to the front of him. "You think this is because you tried to kill me?" I snorted when it was clear in his eyes. "I admit I can absolutely be that petty but no, it's not because of what you did to me."

"You almost killed her friend and loyal advisor," Onas said firmly, obviously knowing where my head was.

And he was right.

"You didn't care who you hurt." I squatted down in front of him, making it obvious that I didn't fear him at all. "I always care who I hurt. I'm pissed these fools came with me and risked themselves." I tilted my head. "You would never say the same. You could have killed a million fairies letting demons into our world.

"But what did that matter if you got what you wanted, right? And letting those corrupt ancients go? The ones who did so much to the Vale family and are the real reason you were probably banished from Faerie. She gave you a chance, one she couldn't give you or protect you from. That's the truth, Mario. She knew she couldn't protect her son, and she set you free.

"And you didn't take it. You killed her instead and wanted to burn our world because of it. I saved it. I woke everyone. You could have joined me. You could have protected me when I was alone. I hadn't done a fucking thing to you, but you were the monster. You tried to get me killed at Artemis, not even willing to do your own dirty work.

"Then the demons and ancients. But when all of that failed, you only really fought then because you knew your days were numbered. Trying to get me in the back when I was alone wasn't going to work. So you're pathetic, but I don't pity you." I stood and looked down at him. "The only mercy I'll show you is letting you die as a fairy, but you will never see Faerie."

It worked, and he let out his one wing with a shuddering breath.

And I cut off that wing instead of his head, shocking the others there. His scream echoed in my ears, but I ignored it and moved away so Stefanie and Colton got the best view from the camera I was wearing on my chest. I let them see the blood and wing lying there.

Then I moved around Mario sobbing on the floor.

"It's safe for you to come now, Stef," I said gently. "Come get your pound of flesh and take his head."

"That wasn't the plan, Your Highness," Shael sighed.

"Yeah, well, I worried he still might have some fight in him and that could put her at risk." I gestured to the wingless fairy. "He's of no risk now. Let her finish it."

"She cannot execute a member of the royal family, even a bastard, Your Highness," Morgan hedged.

I gave him the look he deserved. "Who the fuck will tell? You?" I snorted when he sighed. "Is it really so much better that I execute my own uncle?"

"No, and you've suffered enough traumas to last you a thousand years," Stefanie said from the portal she came out of. "No one in Faerie will chastise her for this, so let her be the benevolent queen who gave her loyal advisor the right to punish no matter who it is. No one is above the law in her reign."

"Even better," I said with a shrug and handed off my sword to her.

"Thank you," Colton breathed as he moved to stand next to me.

"I didn't know if it would work out like this, but she more than deserves it." I reached over and took his hand, glad when he let me and seemed okay. Better than expected at least.

The four commanders dipped their heads to Stefanie as she moved towards Mario, accepting this was happening.

She yanked him up by his hair to kneel. "I would wish you peace in the afterlife if it was just what you did to me. What happened to you could have twisted you, and desperation made you go too far. I could see that and forgive that. I have been able to partially forgive my former queen for just that even if she did the unthinkable."

I swallowed a gasp. Stefanie saying she'd forgiven Neldor's mother—even somewhat—was huge.

"But you tried to kill the savior of Faerie, you cockroach. She is our future and brought the miracle of peace to our world. And you selfishly wanted to take her from us and tried to take her place knowing you could never live up to her. It was all your own selfishness where she constantly kills herself being selfless to the point it hurts us to watch.

"So rot with the demons you wanted to invade our world for your petty desires. You chose your side, and it wasn't the side of Faerie. You are not one of us, and that is no one's fault but yours. You chose that, and none of us feel any pity or desire to show you mercy. We wish you an eternity of reaping what you sowed."

She raised my sword and took his head with one clean swing.

I watched it fall to the ground and felt… Nothing.

Not even relief.

I felt—well, maybe settled? But that was a bit disturbing. I didn't just get grocery shopping off my list, but a man just died.

I really was as broken as people said. I swallowed down my worry about that and turned off the camera. It was recorded in case we ever needed it, but now it was just for us.

I jumped when Lageos teleported to us with a wild look in his eyes. He glanced around and understanding instantly filled his eyes.

And anger.

"I felt someone of your mother's blood die since our souls are tied," he explained. "I feared the worst, but instead—what did you do, Tamsin?"

"What I needed to," I admitted, not in the mood to fight with him.

But apparently, he wanted to fight with me.

"We said we would go together—handle this together and—" he started to blast.

"Yeah, well, we just do whatever the fuck we want in this family, so don't lecture me about doing it too!" I bellowed, shocking everyone there.

But I wasn't remotely done yet.

"You. Mom. Your parent. Aunts and uncles. All just make decisions however you want, right? We don't discuss shit as a family or—you two made all of the decisions, and I'm left with the consequences, so don't fucking ever lecture me about doing what I thought I needed to again. You have no leg to stand on."

"I just—"

"You didn't even come to class," I seethed. "I'm tired of feeling like the fucking parent between us, Dad ." I stormed over to Mario's body and burned it with fae fire, making sure to get all of the pieces.

Then I spit on the ashes just for good measure.

I teleported away and immediately went to one of the fairy hotels and told them to inform Ara that I was alone and needed food. I wasn't even sure if she was on shift for my detail, but she always knew who was and sent them. She didn't care in the slightest about the extra work because she got extra perks as well.

Fair enough.

She showed up with a bunch of women I recognized but weren't my normal detail. A good mix of light and dark fairies.

I simply raised an eyebrow.

"I'm testing soon to move up rank," she explained.

"You're currently top-level sergeant, right?" I hedged, ignoring that the other fairies seemed shocked.

She nodded, her answer probably more for those with us. "I was a second level when we met, but you and your training pushed me harder and harder. Training you for gymnastics gave me the hours to be promoted as well."

I nodded. The ranks of Guardians mirrored the US military with one very obvious difference… There weren't generals. Only commanders.

I was the general.

Or really, it was a bit of a mashup when it came to the officer ranks. In order from lowest-ranked to the top they were: second lieutenant, first lieutenant; captain, major, colonel, commander, and senior commander.

And there was only one senior commander. It was the eldest or top rank we normally talked about.

"So you're trying for second lieutenant?" I checked, not sure how to say what I was worried about when she nodded. Ara preferred people being honest and blunt though, so I decided to just say it. "Are you sure you're not pushing too hard and fast? Doesn't it normally take decades to make the jumps you already have?"

"Yes, but I cannot be in your new royal protection Guardians if I'm not an officer," she explained.

I groaned. "Why don't people—I didn't know that. I meant best of the best with like endurance and tests, not officers."

"They actually coincide a lot, Your Highness," one woman explained. "That is a huge part of a promotion for us unlike human militaries like you are used to. There are requirements about years of service, but our tests and training are huge. It's the full-picture resume. Ara's leading a royal training is a huge mark on her resume."

I nodded, understanding better. "So you have a list of experience by the time you hit that rank more than they care about the rank."

"Yes, exactly that," she said, seeming pleased I understood so fast.

I gestured between them. "So you're helping them or they're helping you?"

"Both, Your Highness," a different woman asked. "We're lacking—" She sighed when someone snorted. "We're severely lacking in experience in the human world. But we're all second lieutenants and have been helping Ara on what to expect for her test."

Ara cleared her throat. "I was going to speak to you about having some of them assigned for your detail. You were clear you didn't want switching up, so now the topic is closed among the higher ranks."

I sighed. Heavily. "Fairies are so all or nothing. I didn't want my detail to switch daily with people watching me—okay, I get it, and I'll talk to Hudson because he's going to be in charge of that now." I held up a hand to her. "Just not today. Please. I need—what do you guys wanna eat?"

Ara shrugged. "I'm always up for freaking people out at the conveyor belt sushi places."

"Perfect." Then I flinched. "It's like four in the morning in Japan. We have to wait."

Ara went to suggest something else but then studied me a moment. "Taco Bell?"

"Just had it," I grumbled. "Culver's?"

"Yes. Please," she groaned.

We ended up picking one in Georgia since it was warmer there and we wanted the flavor of the day. Lemon Berry Layer Cake, which was vanilla frozen custard layered with mixed berries, lemon, and butter cake pieces.

Yeah, just give me barrels of that please.

We ended up even sitting outside, and I snorted when Ara changed the direction of the umbrella so I was better covered.

"Thanks, Mom," I drawled, swallowing a sigh when the other fairies flinched and stared at me with horror.

"It's very common to say something like that," Ara told them quietly after she felt me put up the barrier around our two tables. "The princess is informal on her personal time and you need to learn to adjust. Plus, we act to fit in when in this world. If you flinch every time she says something normal that the humans around us would chuckle at, it will raise red flags."

They apologized and seemed to sit with that information as we ate. I was on my fourth bacon deluxe when Ara tapped the table to snap me out of my thoughts.

"Prince Hudson is coming with his detail and using a glamour to look like Darby. Apparently, it wasn't a question of where you were but tell him now," she informed me.

I swore and patted my body. "Fuck, I don't even know where my phone is. We didn't want to take electronics just in case because too many of my phones have been fried and the last time it got replaced, my carrier was talking about not allowing the insurance and red flags."

"Glad to hear you weren't intentionally ignoring me, shorty," Hudson said from behind me.

I tilted my head back and blinked up into his pretty, pretty eyes that were swirling with emotion. "No, I'm a jerk again. I'm sorry, beastie."

He nodded and sat on the bench next to me that was really only meant for one person. The fairy next to him got the hint and stood with a chuckle, moving to the other table.

But Hudson didn't scoot over.

"Let's not start a fuss by breaking a table," I drawled.

He chuffed and then moved over, stealing one of my fries in retaliation. Fuck, he was so adorable. Seriously.

He handed his card over to one of the Guardians on his detail and told them to get whatever they wanted, but he wanted food too.

"You don't have to do that," I grumbled. "We eat so much more than you and—"

"They'll each only get two burgers or sandwiches with fries and a drink," he told me, nodding when I couldn't hide my shock. "They're all very careful with your mates. Our details are super easy according to Shael and Taeral and basically for show because no one is stupid enough to piss you off coming for us."

"You didn't hear it from me, but it's totally true," Ara agreed. "It's like getting a bit of a vacation after doing something good. Or one newbie who just needs the distraction after being woken up and finding too many they knew died. And the commanders and majors warn all of them not to fuck up and embarrass fairies."

I nodded that I heard her. "Still, you don't have to spend your money to feed them and—"

"Tams, I'm rich too," he chuckled. "Not rich like you, but I'm also an investor in your clothing company. I make money off of that which I didn't need and basically feed my guards that way."

"Thanks, beastie." I offered him a burger which made him chuckle. "I'm sorry about what happened. I'll do better."

"You do amazing already, my mate," he said gently. "I'm sorry I was such a bastard about it. I just—it's hard. I know you try, but it's hard to always watch you be hurt and have to recover—and then hearing you ignored the warning sign—I lost it. I'm sorry and—"

"Hudson, I'm not mad at all. You had every right to be, okay?"

He swallowed loudly and met my eyes. "Then why did you need a time out and not come find me?"

"That wasn't about you or us having—everything just got too overwhelming and loud. I needed to just have some silence and think. Then, of course—"

"Neldor told us," he cut in. "So you healed her and now killed Mario. Yeah, I'm going to be worried."

"I'm fine." I snorted when he clearly didn't believe me. "I felt nothing. I probably need to be worried that I felt nothing, but it wasn't numb. More like just fucking checking something off the damn list. So you know, add that to the list of why I'm fucked in the head."

"You're not any more than the rest of us," he comforted.

But really lied through his teeth.

Really, really lied through his teeth.