4

"I love you, agra ," Darby greeted, giving me a soft kiss. He had been overly affectionate and verbal on his feelings for me over the past month. It wasn't only about his crazy but his bitch stalker who had taken him away in my visions before made another move.

It hadn't blown up like before, but she'd pushed back on Darby reporting her to Yale and played it all off like he was a disgruntled lover. Publicly. Even on social media.

Darby turned around and brought receipts with phone records and was getting a restraining order filed—it was a mess and drama.

"We're fine," I promised him, meaning it. "I'm happy we get a break." I kissed him. "I'm just a bit all over the place. And needy." I kissed him deeper. "Julian turned me on and now I'm needy. He promised you'd help take care of me." I rubbed myself against him like a damn cat in heat. "Take care of me?"

"I'm fucking leaking," he growled against my lips. "And starving for your wet cunt."

"Me too," Julian groaned, as I heard paper bags thunk down too hard.

Not five minutes later we were in the master bedroom and I was naked, both of them licking and kissing me all over. They let me have the orgasm I needed before moving over me and smirking down at me.

"Use the rune, Tams," Julian chuckled.

"Noooo," I whined.

"No? You're telling us no?" he pushed as he sat back on his feet and slowly pulled off his shirt.

Darby rolled off the bed and started stripping as well. "You'd deny your mates what they want, agra? That doesn't sound like our loving woman." He licked his lips as he eyed me over. "Do you think we'll be mean to you?"

"You'll do all the things I love?" I checked.

"And more," Julian promised as he leaned over and licked my clit. "Use the rune, my sweet mate."

I groaned and did. They loved the rune that only let me orgasm when they told me to.

Assholes.

Fine, I loved it too, but they could be mean with it a bit.

I could be mean too. "No blow jobs when I use the rune though. New rule." I shook my head when they both froze, moving my hands over my body. "You want to tease me and play with my orgasms? Fine, then the focus is gobbling me up, not what goes in my mouth."

"Shit, that's hot, agra ," Darby murmured as he dropped what was in his hands and got back on the bed completely naked. He remembered his glasses at the last second and set them on the nightstand. He moved closer and brushed his lips over mine. "Fine, that's fair because the rune gets you out of your head and I don't like to think we're pressuring you."

"Yeah, we should play fair," I panted, chasing after his lips. I caught them but then gasped as his fingers teased my nipple.

"But if we rock your world more than a fucking earthquake would, you maybe should show how much you loved it with licking us in the morning, yeah?"

I thought about that a whole half a second. "I could consider that."

"Nice," Julian chuckled and joined us on the bed naked. "You tease her huge, pert tits and I'm going to enjoy this dripping pussy." He chuckled again when I whimpered.

Darby watched me as he played with my breasts and Julian ate me out. He egged me higher and higher, asking Julian if there was enough for him to lick and telling me to orgasm if there wasn't. It was fucking glorious.

And that was before he joined Julian between my legs. They spread my thighs so wide that I was doing the splits and did everything to me.

But they didn't let me finish until I was a mess, begging and crying for them to let me.

"I hate you both," I sobbed, not remotely meaning it… Well, a little bit.

One of them said for me to orgasm and I did, screaming my head off as I did. I blacked out for a little bit or at least lost time because I was still crying and sniffling as they held me together. I was plastered to Julian's front and Darby's body was molded behind me.

"We went too far," Julian mumbled. "Sorry, my sweet mate. It's just—you are so responsive and it's addictive. We love making it too good for you. You know that, right?" He kissed my hair when I nodded. "What do you want now?"

"Sweet. She wants sweet now, right, agra? " Darby answered, not making me say it. He kissed my shoulder when I nodded again. "Like this? Do you want me to have you like this?"

Yes, yes, I did.

He pushed inside of me while I was on my side and plastered against Julian. I whimpered at how good it felt, and apparently my body was still going nuts because Darby couldn't hold out long, telling me to finish fast as he did.

I heard Julian swear under his breath in worry that they pushed me too hard before I passed out.

I woke in a dream that I knew was right then, stepping out of Darby's view. He cleaned me up and asked Julian what else was going on that I was so tired and stressed.

Julian snorted. "You mean besides the list of shit in her life? Her laying down the final line with the commanders and the changes she wanted?"

"Yeah, I get it," Darby cut in. "I mean whatever happened today that upset her."

"We'll get to that since they just arrived," Julian muttered, glancing towards where the portal was. "Wash her up and tuck her in, okay?"

"Hey, wait for me. We all need to be on the same page," Darby argued.

I was glad when Julian agreed. Darby was gentle with me and then kissed my forehead, thanking me for being perfect and ever giving a duffer like him another chance.

He walked out into the great room and thanked Lucca when he handed Darby some of the reheated Chinese food.

"I know you want to talk to Tams about this, but we all need to start understanding that we have to accept conversations like this," Julian said after people had food and were quietly eating. "She's under too much stress, and this is a way we can help. I know it's not what we always want from our romantic relationship, but she is worth it."

They all agreed, but Neldor seemed to hold out, sighing when they all stared at him. "Yes, fine, okay, whatever, and tell me what the fuck I did wrong so I can fix it." He swore and threw down his spring roll. "I really am a spoiled prince like Taeral said." He gave Julian a broken look. "What did I do wrong?"

Julian sighed. "I can't even be a git and tease you now like you fucking deserve. Maybe later." He waved off Neldor when the fairy growled. "You had a false start with our mate and then drama when you finally had great sex. Your first real sex. How have you handled the situation since?"

He blinked at Julian. "I've made it clear that it was the best sex ever in the history of sex and I want more. Immediately. Annoyed we couldn't have more and constantly."

Hudson snorted. "I heard the annoyed part. A lot. I heard Tams try to talk to you about maybe not assuming she was just there as you wanted now that you had her. She was a bit short, and she only gets like that after she tries to talk about something first and I've fucked up. So you didn't listen to something she said."

"Exactly what she said," Julian confirmed. He very accurately repeated what I told him and got across my feelings precisely as I was feeling.

Wow, he really was doing well from therapy and taking it seriously—putting in the work. I needed to thank him for that again. It was helping me more than only our relationship which was really amazing.

He was.

Neldor seemed at a loss for several minutes, trying to talk but then giving up and focusing on his food as he seemed lost in his thoughts.

Hudson cut Julian off before the warlock could even say anything. "I shouldn't be inviting anyone to our intimate times after what happened. It might be over a year later, but it's still sensitive to her. I put enough together after and what made her pull away."

"Yes, that was precisely what upset her," Julian confirmed. "You should know that she felt like she was making it a bigger deal or was a bitchy woman bringing up old fights or issues. That's why she wanted to talk it out first and try not to make things worse. She wanted you because you were a good teammate and she felt closer to you.

"And you turned and handed her over to Neldor. It was like reopening the wound for her, Hudson. She doesn't understand that's what it is and that's life or even healthy. She's not lingering on finished issues—nothing is ever really finished. Issues aren't linear." He sighed. "No, my therapist described it as injuries like humans have.

"Our magic heals too much and it's done. That's how Tamsin sees issues should be and it's not that simple. Injuries can have lasting effects. You see it in movies that humans have knee aches when it rains or neck pain from not treating their bodies better. Those are the issues we have at times. Scars that don't just go away."

"You're right," Hudson accepted. "She sees it as being a vindictive woman who brings up past problems that don't upset them anymore and uses them as a weapon. That's toxic and about revenge or not taking responsibility. That's not what Tams does, and I'm glad she has…"

"You want to say grown, but that makes her sound childish," Darby muttered. "But we all grow." He snorted. "Shit, I'm jealous how much you both have grown. Therapy—I'm in. Seriously, you both sound so damn healthy and I still…" He shook his head. "This is about Tams. Yes, she has grown and it's taken a lot for her. I agree we need to make it easier on her."

"On that note, I want to discuss another topic after this is all handled," Lucca said. "And I think we need these meetings even if there's not problems. We are on her team and support her. We need to start acting like that since we're all on the team now. Even if not publicly."

"Agreed," everyone but Neldor said.

"I'm not being a jerk this time," Neldor grumbled when they stared at him. "I don't know I get a vote or—I want Tamsin here for this vote. I don't ever want her to worry about me doing things behind her back. She couldn't have been clearer that was one of the things that scared her about me most after what I have done."

"That's fair," Julian accepted. "And in the interest of being fair, I'm going to give you the answer this time because I have it, and clearly you—you're just as stressed. This thing with the commanders was huge and you were upset like Tams didn't let you in, but you weren't acting like her team, Neldor."

He was quiet for several moments. "Please tell me the answer."

"You never told her it was great sex, asshat," Darby drawled. "You just kept telling her you wanted more like she was your buddy and you were bitching the doctor told you not to use your cock. I've heard that from Rafe and security because they all gossip too much and you were being a spoiled prince and not discreet."

I felt worlds better when Neldor opened his mouth to argue but then winced… A few times even.

"Why would I care if it wasn't amazing sex?" he asked after a moment.

The four of them each threw some sort of food at him. That was hysterical.

The impressive part? He caught it all. He caught the sweet and sour whatever Lucca had in his mouth, but the rest he caught either in his hand or with his container.

I could never be that coordinated. Seriously.

"How do I fix it?" he asked after he chewed the bite.

"Do you want to?" Darby pushed. He shrugged when Neldor shot him a shit look. "People asked me the same, and even if it pissed me off, it was valid to ask. You need to say it and accept you fucked up. I wanted the issues to pass and kept trying to skip ahead and made it all worse. The moment I accepted there—take the steps. Seriously. Don't make my mistakes with this."

Neldor opened his mouth to snap but then slowly closed it and let out a long breath. "Yes, I want to fix this. I don't want to hurt her. I'm an idiot, spoiled prince. Please help me."

"Didn't your dad give you the talk about how being a prince doesn't matter when the lights are off and you're with a lover?" Hudson asked him, seeming curious but also confused. "My dad did, and the way you talk about your dad was that he was all about you as a person, and my dad—sometimes he focused more on me being future king, but we had… Shit."

Neldor cleared his throat and focused on his food. "No, but given the topic, I think he knew I would have immediately asked why the hell other men were allowed in their rooms. Or demanded answers about the rumors that I was born of incest."

"Shit, sorry," Hudson muttered but then grinned widely, clearly up to something. "You need the talk then. I'll call my father."

"Wait, I know that evil look, but before you do, your family is what I want to talk about," Lucca cut in. "Specifically, your mother."

"We can revisit Neldor fixing this now that you both understand what's been going on," Julian accepted. "What has been going on?"

Lucca gave him a look that he was stupid. "Your wedding is in a week and do you know what's been done?"

Julian froze in his next bite. "I have my tux ready. I thought everything else was handled?"

Lucca ran his tongue over his teeth. "How presumptive of you, git."

"You said that wrong, but I approve the effort," Darby chuckled. "Julian, even I know next to nothing has been done. Our mate wanted to elope. She's been pushed into a corner with this, and if Lucca's bringing up Queen Sasha, clearly she has been pressuring to get involved. What does Tamsin do then?"

Both Hudson and Julian winced, but Julian answered. "She runs. Okay, right, got it. I knew we decided about the cake since we had the tasting and it was obvious what Tamsin wanted."

"So nothing's been done because my mom is being a pain?" Hudson checked.

"My mom too, so it's not just yours," Lucca grumbled. "But also, Stefanie was hurt while they had their guard down and were looking at dresses. Tams feels guilty about that. She makes enough decisions so time to step up." The pointed look he gave Julian made it clear who needed to step up, and I loved the bear for doing it.

"I have some suggestions about how to incorporate some Faerie traditions if you're open to listening," Neldor suggested. "Little ones I think she would like." He seemed relieved when Julian nodded. "But that won't keep your mothers at bay. What is the plan?"

"First, let Stefanie help Tamsin pick out the dress. She was excited about that and let them finish it, show things aren't what they were, but all isn't just gone," Lucca said firmly. "Let it be their cute moment like a godsmother since Tams doesn't have a mom. Our moms were trying to help, but it's weird for her because it's your wedding and she's with us."

I was glad they all immediately agreed.

"Cara and Jordan want to have their mating ceremonies with Zack and Ray, and that's a big deal now that they're Tam's aides and Zack and Ray were her guards for so long," Lucca continued. "Let our moms help with that , and they can have their dream everything that they could never afford. I think they were whispering about the vineyard in Spain."

"Bloody brilliant," Neldor praised. "Hhora knows all about that, and there are certain niceties that should be followed given their position. People can focus on that and Tamsin following tradition and life moving forward—all of it."

It was a damned good idea. Seriously, it was.

Anything that got more focus off me I loved.

"All I knew was that Tamsin was going to beat Katrina soon," Julian grumbled. "Okay, yeah, another reason we need these meetings. We're all too fucking busy and juggling too much." He looked at Hudson. "Call your parents here if they can. Your dad can lecture Neldor, and I'll get into whatever with Queen Sasha about the wedding. Let them handle the food—"

Hudson cleared his throat and gave Julian a look saying that was a bit beneath his mother.

"I wasn't going to say only the food," he defended. "And with fairies, the food is the most important fucking part. We both know that."

"Fair," Hudson accepted.

That was the end of the dream, and I woke when my stomach hit empty. I knew something was going on, and my curiosity and hunger won out over my worry I would get dragged into something.

That was until I walked into wedding central in the great room. My eyes about popped out of my head and I turned to flee before anyone saw me.

Julian caught me and hugged me back to him, kissing my shoulder. "You were curious when you came out here. Did you see what we talked about in a dream?" He waited until I nodded. "Good, then you know I'll handle our wedding, my sweet mate. You handle running all of Faerie and your dress. Shoes. Whatever you need or want. I'll handle the rest."

"I love you," I whispered, sagging against him in relief.

"I love you too, and I'm sorry I missed this. I thought informal meaning easy, but—I'm a stupid warlock. Nothing is ever easy with so many people."

"You did have to ask her one question," Sasha called over.

"I already know the colors my mate wants," Julian chuckled, pressing his lips to my ear. "Emerald green."

He spun me around and sat me on the counter before I realized what was happening since I was still sleepy. He cupped my face and smiled at me.

"The most beautiful bride ever will wear a white dress with emerald jewelry leaving my mark on her as I did the first dress she wore around me," he said softly. "And I will wear the slate suit she picked out for me. I won't wear a white shirt because I'm not an off-the-rack-looking man."

"No, no, you are not, Dr. Julian Craftsman," I whispered, completely under his spell.

"What should I wear, my sweet bride?" he asked.

"Emerald to match me. Not shimmery or bright emerald."

He nodded. "It's fall in Theripolis. Earth tones. Everything is earth tones for my bride who loves nature and is the reason Faerie is alive again." He slid his hand up my neck and held my head as he brushed his lips over mine.

"Yeah, that's our wedding," I breathed. "And the cake we told Esta. In those colors, but now since there's so many more people, all kinds of cakes. Naked cakes and easy. Let them have fun, and everyone can have our cake tasting too. They were all great."

"Yes, perfect," he agreed. "So you'll trust me to handle it all?"

"Thank you, Julian."

He winked at me and moved away to reheat my food. I flushed when Sasha, Katrina, and even Mrs. Von Thann were staring at Julian like they were swooning.

Then I remembered something, pointing at Katrina. "You were on a date and…" I winced when she rolled her eyes. "I'm not taking the blame for that. I went to someone else."

She waved towards the outside. "No, the admittedly spoiled prince did it all. I find Taeral's dedication attractive, so I'm not upset. Prince Neldor has always apologized and promised us a long weekend at his vacation castle for ruining our night."

"He does apologize well," I chuckled darkly.

Sasha cleared her throat and shot me an apologetic look. "Your guest list is rather short, Julian. Things have changed now and…"

"There are a few cousins I get along with that I will add now," he said as he kept fussing over food and handed me the first container. "They were really good to me after my da died. But that's it for family. Edelman, White, Nelson. Pillay. I'll add a few more names, but a lot of people are our friends really."

That was true and I nodded.

"Who is officiating? Did you want Edelman then?" Sasha asked as she kept writing. She glanced at me as if asking if I wanted to jump in.

Nope.

I was curious for Julian's answer though.

"Iolas. I don't have anyone like that, and…" Julian focused on me. "Taeral will want to for your mating with Neldor. King Xavier for Hudson. Darby doesn't have anyone, so I thought I might then and make sure no one pressures either of you or maybe we could Iolas again."

I nodded. "Or Morgan. He's protective and well-liked. He also really likes Darby." I winced and glanced at Mrs. Von Thann.

Shit.

That would be a problem because there was no chance I would let her husband officiate our mating after he wanted to breed me .

I saw in her eyes that she understood that.

"Or Shael," Julian hurried to say, knowing where our minds were. "I thought your da, but I'm going to be selfish on this because I don't want you sad when you think of our wedding. I'm sorry."

Because I was going to lose Lageos soon. I swallowed loudly but bobbed my head. "No, you're right and—you're right. Iolas as long as he promises to stay on script and no speeches."

"Everyone is very clear no speeches or anything of the type," Katrina said with a chuckle. "No drunk uncles or issues or it will be the last wedding we get from you."

"Glad people are finally learning who I am." I wasn't even being a shit. I was serious.

Took them long enough.

The rest was pretty damn easy. We weren't having a wedding party so no coordinating there. No transportation or people staying places issues with using portals.

"What about food you want for British customs?" Katrina asked Julian.

"We'll be having a wedding breakfast the next morning," I answered firmly, nodding when Julian looked at me in shock. "I already talked to Irma about it. It's… Your parents had one, and you talked about loving that tradition and wanting it one day. It can be smaller or—we'll do it."

"You're perfect," he whispered.

Glad he thought so because we were mated and getting married.