Chapter 14

WYNTER

I can't find my Fae anywhere, and I'm starting to worry. He has been up my ass and around the corner religiously since the moment we kissed, so where is he?

Leaving the diner, I walk over to the motel office. Mavis is there reading a smutty book, and I can't help but applaud her. I've read it too, and it's good.

"Now, that's not something I thought you would like to read, but it's an amazing series," I say as I enter the room.

"Just because I am skeptical of the paranormal does not mean that I don't like a bit of fantasy every now and again. How are you? Did you need anything?" When she uses a room key as a bookmark and doesn't fold the page I find more respect for her.

"Have you seen the man that's here with me? The one with the blue hair?"

Her nose scrunches as if she smells something bad, but she shakes her head. "Nope. I thought I heard him humming out back a few hours ago, but I didn't see anyone."

Groaning, I smack my hand on the polished check in desk.

"Thanks. Maybe he's gone to Spells Hollow, but his car is still here. If you happen to see him, can you let him know that's where I'll be."

She nods, then picks up her book once more. "I still think you're a foolish girl for wanting to renovate that place and live there," she mumbles, and I laugh.

"Yeah, I'm starting to agree with you."

Giving her a wave, I leave the office and almost walk right into Arsen. I still can't believe he's here.

"Did you find him?"

"No, but we might as well grab some breakfast, then get back to the house."

"Astor has some work to do today for the law firm, but I can help you."

Giving him a smile, I nod. "Thanks. Yeah, I have a feeling this isn't going to be easy."

After grabbing some breakfast and making a quick stop at the gas station for snacks, we are on the road to Spells Hollow.

The closer we get, the more ominous I start to feel. Parking on the side of the road, we begin our walk.

There's a weird sensation in the air. Almost a static feeling if I had to describe it. It's not unpleasant, just different.

"Do you feel that?" Sin asks and I nod.

"Yeah…" I mumble. Looking around everything seems to be the same. Ghosts still float between the Gallows and town center and all is quiet.

"It's weird, but I don't think we are in any danger," I reassure, then continue past the other houses, avoiding the one that put me on my ass, until I reached the place I belong.

"I know it's a mess right now, but this place is going to be beautiful," I mutter, staring up at the huge home.

As we shuffle closer, avoiding the debris all around, I hear voices.

"No, Cirry, we must leave this place. There is a dark energy," a woman says as I enter the house.

The front room has been gutted completely, and I'm stunned to see a beautiful woman relaxed on a new sofa.

There is a man beside her that I instantly know is Fae.

"Seems we found him," I mutter to Sin, and he laughs.

The woman looks my way and gives me a huge smile.

"Cirry, she's more beautiful then you said," she gushes, getting to her feet and rushing my way.

"Nan, stop mauling my girl," Cirrus grunts, but he has a huge grin on his face.

His checkered shirt is covered in paint, and he's wearing some type of corduroy pants.

"Cirrus, what's going on?"

I squeeze the pixie of a woman tight, then release her. I usually don't like hugs, but there is something so inviting about her.

"Well, my little bouncy ball, I have recruited my fam bam to help us. This here is my Nan, you may call her Nan. The oaf on the sofa is my brother, Grule, and the woman throwing a hissy fit in the bathroom is my mother."

My eyes widen and I start to back out of the door. Arsen grips my hips and I melt for a second, letting him hold me.

His whole family is here? Has he lost his Fae loving mind? I mean his Nan is one thing, but his mother.

"I think I'm going to be sick," I mutter, then spin out of Sins's arms, just in time to expel my breakfast over the banister into the dead yard.

"Ugh, please don't tell me you knocked up the witch, Cirrus. You know you are meant to rule Kasgalda. Knocking up some mortal with powers is not going to stop me from making you take the throne!"

Wiping my mouth with the sleeve of my sweater, I cringe at the tone of Cirrus' mother's voice.

It's worse than nails on a chalkboard.

"Mother, enough. Wynter is my destiny. My mate!"

Arsen rubs my back as the world around me begins to spin. "Catch me," I mumble before my vision goes black.

"Mommy, come play with us," my daughter Summer shouts as her father chases her around the yard.

Placing my son, August on the blanket, I climb to my feet with a groan. Rubbing my stomach, I smile. Our little ones will be with us in a few short months and I can't wait to see if it's a boy, girl, or both.

The twins are hoping for one of each so we will have an even number, but I have a feeling it will be two little boys just like their daddies.

"Gumbledrop, wake up," someone whispers before playing with my hair.

"She is very pretty, Cirrus, I'll give you that, but she's not Fae."

"I don't care if she was part horse, Mother. Wynter is my mate. I knew it the moment we met."

"How is that possible! She is a cursed witch, that's led you to a dangerous place. Even the strongest of Nan's potions didn't remove the filth from the dirt."

"Cirry, you know I'll keep trying, but right now I think we need to get Wynter here to Kasgalda. Make sure the baby is okay?"

Waking up, I crack open my eyes. "What baby? We only had sex a few days ago," I mumble and a tinkling laugh nearby has me opening my eyes wider.

"Oh, aren't you just darling?" Nan says with a big smile.

"Lovejoy, the fae don't reproduce like you. Especially my family. Nine months to you is seven months for us."

Widening my eyes, I shove him away from me and sit up, ignoring how the room is spinning.

"You knocked me up and I'm already two months pregnant? Are you insane." Laughing, I shake my head. "Of course you are. But what the fuck, Cirrus?"

Getting to my feet, I stomp outside, slamming the new screen door. When I reach the grass, I plop down.

My eyes water, but I fight back the sting of tears.

Pregnant? Me? Yes, the visions have shown a little girl looking like Cirrus, but I thought that was years away.

I am still cursed? This is not the time, nor place to raise a baby!

"How mad are you, my little wombmate? On a scale of zero to going to set my ass on fire?"

Wiping my eyes, I bite my lip, fighting a smile.

He's absolutely ridiculous, but I can admit he makes me happier than I've been in a long time.

"I won't set you on fire, but I might give you the shits. So watch your food," I grumble, then sigh as he wraps his arms around me.

"Well since you're already mad at me… Is now a good time to tell you that I'm Fae royalty, and our child will be Queen someday?"

Straightening my spine, I move my hand in a circle motion, conjuring a ball of flames in my palm.

Cirrus notices and releases me, slowly climbing to his feet.

"Yeah, um, I think I'm going to go. Remember I love you my little hot cakes!" he shouts as I climb to my feet and toss the ball at his back.

It instantly disintegrated, hitting a shield around him and he looks back at me, wiggles his eyebrows and starts to laugh before taking off again.

Looking up at the sky, I shake my head.

Why me? Why am I always the one having to deal with drama and bullshit?

"Satan help me," I pray, then head back to the house.

I guess it's time to get to know more about my future family and what it means to be Fae royalty.

ARSEN

Pregnant? How? Fae? Seven months?

My mind is spiraling, and I wish Astor was here with me… Then again maybe it's best he's working in the motel room.

He's already got his feet out the door. When he learns that Rus knocked up Wyn he's going to leave.

He can't. Not only does Wynter need our help. I finally have her back in my life, and I need my brother here with me.

We may have lives back in Texas, but she's not there. I don't care if she's having someone else's baby. If she will have me in her life, I'll be there.

"So, Poppet, how ya feeling? Any side effects from the goofeyjizz?" Rus' Nan asks me, and I shake my head.

"Not sure what that is, but I feel fine. Is Wynter going to be okay? Do Fae usually mate with other species?" I mumble, and Rus' mom scoffs.

"We're not aliens!"

"No. No, I didn't mean any offense. I'm just not sure how to take all of this."

Moving over to me, Nan pats my arm. "She will be fine. Wynter is a tough cookie from what I've heard. It'll be an adjustment, but she can do it."

Rus' brother stands, then walks toward the kitchen. "Is the potion done? How long are we going to stay here in this dead town?"

I follow Nan into the kitchen, and my jaw drops. "How is this possible?"

"Magic, my dear. Anything can happen with a little spit shine and pixie dust."

"So the whole house is done?"

"No, Cirry, told us not to touch the upstairs or bedrooms."

I walk over to a stainless steel fridge and open the doors. There is no food inside.

"Conjuring snacks is one thing, but food can be tricky. It's better if you all make a shopping run."

"Quick, save me!" Rus shouts, running into the kitchen and hiding underneath the table.

Wynter follows him, and her dark hair is a tangled mess. Her cheeks are red, and she's muttering about stupid Fae.

"Cirrus, just take your whipping like a damn man and we can move on from this childish game," she mutters, waving her hand.

Rus is yanked out from under the table from an imaginary hand and he grips the leg of the table.

"If you break anything in this room I am never helping you again, Cirry," Nan huffs, then moves to the stove and stirs something bubbling in a huge black pot.

"How old are you? I mean seriously. I don't think I know, but again… You are acting like a toddler!" Wyn shouts, and I can see her getting more worked up.

"He's centuries old, but has the body of a twenty-eight-year-old, dear," Nan answers her, then lifts the pot.

"Okay, hopefully this works. Wynter, love, I'm going to need your help. Come."

She walks out the new kitchen door with the pot, and we follow.

"Okay, I need you to focus on the bad energy. Cirry, get out here and start making holes."

Rus comes outside, wearing a huge silicone bubble suit. He looks ridiculous, but as he lays on the ground and presses a button, spikes appear and stab the dirt.

Rolling around like he's on fire or being attacked by bees, he pokes hundreds of holes into the ground.

When he's satisfied, he sits up and the suit disappears.

"Well that's one way I suppose," Nan laughs and places the pot on the ground.

Rus, his brother and mom, all take hands and Nan joins them.

Wynter is still focusing with her eyes closed as I watch the Fae lift the floral-scented goop out of the pot and fling it into the holes, using magic.

Rus' purple eyes are glowing, and I wish I could record this for Astor. It's really cool.

Closing their eyes, they begin a chant getting louder each time. After maybe three minutes they stop.

"Did it work?" I ask, breaking the silence.

"No, but it helped."

Grass begins to grow all around, but the place where the Willow tree rested is still blackened dirt.

Wynter sighs and walks over to Nan. "I'm sorry, poppet, but I can't do anymore. You will have to break the curse together with your men," she whispers, then places her open palm onto Wyns' stomach.

"I will be back in a few days for your exam. A baby. Ahhh. A blessing in the middle of this curse is still a blessing."

Pulling her into a quick hug, they separate, and Rus makes a portal for his family.

His brother steps closer to him and they bump fists. "Next time I want the full mortal experience. Not some ghost town," he says before winking and leaving with his mom and nan.

After they leave, Wynter walks over to me. "Are you doing okay? I know this is a huge shock. I think I might be in denial right now."

"You're pregnant, Wynter. I'm a little surprised, but I mean… You're a witch. Rus is a Fae. Things will never be normal between us."

"Normal is so boring. I want a life full of kittens and kisses," Rus says, joining our conversation.

"So… You're staying then?" Wynter looks at me with a little bit of hope shining in her green eyes.

"I can't speak for Astor, but I'm not going anywhere."