Chapter 21 #2
“You know what, young lady? I believe that being all about you is where your problems began! I should have reined you in the first time you announced how pretty you thought you were. In case no one has ever told you — me included — no matter how pretty you are, your attitude can negate all of it. And you’re not a very pretty female to anyone who takes the time to look beneath the facade you wear like a mask.
One day, you’re going to look back and wish you’d not been so entitled.
In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if the very things you ignore and take for granted are the same things you are still reaching for on your death bed. ”
“Wow, Mother. What a kind and nurturing thing to say to your only daughter.”
“I pray I’m wrong, Saige. But unfortunately, if I’m not, you’re the only one that can change you. I just don’t understand how you came to this. I did not raise you this way.”
“You know what? Don’t worry about me. I know exactly who I am, what I deserve, and how I’m going to get what’s coming to me.
” Saige stomped away from her mother, and hurried toward the back of the house, the whole while shouting about disrespect and Marauder not being the only one in the family worthy of recognition.
She slammed the door so hard that Rowan’s body jerked at the sound before she let out her own little growl and went back to her kitchen.
Rowan cast her eyes up toward the ceiling, speaking to the heavens. “Forgive me, I know she’s mine. But I really hope that girl goes back to wherever she came from soon. I can only take so much of her attitude.”
~~~
“You know you really overstepped, right?” Boon asked.
“I’m only trying to celebrate you and Angelle.”
“No, you’re not.”
“What is it that you think I’m doing?” Lily demanded.
Boon looked down at his sister walking beside him, giving her more than a little side-eye.
“Well, come on. Tell me if you think I’m up to something nefarious!” Lily said. “And so you know, you really hurt my feelings.”
“Don’t go there. You know I love you, right?” Boon asked, as they strolled slowly down the path leading away from the party preparations and further into the wooded areas of Whispers.
“Then you should let me give you a wedding.”
“It’s not about giving me a wedding.”
“Then what in the world do you think I’m doing?” Lily asked.
“You’re trying to make up for not getting to plan a wedding for Tempest by planning one for me and Angelle.”
“No, I’m not!”
“Come on, Lily. When have you ever been under the impression that I wanted a big formal wedding?”
“Angelle might! She’s human. These things mean more to humans than to paranormals.”
Boon looked doubtfully at her.
Lily sighed. “I’m just trying to do something special for you.”
“We don’t want a wedding right now. Maybe not ever, and if we do, Angelle will plan it the way she wants it.”
“Fine. We’ll just have a regular party for Eli,” Lily said.
“Or…” Boon said, looking teasingly at his sister.
“Or what?” Lily asked, looking over at her brother.
“Why don’t you talk to Tempest and Brandt.
Tell Tempest how much you wish you could have given her a wedding.
After you get her approval, maybe plan a little ceremony for them.
She’s the one you really want to plan a wedding for anyway.
And everyone can celebrate Elijah, too. Angelle and I will just be there, celebrating Elijah, and Tempest and Brandt along with everyone else. ”
“Brandt might want to have it with his people,” Lily said.
“Angelle mentioned that the bride usually has the ceremony in her own community. This is Tempest’s community. And if Brandt wants anyone from his people to be here for the ceremony, you can bring them here.”
“I suppose I could see if they’d mind.”
“I’m sure if they understand how much it means to you, they’d be okay with it. We, however, are not okay with it being for us,” Boon said.
“I owe you an apology. I did promise I’d keep it small and informal, but I went the opposite direction.”
“It’s fine. As long as you don’t put us on display. We don’t like being around a lot of people, Lily. You know that.”
“Yes, I do. I guess I just didn’t realize how much I felt left out of Tempest and Brandt’s life.”
“Tell her. Tell them. They’re used to being the focus; they’re the Alphas of their shifter clan. And Eli will be right there with them. We’ll just be attendees — for a little while.”
“You better stay longer than a little while.”
“We’ll see.”
“Fine. How about you help us set up while you’re here?” Lily asked.
“I can do that, but I’m just making sure you understand. If we get here and there’s a wedding we’re supposed to be a part of, we’re leaving. I’m also reminding you that you need to talk to Tempest before you plan her wedding.”
“You’re being very difficult today, as well as uncooperative,” Lily said.
~~~
Angelle knelt on the ground and peered closely at a cream colored mushroom growing on the trunk of a tree.
She looked at the small book she carried with her, opened to a page with a sketch of a mushroom that just might be of the same variety.
She looked at the large mushrooms once more before she held the book out next to them.
“That’s gotta be the same thing,” she said to herself.
She sat back and looked up the trunk of the tree to the very top.
It was only then that she realized the direction of the sun had changed, letting her know more time had passed than she realized.
“Better get back,” she said, standing and brushing the dirt off her knees, then her bottom.
She closed her book, and very carefully cradled it in her hands as she made her way back through the woods in the direction of her home.
Angelle smiled. Home. Something she wasn’t sure she’d ever share with a mate.
She was still wearing that smile twenty minutes later when she finally made her way out of the woods and got a sense of where she was.
The bank of the bayou that ran past her home was right in front of her, but she’d wandered far enough that she couldn’t see her house.
“Follow the water, it’ll take me home,” she assured herself.
It wasn’t long before she could just make out the peninsula-like curve of hers and Boon’s land up ahead and knew as soon as she got closer she’d see their home set back toward the middle of their property.
Sure enough, as she made her way further toward where she believed her home was, it eventually became visible.
“And there it is,” she said happily, proud of herself for not getting lost. She didn’t hesitate to gravitate right toward the house, running lightly up the stairs and opening the door without hesitation.
Then she came to a complete stop, her heart thundering in her ears as she realized immediately, that she was not alone.
“Get out of my home!” Saige shouted, standing up from the table where she’d been sipping a cup of tea. “Leave before I call for help!”
Angelle remained perfectly still, her gaze on the stranger claiming that this was her house, and not Angelle’s. “You’re mistaken. This is my home. You need to go, immediately,” Angelle said, her voice calm and steady.
“Get out! Oh, my gods! What do you want? Don’t hurt me!”
Angelle slowly began walking toward Saige.
“Don’t touch me! My mate will rip you limb from limb if you hurt me!”
“Who are you?” Angelle asked.
“Saige. And this is my home! Mine and Boon’s! We spent the afternoon together planning our wedding! He told me to wait here while he went to go make sure that some human he’d been spending time with doesn’t cause me distress. Wait! Are you that human? You are, aren’t you?”
Angelle nodded slowly. “I am that human.”
“Did you really think he’d mate you? A male like Boon would never settle for such a plain, boring female. He needs fire, excitement, challenge!”
“Is that what he told you?” Angelle asked.
“He didn’t have to. We’ve been fated since we were born.”
“I suppose that’s why you never agreed to mate him.”
“You poor dear. My heart hurts for you, it really does. I can’t stand to see you hurt any more than you are already. Just, go. Go and I won’t even tell him that you came back here. There’s no need to cause yourself any more embarrassment.”
“Why would I be embarrassed?”
“I’m sorry. I forgot you are human. I said it, but perhaps you didn’t catch it.
We are being married tomorrow. A huge, formal ordeal with all our friends and family — the whole of Whispers actually, and it just wouldn’t do to have you attend.
Especially since he’ll reject you the moment he sees you.
It would no doubt be humiliating for you when he confesses that he was only toying with you. ”
Angelle nodded slowly as she thought about Saige and every bit of manipulative drivel coming out of her mouth.
“I am very sorry that you’ve been mistreated by Boon, but it is the way of Gargoyles to find a way to occupy their time until their true love acquiesces and becomes theirs.
You know what you should do? You should just return home to your human world, find yourself a human male and refuse to allow him to treat you as though you don’t matter.
Demand that he gives you exactly what you deserve.
In fact, I think that you should start demanding your due before you even get home.
But you really need to go now before Boon gets home.
He told me to be waiting in our bedroom when he returns.
He’ll be quite put out if I’m not in exactly the place and condition,” she lowered her voice and whispered — “naked” before finishing her sentence in a normal voice — “when he gets home.”
“I think you’re right. It’s time that I took control and demanded my due.”
Saige clasped her hands in front of her and let out a soft, empathetic sigh. “Oh, I do so hope you’ll find a love equal to Boon’s and mine.”
“Do you mind if I gather my things quickly. It’s only a few pieces of clothing,” Angelle said.
“If you must, but please hurry. You can’t be here when he returns. He did tell me that if you returned I should refuse to allow you into our home.”
“I understand,” Angelle said. She didn’t cry.
She didn’t lose control. In fact, she slipped into a calm, self-assured state of being.
There was no doubt in her mind exactly what she needed to do.
She walked down the hallway past the bedrooms and the bathroom, and went straight to Boon’s man cave on the opposite end of the house.
She went to the rack on the wall where Boon’s crossbow hung, fully cocked with a bolt in place, waiting to be fired.
“Human! You really must get out of my house! Please, get what you need and go!”
“Oh, I’m getting it,” Angelle called back to her.
Angelle tested the crossbow in her arms, balancing it and taking aim at the wall.
It was a lot like the one her father used for hunting.
Thinking better of using the razor sharp bolts Boon had loaded onto it, she changed it out for a lighter practice bolt with edges that weren’t sharpened to a razor point, then slipped a handful more into the pocket of the loose dress she was still wearing.
Smiling to herself, she held it at the ready as she made her way up the other hallway, past the second bathroom and the dining area back toward the kitchen.
When she stepped into the kitchen, the crossbow against her shoulder, lining up her shot as she aimed it at Saige; Saige screeched and jumped up from the table she’d been sitting at.
“I’ll kill you, you stupid little bitch! ” Saige screamed.
Angelle didn’t answer. She pressed the trigger and let the bolt fly.
Saige turned her back just in time to save herself from being struck right in the chest, but not in enough time to prevent herself from being injured. The bolt breezed past her arm, slicing the outer edge of her bicep.
Saige screamed, grabbing at her injured arm as blood started coursing down toward her fingers, then dripped onto the floor.
As Saige screamed and tried to get away, Angelle calmly nocked another bolt in place, reloading the cross bow. She raised it and aimed it at Saige again.
“Nooooo!” Saige screamed, running for the door.
“Yes. Boon is mine. I don’t share, and I don’t scare easily. Get out of my house.”
“I’ll be back, with Boon!” Saige shrieked.
“Get out!” Angelle insisted, taking aim at Saige again.
Saige screamed again, this time just pure rage as Angelle closed in on her, the cross bow still cocked and aimed at her head.
Saige let go of her bleeding arm just long enough to turn the knob and yank the door open.
She ran down the steps as Angelle stood on the top one, watching her go.
“This is my house. Mine and Boon’s! I was raised by a Dragon and taught to protect what’s mine.
I’m not afraid to do whatever it takes. Do not come back or I’ll kill you where you stand!
” Angelle yelled, as she let the bolt fly.
Saige turned to run, screaming again as the bolt hit her, the force knocking her down the last three or four steps and throwing her to the ground. Saige lay on the ground writhing, screaming for anyone to save her as she arched her back and tried to relieve the pain in her ass.
“Oh, my! Seems I shot you in the ass rather than in the back. Lucky for you I’m a good shot, and a decent human. I could easily have killed you. Don’t come back to my house, you lying bitch.”
Angelle slammed the door and locked it. She walked over to the table where Saige’s cup still sat and picked it up, planning to wash it.
She thought better of it, changed her mind and took it over to the door.
She walked out onto the porch and onto the top stair where she threw it as hard as she could at Saige, who still lay screaming and crying in pain and outrage on the ground.
The cup only added insult to injury as it hit Saige’s head and broke into several pieces, leaving a little gash on her forehead.
“Aren’t you gone yet? I’m going to get another bolt! ”
In fact, Angelle did go load another bolt onto Boon’s cross bow. She walked out onto the porch and aimed it at the spot Saige had been. But Saige wasn’t lying there. She was hobbling away, screaming and crying with every step she took.
Angelle stood for a second watching her go, giggling just a little. “Ah, well. Guess she won’t be back anytime soon.”