Chapter 13 No Longer Hidden #2
Abigail linked, “We are on clouds.” I squealed, “I’m so glad Gage came with you!” Abigail snorted, “Yeah, Gage told Phil he would portal him here because we were not missing this. Plus, if Phil had to keep Alexander from entering the arena my mate had to be here to help.”
I replied, “I mean… they will probably have the promised family go down there… when Haley wins. Xander won’t interrupt the challenge… but if someone kept him in his seat… based on the research I read… it would be me.”
Abigail agreed, “It definitely will be. Straddle him if necessary.” Ok… that would not have been my plan… but I could take my Gamma Female’s advice. Freya purred, “That’s the best advice ever. Let’s preempt the need to do it.” I rolled my eyes at my wolf.
I focused back on the facts. We were obviously on the Sky side of the arena based on our seating arrangements. Logically, I did know it couldn’t be a real cloud. I knew that because we’d fall… but they’d made the seats like a cloud. That was cool.
I couldn’t stop my blush when Xander called me his wife. I looked down at my lap because it was surreal sometimes. After all these years of longing… I was actually Xander’s wife. My mate accepted me as his mate, made me his Luna, and married me.
Freya apologized, “I’m sorry you ever thought things would go differently, Melanie. I know how much it hurt you.” I was really sorry too because I wasted so much time believing in lies. Freya said, “You didn’t have me yet to fight the magic.” Which pissed me off.
Freya agreed, “It upsets me too. Spells didn’t affect you once you turned sixteen, but the ones cast prior still took effect. Then I was locked away and weakened so I couldn’t fight for you.” I told my wolf, “That’s not your fault. It’s the Ring, Valdoma’s and Ezra’s.” Freya hummed her agreement.
I caught sight of Haley. I linked Elise, “Now there’s a Fairy Princess.
” Elise snickered, “If only I could get one of those outfits.” I reasoned, “I bet we could. Haley would snap them for us. Or Angela... well obviously Cassie too.” Elise linked me, “Ok, valid point. We might just have to do that.” I was in.
Eric’s reaction was visceral and the Hackura made their presence known.
They all seemed to enjoy the fact that many Fairies were now uncomfortable because they were here.
Titus simply smiled at those managing not to tremble in his presence.
Given I’d seen his REAL smile, I knew why the Fae found this one unsettling.
Gerdishek actually studied Haley’s body. Ugh! That jerk. Freya said, “I agree.” My mother in law and her opponent traded jabs. I had to admire Haley’s technique to get Gerdishek to talk. It was working wonderfully.
Not that it was surprising… since Haley’d been trained by the best. I looked over at Bjourn who was smiling proudly at my mother in law. Eric had to be restrained by Lucas, Alpha Chase, and Marcus when Gerdishek threatened to kill Haley.
TJ popped to his dad while I was focusing on my breathing.
Eric’s anger was so harsh I could taste it on my tongue.
Then there was my mate’s all-consuming anger in the bond.
I felt my hands begin to tingle. I needed to get a handle on my powers quickly.
Freya grumbled, “Or shoot him with our powers and watch everyone go crazy.” Except that was against the rules.
Freya argued, “A goddess does not agree, or comply, to the rules of the living realms.” Well… I was not a full-fledged goddess until I ascended. Freya snorted, “But I am.” I wondered if that argument would hold.
Haley taunted and baited Gerdishek beautifully. It was really sad that the O’Toole’s had caused so much dissent, turning Fairies on the partials. They’d done it on purpose, but there was once a time when this dark history didn’t exist. They brought it to be.
It was really sad when you thought about all those who lost their lives, or were treated horribly, because of a grudge the O’Toole’s held. Xander’s fury lit through me when Gerdishek insulted his mother. I gripped his hand tightly hoping to keep him here.
Abigail linked, “If that doesn’t work, I’m telling you straddle him.” Freya agreed, “Definitely do that.” My mate’s eyes were blazing gold. I looked around and all his siblings eyes were too, even Angela. Klaus was whispering in her ear. My sister in law nodded to him but she was still angry.
No one was straddling anyone yet though. Freya urged, “Do so and be a trendsetter.” If we were in the Hackura realm, that would easily be the way to go. Here in Faerie, that felt like a last ditch effort type of plan. Freya groaned, “Darn the location and your logic.”
Gerdishek slipped, admitting that many members of his family got out of Faerie. I bit my lip nervously. Haley had to be making him tell the truth. I didn’t have exact numbers… and I kind of wished Gerdishek would say… that would be helpful.
I needed to figure that out because I needed to know exactly how many enemies Xander had, simply because of who he was related to. Freya said, “You do know quite a few.” Because of Charles, but there were more.
Elise linked me asking, “Do you know who got out?” I answered, “Not all of them, no… however, I will do my best to find them all.” Elise sighed in relief, “Thank god.” She might have too much faith in me. Freya snorted, “She does not.”
Well, I’d ask Charles for help, since he had a personal stake in finding the O’Toole’s. He wanted vengeance against them. Any of them… and he wouldn’t care who they were. I’d make sure they were bad people before I involved him.
I wouldn’t let someone die because of their last name. If they were after my mate though… I’d use any, and all, weapons in my arsenal to make sure they regretted that with every fiber of their being. Freya agreed, “I can easily get behind that.”
When Haley mentioned Alania, the look on Gerdishek’s face told me everything. Freya linked, “I agree.” Yeah, I knew…without a doubt this Fairy knew that Alania didn’t die peacefully and that was one of his plays. He was going to tell Haley.
Clearly Gerdishek had been waiting for Haley to mention it so he could distract her. That’s how he planned to get to her. Dang… It was a smart play. In theory. In reality, it was strange that he thought Haley didn’t know that.
I studied Haley as Gerdishek laid it out for her. My mother in law had a lock on her emotions though. I linked Freya, “I don’t understand why he thought that would surprise her really.” Freya replied, “She’s not surprised at all. She knew.” Of course she did, Haley was very smart.
I couldn’t help but smile when Haley replied. Honestly… her reaction was more than fair. I felt those in attendance shock that Haley knew about Alania’s true death. Why? Even Xander was shocked… they had to know that Alania might mention it in the Beyond… or that Haley would piece it together.
Aiden’s hands extinguished when Haley spoke about his father being more of a parent to her than their mother. A light smile played on my mate’s Fairy Uncle’s lips. Lucinda pulled him back down into his seat. They shared a look so intimate I had to look away because I felt like I was intruding.
I didn’t need a bond to know everyone here felt ridiculously proud of Haley at this moment. Eric’s eyes were screaming his lustful thoughts. I needed to stop looking at him because his lust was starting to affect me.
Freya urged, “Nooooo! Keep looking at him and throw mate into the nearest room. We can feed off that emotion.” I argued, “Umm… that’s weird, because it is our mate’s parents.
” Freya sighed, “It’s not weird to mate.
Besides, we can feel some emotions. We might as well play with the fun ones.
Like the lust. We have a hot mate who should spend more time naked with us. ”
Gerdishek winked at Xander, talking about suffering. I asked my wolf, “How do we shut off our feelings?” Freya sighed, “I'll do it.” Once I felt a block up, I let myself feel the guilt. They’d used me to hurt Xander.
Tears filled my eyes and I looked away. The one thing I’d never wanted was to do was hurt Xander. I’d done all these things to make him happy, and all this time… I’d been a weapon used to hurt him. Which grated me to a large degree.
Eric linked me, “None of this is your fault.” I startled and looked over and saw his eyes locked onto mine. My father in law told me, “You are not responsible for the Ring’s actions. Alexander was hurting because he wanted you.”
I replied, “I never wanted to hurt him… or be used to hurt him.” Eric reasoned, “My son’s torture was more psychological. You were the one who suffered here. They hurt Alexander, yes, and for that they will bleed.”
“They will pay for what they did to you both. The Ring ripped you from your life. They tried to change your destiny, but you are here with my son. You are together now so all their planning meant nothing.”
“They had some years of success. In all our lives that’s basically a drop in the bucket. Don’t feel guilty over the things out of your control. Just keep living your life with my son. That will piss of the Ring the most.” I nodded back because his logic made sense.
Sierra linked me, “Are you ok?” I answered, “You know… I did all this to keep Xander safe… and they hurt him using me…but Eric made valid points… about the whole situation.” Sierra chuckled, “Your father in law has your number then.” I wasn’t sure about that, but Eric had used logic.
The man was known for being logical though.
Gerdishek finally ran out of information. He couldn’t answer which Holloran betrayed them all and helped the O’Toole’s escape. Ugh! Rude. Freya agreed, “He’s totally useless then.” Haley didn’t waste time with him after that.
I looked around realizing the whole place wanted to erupt with cheers; they were just scared because of the Hackura’s presence. I looked at Haley knowing she deserved this moment. I jumped to my feet and started to clap.