Chapter 34 #2
Annabella smiles, expression softening. “You both can call me Annabella. Especially,” she wags a finger towards the three of them, “If what’s written on your faces is true.”
Christopher clears his throat to hide his smirk. Were the three of them really that obvious? “So, boys,” says Christopher, “anything you would like to update us on?”
The manor is thrown into a celebration, one for Sarah and Charlie as well as Eddie, Hakeem and Jackson.
All the Seung-LaLune siblings had found their mates.
Annabella was comforting her husband who was in tears over his joy for their son.
Years of heartache coming to fruition. Hakeem was crowded by his family and Charlie.
Shadi was tearful as he pulled his nephew into a hug.
Nour and Mazen coerced him into a selfie with Jackson and Eddie, proclaiming their new cousin-in-laws.
Sarah comforts Charlie who is tearful over their long time friend’s new found love being empowered by the bond of mates.
“I think you cried less when you found out we were mates, babe,” Says Sarah jokingly.
“I’m sorry, mon amour. It’s just… my little introverted nerd finally found a life of his own.”
“Charlie!” Admonishes Hakeem.
Eddie and Jackson pull him into their embrace. “He’s our introverted nerd now.” Hakeem grumbles as he accepts kisses on the cheek from both of them.
The spell on Princess doesn’t seem to be wearing off.
When asked about it Hakeem said there should be nothing to worry about, it might just be an effect of their magic changing as the bond between them grew.
Bahera and Janice spoiled the little raccoon the rest of the weekend.
Annabella was the new target of her surprise hugs.
Jackson wonders if it was a vampire thing.
Eddie didn’t go home with the boys at the end of the weekend. His father insisted he spend the next month training, taming his wolf. The next full moon was the fifteenth of June, a week before the summer solstice and Jackson’s hundredth birthday.
“We’ll call every day,” says Hakeem with his face buried in Eddie’s chest, wrapped in his arms.
Jackson cups Eddie’s face and kisses his cheeks, “Be safe, my darling.”
Eddie pulls him in beside Hakeem for a squeeze, “I’ll be sure to come back to you.”
“You better.” Hakeem’s whimper is muffled by Eddie’s pecs.
Eddie gives Princess Bandit head scratches and kisses her furry little head. “You watch them for me. Can you do that, Princess?”
The little raccoon nods with glossy eyes. “Ye,” is all she can squeak out, the wish seemingly still in full effect.
Eddie waves them off, holding back his tears.
It was just a month. He had to work hard to keep his wolf in control.
After the next full moon he could come back to them, no longer as a rampaging monster, but as their noble knight sworn to protect them with his life.
He swears to himself that not even the Lycan that dwells in his soul would keep him from them.
* * *
Hakeem and Jackson return to the apartment, it seems so empty without Eddie.
They cuddle up on the couch, Jackson curling into Hakeem’s chest. Hakeem runs his fingers through Jackson’s hair, along his shoulders and down his back.
Jackson’s fingers curl into the material of Hakeem’s shirt, pulling them closer together.
“I miss him already. Does the bond of mates make the feeling worse?” Hakeem sighs as he wraps his arms around the elf curled up to him.
“I think so. Even then, I think we would miss our Eddie regardless,” mutters Jackson.
“What happens when you turn a hundred?” asks Hakeem to fill the deafening silence. A spring storm had rolled in, rain pitter pattering against the glass terrace doors.
Jackson nuzzles against his mage. “I officially join high society. Elves reach physical and mental maturity the same rate as humans, but due to our life spans our culture dictates we don’t take on adult roles in society till our hundredth year.
My responsibilities will grow from beyond public appearances, though those will become much more expected.
I will inherit all holdings placed under my name, all accounts and land set aside by my family, as well as officially claim my title as heir to the Nocturne throne.
Technically you and Eddie will be tied to a prince. ”
Hakeem freezes at the notion, he had forgotten about that stipulation with all the new emotions stirring in his heart. He relaxes as his gaze meets Jackson’s, filled with love. He leans down to kiss his prince. “You already are that and so much more to me. To us, even.”
Jackson smiles against his lips. “In my heart, I know that to be true.”
Hakeem runs his finger along Jackson’s shoulder, contemplatively, “Do we have to do anything in preparation?”
Jackson shakes his head, dark hair tickling Hakeem’s nose, “No. I’ve been preparing for this for years after my return from the human realm.”
“Will anything change? For us? Will you have to be away often?” Concern laces Hakeem’s question.
Jackson shifts out of Hakeem’s hold, moving to straddle his waist. Hakeem places his hands on Jackson’s hips as the elven man takes his face in pale hands, looking down at him with passion burning in his forest green eyes.
He leans into a long kiss, deep and sweet, tongues brushing against one another.
When Jackson breaks away he presses his forehead to Hakeem’s.
“Never. My mother is still the matriarch of the Winter Realm. My place is here, with the two of you, for years to come. She has my father and grandmother if need be. As long as I can I will strive to never leave your side.”
Hakeem’s eyes water. “As long as my body allows me to walk these realms, I will love you and Eddie with all my heart and soul.” His breath shudders on the last words.
Jackson strokes Hakeem’s cheeks, wiping away any rogue tears, a loving smile filling his eyes.
“He will come back to us. We will have countless years together. Even when my heart stops and I become a true vampire, when both of you move on from this life to the next, I will always love you. Thank you, for pulling me out of the darkness and loving me, all of me.”
Hakeem giggles, sniffing back tears. He cannot express with words alone how grateful he is to have found his fate in these two men, so he let his kiss speak for him.