Chapter 52
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Chasen and Jester both managed to come back with large fish.
There wasn’t anything else close by, and they didn’t want to venture far away, especially since they were now in vampire territory.
The group sat around the fire, where they eventually settled in for the evening.
Jin was tucked in Chasen’s arms and Freja was wrapped in Hunter’s.
Ciana curled up next to a tree while Jester sat at the fire, taking first watch.
It wasn’t wise for all of them to sleep at the same time.
Someone needed to be alert, just in case.
Hunter and Freja took the last shift together. The night had come and gone, and morning had come without a hitch. Freja sat at Hunter’s side as they watched the fire. They would soon be waking the others.
“I was thinking …” Hunter said, clearing his throat quietly.
He glanced at Freja, whose green emeralds were looking back at him.
“When things settle down, I guess that will be after we defeat the demons … but I was thinking maybe we could do this properly, you know?” He watched as Freja tilted her head to look at him, not understanding what he was saying.
“I mean, our relationship. I’d like to take you out on a couple dates.
Do normal couple things that don't include killing enemies for once.” He chuckled and cleared his throat again.
“And, um … I was thinking, maybe … if you want, that is … maybe we could get married?” He blushed, giving her a crooked smile at his own awkwardness.
Freja’s eyes shone up at him. A smile spread across her face as she leaned in and brushed her lips against his. The tingling warmth made her body shiver as she pushed into him for more. “Yes, Hunter. To all of it.”
“Man, that was painful to listen to. I wasn’t sure if you were going to get a favorable response after that,” Chasen said groggily, smirking up at his brother, who was turning dark shades of red.
“Aww, I think it was cute,” Ciana added while Jin giggled.
“It gave me warm fuzzies,” Jester teased as he sat up.
Freja giggled as Hunter looked away from everyone in full embarrassment.
His whole face was now a dark crimson shade, all the way up to his ears.
She interlocked her fingers with his. When their eyes met, she looked back at him with all her love.
“Hunter, I love you. You’re the best part of my life. ”
“I love you, Freja.” He kissed her forehead, lifting to his feet and clearing his throat. “Well, we should get going. Especially since you’re all awake enough to listen in on a private conversation,” he growled out in playful annoyance.
“Thanks for setting the bar high, Hunter. If I don’t find someone as sweet as you, I’ll never be satisfied.” Ciana giggled as she dusted herself off.
“Lucky for me, my chocolate bear is already super sweet.” Jin looked up at Chasen with a sweet smile.
Chasen smiled at her. “Only for you, though. So don’t go spreading that around.” He looked over at Hunter, and a soft smile spread across his face. He turned his gaze back to Jin. “We can make this official too, if you want.”
“A dual wedding?” Jin bounced in excitement and looked at Freja to see what she thought.
“That sounds great to me. We can all share our perfect day together.” Freja watched as Jin bounced around even more excitedly.
“And we can remind ourselves of the important date.” Hunter winked at Chasen who chuckled, nodding in agreement.
“I wasn’t trying to horn in on your wedding date.” Chasen looked at Hunter, who waved him off.
“Are you kidding? This will be even more special this way. Maybe we can drag Reiya and her mate in on this, too. All three of us getting married on the same day,” Hunter mused thoughtfully.
“Wouldn’t it be awesome if Brody took a mate, too?
I’ll have to talk with him and tell him that it's okay. I want him to have what I have. Not in the literal sense. Jin is mine … but I want him to experience what it’s like having a mate.
” Chasen smiled down at Jin, lowering his head and gently brushing his lips against hers.
He couldn’t imagine not having her in his life.
He felt complete, and he wanted Brody to have this too.
“I can’t wait for you to meet him, Jin. I’m excited to introduce you to him and my sister, Reiya. I know they’ll love you,” Chasen said proudly.
“I can’t wait.”
“Better be careful, though. Brody has chocolate brown eyes, too. She just might go and choose the other brother,” Hunter teased as the group started on the rest of their journey.
Chasen chuckled. “Jin here is mine. If Brody wants a mate, he’ll have to find his own.”
“Well, I mean, if he has chocolate eyes …” Jin teased and listened to the low growl that reverberated from Chasen’s chest.
“My eyes better be the only eyes you love,” Chasen said as he squeezed her to his side.
“Your eyes and your children’s eyes, of course.” Ciana smirked, looking back at the two embarrassed faces.
“Ciana,” Jin hissed in embarrassment.
Chasen chuckled. “You’re allowed to love our children’s eyes too, Jin. No matter what color they are.” He beamed as he saw her cheeks heat up.
“So, Freja … you plan to have children soon?” Jester grinned, spreading the embarrassment around. But he was shocked at how calm and collected Freja was. It was Hunter who looked more embarrassed.
Freja continued to look forward as she walked. “I don’t know if I’ll jump straight into it soon. But maybe after the demon war?”
Jester was a bit disappointed with her reaction, so he pushed further. “How many children do you plan to have?”
Freja smiled as she continued to walk. She knew exactly what Jester was doing, but she was going to turn the game on him.
“I guess as many as my mate can fill me up with.” She finally turned her head and smirked at Jester, who was the embarrassed one now.
Though what she said didn’t just affect him.
She felt hands at her hips, and they pulled her backward into a strong chest.
“You can’t say things like that, Freja,” Hunter growled near her mark. His hot breath whispered against her. “You’re putting ideas in my head. All I can think about is how we will create the babies.”
Freja spun around and kissed his jawline. “You’re going to have to wait on that, love.” She looked back at Jester. “In all honesty, I’m thinking two, maybe four children. But it’s something that Hunter and I haven’t discussed. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what life has planned for us.”
“This really suits you, Freja,” Jester said with a smile. “I always knew you had so much more to offer, and I’m really happy you found it.” He looked over at Hunter. “You’re a good guy. You two make a great match.”
“Thank you. She’s the person I’ve been searching for.
I can’t be whole without her.” Hunter glanced at Jester and smiled.
He understood the depth of what Jester was saying there.
Even though Jester had feelings for Freja, he could see how happy she was and how well she was being taken care of.
This was his way of telling Hunter he’d accepted their relationship and him as her mate.
Jester cleared his throat and pointed off in the distance.
“We’ll be coming upon the human village soon.
Surprisingly, they do have electricity out here, even though there aren’t any roads.
It’s the same way the dragon kingdom works, and I’m assuming the fairy kingdom as well.
Cell phones don’t work out here, but other than that, it’s like its own secluded little town. ”
Chasen glanced up and around, surveying the area. He could see that Jester periodically looked upward as well.
Freja sighed and rubbed her temple. “We’re not morons. We know they’re up there. They’re way too noisy.”
Hunter growled lowly as he listened to the sounds above them.
Jester chuckled. “We know you’re up there. Do you wish to continue to act like a child playing hide and seek, thinking no one knows you’re there?”
Three figures dropped to the ground in front of the group. There was a murderous glare in their eyes until they fell on Jester. Their eyes widened, and they lowered their heads in respect, nervously looking at the outsiders.
Jester looked at the nervous scouts. “They’re with me. We’re coming to see my brother. Go ahead and let him know we’re coming. We’ll be there in an hour or so.”
The men quickly leaped back into the trees and dashed away. Jester shook his head and sighed. “What a talkative bunch.” He smirked as he looked over at the others in his group.
“Was that a good idea? To give them time to prepare for us?” Ciana said with a scowl. She didn’t like the idea of the vampires getting a heads up.
Jester laughed. “This is all just a formality. Trust me. The moment I set foot in my brother’s territory, he knew I was here. He knew all of you were here.”
“We’ve been followed by another since we entered vampire territory, though they’re quieter than this last group. But he’s still above us now,” Freja said in minor annoyance.
Jester whistled. “Impressive as ever, Freja.”
Just then, another body dropped to the ground. She rose and glanced at Freja, then shifted her gaze to Jester.
“What were your orders? Just to follow us? Or was there something more,” Jester said in a cold tone.
The woman snorted, turning her gaze away from Jester and back to Freja. “I came to investigate the strange energy from this young dhampir.”
Freja chuckled lightly, and her green eyes pierced the blue ones in front of her. “Investigate or challenge?” Freja asked tersely.
“For now … investigate.”
“Good. Because you’ll need more than just yourself to challenge me.” Freja’s deadly glare didn’t alter as she held it on the woman. The woman didn’t flinch. Instead, a smile curled up over her lips.
“I think I like you. Hopefully I don’t have to kill you later.” The woman then relaxed her stance. “My name is Irene. And who are all of you?” Her eyes flashed over everyone.
They went through the introductions, ending with Jester. “I’m the king's brother, Jester. I’ve been away for a while. I’m sure you have heard of me.”
Irene nodded slightly.
“You don’t know each other?” Ciana asked.
“No, I only came here about a decade ago.” Irene averted her gaze from Jester and looked back at Freja. “You’re good to be able to notice me. Very good. Most can’t find my presence once I’ve hidden it.”
Freja smiled. “Those who work as assassins and hunters have to be stealthy.”
Irene’s eyes flickered as she nodded in understanding.
Freja looked over at Jester, whose eyes hadn't left Irene. He was following her every movement with intense interest.
“I’ll escort you to the King,” Irene finally said as she turned around.
Freja smiled. She could sense the awkwardness of this girl. She wasn’t used to being around others, much like how she used to be. She wondered if something tragic led her down this road or if it was something she chose.
“We want to visit the human village for a moment. We just want to see how they like living here,” Ciana spoke up as Irene stopped to look at her.
“And if they hate their lives? What do you intend to do about it?” Her cold gaze landed on Ciana.
Freja smirked and took a step away from Hunter, directing Irene’s attention to her. “I think you already know what we’ll do about it.”
Irene moved her gaze over Freja, then Hunter, Chasen, Jin and Ciana.
She studied each person, analyzing their strength.
She finished her pass at Jester, sighing.
They were a strong group. If they decided to fight, she couldn’t win against them.
She then looked back at Freja. A deadly aura clung to this girl, and the raw energy radiating from her promised she could back it up.
She finally shrugged. “I think you’ll find that they love their life here.
But you are welcome to assess that for yourself. ”
They followed Irene in silence until a village came into view. She walked up to the entrance, nodding to the others. “Go ahead and check it out.”
The group all walked into the town, greeting the different people. All except one. Jester stayed with Irene, who was standing outside the village. He turned, and his amber eyes met her blue ones.
“We need to talk.”