Chapter 35
Lucie woke up on the couch, a fuzzy blanket covering her.
She wasn’t sure at what point she fell asleep, but there was morning light streaming in from the window.
She looked over and saw Aedan sleeping on the recliner next to her.
He’d stayed with her all night. She smiled at him.
He was a really good brother. He did his best to keep her distracted last night.
Inhaling deeply, she sat up. This was unnatural.
She needed to be by her mate’s side, helping him fight.
She wasn’t the type to sit idly by while the guy, her mate, saved the day.
Neither were her parents, though, and they were planning to stand down for now.
She didn’t know much except what she’d been told about Meryl, Beryl’s grandmother, but her parents were being cautious.
Inside, she felt a hole that never existed before.
The absence of her mate was something she had never experienced in the past. And even though she wouldn’t do it, she wanted to bring the barriers up again.
She missed him. Missing him was a shallow way to describe the depth of her feelings. She hoped he was alright.
“I need foooooood. Pancakes, Lucie! Pancaaaakkeeess,” Aedan whined, his eyes still closed.
Lucie giggled and shook her head. He was still trying to distract her by making her cook. “Alright, I’ll whip us up some pancakes.”
“Eggs and sausage too. Oh, and wheat toast,” Aedan mumbled and turned his head to the side, his eyes still closed.
Lucie smiled as she quietly walked out of the room.
Usually, she would chastise him, but not this time.
He had a poor night’s sleep just so he could keep watch over her.
And even though he was going to benefit from it, he was using cooking as a distraction.
Even asleep, he was still aware of her. At least cooking was comforting to her.
It was therapeutic and would keep her distracted, for now.
She couldn’t wait for Jasper to come back and give her a full report.
Soon, the aroma of the different foods she was cooking filled the air, the scent waking Aedan up and beckoning him into the kitchen. “Banana pancakes and chocolate chip pancakes? And is that stuffed French toast?” Aedan eyed a plate she was dusting with powdered sugar.
“Yes it is. Just my little way of saying thank you for staying with me last night.”
“Well, I expect this every day now, since I’ll be staying with you every night for a while,” Aedan said with a wide grin.
“Cute, Aedan, but consider this a future down payment as well.” Lucie raised a brow at him with a grin, stacking the pancakes on a plate.
“Eh, I’ll take it. You think you made enough?” Aedan looked over all the different plates of food.
Lucie giggled and shrugged. “Guess there’s plenty.” She and Aedan set the many plates at the table, her brother filling his plate up with a bit of everything. Soon, he was shoveling food into his mouth.
“Mmmm, these are fantastic, Lucie.” Aedan was in pure heaven.
Lucie smiled and poked at her food, her mind on Derrick and Jasper. She wondered if they had gotten to rest. Was the fighting over? Did Derrick miss her as much as she missed him? Or was she just being pathetic? Her first boyfriend sort of deal … she felt like a heartsick puppy.
“Eat,” Aedan said tersely. He lifted his gaze to give Lucie a stern look.
“This is dumb, isn’t it? Shouldn’t we be fighting too?” Lucie finally said hastily.
“I agree. It is dumb. But this one must not be our fight. If this witch has really decided to target us, then for once we are the ones who shouldn’t be fighting.
I don’t like it. But this witch doesn’t have the means to destroy everyone.
She isn’t a real threat like the demon war was, but she could cause a big problem if she kills either of us.
With your death, the vampires lose their queen.
And with mine, the wolves lose their king.
” Aedan scowled. “I don’t like it either, though. ”
When did Aedan ever speak responsibly? She was looking for her cheerleader but instead got wisdom. What a let down, she thought wryly to herself. “He wants Jasper to take us back to the vampire kingdom immediately.”
“Hey, it’s not a bad thing. Think of it as an adventure.
You know, with everything going on here, we would be under lock and key anyway.
At least we’ll be safe to walk around there.
It’s a good way for your bro to assess the place for you and a way for you to really get a feel for it, since it’s going to be your home soon.
” Aedan looked up at Lucie and smiled. “I like him. I didn’t think it was possible to find a vampire better for you than Jasper, but I was wrong. He fits with you.”
Lucie blushed slightly and nodded. “He does.”
“We aren’t going to girl talk about it or anything,” Aedan said with a smirk. “But I wanted you to know I approve.”
“There really isn’t much girl talk at this point anyway.” Lucie said with a shrug. “Did Gia and everyone get back alright?” She had fallen asleep, so she wasn’t sure.
“Yes, all are back and accounted for. And for now, no one can travel without one of the current leaders or special permission from Mom and Dad. At least, those are the orders Sam put in place.” Aedan glanced up at the door and smiled. “Well, speaking of Mom and Dad …”
“I could smell the pancakes from out here,” Hunter said, walking in with Freja by his side. Freja’s eyes immediately landed on Lucie as they walked to the table.
“Sam filled us in already … on everything,” Hunter said, looking at Lucie as well.
“How’s Justice?” Aedan asked.
“It’s a lot to handle right now. It’s different when you grow up with the power, but getting it all at once like he did will take some getting used to.
Alexa and Mikah are staying in Elysia so that Mikah can help train him.
Between all the guardians there, they’ll get him sorted out.
” Hunter stuffed a large piece of pancake in his mouth.
“How are you doing?” Freja asked Lucie.
Lucie gave her mother a wry smile. “How do you think?”
Her mother nodded her head. “I figured as much. It’s hard being away from your mate. But everything is going to be fine, and this will all be over before you know it.”
“Xander is sending patrols out from the Western Dragon Kingdom. They have been ordered to take out any voidless they see. This will help the vampires greatly. Plus, they will report anything unusual to Xander. With their help, we should be able to end this quickly.” Hunter winked at his daughter.
They all knew that with the dragons’ aid, it was a done deal.
It wasn’t a matter of if … it was a matter of when.
There was a reason the demons feared them.
“They’re already taking measures against the premonition too.” Freja smiled at Lucie. “Everything is going to be fine. So just do your best to push it all from your mind.”
Lucie pointed to all the food on the table. “I was trying to do just that.”
Hunter chuckled. “We’ll be eating well, then.”
“Actually, about that …” Aedan looked at Lucie. “Lucie’s mate wants Jasper to take us to the vampire kingdom when he returns.”
Hunter and Freja exchanged glances. “Honestly, that’s probably a good idea.
” Hunter sighed. “I like having you two close, but for the first time, it will be safer if you aren’t here.
The vampire and dragon kingdoms are the safer places.
I’ll send word back to Justice so he can stay and train longer.
Chasen and Jin are already coming back tomorrow.
You know how nervous Chasen gets being away from me.
I tried to get him to stay and train with his son longer, but he wouldn’t budge.
He originally planned to stay the week, but I guess he started feeling anxious. ”
All this time and Chasen was still incredibly protective of Hunter. Just like Brody was of Reiya. And soon how Justice would be of Lucie. It was just a guardian’s nature. This was what awaited Lucie.
“I can see you’re still picking at your food.” Freja looked at her daughter’s plate. “Okay, enough. Let’s go. Aedan, clean up.”
“What’s going on?” Lucie asked.
“We’re going to train. I’m going to keep that mind so busy you’re not going to be able to mope.” Freja gave her daughter a half smile.
“Oh, poor Luce. Mom’s training sessions are brutal. Yes, Momma, I’ll clean up. I don’t mind at all. I love you so much. You’re the best Mom ever,” Aedan said with a cheesy smile.
“After you’re done cleaning, you and I are going to have our own workout,” Hunter said with a quiet chuckle.
Aedan dropped his gaze, his mouth forming a pout. “Maaaaan.” Aedan stood up, collecting plates. His dad wasn’t as grueling as his mother, but he didn’t pull his punches. He was going to be hurting after this.
“Lucie! Hold those daggers higher,” Freja barked loudly.
Lucie panted as she wiped the beads of sweat off her forehead. They’d been training for hours in the hot sun. Her mother was unforgiving with her training. You did it until it was perfect, and then you continued to practice it perfectly.
Her mother dashed toward her, daggers flashing as they caught the light.
Lucie spun to meet her, steel ringing sharp as silver struck silver.
The impact jolted up her arm, but she held firm, twisting with the force before breaking away.
She launched backward into a clean flip, boots hitting the ground hard as she dropped into a low defensive stance, breath steady, eyes locked.
The next attack came fast. A kick aimed for her ribs.
Lucie brought her forearm up just in time, the blow thudding against bone. Pain flared, but she didn’t hesitate. She drove forward instead of retreating, shoving into the strike and redirecting it, forcing her mother off balance. Momentum shifted in an instant.
Now.
She lunged.
Their bodies collided, the ground erupting in a burst of dust as they went down together, rolling, grappling, fighting for control. Fabric tore. Steel scraped. Neither gave an inch.
Then stillness.
Both lay locked in place, chests rising and falling, blades pressed tight to each other’s throats.
“Well done, Lucie,” Freja said, panting heavily.
“Good thing the voidless don’t fight like you two do, or we’d be done for,” a familiar voice said from a distance.
Lucie turned her head to see Jasper standing at the edge of the clearing. He looked completely fine. She smiled widely and jumped to her feet, sprinting toward him. He wrapped his arms around her.
“You weren’t worried, were you, Lucie?” Jasper asked, his tone playful as he patted her back.
She looked up at him with bated breath. She was dying to hear about what happened, and of course … Derrick.
He smiled down at her warmly. “Everyone is fine. Everyone. We had no casualties except for the voidless. Also, we got some unexpected help. A few fire breathers took out a massive army all on their own. Very convenient, huh?” He looked up at Freja, who only shrugged with a smile.
“Anyway, everyone is fine. I dropped a bag off at the house for you … from Ryan. It’s a shirt of his.” Jasper looked up at the sky, then winked down at Lucie. “He said you’ll sleep better wearing his scent, and so will he.”
Lucie giggled. It was a possessive move, trying to cover her body with his scent. But he was right. His scent would help her sleep. “He’s okay though?”
“Physically, he’s fine. I think he already misses you like crazy, though. But who wouldn’t?” Jasper grinned. “Except maybe now. You’re gross like this, all covered in sweat,” he teased playfully.
“Mom has kept me out here for hours,” Lucie groaned, throwing her mother a look.
“You are reprieved. Let’s go get showered up.” Freja watched her daughter smile brightly as she trotted back to the house. She fell into step beside Jasper, and they slowly strolled back together.
“I’m taking her with me,” Jasper said quietly.
“I know,” Freja whispered. “Keep my babies safe.”
“Always.”