Chapter 51
“He doesn’t know that I have these memories and I don’t think he should. I don’t want him to think this is the only reason I accepted him. Because I already had, before this knowledge.” Lucie felt Derrick squeeze her into his chest as his hand brushed over her side.
“Abaas mentioned that Lita here might be able to understand the energy buildup. But it seems you also understand this?” Derrick said, his gaze shifting to the Great Sage.
“You’re soulmates,” Lita said simply. “The energy is building up together and syncing with each other.”
“It seems like the energy is waiting for something,” The Great Sage said in his gentle, weathered voice.
“Of course it is. Have you accepted him as your future prince yet, Lucie?” Lita smiled softly.
“I don’t plan on being the fairy princess, though.”
“Doesn’t work that way. No matter what, that part of you isn’t going away now.
You don’t have to become a reigning heir to the throne, but you are now and forever a fairy princess.
The fairy magic has chosen you. Alexa will still be the ruling heir, but you are gifted the magic and abilities.
” Lita looked over at Reiya, who also nodded her head in agreement.
“Think of it as a power boost, Lucie.” Alexa giggled.
“So this should all settle after that?” Lucie watched Lita nod her head, so she turned to Derrick. “Let’s see if this works.” She reached up to his shoulders and lowered him to his knees. Derrick kept his amber eyes on her.
“I am accepting you as my present and future. Now a prince to fairy kind. They will be your people to protect as well.” She leaned down and kissed his forehead and then his eyes.
Derrick felt the warmth spreading through his chest and flowing through his body, no longer compacted inside him. He could feel a surge of strength as well, a new energy he was being granted access to.
“With this, you’ll be able to see those cave brownies now.” Lucie smiled as he stood in front of her. The energy inside her was also flowing freely. New powers were building up inside her as well, but it was impossible to know what they were at the moment.
“There. Much better now.” Lita turned to Asher, who nodded his head in silent conversation.
“It’s time for us to get back,” Asher said as he wrapped Lita in his arms. A moment later, a portal appeared in front of them.
“We have a lot of work to do and a premonition to stop. Hunter, you and Freja stay safe. I want you to avoid the fighting if possible.” Lita looked at her son with her momma eyes.
Hunter chuckled and nodded. “Don’t worry, Mom. We aren’t planning on doing anything unnecessary.”
“We need to be getting back too,” Freja said with a frown. They had already left Sam in charge for too long with the new danger to the pack. Now that Lucie was fine, they needed to get back.
“Thank you for coming. I appreciate it.” Lucie smiled as she looked at her family.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Lucie.” Derrick wrapped his arm around her waist. “I’ve decided to return to the vampire kingdom. There are issues that must be addressed. I won’t have false rumors being spread. And it’s time for everyone to know who their real prince is.”
Lucie’s eyes lit up. This must have been the first time he’d thought about returning, because it hadn’t entered her mind until now. She felt so happy knowing that he would be with her for a while.
They said their goodbyes and Lucie watched her family go through their own portals, heading home. Chasen told Lucie to tell Justice to uphold the guardian name or else.
She felt relieved by her family’s forgiving nature. Once they had more information about Abe, they seemed to relax and understand. It was still his fault and his choices, though. But given his new attitude, they would judge him by that for now.
“So you’re going to be leaving us already?” Alexa asked with a fake pout.
“At least for now.” Lucie looked up at Derrick and smiled.
“I was wondering if someone could take Jasper to where I was taken. I’m going to need him on the front line while I’m away.
” Derrick frowned slightly. He wasn’t sure how long he would be staying away.
For now, he was going to test things out.
But it meant sending Jasper to the front to take command in his absence.
It wasn’t the ideal thing to do in the middle of the war, but given the situation, he wasn’t going to have his fiancée fighting off rumors.
He needed to deal with Stella and the rumors about him, as well as the rumors about Ryan and Amanda.
“I’ll take him there,” Lee said. “I need to check the area a bit more for signs of Wicker. The coward is masking himself with crystals. It’s the only explanation.”
“Same as Ken,” Alexa snorted out.
“We’ll flush him out eventually.” Reiya patted her daughter’s back encouragingly. She knew all of this was tough on her daughter, but there wasn’t anything they could do. Lee would have to find Ken or he would have to show himself on his own.
“So, back to the vampire kingdom again?” Lucie turned toward Derrick, who kissed her forehead.
“Yes, it’s time to show my face publicly. I won’t tolerate rumors like this. The royal family is built upon a pillar of faith and trust. I won’t allow there to be a weakness that crumbles it.” Derrick’s voice was firm and authoritative. “Let’s go and let the others know.”
Besides … I want to be in our own room for when round two begins, he said in Lucie’s mind in a low, husky voice.
“Jasper, you promise you’ll be careful?” Lucie frowned. “If Abe had his energy restored, I would send him with you.”
“Hey! I’m insulted. No offense, Abe.” The prince’s nickname had officially stuck. “I am perfectly capable of handling the situation there. It’s my turn for some action anyway.” Jasper grinned widely. He was excited to be able to get back on the front lines and test his skills without the djinn.
“Tell my soldiers I’ll be back. Tell them who I am … the real me. They’ll understand.” Derrick rubbed the back of his neck. “Probably too well. I’m afraid they’ll be too protective over me when I come back.”
“I’ll handle everything. You just take care of the things in the kingdom.” Jasper turned and slapped Aedan on the back. “Take care of yourself. And Justice … make sure you keep them on their toes.”
“And when you come back, we’ll stir up trouble for the royals.” Justice placed his hand on Jasper’s shoulder. “Kill some freaks for me.”
“Ready?” Levi asked, and Jasper nodded.
“I’ll see you all soon. And when I find this witch … well, if I find her, she will cease to exist.” A wicked grin formed on Jasper’s lips.
“I’ll make a few rounds with a couple of my soldiers,” Brian said and looked up at his father, Xander, to see him nodding his head in agreement. “So don’t run in fear when you see our towering shadows above you.”
Jasper chuckled. “I’ll try not to.” He turned his head and gazed at Lucie one last time before walking out of the room with Levi.
It didn’t matter who was going to fight.
Lucie felt conflicted. Jasper was family to her.
She couldn’t bear to have something happen to him.
She wanted to be with him so she could help protect him.
She hated that people were out fighting to protect her.
It felt wrong. She had a warrior’s heart.
She wasn’t like her great-grandmother Alice. She was a fighter.
Derrick pulled her back into his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “He’s going to be fine. And we have our own fight to deal with.” He pressed his lips into the side of her temple and rubbed his nose in her hair.
Reiya’s icy blue eyes met Abe’s dark gaze. “What happened before … let’s leave that in the past. I believe I got my family’s revenge for what happened. We don’t need to continue hating you anymore. Protect her. Take care of her. And don’t ever betray her …”
“I don’t deserve your benevolence. You don’t owe me that. I’m not sure killing me once makes up for everything—”
“It doesn’t matter anymore. That part is over. There is only one thing we need to do with you.” Reiya tapped her chin thoughtfully.
“What’s that?” Abe asked with a small frown.
“We have to change that scent,” Brody said with a loud snort. He knew exactly what Reiya was thinking. “I have no hard feelings either … you know, dying and coming back. You ever hurt my family though …”
Abe nodded his head in acknowledgment. “I know my word doesn’t mean much, but I wouldn’t. And I can’t. It’s impossible for me to betray Lucie or Derrick.”
“Can we change his scent?” Lucie asked her aunt. After all, anise wasn’t her favorite scent either.
“Why do you smell like anise?” Alexa asked, scrunching her nose.
“It’s just my scent. I was born with it,” Abe said quietly.
“Are you attached to the scent?” Reiya asked, and he shook his head. “Well then, I think a change is in order. I think it would be better for Mom if you smelled different, too.”
“Oh, I have an idea!” Brian said, flicking a glance at his father. His eyes glazed over and Xander chuckled and nodded his head. “I’ll be right back.”
“Uh-oh. I’m almost afraid.” Lucie chuckled. She turned to Abe. “You don’t have to change your scent if you don’t want to.”
“I’m not attached to it. I’m fine changing it, to be honest.”
Brian ran back into the room.
“Here.” Brian had a big grin on his face as he handed Abe a small vial. “Hurry, get it down fast. He’s coming.”
Abe didn’t hesitate. He shot the liquid down, and his scent instantly changed to that of smoked cedar. It had a very rustic, log cabin scent to it. At the same time, the doors shot open.
“Brian, you meddlesome little prince. Just as bad as your father. You got into my things again. You think it’s okay to take advantage of an old man? Such a troublesome child.” Grandpa Sage clicked his tongue angrily as Brian chuckled.
Reiya giggled. This reminded her of when she first arrived in the dragon kingdom. Xander and Grandpa Sage were always bickering with each other.
“Too late, Gramps. It’s gone. I fed it to the soul here,” Brian said with a smug grin.
“Do you have any idea how hard that is to make?” Grandpa Sage snorted.
“Relax. You have a whole drawer of them. Besides, Reiya’s the one who wanted it,” Brian said, deflecting the blame.
“Oh, Reiya? If it was for you, then you should have just asked. No problem, then. You wanted him to have a different scent? Makes sense, makes sense. Ho ho ho, dear child, just ask and it’s yours.”
“Hey! Gramps!” Brian’s jaw dropped. He had a completely different attitude for Reiya. Absolute favoritism.
“What was it?” Lucie asked as she bit her lip, hiding her smile.
“It’s a potion that alters your scent. Usually, it’s used for dragons who wish to leave the dragon kingdom and go rogue. They take on a new scent and identity. Each vial will create a different scent depending on the person who drinks it. It isn’t harmful,” Grandpa Sage said with a chuckle.
“He’s so much nicer to the girls.” Brian folded his arms over his chest.
“That’s because they aren’t sneaky rascals.” Grandpa Sage growled. “Anyway, I have important work to do.”
Lucie looked over at Abe, who had a faint smile on his lips. His eyes met hers. “I … I like it.”
“I’m glad.” Lucie leaned into Derrick’s chest.
“Ready, Lucie?” Derrick whispered near her ear.
“Ready.” A large portal formed in front of them. It was time to go back to the vampire kingdom.