Chapter 68
Derrick and Lucie were finishing their breakfast when Justice strolled in the room with Abe.
“Luce Luce! Derrick! Perfect. Just the people we needed to see. We weren’t sure if you were ever going to emerge.
” Justice chuckled, putting a few pancakes on his plate.
“The thing is, Abe and I have been talking, and we both think you need to recall the soldiers. Maybe leave the elite team there secretly, but call everyone else back.”
“If the witch has gone into hiding, we need to make her think it’s okay to come out of her rabbit hole,” Abe added. This was something he and Justice had been going over extensively. The witch wasn’t going to make her appearance if she thought she was being watched.
Derrick nodded his head slowly as he met Lucie’s eyes.
A smile spread over his lips. “Yes, Lucie. This means we can bring Jasper home. I’ll have to leave Ryan, though.
” He looked at Justice and Abe. “But … you’ve both made an interesting observation.
We can search for her for years and not find her at this rate.
And the elite soldiers are very good at not being seen. ”
“I like this idea. Besides, we still need to think about how we want to handle the witch. I mean, we can’t just lock her up forever, right? Isn’t that risky? And we can’t kill her because then Erebus will get her soul.” Lucie frowned and looked up at Abe. “Is there a way to break that contract?”
“A soul contract? It would have to be by Erebus himself.” Abe frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. “But … well, it’s cruel, but in this witch’s case, she deserves it. We can drain her of her magic. She would be just like a regular human.”
Lucie turned and looked at Justice while hearing Derrick’s thoughts. Both men thought this was a good idea.
“Okay, let’s say we do this … can she just have it reversed somehow?” Lucie wasn’t sure if this would just be creating a more vindictive enemy in the future.
“No, the effects can’t be reversed. It’s another type of blood potion.
It would make magic unable to exist in her body permanently.
This wouldn’t stop her from trying to reach out to demons again.
But since she knows her soul will be devoured without her magic, she probably wouldn’t try anything.
Or … I take that back. She is so desperate for revenge, she would probably do anything …
” Abe furrowed his brows as he thought carefully.
“We could always curse her to a place. Make it so she can never leave her island. Of course, that’s a bit dark for a fairy princess, but it isn’t for me. ” He chuckled with a shrug.
“Abe, can you relay these orders to Ryan and Jasper? Tell Jasper to escort the soldiers back and inform Ryan of our plan for him to stay with the elite soldiers. At any sign of the witch, they may capture her if they have an opening,” Derrick said.
Abe bowed slightly and vanished. “We will think more about the witch. But I think draining her of her magic wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Of course, we should probably discuss this stuff with your family. ”
“We can send them a messenger fairy,” Lucie said with a smile, and Derrick’s eyes lit up.
“I can see them now too, right? I haven’t seen one of the invisible fairies yet.”
Lucie giggled. “Well, guardians keep the low-level fairies away with their aura. The brownies and such are considered pests. They can be, but they are adorable.” Lucie heard Justice growl in annoyance. “Oh Justice, push that aura down a little.”
“I don’t want brownies going through my stuff. It’s worse than mice. What if they poop in there or something?”
Lucie shook her head, smiling. “Quit acting like a child. At least bring it down enough so the messenger fairies don’t have a hard time. What if someone tries to send me a message? So just enough for them, but not enough for the sprites and brownies—”
“Deal!” Justice beamed happily. He had never been a fan of the little pests. The only ones he could tolerate were the fae dragons because he thought they were neat looking.
“Okay, let’s go take a walk around and greet the people,” Derrick said, extending his hand out to Lucie.
She nodded and smiled up at him. They needed to reassure the vampires that everything was fine and that their princess was back safely.
It only took a few days for Jasper to return with the army.
Lucie’s family wanted to take a more wait-and-see approach with the witch.
Wait-and-see. Lucie had rolled her eyes when she heard that one.
They wanted to talk to the witch before deciding her fate, though they’d all agreed her magic would be stripped regardless.
After that, nobody seemed to have a plan. Cool. Great. Love a solid strategy.
She was adjusting to life in the vampire kingdom, which today meant a stroll through the little vampire town with a cloak pulled low over her head to block her scent.
The whole getup made her feel ridiculous, like she was playing dress-up in some gothic novel, but it worked.
She could wander the streets and watch the villagers go about their evenings without a single head turning her way.
Myra stayed out of sight, flitting between rooftops the way only Myra could.
Justice walked a few steps behind in a matching cloak, and Abe kept close to Lucie’s side.
Derrick and Jasper also weren’t far, just on the other end of the town, tending to the vampire soldiers.
Close enough that she could feel the low hum of the mate bond tugging at her chest like a thread she couldn’t quite set down.
Today she’d decided to meet with Stella, Sabrina’s cousin.
This should be fun. Sabrina would be joining them at the castle soon as one of the elite soldiers, and Lucie figured it was better to smooth things over now rather than navigate awkward castle-corridor run-ins for the next century.
She didn’t hold any ill will toward Stella for what she’d done, which honestly surprised her a little.
She noticed Stella sitting alone on a bench on the outside of the town. She looked horrible. Lucie turned and motioned for Justice and Abe to stay back. She didn’t want them startling the young lady, making her think she was in trouble.
“Stella?” Lucie watched as the girl jerked her head up and immediately lowered herself in respect to Lucie. “That’s not necessary. I was thinking maybe we could talk, and be friends?”
“Y-you … wish to be my friend?” Stella whispered.
Lucie smiled at her kindly. “Yes.”
“Don’t you hate me?”
“No, I don’t hate you. I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t just be honest, and that you needed to create a fake relationship, but I’m not upset with you about it.
The only way I would be truly angry is if you were really after what is mine.
” Lucie smiled sheepishly with a half shrug. “Where are all your friends?”
“Friends …” Stella frowned. “After what happened, no one will talk to me anymore. I guess they weren’t really my friends. No one wants to be seen with the woman who angered the princess either.”
Lucie frowned. “Well, they obviously weren’t real friends.”
“Yeah, I guess not.” Stella raised her gaze to Lucie, and her bottom lip quivered. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean any harm. I just didn’t want to be pressured into sleeping with others.”
“It’s all water under the bridge. Let’s move past this, okay? I want us to get along and be friends.”
“I would like that very much.” Stella smiled up at her.
“Good. From now on, just call me Lucie, and no more bowing.” Lucie giggled and winked at her.
She wasn’t sure what happened, but suddenly the world blurred and everything seemed to spin. As if she was in a funhouse, the land swirled together as a wave of exhaustion hit her.
She felt Abe’s arms around her, steadying her, as Justice closed the distance between them quickly.
“Lucie? Are you alright?” Justice asked, taking her face in his hands. Her body started swaying unnaturally again and Abe pulled her against him to stabilize her.
The dizziness continued to beat against her, and she had to lean against Abe. She was losing the strength to stand on her own.
“Justice, go get Derrick. I’m taking Lucie inside.” Abe teleported Lucie back into her bedroom. “Are you alright?”
The world kept spinning around her, and her eyelids were becoming heavy. It was like a huge wave of exhaustion had seized her. She couldn’t even form coherent thoughts as her mind started shutting down on her. Her vision began to tunnel, and she blinked hard, trying to restore her sight.
“Lucie?” Abe eased her onto the couch and knelt by her side. “What are you feeling? Did something happen? Did she say something?”
“Tired …” Lucie whispered as she fought to keep her eyes open.
Abe nodded his head slowly and placed his hand on her forehead. “Yes. I can see the little light has become stronger.”
Little light? Lucie flicked her gaze up at Abe, who had a faint smile on his face. “It was just a tiny light that day of the ball, which is why I wouldn’t let Derrick give you the vervain. But the light has grown and is sucking the energy out of you.”
“Oh my goodness … because I am a fairy princess now. So how is that all going to work? Oh my gosh! And why didn’t you tell me?” She dropped her hands to her stomach, a surge of excitement flowing through her, holding the fatigue at bay.
“Ha ha, sorry. I was curious how long it would take for you to notice. Honestly, it’s much quicker than I’d imagined.
As far as the princess thing … perhaps things have been forever changed now.
Maybe there will always be another fairy princess.
Another type of self-preservation, perhaps?
You’ll have to ask your grandmother, but I imagine the burden will still be on Alexa and her child.
But if Alexa never has an heir …” Abe watched as Lucie closed her eyes.
“So I’m going to be trapped beside Derrick just like all the other fairy princesses with their mates?”
Light flashed in Abe’s eyes. “Well, the difference with you is you have a servant. I can feed you my energy as a minor supplement, which is why you’re still awake right now.”
“Oh, I thought it was from my excitement.” Lucie chuckled. “Thank you.”
“Do you want me to put a mental block up before your prince arrives? Or do you just want me to sneak out of here and stop the others from entering? I’m sure he’s going to be thrilled. This is also huge news for the vampires, to have a new heir already brewing inside you.”
“Oh goodness. But this will be a daughter promised to the fairy kingdom. Until Alexa at least has her daughter …”
Abe cleared his throat and stood up. “Well, I guess you and Derrick will just have to have more children. I think you two can work out those details.” He chuckled and ran his hand through his hair.
“Don’t worry about blocking anything. I want him to know. Besides, he will be in a massive panic. It’ll be easier if he can just read my thoughts.”
“I think that’s the best move in this situation.
I’ll just be waiting right outside. He’ll be here in a few seconds.
” Abe chuckled as he heard frantic running through the castle.
Just as he opened the door, Derrick appeared, along with Jasper and Justice.
“Go on in, Derrick. I need to speak with you two.” He allowed just enough room for Derrick to squeeze through before shutting the others out.
He would explain to them so they didn’t worry, but this should be a private moment for the couple.
Derrick rushed to Lucie blindly and froze right in front of her.
He dropped to his knees as his eyes began to water up.
Inching closer, he placed his hand on her belly and leaned his forehead into hers.
This moment was everything. So much had happened in such a short amount of time.
This happened sooner than he’d expected, but he couldn’t help the joy he felt.
Their joined happiness bonded them even more.
This was what they’d created from their love. The little energy growing inside Lucie.
“I never think I can love you more and yet you continue to make me burst for you. I’ve never been this full inside in my life.” Derrick kissed her forehead. “I love you, my little mate…” He rubbed her gently and moved his head down to kiss her stomach. “And you too, my little love.”