Eric acknowledged he knew Haley would win. Good. It was obvious and he was a smart man. Freya said, “Thor is quite anxious. He is worried his mate will take hits to get more information, so your analysis of the fight really does alleviate that fear of his.”
The Lyons popped in and I could tell the Hackura were around here too. Apparently, Haley’s outfit was going to send Eric into a tailspin. It would’ve even if she hadn’t updated it. Freya told me, “I love that you know what this outfit looks like.” That was good since I knew a lot about the Fairies in general.
Some of the Daniels showed up and I studied them closely. Alpha Chase looked lighter than the last time I saw him. I’m guessing he was not a fan of his son’s ex-girlfriend. Freya agreed, “He can’t be.” Lexi linked me, “I hear you link anyone in a pack, so it stands to reason others can link you.”
I agreed, “Uhhh yes… so I can do that.” Lexi asked, “Why are you studying us?” I answered, “Uhh the Keaton situation… so I did say he should break up with his ex… and now she’s his ex. You all can’t like her.”
Lexi agreed, “I loathe her.” I questioned, “Then why isn’t she dead?” Lexi sighed, “She’s a pack member.” I replied, “And? Would you like me to kill her?” Lexi laughed but didn’t answer. Her face told me she was considering it. Freya offered, “She has no wolf for me to tell you which she’d prefer.” Lexi definitely had to want Lisa dead.
Xander popped us to the training facility and I gaped in awe. This place was so cool. I’d read about it, but the descriptions didn’t do it justice. Sierra linked me, “You gave away you heardrumors about this place. Jared didn’t give you books about the arena.”
No, he hadn’t but I had other books… and the secret books speculated about this one… and they were right about the cloud. It’s not like I would tell them about it. Sierra continued, “It’s like something out of your craziest imagination… or movies….but crazier because of the Fairies.”
I laughed, “Yeah, everything with them is sharper and more vibrant than most could imagine.” Because the land was literally brighter. Sierra shrugged adding, “Well, it’s stunning.” My friend wasn’t wrong.
Abigail linked, “We are on clouds.” I squealed, “I’m so glad Gage came with you!” Abigail snorted, “Yeah, Gage told Phil he would portal him here because we were not missing this. Plus, if Phil had to keep Alexander from entering the arena my mate had to be here to help.”
I replied, “I mean… they will probably have the promised family go down there… when Haley wins. Xander won’t interrupt the challenge… but if someone kept him in his seat… based on the research I read… it would be me.”
Abigail agreed, “It definitely will be. Straddle him if necessary.” Ok… that would not have been my plan… but I could take my Gamma Female’s advice. Freya purred, “That’s the best advice ever. Let’s preempt the need to do it.” I rolled my eyes at my wolf.
I focused back on the facts. We were obviously on the Sky side of the arena based on our seating arrangements. Logically, I did know it couldn’t be a real cloud. I knew that because we’d fall… but they’d made the seats like a cloud. That was cool.
I couldn’t stop my blush when Xander called me his wife. I looked down at my lap because it was surreal sometimes. After all these years of longing… I was actually Xander’s wife. My mate accepted me as his mate, made me his Luna, and married me.
Freya apologized, “I’m sorry you ever thought things would go differently, Melanie. I know how much it hurt you.” I was really sorry too because I wasted so much time believing in lies. Freya said, “You didn’t have me yet to fight the magic.” Which pissed me off.
Freya agreed, “It upsets me too. Spells didn’t affect you once you turned sixteen, but the ones cast prior still took effect. Then I was locked away and weakened so I couldn’t fight for you.” I told my wolf, “That’s not your fault. It’s the Ring, Valdoma’s and Ezra’s.” Freya hummed her agreement.
I caught sight of Haley. I linked Elise, “Now there’s a Fairy Princess.” Elise snickered, “If only I could get one of those outfits.” I reasoned, “I bet we could. Haley would snap them for us. Or Angela... well obviously Cassie too.” Elise linked me, “Ok, valid point. We might just have to do that.” I was in.
Eric’s reaction was visceral and the Hackura made their presence known. They all seemed to enjoy the fact that many Fairies were now uncomfortable because they were here. Titus simply smiled at those managing not to tremble in his presence. Given I’d seen his REAL smile, I knew why the Fae found this one unsettling.
Gerdishek actually studied Haley’s body. Ugh! That jerk. Freya said, “I agree.” My mother in law and her opponent traded jabs. I had to admire Haley’s technique to get Gerdishek to talk. It was working wonderfully.
Not that it was surprising… since Haley’d been trained by the best. I looked over at Bjourn who was smiling proudly at my mother in law. Eric had to be restrained by Lucas, Alpha Chase, and Marcus when Gerdishek threatened to kill Haley.
TJ popped to his dad while I was focusing on my breathing. Eric’s anger was so harsh I could taste it on my tongue. Then there was my mate’s all-consuming anger in the bond. I felt my hands begin to tingle. I needed to get a handle on my powersquickly. Freya grumbled, “Or shoot him with our powers and watch everyone go crazy.” Except that was against the rules.
Freya argued, “A goddess does not agree, or comply, to the rules of the living realms.” Well… I was not a full-fledged goddess until I ascended. Freya snorted, “But I am.” I wondered if that argument would hold.
Haley taunted and baited Gerdishek beautifully. It was really sad that the O’Toole’s had caused so much dissent, turning Fairies on the partials. They’d done it on purpose, but there was once a time when this dark history didn’t exist. They brought it to be.
It was really sad when you thought about all those who lost their lives, or were treated horribly, because of a grudge the O’Toole’s held. Xander’s fury lit through me when Gerdishek insulted his mother. I gripped his hand tightly hoping to keep him here.
Abigail linked, “If that doesn’t work, I’m telling you straddle him.” Freya agreed, “Definitely do that.” My mate’s eyes were blazing gold. I looked around and all his siblings eyes were too, even Angela. Klaus was whispering in her ear. My sister in law nodded to him but she was still angry.
No one was straddling anyone yet though. Freya urged, “Do so and be a trendsetter.” If we were in the Hackura realm, that would easily be the way to go. Here in Faerie, that felt like a last ditch effort type of plan. Freya groaned, “Darn the location and your logic.”
Gerdishek slipped, admitting that many members of his family got out of Faerie. I bit my lip nervously. Haley had to be making him tell the truth. I didn’t have exact numbers… and I kind of wished Gerdishek would say… that would be helpful.
I needed to figure that out because I needed to know exactly how many enemies Xander had, simply because of who he wasrelated to. Freya said, “You do know quite a few.” Because of Charles, but there were more.
Elise linked me asking, “Do you know who got out?” I answered, “Not all of them, no… however, I will do my best to find them all.” Elise sighed in relief, “Thank god.” She might have too much faith in me. Freya snorted, “She does not.”
Well, I’d ask Charles for help, since he had a personal stake in finding the O’Toole’s. He wanted vengeance against them. Any of them… and he wouldn’t care who they were. I’d make sure they were bad people before I involved him.
I wouldn’t let someone die because of their last name. If they were after my mate though… I’d use any, and all, weapons in my arsenal to make sure they regretted that with every fiber of their being. Freya agreed, “I can easily get behind that.”
