“I can’t believe Selene was so cruel to him,” Reiya whispered out. “She gave him a mate that she knew he couldn’t have.”
“She’s done it before, though. This isn’t something that just happened to Abaas. My first mate betrayed me and I rejected her, remember? But because of that, I was given Freja, my true mate. The one I was meant to have. We can choose what those rejections do to us. What being avoided does to us. And for me, I was able to understand Freja better because of the betrayal and my loneliness, though I may have claimed her more roughly because of it too.” Hunter gave Freja a sheepish grin as they interlocked their fingers.
“Abaas doesn’t blame Alice. He blames himself. Even now, he says he isn’t worthy and that you should all hate him,” Lucie said quietly. “He went down the wrong path and lost himself. He made bad choices, but he isn’t plagued by his craziness anymore. He can see clearly now. And he has shown he even plans to repay our family with his life. Even after I ordered him to stop, he risked his life again for me.” She looked up at her aunt Reiya and grandmother Lita. “He made a request, that if something happens to me, he’ll be granted a chance to be reborn. It was the only thing he asked for out of our partnership. But is there a way?—”
“Goddess forbid something should happen to you, but if it does, we will put his soul back in circulation again. As for giving him a life again now … that is something we will have to wait and see about,” Lita answered with a small nod. She agreed Abaas should have another chance at life. But she wasn’t sure if it should be a new life with no memories of the past or if he could keep his memories intact. With the help of the merrow queen Olga, they could give him life again. Olga had kept his heart, after all.
The wheels in Lita’s head began to spin, and she met Asher’s gaze in quiet agreement. He reached for her, and shetook his hand. He pulled her gently into him and wrapped his arms around her. The soulmate connection was useful for many things, but the fluidity between the two of them was the greatest.
“Also, about the memories you were just shown.” Lucie watched as everyone turned back toward her. There was something else she wanted to make sure they were on the same page about.
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.
