A deep growl reverberated from his throat. “Don’t think I haven’t thought about that too. But I want it to be special for both of us. I want to mark you the same day we …”
“Derrick.” Lucie lightly pressed her lips against his. “We can wait. I’m yours. And I’ll be waiting for you.”
He wrapped his arms around her tightly. The two stood there quietly, holding one another. Both hoping that time would freeze just for them. But time stopped for no one. They had to reluctantly part from their sweet embrace and begin the journey back to the Black Ice Pack … where they would have to say goodbye.
CHAPTER 27
Lucie held hands with Derrick as they rode together. The group had hiked to a location where they had several SUVs hidden. Lucie, Derrick and Jasper rode in one vehicle, Jin, Chasen, Hunter and Freja took another, and following behind them in the third was Chaz, Sabrina, Tonya and Zach. They left Lenny and Enzo to keep an eye on the witch’s activity.
“This is going to be like camp. Aedan, Justice, and I are going to bump chests, have manly shouting contests, and drink each other under the table. Oh, and we’ll squeeze in some tea time for you, Lucie.” Jasper grinned as he drove along the narrow road.
Derrick wrapped his arm around Lucie’s shoulder and pulled her into his side. “Sounds like you guys are all good friends.”
“I wonder what Aedan will think of you. See, I’m safe, since I wasn’t Lucie’s mate. But you …” Jasper chuckled and looked behind him in the back seat at Derrick for a second.He was careful about what he said. The vampires behind them had exceptional hearing, so he made sure he didn’t mention Derrick’s name or that they were engaged. “Of course, he has been trying to set me and Lucie up together. He didn’t think the prince deserved his sister, so who knows what he’ll think of you.”
Derrick frowned, and Lucie leaned up and kissed his cheek.
“Aedan will love you. He’ll probably do the fun interrogating bit, but as long as you’re good to me, he won’t have a problem with you.” Lucie smiled at him. “Justice will be good with you, too.”
“Lucie … no going anywhere without Jasper. I mean it,” Derrick finally said in a strained voice.
“You want me to follow her into the shower as well? Because I will. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep your mate safe,” Jasper teased. His cheesy grin faded when he looked in the rear-view mirror. If looks could kill …
“I’ve already heard about how you patted her to sleep before. That is about the extent of the line I ever want to be crossed,” Derrick said, his tone lethal.
Jasper chuckled. “You sound a bit jealous.” He then cleared his throat when he saw Derrick’s darkening amber eyes. “Don’t worry. As long as I’m around, no one will hurt her. It’s when I’m not around that she gets in trouble.”
“I have a feeling I’m never going to have a moment of peace after this.” Lucie pouted.
“No … that’s what will be coming after I mark you,” Derrick said wryly, a crooked smile on his face.
Lucie started to say something when everything went dark. She blinked several times, and a face came into focus. First, she saw brown eyes, then a body. The man had white hair that was pulled back in a ponytail. He looked out from a white building above the clouds. In front of him stood a young-looking man with brown hair and green eyes, and beside him was someoneshe knew very well. With his dark brown hair and bright blue eyes, it was unmistakably her Uncle Levi.
“Lucie, Lucie!” Derrick tried calling to her but she remained unresponsive. Jasper suddenly slammed on the brakes as the SUV in front of them came to a halt. The passengers ran to their vehicle and swung the door open.
“She won’t respond to me.” Derrick looked up at Hunter.
Hunter reached in and grabbed Lucie in his arms. She started squirming as beads of sweat formed on her forehead.
“She’s hurting.” Derrick jumped out of the vehicle, placing his hand on her forehead.
“Give her to me,” Chasen said as he walked up to Hunter.
“You aren’t her guardian. What can you do?” Hunter shook his head while Freja carefully checked Lucie. Jin made a slight breeze to help relieve her pain. It swirled gently around Lucie’s body, keeping her cool.
“That’s fairy magic. I feel it. I can try. She’s your daughter … we’re connected, I’m sure.”
Hunter placed her in Chasen’s arms, and he reached out to her as a guardian. He called for the magic stirring inside him, and it answered. The burning sensation of liquid lava flowed through his veins. He grit his teeth as he endured the pain. “It’s working. Not as strong as it would with you, but it is working.”
“What’s wrong with her?” Jasper asked and looked up at the other vehicle. The vampires stood by the doors, watching quietly. They would wait for an order from Ryan before they moved.
“I didn’t think the fairy magic was strong with her. It always appeared dormant … but this looks like a premonition. We’ve seen Reiya go through this before, as well as my mother. I’ve never had them, so I don’t know what she’s going through. But Reiya told me it can be quite terrifying and numbing afterward.They can be painful as well.” Hunter sighed and looked around. They were at least close to the pack borders.
“She’s anxious,” Derrick said quietly as he took her hand, squeezing it tightly. “I’m here, Lucie.”
I’m here, Lucie.
She heard the voice of her mate and she smiled. It helped her realize that what she was seeing in front of her wasn’t really happening.
