AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 51
She was engaged. How the fuck had that happened? She knew how it happened, of course, but she’d never thought it’d happen to her. Jezzie had steeled herself against the hope of it for so long. Her mother and aunt’s past relationships hadn’t boded well for a happily ever after, and she’d figured from the evidence of her own failed forays into the dating world that she would be no exception.
As soon as they were back at the fortress, Jezzie had called Aunt Rai Rai and told her the happy news. Her aunt was excited, but cautious about Roth’s sudden change of heart, but caution swiftly shifted to anger when she found out the cause of his desertion. At Mara, not at Roth. If there was one thing her aunt hated with a passion, other than unfaithful men, it was women like Mara. Those who destroyed relationships out of jealousy and for petty, psycho joy.
Jezzie’s heart had landed with a thud in her chest when the reality of what her mother’s disappearance meant. She couldn’t call her to tell her the news, feel her arms around her in celebration, or introduce her to the wonderful men who would be her sons-in-law. They didn’t even know when she would be back and since they wanted to perform the ceremony as soon as possible, it was unlikely she’d get to witness it. Rai Rai had promised come hell or high water, she’d be there. Nothing was keeping her away, not even the demons of her own past, whatever that meant.
“Hey, guys, I’m going to nip into my spell room for a bit. I need to tell Tana the exciting news. Nithe, you wanna come with, and we can tell the princes too?” She couldn’t wait to see Tana’s face when she told her. Would Leraie let her come to the wedding she wondered?
“Absolutely. I wish you could come too,” Nithe directed at Roth and Athon.
“Leraie said soon, should we try again and see if it works this time?” Athon piped up.
“I don’t see why not. Fingers crossed.” Jezzie held up both hands with her fingers crossed, and they walked to what looked like an ornately carved wall decoration. It was exactly the same as the one in her uncle’s home in Nestradia and as Jezzie lay her hand on the curve of the woman’s cheek she came alive, winked and opened to reveal Jezzie’s spell room.
Nithe stepped through first and Jezzie followed. Athon and Roth lined up next, and from the look on Ath’s face he was prepared to hit an invisible barrier . . . it didn’t happen. Both of them stepped into her sacred space, filling it with their big, hunky bodies and making it feel extra cozy.
Jezzie showed them around with a big smile and led them to the door at the opposite side of the circular room. Opening it up she stepped through and out into the stone corridor of her uncle’s home. Nithe was next.
“Fuck!” Roth exclaimed, as his face smooshed up against the invisible barrier that wouldn’t budge and let them through.
“It’s progress at least, right?” Nithe laughed. Jezzie whacked his arms with a smile.
“Wait here, and we’ll go get Tana, so we can tell her the news together, okay?” She was so excited she couldn’t stop bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“Sure thing, Jez. Don’t be long though, we might get bored and decide to get busy. Tana doesn’t need to see that,” Athon joked.
With a laugh, Jezzie grabbed Nithe’s hand and ran off down the corridor, careful not to trip over her own feet.
“Tana! Tana! Where the fuck are you, Tana!” Her voice echoed off the walls, floor, and ceiling as she bellowed, laughed, gasped for air, and bellowed again.
“Holy shit, Coz. What wicked bitch died for you to be cackling like that and bursting my eardrums?” Tana appeared from around the corner as they skidded to a halt.
“Language, girls. Remember you are ladies descended from the highest order of angels, act like it.” Uncle Micah grinned as Jezzie squealed and threw herself into his arms like a child for a bear hug.
“What are you doing back so soon? You only just left a few hours ago. Did you forget something? Is everything okay?” Panic filled her uncle’s eyes slowly.
“No, no, nothing like that. We got Roth back, and we have some news we want to share. Come with us!” Jezzie reassured as she pulled him along after her. “You too, T.”
They hurried back the way they came, and she let go of Uncle Micah’s hand before stepping into the room and turning back around. Tana and her uncle knew the rules so didn’t try to enter. Just as Roth and Athon came to join them her uncle’s features blurred leaving only a vague set of features. A tear slipped from her eye, unbidden.
“Hey, Tana. Who’s that with you? And why can’t we see them?” Athon asked.
“Oh, this is my dad. Say hi, Dad.”
“Hi, Dad.” His joke caused Jezzie and Tana to groan dramatically, but the guys just laughed.
She shared a look with Tana and Nithe at the distorted sound of her uncle’s voice. Obviously the Almighty’s game was still afoot.
“So, what’s the important news?” Tana prompted.
The guys all looked at Jezzie, waiting for her to answer. “Well . . . we’re engaged. I’m getting married!” Jezzie squealed as she jumped back through the doorway and into her equally as excited cousin’s arms. They jumped around, cried and laughed.
When they finally calmed down, they turned around to see the guys staring at them like they were crazy. Her uncle shrugged his blurry shoulders at them and said, “Girls, gotta love ‘em.” With a laugh.
“Congratulations, J Bear!” Tana was beaming from ear to ear. “When’s the wedding? I better be invited and Leraie better let me come.”
“Soon, we were thinking New Years, and yeah, she damn well better let you. I can’t get married without my Maid of Honor now, can I?”
