“I’m surprised you’re thanking him after he put those gross lips on your mouth.” Alexa’s eyes flickered with mischief.
Derrick growled in annoyance. He understood what happened through their bond, but that didn’t mean he was pleased with it. He felt a light slap on his shoulder and turned to look at Hunter.
“Sorry we kept you from your mate so long. We just had to make sure—” Hunter started, but Derrick shook his head, stopping him.
“You were protecting Lucie’s future. Don’t worry about it. I promise I’ll always do right by her.”
“Where are you all heading?” Raine asked. “We were on our way to join everyone else.”
“I need to explain some things about my new servant … friend,” Lucie said with a small smile. “Alexa, you should probably come too. I’m going to give grandma and your mother a vision.”
“Oh, I will leech off of it then. I should be able to see too.” Hooking her arm with Lucie’s, she turned and stuck her tongue out at Derrick. “I’m claiming her for now. She was mine first.” She giggled and pulled Lucie down the hall.
“Raine and I are getting food. We’ll wait for you there.” Mikah figured Alexa could fill him in later. For now, it was time to get his grub on.
Derrick shook his head as they followed behind Lucie and Alexa. He turned his head to look at Levi and Reiya. “You two have your hands full I see.”
“She takes after her mother too much.” Levi sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Ooof.”
“You’re the one who gave me the most headaches. Don’t you forget it, mister,” Reiya teased him playfully as she elbowed him in the stomach.
“My fairy, who was the one who went into a black hole while pregnant?” Levi quirked his brow at her with a crooked smile.
“I think that was Hunter.” Reiya giggled as Levi lifted her up into his chest and gently kissed her lips before lowering her feet back to the floor.
“Yeah, the whole pregnancy thing isn’t on us guys. We weren’t told a thing.” Hunter snorted, looking back at Freja. “You’re lucky Lucie can’t pull something like that on you.”
Derrick chuckled. “I guess that’s one thing I can check off my list. Still, I think I have many more to worry about.”
They reached the last room at the end of the hall and entered the Great Sage’s library.
“Grandpa Sage,” Lucie said, seeing the older man sitting at his desk.
“Ahh Lucie, you look so much better. Lovely,” He squinted at her and frowned. “Though you have chaos brewing inside you.”
“You can see that?” Lucie asked, surprised, though she wasn’t sure why she should be. The Great Sage was the oldest and wisest of the dragons, and they weren’t strangers to magic.
“What’s this about?” Hunter asked as his eyes landed on Lucie.
“Something we can talk about after we settle the Abaas issue,” Lucie said with a small smile. She walked up to Reiya and Lita. Alexa put her hands on Reiya’s shoulders, trying to absorb the information.
“Alexa, don’t strain yourself,” Reiya warned carefully.
“Who, me? Never.” Alexa grinned mischievously as another idea entered her head. She then took one of her hands and placed it on her grandmother.
Lucie grabbed one of Reiya’s hands and one of Lita’s. The quadfecta of fairy royalty. Two fairy princesses, one fairy queen, and one reigning fairy queen. And Alexa was planning to tap into all of this. She looked up, and her eyes met with Lucie’s. Unspoken determination and resolve flowed between them.
Lucie closed her eyes and brought the memory orbs forward, connecting each one with Reiya and Lita. At the same time, Alexa latched onto both of the orbs and channeled their magic together. She then projected the memory into the room for all to see and hear, including the conversation Selene had with Lucie. The room was quiet as the projection faded away.
Alexa panted as she lowered her arms. Her eyes watered as the memory of Abaas hit her chest. The raw feeling of being unwanted was something she felt deep down in her soul. She could relate. It was how she felt too. Her mate said it was for her protection, but he’d never shown himself to her. Maybe he really didn’t want her. He didn’t want a demigod. It hurt. She felt like she wasn’t good enough for him. And this was how Abaas ended up feeling. She wondered … if Ken continued to avoid her, could she continue to be the person she was? Or would she also become tainted?
“Now that solves the problem of having to explain everything,” Alexa said quietly, wiping her eyes.
“You’re reckless,” Levi growled, placing his hand on her shoulder. “You could have hurt yourself.”
“I was connected to three other fairies. I wasn’t going to get hurt.” Alexa scoffed and shrugged her father’s hand off her.
Levi sighed angrily but he directed his focus back to Reiya. He took her in his arms and held her close. He wasn’t sure how she was feeling after that. But he would do whatever it was she asked of him. He would destroy the soul if she commanded it. Anything for her happiness.
