At the side of my bed I found a glass of water and two painkillers, along with a note.
Figured you’d need these
Love, Dad xo
I remembered then about him flinging my dance partner across the bar and him appearing in the alleyway. Oh dear God. I’d turned into a wyvern in the middle of Hull! How could I be mad at him when he’d saved me from exposing myself as a supernatural to people who didn’t know we existed?
I sighed and slumped back against my pillow as it hit me that as Queen, my life was not my own. In order to keep the residents of Withernsea safe, I would have to watch my behaviour and restrict my boundaries. Because I couldn’t do what I did last night-get so drunk, I wasn’t in control of myself where I could put people in danger.
It was at that point I began to realise just what a burden and responsibility being Queen was going to be.
Chapter Seven
Shelley
I needed to have a stern word with my husband. There was being an over-protective parent and then there was stalking your own daughter. Things came to a head when I walked in to find him watching a live surveillance feed of her wandering down to the chip shop that evening.
“Theo. Enough. This has got to stop. She needs her privacy.”
“Shelley. She is prophesied to save Withernsea. What if someone tries to kill her?” His face was so earnest. It reminded me just how much I loved him, but his behaviour still had to be curtailed.
I sat beside him and placed a hand on his arm, giving it a squeeze. “Theo, I know. I worry about her too, but we would anyway. Just as any parent worries about their child. But you have to back off or she will turn away from you altogether. She still has her life to lead, and she has to do that independently. She will be dating and she will be sleeping with men, Theo.” His eyes flashed red and his fangs descended.
I gave him a moment to recover himself.
“Turn the surveillance off and take the camera off our daughter. Get the Bed and Breakfast up and running. You need something to occupy your time and we have another hundred years before we can make another baby.”
Theo looked up at me. “You’d want another?”
“Wouldn’t you?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. All this worry that comes with it. I can’t settle. I’m not sure I can go through all that again.”
I half-smiled. “Well there’s plenty of time to think about it, and I don’t mind either way. We might get a grandchild soon anyway and we can hand those back.”
The fangs were back. When would I learn?
“She could get pregnant? To that sea urchin? Oh Lord. I’d not even considered that.” He held his chin and looked furtive. “I need to try to get hold of some of his DNA. Make sure he has a good heritage.”
I scrubbed a hand down my face. “Theo. There will be no surveillance, no getting hold of DNA, and no stalking. You back off now, okay?”
He sighed a heavy sigh. “If I must.”
“Where is the camera on Charlie?”
“It’s in the button on her jacket. I’ll remove it when she gets back.”
“I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Theo, to make sure temptation doesn’t get in your way and you start spying again.”
His face took on a mischievous glint. “Well, wife. I think you should put other temptations in my way and then I shall be completely distracted and have no time to worry about what our daughter is doing.”
“Hmmm, I guess we are still kind of in our own honeymoon period.” I told him, switching off the monitors, and giving my husband something else to focus on.
Monday morning rolled around and Jax had set up a meeting at ten am of the Female Entrepreneurs do it with their Colleagues group, so we all descended on the coffee shop ready to talk upcoming business plans. I was very surprised on entering to find my adoptive father in the shop nursing a hot drink. In fact it was that hot, steam was billowing out of the top. Don’t tell me the machine was playing up, I’d be suicidal. “Dad?”
“Hey, Shelley.”
“Erm, what brings you here this morning? Not that it isn’t nice to see you.” I lied.
“Your mum insisted that I make the effort to come and say hello. She’s right. I need to spend more time with you girls.”
“Okay, well, Polly’s not here.”
“Oh, I know. She called and told me she’d moved. Most daughters who travel go overseas not under it. It’s all a bit much to take in to be honest with you. Anyway, I thought I’d just pop in for a quick brew on my way to work.”
“You live and work in Hull. This is rather out of the way isn’t it?”
“Well, maybe your mum and I will move to Withernsea and look for work here. Food for thought.”
Oh God no!
He looked at me strangely and I hoped I’d not said that out loud.
“So, what’s new with you and yours? Took on any more powers, killed any bad guys?”
“Just running my dating agency and raising my daughter like any other normal parent.”
“But you’re not, are you? A normal parent? Your daughter grew to the size of a twenty-year-old in months.”
He was starting to piss me off.
“Yes, well prepare yourself, Dad, because it could be a sign that the war in Withernsea is upon us. Seems whether you phoned the press or not, war is coming.”
“I do apologise for that. It was a rash move. Has Charlene become even more powerful by the way? Developed any new super powers?”
“Her strength increases every day. Thanks for asking about her wellbeing.” I said sarcastically. “If you’re interested, I took her to the caves and they say she’s fine. The change hasn’t caused her any difficulties.” I noted my friends were waiting for me. “Well, it was-” I stopped. I couldn’t tell him it was nice to see him because it wasn’t. “Erm, have a good day at work.”
“Thanks. I’m sure I will. Being here has been a delightful start to it.” He left his drink and the coffee shop.
“What was that all about?” Jax asked me as I took a seat at the table.
“I have no idea but I’d hazard a guess that my mum has forced him to come because he didn’t exactly exude remorse for his previous behaviour. Typical that Polly wasn’t here. She’s related by blood, she should have to put up with him.” I took a large swig of the coffee placed in front of me. “I need this more than ever today. In fact I could do with a spa day. I’m bloody fed up and could do with a complete day off from everything. My brain needs a holiday.”
“I’ll come with you but only if you sign a statement guaranteeing you waxed.” Samara told me. She crinkled her nose as if there was a bad smell under it.
“Is this to do with my daughter? Kim said you’d been doing maintenance.”
“Oh no.” Samara waved a hand. “She was fine. No, we had a team building day for Humber and the East yesterday, and oh my fucking god, we gathered around the table supposedly to eat a healthy lunch after being in the sauna, and Rebecca from Hornsea realised she needed glasses.
My brow furrowed. “What has someone’s eyesight got to do with waxing?”
“She didn’t realise she’d missed trimming most of her pubes. There they were on display out of both sides of her swimsuit, and lo and behold they’d put black seaweed on the table as part of the lunch. I felt like I was eating her bush.” She made a gagging impression. “Anyway, I may have asked her to close her legs and it may have drawn everyone’s attention to it. Basically, she swore revenge on me. Said I was a fake and a cheat, that I was helped by the dating agency, and she would draw attention to my failings as I had hers. I don’t know why she was so upset. I was the one who had to endure my eyeballs being assaulted. So anyway, I’ll go with you because obviously I tensed up after seeing that, so I could do with another sesh.”
“And what did you say to her threats?” Jax asked.
“I told her to shut her mouth… and her legs.”
“I think I’ll take a raincheck on the spa day f
or now. Just until we know Withernsea is free from the risk of war.” I said, as it didn’t sound like it was going to be much of a relaxing experience if I took Samara with me.
At that point the door opened and Ebony came in.
“Sorry, I’m a little late. Had a customer.”
“Oh yeah, did you give them what they wanted, Eb? Fulfil that customers every desire.” Samara winked. “Did you have a brush with fate? Are you free of white ‘paint’ splatters?”
“It was a real customer and turn your phone off because I saw in a vision that Kim would call you and feed you these very lines to me.”
Samara rolled her eyes and pressed the speakerphone on. “She rumbled you, babe.”
“That bloody seer.”
“Why have you got Samara being your ventriloquist’s dummy?” I shouted near the phone.
“Because I wanted to be with you guys, but I couldn’t get away today. My pussy is so sore.” The other customers in the coffee shop’s heads swiveled around at super speed. “Take her off loudspeaker.” I waved at Samara. “Then pass me the phone.”
“Kim. You are on maternity leave. Now be with your babies. I’m ending the call.” I placed the phone face down on the table. “Okay, can we finally get to talking about some business? What’s everyone got coming up?”
“I need a replacement for Charlie in the boutique so I’m going to ask Alyssa. She assisted Charlie while I was on honeymoon. Do you think Charlie would be offended that I sacked her and took on her friend?”
I sighed. “Charlie has a lot to get used to. It’s going to be a tricky time for her. No, I’d hope she’d be happy for her friend.”
“Did I hear Lys might be working next door?” Bartholomew had wandered over.
“I’ve not asked her yet, so I’d appreciate it if you could not mention what you just overheard.” Ebony told him with a look that could have cut glass. “You will learn. Alyssa is a warrior. She needs a man who can support her strengths. You are not worthy.” She said in the strange ‘voice from the fates’ tone she got occasionally.
His mouth dropped open.
“Ooh, sorry about that. Wasn’t expecting it.” Ebony apologised as if she’d accidently burped, not blurted out seer stuff.
“We’ve got customers, Bartholomew. If you wouldn’t mind serving them while I’m over here.” 'Like I pay you to', Jax muttered under her breath.
“Trouble?” I asked her.
She sighed. “Not really, but first I’ve had Alyssa hanging around the shop and now he’s mooning around wondering if she’s getting a job next door. He’s here to work, not to sort out his dating life. The agency is upstairs.”
“Just you remember that before you got together with Tristan, you employed Bartholomew because he was hot.”
She stuck her tongue out at me. “Fair point well made. Now stick this in your mouth.” She shoved a chocolate doughnut in my direction. I intercepted it and begrudgingly put it back on the plate for a moment.
“Now, there’s something I want to talk to you all about while a certain someone is in the office.”
The others gave me their attention.
“If you aren’t aware of it yet, Lucy and Frankie married while they were on their travels.” I waited for their expressions to register shock at my gossip.
No one looked surprised.
“You all knew?”
“Saw it in a vision.” Ebony said.
“Well, I think we need a celebration to cheer us all up and take our mind off possible upcoming events, so I thought we’d throw them a wedding reception. I thought a week on Friday? Could we hold it here, Jax? Just invite a few people who they know well?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll do a buffet for it.” Jax smiled.
“I’ll trim the place up.” Samara added. “With lots of hearts and flowers.”
“I’ll offer the bride the chance to choose a dress for the reception.” Ebony said.
“I’ll get Maisie to let me into their house so I can decorate their bedroom with rose petals for when they get home.” I added.
“Does Lucy know you’re doing this?” Jax asked.
“Yes. She’s finally come around to the idea. The words ‘present list’ worked amazingly.”
“And where is this present list? On Amazon?”
“Yes, check out the wish list under HotStuffWithernsea.”
Jax keyed it into her mobile phone. “There are only Tom Hardy DVDs on her list.”
“She said I can borrow them so I had no objections to buying her a couple.” I said.
“Well, if she’s sharing, I’ll buy her a couple too.” Added Jax.
“We might have to change the name of this group to the ‘Tom Hardy Appreciation Society’, I joked. I saw Jax’s face fall. God, she was sensitive.
“I’m joking. Our name is brilliant.” I reassured her. “Okay, I’d better get some work done. We’re off to see the Duke tonight for Charlie to become Queen of Wyvern Sea.”
Ebony sniggered.
“What?” I asked her. “Have you seen something?”
“Might have.” She said and she wouldn’t tell me anything else.
And she called herself my friend!
Chapter Eight
Charlie
I’d enjoyed a quiet day yesterday recovering from my hangover and finishing up with a gorgeous chip supper seeing as the night before's had been scuppered by jealous women. Today, seeing as I no longer had a job at Ebony’s boutique, I decided to have a pamper day and slowly get ready for my under the sea coronation and the fact that afterward I would meet Kai. We were going to have a meal at his place. Oh my! Would tonight be the night?
To say I was nervous was an understatement. I wasn’t convinced that an education from Pornhub was the way to go and so last night I’d gone on some forums on the internet for advice. I’d ended up reading several horror stories about broken penises and now I wasn’t sure I’d be able to relax enough to do anything. Anyway, I was getting ahead of myself. We’d not even had a date yet.
By the time my mum came home from work and my dad had got up from his vampire slumber, I was polished and preened within an inch of my life. I’d painted my nails in a range of pastel metallics: pink, blue, green; and my hair was tied back in a plait. I knew part of the ceremony was dumping seawater on my head so I’d figured a plait would ensure I stayed tidy after a soaking.
I stared at myself in the mirror in the hallway before we left. This was the final stage in preparation. I’d be Queen Charlene of Wyvern Sea when I returned.
“Are you okay, Charlie?” My mum came up behind me.
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
We were picked up at the beach as usual. My dad had insisted that Grandad Dylan and Grandma Margret come as they could help if there were any problems. Then strangely we were also accompanied by Debbie and Mark, my other 'grandparents', who had insisted to Shelley over the telephone that they wanted to be involved as they were so proud. Yeah, right. I knew Debbie was trying to make amends for the past but it all seemed too little, too late. However, because Polly and Drake would be there and so they could visit them too, Mum hadn’t felt able to say no. My dad’s mother, Mary, was currently in a sulk as she couldn’t travel underwater as a ghost.
Mark and Debbie held onto each other tightly as the boat sped under the sand and when we reappeared next to the Duke’s home he had his hand on her butt. They’d been touchy feely since we’d met them at the beach and it was making me a little nauseous.
My mum was carrying her crown in a box. On land it looked rusted, but under the water it sparkled with its gemstones. She placed it on her head before descending and we exited the boat. Duke Brishon stood outside his home, dressed in a silver shellsuit, that clung around his large belly and ceremonial gold chains around his neck. He looked like a pimp. Mum acknowledged the Duke’s bow with a nod of her own head.
“Welcome, Your Highness, and guests. Please come inside where we shall perform the ceremony and have some refreshme
nts. I felt the town hall would be a little too formal, for are we not almost family now?” He nodded towards Drake and Polly who came running from the living room out into the hallway to greet us.
“Hey, sis, niece.” Polly smiled a huge beaming smile. Then again she’d won her man on Friday and had no doubt been celebrating ever since so she could be forgiven her smug look. Then the smile disappeared as she saw our extra guests. “Oh, Mum and Dad. This is a surprise.”
“We would have called but we preferred to catch you unawares. Surprise you. More fun that way, eh, sweetie?” said Mark. No way was I calling him grandad.
“We thought you could give us a tour of your new home and of course we’re here to celebrate. It’s not every day your grandaughter becomes Queen is it?” Debbie said.
“Your own daughter was Queen, you didn’t seem to care then?” Polly shot out.
“Yes, yes. We made many mistakes and we apologise, and are determined to do our best to atone for them. We were very proud of you too, Shelley.” Debbie added.
Mark’s eyes took in everything around him. Like he was imprinting it in his mind. I didn’t trust him. The guy had threatened to go to the press just days ago and now mum had let him come underwater? I would mention it later, but for now, I needed this ceremony over with so I could meet Kai.
After a drink and some canapes, we made our way out onto the Duke’s rear patio.
“Please tell me that this time I don’t get covered in dirty seawater.” My mum said.
“No. No.” The Duke said.
Mum’s shoulders visibly relaxed.
“No, you have to be coated in fish excrement for the handover.”
“I beg your pardon, but did you just say fish shit?” My mum spat out. “Because that’s not happening.”
The Duke shrugged. “Without it the handover cannot take place. You’ll just have to stay Queen then.”
Mum looked to the heavens and then at Drake. “Is this true, Drake, and not something your father’s made up in retaliation for us stopping the wedding on Friday?”
The Complete Collection: Supernatural Dating Agency Books 1-6 Page 68
