by Kimbra Swain
Fuller than a Tick
Fairy Tales of a Trailer Park Queen, Book 10
Kimbra Swain
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Kimbra Swain
Fuller than a Tick, Fairy Tales of a Trailer Park Queen, Book 10
©2018, Kimbra Swain / Crimson Sun Press, LLC
[email protected]
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.
Book Cover by: https://www.ts95studios.com
Formatting by Serendipity Formats: https://serendipityformats.wixsite.com/formats
Editing by Carol Tietsworth: https://www.facebook.com/Editing-by-Carol-Tietsworth-328303247526664/
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Character List
Other Minor Characters
Acknowledgments
About the Author
In general, it was known that wearing white after Labor Day was a huge faux pas. However, two things in the South made this untrue. First, it stayed hot until December. Southerners could wear flip-flops to Christmas Dinner, then could wear them again to a New Year’s Eve party. Secondly, weddings were always an exception to the rule.
The autumn leaves barely clung to the trees in the backyard where we were having the ceremony. The dapper groom wore brown slacks, a brown vest, and a baby blue plaid shirt. His groomsmen, including the handsome Levi Rearden, wore the same outfit minus the vest. They wore suspenders instead. Levi cussed the “damn things” when he put them on.
“Why on this green earth would any man want to wear these things?” he protested.
“I dunno, but it’s cute,” I replied. I thought maybe if I complimented him, he would ease up on the attire. Thankfully, it wasn’t me or him getting married today. My proposed wedding date had slipped by unnoticed by most as we prepared to battle with the Wild Hunt. I preferred it that way.
“Just because you say you like it doesn’t mean I will,” he said. Then he cut his eyes to me with a grin.
“Uh-huh,” I replied.
“Momma!” Winnie called from down the hallway. I walked to help her with her dress. She was serving as the flower girl, and she looked adorable. She had “experience” in the flower girl role since she had done the same for Amanda and Troy’s wedding. However, this time her counterpart would be another young boy from school named Corbin. He and his family were raven shifters that had moved to town just after the Battle of Trailer Swamp. He was having trouble fitting in at school, so Ella asked him to be at the wedding to help include him. Winnie was less than enthusiastic about the “new kid.”
Astor and Ella had requested to use the yard at my home to have the wedding, and I had granted the use of the house and yard without thinking much about it. They were like family to me, and I couldn’t deny them. But as the day arrived, it hurt more than I thought it would. The dream and prophecy Dylan had had affected my emotions more than it should have.
Levi and I knew that our lives weren’t written in stone or even in a songbook. We had to live it each day. In the last couple of weeks though, it seemed more like a possibility for us. I had to admit that we were too domestic. He took care of the kids like they were his. He waited on me hand and foot. During the day, he made the rounds in town to each business and person that he could. His dedication to the exiles was impressive.
Outside of a heightened sex drive, he hadn’t suffered any other effects of being turned into a full-fairy. In fact, after it was all over, he thanked me for doing it. I had been selfish to ask, but I knew he felt the same way. If we were going to do this together, we might as well be in it for the long haul.
“You look very nice,” he said.
“Thanks. Tabitha dropped this dress off the other day and instructed me to wear it. That pretty much defines my part in the choosing,” I said.
“Sounds like you didn’t choose any of it,” he replied.
“Exactly,” I said.
The burgundy dress was made of lace with a tight burgundy sheath under it. The dress was longer than the under piece, so you could see my legs. The outfit came with tan shoes and a tan bag. I didn’t carry a purse, and these heels were going to be a doozy in the grass outside. I couldn’t complain. It was a nice outfit, and I didn’t have to shop for it. My teacup necklace hung around my neck, and a cushion diamond ring flashed on my hand. Levi’s ring.
After making sure Winnie was ready, I went downstairs to find Nestor sitting with William. They were playing with Aydan who was now running and talking up a storm.
“Momma, look,” he said, holding up a toy for me to see.
“I see. What is it?” I asked.
“A dog,” he replied.
“It’s a wolf,” I said.
He tilted his head back and howled. He’d seen Mark do it once when he was at the house playing with Winnie, and he mimicked the move every time someone mentioned a wolf.
“What’s all that noise down here?” Levi asked as he came down the steps. “Is that you Aydan?”
“No!” Aydan said, hiding behind me.
“We can’t have dogs in this house, because Rufus will get jealous!” Levi said.
“No!” Aydan cried out.
“I’m going to get you,” Levi said.
Aydan took off running as fast as his chubby legs would carry him. Levi walked behind him, grabbing for him, but letting him get away. Finally, after a short chase, Levi picked him up and tossed him in the air. Aydan laughed so hard he couldn’t catch his breath.
“Weevi! You silly,” he said.
“Where did you learn that I was silly?” Levi asked.
Aydan pointed at me. The little devil.
“Oh, yeah? Your Momma said I was silly?” Levi asked.
“Yes,” Winnie interjected. “She says it all the time, and you have to admit Uncle Levi, you are kinda silly.”
“See,” I said with a smile.
“I can’t say that’s a bad thing,” Levi said.
“Not at all,” William agreed.
Astor walked out of the hallway in his get-up with a scowl on his face. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I’m nervous,” he said, wringing his hands.
I walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek. “You look very handsome, Astor. She is a very lucky woman to have such a wonderful man,” I said.
He sighed. “Thank you, Grace.”
“It will be fine. Remember to breathe. If you pass out, I’m going to video it on my phone,” I said. Astor paled at the prospect.
“No, she won’t, Copper Top,” Levi said. “She doesn’t know how to use the camera on her phone.”
“I do too!” I said.
“The video camera?” he asked.
“Maybe. I’m sure I could figure it out,” I said.
There was a light tap on the door, and Luther peeked into the room. “It’s time,” he said.
“Alright, Little Bird. You are with me,” I said. Aydan ran over to me, and I took his hand as William and Nestor made their way outside to the wedding area, we had set up near the forest that led to my stone circle.
“Grace,” Levi said just before I left.
“Yeah?” I said looking back at him.
“You really do look beautiful,” he said.
“And you really do look handsome. I wasn’t saying it just to make you feel better about it,” I smiled, then slipped out the door with my little date.
Aydan sat happily next to me as the crowd began to settle into their seats. Matthew Rayburn stood before the crowd under an arch made of vines. He had replaced the cloth binding over his eyes with a nice pair of aviator sunglasses. Kady guided him to the position, then took a seat on the front row next to Caleb Martin.
The procession began with the men walking out with Astor Knight. I was glad he had chosen the last name. Now he could properly claim Ella Jenkins as his own. Aydan stood up in the seat next to me and waved at Levi who grinned as he waved back. He picked up a guitar from the stand behind him. Astor had purchased a new one for him. The neck and base were covered in Celtic knots, and the tree of life covered the hole at the bottom. Even though he didn’t need it anymore, Levi gushed for weeks over the new guitar. He agreed to play Canon in D on the guitar for the wedding march.
When he started to play, a collective sigh rolled through the crowd. He played both the guitar and the tattoo. A one-man duet. I’d heard him practicing it, and it sounded wonderful. He truly had a talent for music beyond just your normal good musician. I could see him on a stage as one of those rock stars. The women would faint and swoon, and it would be well deserved.
A young woman with dark brown hair walked down the aisle in a light blue chiffon dress. I had met her a few days ago when Ella brought her by the house. Crystal Marie had strange blue eyes that shifted colors when she moved her head. She and Ella had been mates in college. They met at the university and each had quickly found out that the other wasn’t normal. Recently, Crystal moved to town and had sworn her allegiance to the local alpha. We had decided it was necessary for all shifters to follow Troy. Even Dominick Meyer, who had hidden his alpha status, had sworn the oath. Troy trusted him enough to make him his second in command behind Amanda.
I looked across the crowd, and I saw Dominick sitting with Troy and Amanda. A restless Mark shifted back and forth in his seat. Amanda was trying to calm him, but Dominick picked him up, setting him on his lap. Mark stopped moving around and watched the procession. I knew he was looking for a particular little Phoenix.
Dominick hadn’t approached me again, but he would give me a smile from across the room. Or a polite greeting when he did police work with Troy and it brought them by the office. He still was handsome, and I knew he was still interested. Another day and another time, I might have been, but not considering the current circumstances.
Crystal continued her walk. She was a were-bobcat which I’d never seen until she showed me her shift. She was a beautiful creature. Feline and elegant. Even in human form, she walked down to the altar with air in her step.
Behind her, Winnie stepped out with Corbin who looked more afraid of Winnie than the crowd. They walked down the aisle slowly as Winnie dropped petals along the way. I’d prepared myself to put out any fires, but she made it down to her spot without incident.
Ella appeared at the back of the seating arrangement through a portal created by Tennyson’s sword. She stepped through with Eugene Jenkins and his lion, Chaz Leopold. They stood on either side of her to walk her down the aisle. Chaz held a white handkerchief to his eyes as he boohooed like a baby.
The bride kept her eyes on her groom, and he watched her in awe. It was just as a committed marriage should be. She looked radiant, and he looked happy to stand in her shadow. Tabitha had gushed about the dress saying that Jenny had picked it out for her. I only knew the details because I listened to them twitter about it like two biddies. The mermaid dress flared out at the bottom and the entire thing was covered in lace. She carried blue hydrangea and baby’s breath in her bouquet. I was told that Chaz made all the bouquets. They were lovely.
It seemed the entire town had shown up for the wedding. It was nice to celebrate a new beginning.
As she reached the front, Levi’s song ended. He immediately looked to me. I nodded for his job well done. The smile didn’t reach his lips, but it twinkled in his eyes.
The ceremony was beautiful. More traditional than Amanda and Troy’s Druid ceremony. Chaz cried. Astor didn’t faint. Winnie didn’t set anything on fire, and Aydan managed to be quiet for about 20 minutes.
“You may kiss the bride,” Matthew said, smiling at the couple.
Astor leaned over to kiss Ella’s lips when I saw Levi wince.
“Someone has crossed the ward,” he said.
“Now?” I asked in frustration.
His eyes darted behind us.
“Halt!” a deep voice resonated from the back of the audience.
“Really?” I grunted.
Betty was sitting next to me, and she grabbed up Aydan, handing him to Luther.
Standing up, I spun around to face a familiar being.
“Marshall! We are trying to have a wedding here. You are welcome to join us,” I said.
Tennyson stood up from the crowd, facing the centaur as did Troy. Troy’s hands fell to his hips where he wore Driggs. I felt Levi approaching me from behind.
“Greetings, Queen of the Exiles. I bring a message from Astor’s mother,” he said.
“Of course, you do. Go ahead,” I prompted. We had met Marshall on our visit to Summer. He was the captain of the centaur guard for Rhiannon’s castle. In Summer, he was congenial. However, now I felt a sense of urgency as if he were compelled to be here. Looking at him through my sight, I saw the collar around his human neck. It swirled with the green power of the Summer Queen.
“Queen Rhiannon forbids this marriage to happen. She has informed me to tell you that if you allow it, then she will come to take her son back by force,” he said.
“Oh please, send her here. I’d love to kill her inside the Vale she created,” I said. Turning back to Astor and Ella, I said, “Kiss her.”
He nodded, then completed the ceremony with the kiss.
Marshall shook his head. “She will not be pleased. Perhaps if they do not consummate the marriage,” he suggested.
“Oh, it’s going to be consummated!” Ella said behind me. The crowd snickered.
“Those two people are free folk here. We don’t go by the Queen of Summer’s commands. I’m in charge, and they are allowed to do as they wish. And if Rhiannon wants to bring her skinny ass into my town, remind her that we defeated the Hunt. I’m sure she’s heard about that by now. I’d love to kill her here,” I said.
“There will be consequences,” Marshall said.
“Ain’t scared. Bring it,” I taunted. If Rhiannon was going to be rude enough to interrupt a wedding, I was not going to worry about my manners either.
Levi eased up behind me. I could hear the light humming of the sword in his hand. Marshall’s eyes darted to it, then back to me.
“So, it’s true. You gave the bard the Great Sword,” he said.
“I did,” I replied.
He huffed, and it sounded more horse than human. “Your love for these people will be your downfall,” he said. “If you are truly a Q
ueen, you could do this on your own.”
I leaned back on Levi and grinned. “But I’d much rather do it with them.”
“Do what exactly?” Levi asked.
“Hush,” I replied.
“I will tell the queen,” he said.
“Marshall,” I called to him as he turned to walk away.
“I could take that collar off of you, and you could stay here,” I offered.
He looked at me with sad eyes and replied, “I will not forsake my Queen.” He nodded in thanks, then trotted off into the woods.
“Well, wasn’t that thrilling,” I said enthusiastically. Perhaps a little sarcastically, just to lighten the mood. When I faced Levi, he was grinning again. I shook my head at him before he could imply anything else. “Let’s party!”
The crowd cheered, then made their way to the tent set up behind the house for a lively reception.
Wendy, Ford, and a group of gypsies provided lively music for dancing and celebrating. The children ran around playing in the yard. Winnie’s dress had singe marks on it. I wasn’t sure what she had tried to burn or tried not to burn, but it looked like the dress got the brunt of it. Aydan sat in my lap clapping with the music.
“Momma,” he said.
“Yes?” I answered.
“Musey,” he said which translated meant music.
“Yep, the gypsies are playing music. Do you like it?” I asked.
“Yesh,” he said with a slight lisp.
Levi walked up with a cup of punch for me, and a cup of something for Aydan with a lid and straw. “You want some cake?” he asked.
