by Brandi Bell
Chapter 37
Grady
This forest is beautiful, but I don't know that I would want to spend the rest of my life here. Hearing Seamus ask Jade that question makes me think about how we're all going to manage a relationship with her. I know I can't be without her, and will do anything to stay, but I'm also scared of being left out. Really I'm scared of being pushed away. I come out of my thoughts and drop back to ride next to Jade.
"How are you doing, baby?" I ask her.
"Better than I should be," she answers, giving me one of her sweet smiles.
My cock hardens and I concentrate on not letting it show. I've been patient and tried to do everything right for her. I never thought I would have to share her.
"When we find a cure for your dad, you and I have a date to keep," I say, giving her a lopsided grin.
"I know, I can't wait," she tells me while blushing.
"You're everything to me baby," I say, wishing there weren't pookas between us.
She smiles, "You really need to name your pooka already. It's not fair that he doesn't have a name."
"You're right," I sigh, "Let's see, I have to pick the right name or he won't accept it. Midnight?" The pooka huffs at me like I offended him. "Ok, not that, how about Zombie?" I ask.
"Zombie, that's crazy!" Jade exclaims, but my pooka holds his head up and prances.
"He likes it," I say with a grin.
"I see that, as long as he's happy," she replies shrugging her shoulders.
I chuckle thinking of what a strange name Zombie is, I didn't think he would like it, but it's unique.
I see the sun is getting low, I'm about to suggest stopping for the night when Elias pipes up, "We need to take a break for the girls to change."
"Yes, that would be wise. We should have enough moonlight to continue on while Ruby is with us as well," Antoine replies.
We stop the pookas and climb down to wait for Ruby to make her appearance.
It isn't even a full minute before Jade’s eyes turn to Ruby's red ones.
"I'm never going to get used to that," I say.
"Tough shit, it's not like we have a choice," Ruby snarks at me.
"Easy killer, it wasn't an insult," I reply chuckling.
"Let's get back on the road, the further we get tonight, the sooner we'll be there tomorrow," Elias says.
I watch Ruby with Zeus before I get on Zombie. Thankfully, Zeus decided it would be better to let Ruby ride then slow us all down. I swing up on Zombie and we take off again.
Chapter 38
Ruby
I'm so done with this world. I'm only fucking awake for a couple hours a day and am hardly even contributing. I want to help save my dad, which is weird because I don't ever put anyone before myself. Dammit these guys really are making me soft.
"So what happens tonight?" I ask.
"We find a place to camp, then continue on when you wake up again," Antoine says.
"Why do we always travel when I'm awake," I pout.
"I promise Jade spends much more time travelling than you do, lass," Seamus interjects.
"No one asked you," I say to him with a snotty voice.
"It doesn't mean he's wrong though," Grady tells me.
"You guys are impossible," I say sticking my bottom lip out.
We continue riding as the sun sets. The guys all look weary, and I start to feel guilty for pouting. I shake it off quickly, I don't do guilt.
I look around, noticing the differences in scenery since I was last awake. This area is highly forested, it gives me the creeps. I just want to go home back to the city where life is normal. A clearing appears in front of us.
"Let's make camp here for tonight," Antoine suggests.
"Sounds good to me, Jade will be back within the next ten minutes anyways," Elias replies.
"How do you keep time so accurately?" I ask him.
"I don't know. I can just feel it," he answers.
I get off of Jade’s pooka and watch the men work. I can tell they've grown accustomed to working together by the way they set up the camp. I open my mouth to tease them, but I don't get a chance to say anything.
Chapter 39
Seamus
I get food ready for the pookas, secretly glad Jade made me name mine. I've grown attached to Flavian. I look back over at Ruby and her eyes are green already. I smile, happy that my mate is looking back at me.
"Welcome back lass" I say.
"Ok, is there anything I can do to help?" she asks, acting uncomfortable.
"What's wrong?" I question her, concerned.
"I just feel like you guys are doing all the work, and I'm just on the sidelines letting you," she admits.
"Oh, lass, it makes us happy to take care of you. Once we aren't on this mission we'll let you take care of us," I tell her.
It earns me a smile, then she walks off towards the tent to check on the others. I forget how sweet she is, and I wonder how someone like me was paired with someone as amazing as her.
Chapter 40
Felix
The sun is going to come up soon, I can feel the ache in my bones. The first full night without my family, and I made it. At least Liam is still here. I'm glad he's letting me stay here until they return. I won't miss them during the day. I sent Liam to bed not long ago, no use him staying awake to watch me sleep. Hopefully when night falls tomorrow we can find a way to get through them being gone without going crazy.
Chapter 41
Antoine
We finish setting up the tent and the blankets inside. I turn around and Jade is watching from the entrance. I smile and walk to her.
"Can I help you my dear?" I ask her.
"No, I was just coming to see if I could help you, but you seem to have it under control," she says, then yawns.
"It's all ready, whenever you want to sleep, my dear," I reply.
"When Zeus finishes eating I'll sleep," she tells me, stifling another yawn.
The pooka comes running over in his dog form, before her yawn is finished. He nudges her to go in the tent, and I cover my mouth to hide the chuckle forming.
"I guess he thinks I should sleep too," she says as she lays down.
I look back over and she's asleep.
Chapter 42
Ruby
I wake up smashed between two dogs again. I cover my mouth trying not to scream. One is Jade’s pooka, but the other isn't a pooka at all. I open my mouth and scream. The other dog form turns into Elias, it's his fucking wolf.
"What the fuck was that?" I scream at him smacking his arm.
"Ouch, I was running and got back right before your change so I laid down and waited. I don't think anyone wanted Jade seeing me naked again," he explains.
"Jade’s fucking seen you naked?" I scream again, now livid.
"I changed into a wolf the first time we crossed over when you changed right back into Jade and destroyed my clothes. When we got to Antoine's brother’s house I transformed back and she saw me. That's all," he explains.
"Still, keep your junk covered up around other women, you're mine," I growl at him.
His pooka puts herself between us and growls at me. Ugh stupid beast thinks that will work. I open my mouth and let my fangs descend. Instead of scaring the beast, she takes it as a sign to grow her teeth bigger and sharper.
"Enough," Elias growls at us.
"She is my chosen pooka you will respect her," he says glaring at me.
"And she is my mate, you will not try to get between us," he growls at his pooka.
I look down embarrassed, the pooka slinks off to the corner. I now realize how intimidating Elias can be if he wants to be.
I get up and stretch my legs, now that I've had my hissy fit everyone is awake and working on breaking down the camp.
I walk up to Jade's pooka, "Are you going to let me ride you today?"
He turns around and walks off. I'm not sure what that means, but hopefully he isn't going to make me walk again. That sucked last t
ime. The guys made quick work of packing up. Antoine places the saddle on the pooka for me, so I approach him. I climb up and thankfully he doesn't protest.
We continue on our way to the Summer Kingdom. I'm tired of being in this world and hope they find the answer so we can leave. The sun comes up, this is the only thing I like about this world. I get to feel the sun on my skin, it makes me smile. The air starts warming, as we move along.
"Elias, please don't let Jade fail," I tell him.
I am gone before I hear his answer.
Chapter 43
Elias
"I won't," I reply.
"You won't what?" Jade asks.
"Ruby asked me not to let you fail," I answered her.
"Oh," she replies.
She looks confused, but doesn't ask anything else. I can't wait to get home and be done with this world. I don't get enough time with my Gem here. This is our last kingdom, so we'll either get an answer or we will fail. Failure is not an option though, Gem won’t allow it.
"How long until we are in the Summer Kingdom?" I ask.
"By lunchtime," Antoine answers.
"Then how long to the castle?" I question him.
"We'll be there before the sun sets," he replies.
"I hope they have more answers than the last three," Seamus says.
"Me too," I say.
Chapter 44
Jade
I listen to the men talk, glad we’re all on the same team. I'm hopeful that we will get our answers soon. I can tell we are getting closer to Summer, the further we ride, the warmer it's getting. At least the dress I wear seems to adjust to the heat well.
I feel a warmth coming from my pocket. I reach in and the contact stone is lit up again. I hold it in my hand, close my eyes and concentrate, like Antoine showed me.
"Jade, one of the Sidhe capable of spelling your dad has left the kingdom and not returned. I'm not certain, but it very well could be her that has cursed your dad. If it is, the only person capable of reversing it, besides her, is Talia of the Summer Kingdom. You must talk to her," Queen Annalisa's voice rings out of the stone.
"Well, maybe this is good news. If we can get Talia to help us, we can go home!" I exclaim.
"We shall see, my dear," Antoine says.
"We still need to check on the Summer Kingdom, in case it's not the Spring fae that did it," Seamus speaks up.
"You're right. I just got excited that we might have a cure," I said with a sad tone.
I stay quiet, watching the scenery change the further we ride. The trees start to spread out, and more open green fields. There are less flowers in this part of spring. I still see different forest fae peeking out at us every once in awhile, though. It makes me smile to see all of the different life there is coexisting in this forest.
"A penny for your thoughts," Grady says.
"Just thinking how all of these creatures coexist in this forest, without harming it," I reply.
"It's nice, it's too bad our world destroys instead," he tells me.
"Too bad we can't stay here," I say sadly.
I'm not sure what's come over me, I really do want to live here. This world sings in my blood, and I dread returning home. The only reason I want to, is to save my dad. I'll have to see if we can get permission to at least visit.
"Antoine, after we go back, will we be able to come back and visit?" I ask him.
"I'm sure we can arrange that. Is your blood singing, my dear?" he asks me.
"Yes, I dread leaving. I don't know why either," I admit.
"Some from the human realm were meant to be here, I believe your soul is one of them, but your sister is firmly in the human world. It creates an interesting conundrum," he says.
"Well, I wish we could figure out a way around it. One of us is going to be miserable no matter what, and I'm sure it'll be me. I can't take Ruby away from her mates," I tell him.
"I'm sorry we don't have a way around that," Seamus says, his voice sad.
"No use focusing on things we can't change," I say, not wanting to think on it anymore.
"Is there anything to worry about in Summer Kingdom," Grady asks, changing the subject.
"Not really, we have permission to enter. If you enter without permission the land itself will make it hard for you to pass. The queen is in touch with everything in her kingdom," Antoine says.
"This is going to be an interesting conversation," I think aloud.
Antoine laughs, "Yes it is, my dear. Don't be surprised if Talia is the only one we talk to."
"I'm ok with that, especially if she will agree to cure my dad," I reply.
I gasp, a shiver going down my spine, and the feeling of being watched comes over me.
"We just passed into the Summer Kingdom, didn't we?" I ask for confirmation.
"I'm surprised you felt that, usually only those born of this land do," Antoine answers.
"I felt it sweep down my spine, and it feels like someone’s watching me," I tell him.
"That's the same feeling I get, my dear," he tells me.
"I didn't feel anything," Elias says.
The other two men nod their heads in agreement. Odd, I wonder why I'm different. My stomach growls, I realize I didn't have breakfast.
"Can we stop for lunch?" I ask, my stomach growling again.
"Sure, sounds good to me," Grady answers with a grin.
We climb off of our pookas and take their saddles off. Zeus turns into his dog self and flops on his side. He must be tired after all the traveling we've done.
"Thank you for carrying me across all of these kingdoms," I tell him.
I get a tail thumping in return. I've fallen in love with my pooka, and wonder if I can take him home with me. I ask Antoine.
"I'm not sure, my dear, but we'll find out," he tells me.
That's a good enough answer for now. I sit on the blanket that's spread out and grab a random fruit out of my bag. It's a banana, I think. I peel it and the fruit inside is purple. I have a horrified look on my face.
"It's ok, it's not sour like the last purple thing you ate," Antoine says laughing at me.
I take a bite, and it tastes like a banana, only sweeter. I gobble it up, and wait for everyone else to finish eating. I look around and notice someone riding up to us on a pooka.
"Uh, guys, we have company coming," I tell them.
"Ah, yes, that is princess Talia," Antoine tells us.
"Wow! I figured we would have to meet her at the castle," I say.
"She decided to come find us apparently," Antoine replied.
We stand, pack our things and saddle our pookas while we wait for her to reach us. She is in closer view now, she is beautiful with long curly blond hair. People in the human world only get hair like that with extensions.
She stops her pooka and climbs off. "Hi, I'm Talia, I've been anxious to meet you, Jade," she says reaching out and hugging me. "Sorry, I left the castle early, wanting to catch up to you after Annalisa told me you were coming. I just couldn’t wait to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too," I tell her.
"Now let's ride back to the castle together, and I'll tell you what I've learned," she says happily.
"Ok, thank you," I reply.
"Princess, thank you for your help," Antoine tells her.
"No problem, I already know Jade and I are going to be the best of friends," she says, winking at me.
"Thanks?" I say awkwardly.
"Ok, so I have checked the Summer Kingdom for you already, and no one that could cause that curse has left. So it has to be the Sidhe from the Spring Kingdom. Annalisa was right, I can reverse it, but we have much to talk about before I agree to go to the human realm with you," she explains.
"You'll at least think about helping us?" I say my voice hopeful.
"Of course, we just need to talk at the castle about some things first, silly," she replies giggling.
We continue on the path to the castle. I look around at the Summer Kingdom, and notice there are hi
lls with doors in them. They remind me of hobbit houses from Lord of the Rings.
"Do you have hobbits here?" I ask.
Antoine nearly falls off of his horse laughing. "This isn't middle earth dear, it's Caestia, those are brownie houses."
"I didn't know," I said, feeling embarrassed.
"Be nice to my new friend, this is her first time in our world," Talia says, glaring at him.
"Yes, Princess," he replies.
I giggle a bit, at how quickly Antoine stops. I really like Talia already, I feel a connection to her I wasn't expecting. Not like my bonds with the guys, but more of what I thought I should with Ruby. I don't linger on that thought for very long. There's no point in wondering what can't be.
The castle comes into sight, it's a beautiful mixture of trees and stones. Tree branches grow together like in the Spring Kingdom, but wrap around stones in every color of the rainbow. It's so beautiful, I can't take my eyes off of it.
"It's a wonder isn't it," Talia says to me.
"It used to be made only of stone, but the more my mother stays in nature, the more the trees merge in," she says sadly.
"It's amazing," I tell her my eyes wide with awe.
"We are almost there, and you'll get to meet Mother," Talia comments.
"We need to stop for a minute," Elias speaks up.
"Oh, why?" Talia asks, confused.
"It's time for Ruby to wake up," he says.
I get off of Zeus then it all goes black.
Chapter 45
Grady
