Chapter 10

Teague smiled. "Surely you heard me the first time?" His eyes twinkled with mirth.

She was still frozen.

He looked at her. Worry was seeping into his face. Did I break her?

I honestly don't know, Teague. Try touching her.

Teague poked her cheek. She blinked and stared at him. Her brown eyes were wide and filled with shock.

"Why didn't you?" She almost whispered it. Honestly, she didn't know why she asked that. She should have been demanding that it be broken off. She was Brody's girl! Teague was unstable, untrustworthy. It didn't matter that Jared was part of him anymore. Teague was still the guy that tried to kill her repeatedly. He was the one that kidnapped her brother. Tried to kill Brody. He killed all those Fae in the GM Headquarters. He killed Mei!

Teague's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "I…don't know…actually…" His cheeks were dusted with a light pink color.

She blinked again. Was Teague blushing?!

Aw! You do love her!

Shut up, Jared!

Not a very good comeback, Teague.

I said SHUT UP!

His only response was Jared's laughter and a sing song response. Someone's in denial~!

He ground his teeth. "Anyway, I didn't and now I'm glad I hadn't." He forced a smirk to play on his lips, ignoring Jared's commentary about his/their love life. This whole unification was getting confusing… He blinked and continued speaking. Pulling Mina closer to him and slipping an arm around her waist. He murmured. "I'll make sure you won't regret that decision either." He pinned her against the wall and nuzzled her hair and ear.

Her breath hitched. What about Brody?! She kept screaming at herself that this wasn't fair to him, but then reality came crashing in on her. She would be stuck here forever! Her hand crept up to the necklace that held his ring. It was still there. Teague pulled away to speak to her and saw what she was holding. He clamped down on his rage, although Teague could tell that Jared was angry too. Mina's heart would never be completely theirs until that mortal was dealt with.

Teague decided to take matters into hand. "That's like reaching for the moon, love…"

She looked up at him. "What?"

"Wishing that Brody Carmichael was still yours."

She blinked.

He continued speaking while massaging her neck gently. Caressing and squeezing so as to seem both threatening and gentle at the same time.

"Brody Carmichael will always be in danger of dying whenever you're around. It would be best if you released him. After all," He pulled away from her slightly and kissed her neck. He whispered into her ear. "It's not fair to him if you hold onto his heart when you can't stay long enough to make him happy."

His hands lightly skipped over her waist and traveled down to her jeans lining. "You'll never be able to return his affections fully." His breath tickled her ear. "You're heart will always be sundered in two. As I said, it isn't fair to the mortal for you to hold onto him. It's like reaching for the moon." He pulled her closer to him. She could feel how excited her was. "Especially when the sun is within your grasp…"

She stared into his blue and grey eyes. She ignored the part about the sun. Sun during an eclipse was more like it. Her heart would never truly love Teague as long as he was infected with Erjad. If she could use this new position with him to remove it…maybe… She spoke. "He needs to know that I'm alive at least."

Teague nodded. "When is the closest birthday?"

Mina tilted her head in thought. "Nan's is January 19th. Mom's is April 22nd. Charlie's is August 11th. Ever's is…" She wrinkled her nose in thought. Teague wanted to kiss it; she looked so adorable.

Ever's is November 3rd.

Teague relayed Jared's message. Mina nodded. "Oh yeah! I helped Jared pick out a birthday present for her!" Mina suddenly giggled. Teague raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

She looked at him in surprise. "You mean you didn't see that memory?"

Teague could feel Jared's emotions rising. Anger, embarrassment, and mortification…

Care to share, Jared dear?

No… It came out as a growl.

Mina giggled again. "It had to do with lace." *

Jared's voice spoke up. "Shut up, Grimm! Get on with what you were saying before!"

Teague made a face. "I still dislike giving over control…but he's right. Continue."

Mina became serious again. "I need to speak with him one last time."

No! If she speaks with him, then he'll break down everything we have worked so hard at making. Make Ever deliver the messages for her! Teague nodded at Jared's words.

"It's too dangerous. I'll have Ever speak with him and explain it all. If you wish, a letter could be delivered to him."

Mina sighed and nodded. "Alright. It's October 12th now. I'll get to visit on Ever's birthday."

Teague sighed and nodded. "With guards."

Mina stared at him. "What?"

Teague looked at her. "You really need to get that put on a T shirt. I have enemies, and since you are engaged to me, you should be protected."

She hit his shoulder in frustration, and he chuckled. She suddenly realized that he hadn't moved away. His arms were still wrapped around her. His face was mere inches from hers. "Umm…Teague?" His grey and blue eyes looked into hers. It was disorienting and exhilarating all at the same time. "Could you…uh…let me go?"

Teague did the exact opposite, because it was expected of him. He pushed himself closer to her. "Never."

She was about to reply when they heard a shocked. "Oh my!"

Teague cursed and pulled away with a speed that Mina didn't know he possessed. She fought her blush down as turned to stare into the shocked eyes of Maeve, Queen of the Fae. Her husband was right beside her, equally shocked. Mina groaned. Teague was blinking quickly. His mouth was opening and closing like a fish trying to take in water and oxygen through its gills but still dying all the same.

Mina blinked. Okay, that was a slightly twisted thought…She stepped forward. "My Lord and Lady, Prince Teague has invited me to this plane in order to settle some past…differences and straighten some mysteries concerning his…alteration…and attempted assassination."

Teague stared at her. Since when has she had a quick head on her shoulders?

He heard Jared laugh. Since forever. It comes and goes in flashes. Completely unpredictable.

Teague nodded slightly to himself. Unfortunately that movement brought the Fates attention back on him.

Maeve stared at her son. Lucien blinked. "Son, your eyes…"

Teague cursed. Mina stepped in. "The reason he called a Grim. I know a few facts about what that Fae did to him. I knew Elle Cinder who was a witness to the confusion. He decided to appease the curse and put an end to it, if I stayed and helped him solve this little issue of his…"

Teague blinked at her. "Yes…" He stared at her. Was this still Mina, or had she been kidnapped and replaced while he wasn't looking?

Lucien nodded. "That sounds…reasonable…"

Maeve didn't looked convinced. "Are you feeling well, Son? You promised to appease the curse?"

Teague shot Mina a glare. She smiled sweetly at him. "I promise to appease the curse." Mina's smile widened.

If you guys are curious about that lace reference, then read my other story Lace Suits You. = )

Ink…