Change of Fate

Lady Countryrose

Ch. 15

The next morning Grace found herself in a white room with Gajeel asleep in a chair next to her. He gave her a small smile, even with that small smile was a bit of sunshine for Grace to hold on to. But she had also seen the worried look in his red eyes. His eyes told her more things than he would have ever said.

"What's wrong," she asked with worry carried within her voice.

The raven-haired dragon slayer sighed, "How can I explain this..?" He reached over to help her sit up in her bed, seeing it would better to see each other's eyes while he talks to her. Once he saw that she was comfortable. "I may have given you a bite on your neck, Grace." He saw that her eyebrow had risen with questions within her eyes. "I've initiated the mating bond with one another."

"Oh," as the sound of her lungs being empty of the air that she had. She glanced up into his eyes and knew that he was telling the truth. "You couldn't hold back," she asked softly.

"No I couldn't, not when I wasn't able to see you for many weeks, Grace." His eyes became those of pain. "I was being tortured. I knew that you were alive but I didn't know where to find you. Once we start the process, I'll be able to find you." He grasped her hand, knowing that she wouldn't fight with him. "I can't live another moment like that again," tears leaked out of his eyes, which she saw that he had been trying to hold back.

Grace couldn't allow this man to go through any more pain because of her. She launched herself out of the bed and wrapped her arms around him. Gajeel had wrapped his own arms around her, keeping her close as possible to his chest.

"I don't want that either, Gajeel." Her nose made its way to his neck, while his own did the same to her's. Each one of them breathing in each other's scent. His was iron and forest, he was all male. While he smelled lilac and vanilla on her. "I must ask you something Grace… Will you be my wife, be my woman for life?"

Grace couldn't help it but laugh, she had read such words in books but never heard someone say those words to her. She had never even imagined someone would do that. Gajeel pulled away from her, only enough to see her face. "Did I break you or something?"

"No," her laughter carried out to where she was having a hard time breathing. "Sorry… I've… never thought… someone would… say those… words to me." She gave a smile, once she found her way to breathe again. "But yes, I'll be your wife."

"Good," he growled out, showing his need for her through the vibrations of his tone. "You know, we're going to have to ask that she-demon for help with the wedding."

Grace sighed, "After what I've been through. I'll have to say that is a price I'm willing to pay."

The dragon slayer had gotten up, bringing Grace into his arms. "Let's get you something to eat, I don't think those bastards of took care of you." He leads her downstairs, where they found a few of their guild mates in the guild that morning. He leads her to the bar and pushed her into a stool and then faced the barmaid. "Get her whatever she wants…"

Mira raised an eyebrow at the Iron Slayer but turned to Grace with a smile. "What can I get you, Grace?"

"Strawberry and kiwi flavored water. Along with a fish and shrimp basket." She gave a sigh, "I need high levels of protein it seems."

Mira nodded, "I would imagine that you would need it. I'll bring it out to you, as soon it's done." She then turned to the kitchen to get it going.

Gajeel then picked up Grace. He moved her across the guild to a table before placing her down and sat down next to her. The two glanced around to only see that Happy was sleeping on the table in front of them.

Grace reached over and pet him. "Happy, why are you doing here?"

The blue cat opened his eyes and rushed to Grace with a big hug. "You're awake… Neither Natsu nor Lucy would sleep." He glanced around. "I've tried to find sleep with them, but found myself back here."

Grace looked unsure of what she was hearing. "Where are they now?"

"Natsu should be at the house, where I've left him. Lucy should be at her apartment, where she kicked me out of…"

The young woman lets a sigh leave her lips after hearing that. Even though she may want her sister to be happy, but wasn't able to see Natsu able to voice his feeling for Lucy yet. She grumbled at the cat. "Now Happy, you made me worried."

"What," the cat gave an innocent look. "You thought that they were together? Why would you think that? Lucy is too bossy for someone like Natsu."

That caused a few chuckles within the guild of sleepy guild mates. A few of them were drunkard older men.

"Forgive me," Grace gave a small smile. "I didn't know what I was thinking."

"Must be the whole kidnapping thing," stated Happy with worry in his eyes. "It may be a few days before you think clearly again."

Gajeel wrapped his arm around her shoulder while trying to hold back his laughter. That Grace could see in his eyes. "Either way, cat. Grace will need a few days away from the guild to get back to normal." He pressed his lips against her temple. "Could you get Bunny and let her know that her sister is up?"

Happy let out a sigh, "Do I get a fish out of this?"

"Sure," stated the dark haired slayer. That was when the cat left the table and flew out of the guild. He then turned towards Grace with his smile lighting up his face. "Be prepared for a few days of relaxation at the cottage, my Goddess."

Just when Grace was about to say something, Mira came to their table with Grace's food and drink. Gajeel waved his hand towards her. "Go ahead, I already ate this morning."

Mira gave him a hard look. "You ate, when?"

Gajeel glared at her, "I stepped away for an hour this morning. Before you came to the guild and ate some raw ore that I have."

Grace let a sigh leave her lips, she was not in a mood for arguments that day. So she took a sip of her drink before going into her high protein breakfast. About halfway through her meal. Lucy came rushing into the guild and made her way towards them at their table.

"Grace! I'm glad to see you up and about," her smile seemed to have brought the sun into the guild at that very moment.

A sigh left Grace's lips as she smiled at her younger sister. "Now Lucy," she leaned towards her with her chin leaning into her hand. "I've heard from a blue bird that neither you nor Natsu could sleep last night." She was able to hear a lot of chuckles in the guild, which they knew the truth from her digging from Happy. "I wonder why that was?"

"Blue bird," asked Lucy with fire in her eyes. "Oh that cat is going to have it," she growled out before making her way out of the guild.

Mira had called out from the bar. "Grace," causing the said girl to glance her way. "I thought you told me, no matchmaking?!"

Grace's lips pulled up to a smirk. "That wasn't matchmaking, Mira." She took a drink before going on. "That was sisterly love, letting her know what a big mouth Happy has."

The barmaid gave a giggle, "Wow! I am blessed to have you as her sister," she gave a shiver, which none within the building had seen before. "I wouldn't want to be on your bad side."

The auburn haired woman smirked and finished her meal. Once she was done, Gajeel picked her up in his arms, before taking her out. "Time to take you home…"

She laid her head against his shoulder, allowing her eyes to flicker to close. Even though she may have been awake for a short time, she was still tired from the ordeal. It made her realize how lucky she was to be home and to be with the one she loved.

Once at the cottage, Gajeel went to the couch and laid down with Grace on top of him. Allowing me the small comforts of having her near him. Hearing her breathing, along with the small steady heartbeats. It was music to his ears. He wasn't one for a cuddling, but he was enjoying her being close to him.

'I have got to marry you soon,' he glanced down at the sleeping woman. 'I don't think I can go another night without you next to me… Then again the mating bond won't allow us to go many days without going the next step.'

Ever since he had bitten her, he had been experiencing some deep inner drive for him to complete the process. It was enough that he was fighting his inner self. A deep struggle that he was nearly fearful of himself scaring the woman within his arms. But he knew that he could hold it back for a least, he hoped for a few days.

He allowed himself to close his eyes. The sound of her, while she was in her sleep was a lullaby to his ears. Gajeel could honestly say to himself that he could finally allow himself sleep. He felt his body drift to sleep.

The next morning they found themselves at the guild, during one of the rainiest days of the year. Natsu sitting in the corner, not the far away from Lucy snoring. Causing Gajeel to grumble and Gray to want to hit the guy. Lucy was giving her sister a glare, which was making the auburn girl feel uncomfortable.

"What," growled Grace at her blonde sister.

"You left without talking to me," she hissed with heat behind her words. "Don't you realize how worried I was when I found out that you were kidnapped?"

Grace closed her eyes for a moment. "Do you realize that the whole time I was away. I wouldn't allow myself to sleep, at least no more than a couple of hours." A couple tears left her eyes. "I knew that one of them would hurt me if I allowed myself to relax and I was right."

"Why did you leave last night, if you were still healing?"

"Would you sleep better if you were in your own bed," Grace fired back.

It was at that moment that Mira came and sat down with the two girls. "Is this a good time for us to plan a wedding?"

"Mira," grumbled Lucy softly, which the white haired woman ignored.

Grace smiled, "I was thinking to just have it here." She leaned into Mira with a smile on her lips. "I don't think the church would survive with all of us in it. Especially since it is a historical landmark."

"Okay, so here and imitate party. Are you planning something formal or casual," she asked with her eyes flutter.

"Casually nice," stated Grace. "I wouldn't want people to spend much on clothes unless they want to…" She shook her head with a smile. "I was going to wear a nice sundress."

"But…," Mira glanced towards Lucy with hurt in her eyes. "Can you get your sister to change her mind. Every bride needs a fancy wedding."

Lucy smiled, "Mira. Do you think that Gajeel would wear a tux on his wedding day?" She pointed to the dark haired dragon slayer. "From what I know of him, he would wear his best and hope for the best." She then glanced towards the said dragon slayer with raised hands. "No offense Gajeel."

"None taken," he spoke with his raspy voice. "You only spoke the truth… I can't punish those who are truthful, now can I?"

Mira huffed, "Fine. I guess the master can wed you guys." She then glanced towards Grace with worry in her eyes. "Who is giving you away?"

"I guess Loke can," she glanced towards Lucy with hope in her eyes. "We did kind of become siblings and all."

"Speaking of which," she placed her hand on Leo's key. Before she was to call upon him, he flashed into the room.

Without a moment after the flash came, arms wrapped their way around Grace's waist. "Sunshine," he gasped with warmth in his voice. A growl was heard but was ignored by the two that were hugging one another. "When did you come back?"

"Last night, I think…" She gave him a smile before pulling him away from her. "Would you be up to giving me away at my wedding?"

"Who are you marrying," growled the spirit lion. "I would like to battle him here and now."

"Gehe, good luck kitty." Loke turned to see Gajeel, with a worried look in his eyes. "Don't worry about your pesky head of yours, kitty. I'll keep my mate safe."

"Mate," Loke grumbled. "So Grace is your mate, why didn't you protect her, to begin with?"

"One," stated Gajeel with heat in his eyes. "She ran off with Bunny's friends with the tickets you gave them. Two, I was working on something for the master."

Loke glanced down towards the table. "Understandable," he gave a nod towards the dark haired dragon slayer. "When is the wedding?"

Grace glanced towards Gajeel with her lips pulled back into a warm smile. "I say about two weeks?"

"Hell, a week if you ask me."

Mira smiled, "I can make it work, in a week." She turned towards the guild with a determination. "I'll even get people to do things around here. It sure will get things moving along…" She had gotten up and started walking towards the bar. "Starting tomorrow, everyone is going to pull their weight around here!"

Elfman came and walked towards the bar with sorrow in his eyes. "Come, Mira. It's time for us to head out."

"Yes," she whispered before pulled on her jacket and followed her brother out of the guild.

Lucy glanced towards Cana, "Where are they off to?"

"They always leave about this time, every year…" The vague question was enough to quiet the guild.

Grace stood up and stretched, "I think I'm going to go for a walk. I'll see you all later…" She turned towards the guild doors.

Loke and Lucy were about to get up to follow her. "Give her some space," called out Gajeel. Causing the two to glare at him. "I'm not trying to keep her from you. But Grace needs some distance, believing that she's here. If you follow her, she'll think that she's back with them. She wasn't allowed alone…"

Lucy grumbled, "As much as I hate to admit, but you're right." She forced herself to sit back down, bringing her lion spirit to sit next to her. "Do you know how bad it was..?"

Gajeel shook his head. "I just know that Cobra was trying to keep her from harm. At least what I understood from the guy, when I was battling him." He grumbled, "It took me a while to realize she was home…"

Lucy smiled, "Thank you, Gajeel." When he glanced up, she was that he didn't understand her. "For bringing home my sister and for making her happy." Lucy sighed, as she glanced towards the window. "This day would be full of so much sorrow if she wasn't able to come home."

"I wouldn't be a good dragon slayer, allowing his mate to be harmed." His eyes flashed with dark thoughts raising across his brain. "We dragon slayers would die before that happens. Because we can't live without our mates being this world without us."

Lucy's eyebrow raised as she glanced towards Natsu. "Really?"

"Don't allow your pretty little head wrap around Salamander, Bunny." Gajeel saw the hurt look in her eyes. "I can't read his mind. But from the way he acts, he has too much faith in knowing that tomorrow is another day. Another day for a future…" He turned towards Natsu with worry in his eyes. "I just hope he'll wake up to reality before harm comes to you. If that is where his heart is."

The world outside became darker. Their skins were alive with the electrical current of raw magic. Edolus was upon them…