Chapter One: Crown
Whatever you decide…whatever happens…we are in this together.
Eight steps forward. Turn to the right. Eight steps forward. Stop. Eight steps to honor the eight queens before Lauren. Eight more steps to honor the kings. Not the kings and queens of the Light and Dark. Not the kings and queens of territories. The real ones who ruled the Fae as one. Lauren's mother was the eighth and one day when Sean has to do this, he will take nine and nine. Something about me being counted as a king for the sake of keeping tradition. Kenz tried to explain it, repeatedly. Just didn't stick.
Sixty or seventy steps ahead I find my solace, small smile instinctively breaking through at the sight of her. Small stage perfectly set, built specifically for this. Two thrones side by side, she sits in hers, the one beside her awaiting me, if I succeed. A smaller, less extravagant set of thrones evenly spaced out on either side creating a nice V-shape. Sean sits to her right and the throne to my left is empty, black sash covering over the navy material of the fabric. To some they know the reason why, to others it's a simple tradition for "not" having another eldest heir.
To Sean's right, Ethan sits across from him Charlie. He's stoic and proud, back tight as he tries to copy his older brother's natural resting sate. Smile slightly growing. You'll get there baby boy. Charlie on the other hand looks like a hostage, but none the less she sits still. To her left Victoria leans back in her throne, right at home as is her brother across from her. Two sets of twins. Two completely different sets of personalities.
Kenzi and Milia stand off to Lauren's right, behind the throne. Enough to be seen, but not be seen. Kenz nods at me and smirks. Her way of saying 'you got this'. Mila's eyes survey the crowd, most likely doing the math of something or other, she never stops working. Father Travino noticeably absent, his place was to be with them.
Breath held, three steps forward. The crowds on either side silent, as anxious as I am. First ten rows of seats on either side taken by the 'important' people. Ashes and Morgans. Government and ambassadors. The rich and famous. Behind them the next fifteen rows on either side with those 'lucky' enough to be present for our spectacle. Kenz mentioned something about drones being present so the other fifty-six cities could watch.
Nothing like having millions of people watching possibly the biggest fight of your life.
The cawing of the crows circling above pull me from my thoughts. The blood smeared over the tan cobblestone attracting them like moths to a flame. On either side stands eight men standing in front of large tribal drums, those funny drumsticks in each hand, the ones that looks like they have marshmallows on the end. Thought earning a silent chuckle. Bare chested and bare feet, much like the seven women standing beside them with some kind of violin or cello, whatever those handheld things are.
Funny, for as far as we come somehow we've gone back centuries.
Soren walks out into the middle of the grounds in all his bloody glory. He looks from me and then to the left, toward the stage but this time he's looking at my opponent. The six foot, two hundred and ten pounds of pure muscled, bloody beast. Can't begin to express how happy I am my first time back in the ring is with Godzilla.
"Travas!" He lifts his fist in the air. "Ka tra, Ka nadi!" They repeat after him, becoming a single roaring voice. One nation, one people. The promise we made each other, the promise we made them and the motto of the people.
"Vivat Regina! Aava Reyna!"
He steps back out of the way, out sight. I'm alone now. Breath held, the cawing above battling the pounding of my heart for attention. Kenz said death was acceptable during this, but it isn't actually…is it? My eyes run over the crowd, what I can see without actually looking. I wonder how many actually care about this versus just wanting to participate in a rare spectacle. I wonder how many are actually rooting for me win.
A Gjallarhorn sounds followed by one unison of drum hits and then another. Steady pace, ground vibrating beneath my feet. Kjeld lifts his massive arms in the air, yelling some sort of noise. Pounding of drums suddenly picking up, a rapid roll followed by a momentary silence. Unexpectedly the violins join the commotion and drums fall back into rhythm.
Well, here goes nothing.
He comes toward me with an even speed, my steps quite slower. His hands raise, throwing punches into the air before he's within reach. My hands rise, fists never seeming to have unballed. Two right hooks taken by my forearms, the second enough to cause my fists to open. A left hook to my side only partially blocked. Foot to my stomach and I'm gasping to breath as I find myself on the ground.
Crowd roaring, in whose favor I'm not quite sure. Palms pressed to the ground readying to force myself up only to find a hand around my throat and then missing as I fly a good twenty feet through the air only to end up right back on the ground. Blood pouring from my mouth onto one of the very few clean stones beneath me. His heavy foot coming to land on my back forcing me face down against the stone, my own blood stinging my eye.
The world goes black, but only for a second. I know it's only a second because I'm staring at Lauren now and she hasn't moved. She's watching, clenched jawed. She debating to step in, despite the fact I made her promise not to. Michael and Ria are at the edge of their seats more than ready to join the fight, while Sean and Ethan are readying to stop them, a promise I made them make me. Kenz has venture forward, far more than allowed but no one's watching her.
His foot comes down on my back several more times, blackness coming and going. The violent, rhythmic drums the only thing forcing me toward consciousness. And just when I think the pain will swallow me whole, his weight is gone. My first thought being Lauren had stepped in, but she's still in her seat. Mustering what strength left I roll onto my back, and then stagger to my feet.
He stands ten or so feet back, sword in his hand. For a moment I'm confused, then I remember Kenz told me there was three phases; hand to hand, weapon and final. Soren calls for me, the music having stopped for the moment. He tosses me a sword of my own. Only thought on my mind now is how weird it feels to hold one of these again. Heavy and awkward.
Music begins the same pattern as before, though now there are four men, one in each corner holding two blades in hand. In between the drums and the violin they clank them together every dozen or so seconds. The nineteen of them yelling out "Fight!" every twenty or so. Like I don't get the damn point of this by now.
Kjeld laughs as he almost skips toward me, one heavy swing and I'm on a knee. Both hands gripping the handle of my own, trying desperately to keep the blade up, force his back. He lifts his enough I roll away. On my feet I swing three times, steel clanking against steel. He swings twice, each one knocking me back further. Four wild swings, I miss three of them. He takes five, landing three of his own.
There was a time when this was Childs play.
'This is pathetic. Look what you've become.'
Voice in the back of my mind getting the better of me. Misstep taken as he kicks out, heel into my stomach causing me to stumble back, surprisingly not falling this time. He doesn't charge though. He's still, his sword by his side. It takes a moment to realize there's silence. Looking over him and the crowd I turn to find Lauren on her feet.
Her eyes meet mine and I know she's going to step in. I must be doing worse than I realize.
I shake my head slightly, not this time my love. She looks me over and I know it well, she's getting ready to not listen. Soft smile curving my lips, shaking my head again.
"Finish this." She says, eyes never leaving mine. "Either of you." The last words meaningless, a show for them.
Throwing the sword off to the side I watch him do the same. "Let's give the lady what she wants."
Smirk working its way onto my face, battle song beginning for the final time.
'I could be more powerful than all other Fae.
No, I am more powerful than all other Fae.
Remember who you are.'
This time when we move to meet each other it's with equal speed. With equal lack of hesitation. He throws three right hooks with a speed unseen of a guy his size, each one dodged. His leg lifts, aiming for my ribs. Dropping down, keeping on the balls of my feet a quick jab to his inner thigh. Spinning into him, elbow landing into his stomach just below his ribs as I stand.
Stumbling back he looks shocked.
"Fight…..fight….fight…..fight…..fight!"
He runs at me full speed. Quick step to the right. As he goes to pass where I once was, I hook my arm around his throat, letting his force help pull me up onto his back. Chokehold as tight as I manage, I hear bones start to crack, but he still holds on. Unexpectedly he throws himself backward. We fall, his weight crushing me as I feel several of my bones break. Blood rushing up through my throat and out of my mouth without pause.
Rolling off of me, he begins to slow. I on the other hand feel…great.
I can literally feel many of the bones already beginning to heal, I forgot what that was like. On my feet while he only manages to make it to his knees I come beside him. Palm to his forehead, forcing him to look up at me. "Concede."
Silence.
Free hand handing heavy at the base of his throat, causing him to gasp. "Concede."
Silence.
Another heavy blow, this time to his windpipe. "Concede Kjeld."
Silence.
Finish him.
Stepping over his legs, maneuvering behind him. Arm wrapping once again around his throat. The voice in the back of my mind, the one I don't quite recognize that's kept me company all day quickly drowning out all other thoughts. Grip tightening. I feel the life slipping from him. It's been a long time, but it's a feeling never quite forgotten. Every inch of my body screaming to finish it. To finish him.
And then it's gone.
I drop him to the ground, motionless but still breathing. The music abruptly stopped. The crowd silenced. Even the crows have seemed to stop in shock. "Khali tru wankra!" I step away from him, from a glimpse of myself I wasn't sure existed anymore. "Khali tru wankra!"
Mercy is born from strength or mercy is greatest strength, something like that. The Queen's Tongue still a little tricky to me, I'm just trying to get the accent right.
Train of thought derailed as Lauren stands, single step forward as she smiles. "Khali tru wankra."
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Charlie's POV
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"Hurry the hell up."
"Skirt or pants?" Ria asks, throwing off her shirt while tripping over her own feet.
"Pants. We're all wearing pants." Michael throws his shirt at me. "Hurry up. We're running behind."
"Oh no, we wouldn't want that." With no haste I pull my own shirt off. "So much hassle, for what."
"Mom was bad-fuckin-ass." Ria laughs, completely ignoring me as always. "Like damn."
"Mother is missing so I guess we're really behind." Ethan huffs, pushing through the door.
"Help me." Ria demands to no one in particular, pulling at her bra. "Stupid shit."
"Com'here." Michael manhandles her, pulling her to him by the hips before helping.
"You two want some privacy?"
"Just cause you can't get along with your siblings-."
"I get along with you." I protest, shorting through the assortment of black 'acceptable' bras they left for us. "I just like personal space."
"Not everything is dirty." Ethan barks, holding up two pairs of pants from the pile.
It's all the same. Black bras and black pants, the only variations were exactly how much skin was shown. I think I read in a text how in the beginning this was done naked. I guess we should be thankful for that. Though I don't think they'd care much. Michael and Ria both half naked as the wrestle over a pair of pants. Ethan laughing his ass off momentarily forgetting to have a stick shoved up his ass. It's not that I really think anything weird, it's just….it's weird.
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Bo's POV
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"God!" I laugh out, shoved against the wall as her lips find mine.
"Lauren is acceptable." She laughs, hands taking mine. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. Fine. How are you here, you should be-."
"I know, I know." Another kiss stolen from me after she rolls her eyes. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"I am." Giving her hands a little squeeze, soft laugh escaping as I know she doesn't really believe me. "Really babe, it's hard to explain but I haven't felt this good in a while."
"Oh really?"
"Stop that." I laugh, hands wrapping around her waist pulling her close. "I just feel, proud of myself I guess. And kinda young."
"Interesting." She laughs, stealing another kiss before pulling back. "You know, you were really sexy out there."
"Yeah?"
"Indubitably."
I can't help chuckling at her word choice. "Well, if you thought that was sexy then…." Leaning back in, hands on her hips.
"…Then?"
"You should see me in a crown."
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Charlie's POV
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The three of them clamoring at the door, giving each other compliments on their appearances that I would prefer to have never heard. Michael pulling at Ethan's pants to get them to fit right. Ria pulling at her own bra only to have Ethan help her. Michael fussing over how the gel isn't keeping his hair standing straight up, the two quick to try and help him style it back up.
"Your ass looks great…you look seriously good…have you been working out more lately…I need your workout routine…the pants aren't too tight…"
My eyes rolling at the mess that I'm related too. Sean somehow managing to escape this sight. Lucky ass. Smiling at my own thought I lean back against the table, in no particular rush to hear the impending knock on the door that tells us it's time to be dancing monkeys again.
"Seriously, I'm changing." Ethan fusses. "You all have the tight pants going on, I'm sure our parents do too. I can't be the only one in these."
The other two quick to his aide, going to the other table looking for a similar pair as ours. Seemingly just by chance the three of us had chosen more of a Capri, tight pant. Almost reminded me of leggings of that slippery sport material. I wonder if we inspect close enough we might find a Nike logo somewhere.
It's not that I'm really creeped out by it in the end of the day, I just like messing with them. It's just weird how affectionate they are…and I'm not. Maybe it was because mother was always so standoffish with affection the older I got. Not that I'm bitter or anything. Her choice and not like I particularly want her to be hugging all over me, just guess I did something wrong along the way. Maybe if she hadn't changed then maybe I would be over there with the gropey triplets.
My thoughts interrupted by the knock on the door.
Time to be a dancing money again…yey.
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Bo's POV
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"You wanted this." I whisper to myself, staring at my reflection in the cracked mirror hanging crookedly on the wall.
Common twenty-five by twenty five room normally used for storage cleared out last night just like all the rest for us to dress in. The overpowering smell of bleach making it harder to breath than my anxiousness. I tried twice to take deep breaths, calm the nervous only to find myself nearly throwing up everywhere. That would be all I needed.
Hand running over my face, all of the slight bruising from this morning gone away. I had been excited for this, even after this morning, in a way even more so after this morning, but now standing her alone listening to the seconds tick away, something changed. Something inside of myself suddenly wanted to break. No, not wanted to, has. Something inside of myself screams to run as far away as possible.
Maybe it's stress. Maybe it's exhaustion. Maybe it's now that I find myself staring down a reflection of myself that I no longer embrace. Maybe it's because I find myself staring down a reflection of myself I had long ago put to bed and made peace with. Maybe it's that my reflection reminds me of so much. Of someone else…in more ways than one.
It's not just the overly straightened hair, glistening a shade darker than I ever realized possible. I didn't straighten my hair much anymore. It's not the excess of eyeliner, mascara and eye shadow that highlight my true icy eyes the way they're supposed to. I didn't wear much make up any more either. It's not even the black lip liner and shade of darkened blood red lip gloss. I can't remember the last time I even wore lip liner. It's not the fact that I'm practically naked and would soon be standing for the whole world to see. It's not the silk material covering my body. Everything accentuated more than I had in a long time, all black of course. Bra and panties which cover only what they need to and nothing more, sheer translucent slip stopping just above my right knee, material draped down just across the middle of my left thigh leaving everything else exposed.
It's not that my look, my clothes just about mirror the accession's perfectly. It's not even the fact that I know Lauren is standing out there already, dressed nearly identical for the adoring world to drool over. It's not the creepy as shit music filling the halls, violins with light drums and throat singing. Least I think that's what it's called.
There's a lot of reasons it's not, but I can't actually say what it is.
I can't explain the sudden fear or urge to run without looking back. I can't explain the odd sense of shame and sorrow that grows with every breath. I can't explain why this morning excited me as much as it did and why now it scares me. I can't explain why I'm hesitating for something I've wanted for years. I can't explain any of it.
It doesn't matter now though, a light tap on the door assuring me of that.
Taking a deep breath, looking myself over once more I glance down at the wooden table beside me. Hand falling to my side as I see a red cloth. Breath catching in my throat.
'You changed the color, it doesn't mean they forgot.
It doesn't mean you did.'
Shaking off the thought, closing my eyes for a moment, when I open them it's what it's supposed to be. It's navy. Grabbing the towel from beside it I wipe off the lip gloss quickly. Rummaging through the makeup bag as another knock comes on the door. I don't say anything, rather I quickly apply the dark blue lip gloss. One of the girls', I had grabbed an extra in case they had forgotten. It doesn't look bad, not at all in fact. It does little sooth me, but I'll take it. Carefully I place the scarf, it doesn't cover much just enough to add the appropriate accent. Kenz explained the meaning, I couldn't tell you now.
A fourth knock coming when I finally pull the door open, chill rushing down my spine I ignore as I step out. The long carpet beneath my feet momentarily red velvet instead of blue. It doesn't matter Bo, the colors don't mean anything other than to old people who won't let go of the past. Means nothing, nothing at all.
'It means everything.'
My knees lock as I take another deep breath, watching as Lauren at the other end of this carpet to the left turns to face me. Sean, Charlie and Ethan on her side, Michael and Ria on the right, all ten feet down from where she stands, all who had been kneeling stand to face me. Kenz, Mila, Ty, Tamsin, Denzel and Skylar who are off to the far right in a nice little line are next to stand. The world seemingly stopping as they all stare at me. It's all just…stopped. No sound, no movement, no feelings. Nothing.
Then as if play had been pressed, the sound of violins begin a somber, haunting melody. The sudden start of slow drums nearly causes me to jump. Here we go Bo. Each step careful and slow just as I was told. It's after the tenth step I'm close enough to see the smiling group, but I'm supposed to look straight and not smile, so I do. It's another four steps before I can clearly see the building out along the way where all the important Dark would watch and to the right another building where the Light were watching from. Funny how sides aren't supposed to exist anymore, until things like this.
Two more steps forward before I catch a glimpse of the first drone, filming for the world to see. Two more and our privileged guest drop down on their right knee, head still rose. It would still be treason if they were to drop to both or bow their heads. Another two steps forward and my children do the same. One more step and I'm passed my children, looking out into a slice of the people crowding the streets looking like nothing more than an ocean of colorful specs.
Eight final steps until I reach the edge of the carpet, till I reach her. Lauren's eyes just as icy as mine, piercing green. Her canines slightly descended making it extremely hard to read any expression, except to me. I don't need to see her to know what she's feeling. I don't even need to hear her voice most times. Her subtle smile wavers slightly when her eyes linger on my lips, but it's only a moment.
Exhaling softly, my eyes close as I hear the Elder Priest begin in Latin. I would have preferred Father Travino, but this wasn't that kind of wedding. This wasn't even the kind of wedding where a regular elder could do it. No, this called for the eldest remaining Fae who was just six centuries short of being considered an Ancient. This called for an Elder Priest who had remained underground so long his skin had turned powder white and had tightened to his penetrating bones like leather while all of his hair had fallen off his body. His teeth sharpened like razors and his eyes gray orbs.
Hope he isn't in the wedding pics.
"After today this bond will be one that neither Heaven nor Hell may sever. One's joy will be the others. One's pain will be there others. One's darkness will be the others. You will remain two separate entities, but become one soul. You will remain two separate people, but share one heart. From this point forward your journeys will never be severed. Not even in death."
I swallow the lump in my throat under his unwavering stare. Honestly there's no words to describe the hurricane of emotions happening inside myself. The world seems to be moving in slow motion. He asks in quite a few words if anyone objects and I don't think I've ever heard silence like this before.
"Then let this silence be as eternal as this bond. This joining is one that has not taken place in over a millennium for reason none other than this is the true essence of commitment. No infidelity, indiscretion nor death will be able to part this union. Not since the last Ancients have walked this earth has this sacred ceremony been practiced."
So glad I got over my commitment issues. Uneasy, silent chuckle doing nothing to calm myself. Taking another breath, head forward and my body still as I am supposed to, but I can't help the way my eyes stay on him as he pulls a blade from a little black, steel stand that has a gold cup on it too.
"This bond must be real. It must be able to survive pain as well as darkness." A tiny, muffled gasp from Lauren fills my ears and it takes every ounce of self-control not to look over at her and make sure she's okay.
'Focus on yourself.'
Every book had been different, every description of what to expect was different. All vague and all terrifying. All of which made me prepare for the worst case scenario.
"May this union be blessed and one that the souls of earth may smile upon."
I had barely had time to hear his words before I felt the blade slice through the skin of my palm, far deeper than expected. A moment of calming warmth spreads through my entire body as our hands join. Placing the knife down, he grabs the cup, quickly catching the blood falling from our embrace before a drop has hit the ground.
This is actually pretty easy.
Words immediately regretted as I feel my hand grip hers so hard I hear the bones crack. Familiar warm, gooey liquid covering my fingertips as my nails rip through her skin. An indescribable wave of sensations assaulting me from out of nowhere. Continuous ripples of pain so intense I would have sworn I'm being lowered into a vat of fiery acid. Knees threatening to buckle over and over again, somehow I manage to keep upright.
Having no choice but to embrace the pain, I do. Forcing my eyes back open, grasping for breath expecting to find the world…I find nothingness. A snow blinding, highly claustrophobic educing hall that seems to go on forever. My only company my unbelievable pain. Unable to catch my breath I gasp over and over again. Closing my eyes tightly, I clench my fists and pray for the pan to be gone. I can't remember the last time I prayed, but I do now…to whoever.
As if someone was actually listening, it's all over. Slowly my eyes open and while I'm still in the land of nothingness, pain is replaced with a chill that quickly turns to frost. Lungs burning as I find myself desperate to breathe again. Looking down my eyes widen as the floor slowly begins to move. Turning to a burning liquid it creeps up passed my feet, over my legs reminding me of a snake slithering up its prey.
I'm sinking…floating…falling…flying through a bottomless abyss of nothingness. I know it isn't real, but it is. It feels real and with every fought for breath I manage, it becomes more and more real. My arms and legs so heavy I can't move them. The light so bright I can see nothing except…blackness. I struggle to scream, but find myself without a voice. It feels like death. I don't know what death feels like…but I know this is death.
My eye flutter open as if without choice and I feel nothing. I feel fine. In fact I feel great. I'm in the middle of a dusty field, sun setting with a warm breeze. It's nice really. Shaking my head I turn to find something worse than death. Bodies upon bodies are everywhere. They cover the ground. They form little mountains. Body parts lay at my feet, a heart in my hand. I drop it, stepping over the mess at my feet. I want to scream,
I have no voice.
Lauren sits atop a pile of bodies, a heart in her hand as she smiles at me. Sean at the bottom of the pile waves at me with the limp arm attached to the body he's holding up. A thud followed by a gust of wind makes me jerk, the feeling of blood splattering across my face making me step back. Eyes shifting to the sky. Ethan, Michael, Charlie and Ria circling above like vultures as if gravity no longer exists.
"How can you win if you won't play?" Ethan yells down, laughing.
"You're down by five Ma." Ria laughs, kicking at her brother.
"Now isn't the time to be shy." Danielle's voice causes me to look back at Lauren. Behind her Danielle leans down, arms draped over her shoulders.
"You can't lose at your own game Bo." Lauren smiles, leaning back into Danielle. "It doesn't set a good example for the children."
"It's the brutality that matters." The words are in my voice, they come from my mouth, but they aren't me. They aren't me. "Not the number of bodies."
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"Blood of her blood. Blood of her blood. There is now only one blood, one heart, one soul, one journey, one destiny and one life."
The scene washes away and I'm back in the clock tower listening to his oddly soothing voice. Lauren's hand pulling from mine to grab the cup, taking a sip before handing it back. She repeats his last words. My hand trembles as I reach for it, tears in my eyes as I stare at the blood in the cup. Hesitation screaming from within every inch of my being, but I bring it to my lips letting the liquid trickle down my throat.
"Turn to each other, face the other half of your soul and seal your fate."
Despite it all. Despite all of the hesitation, anger, pain, panic, fear—it disappears the moment my eyes meet hers. The real ones, the ones I could get lost in forever. There is nothing but love. Love and longing that puts me at ease the way it had the very first moment I met her. Leaning in we meet each other, lips only grazing for that was all that was allowed.
Turning back around we face the world taking exactly one step forward together, our already heal hands joined again as we lift them for the world to see. Weak smile winning over the remaining fear lingering, Crowd erupting into cheers louder than anything I've ever heard. Suddenly she takes a step back, pulling her hand from mine, despite my protest.
"Bo, look at me." She whispers, causing me to face her. "I love you. I have always loved you. My love. My life. My wife." She smiles with that smile that makes the world stop, but there's something there. Something more, I would have asked, but I never could have imagined the answer that follows without word. "My Queen." Tears glass over her eyes as she drops to her knees, her head dipped to the left.
An odd mixture of silence and awe quickly spreading. Rustling coming from behind myself. This wasn't part of it. Equal had its own definition for this, for us. She would still always be above me. Her blood must never be spilt. Her knees never touch the ground. Her head never bow. This wasn't allowed, yet here she was.
Tears fill my own eyes, trembling hand cups her cheek, forcing her to look up at me. Our eyes meet and I drop to my knees to meet her. "Together, remember." Leaning back in, stealing a tender kiss. If she was going to ignore a million year old rule for me, then I am damn sure going to too.
"Forever." She whispers against my lips as we part.
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Charlie's POV
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"Hey."
"Hey." I smile up at him, pulling my dress from its garment bag. Unlike the festivities from earlier, there was no options to the reception. "You look handsome."
"Thanks." He smiles, closing the door behind himself.
Truthfully he was dressed just like my other brothers. Black pants, black dress shirt, gold cufflinks, all the fancy hoopla. Where he differed being the eldest was the navy sash he wore across his chest rather than the tie Michael wore or the vest Ethan wore. Coordinating, Ria has a sheer scarf she's fashioned into something wrapped around her arm. She could do things like that, she was just the badass type who could pull off anything. And I apparently have a sheer shall to compliment my twin's vest.
"Have to give it to them, they are fashionable aren't they."
"This is our parents wedding."
"I'm aware." I laugh.
"Did they do something to you? I mean really do something?"
"What?"
"This is a big deal for them, for our family. For our people."
"I th-thought you agreed that all this crap was silly."
"In general, but at the end of the day, if nothing else this means our parents are now and forever more equal. That doesn't mean much to you guys, but when I grew up things were a lot different. Things like mom not being seen equal almost destroyed our family once."
"Sean, I just-"
"You, the others take simple things for granted. I experienced firsthand what a power struggle in your own house looks like. Not because either one wanted to be more powerful than the other, they just could never find a balance and life was keen on that. The scales forever tipping one way or another. I watched as a child, as a teen and as a man. Whatever my feelings and history is, this here today means something beyond rituals."
"I didn't…I just meant that…"
"Part of growing up is realizing that it isn't always about you, it can't be. It's about realizing and accepting that you can't always understand why the greater good is the greater good, but knowing it is."
"Sean."
"Please, finish getting ready and meet us out there."
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Bo's POV
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"I missed you." Lauren whispers, sneaking up behind me. Her hands sliding over my hips, meeting on my stomach. "Why'd you leave?" Her words making it out in between kisses to my bare shoulder.
"I've been right here." Each kiss causing my grip on the railing to tighten, warm breeze soothing the goosebumps rising over my skin at her more than welcomed affection.
"If you say so."
"I do." My head tilting back, letting her lips move over my throat. "We could slip away."
"In a few hours, we will be away from everyone. You can be social for a little bit longer."
"Boo. Such a meany."
"You won't be saying that tonight or tomorrow."
"We'll see." My hand reaching around, playfully smacking her ass.
"Oh I know it." The tip of her tongue brushing along my ear. "I have ideas. I have desires. I have toys."
"What?" Chuckling, I spin around in her embrace. "Repeat that please."
"I said," Devilish smirk that I find so, so sexy making its way onto her lips as she presses her body against mine. "I have ideas. I have desires, lots of desires." Her hands sliding up my arms before stopping at my neck. "And I have toys."
"So, about this social bullshit…"
"No social, no play." She chuckles, smirk now a smile. "It's our wedding day, it may in fact actually be our last wedding," She laughs, leaning into me as my arm wraps around her waist. "Enjoy it."
"Yes ma'am."
"That's what I like to hear."
"Kids look like they're having fun." My head leaning on her shoulder, my eyes finding Ria sillily dancing with Ethan. "They might actually be drunk."
"Charlie has even managed to refrain from foaming at the mouth today, it's quite nice."
"I almost forgot what that was like."
"You?" She laughs.
"Michael has been having a ball with Kenz. I think he's keeping her mind off of Travino not showing."
"I know. I only saw her briefly before the ceremony, but she was still trying to get a hold of him. Honestly I am a little upset he isn't here, after all he is four of our children's Godfather. You would think he'd be here for things like this."
"This is our wedding not the kids."
"You don't mind he isn't here?"
"I do, I just am more focused on the good. Now once our honeymoon is over and he has arrived a few days past fashionably late I'll let him have it."
"You're cute."
"I know." I laugh, turning back toward the part rather than the lawn.
This is the 'small' party for the family and friends and important people required to be here. The rest of the city along with anyone who had flown in is without a doubt partying twice as hard in the streets. The constant fireworks from every direction only proof of that. Another me long ago would have loved that, but this me is quite content with this.
Lauren in my arms. Ria on the lawn with Ethan hopefully not actually drunk. Sean and Mila seemingly having made up as they have a drink at the bar. Skylar and Ty not far from them, faces buried in their phones. And then the liveliest pair of the part in the middle of the dance floor Michael and Kenz. He is either having a series of muscle spasms or making a fool of himself to get his aunt to laugh, which currently looks like it's working. But Tamsin is missing. Denzel is missing. And Charlie is definitely missing. Seriously, this is a national holiday. World holiday, where the hell are these people going to.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Nope." I stick my tongue out at her, attention shifting back to the gorgeous woman in my arms. "What?"
"What did you see?"
"What do you mean?"
"You had broken my hand, several times. You tried to pull away in what I am assuming is more than the normal amount."
"Did I?"
"Yes." She pulls away, arms folding across her chest.
"What did you see Lauren?"
"Are you asking because you want to know or because you're deflecting?"
"Both."
"I stood in the middle of Main Street at dusk. To my right you stood with Sean, Ethan and Charlie. To my left Danielle stood there with Michael and Victoria. Nothing was said or done, just stood there both sides waiting for me."
"I was in a white room, it was freezing and I was in a lot of pain. I drowned…sorta, before coming out of it."
"That's it?"
"That's it." I force a chuckle, memories form earlier begging to be paid attention. Lauren's weird little mind trip begging to be overthought. "I'm so sorry about your hand though. I didn't realize."
"It's fine, superhuman healing. No biggie." She shrugs, giving the cutest pout obviously deciding to leave the issue alone.
"You are so cute, are you sure you aren't part bunny?"
"No, Kangaroo actually."
"But they ain't cute."
"First off, ain't is not a word and second yes they are."
"No they aren't."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"How could I have never known you don't find Kangaroos cute?"
"Simple. You don't pay me any attention." I can't help laughing at her scowl, my playful pout ruined before I even tried it. "I'm sorry, Kangaroos are kinda scary not cute."
"Scary?"
"Mm-hm,"
"What is wrong with you?"
"Lots of things. I'm actually surprised you married me not once, not twice but three times with everything that's messed up with me."
"I like fixing things…keeps me busy."
"Ass." I laugh out, wrapping my arms around her pulling her back into me. "I absolutely am one-hundred percent in love with you."
"And I with you."
.
Charlie's POV
.
"Looking for your date?"
Sigh my first response, not even fifty feet from the door and I've already managed to run into an asshole. Silence my second response as I look up to the voice responsible. Voice lost at the sight of her. If you combined a Greek Goddess' beauty with pure badass wrapped in an extremely tight black cocktail dress that would pretty much sum up the first sixty or so thoughts running through my head.
Shaking my head, stupid smile. "N-no."
"Running away from one?" Her lips curve into a smirk, kind of reminds me of Michael's.
"Wrong again."
"Damn. I'm usually quite perceptive." She steps further out from the shadows, glancing up at the terrace. "I'm Danielle." Politely she reaches her free hand out for me to shake, but I find myself hesitating. Abrupt uneasy feeling creeping in. My eyes falling onto the dark red shall in the other hand, similar material to my own. "What?"
"Nothing, sorry." I shake her hand, pushing off the weird feeling. "It's silly, I have a thing with that name."
"Ex?"
"No, no nothing like that. Like I said it's silly."
She smiles, kind of putting me at ease. Sort of the way mom used to smile at me when I was a child. "I enjoy silly."
"My parents used to tell me stories when I was a child, the villain was named…."
"Danielle,"
"Exactly." I feel my cheeks begin to pinken. "It's stupid I know but I just always remember that, not that there is a lot of people within these walls with that name,"
"I did hear a rumor it was outlawed,"
"What? That's crazy,"
"Just a rumor,"
"I'm sorry, who are you again?"
"I just arrived from Italy, I'm looking to tie up some lose ends, among some other things."
"Politian?"
Chuckling. "No."
"Socialist?"
Laughing. "No."
"Military?"
"No." She really laughs now. "Never had the discipline."
"I'm running out of ideas here."
"Would you believe me if I said I was royalty?"
It's my turn to laugh, near uncontrollably. At first she just sort of glares, my own laughter tapering off until she rolls her eyes and chuckles herself. Our moment interrupted by the growing sound of the crowd above us. Her hands find my waist, guiding me back and closer to the building away from the line of sight.
My first instinct to call out, then I realize how much of a snob that would make me. Here I am complaining about all the crap about being royal and my first choice is to call out? No. My second instinct to push her back, remind her it's illegal to touch me. Same problem as the first. My third instinct to simply push her back, but I realize her touch while not completely welcomed is not threatening nor highly inappropriate, just serves a purpose. Before I can manage to make a decision for myself, she removes her own hands, mouthing "sorry", before nodding her head toward the terrace.
"Not many people are daring enough to attempt that."
"I've always fallen on the side of daring."
"Interesting."
"I can be."
"I don't doubt that."
"Why aren't you inside?"
"Why aren't you?"
"I have my reasons."
"And I have mine."
"I'm sure, but you're going to be missed. I'm not."
"I doubt that." Smooth Charlie, nice.
She smiles rather than smirks. "You are like mother aren't you?"
And there's the five words I hate, so many variations, but all the same. "I'm not particularly like my mother, no."
"I meant it as a compliment."
"As does everyone."
"Mine is genuine."
"Is that so?" My arms folding across my chest. "What makes me so much like my mother then?"
"Apart from the obvious." Lazily her hand gestures over me, from head to toe. "You look like her which means you're gorgeous. You're obviously smart, by your choice of words. And you are charming by accident…for a lack of a better word."
"Hm."
"Unfortunately one could say I take after your mom, vocabulary never fully developed."
"You do kind of look like her too." Smart ass smirk of mine only growing as I see the slight flinch that earns. "You aren't keen on my parents are you? Well at least my mom, hm?"
"Recently? Neither." She chuckles, seemingly shaking off my comment already. "Our conversation seems to have taken a turn from where I was hoping."
"It would appear so."
"How about this, what I meant to say is that you look absolutely stunning."
"Unfortunately I am not my mother or my mom, takes more than compliments to win me over." Sighing, anger slowly slipping away. For as uneasy as she makes me, she's strangely disarming. "Nice start though."
"I'm seeing that, it's intriguing."
"Not everyone takes after their parents."
"Statistically speaking, they do." She'd get along great with Ethan, he loves to bust that 'statistically speaking' line out.
"Is that so?"
"It is." She nods, taking a step in. "I'll have you know I am full fun facts."
"Tell me another."
"Octopuses lay fifty-six thousand eggs at a time."
"I knew that actually."
"Did you know that despite the size of their bodies, Chihuahuas have the biggest brains in the dog world?"
"It's in spite, but yes I did."
"Either works."
"Context." I laugh, one that becomes somewhat forced noticing she seems to get slightly irritated.
"Okay, how about this one. You like science?" She nods after I do. "Did you know that it's relatively common for close blood relatives to develop an overwhelming sexual attraction when they meet for the first time as adults?"
"That's…disturbing." I can't helping laughing. "Why would you know that?"
"Because once upon a time I liked science. It's called GSA disorder."
"Never heard of it."
"That's because while you were still in diapers, your parents selected Madam Liao to be head of mental health. After then certain disorders and terms magically began disappearing from teachings."
"N-no." shaking my head, arms folding back over my chest debating just how much I trust her words at face value.
"Your mother has reshaped a lot of the world in the image she saw fit. Little things, but they add up. She created her own language. She changed psychology. She changed history. She's been very busy."
"Interesting perspective."
"What's interesting is that you're forcing yourself to be upset at my words, when you're really not."
"How do you know what I'm feeling?"
"Because I know what it's like to be angry at my hero. To find out they aren't quite the person you thought they were."
.
Bo's POV
.
"Thank you. Thank you." I laugh out, twentieth glass of Champaign kicking in. Glass raised as the room looks at me, Lauren still seated at the table, but holding my free hand. "I'm a little drunk so you'll have to excuse me. I'm sure my wife wishes I'd shut up."
"Just a little." She laughs, as does the room.
"I just wanted to say to all of you thank you for coming, some of you have been to all of our weddings so a special thank you to you guys, you must really love our caterer." Joke earning a laugh. "Most of all, thank you to my beautiful wife who has actually married me three times. I really have no idea how I've managed it."
"Magic…sorcery…bedroom skills…luck!" My children all yell out.
"Thanks guys, thank you for that." Looking down, meeting her eyes I can't help smiling. "Really, though. We've been together for so long. We've faced death. We've faced hell. We've faced each other in our worst moments. We've had three weddings and six children."
"Five!" Several of my kids yell, laughing. "Drunky!"
"We've done it all at this point." I push on, ignoring my slip. "We've said it all."
"Bo?" Her eyebrow raises.
"Lauren, I may not have any new words for you. I may not be able to think of new was to say how gorgeous you are or how much I love you. Buuuut, I can promise you that even after all of these years whether you've heard me say it once or one million times, I still mean it all. You are still the most stunning woman I've ever seen. You still leave me breathless. You are still the first thing I think about when I wake up, the last thing when I go to sleep and who I dream of."
"AWWWWW!"
"I love you Lauren. And I can only hope that our children will one day, many, many, many years from now find what I have in you." Feeling myself sillily getting teary eyed, I find Sean and Mila. "Except for Sean, who has already found that with our beautiful and amazing daughter in law, of course." My glass raising to them.
The room applauding, taking a drink as I do. Lauren standing beside me, her arm wrapping around my waist holding me close. "I love you so much." She whispers against my ear, the feel of her lips curved in a smile only making me smile more.
.
Charlie's POV
.
"Hold on." My laughter abruptly ending, my hand lightly on her shoulder keeping us hidden behind the tree line.
"Something wrong?"
"No. My sister is over there."
"Victoria." She takes a single step forward, getting a better look at my congregating siblings. "She's prettier than her pictures."
"She's not my type." The curious look on Danielle's face earning a chuckle. "She is, her and Michael take after my mom so much. I always thought we would all look like a mixture of our parents, but somehow we were divided. Me and Ethan right after mother and them right after mom. Sean after mother too. Shame we didn't have another sibling to take after mom, they absolutely love the coordination."
"Yes, such a shame."
"Are you an only child?"
"No, I'm not actually." Chuckling, she takes a step back. "We're not close though, it's really like I never met some of them."
"That's horrible, I'm sorry."
"It's okay, I've learned to be better on my own."
"I've learned that too. The three of them are so close, they just fit, you know? I mean me and Sean are close still, kind of. He's just always taking a step back from us. I always assumed it was because of something that happened before, but he's never talked about it."
"Men." She rolls her eyes, hands folding in front of herself. Guess she isn't big on emotional discussions. "As much as I hate to, I must be going."
"O-oh okay yeah." I nod, standing in an awkward silence as she seems to be waiting for a handshake or a hug or something, but I don't move. Just like that, the moments missed. Her backs to me and she's walking away leaving me to mentally kick myself. First interesting person I meet in forever and I'm a complete idiot. "Hey." I call after her without really knowing why.
"Huh?" She does that half turn, half look at me mom tends to do. Interesting seeing it on someone you're not related too, not quite so annoying now.
"Your no-show of a date tonight was dumb, you look…so pretty." So pretty? That's the best you got Charlie?
"You think I'm pretty now," She smirks and it's the most devilish thing I've ever seen. I can't decide if it makes me uneasy or intrigued. "You should see me in a crown." She gives me a little wink before walking off toward the party.
"Who the hell is that?" I laugh to myself underneath my breath.
.
Bo's POV
.
"I'm so drunk." I laugh, falling onto the bed of the suite. Champaign bottle in hand, careful not to spill it. "Like really, really drunk."
"You don't say." The sound of her laughter making me smile. "I do hope that your, 'alcohol doesn't affect my abilities' still applies."
"Oh, it does." Leaning up on one elbow, smart ass comment ready to go…completely vanishes as I find her standing there already slipped out of her dress. "Oh, my God."
"I told you," She comes close, pulling the bottle from my hand. Bottle to her lips as she takes a drink before setting it on the nightstand. "That Lauren is just fine." Sliding atop of me, leg on either side of my waist.
I love my life.