It wasn’t that I particularly disliked my husband to be or anything like that. But I just knew that dithering with his dallywhacker was never going to come close to dancing with the dolphin, and that made me a little forlorn. If only Maxy boy could see the error of his ways, bend the knee, take up some soulful hobbies like knitting and make himself into a suitable alternative, I might even have indulged in the fantasy of ending the arrangement that had been made between Justin and I, and prancing off into the sea foam with him. Daddy wouldn’t mind. He only wanted me to be happy. Not that that mattered, for I had given my word to do this, and I was nothing if not a lady of my word, my dear, sweet, utterly dead Mama had taught me that. Besides, the only thing which would ensure my happiness would be seeing the Vega queens upon the throne and having a husband at my side who took as much joy in that fate as I.
I sighed regretfully at the knowledge that my slippery salmon could never be that man, and turned my attention to the task at hand as I climbed the tunnel which led up into the farmhouse and exited into the brusque morning air.
March was upon us now and there were some signs of spring on the wind, though the snow still hadn’t melted from this northerly outreach. But birdsong carried from the forest and a daffodil or two were poking their heads up in anticipation of a bountiful bloom.
I looked around, casting my eyes towards the spot I had selected on the far side of the space within the magical barrier where the mountains fell away and the view beyond was most beauteous, and a shriek of pure delight escaped me as I took it in.
I strode across the frosty ground, feeling out around me with my earth magic as I went, relishing the fullness of my power after I’d spent last night beneath the moon gathering aconite.
The sound of pounding feet drew my attention and I looked around, finding my lady Tory running along the edge of the magical barrier which kept us all safe and shrieking in delight as none other than the dastardly Dragoon chased after her in a clear attempt to capture her in his arms. It filled my heart with starlight to see her smile like that and I glowed even brighter as he tackled her to the ground and she managed to knee him in the man biscuits as they fell.
The sweet sound of a Dragon cursing the damage to his prized treasure filled the air and I sighed as her laughter followed. Now he only needed to bend the knee, rescind his claim to the Celestial Council and live ever on as her devoted house husband, rearing the next generation of Vega princes and princesses for the throne while she took over the kingdom alongside her sister as the stars intended.
I turned my attention to the task at hand and dropped to one knee as I began to craft the wedding venue with my earth magic, first erecting a pergola grown from the ground itself on a dais raised up to face the stars, before moving on to the seating which I arranged in two neat rows behind it. There were only to be eight guests here to witness this most joyous of events. Daddy had requested that the Vegas and I be present while Catalina wanted her sons and the other Heirs here. There had been mention of one Power Shamed ex professor attending too, but when poor Daddy swooned and almost busted his head open on a rock, it had been decided that it was best he stay away with his shame in case it tainted the magic of their union.
Heavy footsteps drew my attention to my back, and I turned my head as I finished constructing the frame of my design and found Maxy boy approaching, his shirt half burnt off and one eyebrow singed, but a cocky swagger to his movements let me know he’d given Justin a jolly good pummelling.
“You left,” he accused, moving to stand behind me and I pushed to my feet too.
“I have work to do, as you well know,” I chastised him, reaching out to slap his chest, my hand meeting with the firm muscle of his pec and lingering against his deliciously dark skin. “But tell me, did he scream like a salamander in a cesspit?”
Max chuckled cruelly, leaning in and dominating me with that big aura of his as his mouth dropped to my ear.
“I made him beg for his momma and piss his pants for good measure,” he growled, taking my fingers in his and using his gifts to offer up a view of the memory.
A shiver tracked down my spine as I allowed it, my lips curling up in amusement as he showed me the moment he’d overwhelmed Justin with his brutish power and had thrust a wave of terror into him with his Siren gifts, causing him to weep and beg and indeed wet himself.
“Oh you are a bad, bad, barracuda, aren’t you?” I murmured, my hand sliding down his chest and tracing the firm ridges of his abs as he groaned softly at my touch.
“I don’t like that fucker trying to steal you from me,” he said, owning his devotion even though we both knew that it could lead us nowhere.