The Future King and the Commander's Daughter

Planning Pt. 2

Watching Bjourn play with the boys always had my ovaries exploding ready to make another baby. He was so good with them. I got Bjourn to admit he knew I was right about Torvi after we left. Then we lost ourselves in each other. No one warned me that the longer we were together the more addictive his body became to me. I would never get enough of him. I should’ve known I grew up around my parents and Veronica and Titus. They were constantly all over each other. Javi came in with work during our last round, but we didn’t care. Neither did he.

I nearly laughed when he mentioned Marcus was ready to wrap up. It’s not exactly what he said but it was the gist of it. I knew it was because of Torvi’s picture. Aaron was sending me curiosity about my triumphant feelings. My mom was basically laughing while my dad was also curious. Mom knew all my plans so she’d know what this was about. Bjourn caught onto all my plans after I practically led him to them. The Cambridges did tease me about bringing everyone their mates. When I turned out to be right about Torvi, they’d all pester me. I didn’t mind though. I loved them all.

I nearly lost it when Marcus called Bjourn. I could hear the eagerness in his voice and barely held myself together. Bjourn’s confusion over the conversation cleared when I admitted I sent him a picture. I teased them as I left.

I called Kashe. She answered, “How’s everything moving?” I told her, “Bjourn thinks we are right and Marcus is pouting over timelines ready to come home after seeing just her face.” Kashe yelled, “YES! We are so right. Bjourn’s never wrong. It’s actually kind of annoying. I’m counting this as us being right first though because we set it up. She fit right in when we all went to meet up with her.” She did. She’d taken us all out that night and clicked right away with the group, especially me, Geraldine, and Heather.

I asked her, “Is everything ready for tonight?” She scoffed, “Does a bear s**t in the forest?” I sighed, “You and the human sayings.” She chuckled, “That one is so accurate and useful.” I agreed, “It certainly elicits a picture. I’m going to call Veronica.” She replied, “See you tonight!” I hung up and called Veronica.

She answered, “Hello, Astrid. Marcus’ feelings are border lining on panic and lust. I’ll guess he got a picture of Torvi.” I chuckled, “yes. She was wrapped up with his sons.” She laughed, “That’s diabolical you threw in my grandsons.” I added, “My sons were there too.” She laughed heartily, “The student becomes the master.” I disagreed, “I doubt that. We know Titus is going to come back with news about an off period then we will all bow to your genius.”

She huffed, “If that man knows what’s good for him he will FINALLY listen to my hints. I made him babysit little Miley for two weeks every spare minute he had before he left. He was so jealous of Zader he was practically green.” I laughed, “See? You’re still the master.” Veronica said, “I don’t know. My boys have such interesting feelings right now.”

I chuckled, “Bjourn feels incredulous, and Marcus is pushing to come home.” Veronica laughed, “He’ll get his brother to take another picture. I’m guessing with the boys in the picture Marcus didn’t get a whole body shot. He’ll practically beg Bjourn, or Bjourn will offer to get him off the phone. Then my son will lose his mind and find all the answers he can to come home and be with her.” I hoped so.

I asked, “What problem did you run into? Javi said your guards reported back about one.” She scoffed, “Jealousy comes with the position. A woman tried to taunt me about my off period with Titus saying he’d come back with news of a child and I’d be knocked off my pedestal. I let her know it was my hope and I wanted another child to spoil. She certainly wasn’t expecting that or my right cross.” She must have really upset her if Veronica hit her instead of her guard. I said, “Well, all the girls have bets on him coming home with news.” She chuckled, “Again, he’d better.” We talked for a little while longer before hanging up.

I opened a portal and went through to Logan. He saw me and smiled. I said, “It’s time to head home. You have your private training with my brother in a few minutes.” He handed Lexi a doll and called, “Bye, Heath.” Heath waved. I nodded to Allison Scott and left with Logan. I headed to the gym with him.

My brother hugged me. He asked, “What are you so victorious about?” I chuckled, “I brought Torvi here.” He nodded, “Sure, your new friend. You said you thought she’d like it here.” Logan said, “Oli and H really like her. Oli especially. He wants her to be his dad’s mate.” Aarron grinned and bit his lip. He said, “Go get changed little Logan.” Logan ran off to the locker rooms. Aaron said, “You found Marcus his mate before finding me mine. I’m sad.” I shoved him, “If I find yours I’ll have her to you in seconds.” He said, “Show me this Torvi.”

I pulled out my phone and showed him a picture from our girls night. He whistled, “If she’s not his, I’d go for a night with her. Damn.” I rolled my eyes, “Yes, well Marcus is already very into her and she’s into him.” He chuckled, “I’m sure you’re right. I’ll bring Logan back after our lesson.” I nodded and portaled back to the office to work on paperwork. I swear it was multiplying.

Heather came in laughing. She said, “Drake feels like he’s being driven mad. I called him and he said Marcus is sending his incessant need to wrap up and come to him.” I laughed, “No he’s not!” Heather cackled, “He is. Drake did not find it amusing that I knew what was going on. He said it better be good.” I told her, “Bjourn’s so annoyed with him he feels like he’d rather chew glass than reason with him.” Her phone rang again. She grinned, “Drake must have hung up with Bjourn. Did you send Marcus her picture or something?” I nodded, “I did.” She kicked her feet in my chair before answering as she left, “Hi, Drake.” They were adorable.

After a few more hours Lagatha faded in, “Astrid, it’s time to play with the boys.” I stood and stretched. I sighed, “Thank god. My eyes were about to fall out.” Lagatha winked, “I’d never let that happen. I texted Jessa and Keiger that their assignment was likely to be made sooner than they expected. Us guards don’t like surprises. They trusted Marcus’ feelings about his mate. They adjusted quite quickly, and they like her.”

I laughed, “You had them meet her?” She nodded, “Yes, while you were doing paperwork I had the boy's guard, Marcus’, and her probable guard meet her. They all liked her.” I pointed out, “Oligar’s already met her.” I’d taken them with me when I took the boys to play in Tasmia. She shrugged, “Yes, well now all the guards know her.” Marcus had picked out his mate’s guards with Bjourn when he turned sixteen. Bjourn was trying to be positive and hoped he would meet his mate sooner rather than later. I touched her arm and took off running to see my boys.

I joined their picture because I knew Marcus was getting it. I made sure I had the twins so he’d see the full shot of Torvi this time. He was going to go insane. Bjourn was instantly annoyed and I held back a chuckle seeing who was calling him incessantly, Marcus. We all did bath time together. The boys thought it was some challenge to see who they could get the most wet tonight. Torvi got a lot of love in that aspect, but she was amused by it. Which spurred the boys on even more.

She was good with them. Just like I knew she would be. She was showering all the boys with love. Especially Marcus’. She portaled away and we put our boys down for bed. I dragged Bjourn downstairs and started making drinks with Kashe when she arrived. She whispered, “All things go?” I told her, “Marcus is driving Bjourn insane. I’ll bet when Titus returns Bjourn will leave to help him settle everything to get him home if Marcus can’t make it happen before.” She giggled, “Really?” I nodded. She tapped her fingers together, “Should we use our powers to drive the men crazy for good or evil?” I answered, “Both. Always both.” She bumped me with her hip, “That’s why we are besties. Other people say for good, forgetting that it’s good to be evil sometimes.” I agreed, “We have to keep them on their toes or they’d get bored.” She cheered me with her drink, “Exactly.”

She told me, “I think this time when we have another one it will be a girl and Aesir will mate her into your family. Because we were meant to be tied together for all of eternity.” I admitted, “I’d love that.” She bumped into me, “I know.” Torvi joined us and everything felt like it clicked into place. She belonged with us. I watched her and Bjourn together and couldn’t help but smile.

Kashe giggled and jumped up and down clapping. Dawson whispered, “What are we giggling about?” I pointed, “Them. They look like siblings already.” Dawson agreed, “They do.” I joined Kashe clapping and jumping up and down. Kashe spanked me and we both giggled. Dawson said, “So, I hear I’m on deck to give you another baby to cook next year.”

Kashe replied, “You have tall orders this time. I want a girl and she’s going to be mated to one of Astrid and Bjourn’s boys. It’s going to be adorable and the next sweetheart royal mate story.” Dawson gaped at her, “Woman, I am not a magic eight ball. I can give you a baby and therein lies my ability to affect the process.” She pointed a finger at him, “It’s going to happen.” He held up his hands and I chuckled listening to them.

I watched Bjourn leave in a huff of annoyance. I walked over to Torvi, “What happened?” She giggled, “I guess Marcus is driving him crazy about meeting me.” I nudged her, “I told you he’d like you.” She replied, “Since I imagined him with me when I showered after I got the boys down I hope so. I’ve never come so hard from my imagination. His hiking pictures with his gear, man my motor was going.”

I bumped her, “You definitely get his motor running too. He’s driving Drake crazy too.” Heather cackled, “Is he ever. Drake is trying to hurry so we tell him what’s going on. He doesn’t think it’s fair he doesn’t know and we all do when he’s the one dealing with Marcus in the bond.” I teased, “How fairy of him.” Kashe yelled, “We don’t give a single s**t about being fair.” I laughed along with everyone else.

Bjourn’s annoyance and astonishment was flooding me. Oligar came down and Torvi instantly went to him. She asked, “Oli?” He said, “Bad dreams.” She took him up the stairs. She said, “Well, you’ll just have to climb into bed with me. I’ll keep all the bad dreams away.” He asked, “Really?” She nodded, “I’m the best at keeping bad dreams away.” Their voices faded.

Kashe squealed, “She’s amazing!” Kiera agreed, “I’m only going to be moderately offended that my nephew had tunnel vision for his Vi and didn’t notice I was right here too.” We all chuckled. She admitted, “It’s good to see after that last bitch.” Kiera kicked her ass. It was how Marcus found out she wasn’t overly receptive to Oligar. Kashe rubbed her back, “You got her, slugger! We only wish you were around when we had a different member in our group. Because I feel you and I would've gotten her good.” I snorted and rolled my eyes. Kashe was still pissed that Dawson's brother, Raud, stopped her before she killed Briar when I was in labor with Hastein.

Raud argued he didn’t want her to go into labor early. She agreed it was a good point, and she had put Briar in the hospital. She was quite proud about it too. Briar avoided her like the plague now and that made her happy and annoyed. She was on edge ready to pummel her into the ground, but now she called Briar a scaredy b***h for hiding from her.

Bjourn returned and lost his edge of annoyance after spending time with our friends. I lost it when he told me the places Marcus’ mind had gone. I hadn’t meant to drive him that crazy. Clearly, I might have taken it one step too far with the plan. I had fully good intentions but had stepped into the evil realm by accident. Marcus and his issues were shoved so far out of my head when my mate sexed me to sleep.

I woke up when Bjourn did. I wondered if he knew he was cursing his brother under his breath. I watched him head to the barn with Hastein following along behind him. I’d have gone to get our son, but Bjourn noticed him and I watched them take off together. My heart always fluttered watching Bjourn with our boys. I told my ovaries, “Next year. You can explode next year. I know it’s not your fault and he’s just too damn sexy but keep it together for the love of god.” They staunchly ignored me.

I went into Hugo’s room when I heard him get up on the monitor. I spoke to him, “There’s my baby boy.” He squealed and jumped up and down in his crib trying to get to me. I picked him up and played with him. Bjourn and Hastein joined us later before Bjourn left. Hastein was frowning. I assured him, “Daddy’s not serious. Uncle Marcus is bugging him about coming home and meeting Torvi.” Hastein nodded and helped me with Hugo.

He practically dragged me to the playroom. Torvi had just gotten there. I offered, “I’ll watch them if you want to paint for a little bit.” Oligar pouted, “Vi stays!” Torvi laughed, “I actually got up early to paint. The sunrise in that room you prepared is breathtaking. I’ll play with them.” I stayed with her and played for an hour before heading to my office.

I was doing paperwork when an odd request floated by me. I studied it closely and nearly cursed. I called the number on the form. Rhett answered, “Hello.” I asked, “What is this on my desk?” He asked, “How could I know that? We barely wave to each other if we see each other in the street these days.”

I said, “I’ve taken over some of Veronica’s duties. You want permission to have a separate residence from your marked mate.” He replied, “We both think if we had a joint house and separate places it would be best.” I scoffed, “But the address listed here is occupied. Do you really not know by whom?” He replied, “I don’t know, Briar sent the place to me for the request.” I scoffed, “Your brother and Ivanna live there.” He sounded surprised, “Oh, well I’ll find a new place then.”

I sighed, “Is everything ok?” He replied, “We just do things differently than other people.” I said, “No one is getting kicked out of their homes for you. I guess if you want to rent an apartment that’s fine, but the houses in the capitol go fast. I’m not giving either of you dibs. If this is what you want then find a way to work it out. No one is getting kicked out for you, and you don’t need anyone’s permission to live separately.” Which he knew and so did Briar. She really thought she could kick Ivanna and Hark out of their house?

Rhett sighed, “Things are just rough right now.” I softened, “What’s going on?” Bjourn’s intense happiness then surprise filled me. I pulled up the camera in his office. Titus was home and clearly had news of a sibling. A fairy must have confirmed it for whoever he’d been with for him to know already. Or it was a fairy. That would be something. Then I shook myself, it wasn’t possible. A fairy concupiscence would last longer and Titus would be gone longer. It could’ve been fun to have a fairy around though.

Rhett pulled me back into the conversation, “We just…” He trailed off, “I don’t know, maybe if we got back in the friend group things would be better.” I asked, “Were things better when you were? Because they didn’t seem like it.” He asked, “What am I supposed to do?” I answered, “I know you’ll figure it out. Talk to your mate, you have a bond.” He scoffed, “My dad won’t accept her into our family line, so we do not have a bond.” I didn’t know that. I said, “Well, if you need us to have the ceremony without him we can.” He said, “I’ll ask Briar.” We hung up and I stared at the phone.

They’d gone years without feeling the bond between them while being marked. Didn’t that drive them crazy? Their parents didn’t have to accept either into their bloodline for them to have their ceremony. It was tradition, but they both knew the Royals would perform it for them if necessary. They were marked. Maybe that was their problem. They didn’t have a bond to feel each other. It sounded like they enjoyed the out of not feeling each other though. I shoved thoughts of them out of my mind. They were a weird couple, but hopefully they figured it all out.

Bjourn was so excited I had to wonder if it was twins or something. Double the chances of having a sister. That would explain his joy. Heather slipped into my office as I used a stamp to put Rhett’s request in the declined pile. I asked, “What’s going on?” Heather chuckled, “Drake is blowing up my phone now asking if he’s getting a sibling.” I chuckled, “I think he should wonder if it’s twins. Bjourn’s so happy and surprised he’s bursting.”

Aaron portaled to me. I asked, “Aren’t you with Logan and Evin in a training session? You’re supposed to be.” Aaron chuckled, “Both boys took off so Logan could ask your father in law if they were right and they are getting a sibling.” I held up my hands, “I have an educated guess that they are right. I don’t know yet though.” Aaron laughed, “Mom’s going to double down on dad now.” I agreed, “Probably.” She’d get what she wanted too.

My mom told my dad she might pop out more kids when they were two hundred. She had always wanted two kids close together like me and Aaron. I could see them having more kids later. Mom would be thrilled if he had an off period child though. I began to pull up the plans we’d used for Miley’s parade. We’d never had a partial child in the King’s line. Prince’s yes but never the King. The King, if they had other children, were full blooded Hackura. We’d have to use this as a template, but it would be a momentous moment. We’d have to go bigger.

I planned for a few hours before leaving to see the boys. I played with them before going to the shower. I pulled Bjourn to me since his feelings told me he wasn’t heading for me and I wanted information. Once we’d satisfied each other, he told me the details. A girl? Dear lord, my plans for the parade needed to go bigger. The King’s line had never had a girl.

I didn’t understand how Queen Alania had such a short concupiscence, but I wasn’t getting that detail today. I was excited about a fairy living here. I skipped to the boys when Bjourn left to go see his brothers and parents. Hastein giggled when he saw me, “Momma happy. Dada happy too.” I told him, “You might be getting an Aunt.” Torvi’s jaw dropped.

Hastein squealed, “REALLY?!” Hugo clapped his hands together simply feeling the joy in all the bonds he had not really understanding the moment. Torvi asked, “A Princess? Really?” I nodded, “Somehow Titus and Queen Alania hooked up.” She said, “He talked to Oligar and the boys on my first afternoon here before their nap. He didn’t sound like he was having sex.” I agreed, “It wasn’t her concupiscence. It was too short. I don’t know, maybe she used magic.” She shrugged, “It would have to be. That seems like really powerful magic too.” I agreed.

I told her, “Veronica will scream so loud we will hear her up here.” Torvi laughed, “She’s been telling my mother for years she wants Titus to have a little girl.” I didn’t realize Veronica talked to her mom regularly. I added, “She’s been telling mine the same.” Torvi laughed, “Your mom probably heard it more than mine. Veronica has quarterly calls with the Lord’s mates.” Right, I did know that.

I told Hastein, “Your possible aunt or uncle will have fairy blood.” He shot back, “Aunt.” I giggled, “You stubborn Cambridge boy, you.” He nuzzled into my lap. I felt him in our bond. I said, “Someone had a big day and is very tired.” He yawned, saying, “Nope.” I laughed, “Into the bath with you all.” Torvi and I bathed them and heard a scream of happiness. I nudged her, “I told you.” She laughed and portaled away with the boys. Whatever she’d done with them both boys barely stayed awake while I dressed them in their pajamas. I chuckled and turned off the light.

Then Bjourn pulled me to him. I was more than ready for this announcement. The men had no idea what was going on, but the excitement on Veronica’s face clued the women in. Zader caught on first and looked at his brother with a little shock and excitement. It was confirmed Alania had used magic to have their child. I mean she was Queen. Maybe it was a one time thing the Queen could do.

Ramilda’s excitement about the Holloran line being in theirs was next level. I felt Bjourn’s shock as she explained how a Holloran helped her conceive. That did seem full circle. I saw Aesir’s hand more than Alania’s though. I was a little surprised Titus chose her. Her new peace, love, and harmony view did not line up with ours at all. Maybe she’d tapped back into her roots. She was quite the bloody Queen before she had Aiden.

Bjourn sent me mischief in our bond and looked at Marcus. I texted Torvi to join us in the main room. She did not even a full minute later. Marcus did actually come in his pants. The giant wet stain gave him away. Her eyes sparkled when he declared her his. Heather gave me an air high five. We had a lot to celebrate tonight, and celebrate we did.