The Future King and the Commander's Daughter

In the Background Pt.4

Flash Forward 2 more months

Astrid was staring at the closed cases before her. I rubbed my temples and began to look for anything. Kashe said, “There’s no evidence in ANY of those cases. We’ve all been over them with a fine tooth comb.” I glared at her. She shrugged, “Hey! Kashe is team Astrid is right. I am one thousand percent sure you’re correct. Haley definitely killed those people. There is just literally no proof.”

I put cases down, “This woman disrespected Gunner and died. This man disrespected Cali at a ball…” Kashe cut in, “That she did not attend.” I continued, “Then died out in nature. We barely have deaths from poisonous snakes.” Kashe replied, “Well, he’s one.” I snorted, “Disrespected Logan, dies. Disrespected Heather, dies. Disrespected Evin, dies. Hastein, Hugo, and Brody disrespected, dies.” Kashe groaned, “I know all this, please don’t list them all. There’s one for every member of your VERY long family line. My favorite is disrespected Holly and died. Before I could kill them, it was awesome and rude at the same time.”

I snorted, “And my favorite, disrespected Torvi and fell went climbing on their favorite mountain and fell to his death.” Kashe said, “Several people said his equipment was old and they told him to replace it. His malfunctioning equipment was found on the cliff in question.” I hit my head on the desk, “Carabiner. It’s called a carabiner clip.” Kashe snorted, “I couldn’t care less what it’s called. The lock broke.”

I said, “She did it.” Kashe agreed, “I know but you can’t prove it.” I groaned, “It’s driving me literally insane. Why won’t she talk to them? She’s a secret killing machine? How does that jive?” Kashe chuckled, “I like it. She should lean into it. People would never expect her to be a killer. She’s like how people perceive Cali but better. Literally no one would see it coming. NONE of the Cambridge men have the slightest suspicion. They even know she has powers. The only people not elementally killed were the original suspected case.”

I sighed, “Rhett would never shoot himself.” Kashe shrugged, “His family doesn’t even care nor are they suspicious.” I agreed, “They aren’t.” I groaned, “Why won’t she talk to them? Why did she thank Evin?” Kashe clapped, “Now, we are talking. Finally a case I care about solving. The guys will have to acknowledge our brilliance if we figure it out before them. I pulled the surveillance…” She trailed off when I snorted.

She stuck her tongue out, “Fine. Jamal pulled it for me. She was working on the light workout program Bjourn gave her. Which I would like to pause at. I did NOT get a light training program and I want to lodge a complaint.” I snorted, “He will up her training. He just has her getting walks in.” She nodded, “Exactly. Where was my walking program? Nowhere, that’s where. Anyway, she left the gym and wasn’t picked up by any camera until she ran into the castle wearing Titus’ shirt.”

I gasped, “WHAT?! Why was she wearing his shirt? Was she at the gym?” Kashe shook her head, “No, we have a chat about gym clothes again. She wore a t-shirt dress to the gym. I think it’s putting on sports bras that she doesn’t like, which same girlfriend.” I chuckled.

She leaned forward, “So, my theory is she paused to survey some earthly area her whimsical fairy side is drawn to and got muddy. Cleary, etiquette is HIGHLY enforced for fairies and she was distraught that her clothes were messed up. She found a shirt of Titus’ she thinks Evin left lying around for reasons I do not understand. Then ran into the castle hoping no one saw her dressed so improperly, in her mind not mine, that would land her in trouble.”

I admitted, “You should tell them that entire scenario. That actually might be what happened.” She grinned, “I had a lot of time to craft this theory.” I admitted, “It rings true. It could also be why she stayed in her room for days thinking someone saw her.” She nodded, “I’m brilliant.” She flipped her hair, “I know.” I laughed, “You are.”

She asked, “When will Bjourn be back?” I answered, “Probably after I fall asleep. He’ll go get pizza at his favorite place. I’ll feel him get into bed and jump him.” She high fived me, “That’s the best plan ever.” I laughed and we left my office.

My phone beeped and I decided that was another day’s problem. I stripped then fell into my bed hoping to catch some sleep before my mate arrived and I got me some. I woke up to intense fury. I jolted in bed and quickly grabbed a robe. It was Bjourn and he was in the castle. I made my ways through the hallway and was met by Titus and Marcus. There was a light on in the kitchen and voices coming from there. Someone on the kitchen staff upset him this much?

We silently made our way to the door and stalled. I knew he was angry, but happiness and excitement filled me. Tears pricked at my eyes as I watched through a crack in the door as my mate shared pizza and a conversation with his sister. Her answers might upset him, but she was talking.

Veronica took my hand and squeezed it. I watched an invisible weight drop from Marcus’ chest. He’d felt so guilty she’d only talk to him. He loved being able to talk to her but felt bad no one else got her to talk back. This was such a big step.

The rest of the Cambridge boys showed up. We looked like something out of a comedy at this point. Logan was flat on the ground looking through the crack. The rest of us were contorted in weird positions so everyone could see through this small door.

Bjourn signaled for everyone to stay away. Ubbe actually gasped when she spoke to him and we all hit him. He whispered, “She can’t hear me!” That was true. We all shrugged at him and resumed our previous positions.

I caught Veronica’s eyes when Haley described all of our relationships and talked about disrespect. She was TOTALLY killing all those people for them. GOD! I wanted proof to shove in their faces to show how much she loved them. How much she was JUST like us. I actually wondered if there were any deaths in Faerie for upsetting her brothers there.

Titus rubbed Veronica’s back as they discussed her. She fanned her face and Benjamin handed her a tissue box. These boys and their operation Floods. I grabbed one myself because I was so happy for Bjourn. This wasn’t just a quick hello. He was conversing with her as if they had been for months.

They mentioned Nakita and everyone bumped into me. I was convinced that was Haley too. Nakita walked into my office for an appointment about becoming a self-defense instructor that I nor Celeste set up. Evin walked in moments later. I got credit, but something told me it was Haley again.

My eyes widened when Bjourn thought her mate rejected her. I opened a portal ready to shove them through it, but she said no. I closed the portal and signed in relief. A crash sounded and we all looked around.

I took off towards the sound. I found two kids half-dressed. I groaned, “You have GOT to be kidding me.” They stalled. The girl cried, “It was just a dare to have s*x in the castle. We didn’t think anyone would be awake. We didn’t mean to scare her.” I rolled my eyes, “Down that corridor leads to an empty room with an exit. Should you want to win said dare. Just be grateful my mate got to talk to his sister and I’m in a good damn mood.” They grinned at each other and took off.

I knew the guards would make sure they left after winning their dare. I’m sure they were pissed they didn’t stop the noise. The castle was open at all hours if people had an emergency. They could come to the main hall before the guards would do anything. They couldn’t get on our floors, just the main one where court was. Damn it!

I joined everyone else. Bjourn came in pissed off about things she’d said. They discussed her mate. Veronica nearly laughed. Kashe had been on a campaign since she noticed Veronica was interested in her comments on Alpha Eric Conners. Kashe was team Alpha Eric and Haley. I was certain Veronica was highly convinced as well. I knew Bjourn wanted Iblis though. He thought his morally gray way of thinking would be best. Kashe argued that Alpha Eric was morally gray to werewolves. He acted how we would, but most in the human realm don’t. They feared him there. Bjourn and I left to collect a fairy or two. This night was still going to end in s*x. I was determined.

WHEW! So, we know how Danika came into the group. We know Astrid was working in the background to make everything goes as smooth for Bjourn as they could during the biggest trial of his life. Bjourn having the clarifying moment on Benny and his actions. Benny is MADDDDDD! We see how messed up Bjourn was not to notice the Cambridge family was in the hospital cousins, Aunts, great Uncles etc. We see that Haley was conjuring things for the mates and listening to them quite intently. We also see how literal she is. She's only talking to Marcus, but she's not sharing everything. Is Astrid right? Is she killing all those people because of their rules? She is very about the rules and hasn't learned they could just beat someone up. She's very cut and dry, but the equipment was old. Snakes bite people this is a thing. What do we think? Is Astrid reaching or is she right? What about Nakita just showing up? Such interesting things. Discuss we will be on my F B group The ribbon novels if you want to join us