The Future King and the Commander's Daughter

Practically Official Pt. 1

Bjourn is Fifteen

Bjourn couldn’t wait to go home. This mission had been a few months long and I missed Astrid. We talked almost every day via text or a phone call if we could manage. We were on and off period. It wasn’t our first and it wouldn’t be our last because we were so close to her sixteenth birthday. I would know on my sixteenth birthday that we were mates. We are like the Hood, our allies in the human realm that we had a very close relationship with, to a degree.

When the clock struck midnight on my birthday, I would feel a tug to Astrid. Not the same as I would once it was her birthday and we were mates. I’d still feel it all the same. I couldn’t wait for it. I was actually almost sixteen. The day after I returned home from this mission would be my birthday. I planned to ring it in bed with my mate, preferably inside her. Because then it would be mostly official. We couldn't announce it until she was sixteen, which seemed silly since everyone and their brother knew at this point that Astrid was mine. Those were the rules in our realm though. She had to recognize the bond at the age of sixteen for it to be official, and I could follow that rule. Particularly since everyone knew she was mine if they didn’t bury their head in the sand which some people did and it made me want to rip them apart.

I was curious to find out many thing when I got home. I wanted to see all my brother. My youngest, Logan, is almost two years old now. I wanted to know if my mom had gotten dad on board with her plan for an off period child because she was done. She had her tubes removed right after Logan came out. Her longstanding slow moving plan of getting dad to agree to an off period coincided with Aunt Rashe’s desire for Uncle Zader to have an off period child with her friend, Helena.

They were basically acquaintances at this point, but they had been close as children. Helena still hadn’t met her met so Aunt Rashe was doing a subtle full court press. One might not understand that, but our women could be stealthy in that way if they wanted. Drake, Marcus, and I still couldn’t believe our dad and uncle didn’t see that our mom and Aunt were leading them down a path they wanted to bring to fruition; they were following the breadcrumbs so that I genuinely thought they would believe it was their idea. Drake would tease me and say I was the same way with Astrid. So, I guess I didn’t have room to talk, but to me it was clear as day what my Aunt and mom were doing. My dad and Uncle would just shrug and say they’d decide one day. They actually didn’t know it was already decided. It confounded me in a deep way.

I was lost in my thoughts when the girl I’d slept with a few weeks ago sauntered up to me at the bar I was in. She sat down next to me greeting, “Hey Chad.” I still think my Uncle Zader was f*****g with me giving me that alias. I couldn’t look less like a Chad if I tried. I replied, “Hi, Lilly.” She winked, “Wanna have some more fun again?” I winked, answering, “Not tonight but maybe some other time.” I didn’t know if that was true, but tonight I was fulfilling my mission and going home to Astrid. If she wished to end our off period I was game. Even if she wanted it to continue that was fine; she’d just be in my bed tonight. Then we’d ring in my birthday with a bang. I’d be surprised if she didn’t want to end it though because we always did when one of us returned home.

Lilly sighed, “That’s too bad. You know, you’re the best I’ve had. Most guys don’t want to go down on you. Let alone for how long you did and you seemed to enjoy it.” That wasn’t surprising; she was mostly human with a little fairy blood. Humans didn’t have the same stamina we did. I told her, “Don’t settle for less than you deserve. The bedroom should always be a place of open and honest discussions. If you’re expected to suck a d**k, then they should be more than willing to feast on you.” She grinned at me then left.

I watched her go then stiffened watching two warlocks follow her out. I wasn’t getting a good vibe and my dad taught me to trust my instincts. I threw cash on the bar and followed them outside. I wanted to curse when I saw Lilly on the phone walking into an alley. I jogged closer, sticking back enough that the warlocks didn’t catch on.

She sighed, “I know but he wasn’t interested. He told me he was just having fun when we hooked up. I wasn’t expecting anything else from him. I know I wanted to have more fun but I wasn’t going to drag him down and throw him on my bed. I don’t even think I could tie him down. His muscles had muscles. He said maybe another time.”

She paused and agreed, “Right? He might just be busy tonight. Maybe we can look for him next weekend. If he has friends half as good in bed as he is, trust me when I say you’ll love me forever for hooking you up with them.” I wanted to laugh. It was part of what drew me to Lilly in the first place. She had that fairy humor and lightness about her. She was also quite honest.

She hung up and warlocks moved in on her. She went to scream but they covered her mouth. They said, “We have a van a block away. Move it.” I wasn’t going to let that happen, but I knew for a fact it wasn’t going to go well for them even without me. I met Lilly in a kickboxing class. She punched one in the face and they started to chant. Motherfuckers! She snorted, “What are you…?” Before the spell could take hold I moved and knocked both men unconscious.

Lilly jumped into my arms. She whisper yelled, “CHAD!” I told her, “You’re safe.” She’d have kicked their ass if they would’ve played fair too. Without the spell she would’ve easily walked away from them. She stammered, “I should call the police.” I lied, “I already did. I’m going to secure them.” I pulled out my car keys and hit the button so it would unlock and make sound. I told her, “You go find my car and sit inside. Lock the doors and don’t unlock it unless I am the one coming to you. If you see anyone else coming anywhere near the car, you drive away. I’ll track you and the car down later. Do you understand me?”

She whispered, “But it’s your car.” I replied, “It’s not important to me at all. I want you to be safe, that’s the top priority here.” She asked me, “What’s happening?” I told her, “We never got to the part of the discussion where I told you what I do for a living.” She asked, “Are you Rambo?” That was surprisingly accurate. I laughed, “No, I’m a doctor.” She gasped, “Shut up! If you were my doctor I’d tell you whatever was ailing me was cured or make you give me a full body examination. I’m not sure which, but it would be one of those two choices. Probably the second one.” I snorted, “Just go get in the car, Lilly.” She winked and left.

I called Aaron. He answered, “I had nothing to do with it.” I asked, “How could you? I’m calling to tell you what just happened.” He was quiet then groaned, “You don’t know.” I asked, “I don’t know what?” He replied quickly, “Nothing. What’s going on?” I told him, “Fix whatever happened before I come home, which should be soon. I need you to send Dyre with someone.” They were consultants for the police in this realm and had badges. Aaron told me, “I just dispatched them. Why didn’t you call my dad?”

I answered, “Because your dad told me to call you this time if I needed something done like that.” He asked, “Why do you need them?” I answered, “Two warlocks assaulted a girl I met and I followed them because I got a bad vibe off them.” Aaron chuckled, “A girl you hooked up with, you mean.” I answered, “Yes, she has a little fairy blood and they are quite funny. I need her to see some detectives show up. Then I’ll get her home and complete my mission.” He laughed, “They should be there soon.” I secured both the warlocks who were still out.

Dyre showed up with his best friend Puck. He said, “You always have such fun, cousin.” I told him, “Just put them both in your car and then get them home to their new rooms in our dungeons. Anyone can start questioning them or let them simmer for me.” Puck asked, “Who is the redhead smoke show in your car that I acquired for you for this mission?” I answered, “The woman they attacked that I know.” They both nodded and took the men. Dyre snorted, “Could you have not broken this one’s nose? He’s bleeding all over me.” I replied “Lilly did that, not me. If they hadn’t resorted to a spell she wouldn’t have needed me.” They both seemed impressed.

I jogged back over to my car and wanted to curse. Her tension was palpable. I rapped softly on the window and one by one she slowly curled her fingers from the steering wheel she had a vice grip on. I evaluated her quickly, realizing she was in shock, and gave her a blanket. I moved her to the passenger seat and waved to my cousin. She whispered, “I didn’t give a statement.” I assured her, “It won’t be necessary. I told them everything and I had it recorded. They are building a case around these people.” We just hadn’t known they were involved. It’s why I was here. I was taking down a Ring cell.

She started to cry and curled into my shoulder. I rubbed her back and got another blanket out of the back and threw it around her. I plucked her phone out of her purse and called the last number she dialed.

A woman answered, “Lilly, where the hell are you? You should be home by now.” I told her, “This is Chad. Lilly had a run in with some thugs. She handled herself and I was there to help. The detectives took them away. I just wanted to see if you could go to Lilly’s but you’re clearly there.” The girl huffed, “I’m her roommate of course I’m here.” I didn’t know she had a roommate since we’d gone back to my place.

I asked, “What’s your address? I’m driving her there now.” She rattled it off and I realized why Lilly was walking. Her apartment was two blocks away. When we got there I parked, got my medical bag out of the back, and carried her upstairs. Her roommate opened the door and gasped, “I thought you said she was fine.” I did a double take. This girl also had fairy blood. I guess fairies loved Florida. They probably had water fairy blood then, but they’d never know.

I asked, “Which one is her room?” She pointed and followed us. I instructed, “Go get her some water.” She ran off and came back with a bottle. She was pissed, “I repeat, you said she was fine! This is not fine!” I replied, “She’s in a bit of shock, which is why I’m giving her this.” It was a mild sedative. If she didn’t have fairy blood, I’d give her something stronger; but fairies had odd reactions to drugs though so this was as strong as I was willing to go.”

The girl asked, “What? You’re a drug dealer now?” I answered, “No.” I showed her my hospital credentials. She studied it for several minutes before backing down. Something about fairy blood was just fascinating. Most people cowered in my presence because even without knowing what I was, other supernaturals cringed around me. My dad always said we had a dominating aura, and I always agreed after being in this realm. This girl could’ve cared less likely because whether they knew it or not these girls were related. Fairies were fiercely protective of relatives.

I told her, “This will help her sleep. Make sure she drinks lots of water.” She frowned, “I don’t get it. She’s so tough and she trains a lot.” I replied, “There’s something to say for training to protect yourself and actually having to do it. I studied anatomy and knew everything about the human body. My first surgery felt like another beast all together. Knowing something and doing it in defense of your life are vastly different. She will be fine. She was protecting herself, and she did a damn good job.”

I kissed Lilly on the head and went to leave. Her friend stopped me, “For a one night stand, you’re a good dude. Apparently a giver in bed and you're even a dang doctor. Do you guys have a catalog to order you from or something?” I snorted, “No, we don’t.” She huffed, “Figures. Don’t be a stranger, Chad.” I inclined my head and left.

I got in my car and went back to the alley. The warlocks had mentioned a van. I got out and studied the alley. They couldn’t have wanted to carry her far or have her walk and risk her going into a crowded place like she’d just left. Lilly herself was taking this route, no one led her this way. Which meant they must have stalked her. They knew which way she would go. I followed the path of the alley and ended up in another alley with a blue nondescript and unmarked van. At least they didn’t go with the clique of a white van.

I faded back so I was invisible and walked to the van. It was empty. I faded in and opened the door. They’d left it unlocked with the keys inside. I turned and saw syringes, ropes, cuffs, and all sorts of things to abduct someone. I saw the duct tape and rolled my eyes, “Of course they are unoriginal. What else would I expect from warlocks in this realm bad enough to run around with the Ring?” I turned on the van and the GPS turned on and started giving directions. Who was I to turn down such a generous invitation?

I followed the directions and ended up further south than I’d gone. The place I thought I was going to be led to was back in civilization. We were in the swamp area now. I wanted to groan. I had thought this was all connected but maybe it wasn’t. Then I saw a big building and wondered if I didn’t have the wrong intel all along. I stopped the van in view and jogged closer to the building. I heard a lot of people inside. This was going to be fun. What stalled me was hearing crying. I went closer and saw a group of women through the bars on the window in the basement. They were huddled together and in desperate need of a shower. All had supernatural blood but were partials that were mostly human except one. She didn’t belong with this group. God damn it!

I called Dyre and conferenced in Aaron. Dyre answered, “I guess you need us back.” I replied, “Maybe bring some friends. We’ve got ten abducted women in the basement who are going to need to think the police are involved. Only one is a full blooded demon and she’s got a medal bracelet on her wrist.” Medal made demons weak and unable to use their power if it touched them. Aaron cursed, “f**k! This wasn’t supposed to be this difficult of a mission, Bjourn. I’ve got to be at the ball tonight.”

I chuckled, “I’ll be back for the ball don’t you worry.” They were oddly silent. I added, “Obviously I’ll be late. Dawson is nearby, send him with Dyre and Puck. We will have this wrapped up and be there before the clock strikes midnight in our realm. I’ll have most of the fun because I’m going in now.” Dyre quickly said, “Cousin, I’ll be there soon.” I sent them coordinates. I taunted, “Clocks ticking to have any fun. We strike hard at the ring this day. Them trying to take Lilly around me was a mistake we are capitalizing on. I had no idea this place existed. We just got better blueprints for how they operate.” Something I was very excited about.

I hung up and went into the building drawing my Seax. I could’ve used my sword, but this felt like a Seax moment. I beheaded the first man I saw and faded back. I wanted them to panic, to feel what those women had felt. Just for a minute before I ended them and sent them straight to hell. I wanted them to feel and know someone was coming and they were going to die. I’m sure those women didn’t know if they were going to live or not. Being sold off would be the plan though. That was the Ring’s modus operandi. It wouldn’t be to anyone good either. We were working to get on their buyer list, but they’d never taken one of our people before. For all their faults, they were very careful about letting anyone be a buyer, which sickened me. Knowing this was happening. It was our job to stop it, and work with the supernatural council. They were seriously failing in my opinion. I had no plans to continue working with them in any capacity when I became King. I did not play nicely with others nor would I pretend to when they were incompetent.

I heard the yells as they found the first man. As another ran to the noise I faded in and slashed him open, ripping his guts out. I faded back and continued on my way. I could hear the demon whisper, “Someone is here to save us.” She could hear better than the humans who all had supernatural blood, but not very much. I wanted to talk to her when this was over and her captors were dead. She didn’t fit in the group down there. Most had to be like Lilly, unaware of their supernatural status.

One man yelled, “Whoever you are, you’re a dead man! You killed my brother.” Well, his brother chose the wrong side. I called, “You’ll join him soon enough.” Two moved towards me. I faded in and killed them quickly. Warlocks were no match for me. They honestly couldn’t think they could beat anyone but humans in a physical fight. They didn’t train like I did. Our race was known to them as assassins for a reason. I was a very skilled killer.

I’d killed twenty men before I got to the one who called out. I’d let one think he was getting away, but I knew who was coming in from that direction and decided to throw him a bone. I smirked, “Are you scared to meet death?” He trembled, “We can work something out.” I snorted, “Not that anyone would manage to kill my brothers, but I would never attempt to work anything out with someone who had. You have no loyalty, and only care about yourself.” He snorted, “We aren’t all like the Hackura. You should’ve hidden your golden eyes. Now we know who is coming after us.”

I laughed, “Why would I hide them? You have angered me by existing and working with the Ring. You’re going to die and I don’t care if you know I’m delivering the final blow.” He told me, “You will fail.” I laughed, “I’m pretty sure I’m the clear winner here tonight.” Dawson called, “You only left me ONE. I killed one guy running and screaming from this place.” I winked at him saying, “I did let him go knowing you’d be coming from the direction I let him flee towards.” Dawson sighed, “Are you toying with your last kill?”

I chuckled, “He hasn’t even tried to do a spell. It’s kind of sad. All he has said was and I quote ‘we can work something out.’ Keep in mind he was all ready to kill me because I beheaded his brother.” Anger shone in the warlock's eyes. He asked, “How did we even get your attention?” I told him, “I’ve been here for four months, and I was following a false trail; clearly. You tried to abduct a woman I know. Your getaway van led me here.”

He yelled, “LILLY! You know Lilly! You were the prick who ruined six months of me getting closer to her!” Dawson gaped, “He actually knew you and went ahead with the plan.” I chuckled, “He had no idea I was a Hackura though.”

He huffed, “She would’ve been in my bed but you ruined it!” I doubted that. I’d heard Lilly talking about a guy who was annoying her asking her out and refusing to take no for an answer. A problem this realm seemed to have in droves. Their men could not handle the word no and women carefully crafted their responses when doing so as to not anger said men. It was insanity they felt the need to do that, and crazier some men actually gave them a legitimate reason to need to. Rejection wasn’t fun, but everyone had their preferences. There was no need to be nasty about it.

I snorted, “I mean really between you and me there is no competition.” He scoffed. I shrugged, continuing, “There’s no reason to be upset about that. She has supernatural blood, she's naturally been drawn to an aura like mine. I’m powerful where you are weak and bad. Her blood would’ve told her that instinctually. She’s a partial fairy. They have the ability to sense motivations.” He sneered, “Partials don’t.”

I retorted, “From what I’ve seen, they do. Not being able to perform magic doesn’t mean they don’t have abilities in some capacity. Her blood was warning her away from you; whereas I meant her no harm.” Dawson said, “Plus, ya know objectively speaking you are hot. Women in this realm do seem to love a tall man. He is not.” It was a ploy we’d used often. For some reason men who were short in this realm seemed to think it was awful. I did not understand this logic, but I knew how to use it.

In my mind, being short would have many advantages. They can get into places I can’t stealthily. It would be handy. Men in our realm that were short definitely had missions I could not do. They were treated how everyone was. Sure some women and men had preferences, but there were plenty who preferred a shorter man. This realm had the same thing going, but the short men didn’t seem to realize it. They tried to make up for it and got mad if someone mentioned their height.

He yelled, “I AM NOT SHORT!” I replied, “You are below average for height which does suggest short.” He wasn’t really that short either. He was right, but he was still mad. He was five foot nine. He rushed Dawson who smirked. I shrugged and he put his hand through the warlock’s chest and pulled out his heart. I asked, “Do you feel better?” He snorted, “I was about to go home and see Kashe.” I assured him, “We will get home to our women.” He’d turned sixteen already and knew Kashe was his.

He smirked, “You look jealous again.” I huffed, “Kashe is older than Astrid. So I am jealous she’ll be yours officially in a few weeks.” He winked, “Consider us very busy during that time.” I laughed, “I would not have considered otherwise. I plan to make sure Astrid leaves our bed mated, with my mark, and pregnant like she wants.” Dawson laughed, “Which I am happy about because Kashe wants kids close in age to yours so once Astrid is pregnant. Kashe will be jumping me until she is. I kind of hope it takes a few months.” I threw my head back and laughed. I asked, “Why? She jumps you anyway.” He winked, “When that woman has a goal let me tell you, she’s single minded driven to it. I’d probably be getting three hours of sleep every day until she has a positive pregnancy test. I might have to buy them all and burn them so she has to wait longer to find out.” I shook my head at him and he just smiled.

Dyre and Puck showed up and we went downstairs. Dyre told the women, “You are safe now. We have ambulances outside ready to take you to a hospital. If anyone is ready to give me and my partner a statement we are ready to take it.” So he’d brought more people. I scanned the group and found one girl. I said, “Not her, she needs immediate medical attention.” Dyre nodded and more of our people came in with their EMT uniforms. They all nodded to me. The girl who was dead on her feet, dehydrated was taken away.