Reclaiming Her Heart

Chapter 86 - The Dress

Constance

Back at the stronghold, I agitatedly paced the common room in Obsidian's wing. I was frustrated over how quickly the enemy infiltrated the new councils.

"Honestly, it took them a while," Gabriel mused, seeming to morph out of the shadows. I'd been so lost in my own mind and thoughts, I hadn't realized he was there and started. My frustrations rising in response. "Nearly two decades," he continued, not realizing I was a ball of rage.

"That's nothing compared to an immortal's lifetime!" I snapped, feeling like a failure. I'd dedicated a lot of time, resources and effort to rebuilt the councils so they wouldn't fall to such deplorable lows as before. And yet... The fail-safes I had in place were already failing. It was disheartening.

Gabriel—in his demonic form, black-brown wings tucked against his back, large horns curling out of his head, blue-brown eyes intent on mine—sauntered over, undaunted by my foul mood. With that devastating half grin, making one of his dimples show, my heart started beating out a different rhythm. Gathering me into his embrace and pressing his forehead into mine, he met my anger with a soft, calm. Slowly, I felt the anxious energy ebb from my body as he continued to hold me. "Dwelling on it won't change the results, sunshine."

Ugh. "I know," I groused, resisting the urge to roll my eyes, suddenly agitated again.

"So, what are you going to do about it," he challenged as I paced out of his arms.

And that was the question.

Pausing, I felt the frightening chasm of exhaustion and doubt trying to swallow me whole. "I don't know," I breathed, on the verge of tears. Feeling the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders again. "I'm tired," I whispered, feeling the cracks in my spirit forming. "I'm tired of fighting." I just wanted it all to stop. I didn't want to do this anymore. I didn't want to be the Phoenix. I just wanted to be Constance. A girl who fell in love with a demon.

Gabriel's front pressed against my back, his arms banding gently around my waist, his head tucking into my shoulder, breathing me into his lungs. "It's only getting worse because the final battle is nearing. Cerberus is doing everything he can to wear you down and break you."

I understood that. But it didn't make it any easier to carry. I felt the silent tears falling down my cheeks as I mulled everything over, praying an idea, a plan, anything would come to me.

"Perhaps you need to rest," he suggested gently.

"I won't be able to until I've got something in motion—"

"I know a couple of ways to make you tired enough," he smirked playfully, rocking me gently, trying to ease the storm raging in my chest. His hand dipped under the waistband of my pants, his fingers curling into my core. "Mmm," he hummed, teeth scraping over my shoulder, "You know I'm right."

Unable to help it, I chuckled. "And I hate it when you are."

"Hmm," he mused—his fingers working their magic—as if a thought suddenly occurred to him.

"What?"

"Maybe you need to use that favor Allen owes you," Gabriel started, opening his mind to show me what he was thinking.

It was the beginning of a rather brilliant plan. If it worked... "We need to pay Nikolai a visit!" I stated, pulling his hand out of my pants and turning for my sword and cloak, not feeling quite as hopeless as before.

Catching my wrist, he twirled me back into him, coming nearly nose to nose with him as he backed me into the closed door of our room, mouth dipping into the hollow of my neck, placing expert kisses along my skin. "No kids. Not sister. No demon lord. We are all alone for the first time in forever—"

"Ugh! Ew dad!" came Seb's disgruntled voice from the entranceway.

"Why do you have to be all over mom like that!?" Lilliana groused next as our children and some of their friends sauntered in.

"It's not gross! It's romanic," Judy sighed with hearts in her eyes as she gazed upon Gabriel with a childhood crush. I couldn't blame the poor girl. He was definitely eye candy—

Gabriel's sharp look back at me, smirk deepening, told me he'd been privy to my thoughts.

"It's just weird," Seb huffed, stalking by us, moving for his room.

"Just tell them to get a room," Obsidian suggested, as he teleported himself and Celeste into the room. Suddenly it was very crowded.

Gabriel was pouting.

Chuckling, I whispered, "Well there goes that opportunity."

With a wicked smirk, that sent heat curling through my blood, he growled, "It's alright. I know where we can find another one." And with that he teleported us away to the home he built with his own hands outside of Bozeman.

***

Jadea

I wasn't going to spend another moment here. I wanted to go back home.

I didn't care it was in the middle of the night. My pack, Adam, Caden and I re-packed our bags and, after saying our goodbyes to Lance, told Agamemnon we wanted to go to Ty's. Without question, he and his pack teleported us there. I'd already warned Ty we were on the way, so he could alert his scouts. That way they wouldn't sound the alarm and wake everyone up. We made our way to the guest cabins and I noticed a third one had recently been added.

"Ty wanted to make sure we had plenty of space with our growing pack," Adam explained. Of course he would do something like that. He was just like father, always thinking of those things.

"Well, which one is ours?"

Adam led me to the one we always took before. "We will re-settle everyone tomorrow, after celebrating Easter."

Because the kids, Persephone and Ginny were staying with Ty.

The rest of the pack dispersed into the other two cabins, while Ag and his pack took up guard around the small clearing. Adam led the way to our bedroom where the three of us fell into bed. While exhausted, we had a couple of things to talk about before we could sleep.

"When do you think I should see the kids?" I asked Adam, a bit nervously.

"During the egg hunt," he yawned. "That way, you can steal them away if you wish." That was fair.

"What are your plans, Caden?" I asked over my shoulder.

"To talk with Ty. After, we can speak more about what to do," he replied on a yawn. "It's time to go to sleep woman," he teased, settling down, his arm banding around my waist, Adam's arm resting higher. It didn't take but moments before both were softly snoring.

But, sleep was hard to come by. My mind raced with anticipation to see Aidan and Anika. Right before dawn, Adam stirred and realized I hadn't slept at all. Sighing, he leveled a stern look my way. "You should have woken me baby. I could have helped—"

"No, you needed to rest. One night isn't going to hurt me. Besides, I'm sure I can catch a nap with those two kids if they sit down long enough to watch a movie."

He stared at me with exasperation before relenting. "Fine. But you must take a nap today. Otherwise..."

I would get my agreed upon punishment. "Fine," I groused.

"I'm going to go wake up the kids and have breakfast with them. I'll have Garret bring you and Caden something from the kitchens."

"When does the hunt start?"

"Around ten."

It was barely seven. "Okay."

After kissing my forehead, Adam got dressed and left. Caden was still snoozing. Somewhere along the way, I dozed off and was rudely awoken by my beta, who came crashing and yelling into the cabin, startling both Caden and I awake.

"Rise and shine you lazies!" he yelled.

"Piss off!" Caden grumbled softly enough Garret shouldn't have heard him. But, Garret didn't need super hearing to know what Caden was thinking.

"You've got the world to piss off today!" he continued on in a chipper tone.

"Is he always like this?" Caden groused, squinting up at me.

"Yes," I chuckled. "And worse, if you can imagine."

"Ugh," he groaned.

"Are you regretting your decision yet?" Garret's head poked into the room, a Cheshire cat grin spreading across his face, as if he was hoping for this outcome.

A small grin curled Caden's lips as he rubbed his eyes, trying to embody an air of frustration. "That sounds an awful lot like a challenge."

"Perhaps," Garret drawled.

"I'd be careful what you wish for," Caden warned.

"Oh?" Garret leaned further in. "You don't scare me."

"I'm about to show you how this game is played."

Garret scoffed. "I'd like to see you try, you moldy bump on a log. Your head's been stuck under the mud for so long, you've lost your touch old man."

Caden's smile widened. "You sure about that, you old crusty butt of bread that no one wants?"

Garret gasped, mouth hanging open at the sheer audacity of Caden. And then his eyes lit up with playful excitement. Before the war could start, I leveled a warning glare at Garret. "Fine!" he shot. "Spoil sport," he grumbled under his breath, sulking away.

"It was just starting to get good," Caden pouted.

"That's what she said!" Garret yelled before slamming the door shut for good measure.

With a chuckle, we got up and ate. "Did you open your gift yet?" Caden asked, nodding to the box Constance had given me.

Shaking my head, I reached for it and opened it. A soft gasp left my lips when I saw the gorgeous dress inside, a note on top.

Jadea, I saw this on my last trip into the city with Lilliana and thought of you. Thank you for always believing in me and having my back. I am glad to have such a wonderful and beautiful friend like you — Love C

Standing, a tear in my eye, I slowly lifted the gorgeous sage green dress with a pink floral design covering the skirt and bust. It was an A-line dress with large poofy sleeves that hung off the shoulder. A long slit went up to the left thigh. The bust had a sweetheart neckline and a corset back.

"Wow," Caden braethed. "You're going to look like a woodland fairy in that."

Excitement raced through my veins. This wasn't my normal attire, nor would it have been something I ever picked out for myself. However, it was something Anika would have chosen in a heartbeat.

After shoveling down breakfast, I ran back into my room to get ready. I did my makeup in record time. Caden sauntered in and helped do my hair in a half up, half down style with braids. Then, he helped me into my dress.

"Adam's not going to know what hit him when he sees you," Caden breathed, taking me in from head to foot, his eyes moving appreciatively over me.

I don't know why I was suddenly feeling shy, or why there was pink coloring my cheeks. Or why butterflies curled through my stomach. Perhaps it was due to the fact Adam had changed. He was decisive. More dominant. Not afraid to take what he wanted. I didn't know him as well as I remembered... And, maybe, it also had something to do with myself. I wasn't the same anymore either.

"It's about time. Let's start heading that way," he declared.