Protecting Shaylee (The Fae Guard Book 1) (31 page)

“Killian, I’m going to ask you once and you’re going to give me an honest answer, because, if you don’t, I’m going to let this tree slowly squeeze the life out of you. Suffocation seems fitting for you, doesn’t it? But, if you give me what I want, I’ll make it quick. Mostly.” The last word is mumbled under my breath but Shaylee must have heard it because she frowns darkly at me. I can see the indecision in her eyes, that she doesn’t want me to kill him, but she has come to the same conclusion that I have. She takes one of my hands with both of hers and the warmth that we share in each other’s presence spreads. She’s seeking comfort in our connection and to calm her discordant thoughts. She nods, and even though I know I’m doing the right thing, being of one mind on this makes it easier to swallow.

Killian nods, his face resigned.

“Were you the only one hunting Shaylee? Or do we have to worry about the Fallen council coming after her?”

His voice is rough and raw when he answers, “No, they know the only value in either of you is if they have you together and are able to turn you both. They don’t believe you are a true threat to their plans and so their focus is elsewhere. However, should the opportunity arise to separate you two forever, they might take it.” He stops and coughs a few times, the speech, seemingly,having exhausted his throat muscles. “I was only supposed to mention your location, if I came across you,” he gives me a little more, his voice wheezing. He coughs again. “They don’t,” cough, “want to make the effort.”

I don’t feel dishonesty radiating from him and from the corner of my eye, I see Shaylee’s quick nod, signifying that she agrees. I hesitate longer than I would have thought. I don’t relish the thought of destroying another of God’s creatures. But, he has made that choice and he’ll have to die for it.

It’s difficult to do, but with Shaylee near, I’m able to manipulate the water and air above to shift charged clouds together at just the right spot and a bolt of lightning strikes Killian, killing him instantly.

I drop my head in fatigue. Without the sun, that kind of power drains you. To be honest, my head is also hung in sorrow. I don’t regret my actions, but it still hurts my soul to take another life. Shaylee steps to face me and wraps her arms around to hold me tight. Her warmth seeps into my bones where I feel a chill that has nothing to do with the outside temperature. Hayleigh comes to stand beside us and she places a hand on my arms and gives a soft squeeze.

She is ready to head home and I give her a nod of acknowledgement and a smile of thanks. She returns the gestures, squeezes Shaylee’s shoulder before stepping back and with a light radiance, she is gone.

Shaylee and I burn the remnants of the tree and body, and then bury them in the ground. After we are finished, we make our way to her mother’s house. The lights are burning bright and I’m sure Violet is worried sick because Shaylee is always home by this time of night. We walk inside, prepared for her tears and questions and once she’s settled down, we explain the night’s events. Shaylee has fallen asleep on the couch, her head resting on my chest, her feet curled up under her. I bid her mother goodnight and carry her down to our room. She wakes as I begin to undress her and takes over the task. Naked, we fall into bed, our bodies each seeking the other, and we finally succumb to sleep.

Two weeks later

Excitement is coursing through me as I pace the living room floor waiting for Shaylee to come upstairs. Her mother, aunt, and uncle are all seated in the room, waiting as well. I want to walk over to the stairs and yell for her to get her sexy ass up here immediately, but I manage to restrain myself.

Finally.

Her soft footsteps are coming down the hall and then I see her beautiful face. It lights up when she sees me. Her gorgeous smile, making me shift as I feel more than my heart tightening at the sight of her.
I can’t fucking believe she’s mine.

Time to make sure the rest of the world knows it too. I go to her side and grasp her hand, bringing it to my lips for just a moment. Then I guide her to one of the elegant chairs in front of the fireplace. She knew we were all having dinner together tonight, as we are leaving to go home tomorrow. So, there is no surprise in seeing her family here. However, she gives me an odd look when I seat her instead of all of us moving to the dining room for dinner.

I lower myself onto one knee (even the Fae follow some human traditions) and watch her eyes widen, staring at my hand, which now holds a small, blue box. The box is vintage and the exact color of her eyes, so I thought it a fitting home for it until it’s placed on her finger.

“Baby,” I start. She slowly raises her eyes to meet mine, tears brimming in her eyes, making the blue look so much more like the ocean. “We both know I’m better at demanding than asking, and I don’t think I could get through a flowery speech without gagging.” There are titters of laughter from everyone, but I barely hear it, my only care for the woman who is destined to be mine for eternity. “I love you, for eternity.”

“Forever,” her soft whisper adds another string to the bands that bind us together.

“Will you marry me?” I’m actually pretty proud of myself for asking, instead of just dragging her to a justice of the peace.

She leans forward and lays her warm lips over mine, and I wish away all the other people here so that I could sink myself into her and get lost there.

She sits back and swipes the box from my hand. “Hey!” I protest.

She ignores me and whips open the box to find a platinum ring with a round diamond on the top. The band is a series of twists, creating linked infinity signs and, in each little opening, it alternates being set with a sapphire or emerald.

She sucks in a breath at it, pulls it out, and examines it, then gives me a sly smile. “Ok. This is worth marrying you,” she says with a shrug, but she isn’t able to keep the act up and she bursts into laughter before planting a solid kiss on my lips. “Hell yes, I’ll marry you!”

I pull her in for another deep kiss, but we’re interrupted by well wishes from the family. Shaylee’s mother decided she doesn’t want to return with us to Rien, she’s comfortable with her life and wants to eventually be with her husband. Shaylee was understandably disappointed, but she also understood and we promised to be here as often as possible. It was because of this that I chose to propose here, without my family. However, the wedding will be interesting, when my family descends on New York for a week. God help us all.

“ADEN! YOU ARE NEVER touching me again!

Shaylee’s voice rings down the hospital walls where I’m standing outside our room on the phone. Apparently, she was loud enough that Ean could hear her because he starts laughing uncontrollably.

“Ean, just get your ass down here. And do you know where the fuck Laila is? I can’t get ahold of her to tell her Shaylee is in labor.”

Ean’s laughter stops abruptly and he sucks in a breath. “Why would you think I’d know where Laila is?”

“I don’t know, Ean. I just can’t find her. You both live there, what the fuck ever! Just tell her if you see her.” I hang up before I hear Ean’s response and run back into the room where my wife is holding out her hand to me and when I reach her side, she gives me a sweet kiss.

Shaylee’s sudden mood swings are giving me whiplash, she’s a sweaty mess, and she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life. She grips my hand tightly as another contraction hits, then again, less than a minute later. “Where the hell is the doctor?” I rear my head back slightly at her yell, to avoid a busted eardrum. Lucky for me and everyone else in the world, the nurse arrives to take us to surgery.

I hear a light knock on my hospital room door and tear my eyes away from my husband, rocking our daughters in his arms. That’s right—daughters. As in plural. As in two for the price of one. I love them so much already, but the day we found out I was having twins was the day I sent Aden to the store for a case of condoms. Just so we’re prepared after the babies are born.

Laila pops her head in and smiles brightly, “Hey! Can I meet my sweet nieces?”

I wave her in, grimacing at the pain in my stomach from the C-section. When Ean follows her through the door, I’m surprised to see them together; Laila’s been icing him out for months. They both look a little rumpled and I narrow my eyes as I study them. I’m exhausted and about ready to drop, but I’m not stupid. They are both glowing—just faintly—sporting what can only be described as “bed head,” and completely avoiding each other’s gaze.

Holy shit!
They were in bed fucking when Aden called Ean!

Ean notices my perusal of him and gives me a smile before his eyes slide away and he ignores me. Well, that’s an interesting development . . .