Cora is the same but she has also changed, just not in any way that is bad.
She's stronger, more fierce, so much wiser than before. My love is as she was but also more, more than I could have ever asked for.
And as I watch her belt out the words to some One Republic song, dance and shimmy with my brother’s mates while blessing us all with her incredible voice once again, I feel a bit of that fear I still carry around lessen just a minuscule amount.
My mate is so much more than I deserve, so much more than I could have dreamt of, and she is absolutely mine forever and always.
And she's a goddamn fae princess.
The only one of her kind, just like me.
Stay Here, Stay Always
"Bullshit." I laugh. "That is not even close to accurate!"
Andrej's lip twitches as he shakes his head, and Milos cackles like an idiot beside him.
"It was!" he bellows. "That cannon went off at least ten feet from your face and you yelped like a little bitch! 'Andrej! Andrej, my face! Oh gods, my face is ruined! Is my eye gone?! Andrej, help me!'" Milos snorts. "Barely a scratch and you acted as though it took your damn head off."
"It could have!"
"Wrong," Andrej grunts with another twitch to his lip.
I gasp in mock horror. "And to think I considered you my dearest friend! That shrapnel was laced in vampire blood, and exploded inches from my heart. I could have died or worse yet, had permanent damage to my most valuable asset!"
"Infant," Andrej grunts again.
"I have the scars to prove it!" I point to my face, barely able to contain my laughter. "Had I been any closer it could have put out my eye, mangled my pristine goatee and ruined my roguish good looks. And what then, hmm? How could you be so cold? I could have been killed!"
My best friend rolls his eyes just as Milos' laughter subsides. "Is that Joyce?"
The smile on my face falls as Andrej and I both follow his line of sight.
Sure enough, fucking Joyce is down by the stream, headed directly for my mate.
"Who the fuck invited her?" Andrej growls as we get to our feet.
All three of us watch intently, almost on bated breath as she stops in front of Cora. I go to move, decide immediately I will not allow that plastic harpy to ruin my light’s birthday but then I sense her emotions.
Confused.
Frustrated.
But also… hopeful? Understanding? Optimistic?
Gods, my mate must be completely shitfaced if that's what she's feeling.
Just as I take a step forward, my light looks over her shoulder, those neon blue pools practically glowing as she gives me a sweet albeit lazy smile, a quick shake of her head then turns back to Joyce.
Well, this is most unexpected, but if my love is willing to give her a chance, to try to make amends and most likely try to befriend the woman who has terrorized our females, then I'll allow it.
You can bet your ass I'll be watching though, and the second she needs me, I'll intervene.
"What is she doing?" Milos asks, eyes trained on my mate as well.
"I believe my angel is trying to give that bimbo the opportunity to make things right."
"How did she get here?"
