Page 31 of Royally Hacked Belle & Flame
ALIX
After the battle with the “Yule witch” we all returned to the manor, albeit in waves.
Kastian and Odessa were the first to make it home because he literally picked her up, walked out of the cabin, and didn’t stop walking until they were safely back in the manor. Of course she’s livid about being dragged out of the fight against her will, but I think she’s secretly glad that his priorities are so clear.
Fox, Jett, and Aurelia returned home next. It’s not entirely clear what happened between leaving the cabin and arriving at the manor an hour later, but Dessa told me that the mood wastense when they arrived and Fox was even more quiet than usual.
Finally, Daemon and I were last. We decided to bring Archer and Gwen back to Nikolas ourselves, both because this was technically part of our traditional wish granting and we wanted to make sure to fully complete our mission, but mostly because we felt it was important to explain exactly how and why Gwen had been sent out into the storm alone and how Archer managed to murder the monster. To our relief, Nikolas was so grateful to see his grandchildren that the details weren’t important.
“How can I ever repay you?” he cries when we’ve finished explaining what happened.
“We don’t need anything,” Daemon says immediately. “It was part of the traditional wish granting.”
“And even if it weren’t we still would have helped.” I add.
Daemon nods. “That too.”
Nikolas hugs his grandchildren, one in each arm, tears pouring down his face. “Surely there’s something I can do.”
Daemon starts to wave him off again, then stops. “Actually…”
I glance at him sharply. “You’re not seriously?—”
“No,” he says quickly, “It’s not a repayment, I was just curious. Who’s tutoring the children in magic?”
Nikolas shakes his head and Archer is the one to answer. “No one. Our parents used to teach us, but now no one does. There aren’t that many magic users in Storia.”
“Yes there are, they just all live on our estate with us,” Daemon says. “If you were interested in continuing to train your magic, I could teach you.”
“You?” Nikolas says, awed.
“Well, me and whoever else was around to give lessons.”
Archer and Gwen sit up straighter, both looking excited, but their grandfather interrupts.
“That’s far too generous,” Nikolas says quickly. “And surely you wouldn’t have the time while running the country.”
Daemon shrugs. “Just think about it. We can talk about it more after we get back from our honeymoon.”
Nikolas doesn’t seem to know what a honeymoon is, but he’s too polite to ask. He thanks us again and we leave, stepping out into the dark, snowy street. The moment the door closes behind us I turn to Daemon. “That was a generous offer. Do you really have time to teach them?”
He shrugs. “I’ll make time. Aurelia will help, and Kastian, when he’s on land. We can send Archer to Fox too. That lad’s got killer instincts and he’s old enough to be a squire.”
“I guess, but it was still a big favor to offer spontaneously. Not that I mind, I’m just curious.”
“I’m shit at talking to kids, but I’ll have to learn eventually, right? This will be good practice.”
The corner of my mouth pulls up in a smile. “You’re thinking we’ll have kids soon?”
He shrugs. “Maybe. I’m ready whenever you are, Peaches. Anyway, that wasn’t the only reason I offered to train them. We’re a new country and we’re still building up our powerbase. We could use two magic users who are brave enough to walk out into a storm alone or stab a witch…or whatever the hell that thing was.”
“You don’t know? That was going to be my next question. What was she?”
He frowns. “I don’t know, Peaches. There are lots of creatures in Ellender that are far older and more dangerous than the Fae. I know one thing, though: the next time I hear one of those old children’s legends, I’ll assume it’s real until proven otherwise.”
“That’s probably a good strategy. I mean, my favorite stories turned out to be real too—” I gesture around at the street around us “—so clearly there’s precedent.”
Daemon grins and kisses me hard on the mouth. We don’t break apart for several long seconds until finally I smile against his lips. “What was that for?”
