The Rise of the Fallen Queen

Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

Firelight groaned. A crack of light coming through the heavy maroon drapes irritated him to no end. He wished that Priscilla was still around to take care of him. She would always make a special tonic to cure his morning ails after a night over indulgence. But losing her to his best friend made him happy. She deserved love and a family. Fortunately, Reilly came around and became the best mate and father that a man could be.

Still at times like this he cursed his altruistic reasoning. With a muttered curse, Firelight tried to roll over and was met with the bruising kiss of the hard floor upon his back. The door was thrown open and the familiar faint scent of oranges and ginger reach his nose.

Priscilla clucked her tongue and set a glass down next to the bed. Firelight's enthusiasm mounted as he slowly got back onto the bed. Reaching for his cupful of salvation, he asked, "Thanks for this. How bad's the damage?"

Priscilla shook her head, "You didn't break anything or offend anyone. Reilly found you next to a huckleberry bush."

"Reilly's back?"

Priscilla nodded as she tidied his room. Firelight had known the woman, since he was a babe. She was a combination of teacher, friend, sister, and mother. He also knew that she was hiding something.

"Should I ask or are you just going to tell me?"

Priscilla paused and offered him a small smile. "It isn't my place to tell you. But if you want to talk to Reilly, you can."

"Did I do something? Say something?"

"No, no. It has to do with one of his other friends." Priscilla replied as she left his room.

Quickly sobering, Firelight got up, dressed, and went to search for the werewolf. 

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Reilly was playing with his kids in the orchard.

"Uncle Fi!" Reilly's oldest daughter, Amelia, screamed as she launched herself into his arms. Firelight caught the small girl and peppered her adorably plump cheeks with kisses.

"Oh wow! You grow an extra inch and pound every time I see you, half-pint."

Pushing his face away, she giggled. "Ew. Now I smell like toothpaste." She complained.

"Consider that a blessing, Shorty. Uncle FiFi was stinking like warthog last night."

"Daddy! That was impolite!" Amelia said as if scandalized, mimicking her mother.

Reilly's whole body shook as he laughed causing baby Jax, who rested in his father's arms, to squeal happily. Reilly suddenly tensed as another Sprite entered the orchard. Firelight immediately recognized Evangeline, who was the nanny for the Baines' children. She had been kidnapped but refused to talk about her time away or who was the culprit. Instead, she spent most of her time watching after the children even when it wasn't necessary. Reilly nor Priscilla said anything because they knew she needed the distraction. Reilly however, struggled not to behave differently around the young girl. His wolf saw her as a sister and wanted to coddle her and treat her like glass but he knew that she wouldn't welcome it.

He smiled in greeting as the children toddled to Evangeline's side. Reaching the men, Evangeline's smile was small and her eyes guard. "Lord Firelight, Lord Reilly. Her majesty is requesting both of your presence for a meeting in thirty minutes." She said addressing them formally. Another change from her usually laid back easy going self.

"We'll head there now." Reilly said as he leaned down to kiss both of his kids and reminded them to behave.

"Bye daddy! Bye Uncle Fi!" Amelia called before she began to chase after butterflies. Jax occupied himself with grabbing Evangeline's long curly locks.

Once they were out of hearing distance, Firelight asked, "What happened last night?"

Reilly sighed heavily and absently picked a daffodil. "You drunk dialed me. Since Landon and I were planning on having a guy's night in Farm Vegas we went through the portal instead." He twirled the flower distractedly. "Landon cheated on Jessie and doesn't plan on returning to Cub Creek. He wanted to stay with the Nymphs and go all the shit he had 'missed out' on." He said with disgust. "As someone who has done a lot of shit, it's all meaningless and empty. There's only so much pussy you can fuck. Only so much drugs and alcohol you can take. Your 'freedom' is really just you being alone while everyone else moves on with their lives."

Firelight's brows furrowed. "Is Jessie alright?"

"I asked Aysa to check on Jessie. As far as I know she doesn't seem to be affected. It could be the distance or the fact that he took nimhe mac tíre."

"Wait." Firelight said as a suspicion took hold. "Who gave him the nimhe mac tíre?"

"Um. Kelly? Kendra?"

"Kamda?"

"Yeah, that was it I think."

Firelight tensed, "Where's Landon now?"

"I left him or I'm pretty sure I would have beat the crap out of him. Which would have probably been the better option. I wonder how my dad refrained from killing me?""

"SHIT! We got to go."

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"They use their feet to taste?" Amelia asked in disbelief as she stared in amazement at the small blue butterfly in Evangeline's palm.

"They do." Evangeline confirmed as the vivid creature fluttered away.

"Eva?" Amelia asked as her nanny adjusted baby Jax on her hip.

"Yes?"

"Why are you always so sad?"

A loaded question from such a little girl. Evangeline honestly didn't know how to answer. Ever since she had that dream where Lord James' face was revealed, her soul longed to see him again. Perhaps she had finally gone completely and utterly mad but denial was not working.

She missed him.

"I'm happy when I'm with you." Eva replied tickling her young charge.

"We need to find you a handsome prince." Amelia announced.

Eva held back the tears that threatened to burst forth. Her Other Half or any other respectable Sprite would never want someone so tainted. Her traitorous heart refused to give up the enticing image of a dark hair man that came in dreams.

"If only there was such a prince." She said longingly.

"I'm going to find a prince like daddy." Amelia said as she began to chatter about the list of requirements she had for her future mate.

Eva merely smiled and nodded when the conversation went from princes to ice cream toppings.

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Is it just me or has this story gotten off track? Crap. Someone come reign me in. This is the last book dang it!

If you're enjoying my bit of crazy then please comment and vote!

Also plot holes? Did I forget something? This isn't a quiz... It's a cry for help. I honestly don't remember. I put stuff in and forget where I'm going with it later.