Only Human: Hide and Seek

Chapter 173: June Jackson

Thanks again to my readers. I can't tell you how appreciative I am that you are sticking through this story with me. I know it's a longer tale and may not be everyone's cup of tea, so I am glad that I still have all of you! Please enjoy and don't forget to vote or comment. :)

-Lucinda Croft

I creased my brow and looked about confused. "So?" I asked. Of course, my ring was made from cenderion wood. My husband was Cenderion. He used his wood and flower of bonding to make it.

The six cackled as if there was some joke I was completely unaware of.

"Whatever bastard made that ring is a fucking dumbass!" Keanu gasped between bouts of laughter.

"They could have chosen any wood, but thought to go with wood from a cenderion tree?! Whoever did it must be rich from old money. That or they inherited the thing not knowing what it was." Weston agreed.

"Poor June." Hope cooed. "Let me enlighten you to why this is so funny. Only the dryad of cenderion trees would have been able to make you that ring, if it were actually real, but that dryad also happens to be the dryad king. Ruler of all dryads. The strongest king in the after realm. The very king who rejected the advances of our gorgeous, all-powerful queen. By showing us that ring, you are suggesting that he is your husband." She stopped as she laughed again and waved trying to get her breath back. "Not only that. You are also suggesting that you are the dryad queen. It's just so ridiculous that it's almost criminal."

Mrs. Kline cleared her throat and struggled to keep her snickers in check. "It actually is criminal. Faking a marriage to a fae is bad enough, but to a royal dryad? I believe the punishment is between life imprisonment or the death penalty. I'm glad we were able to catch her now. If we turn her in, then it might give you kids a boost in fae society."

"Congratulations, June. It seems you are finally good for something." Ayla smirked.

I shook my head completely flabbergasted. I knew that me being the dryad queen was quite the stretch, especially to these fae who have treated me like dirt for the past six years. I knew that, but to just be labeled as a liar or attention seeker again snapped something in me. Suddenly all the dread and fear left me. These fae had no idea what they were talking about. Just like all the other times they forced doubt on me, I had done nothing wrong. I never lied. I was never fake. They were the ones who were fake. Trying to convince them of the truth was pointless, because the truth never mattered to them. I didn't have to earn their approval, because I no longer needed it. I had well and truly outgrown them.

"I don't care what you think." I said calmly. "It's not like any of you cared about the truth before."

They all flinched and lost their amused smiles. The misery they were fishing for was not here. I wouldn't allow them to manipulate me anymore.

"This isn't a matter of truth, but of justice." Mrs. Kline hissed. "The dryads would be furious if they discovered a depressing little human like yourself was claiming to be their queen. They would punish us if we don't deal with this properly."

"No, they wouldn't." I said exasperated. Dryads didn't care for the politics of others. As long as someone didn't disrespect them to their face, they were fairly civil. Detached even. They only recently lifted their ban on silence, and only to protect and aid me.

"And you know this because you're their queen, right?" Hope scoffed crossing her arms.

I shook my head. "I don't have time for this." I scowled. "Come on, Obvi." I aimed to walk away from them, but Keanu stepped in front of me and blocked me with his football worthy frame.