Bailey POV
"Queen Titania, please don't hesitate to come back, you are welcome anytime" my mate said quietly, extending her hand to the Fae Queen, who delicately took it in her own hand and shook it, a soft smile upon her lips.
"It was an interesting experience" she said, glancing at her entourage with a slight twist of her lips, a fleeting expression of disappointment crossing her face, "and one that was worthy of my time and dedication. Should you ever make your way to our territory" she told us both solemnly, "Know that you will always be welcome by my people."
She looked over our shoulders and I saw Riley glance at me, as though surprised by the Fae Queen's actions. Was it my imagination or was she hoping to see somebody before she left? She had a wistful expression on her face.
"You and King Julian are the last ones left" Riley said as the Fae Queen stood there silently," the others have already left for their territories. If you want to see King Julian I could..." she began to offer, but the Fae Queen's cheeks blazed and she ducked her head.
So she had been hoping to see the Vampire King one last time. Interesting. The Fae Queen waved a dismissive hand, her cheeks still becoming pink. "Thank you for the offer, but it appears that he has made up his mind" she said cryptically, "and therefore, I guess that I am left to make up mine."
She sounded desolate. On the verge of tears, and yet she blinked them back and forced a smile upon her face, looking around the ground one last time.
"Goodluck" she said softly, beginning to turn as my mate and I nodded, glancing sidelong at each other.
Why had she wanted to see the Vampire King so badly before she left for the last time? I began to feel suspicious, even as Riley looked at the Fae Queen sympathetically.
"Wait" a voice shouted, startling us all. It was loud, a roar that echoed through the air and swept through the trees, causing us to still out of reflex.
He was fast, like a blur as he raced to meet us, before he stopped, Queen Titania pausing, the smallest smile curving on her lips. I saw what I could only believe was hope shining in her eyes.
"You were just going to leave?" King Julian demanded incredulously. "Just like that?"
"It's not as though you didn't have ample warning", Queen Titania's voice was unexpectedly frosty as she stared down the vampire King, while the rest of us, including her entourage stared at each other, listening intently to the exchange;
"I was thinking" King Julian growled, "and trying to come to terms with this," he gestured to her and then himself as I glanced between them, "I had every intention of coming to speak to you."
"You left it a little bit late" Queen Titania snorted, "which only shows me that you are hesitant and therefore not willing to..."
Our mouths dropped open as the Vampire King did something completely unexpected. Before the Fae Queen could finish her sentence, he moved, gathering her in his arms and tilting her chin up towards him, before kissing her with such passion that Riley blushed where she stood and the rest of us stared, unable to look away from the scene as the Fae Queen began to kiss the vampire King back with sparkling eyes. Mates. That was the only explanation I could come up with and yet it explained so much. The reason that King Julian had been so fascinated with Titania, the hesitance to leave her when in the room. The subtle glances they cast towards each other and the natural inclination to touch each other, even if it was just a light touch of the hand or shoulder. King Julian must have sensed the mate bond as soon as he came in contact with her and had been fighting against it ever since. The same could be said for Titania. She must have known too, but why had they hidden it? Were they fearful that it would upset the pact, or treaty among our packs if they rejected each other? Or maybe they were scared that the other would reject them.
Riley's eyes were shining, and she put a hand to her mouth as she watched the couple, King Julian placing a hand protectively against the queen's back as he continued to hold her, before slowly pulling away, Titania's cheeks a bright rosy red.
"Does that answer your question?" King Julian demanded heatedly, as the Queen stared at him in a daze. "Does that look like I'm hesitant to be mates with you? Woman, I've been fighting not to do that since I first laid eyes on you" he growled, causing Titania to look up at him in shock, "and I was scared that you wouldn't want a vampire for a mate" he confessed lowly as she blinked, looking shell, shocked.
"Oh how romantic" I heard Riley whisper from her spot beside me, while the Queen's entourage looked highly amused as well as happy for their queen.
"Not want you?" Queen Titania whispered. "Why on earth would I want to reject somebody as handsome as you are? It makes no difference to me that you're a vampire. I meant what I said about my people finding mates with different species. I was trying to give you time to realize it was the bond, and I was hoping that you would accept it."
Was that a tear trailing down my mate's cheek? I looked closer and then reached out, slowly and wiping it with my finger, before placing an arm around her waist.
King Julian was smirking at the Fae Queen now. "You think I'm handsome", he deadpanned, and the Queen gave him a playful shove, causing him to chuckle out loud.
"Should have known your species would be arrogant" she sighed dramatically as he grinned at her "but what are we to do now? We can't simply live in one territory. Who would rule the other?" she asked.
"That can be sorted out later. Why not interchange for now? I'm sure you have people who can be responsible enough to rule for a few months here or there while you live with me, and then I could do the same when we go to yours" he suggested with a shrug, "we'll work it out."
Queen Titania nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face. She looked radiant, almost glowing with sheer happiness. She had always looked beautiful, but falling for the Vampire King had given her another level of beauty that was so otherworldly that it was astonishing to look at her. The Vampire King himself looked different, more relaxed, the tension having eased from his body. He must have been stressed the entire time he was here, keeping this secret to himself.
"I have already made the arrangements necessary, and my men are prepared to leave without me" King Julian told the Fae Queen, who looked shocked.
"You did?" she stammered.
"You would be more comfortable getting to know each other in your own territory, wouldn't you?" he guessed shrewdly as she nodded looking apprehensive, "and I've never seen your home before, so I think it will be an interesting adventure for me. I look forward to seeing what customs and traditions you have that are different to my own."
"But don't you want to bring some men with you?" Queen Titania asked, looking puzzled "aren't you afraid to come alone? What if something happens to you? You're the King" she blustered, "it's very irresponsible to not have guards with you", she chastised as King Julian grinned in amusement.
"So my men are invited as well?" he said after a pause.
The Queen sighed "Of course. It would be rude of me to simply bring you back without the proper accompaniments befitting a vampire king. I am, if nothing else, hospitable to my guests. Besides, you and your people are not a threat" she said with a small degree of annoyance as I fought back my laughter.
They already sounded like a couple. It was charming and delightful. I was genuinely happy to see them together. I had a feeling that they would make an excellent pairing and balance each other out.
"Fantastic," King Julian declared, just as his men began to approach in swift blurs, "because they heard you."
"I forgot about their excellent hearing" Riley murmured in my ear as I chuckled, "this is better than any soap opera," she added in a whisper.
"Well then" King Julian turned and shook my hand politely "King Bailey, it was a," he hesitated. "unique experience meeting you and Queen Riley", he reached over and hugged my mate, careful of her ever-growing baby bump, while Tatiana looked on indulgently "and just as my beautiful mate has declared" he looked at the Fae Queen who was beaming "you are more than welcome in the Vampire territory as well. Should you need me, I am more than happy to assist you with anything you might need me for."
"Yes and good luck with your pregnancy", Queen Titania interjected, "Your children are adorable," she added.
Our mouths dropped open "You can see what they look like?" Riley whispered in awe, cradling her stomach.
The Fae Queen laughed. "I can, and I can see what they will look like as they grow older. They will take after both of you, not just in looks but temperament and powers as well. Hybrid Twins" she shook her head as Riley and I glanced at each other, "yet it's their parents, genes that took over and dominated."
"You know what they are?" I asked, swallowing hard.
"Don't you?" she asked, puzzled.
We shook our heads. "The girl is half siren, half shifter, the same as her mother, and the boy is half siren, half Lycan, components of both his parents. Had you had one child, you would have had a tribid and in all likelihood they would not have survived. Hybrids have a much better chance of survival and of growing into the powers they possess. Extraordinary" she said, smiling.
We were struck dumb. Riley's eyes shone with tears. "Thank you" she whispered to Titania, who merely nodded and then held her hand out to King Julian.
He swept her off her feet. "I know you like to fly" he said, with a devilish grin and a glint in his eyes as the Fae Queen giggled, "but I really must insist that we travel my way instead. I happen to like having both my feet on the ground and," he chuckled, "I happen to believe I might be a tad bit too heavy for you to carry."
Before we could blink, he began to run, dashing off in a blur, the other vampires, turning to the entourage who looked distinctly nervous.
"Don't worry, you guys can fly" a vampire said casually, before he began to run after his King.
"Yeah, we aren't carrying you, although some of you are pretty" another commented, causing some of the women to blush prettily.
The vampires took off at lightning speed and the Fae took off in a pile of wings. Riley and I sighed, Riley leaning onto me, both of us gazing into the sky with smiles.
"Hybrid twins" I said, looking into her eyes. "A miracle."
"Courtesy of the moon goddess" she whispered back, and I agreed.