by Jarica James
Before his energy can rub off on me, I stand up and adjust his bowtie again. He’s decked out in fae formal wear and he looks dashing and whimsical. They’re similar to a tux, though the shirt underneath is silk and the coat longer in the back. His is a navy blue with coral accents, and he looks amazing.
We had one of the Winter fae who worked as a blacksmith help create a ring for Andras and Jacob. They were gold bands with fae words that translated to True Love Across Two Worlds. Every time I read it, I swoon a little. Jacob is apparently the closet romantic.
“It’s time," Maddox announces, peeking his head into my room. I nod and lead Jacob out of the door. Gerwyn is bringing Andras over to the new library to meet us. The whole city is gathered in front of it, waiting for us to announce its opening. We planned it as a grand opening, but really it’s because of the proposal.
The building is impressive, and only took the team of builders a little over a month to build. Salvage teams even traveled to the Winter and Spring libraries to bring back as many books as they could, filling up the space nicely. Of course, there’s room to add the last two courts when we get there.
Jacob designed the library himself, with my help of course. The idea really was brilliant. How many people would kill for their man to build them a library?
When we walk up the stone stairs, I pull Jacob behind one of the pillars before he can be seen just yet. I won’t tell Tristan, but I definitely put them into the design just for this purpose alone.
I notice Gerwyn and Andras moving towards the front of the crowd and I smile and wave, taking my place at the front of the steps. I wait as a few stragglers join the group before addressing the crowd.
“Welcome, everyone! I want to say a huge thank you to our team of builders, led by our amazing councilman Tristan!” I wait for a moment as the applause dies down and Tristan ducks out of the limelight. “I am so proud to say our library is complete. After the salvage teams brought their findings here, we have properly filled the shelves. New Faerie, as we have voted to call our lands here, will be the new center of knowledge for our restored lands. Now, I would like to welcome another councilman, Andras, to join me on stage." Andras looks confused but joins me on stage without protest.
One obstacle crossed.
“This library was suggested by our prince. He knew his boyfriend loved working in his library before the war and thought he would enjoy bringing a new one to life for all of us. So, the prince and I worked on creating the plans that Tristan flawlessly brought to life. Jacob made this for you," I explain, and Andras’ mouth flies open in shock. I can see his eyes growing misty.
While he’s distracted, Jacob silently steps out from behind the pillar and gets down on one knee behind Andras. The sight has tears springing to my eyes and I choke back a sob. The people all grow silent when they see him. I slowly back up, causing Andras to get confused. I point behind him and he slowly turns. I hear his gasp as he takes in Jacob.
“Andras. You found me a sad, broken human. We connected right away, and as our friendship grew, so did our love. I have never felt anything like the love I feel for you. You are who I think about when I wake up, and who I love to snuggle as I go to sleep. Everything I see you do and everything I learn about you, just makes me love you more. You mean so much to me Andras, and I want to spend eternity with you as my mate, and as my husband. Will you marry me?” His voice starts out strong, but when he holds out the ring and finishes his speech, I can hear the emotion choking his words. Andras doesn’t move and I hold my breath, waiting.
Oh Spirits.
“Yes." It’s barely more than a whisper, but we all hear him clearly. A deafening eruption of cheers bursts out at his answer. Jacob jumps to his feet and gives Andras a passionate kiss, both hands locked on either side of his face, holding him in place.
I run up to them as they pull apart, squeezing them both in a huge hug, before River rushes the stage to do the same.
“I’m so happy for you guys. I can’t wait to help plan the wedding. Congratulations on your new fiancé and your new job as head librarian of New Faerie," I say with a wink, causing Andras to let loose a small sob, the happiness of it all clearly overwhelming him. Jacob looks happier than I have ever seen him and it warms me, heart and soul. He deserves to feel a love like this and have a family who accepts him.
“Hold on everyone, back it up!” Jacob yells. This time I’m the one confused, turning around to see what’s going on. “We have one more announcement. Well I don’t, but my friends here do," he says, giving me a wink and walking off of the stairs with Andras holding his hand.
What is he doing?
My knights all walk up to me dressed in formals similar to Jacob’s, stopping at the base of the stairs. I look at them in confusion until they all drop to one knee in perfect synchronization.
“Holy shit,” I whisper before I can catch myself.
“Arabella, We know that we’re your bonded or soon to be bonded knights and future kings. But we want you to know this is more than a duty to Faerie," Maddox begins, looking into my eyes.
“You are loving, caring, selfless, and a brave queen. You honor us every day that you choose to be with us," Emrick says next, looking at me with pure adoration. My heart swells and I go weak in the knees.
“We want you to know we vow to protect you and each other. We are one unit, one team, and one family. We want you forever, Arabella," Bowen says with a huge grin that has me smiling back.
“Queen Arabella, our Bella. Will you marry us?” Gerwyn asks as they all hold out a thin ring.
My heart swells at their amazing speeches. I glance over at Jacob, not missing the self-satisfied smirk on his face. I know he loves me, he never shares his glory like this. I’m incredibly touched he wants to share this experience with me.
“I would love to marry you," I say to my men, not wanting to hesitate too long. They all spring up from their spots and rush forward. I hold out my hand and they each slide their ring over my finger. The rings are thinner than a normal ring, and they have a wavy pattern that interlocks them together, forming one gorgeous ring. I love the deeper meaning behind it… it’s perfect.
Jacob rushes up to me as the crowd goes crazy again. I don’t even know what to say to him, instead I pull him into a bone crushing hug. He proves time and again how wonderful he is, and I love him for it.
“You did this?” I ask quietly. He nods and smirks.
“Of course, I did. They couldn’t have designed such a badass ring on their own. Nor planned this romantic gesture. Though the words are their own," he jokes. “Plus, you’re my family, we do everything together. Just wait for our badass wedding.”
“You want to get married together, too?” I ask, shocked once again.
“Duh. We can do my wedding in the morning, then your quadruple wedding in the afternoon, then party all night long. It’s perfect," he gushes, I can practically see the gears working in his brain as he plans it in his head.
“You’ve thought about this, haven’t you?” I laugh and hug him again.
“Of course, I have," he says simply. I love his idea, sharing it with him will make it so much more special… Plus, I hate planning events.
We spend the next hour speaking to everyone who came up to greet us. My heart is so full I feel like it might burst. I love that there are babies being born and weddings being planned in our new realm, everything coming together. It’s finally starting to feel less like a dead realm and more like somewhere we can have a future.
Once everyone starts to trickle away from the stairs, the seven of us head into the library. Andras is dragging Jacob around, expressing how much he loves the building design and pointing out his favorite books. Gerwyn, Maddox, and Bowen are all pouring over plans for our next journey, which leaves Emrick and I wandering around the rows of books.
“Are you ready to see the Court of Autumn again, big guy?” I ask, looking up at him while he answers.
“It’ll be weird, I lost a lot in tho
se lands. I’m worried I’ll be haunted by the memories. I raised my little brother in our village. I protected him, until the war came. But I couldn’t protect him from that," he says sadly.
“I’m so sorry, Em. It’s not your fault," I say quietly. He grunts in response.
“Autumn was hit the worst in the war. The Winter King refused to fight in his land, settling his soldiers in ours. We might have been safe if it wasn’t for that. I think that’s the only reason he even made the alliance in the first place.”
“He’s gone now, and we will rebuild. I know it won’t bring back those you lost, but we can make new memories in his honor," I promise. Emrick looks down and smiles, before giving me a gentle kiss.
“Let’s go plan this, I’m ready to be your mate," he says, giving me a sultry look. My body is ready to fuck him between the shelves in this library, but I obediently follow him to the table with our other team members.
We spend the next hour planning our routes and studying an intricate map of the lands. I know the knights will be extra careful on this one, not wanting to risk any more surprises. But with the Spirits warning, I know it won’t be an easy journey.
No amount of planning will make a difference, each court has its own challenges. But no amount of danger will keep me away. The events today showed me just how great we can make this realm. I promised my people I would restore their lands, and I intend to do just that.
Faerie will survive and one day be the thriving land it once was. With a new capital and new government, I hope that this version of Faerie can endure and adapt. This is a second chance for all of us here, and I can’t wait to prove to them that all of their hard work and sacrifices will be worth it. It helps that the Spirits of Faerie already foretold our success. That doesn’t mean I won’t be careful, but it gives me more confidence than I’ve ever had going into a court.
“Let’s go relax and pack. Dormouse is probably eating a hole in my socks since we’re taking so long," Maddox says with an exaggerated sigh. He grabs my hand and I follow him home… to our home. We will always have challenges, but I know we’re all strong enough to face them.
Faerie will survive, and so will we.
Want More?
Thank you for reading Veiled Fae! If you want more, check out the other two books that will be releasing in the next few months!
Corrupt Fae - November
Forever Fae - December (Last in series)
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For updates and info on my work, make sure you join my reader group and stalk… I mean follow, me on social media!
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Also by Jarica James
Paranormal Reads
Obsidian Cove Supernatural Academy series: (6 book series)
Call of the Siren: http://geni.us/cots
Path of the Bear: http://geni.us/potb
Trial of the Vampire: http://geni.us/totv
Mark of the Psychic: https://geni.us/motp
Power of the Mage: https://geni.us/POTM
Vigil of the Gargoyle: http://geni.us/votg
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The Spirit Vlog series: (Ghost hunters, each book is a new case) (completed)
Haunts and Hotels: http://geni.us/handh
Parks and Poltergeists: http://geni.us/pandp
Haunt Sweet Home: https://geni.us/hauntsweethome
Mines and Manifestations: https://geni.us/mandm
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The Forgotten: (Co-write with Suki Williams) (Dystopian PNR Demigods)
Nexus: https://geni.us/fpnexus
Broken:https://geni.us/fpbroken
Memory: https://geni.us/fpmemory
Reset: https://geni.us/fpreset
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Not Your Basic Witch series cowrite with A.J. Macey:
Witch, Please: http://geni.us/NYBW1
Resting Witch Face: http://geni.us/NYBW2
Witches be Crazy: http://geni.us/NYBW3
Born to be Witchy: http://geni.us/NYBWnovella
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Academy of the Elite series cowrite with Rowan Thalia: (3 Book Series)
Juniper’s Sight: http://geni.us/juniper
Juniper’s Peril: http://geni.us/juniper2
Juniper’s Trial: (in progress)
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Pinch of Sass cowrite with Chloe Gunter:
http://geni.us/pinch (Standalone)
Scifi Reads
Chosen by the Stars: https://geni.us/SOSChosen
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Check out Saved by the Stars and Healed by the Stars here:
https://geni.us/sosshareduniverse
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Dark Reads
Cruel Crimes: (Dark Mafia RH Romance Duet)
Damaged goods: https://geni.us/Damaged
Wicked Games: https://geni.us/ccwicked
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Twisted: (Bully BDSM Standalone)
https://geni.us/twistedmmf
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Young Adult/New Adult Reverse Harem Reads
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Broken Silence: http://geni.us/brokens (YA)
Battered Voices: https://geni.us/batteredv (NA)
Contemporary Romcoms
Besties & Booze series of standalones-shared universe:
Faked by A.J. Macey: http://geni.us/faked
Arranged by Jarica James: http://geni.us/arranged
Performed by Suki Williams: http://geni.us/performed
Played by Elyssa Dawn: http://geni.us/played
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Once Upon A Pineapple: https://geni.us/ouap (Standalone MF as Jarica Riley)