by Jones, L. A.
"Not when I am with you," Dax murmured as he let her hands go and wrapped his arms around her.
Chapter Thirty
"Hard to believe just one month ago, we all believed we were headed towards a wintery doomsday," Tristan remarked.
Aradia glanced at him, her head still on the beach blanket. "Yeah well, life is full of surprises."
Tristan chuckled as he placed his sunglasses back on his eyes. Aradia turned her head towards the sounds of the others and observed them in their activities. Marietta, Johnny, and Robbie were splashing around in the water and surf while Al and D played volleyball against Lamont and his eldest brother. Everett spun his tunes on the turntable under the light blue tent as Calvin cursed out loudly annoyed with the fact that was he was once again stuck with handing out drinks. Felix, of course, was reading yet another comic book while Roy grilled meat for the tacos and Melina helped to prepare the rest of the food. Xan and Brenna were making out on another picnic table and the rest of the fae's, shape-shifters, werewolves, and vampires held a sand castle contest.
"Wonder where your pet leech is?" Tristan snickered.
Aradia ignored him.
Tristan opened his mouth to attempt another insult before he heard the sound of an approaching car. Aradia shot up from the blanket she lay on and turned towards the parking lot. Dax stepped from out of his driver's seat, accompanied by his sisters, wearing his usual black mirror sunglasses, black swimming trunks, and flip-flops.
"Dax!" Aradia cried as she ran towards him.
Dax's face and smile lit up as he ran to greet her. He then seized her in his arms, hoisted her up into the air, and twirled her around. Aradia threw her head back and laughed.
"Did anyone ever tell you that your laughter sounds like a hundred angels singing?" Dax asked as he set her down on her feet.
Aradia giggled before saying, "did anyone ever tell you that you are a shameless flatterer?"
"Yes," Dax answered without missing a beat. "Why do you ask?"
Aradia laughed. "Just curious."
They then fell into each other's arms and turned to stare at the crowd. Listening to the laughter as the sun slowly began to set over the watery horizon.
"Do you think we should tell them?" Aradia murmured.
Dax shook his head softly. "No. They are better off not knowing about it."
"Why?"
Dax sighed with exasperation. "Aradia, if you truly want to change the way things are done in the hidden world you are going to need support. In order to achieve that you will need people to take you seriously. How can they do that if you do something majorly wrong?"
"I sincerely doubt I am the first hidden political figure to do something stupid you know?" Aradia remarked sarcastically.
"It doesn't matter," Dax, explained, "if you want to have support for your changes then you will have to keep your reputation untarnished. Otherwise, no one will help you with changing the hidden world."
"Am I going to need help?" Aradia asked.
Dax raised an eyebrow. "What do you think?"
A fearsome and nervous chill shuddered through Aradia's body.
Dax, noticing her distress, lifted her chin and said, "Hey relax Rai of sunshine. There is no need to worry about this now."
Aradia smiled reluctantly. "Yeah you are right Dax. Balance has been restored, the weather has returned to normal, and..."
She trailed off and started sniffing the air. "It smells like the tacos are done!"
She then grabbed her boyfriend's hand and raced to the picnic tables.
Chapter Thirty-One
"So Kolton and his clan have failed as well eh?" The Sovereign said as he slumped on his throne.
"To be perfectly honest Sire, it wasn't entirely their fault," Saul muttered under her breath.
The Sovereign shrugged, somewhat reluctantly. "True. If it wasn't for that stupid Jack things never would have soured as they did."
Saul nodded.
"However," he added before the Sovereign could say anything further. "I think this proves that we should finally start making an effort to win the last witch to our side."
The Sovereign raised an eyebrow while Saul rushed on with his explanation. "We have tried having others get rid of her, but time and again we have seen her overcome such difficulties. Therefore, I think it would be in our best interest if we were to attempt to win her over to our side. I mean your side Sovereign," Saul corrected himself.
The Sovereign sat back and contemplated silently for fifteen minutes.
"Very well," he finally said. "Spend the next year trying to tempt the wench into joining our side. I don't care what you must do, but make sure no one realizes what you are doing. Understand? I must stay in the clear and almost everyone knows you serve me so you must stay incognito. Tempt the witch, but make sure no one knows it is you."
"What about Keon?" Saul inquired raising an eyebrow.
"I have ordered him to stand down for the time being."
It was all Saul could do from leaping up and shouting out his victory. Still, he remained on his knees and waited for the Sovereign to dismiss him.
Eventually he did but not before saying, "Keep this in mind Saul, you have only one year to convince her. Just one, nothing more than that. If you cannot do so than I will be forced to take more drastic steps in dealing with her."
"Such as?" Saul inquired.
The Sovereign didn't even pause before racing towards Saul and punching him hard across the room.
"Just stick to your plan." The Sovereign growled. "Or I will be forced to stick you like a roasted pig. You and the witch!"
END OF VOLUME FOUR
Book five to follow. Feel free to email the author at [email protected] or check out her blog http://lajonestheauthor.blogspot.com/ or contact her on the Tales of Aradia the Last Witch Facebook fan page.