Sweet Redemption: The Morningstar Series Book 3
Sweet Redemption Chapter 14

I stared at Ahkari for a few moments trying to figure out what to say. Again, I knew I should say no. All of me wanted to say yes but I just wasn't sure if I could let myself go. But the way Ahkari is looking at me... She looks so hopeful, so innocent. "Ahkari I.." I trailed off. Ahkari held her hand up to stop me from continuing. She smiled at me, but I could tell it was fake. My mate shook her head, her short blonde locks swinging around her.

"It's alright. Forget I asked." She said sweetly.

I wanted to say something, to stop that sad look in her eyes. Before I could make a choice though she opened her door, and walked out. It took me a few moments to get my body to follow.

When we got back down to the kitchen, Bou was back. He has a s**t eating grin plastered on his face, and I couldn't help but be bitter over it. Ahkari and I took our seats, and a few moments later Acaisia had joined us. "Alright. Tell us what happened." Tia told them after we were all comfortable.

"Well, the Fae men are just a bunch of talkers for starters. Couldn't get them to shut up." Acaisia said sarcastically with a roll of her eyes.

Ahkari shook her head at her twin.

"Three men met us at the gates. They took us deep into the forest to a cave. Like a really big cave." She said.

"A cave?" Tia asked.

"Yeah." Acaisia said. "Something is wrong with that place. Black roots were coming out of it. Sucking up the life of the forest."

"Really wrong." Ahkari agreed. "The guys told us that everyone they sent in never came back out. And they sent a lot of people in. We camped out for a few days, taking turns sleeping. Nothing happened for a while."

"Until a dark whoosh came from out of it and the roots started growing more. I woke Ahkari up. At first we only watched. Waited for something to come out. Then everything went quiet." Acaisia said.

"Quiet until we heard a scream." Ahkari said wincing. "We didn't think, only acted. We rushed into the cave, but we couldn't see anything."

"You couldn't see anything?" Tia asked them.

Ahkari shook her head. "No. Nothing."

Tia scrunched up her face.

"Isn't that wack?" Acaisia asked.

"That's definitely strange." Tia mumbled thoughtfully.

"Anyways." Ahkari said. "We just kept walking. We didn't replace anyone or hear any more screams but.." She trailed off.

"At the end of the cave there was..." Acaisia said trying to replace the words she wanted. "I don't know it was like a whole different realm. The place was beautiful. Green hills and fields with flowers. There was a caslte and a waterfall and a huge black tree. It was wild." Acaisia exclaimed. "A magical barrier connected it to the Fae realm. We were about to walk through when something pulled me back and started attacking me." She crossed her arms. "The worm thing?" Max asked.

"A whole person made up of worm things." Ahkari said. "It was disgusting. Everytime we hit it with anything it would fall apart and build back up. After realizing we were getting no where I grabbed Acaisia and got us out of there." Ahkari finished.

The room was silent as we all took in the information. Honestly, I was still stuck on the realm thing. While I knew other realms existed I had never been to any of them. I wonder how much they differ from this one.

"Well." Tia said breaking the silence. "I have a meeting with the Fae Queen later. I'll bring this up to her and see what she would like to do next. Stick around, you guys might be going back." Tia finished. My eyes went wide.

Go back? Why the hell would she send them back into that danger?

I know that they're powerful but I saw all the blood on them last night. Not to mention Acaisia died. They'd have to be crazy to go back.

Looking at the two of them all they did was nod to their sister in response. They don't even care. That simple fact both scared and excited me.

"There is one more thing." Ahkari said getting our attention again. "When we got back Max said that we were due back earlier that day to check in. When Acaisia and I went into that cave we still had almost two days left before we were due back. We were only in there for maybe an hour or two. Somehow we lost almost two days though." She said.

"Hmm." Tia hummed as she thought. "I'll keep that in mind. Enjoy your time off but be ready to depart. If I send you back out it'll be with a team." Tia narrowed her eyes at each of them. "If I send you with a team you two are to listen to your captian got it?" "Just as long as you don't put some dillhole in charge." Acaisia stated with an eye roll.

I like her already. She's perfect for Bou.

"Yeah maybe we can do an all girls team this time." Ahkari agreed making me smile.

"What is your guys problem with men?" Robby asked them.

"I don't have a problem with men." Acaisia said sweetly. "I love men. They're fun. But they're stupid." She narrowed her eyes at Max. "None of them should be in charge of anything. Except maybe Bruce." She gave him a wink making him chuckle. "Well, I think men are gross and annoying." Ahkari stated with her nose in the air. "At least the unmated ones."

Hmmm, I wonder what that's about.

"Fine. I get it. If I put a man on your team it'll be a mated one, or Simon." Tia said.

"Why don't we go?" I asked.

Everyone turned to look at me. Ahkari gave me a worried look but then it softened. She turned her head back to her sister.

"That might be a good idea. The BOC and Bounty Hunters working together. Plus Max told us that they're really strong. You can send the four of us and anyone else if you want." Ahkari said.

I'm desperately trying to not let Ahkari backing me up affect me. It's not working. She could have given me all the compliments in the world, but none of that would have meant as much to me as this. She didn't even know me, yet she saw potential. Again, my mate looked at me, and didn't see me as weak. She might be a women as well, but she was one of the most powerful creatures in all existence. That didn't stop her from believing in other women obviously. A fact I am holding onto. "That's not a bad idea." Max mused.

Acaisia scoffed.

"What happened to a girls only team?" She said looking Bou up and down.

He only winked in response. Completely unphased by her sass.

"Bou is pretty much a girl." Robby teased making me snort.

"He's right. I'm extra sensitive." He told his mate.

"Women are sensitive?" Ahkari asked him.

I crossed my arms over my chest, and leaned back in my chair.

"Yeah Bou. What the hell are you saying?" I asked.

Bou rolled his eyes. "Just that I'm in tune with my feminine side."

"Beause you're sensitive?" Ahkari asked snarkily.

"Oh stop." Acaisia said. "We all know that Robby is the most sensitive one in this room. Possibly Max." She said making everyone, but the two men laugh. "Men are really the sensitive ones. We just get the blame." She teased.

Oh yeah, I definitely like her. She's going to really give it to Bou and I'm stoked to be around for it. The women in the room and Bruce were all laughing as the boys grumbled.

"Max and I have work to do. You guys enjoy the rest of your day." Tia said as she stood up.

Max grabbed her hand, and pulled her towards the exit.

"I'm sure you guys have tons of work to do. Maybe this time you'll remember to close the curtain so we don't all get a peek of your.... buisness." Acaisia teased.

Tia's face went bright red, her eyes changing from orange then settling on red. Before she could say anything Max grabbed her from behind, and drug her away. He glared at Acaisia who only stuck her tongue out in response.

The moment we heard the door close the blonde twins burst out in laughter.

"Why'd you have to say that to her Acaisia?" Belle asked irritated.

Acaisia shrugged. "Because I don't like strolling around the territory to randomly spot my sisters mates bare a*s." She took a drink of her water. "Nice a*s though." She commented making Bou laugh.

"Bruce, I have to go to town for a few things would you like to come with?" Belle asked.

My father smiled at her and nodded. The three of them said their good byes to us. And then it was just the four of us.

Bou clapped his hands together earning an irritated look from his mate.

"So, what now?" He asked.

"I don't know what you're doing but my twin and I are busy." Acaisia said sticking her nose in the air.

Bou's face fell instantly. I felt bad for my brother. He always wore his heart on his sleeve, never caring about showing his emotions to the world. You could see in his face that he thought he had gotten somewhere with his mate, only to be pushed away. "Actually, Ahkari said she was going to show me around." The words tumbled from my lips.

Interanally I'm scolding myself. This is the exact opposite of what I was supposed to do.

Ahkari turned her head to me.

"Really?" She asked softly.

I nodded, and was blessed with an ear splitting grin from her. How is it fair for someone to be this enticing?

"I can come with." Acaisia said.

Ahkari's head snapped to his sister.

"No." She pracitcally yelled.

Ahkari cleared her throat trying to cover up her little out burst.

"No. You can't." She said.

Acaisia raised a brow at her.

"Why not?" She countered.

Ahkari shrugged.

"I don't want you to." She stated simply.

Acaisia glared at her sister, and then leaned back in her chair.

"You're really going to leave me alone with him?" She asked pointing a thumb at my twin.

"From what we heard upstairs, things could be worse." Ahkari stated making me snort.

Acaisia's face turned a light shade of pink. Bou was smirking next to her, but she refused to look at him. Instead, she just clicked her tongue as she looked between the two of us. After a moment Acaisia nodded her head.

"Fine. Go. Have fun without me." She said making Ahkari chuckle.

"We will." Ahkari said and then turned to me. "You ready?" She asked.

I nodded my head, and stood up. Bou winked at me as we passed them to leave the room. I rolled my eyes at him. He owes me for this.

I thought that we would go straight outside, but Ahkari lead me back upstairs to her bedroom.

"I thought we were going for a walk?" I asked after I closed the door behind me.

"We are. I'm going to take you somewhere, but we need swim suits." She said as she walked over to a tall dresser.

"Swim suits?" I asked.

Ahkari pulled a few articles of clothing out and turned to me.

"Yeah." She said as she handed me a baby blue bikini.

I raised an eyebrow at her hoping she would elaborate.

"Just trust me." She said with a bright smile. "You can change in the bathroom, just make sure to lock the other door so Acaisia doesn't accidently walk in on you." She told me.

I hesitated only a moment before walking into the bathroom. If I'm going to be honest... I am really excited.

I know that we're in Georgia but it's late October, not warm enough for a swim. But we aren't human so we would be fine either way.

After putting on the suit Ahkari gave me I looked over myself in the mirror. The suit is simple and I honestly love it. Especially because it makes my blue eyes pop even more. I put my clothes back on except my underwear and bra, and walked back into the bedroom.

Much to my apparent disappointment, Ahkari was already changed and also back in her clothes. I couldn't help, but look her up and down. The bright orange top she had on showed through her white shirt. It also stuck out of the top in the back where it was tied. She threw her shoulder length hair up in a small low ponytail.

"Ready?" She asked smiling brightly at me.

"Yeah, let's go."