Once Upon a Steamy Night
Chapter Twenty-six

"Softball? That's a waste of time!"

Claire rolled her eyes at Anede. She knew he was only saying all these because she had interrupted his makeout session with a random faerie. To think he would even try to make out in her garden with a cloaking spell!

"You weren't supposed to be back till midnight for your final training," Anede shrugged.

Claire glared at him. "Get out of my fucking head!"

She needed to be careful around him.

"What are you up to, Claire?"

Claire shrugged. "I invited you to play softball and you think it's childish because you're scared you're no good at it."

Anede glared at her and Claire knew she had struck a nerve. If there was one thing he hated it was being challenged and not accepting it. "It's fine, Anede. I know you can't do it don't worry," Claire waved him off.

"Game on, Claire!" Anede growled.

Claire chuckled and snapped her fingers. They appeared on the empty softball field.

"What's your real motive for doing this, Claire?" Anede probed.

Claire shrugged. "Tell me why you pleasure faeries instead of finding a consort."

"Because I can't bear to suffer any loss again," he replied simply.

Claire frowned. "I don't understand."

"My parents, siblings, and three consorts are all dead, Claire. I can't bear to fall in love again and lose another, I'll lose my mind," he explained.

"When did all this happen?" She asked, shocked.

"On various occasions," he shrugged, "I just seem to be more fortunate to escape death while the rest dies."

Claire smiled. "Sometimes you have to keep trying till you meet the right person."

"I don't know, Claire. It's been over four hundred years since I last got close to anyone," Anede shrugged.

Claire giggled. "Imma kick your ass, Anede!"

Anede gaped at her in confusion as he watched Ryan and Aiobel enter the field. His heart skipped a bit as he realized she was the only faerie who hasn't given him googly eyes.

Claire chuckled as Ryan stood beside her eying Aiobel and Anede.

"Why didn't you tell me it was matchmaking softball?" He groaned.

"Shut up! Ten goals and we're out."

Claire ran into the field as Anede threw the ball into the air. As she reached for it, the ball transformed into a flying saucer hitting her head and sailing away into Aiobel's hands while she tossed it into the net. "That's one goal. Good job, partner!" Anede exclaimed hugging Aiobel.

Claire rubbed her sore forehead.

"At least that pain wasn't in vain, they're already hugging," Ryan whispered behind her.

Claire glared at him. "I didn't lose on purpose and I won't like to suffer this pain as the price for them so get your head in the game and stop staring at my ass!"

Ryan shrugged. "I can't help it. Your ass is so tight in those pants and..."

Claire chuckled when the softball hit Ryan square on his face as it sailed over his head while she caught it.

"Fuck that hurts!" He cried.

"You were saying?" Claire asked with a small smirk.

"Let's bury them!" He roared as she tossed him the ball.

Claire smiled as they ran around the field finally scoring a goal after Aiobel and Anede had scored five goals.

"We're five to go!" Aiobel exclaimed excitedly.

"Yeah you're an amazing partner!" Anede exclaimed equally excited.

Claire rolled her eyes glaring at Ryan. "I wish I can say the same for you."

Ryan chuckled. "On the bright side, we scored a goal princess."

Claire snorted. "Shut up and focus!"

Another round of softball and Claire was ready to call it a day with the number of times the ball had knocked her down, but someone beat her to it.

"I quit!"

Claire glared at Ryan who had collapsed on the field for the tenth...eleventh...she lost count already.

"Get up, idiot!" She hissed, "The game isn't over."

"No, they're at nine goals already, Claire. I tried okay, it's not even worth staring at those beautiful butts all afternoon knowing Liam won't let me be ten inches close to them!" He exclaimed. Claire rolled her eyes. "I suppose we can call it a day, right?"

Her eyes widened when she realized Anede wasn't even staring at her but had his full attention on Aiobel.

"I didn't know you were so skilled in softball," he was saying.

Aiobel blushed. "I love playing softball, Anede."

"Let's hang out sometime, not only to play softball," Anede suggested.

"I'd like that," Aiobel smiled.

Claire watched as he walked her out.

"Oh, and Claire no training tonight," Anede called over his shoulders.

"Thanks, princess!" Aiobel added.

"Congrats you got all your heart desires now I could use a massage and..."

"Expelion!"

Claire heaved a sigh of relief when she appeared in her room. She was too tired to walk, and Ryan's constant talking wasn't helping her. "Claire?"

Her eyes widened when she saw Liam standing before her wearing a huge grin.

"Oh my gosh, Liam!" She exclaimed running into his arms.

"How's this possible?"

"Astral Projection," he replied, "Aiobel is helping me. She said you made her entire day."

Claire smiled. "I'm so glad I can see you. I've missed you."

"Likewise, honey," he chuckled.

"Tomorrow's a big day for you."

"For us, Liam. We're leaving after tomorrow and remember what you promised me," she smiled smugly.

Liam chuckled but nodded. "I've planned everything, princess."

"That's amazing then because I'm yet to plan my speech," Claire chuckled nervously.

"Relax, princess. I'm sure you'll do great," Liam smiled.

"Thanks, Liam."

"I have to go now, my love. Aiobel can't stay any longer. I hope training is going well?"

"Excellent. I've learned a lot."

"I love you, princess."

"I love you more, Liam," she replied holding his hands till he disappeared.

She smiled as she thought of tomorrow and wondered what Liam had prepared for her, she lay down and drifted off to sleep.

***

"Happy birthday, princess!"

Claire's eyes pried open as she stared at Liam's beautiful green eyes.

"Astral Projection," she said dryly.

"No, princess. Your teacher lifted the spell," he announced.

Claire tackled him with a hug as they fell to the ground with her on top. She kissed him feverishly while his hands roamed around her body.

"I missed you too, princess but if we continue like this we might ruin the surprise," Liam mumbled.

Claire nodded and grudgingly pulled away. "I'm just so happy to see you, Liam."

Liam nodded. "I wanted to be the first person to wish you. Scot and the others are waiting outside so here's your gift."

Claire chuckled when he handed her two big boxes wrapped in different colors.

"These two are for me?"

He nodded. "Unwrap the pink box before your party and unwrap the red one after the party."

Claire blushed. "Thanks, Liam."

"Okay, I'm coming inside now."

Claire chuckled when her father yanked open the door and sauntered into the room as he fixed a hawk-like gaze on Liam.

"Dad," Claire called chuckling.

He pulled her into a tight hug. "Happy birthday, princess."

"Thanks, Dad," she smiled at him.

He handed her a small box and she opened it bringing out a tiny silver necklace.

"It's beautiful, dad," she gushed.

"It belongs to your mom. This is the only physical possession of her. You're going to need it for a locator spell when we get to the veil," he explained.

Tears filled her eyes as she hugged him. "Thanks, dad."

"Happy birthday, Claire," Morgana said coming towards her.

She hugged the woman with a smile.

"Thanks, grandma."

"I'll let that slide today, Claire," Morgana huffed, handing her a blue box.

Claire opened it and gasped. It was a tiny gold necklace with a diamond pendant, it was very beautiful, simple, and elegant.

"Thanks, grandma!" Claire exclaimed, pulling her into a hug.

"The Seelie Queen gifted it to me. It's rumored to be an immortal necklace, but I don't know as I'm immortal," Morgana explained. "Happy birthday, Princess."

Claire chuckled when Scot gave her a mock bow. "I haven't seen you in ages."

"You've been busy training, so I had to keep your lover boy company," Scot shrugged.

Claire chuckled and smiled. "Thanks, Scot."

"Everyone is giving you an immortal gift but I'm gonna give you a mortal gift," Scot shrugged.

Claire took the box he handed her and tore it open. It was empty.

"It's empty, Scot."

"Ha! Psyche!! In your face, Claire!!!" He exclaimed rolling on the floor with laughter.

At first, it didn't seem too funny with the way Claire glared at him but then a small smile crept up her face and soon turned into full-blown laughter.

Everyone joined In and soon they had tears rolling down their cheeks.

"You guys are finally laughing. Don't be so uptight," Scot chuckled.

"You're crazy, Scot," Adam chuckled.

"How does it feel to be eighteen?" Scot asked.

Claire shrugged. "Aside from knowing the world is counting on me, I feel normal."

"Good. Now, get ready to have a blast!" Scot cheered.

Claire chuckled.

"You have a few hours to yourself, Claire. Get ready. Your party will start soon, and all your subjects will be there," Morgana stated.

Claire nodded as they all filed out of her room leaving her alone with Adam.

"It's been three months, but it feels like forever," Adam said.

Claire chuckled. "It sure does. I mean I just spent two days here and it feels like a lifetime."

"We're leaving tomorrow, Claire. Are you ready?" He asked concern flashing in his eyes.

"How far is the place, dad?" She asked.

"We're going to New Orleans where we'll locate the portal and get to the veil," he replied.

A cold shudder crawled up her spine as she remembered the test.

"Nothing of the sort will happen, Claire," he assured her, reading her mind.

"So, my real surname is Slytherin?" She asked, fascinated.

He nodded. "Princess Claire Adam Slytherin."

"Cool," she smiled.

"We have some other people who are joining us, princess. New Orleans is dangerous, and we need all the help we can get," he said.

"Who are they?"

"Aiobel, Anede, and Ryan."

"Anede will kill Liam if he finds out he's a hunter," Claire cried.

"He won't find out. The cloaking spell, remember."

Claire nodded. "So, we are going with them."

"They're more of an asset than Scot," Adam snorted.

Claire smiled. "At least he's not going to be useless. He's going to be the group jester."

Adam chuckled. "As long as he doesn't die."

Claire eyed Adam curiously. "I know you dad. This isn't why you stayed back."

Adam chuckled. "I wanted to talk about you and your mom."

Claire panicked. "What about me?"

"You have a sparkle in your eyes so tell me what's the secret," he teased.

Claire blushed. "This is not important, dad."

"My baby's feelings are important, so spill."

"I'm having sex with Liam tonight and I'm so nervous that I'll mess it up and I have no female friends or mom to talk to so yeah, awkward!" Claire blurted out in one breath. Adam blinked. "I wasn't sure this was what I wanted to hear."

"But you asked," Claire frowned.

"Okay tell me did Liam force you?" He asked.

Claire rolled her eyes. "No, I almost made him do it the first day we arrived here, but he wanted me to come of age and make it special."

Adam nodded. "Is that what you truly want? With the whole hunter thing going on."

"Dad there's nobody I wanna spend eternity with except Liam. I love him more than life itself."

"Then tonight is going to be perfect then," Adam smiled at her.

"Thanks, dad."

"Anything for my princess."

"What did you want to talk about concerning mom?"

"Claire, the necklace will be spelled by your blood so it can locate her once we get to the veil," he replied

"I can do that," Claire shrugged.

"Claire, your cut won't heal till she comes out and once the necklace laced with your blood goes into the veil you'll keep growing weak till she comes out with the necklace." "So, if she isn't there?"

"The necklace remains there forever, and you won't be strong enough to close the veil and you could even die," he replied.

She swallowed.

"Are you willing to take that risk, Claire?"