daughter back to her father. Lifting his lovely fae daughter into his lap, Aedus snaked an arm around his mate's waist, pulling her a little closer, unconsciously creating an incredible Kodak moment.
That's when the world stopped.
I recognized the hum of his cold magic instantly. "Jacqueline." His voice broke into icy slivers across my skin.
I spun around, wishing I had Liam's fae blade. "What do you want?"
"To see my son. I will not stay long."
"Leave now." Lord Caelen suddenly stood beside me, not affected by his twin sister's spell.
Kennet's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Brother. How are you? I see your elder son has done well for your Sidhe. She is a lovely little maiden." Aedus, Philladre and Linn were still frozen in place, like everyone else.
"You will leave immediately." Caelen's voice commanded obedience.
Unfortunately, Kennet seemed to be immune. "The queen has given me this brief moment outside of time to see my son. You cannot block her magic. You gave up that right."
I felt a small hand slip into mine, then Charlie whispered, "Who is he, Mommy?"
The three of us stared at Charlie in shock. "It appears that someone unexpected is also immune to our queen's spell." Kennet grinned and spoke softly so as not to scare him any further."Charles, I am your father, Lord Kennet."
Charlie pointed toward Garrett. "Daddy's sitting over there." He tugged on my hand. "Mommy, he's not moving. Nobody is but us. Why isn't anyone talking?" He glanced around with a panicked expression.
I crouched in front of my son so he'd look at me and not Kennet or the others.
"The Queen of Faerie made a magical spell to stop time for a few minutes. Kennet is her youngest brother and he wanted to see you on your birthday."
"The queen stopped time?" I nodded. "But is everyone at my party okay?"
"Yes. Daddy is fine and so is everyone else."
He looked up at Kennet and pouted. "Why did he lie and say that he's my father?"
My heart was breaking as I spoke. "You know that Daddy and I aren't fae, right?" He nodded with wide eyes. "And you know that you're half fae. That's why your eyes are that color."
He nodded again. "Liam and Farrell teach me to speak Fae, and I learn fast." He smiled with pride.
I took his hand in mine, my plans for how I'd break this news to him cast aside by Kennet's selfishness. "Daddy can't have children because he's a vampire, but he's always wanted one. He's always wanted one just like you. We both have. You make us so happy." I smoothed down his hair then tucked it behind his ear so it wouldn't keep falling into his face.
"You're my mommy, right?" I felt him clutch my hand a little tighter.
"Yes, you grew in my belly." He seemed relieved, then bit his lip and looked up at Kennet with curiosity.
I turned his face back toward mine with a gentle nudge of his chin. "This...this male is the fae who..." I took another breath. "This is your blood father, but Daddy is still your true father."
"So I have two Daddy's, like Jay?" He was trying so hard to figure it out.
"No, you have one Daddy. Garrett. He's here with us always, protecting you and loving you." I stood up and glared at Kennet, my voice turning colder. "This fae is only your birth father."
"So why is he here, Mommy?" He tucked himself behind me.
"The Faerie Queen said he could come to see you. She's made everyone stand still so he can talk to you."
"But you and Lord Caelen..."
"The Queen wants me to be able to talk to Kennet and Lord Caelen is the Queen's twin brother, so he doesn't have to stand still either." I was so grateful that Caelen was here with me.
As if reading my mind, he positioned himself in front of Charlie and me. "Kennet, go back to court. You've upset the boy." His voice was an angry growl.
"I have the right to see him." He crouched down next to Charlie, but I pulled him closer to my body. "Charles, I do care about you, and now that you're well, I'll be seeing you and your mother from time to time. I have a great many things to
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