Free The Other Switch (The Forever Series, Book 7.5): The Forever series, Book 7.5 by Eve Newton

anywhere,” Aelfric says, motioning to the Light Guards to block the way out, which normally wouldn’t be a problem, only we are unable to Teleport or Astral over here, so we are either stuck, or will have to fight our way out. “There is no way that this child is going to be raised by Drake. I will not allow you to leave here and be vulnerable to attack and kidnapping by the Dark.”
    “We are capable of looking after ourselves,” Sebastian says through gritted teeth.
    “Be that as it may, you aren’t leaving. You will stay, be married, and have this child here,” Aelfric says.
    “And what of my husband?” I ask, now getting highly irritated with everyone telling me what to do. “Am I just supposed to leave him to wonder where I am?”
    “Your husband?” he scoffs. “Your husband will be Kalen. There will be a Holy union before this baby starts to show, make no mistake about that.”
    “I cannot leave my Empire,” I say, trying a different tactic, as duty means something to him whereas family clearly does not. Or at least my family does not.
    “I am sure it will be fine left in your Halfling’s hands,” he says dismissively, and if anything he was going to say was going to anger me to the point where I am about to kill, that was it.
    “Halfling?” I yell at him, stepping forward. “How dare you call my daughter that?” It is the biggest insult he could use, and I will not allow my precious Cassis to be slandered in such a manner.
    “Father!” snaps Sebastian at the same time, also angered.
    Aelfric holds his hands out. “It is the truth, is it not? Much like you.” He points to me and says, “Her true heritage is most confusing.”
    I am boiling with rage now and this only leads to one thing. “Get me out of here,” I say to Sebastian and he catches on that it is now a necessity.
    “Father, you have to let her go. If you don’t, she is going to Shift and that is going to be the end of everything,” he says quietly, as my breathing gets more and more ragged. I am trying to relax. Even though I briefly thought this was a good idea a few hours ago, I have very definitely changed my mind. I drop to my knees and Sebastian drops with me. “No, Aefre. You cannot do this. Calm yourself. Please, my love, please,” he begs me and I am trying to regain control, but it is taking me over.
    “What is she doing?” Aelfric asks thunderously, standing up and striding towards us. He is glaring down at us from his towering height, his long blonde hair floating gently around him.
    “She is reacting to your insults to her family. Her fury is controlled by her Dragon. Let us out of here now to go home, otherwise it’s the end,” Sebastian explains.
    “The end of what?” Aelfric asks.
    “The baby,” Sebastian says as I grip his hand tightly as a lifeline.
    “What?” he bellows. “No! Make her stop. Now!”
    “I am trying to. You are not helping,” Sebastian snaps back at him.
    “If anything happens to that baby, I will have her head,” he snarls .
    Like Dark, like Light.
    “Then let us go,” Sebastian snarls back, helping me up, as Aelfric with fury on his face waves the Guards off to let us leave.
    “Get her under control and get back here by the full moon,” he says as Sebastian picks me up and carries me out of the Court, as I stifle the cries of agony that holding onto the Shift are causing.
    “Aefre, please be okay,” he mutters as we exit into the fresh air and sunshine and he puts me down carefully.
    “How is it that he manages to rile me up more than Drake does?” I ask as I sit heavily, breathing deeply.
    “Two reasons I can see. One, he doesn’t frighten you like Drake does and two, Drake just ignores your family so no insults necessary,” he says wryly. “I’m so sorry, Aefre, I thought he would help. It never even occurred to me he would have the same plan. I should have guessed it though.”
    “You once said to me, never trust a Faerie. I guess you are right. Please take