Constellation

Chapter Nine

*Andromeda's POV*

Maverick leads up to the kitchen where I duck at the same time he does, narrowly avoiding a bowl being thrown by The March Hare. Mave leads me to a table to sit down as Alastor tastes the soup, "Is the March Hare here? It needs some salt." I giggle as Alastor ducks to avoid the salt shaker being thrown at him.

"Pishsalver. Let me think," Mave waves his fingers around as he looks at the ingredients on the table. Alastor sits by me and sets his head on my head, "Thank you for being here Meda." I smile, "Thank you for running off." 

"A pinch of worm fat, urine of a horse fly, buttered fingers," Maverick groans as he sniffs them and set them in the boiler, and I scrunch up my nose. "Nasty," I say, giving Mave a teasing look. Maverick rolls his eyes and smiles, "My brother preferred to study Dominion Over Living Things. Tried to get Meda to study with him, but like myself, she didn't prefer it. Tell me, how does he seem to you?" 

Alastor sighs and with complete honesty, "Perfectly horrid. Trying to forcefully marry my sister." Maverick sighs and nods, "He always was a little demanding that Andromeda had to love him. And his ego?" Alastor nods, "Bulbous. Completely convinced that Meda was only his to love." 

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah. I really love that you talk about me like I'm not here." Alastor grins, "Do you disagree?" I blink, "I never said a word. Continue talking gents." Maverick chuckled and kissed my forehead, "I think he may have some kind of growth in there, something pressing on his brain. Three coins from a dead man's pocket, two teaspoons of wishful thinking." Maverick threw those ingredients in as I smile, watching him do what he does best. 

"You can't imagine the things that go on in that place," Alastor says frowning. Maverick frowns, "Oh, yes, I can. The way he snapped during Horenvendush Day and became mad with possession over my princess. I can imagine what goes on there. But when a champion steps forth to slay the Jabberwocky, the people will rise against him." Maverick then spits in the boiler and I giggle at Alastor's face, "Ast! You have to indirectly kiss Maverick!" Alastor glares at me, "You better have kissed him lots of times before this!" I look confused, "Why?" 

Alastor grins, "I'm not the 'interests lie else where' guy but don't make me take your betrothed." I close my mouth as Maverick chuckles and hands the mixture to Alastor, "Blow." 

Alastor takes a sip and shrinks to his correct size. "Feel better?" Maverick asks. Alastor nods and holds up his pants, "Much. Thank you." Maverick holds his hand out to Alastor, then looks to me, "Darling. Please head to your old room while I get your brother some clothing. You have a surprise coming to your room later.

They then walk off, with me left behind wondering what Mave has in store for me. 

-Later-

I'm pacing the floor of my bedroom, waiting for Mave to get back. I hear a knock on the door and I smile, "It's been forever, Mave! What on earth do you have-" I open the door to see my parents and tear up. 

"Mom? Dad?" I smile tearfully as my mother sobs and hugs me tightly. "Oh, my sweet baby girl! We've missed you!" My father smiles with tears in his eyes and joins the hug, "We're so sorry!" I sniffled and hugged them tighter, "I understand why, I'm just glad I came with Alastor when he ran off and followed Nirvana. Do you guys live around here?" 

My father nodded, "Ian banished us and almost killed us for sending you away, but King Maverick took us in and housed us here. We are eternally grateful." I jumped as Maverick leaned against the doorway, "How could I let my beloved's parents be outcasted and homeless? My parents would have been furious if I did. As would Meda. If she found out that I refused to take care of you, then she would have left me." 

I smiled and ran to Mave, hugging him tightly and shoving my face in his chest, "Thank you so much for saving my parents Maverick." I felt his chest rumble as he chuckled, "My love, you are going to be my queen and if that means taking care of your parents after they allowed and accepted us to be romantically involved, then that's what I'll do." 

My parents smile and walk over to us, bringing us in another hug. My mother kissed Maverick's forehead, "As soon as we saw that Meda was more comfortable around you and has this glow, we knew that you were the one for her. I'm sorry your brother is getting worse." Maverick frowns, "I'm worried about him. Meda, what did he say to you? Did he do anything?" 

I frowned and looked away, "Other than the occasional forcing me to marry him no." Maverick frowns, "Look me in the eyes and tell me he didn't put his hands on you." I avoid his eyes, "Not hands per se." Maverick grits his teeth, "Did he kiss you?"

I looked at my wrist, "Oh look at the time! A hair past a freckle! I have to go sisterly bond with Ast!" I go to walk out of my room as my parents yank me back to them. "Tell us, now," My mother said sternly. I sighed, "He did kiss me. It was in the throne room as to apparently show Illiana Stayne that Ian didn't love her anymore." 

Maverick huffs in anger, "Don't worry. At our wedding. I'll be sure to erase any memory of him kissing you." I blushed hard as my parents chuckled. "Oh boy. Be sure to give me grandbabies, Maverick!" My father yells out as my mother chuckles and drags him out of my room.

Maverick chuckled lowly and cupped my cheek, bringing my face up to see my eyes, "Don't worry my love. It will be enjoyable. I'll make it all about you." Maverick kissed the corner of my mouth and winked at me, "Good night my queen." He closed my door, leaving me speechless and red-faced.

Alastor needs to defeat the Jabberwocky and go home. I need to be married to Maverick now.