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“And the time is coming when you are going to need me.So, make your decision, because come Hell with a capital H and two l’s, I will be there when the time comes.”

"You mean because we can both see that I'm gonna have to accept Hopper as my Mate and all the lovey-dovey BS that comes with it?And once that happens, the dominoes begin to fall, so to speak?"

Shaking her huge head and rolling her elliptically pupiled eyes, Carys filled Hel's mind's eye with a puff of steam as she huffed,"Yes, you accepting the Omnipotent Being known as Hope is one of the reasons, but you know as well as I do that there are others that may or may not involve the safety of the known world and all the living beings who call it home.You are going to have to stop being as pigheaded as Arawn and Fate and accept the Omnipotent Being known as Hope as your Mate.He was made for you just as much as you were made for him.Please, for the love of all that’s holy–and my sanity–do not make me say the Universe does not make mistakes."

"You just did."

"I'm ignoring you."

"Nothing new there."

"Look, you have to stop using the fact that Hopper's a Cowboy Wannabe as an excuse not to get to know him.That’s just what’s on the outside.On the inside, where what matters resides, he is your knight in shining armor, and in your heart of hearts, you know that.He's good people, and youneedthat.No!Shit and shoelaces, youdeserveit.You deserve happiness and love and the man that was made for you by the Universe to be by your side and adore you in all the ways only he can forever and ever amen.There’s a reason the Universe and The Powers That Be thought it was a good idea to Mate the Norse Goddess of the Dead and Helheim with the Omnipotent Being known as Hope, because as far as unlikely couples go, you and Hopper are in my top three."

Doing her best not to get choked up at the sentiment flowing from her Dragoness, Hel laughed, "Well, it’s Desi that calls Hopper CWB for Cowboy Wannabe.I never said I didn’t like the way he dressed.Nor have I ever even remotely implied that I dislike the Southern drawl in his voice or the country songs he’s always humming under his breath.”She nodded and smiled.“CWB.It's kinda catchy don'tcha think?Has a certain ring to it."

"It does, Destiny’s got a quick wit and turn of phrase unlike any other.She also knows her Cousin very well.I have it on good authority that other than her sister, Hopper has always been her go-to confidant.”

“Yeah, Desi’s mentioned that a time or two.”Hel tried but couldn’t hide the giggle in her voice.More than a few times she’d thought about asking Destiny for information on Hopper, but she’d always stopped.That would give Desi an opening to meddle in Hel’s life more than she already did, and that was not something the goddess of the Dead was prepared to navigate.

“A time or two?”Carys hooted with laughter.“She has been teasing that boy and telling you all about it for centuries.She’s said it all so many times, I believe Hopper has a mansion full of Wrangler blue jeans, those sexy Justin boots, and Western shirts with those pretty pearl snaps.Ya’ know, I often wonder if his boxers have rhinestones on them.I really think that finding out these important little details needs to be on the top of your to-do list."

Laughing so loud that her pet Ravens, affectionately known as the Congress Conspiracy, jumped from their perches and flew in circles around the high ceilings of Castle Niflheim as if they were doing some intricate dance only they knew.Their deep, musical croaks filled the massive structure with their irritation at their Mistress' outburst and made the goddess laugh even louder."Oh, hush, y'all," Hel teased."Can't a girl have some fun?"Returning her focus to Carys, she winked, "As for you, my dear Dragoness Queen, top marks for your description of the most irritatingly gorgeous Being in the universe.I guess Netflix and GhoulTube will have to stay if you can throw out a one-liner like that with such flair."

"Thank you.Thank you.I'll be here all week.Try the veal and remember to tip your waitress.Ba-dum-tsss."

With her shoulders still bouncing, Hel quickly put on her favorite lipstick, a very matte, vivid, blue red from MAC cosmetics called Ruby Woo, and then exhaled with a giggle."And the hits just keep coming.Seriously, Carys, what would I do without you?"

"I feel the same about you.That's why I know it is time…"

"…to let everyone I love know that you exist, explain why I felt it was necessary to keep our connection, and more specifically you, a secret, and after they are all done making me feel like a huge butthead, reach out to Hopper and I don’t know… Invite him to dinner or for a cup of coffee."

"Exactly.Lookie there, you can be taught."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, when you're right, you're right.The minute I get home from this party, we’ll start planning, but I refuse to admit that you're as good a Genie as Robin Williams was in Disney's Aladdin."

"That’s a deal, my dear girl!"Carys whooped."I agree to hold off on our great reveal until after this Halloween Hoopla, although…”

“Yes?”

“Well, it’s just that I think this party would be the perfect time for you to go as a Dragoness Queen instead of Princess Aurora.All you need are a few shimmering scales and…"

"And I think we need a little more of a plan.”

“Alright, but I’m holding you to it.”

“Whew!Thank you, Carys.I wasn't sure you’d agree without making my blood boil or my eyes turn red with flames."

"You know I have always got your back, even when you make me crazier than those Dragons of Fate make our Faye."

"Well, at least they're all Mated, and the women the Universe made for them are just as fearless as they are.Wasn't it cool how they all flew in and dropped down in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert just when we needed them the most?It was…"

"Beautiful and amazing?It made you realize what an asset it is to have a Mate, not to mention a Dragoness, at your disposal?"

"Do you ever stop?"

"Nope, not ever,"Carys chuckled."But I will give you a break from mentioning our Mate, Hopper, until…"

"Until after we tell every one of your existence and they get to meet you?"