Shifter Secrets

by T K Eldridge

  Chapter Nine

  Sid

  “It is not common for my family to give toasts,” I began, my champagne glass held in one hand, the microphone in the other. “Words spoken with will and intent have a power all their own. However, I will put all of my will, and my very clear intent into the words I speak today. I wish my brother and his Chosen bride all of the love and laughter that life can hold. I wish for them just enough rain to make the sunshine more bright, and may they always have enough. I’m so happy for you both and I love you. To Sin and Mira!” I shouted the last and lifted my glass, and everyone shouted, “to Sin and Mira,” or “Sláinte,” as I handed the microphone back to the band director and stepped down off the stage.

  My glass of champagne was gently tugged from my hand. I turned to find Nico, looking particularly handsome in his suit, smiling at me.

  “Come on, chere. Let’s dance. This is a happy occasion, for a new family has been created.”

  He was an excellent dancer and we danced a couple of fast ones, then a slow one where he held me close and told me how beautiful I looked. Then I spotted my cousin, Finn, and excused myself to go say hello.

  Queen Margaret greeted me with a kiss on the cheek. “Who were you dancing with, Sidonie?”

  “That’s Nicodamas Lamontaine, Your Majesty,” I replied. “Micah Harpur’s stepson.”

  “Ah, yes. We met at Alicia’s the night of your brother’s engagement party. He looks quite different all cleaned up and in a tuxedo, doesn’t he?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” I replied, then gave Finn a smile. “May I go speak with Finn?”

  “Oh, of course dear. I think I’ll see if young Nicodamas will dance with me.”

  I turned to watch her approach Nico, then laughed as a young boy gave me a hug. “Daren? Oh, gosh, you’ve grown a foot taller. How are you doing?”

  “I’m good, Miss Siddie. Finn brought Aunt Katy and I to the wedding. We’re moving into his big house this week and he’ll be my Dad forever and ever. Isn’t that great?” Daren’s words tumbled over themselves and I took his hand as I made my way to Finn’s side. On his other side sat Katy Colter, Karen Simmons’ sister. Daren’s parents had died while he was kidnapped and Katy came to town to take care of him. It seems that more had been going on and I was out of the loop.

  “Cousin Finn, Katy, a pleasure to see you both here. And it’s so nice for Daren to be here. Ethan must be thrilled,” I said.

  “Ethan went to lie down for a bit. I think he ate too much cake,” Daren said.

  “I think I saw them bringing out the chocolate fountain a minute ago,” I told him.

  Eyes wide, he turned to Finn and Katy and they both nodded. He bolted for the food tables and I chuckled before I turned back to his parental figures.

  “So, things are going well, I see?” I couldn’t resist teasing Finn.

  He blushed and took Katy’s hand. “Kathleen has agreed to consider marriage, if we can survive living together and parenting Daren. His parent’s house will be sold and the money put into a college fund for him.”

  Katy laughed and lifted her glass to me. “To unpredictable futures.”

  I nodded, not having a glass. “To unpredictable futures, indeed. I’m glad you’re both finding happiness. You deserve it – as does Daren.”

  Katy leaned in and whispered to me. “I hear Ethan is about to have a sister soon?”

  “Yes, and he’s mostly okay with it because he has a lot of brothers.” I eyed Finn as I said it and he shrugged.

  “That’s not my way any longer. Faery is secure on the islands and I’m glad. I needed a spreadsheet to keep track of everyone,” Finn said.

  “Uh huh. Just what every woman wants to hear,” I teased.

  Katy choked on her drink, laughing at our banter. “It’s fine. I know what I’m signing up for here. And he’s got no clue what it means to be married to a witch. Life is going to be interesting.”

  Oh, I had a feeling that Katy could handle Prince Finn just fine. A slight commotion started up behind me and I turned to see the Queen facing off with Nico.

  I got to my feet and Finn reached out to keep me from rushing over. “Let her deal with him, Sidonie. He’s a Lamontaine. She has history with his family.”

  “What do you mean, she has history with his family? He’s from New Orleans,” I said. “And his family left the area in the 1700’s. She didn’t arrive in Belle Cove until the Civil War.”

  “Not everyone left for Louisiana,” Finn replied.

  “So, Nico has family still in the area?” I asked.

  “Maybe distant relations, but no, all of the Lamontaine’s eventually left – just not all of them left with Pierre and his sons in the first wave,” Finn said.

  “Nico is here to keep an eye on his Papa, my cousin Micah. He’s not here to cause a rift in the fabric of time or whatever. Seriously, she’s got to catch up to the current times and quit fucking with things she doesn’t understand,” I fumed and pulled away from Finn to head over to the two on the edge of the dance floor.

  As I approached Nico and the Queen, I heard her hiss at him. “I know the hate the Lamontaine family has for anyone not of the purest Loup Garou blood. If you’ve got plans on hurting my friends or family, I’ll make you wish you’d never been born. Ever see what a wolf skin looks like, hanging from a tree?”

  I got between Nico and my great-grandmother and got right up into her face. “Back. The fuck. Off. If you haven’t noticed, he IS family. Micah’s chosen son. You either treat him with respect, or don’t bother coming around me and mine.”

  Nico put his hand on my shoulder and tried to intercede. “Chere, she’s just being protective. It’s…”

  “It’s being a bigot, is what it is. You don’t blame a person for their name. If that was the case, imagine how ‘Boudreau’ would be received, eh?” I spoke to Nico, but kept my eyes on the Queen.

  “Let’s go, Nico. I need some air.” I took his hand and turned away, tugging him to follow. The Queen’s words reached me, however.

  “I hope, this one time, you’re right, great-granddaughter. Because if you’re wrong, we’re all going to suffer.”

  Before we got outside, I got waylaid to go do the bouquet toss and garter toss. Cake got cut, photos taken, and finally, they were on their way. The newlyweds were going to spend a week in Ireland, courtesy of cousin Finn. He happened to own a castle turned hotel near Dublin and while they were gone, Mom and Dad had Ethan. I made my farewells to Mom and Dad, then, clutching containers of cake, food, and a couple of bottles of champagne, I got into my SUV and Nico drove us home.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Nico asked.

  “Not now. I’m exhausted. But yes, after I’ve had sleep, I want to talk about it. I want to know why the Queen of Faery threatened to skin your wolf.”

  “I’ll give you the short version. Seems she had some dealings with my Uncle Piers. He is an egocentric asshole and, apparently, was worse when she knew him. It colored her perception of all Lamontaine men, and I don’t really blame her.”

  “I’ve noticed that Micah seems to be doing better,” I said.

  “Yes, he’s been helping in the shop and in the greenhouse with the new plants. He told me that he’d forgotten how much he needed the feeling of growing things.”

  “And he’s relaxed a bit now that Damas is paid off?”

  “Yes, but now he’s insisting on working to pay off Commander Walsh. It’s fine, as long as he stays sober and focused, we should be okay.”

  “I have something for you,” I told him. “It’s from Sin and I, we did it together. But then the wedding and all, so I tucked it aside to give you after the chaos had settled. When we get to my place, I’ll give it to you.”

  “No hints?”

  I laughed at the wheedling tone. “No, no hints. Just going to have to be patient.”

  We pulled up in front of my doorway and Nico helped get all of the stuff inside. Grandma’s night light was still on, which told me she
’d not made it home yet.

  “Hey, can you put the champagne and food in the fridge? I need to wash this hairdresser glue out of my hair and get comfy. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

  “Sure, chere. No problem. Want me to make some tea?”

  “That sounds great, thanks.” I got out of my heels and dress, picked the flowers and pins out of my hair and shook it all out. Yep, found a couple more pins as they hit the floor. The shower felt like heaven and just let myself relax as I washed the hair spray and gel down the drain. My hair was past my butt, and my one real vanity. I got very good at tight braids and twists while in Academy training. So many had told me I’d end up cutting it – but I never did.

  I pulled on cotton sleep pants and a tank top, then pulled a robe over it, my hair braided damp for sleep. When I got out to the main room, Nico had made popcorn, a pot of tea, and had set out a plate of the pastries and cookies we’d brought home from the wedding.

  “I didn’t know if you’d want sweet or salty, so I did both. I thought maybe we could watch that TV show you like and relax before bed? And no, I’m not inviting myself, but I’d be happy to stay or go as you desire.”

  Aw, wasn’t that sweet? I snuggled up against him and that scent…it wrapped around me and fogged my brain. I hadn’t noticed it at the wedding, but here, good gods – it was like I suddenly wanted to just lick him all over. “How about you go take your clothes off?” I muttered as I nibbled the side of his neck.

  “Now, chere, you need some tea, or at least a bottle of water, after all of the champagne today. I also know you didn’t eat much. Here, have a cookie and some of your tea first, eh? I’ll go take a shower and then we can go to bed.”

  Yeah, he probably could use a shower. I know it made me feel better. But that would mean he wasn’t here, under my hands, under my tongue… “Do you really need a shower?” I whined.

  “Yes, chere, I do. Here, have your tea.” He shoved the mug into my hands and got up off the couch.

  I nearly face-planted into the cushion, tea and all. “Fine. Whatever,” I grumbled. I heard the water start up, so I took a swallow of tea, picked out a cookie and ate it. Then some popcorn. Another cookie. By the time the water stopped, my tea was gone, I’d had a decent snack and I was feeling a little more in control of myself.

  The sound of a car door slamming had me up and peering out through my curtains to see Grams being escorted to her door by Grampa Walsh. They laughed together as he took her keys and unlocked the door, then both went inside. I heard the slide of the deadbolt and saw the light go off, so I guess I wasn’t the only one having an overnight visitor. Good for Grams – and really good for Grampa. It was a little weird, having my father’s grandfather and my mother’s mother dating each other – but it made them happy, so I got over it.

  Nico came into the room in just his briefs and I felt my knees go weak. He pulled me into his arms and we kissed. I felt him pick me up, but the scent of him, the feel of his skin under my palms, it was a heady thing and I lost myself in the experience.

  When I woke the next morning, the snacks had been cleaned up, the coffee was ready to brew, my dress from the wedding had been hung on the closet door, and a note sat under a small bunch of lavender sprigs tied with a wire twist tie from the loaf of bread.

  Dearest One,

  You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to wake you. I hope your day is as wonderful as you are.

  Always, Nico

  I got the coffee started and found a pastry from yesterday to have with the coffee. Bed made, clothes on, but something was niggling in the back of my mind. I couldn’t figure out what was bothering me until I had sat down with my coffee and pastry. About halfway through both, I got to my feet and ran into the bedroom, then the bathroom. Nope. No condom wrappers. I didn’t think Nico had got to where he’d pocket the wrapper, but I didn’t see one. I couldn’t even remember having sex with him, but my thighs ached and I felt like I had. Either we’d not had sex, or we had, and he hadn’t used a condom. But why couldn’t I remember?

  I wasn’t going to go to Grams about this, no. But I knew who I could ask. I slid my feet into my sneakers, grabbed my keys and ran out the door, making damned sure it was locked and the alarm set behind me. I drove over to Sett’s, since I had a feeling I might need my car, and pulled up behind her truck.

  Sett was outside on her porch having her own breakfast. She got to her feet when I pulled up and frowned at me. “Something wrong, Siddie?”

  “I need to talk to you, you got a few minutes?”

  “Sure, come on up. I’ll get you a mug for coffee.”

  I sat down and fidgeted with my keys until she came back and handed me a mug, then filled it for me.

  “Now, what’s going on that you’re over here so early?”

  “Have you ever had sex and not remembered having it?”

  Aunt Sett stared at me, blinked a few times, then shook her head. “No, can’t say that I’ve experienced that particular phenomenon. I’ve had sex while drunk, but I always remembered it.”

  “Shit,” I muttered, then took a big swallow of my coffee.

  “Why don’t you try and, uh, explain what’s going on?” Sett tucked her feet up next to her in the chair and sipped at her coffee.

  “Sometimes, when I’m with Nico, it’s like I can’t get enough of him. I have never been like this with anyone before. The smell of him, the feel of his skin, it’s almost like I’d give up food and drink just to be able to be skin to skin with him. Now, I probably just had too much champagne at the wedding or something, but last night, I remember kissing him and him picking me up to carry me into the bedroom – but that’s it. I don’t remember the sex or anything. I woke up this morning and he was gone.” I blushed, but continued telling her what was bothering me. “I, uh, ached like I had had sex, but when I went to look, I couldn’t find a condom wrapper. He knows we don’t do anything without a condom – so why is there no wrapper? Did he ignore my wishes? I wish I knew – but I can’t remember.”

  “Hang on, okay?” Sett said and unfolded from her chair. She went into the house and came out a few minutes later with a pipette and a needle. “Let me get a little blood and I can at least check if you were drugged.”

  I felt like it was bashing Nico to do this, but something was off and I had to know. I held out my finger and Sett poked it, got the blood, and went inside.

  “Have one of those pastries and more coffee. It’ll take me a few minutes to get this set up,” Sett yelled from inside the house.

  I refilled my mug and picked up a blueberry danish. Drugs did sort of make sense, but not by Nico. Maybe the Queen slipped something in my drink because I pissed her off. Who knew? I mean, we’ve all heard stories about the capriciousness of the Fae.

  My brain ground in circles while I chewed and swallowed. I’d finished the danish and half the second cup of coffee by the time Sett came back outside.

  “Well, there’s traces of something in your blood, but I can’t get a clear reading on it. So yeah, something made you forget.”

  “I had an argument with the Queen at the wedding. Do you think she might have slipped something in my drink?”

  “Grandma Maggie? No. She would rather use magic to fuck with your head than herbs. And that I would’ve picked up on before you came up the stairs. No, it’s showing some kind of hormone-based traces, which doesn’t fit any drugs I know. And no, you’re not pregnant. I checked that, too.”

  The sense of relief that washed over me when she said that almost brought me to tears.

  “Oh, Siddie,” Sett murmured as she sat beside me and pulled me into a hug. “It’s okay, my girl. Look, I’ve got some of Gram’s potion that helps make sure you don’t get pregnant until you’re ready. I’ll get you that for now. No, it won’t mess with your implant. Just adds a layer of protection that supernaturals tend to need.”

  Sett knew about my implant because she’d taken me to get it before I went to college. Sett was the one I always we
nt to for things that were just too weird to talk to my parents about. I still talked to Mom about a lot of things, but Mom had forgotten to tell me about my monthlies and Sett had been the one I called when I couldn’t find what I needed. Yeah, we learned about stuff in sex ed class, but how many people really listen to sex ed teachers? I had a general idea, but the specifics of how it messed with my magic and my shifting were things I could only ask family. Yes, being a supernatural and going through puberty was a real joy. Yes, that was sarcasm, why do you ask?

  “How come Grams didn’t tell me about the potion?” I asked.

  “Probably thought I’d already told you, or Melly.”

  “Yeah, no, Mom didn’t tell me. But please, anything that adds an extra layer of ‘no baby’ to my life right now would be great. It’s weird enough that my parents are having a baby and my brother is having one a couple of months later. I don’t need to jump on that particular bandwagon.”

  Sett chuckled and tugged my braid, then got to her feet. “I’ll go get the potion. You want to bring the tray inside for me?”

  I cleaned up the coffee cups and plates and put it all on the tray, then headed into her cottage. “Mm, smells good in here. You’ve been working with herbs.” The scents of sage and lemon verbena were strong.

  “I mixed up a new floor cleaning solution. I clean with magic, but I like my house to smell nice, too. This stuff treats the hardwood floors and smells nice for days afterwards. I’ll put some in a jar for you.” She paused, then grinned. “Don’t mix the floor cleaner and birth control potions or you’ll have nicely scented genitals, and floors that will never replicate.”

  I groaned and set the tray down on the counter. “That’s like the worst Dad Joke ever. Don’t take on a stand-up comedy gig as a second job, okay?”

  Sett laughed and handed me the very clearly labeled bottles, then kissed my cheek. The smile faded as she spoke. “Siddie, do me a favor. Go into the city and talk to Jolie and Alexander about this. I’ll email them what my test showed, but we need to make sure nothing else is going on. Okay?”