by Shea Balik
It was with that thought, that Kegan let out a fairly large yawn, most of it wasn’t even faked. “I’m actually pretty tired. Would you mind if I went and took a nap?”
Bjorn instantly leapt from his seat next to Kegan and picked him up his arms, holding Kegan close to his chest. “Of course, you can take a nap,” Bjorn practically growled out as he glared at the others, daring them to say otherwise.
None of them did.
But as Bjorn carried him from what looked big enough to be a lobby in some grand hotel in a big city to the stairs, Kegan glanced over the man’s huge shoulders to the others. “I will start training tomorrow, but will be observing.”
His gaze fell on his friend, Ryley, who sat curled up next to Eirik. “What time do you start in the morning?”
“Hand-to-hand is at eight. Weapons at ten. And training with Fen is after lunch,” Ryley told him.
Kegan didn’t remember anyone by the name of Fen. He wasn’t going to ask, as his energy really was draining quickly, but Bjorn had tensed the minute the name was mentioned. Whoever this Fen was, Bjorn either didn’t like him, or didn’t want him around Kegan.
Pushing his exhaustion aside, Kegan looked over the railing as Bjorn climbed the stairs. “Who’s Fen?”
Arne cackled. Actually cackled. It was like watching one of those stupid cartoons with a hyena on it. He even rocked back and forth like one. Strange since Arne was an eagle shifter.
But before Arne could try to answer, Oluf slapped his hand over the man’s mouth. It was Ryley who said, “I’ll let Bjorn fill you in. Although, you need to understand that Bjorn despises him and maintain an open mind.”
Bjorn grunted at that. Then he started mumbling under his breath, which, considering he was being carried by the man, Kegan could hear every word.
“Despise doesn’t even begin to describe what I feel for that pompous, arrogant jackass, who would rather beat someone into the ground in the name of getting them ready than actually lift a finger to help.” At that point, Kegan wasn’t even sure Bjorn remembered Kegan was there as he stalked down the hallway of the second floor.
It was a long-assed hallway too. It would be an exaggeration to say it went on forever, but it sure as hell felt like it, especially when he’d walked down it a couple of hours earlier. Between already being out of breath and seeing those daunting stairs, Kegan had been ready to just sit on the top step and call it a day.
Thankfully, Bjorn had taken matters into his own hands, even if it had been mildly annoying. But again, as they traveled the length of hallway, he had the sense that these men didn’t do things halfway.
According to Bjorn, they’d built this house with their bare hands. He’d claimed it was so they could accommodate as many druid families as possible, but Kegan wasn’t so sure about that. Mainly because since the time they’d been cursed, they hadn’t been able to locate more than two or three druid families at any one time.
More likely, the size of the place had something to do with their overinflated egos. They were all nice, even Arne, who felt the need to dip every word he spoke in sarcasm. But it was obvious they also felt they were better than everyone else.
When it came to fighting, they probably were, especially since they were immortal and could recover from any wounds they sustained. Still, that didn’t necessarily make them superior, just blessed with a gift. Kegan hadn’t really had a chance to use his own ability, at least not on purpose, but the magic bestowed upon him caused him to feel humble. Shouldn’t these men feel the same way?
He’d have to talk about it with Ryley. His friend had been a lot like him when they’d been growing up.
When Bjorn walked into a room that wasn’t Kegan’s, he decided he wasn’t getting any sleep any time soon. “So, you want to tell me about this Fen?”
Bjorn scowled. His face actually scrunched up, brows drawing together, lips twisting in disgust and eyes blazing with…well, hatred, if Kegan were to put a name to it. “He’s an ass. Case closed.”
Kegan curled his lips in to stop from laughing at the petulant way Bjorn sounded just then. When he’d gotten some of his composure back, he said, “I might need more than that if I’m supposed to train with him before Imbolc.”
Imbolc was halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. For the druids, it was the first indication of the coming spring, as well as the ending of winter. To Kegan, as well as most of his druid friends, they figured it was just another reason for their ancestors to have a party.
Now that he’d begun to truly understand that the veil was real, he saw it for what it was. Approximately every seven weeks another ritual was performed. If he was right, his ancestors used the changes in the sun for four of them, then filled in the other four to even it out in order to keep the veil closed.
The only thing he hadn’t been able to figure out, was how the veil had been opened to begin with, a tale his parents hadn’t shared. Nor any of the parents, at least not that his friends had ever revealed.
Bjorn heaved a heavy sigh as he set Kegan on his feet, next to the bed. Then he peeled back the covers, picked Kegan back up and set him gently on the mattress. Kegan was sure his mouth fell open, he just hoped the saliva that was pooling there didn’t drool out as Bjorn stripped off his shirt, and dropped his pants.
The only thing that remained were a pair of navy blue boxer briefs, as he climbed on the bed until he was spooned around Kegan’s back. Arousal had slammed into Kegan so damn hard that he had to gasp for much needed air.
Then his heart raced as the warmth of Bjorn’s body sank deep into Kegan’s bones. Fuck. He was going to come without touching his cock, a kiss or, hell, not even seeing Bjorn’s dick.
Gritting his teeth, he fought against the ache in his balls. Thankfully, Bjorn must not have noticed for he said. “Fen is a Fae.”
Problem solved. Kegan’s cock deflated faster than it had gotten hard. “A what?” he cried. No fucking way did he just hear that one of those assholes that sent monsters to kill him was not only coming here, but was supposed to train him. To do what? Lie down and die?
Not happening.
“It’s okay, dollface. I’ll keep you safe.” Bjorn’s big arms wrapped around him, keeping Kegan tucked against his broad body assured him of that.
What Kegan didn’t understand was, why? When Bjorn had done that in Alaska it had just been to keep him warm. But that wasn’t necessary in a house that not only had individual room thermostats but fireplaces for the cold winter nights.
Kegan had promised himself he would stop running and confront things. If the dark grey tones with hints of forest green accents and white to add contrast didn’t tell him this room belonged to Bjorn, the aromatic scent of the outdoors would.
It was as if the man, and probably his bear, spent so much of their time outside, the smell of the woods couldn’t help but permeate the space. Kegan burrowed his head into the pillow so he could inhale the enticing aroma. A smile lifted the edges of his lips. This was definitely a place he could get used to sleeping.
The question was, should he talk to Bjorn about why he’d brought him there instead of his own room? His body started to feel kind of floaty as sleep wanted to drag him into its embrace. Talking to Bjorn might mean having to go back to his room.
He snuggled in closer to that hard body and felt his mind drift. He could always ask tomorrow. That wasn’t exactly running, just…putting it off until he was more capable of having a conversation. That wouldn’t be the same as hiding from something.
Decision made, Kegan sighed, relishing the warmth radiating from Bjorn as his body relaxed into slumber.
CHAPTER 11
“No matter what Bjorn may have told you, Fen isn’t the bad guy.” When three of the eight other men in the room laughed outright and two more wore glowers, as if they would like a chance to beat the shit out of Fen, Ryley said, “Okay, so he’s not exactly nice, but he’s the one who can teach us to use our powers, so we need him.”
&nbs
p; “He’s Fae, Ryley.” Kegan wasn’t sure why his friend didn’t seem to understand that. “Those…monsters that attacked us were sent by the Fae.”
Ryley was already shaking his head before Kegan had finished. “He’s a Seelie, not an Unseelie.”
Bjorn and Ulf, Eirik’s brother, and from what Bjorn had told him, second in command, both snorted in derision. Kegan pointed at the pair. “They don’t even believe you and they’ve known Fen longer than you.”
Ryley started to argue but Kegan didn’t let him. “Plus, I might not have been the greatest when it came to learning our ancestry, but I do remember your grandmother Maureen telling us there was no such thing as a good or bad Fae. They were all power-hungry beings that would destroy us for the chance to be free of their realm.”
According to grandma Maureen, the Seelie were considered the bringers of light. They were considered mostly benevolent as they would allow a person who slighted them to ask for forgiveness. But they would gleefully exact revenge on those that didn’t.
To make matters worse, they enjoyed tricking people. Many times causing irreparable harm to humans who had no way to defend themselves. The Seelie considered this nothing but a bit of fun, but for the human targets, it was more like a nightmare.
The Unseelie Court, on the other hand, was considered the dark court. They didn’t need a grievance to exact a penalty from humans. It sounded more sinister and in many ways it was, but Kegan had always thought it didn’t make any difference whether it was intentional cruelty or a prank. Either way, someone got hurt.
It was why he didn’t like the distinction of good and bad, especially when it came to the Fae. But he also understood how the ones that were considered light bringers, were equated with good and the dark bringers, bad.
“Just do me a favor,” Ryley pleaded. “Give Fen a chance. Because whether you like it or not, we need him if we’re going to have any hope of sealing the veil and keeping the monsters out of our world.”
He didn’t like it. Not even a little bit. But Kegan nodded, although reluctantly. “Fine,” he grumbled. “But if he tries anything with me, I’m going to knock him on his ass.”
As if to prove how wrong Kegan was, his knees chose that moment to no longer hold him up and he crumpled. If it hadn’t been for the ever hovering Bjorn, he would have ended up in a heap on the ground for sure.
“Maybe, instead of meeting Fen today, you should take a nap, instead,” Bjorn suggested.
Kegan was more than willing to do that. He was about to say as much when every hair on his body stood on end. It wasn’t as strong, or painful, as what he imagined being shocked by an electric current would be, but it also wasn’t entirely comfortable.
“Fuck,” Bjorn growled.
“Damn Fae,” Ulf spat.
“Tinker Bell is here,” Arne exclaimed as an older looking man appeared out of thin air.
“I told you not to call me that, Viking,” the man said, glaring at Arne, who didn’t look at all repentant.
“Which is why I keep doing it,” Arne sing-songed. “Now, as much as I’d love to watch you go toe to toe with our new druid, I have to go wash my cat.” He waved his fingers as he headed toward the door after he’d put his plate in the dishwasher.
“But, you don’t have a cat,” Hrafn said with a frown and his brows pulled together in confusion. Then suddenly a huge smile appeared. “Unless you got a cat. Can I see? I love cats. Well, all animals really. But cats are fun, especially when they want to play.” Hrafn’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “Oh, can I play with him?” Then he tilted his head. “Is it a boy or a girl?”
Arne let out a long, tired sigh as he grabbed Hrafn’s hand and dragged him out of the room. “I don’t have a cat, honey. I was just teasing Fen.”
The door shut behind them, but they could clearly hear Hrafn ask, “But how does you claiming to have a cat when you don’t, a joke?” But Hrafn didn’t wait for answer before asking, “Can we get a cat? I promise to help take care of it.”
When Bjorn had explained his friends, he’d told Kegan that Hrafn was a little slow in understanding things. They think it had to do with the fact that his father used to beat the shit out of Hrafn when he was younger. All of them wished they could go back in time and stop the asshole, but none of them had dared to interfere at the time, for it would have been seen as a challenge.
As fearsome as they were now, they wouldn’t have stood a chance when they were kids. They did their best to make it up to Hrafn by reminding him that, yeah, sometimes it took him a little longer to understand something, but he always got it. More importantly, he was one of the kindest people they knew.
Kegan hadn’t had a chance to spend much time observing him, but from what he’d seen, that much was true. Hrafn always pitched in to help whoever needed it. And when Ryley had been struggling during his hand-to-hand combat session with Hrafn, he’d slowed things down so that Ryley would still learn the moves, despite his still healing wounds tiring him out.
All of the men were like that, though. Well, some were a bit more demanding, but none of them had Ryley doing more than his body was capable of yet. It gave Kegan a little more confidence for when he started practicing.
“So, I see you finally managed to save another druid,” Fen said as he stared at Kegan. “It’s about time. Although, it would be nice if you also saved his family.”
Kegan narrowed his eyes as Bjorn bit out, “Fuck you, asshole. Kegan was the only one alive to save.”
“And since when did a lowlife Fae give a crap about druids?” Kegan asked as he leaned his hands against the kitchen’s island, praying he wouldn’t fall over as his body struggled to remain standing for as long as he had. “Last I heard, it was the Fae who sent those things after us.”
“Watch it human, druid or not, you’ll never match a Fae,” Fen warned, proving Kegan’s point. “And that’s the Unseelie who are sending their pets after you.”
“Only because the Seelie don’t have anyone low enough on the food chain to get through the veil without being sliced to pieces.” Kegan had no clue where that had even come from. Well, he did. It had been from bits and pieces of conversation he’d overheard from all the druid families whenever they got together. He’d just forgotten all about it.
“What are you talking about, Kegan?” Ryley asked in confusion. “Where did you even hear that?”
“During our family gatherings,” he told his friend. “The adults would talk, sometimes I would listen.” He just wished he paid more attention. His gaze fell on Fen, the truth of what he’d said was in the Fae’s eyes. “The Seelie had thought the Unseelie’s pets were beneath them, since they kill without mercy. Hell, they don’t care who they tear apart as they search for their prey.”
All eyes went to Fen for confirmation. The Fae stared back at Kegan as he answered the unasked question. “He is correct about the Unseelie’s pets.”
He should have felt vindicated for being right, but that was only the tip of the iceberg. “When our ancestors closed the veil so the Fae couldn’t come through, they hadn’t had the magic to seal it completely. But the veil is a tricky thing. Originally it was designed by the Fae to keep humans from their realm.”
Fen’s eyebrow rose as if he were unimpressed. “You didn’t think humans would have had that capability, did you?”
Ass.
“But when our ancestors realized that the Seelie were just as dangerous as the Unseelie, they created their own spell.” It was as if now that he’d remembered the stories from his youth, the floodgates had opened. It was a good thing Kegan couldn’t kick his own ass for doubting any of this, or he might be tempted to do just that.
Then again, he hadn’t really doubted the tales, so much as questioned if they still pertained to their current lives. Sure, at the time, he’d believed it was possible none of it had happened, but he’d been leaning more toward it had occurred, but in the distant past and they were ridiculous to worry about it any longer.
“L
ike humans had a chance of doing what the Fae did,” Fen said with a sneer.
There were several who gasped at the obvious disdain Fen was displaying, but even more didn’t look at all surprised. As if it was a normal behavior for the Fae.
Pissed, Kegan flashed him a grin. “Oh, but we did. At least enough to keep the Seelie out. That had to have pissed all you fairies off.”
The door slammed opened and Arne strode back in the room. “Nobody told me we were going to have a make fun of Fen session.” He turned accusatory glances to his friends in the room. “Why didn’t anyone call me back in here for this?”
Rolling his eyes, Kegan ignored him and poked at the Fae just a bit more. “Especially when you found out those creatures you thought you were too good for were the only ones capable of getting through.”
Red flooded Fen’s face as he spat out, “That’s only because Áed fucked up the spell.” Kegan swore spittle flew from the Fae’s mouth. “He was supposed to allow only the highest of beings through, not the lowest.”
That wasn’t something Kegan remembered in the slightest. All he knew was his ancestors had created the spell that allowed only the lowest of beings through. He had assumed it had been because they hadn’t been able to seal it completely. Unsure if Fen could be telling the truth, Kegan didn’t tried to refute him.
In the end, it was Ryley who straightened after several minutes of silence and stared Fen down. “If that’s true, why would he have made you the exception? You are Seelie. If he’d wanted your kind to come through, he wouldn’t have had to put you into the spell as the only one who could freely go back and forth.”
Kegan blinked when the Fae disappeared, sure he had to have imagined it. But when he opened his eyes again, he still was missing.
“Fuck this,” Arne said. “I missed all the good stuff. I can’t believe none of you let me know when they started squaring off.”
Fritjof chuckled and slapped Arne on the back. “That will teach you to stick around more often.”
