by Lynn Stark
It all looked so good. Pebin made his choices, which were tamales and burritos, along with rice and refried beans.
As they waited, he looked at each of his mates. “Is this a date?” he asked curiously, excited by the prospect of doing something so human. It made him feel like he would fit in with everyone else.
Larson nodded. “Yes, I suppose it is.”
“Have you had a lot of dates?”
“A few. Don’t fairies date?”
Pebin shook his head vigorously. “No. Once a mate is found, the families arrange their bonding and that’s it. This is more fun.” Taking a chip from the bowl, he scooped up some of the guacamole and put the entire thing in his mouth, moaning with pleasure as he did so. “This is very tasty,” he declared after he finished chewing and he reached for a second chip.
As the meal progressed, enjoying the food and the conversation, Pebin believed he would have a promising future with these three men. It didn’t matter that they weren’t fairies like him. They were his mates, and that was what he would focus on. Hopefully he would soon have a baby growing inside him.
They headed home from their first date with Pebin belching in the back seat and clutching a bag containing six bottles of hot sauce, a gift from Chance. There were also several bags of tortilla chips in the trunk.
Realizing the werewolf was warming up to him, Pebin spent the remainder of the evening smiling at him and giving his arm little pats of affection.
Perhaps he would be pregnant with Chance junior soon. The thought gave him hope, although Chance’s growls did not.
Strange beast.
Chapter Six
Once Cain returned to Boston and his coven, he realized at once that he wanted to be back on the farm with his mates. His entire being ached for them. A few days in their company had not been enough for him. Despite his initial shock and denial, he was truly drawn to the eclectic trio of mates he’d been given by fate. After waiting so many centuries, often convinced he would never meet the one or ones meant for him, he now had three. Fate had been generous.
Now it was up to Cain to decide how he could best provide what was needed by them all, himself included. Of course they could travel back and forth to Boston, but he didn’t know how well his mates would like this possibility. Larson would probably agree it was a good solution. It was Pebin and Chance who would most likely balk at the idea of coming to the city. Neither liked the noise, the crowds, or the smells. Chance’s unfortunate history as a homeless drug addict also rode him hard. He’d already expressed that he didn’t want to go to Boston, when they touched briefly upon the topic. Pebin had seconded that, now claiming he was allergic to the stinky air.
Chester, however, was relieved to be back in Boston. He wasn’t a fan of the bucolic life, he told Cain succinctly. Cain would have to remember that, if they drove back down again. He would have another drive him. Or he could drive himself, now that he’d enjoyed the scenery as a passenger.
It didn’t take long for Cain to put aside his personal problems and get back to business. Not only did he have a coven to oversee, he owned a company that would help him to continue to live a comfortable life well into the next several centuries. It was his personal wealth, although he would help others, if necessary. He encouraged those in his coven not to live a sedentary or self-indulgent lifestyle. Education and working for a living weren’t actually required, but they were strongly recommended. The old ways of vampires were dying out, but some things never changed.
It didn’t matter what decade or century they were living in. The youth were always the same. It amused him to hear people say that when they were young, things had been different, better, and the young had strong, as well as respectful and filled with purpose. They were only different, because their perspective was different. It had a way of altering memories. Certainly there were exceptions, but the young tended to not think about consequences, that they were as vulnerable as the next person, or that they had a future they needed to give consider deeply.
As soon as he finished work for the day, Cain’s thoughts immediately went to his mates. A long sigh escaped him as he lifted the glass of whiskey to his lips and sipped it.
Life without Pebin in it was certainly rather flat. Cain walked through the open doors and onto the wide, flagstone terrace. There were steps in the center that went down to the formal garden. He stopped at the top and looked out to the water, the moonlight dancing over the rippling waves. The many scents carried on the damp air were familiar to him. A part of him had missed it. The farm had its own special variety of scents, some less pleasant than others.
Cain had been raised on a farm in England. It hadn’t been owned by his family, but they had worked on it. It had been grueling, back-breaking work, but it had taught him valuable lessons before his family had moved on. Back then, covens weren’t as large or as strong as they were in modern times. Remaining in one place too long was dangerous. Vampires kept to themselves, living as human, blending in as best as they could. His parents had finally found a village where many vampires lived, where their slow aging wouldn’t matter. They remained there for several years, until his father decided they should go to America. By this time Cain was nearly one hundred and seventy-five years old. As an adult, he could have made his own decision to remain in England, but decided that he would go where his parents, sisters, and baby brother went. Living without them was not an option he was willing to take just yet, if ever.
Hearing a step behind him, Cain turned to see his brother and his wife approaching him. Their three children were with them.
“Uncle Cain! Uncle Cain!” they called in unison.
The joy that filled his heart was something Cain never tired of. Children were incredible creatures. He scooped up the two smallest, leaving the oldest child hopping around him, begging for his attention.
Once they were satisfied that Cain still loved them, they ran off to play in the garden. As Cain and his brother and sister-in-law took seats at the table near the balustrade, from which they could easily watch the children, Chester appeared with a tray of refreshments.
“Well, brother, we heard through the grapevine that you have found your mates,” Nicholas said as he took the glass Chester offered him. “Not satisfied with just one?”
Cain’s gaze shifted briefly to Chester. “Was that before or after the grapevine complained about the scent of cow manure?”
His brother laughed while Chester sniffed and walked away without saying a word. “I would have to say that it was likely after. You really shouldn’t torture him so badly.”
“He could have remained here, but he refuses to believe that I can do anything without him.”
Chester was a much-loved part of the household and had been for a long time. Cain wouldn’t think to scold him for complaining to his brother. Once the topic of the imperious manservant was exhausted, Cain broached the subject of leaving the Boston coven under Nicholas’ care. This shocked his brother as much as it did Cain, because he hadn’t considered giving up control of the coven until that very moment. Would it be possible? Was he willing to move permanently to be with his mates? Nicholas bolted upright in his chair.
“Are you serious?”
Cain shrugged. “Of course I am.” He laughed softly. “I’m afraid I have taken myself by surprise, by making the suggestion. But it makes sense. You’re the perfect candidate. However, I need to give the decision more thought. I also want you to do the same, before I even make a formal proposition.”
“I will. Thank you. I’m honored you believe me worthy.”
“Dear brother, you have never given me a reason to do other than respect you. I see a lot of our father in you. He would be proud of the man you’ve become. I’ve governed this coven for a long time. I would like to now devote my time to my mates. Moving to live on the farm would seem the answer to that.”
Sofia rose to go settle a dispute between the children, although she appeared as if she wanted them to do it themselves, so sh
e didn’t miss anything. “Darn it,” she muttered as she hurried away.
Both men laughed at her obvious frustration.
“They could not come here to live?”
Cain chuckled and shook his head. “It’s complicated. One mate is a fairy and absolutely refuses to come to the city. He’s all about the simplicity of living on the farm and the beauty he can create there. Another is a werewolf. He’s expressed his own dislike of the city. I don’t believe coming here for more than a brief visit would be a good thing for him. He experienced many difficulties when he lived in a city.” He didn’t go into the details of Chance’s previous life. While it wasn’t a secret, he felt it was unnecessary. “The third is a bear shifter who was hired by Ian to care for the forests.” He shrugged. “It matters little to me, where we live, as long as we’re together.” He laughed again. “Instantly discovering I had three mates, and not one, came as something of a shock.”
Sophia, returning from playing with her children, took a seat at the table. “I suspect it was a huge shock. Are they all male?”
“Yes. The fairy’s name is Pebin. He’s a character I can’t quite describe. I can’t wait for everyone to meet him. Then there is Chance. He has a wounded soul. I hope it will begin to heal now that he has mates to care for him and love him. Larson is a confident bear who seems to watch the world with amusement.”
“That’s quite the assortment,” Sophia told him. “Your life should certainly be less boring now.”
Nodding, he thought about the last few years of his life. “Yes, having three such different mates should take care of that.” He paused for a moment, frowning. “A week or so ago I wouldn’t have said this, but I’m actually looking forward to a quiet country life.”
Both his brother and sister-in-law appeared appalled. Laughing, Cain reached for his drink and lifted it to his lips. He took a sip and placed the glass back on the table. “You will have to bring the children for a visit. The farm is an amazing place, and they will love it there.”
“Of course. We’ll make a point of visiting you. Still, I believe we’re getting ahead of ourselves. I have to wonder if I’m ready or even able to fill your shoes as the coven’s new master. It needs careful thought. I also must discuss it with Sofia. My taking over would be a huge change in our lifestyle.”
Understanding completely, Cain didn’t press the matter. He only wanted Nicholas to take his place if he was ready to do so. Still, Cain hadn’t made the formal offer, which would be done before the coven members remaining in Boston. They both had things to think through.
However, if Nicholas told him that he didn’t want to take the position yet, Cain would accept that. Both of his sisters had already made it clear that being the leader of a coven was not for them. Julia was a clothing designer in New York City. Then there was Josephine, who was a professor of physics at a university in Upstate New York. Neither wanted to give up what they had to keep other vampires in order. Cain could understand that. There were many times when he’d felt like just walking away and letting them sort out their own problems. Unfortunately, that couldn’t be done. Another coven would come in and try to take over. A war would ensue.
No, if he was really considering handing over so much power, it had to go to someone he knew was strong enough to deal with vampire politics. Nicholas was that vampire. However, if he chose not to take over, Cain would have to consider commuting between Boston and the farm. It would not be too much of an inconvenience, if he needed to do so because of his mates. He would do anything to be certain they were content with their lives.
It was after midnight when Cain’s phone rang, waking him from a sound sleep. Having purchased a phone for Pebin, he was far from surprised to see that it was his sweet little mate. “Hello, Pebin. Do you miss me?”
“Yes, I do. Chance won’t let me paint our bedroom.”
Groaning, Cain sat up and turned on the light beside the bed. “What color are you trying to paint it?”
“Anything but white and navy blue. I was thinking yellow. I bought four cans and all the supplies.”
That wasn’t too bad. Cain could live with a yellow bedroom. “Is Chance nearby?”
“Yes, he has me pinned to the wall. Would you like to speak with him?”
Ignoring the need to hiss in anger, he tossed the covers back and swung his legs over the side of the bed.
“Cain?”
It was Chance’s voice.
“What’s going on, Chance?” Was this a sample of things to come?
“The twerp is trying to paint the bedroom a shade of yellow that’s brighter than the sun. It looks like what the county uses to paint lines on the roads.”
That was definitely not a color he could live with.
“Okay,” he said on a sigh. “Let me speak with our mate. Thank you, Chance. And please put Pebin down.”
There was a grumble of sound from the werewolf. At the moment, Cain could understand his frustration. Pebin’s voice reached his ear within a few seconds. “Yes, Cain?”
“You will have to change the color. A soft, buttery yellow will be fine. See if you can have the color adjusted. If not, we’ll donate the paint you’ve purchased. Okay?”
“Yes, Cain.”
“And you will discuss your choices with all of us, before anymore paint is purchased. Do you understand?” He hated to do it to the color-passionate creature, but Pebin wouldn’t be living alone in the house. “It’s our house,” he stressed as he continued. “We all need to be happy living there.”
“If you say so.” A petulant Pebin was easy to imagine pouting by Cain. “Good night, Cain.”
“Good night, sweetheart. Go to bed.”
With the crisis averted, Cain turned off the light and got back under the covers. There was a smile on his lips as he thought about his mates. Before he’d left the farm, Cain asked Larson and Chance if they would consider moving in with Pebin and him. Obviously, if Chance was there at this hour, they had accepted the invitation. Hopefully Chance wouldn’t move out because of tonight’s quarrel between Pebin and him.
He would call and speak with each of his mates on the morrow. Right now, all he wanted to do was get some sleep and dream about the future.
* * * *
Pebin opened the bathroom door and looked around. The coast was clear. There was no sign of either Chance or Larson yet. He giggled to himself as he clutched the box to his chest and hurried into the bedroom. There was a large room connected to the master bedroom. Pebin was keeping all of his most treasured possessions in the room. Cain had said it was a walk-in closet. All of Pebin’s clothes fit in three drawers and took up all of six hangers. Even the new clothes didn’t take up that much space.
After sliding the box onto a shelf above his head, Pebin left the closet and returned to the bathroom to admire his handiwork. He’d decided not to paint the bathroom immediately. The cream-colored walls, despite being boring, were a good background for him to work with. He could, and had, added some much-needed bling to the room.
Looking at the aquamarine cut crystals now affixed to the two large frames around the mirrors, Pebin felt pleasure fill him. A huge smile stretched his face. He was honored to make his home, and that of his mates, a beautiful place. Not only did it give him pride to do so, but happiness.
Pebin felt the rush of endorphins as he took one last look at the mirrors before he began undressing. It was time for a shower and then bed, for a few hours of sleep. He had worked hard all night and was ready for some rest. Chance and Larson would get up and go to work. Both of the men had moved into the house, but it seemed they had done so reluctantly. Pebin didn’t understand that, now that they’d accepted one another as mates. Of course, they hadn’t claimed each other yet, but he knew it was only a matter of time.
Turning on the shower with the push of a few buttons on the control pad, Pebin began to hum happily. As he did so his wings began to flutter. By the time the water was the perfect temperature, his feet were above the floor. He fl
ew into the stall and closed the door behind him. Then he flew around under the many heads protruding from the walls and the ceiling, laughing with delight as he did so.
After dispensing some liquid soap into the palm of his hand from the fancy gadget on the wall, he lathered up and sang until he zigged when he should have zagged and got a mouthful of water.
He spit it out and chuckled. Rinsing, he turned off the water and landed softly on the tiled floor. Pushing the door open, he stepped out and reached for a heated towel. His wings fluttered rapidly, until all of the droplets of water were gone. Then he tucked them away. A moan escaped his lips as he wrapped the towel around his body. It felt wonderful and helped him finally lose the last of the ache in his shoulders.
Pebin turned off the lights in the bathroom and headed into the bedroom. After climbing onto the huge bed, still wrapped in the towel, he turned out the light and snuggled down into the pillows. There was a smile on his lips and happiness flowing through his veins.
Sleep was almost upon him, when Pebin heard an angry voice shouting loudly enough for him to clearly hear. Sitting up, he listened. As he did so, the happiness ebbed away and he drooped.
“Do you see what the fuck he did to the bathroom? That crazy fairy put glitter on everything! And look at my fucking toothbrush! Who puts rhinestones on a toothbrush?”
Tears burned as they welled up in Pebin’s eyes. He sniffed and covered his face with his hands, as he felt his spirit being crushed by Chance’s hatefulness. He had been wrong. There wasn’t any possibility for the two of them to ever get along, let alone mate. Pebin wouldn’t let the werewolf get anywhere near him. If Cain and Larson wanted to mate with him, they could do so. But not Chance. Never.
