“Should he have?” Caleb asked. “As far as I’m aware, he never had any treasure when he came to live with Valerie. And he’s over forty, so it’s not as if he’s waiting to come of age, is it?”
“Most dragons have treasure. All the ones I’ve heard of anyway.” She rolled her eyes. “My father knows all about dragons. Partly because the fae are notoriously afraid of them and also because he’d love to find some treasure. It would solve all of our issues.”
“Wait, back up a little. Your people are afraid of dragons?”
This is news, his bear sat up on his haunches and listened intently.
“Yes.” She wagged her finger at Caleb. “Although you never heard it from me.”
“I always thought they just didn’t like them. In the same way they don’t like any shifters.” Caleb handed over the second pillow to Elise, unaware he’d been screwing the corners up in his hands.
“Okay.” She plopped down on the bed and patted the mattress next to her. “Since we’re mates, and you’re going to promise not to repeat this to anyone...” She opened her eyes wide and inclined her head toward him. “Aren’t you?”
“Oh.” He nodded. “I promise. Although, I usually tell Aiden everything.”
“This is between you and me.” She pointed at him and then at herself.
“Okay.” It felt weird promising to keep a secret to himself and not tell Aiden. But he wanted to know the fae secret since it concerned Ivan.
And possibly Ivan’s treasure, his bear reminded him.
“So, my people dislike shifters because they are a little jealous of them.” She held up her thumb and forefinger.
“Jealous?”
“You are part man, part bear. Two halves of a whole.” She threaded her fingers together and made a fist. “The fae feel their connections to the land, to the forest, and all that dwell there. It’s why the wildwood is so sacred to us.”
“I get that. Flora was always going on about how the wildwood was her most favorite place in the world.”
“In any world.” Elise put her hands on her knees and inhaled deeply. “Fae see themselves as having that connection and yet it is the shifters who have a real connection to...” She held out her hands. “Everything.”
“I don’t understand,” Caleb said. “You have magic.”
“We do. We have learned to tap into magic and to forage in the wildwood for fruits and plants that amplify that magic. But shifters... You have enhanced senses. You have a deep magic that dwells within you. A way to connect with a primal place where another part of you lives.”
“I never thought of it like that.” Caleb put his hand on his stomach, as if he could feel his bear as a part of him. “I didn’t know that’s what the fae thought.”
“Most of them don’t.” Her lips twitched at his confusion. “Not anymore. My Grandma Hannah told me all this. She said that the prejudice is so old that most fae don’t even remember why they don’t like shifters. In place of the real reasons, they’ve made up new excuses.”
“They think we’re beneath you because we shift into an animal. But really they are jealous that we have the ability.” Caleb’s brows furrowed together. “That’s crazy.”
“I know. The other crazy thing is that shifters seem to sense this mix-up in the fae which is why they distrust them.” She tilted her head to one side as his eyes widened.
“That’s messed up but probably true.” He flopped down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. “I would like to meet your grandma.”
“Okay.” Elise lay down next to him.
Caleb shifted his weight and leaned on his elbow to stare down at her. “You mean I can actually meet her?”
“Yes. If you want to meet my family, let’s start with my Grandma Hannah. She lives on the edge of the wildwood. In a little cabin. Most people call her a witch since she has mastered more magic than most other fae ever do.”
“When?” Caleb asked.
“Soon.” She lowered herself up to a sitting position. “As soon as we have the house straight and I’m settled at work.”
“What else do we need to do with the house?” Caleb asked.
“You are eager.” She left the bedroom and went downstairs. “Karros.”
“In here.” Karros seemed filled with sorrow as she entered the living room where he was going through family photographs.
“Are you okay?” She sat down next to him on the sofa that had once belonged to Valerie. It was faded but clean and still comfortable.
Caleb touched his fingertips to the fabric. He and his brothers used to sit on the sofa and watch TV on the few days when they couldn’t go outside and play. Usually when it rained, and Valerie banned them from going outside and getting wet. She hadn’t wanted them to catch a chill and come home dripping like a pack of wet dogs.
“I’m fine.” He ran his fingers over a photograph. “Do you remember this?”
“It’s you and me and Mom and Dad. It’s the first time Dad took us hunting in the wildwood. He gave us each a bow and quiver of arrows.” She passed the photograph to Caleb.
He took it and stared at the happy faces of the two children in the picture before he studied the proud expression of their father, who stood with his arm around their mother. It was the perfect family photograph.
“You look so happy.”
“It was before my father...” Karros didn’t continue but Caleb glanced at Elise for an explanation.
“It was before our father invested in a friend’s company that lost all of its money. That’s when our fortunes changed, and he became obsessed with Karros and me marrying into money.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. “Have we let him down?”
“No.” Karros slipped his arm around her shoulders. “You have a mate and that proves you were right to come here. As for me... I’ve been sitting here staring at that photo and the one thing I realized was that fate sent me a message when Flora met Aiden. That wasn’t my path.”
“What is your path?” Elise asked.
“I have no idea.” He gave a hollow laugh. “But I’m hoping I’ll know it when I see it, just like you knew Caleb was your mate when you saw him.”
“I think you’ll do all right, Karros.” Caleb handed the photograph back to him. “I’m glad you’re a part of my family now. And if you need any help with the yard, just give me a shout. I’ll help all I can.”
“Thanks.” Karros stood up and crossed the room, placing the photograph down on the sideboard they had positioned along the wall in the living room. “I might take you up on your offer. I have no idea where to buy plants from, let alone all the tools I’ll need.”
“Aiden and I probably have the tools you need. Tomorrow, while Elise is at the hotel, you could come and take a look. We have a small warehouse on the edge of town where we keep our tools. You’re welcome to use anything as long as we don’t need it.” He stood up. “I should get going and let you two get settled. I have an early start tomorrow, but I’ll try to pop by the hotel and check up on you, Elise.”
“Don’t worry if you’re busy. I’ll be fine. And I don’t want Ivan to feel pressure from you being there. I can look after myself.” Elise got up and followed him to the front door.
“Call me if you need me.” He opened the door and stepped outside. Elise followed, walking him to his truck.
“What an incredible night.” She stared up at the huge moon that hung over the bay.
“A wishing moon.” He looked down at her, the moon reflected in her eyes as she stared at it. “Perhaps tomorrow we could go make a wish.”
She switched her attention to him and stood on tiptoes as she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. “I already have.”
Before he could answer, she spun around and ran lightly back to the house. With one last look at him, she waved then closed the door, leaving him moonstruck.
Chapter Eleven – Elise
“Are you sure you don’t mind me taking the car?” Elise gulped down the cup of coffee Karr
os had poured her and bit into the piece of toast he’d insisted she ate before she left for the hotel.
“I’m sure. I have plenty to do around here until you get back later.” He came closer, leaning against the counter next to her. “You’re doing it, Elise. You’re going out there and making your dreams come true.”
“I wish it didn’t feel so horrible.” She placed her hand on her stomach as it gurgled loudly. “I’m going to put people off their breakfast.”
“You’ll be fine once you get into it. It’s always nerve-racking when you start something new.” He sighed and folded his arms across his body. “Or end something old.”
“You mean your love for Flora?” She took another bite of toast and ignored her stomach as it rolled over.
“I don’t think my love for Flora has ended. Only my hope that we’ll one day be together.” His mouth turned down at the corners. “I lay awake last night going over it all. I couldn’t sleep thinking of how she’s better off with Aiden. He’ll make her happier than I ever could because they are meant to be together.”
“And you’re going to be okay with that?”
“Yes.” He shrugged. “I have no choice, do I?”
“No, I don’t suppose you do. A mate is for life. Barring some kind of tragic accident, and I know you wouldn’t ever wish that on anyone, Flora is going to marry Aiden and raise a family with him.” She forced the last of the toast into her mouth, and then washed it down with the remains of her coffee. “And now you’ve realized that you’re ready to move on and find the love of your life.”
She jabbed her finger into his shoulder as she placed her cup on the counter. It was time to leave. She didn’t want to be late for her first shift at the hotel and even though the journey to town was straightforward, last night she’d dreamt she’d gotten lost on the way and ended up back in the fae realm.
“Maybe. But I’ve decided to take a leaf out of your book.”
“You have?” Elise asked suspiciously as she gathered up her purse and the keys to her brother’s car.
“Yes. I need to figure out what I’m going to do with my life. Your passion is cooking, mine is yardwork. So, I’m thinking, once I have finished the yard here, I’m going to start a business.”
“Wow.” She blew out a long breath. “Here in Wishing Moon Bay?”
“Yeah.” He nodded slowly. “If this is where you are and hopefully, my nieces and nephews are, then this is where I want to be.”
“No pressure on me to have kids then?” She smoothed her hands over her hair which she’d pulled back in a tight ponytail.
“You have a mate, you have always wanted children, unless there’s some reason you can’t have children, why would you deny yourself?” Karros paused. “And deny Caleb.”
“I am not getting into this right now.” Elise headed for the door. “I need to focus on my job.”
“I’m sorry.” Karros followed her to the door. “I shouldn’t have brought it up this morning. I just want you to be happy.”
“I know.” She turned around to face him, her eyes misted with tears. “And I want the same for you.”
“We’re quite the dysfunctional pair, aren’t we?” He brushed a stray strand of hair back from her face. “Good luck.”
“Have a good morning, Karros. I’ll see you later.” She backed away from him before swinging around and hurrying to the car.
As she drove to town, she focused on letting go of all the tension in her body. She could do this, she had the experience and the expertise. Sure, she might make mistakes, but nothing too serious. It was breakfast.
“Only breakfast.”
Wishing Moon Bay was quiet as she drove along the beachfront and then turned toward the hotel. She could have taken a quicker route and avoided the ocean front but the view of the early morning rays sparkling off the waves as the sun rose above the mountains was worth it.
She loved the fae realm, but this town was just as beautiful in so many ways.
Perhaps her love for the town was enhanced by her feelings for a certain bear shifter. Caleb had touched her life and her heart. Even though they’d only met yesterday, she hated the idea of losing him, of him not being a part of her life.
Parking the car outside the hotel, she checked her reflection in the rearview mirror and smoothed her hair back over her head before pulling her ponytail tighter. Time to go inside.
She opened the car door and got out, breathing in the cold morning air as she turned her face to the sun. Its weak rays held the promise of a beautiful day. By the time the breakfast shift was over, the air would be warm and the light bright.
Elise loved this time of day when there was so much promise in the air.
She leaned into the car and grabbed her purse before heading around the side of the hotel to the door leading into the kitchen. Or maybe she was expected to go through the reception area. Straightening her back, she kept her composure, her ponytail swinging as she reached the kitchen door, which stood open.
“Ah, you’re here.” Ivan was mixing a big bowl of batter. “I wondered if you might have changed your mind.”
“Why would I?” Elise asked.
“I thought you might have had second thoughts about working with a dragon shifter.” His eyes glinted as he went back to stirring the batter.
“I’m here to prove that dragon shifters and fae can get along.” She looked around. “Is there somewhere I can put my purse?”
“Sure, if you go through that door there, there are a bunch of lockers. Pick one and put your stuff in there.” He watched her as she obeyed his instructions, while also whisking the batter smooth.
Elise put her belongings in a locker and closed the door. Before she went back into the kitchen, she washed her hands thoroughly. Good hygiene was as important as good food, one of her cooking teachers had told her.
“I’m ready. What do you want me to do?” Elise noted there were a couple of servers who were drifting in and out of the kitchen through the door that connected to the dining area of the restaurant. They were busy preparing the tables for breakfast, placing pitchers of orange juice on a long buffet table, along with butter and various jams and honey.
They were also taking a good deal of notice of Elise.
“Can you make a fresh pot of coffee?” Ivan asked.
“Coffee?” She nodded as she spotted the coffee pot on the counter. “Sure.”
Coffee wasn’t exactly what she’d expected to make on her first day. However, one of the other rules she’d learned was that if you wanted to make a good impression, you did as the chef told you. No arguments.
Chefs could be temperamental at times, their kitchen was their domain.
A dragon’s domain. At least it beat being in a dragon’s lair.
“Coffee.” She held up the refilled coffee pot. “Do you want a cup?”
“Yes, please.” Ivan put a ladle into the batter mixture and lifted it, letting the liquid pour off with a grunt of satisfaction. “Can you cook the pancakes?”
“Sure.” She handed him a cup of coffee, which he sniffed before taking a sip.
“This is good.” Ivan eyed her over the rim of the cup. “You know I only hired you because of Caleb.”
She nodded. “I do. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to work really hard. I’ll prove to you I’m worthy.”
“You’d better. This is my kitchen and I have a reputation I treasure.” Ivan was deadly serious.
“I understand that. It’s the reason I wanted to come and work here with you. Even in the fae realm, your skills are admired. And my people are not good at admiring anyone outside of the realm.”
“Especially not a dragon shifter.” He arched an eyebrow.
“Here’s the thing, I don’t think they know you’re a dragon shifter. I didn’t until yesterday.” Elise set her coffee cup down on the counter. “But even if I did, I don’t share their views on dragon shifters.”
“What view is that?” Ivan asked coolly.
Damn
it, had she fallen into a trap? Was there any right way to answer this without upsetting her new boss?
“Why don’t I get started on those pancakes?” She went to the stove and heated the griddle.
“You avoided the question.” Ivan carried the bowl of batter over and placed it down next to her.
“I believe that it’s better to avoid a question if it also avoids disruption at work. We have guests to feed.” She half-turned to meet his eye.
Ivan held her gaze for a long moment, but she didn’t flinch or look away. “I think we’re going to get along just fine, Elise.”
She let out a long breath. “I really hope so, chef. It really does mean a lot to me that I’ve been given this chance.”
“I believe you.” His eyes glinted as he watched her ladle just the right amount of batter onto the griddle. “Although, I would like to know more about what your people think about dragon shifters.”
“Outside of work hours.” She pressed her lips together. “I’ll happily tell you everything I know about your people.”
“My people.” Ivan sucked in a long breath.
“I mean... I know that Valerie’s adopted you and that she’s your mom.” Her cheeks turned pink and not just from the heat of the sizzling pancakes. “But the dragons that live across the water are your people the same as the fae are my people even though I don’t live there.”
“I suppose I’ve never really thought about it like that.” He stared down at the stove as she flipped a pancake.
“I hope I haven’t upset you.” Great, she’d sidestepped one conversational landmine only to jump into another one with both feet.
“No.” He frowned. “I’ve never really been interested in the dragons on dragon isle. My life is here. My family is here. But they are part of me, and I’d like to know more about them and their interaction with the world.”
“You should talk to my grandmother. She lives on the edge of the wildwood and she knows everything.” Elise chuckled. “Nothing passes her by. She talks to everyone she meets and then stores little snippets of information in her head that she adds to other pieces of information she learns from books.”
Fae-ted to the Bear: A Wishing Moon Bay Shifter Romance (The Bond of Brothers Book 4) Page 8
