by Maggie Walsh
“So, your name is Clove, huh? You don’t seem so full of air and stuffy as the other one. Who are you and what’s your story?”
This time Clove just couldn’t hold it in and began to laugh as he stood and walked over to join them. “Yes, my name is Clove and I guess I’m not as stuffy as Destrain, because I’m not a king who’s responsible for thousands of others’ lives, so I can let loose sometimes and just enjoy life. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I was dead for a thousand years and have only recently been brought back to life,” he said with a shrug, waiting to see her reaction to his declaration.
After a moment of Dolly just staring at him, a smile broke across her lips and she started to laugh. “Well shit, coming back from the dead must be exhausting, no wonder you don’t look like you have a pole rammed up your ass. But I guess you would like that if you did, seeing as you’re mated to two men. Must make for a very interesting night in that big sack over there.”
“Mom!” Tobias whined loudly as he covered his face.
“What? Oh, come on my sweet boy, you know I love to tease. Besides, I would think you were used to it by now. You should be grateful that I accept you for who you are and embrace your gayness. Hell, when Tobias came out of the closet at thirteen, I went right down and joined PFLAG and now I’m the Regional Director for our area. Unlike that ungrateful asshole who fathered you.” She then whispered loudly to Clove. “Total dipshit,”
Right at that moment, a knock came from the door and Destrain called for whoever it was to come in. The doors opened, and a very unhappy looking Pelt came in, pushing a cart with silver domes.
“You can leave it right there, Pelt, thank you,” Destrain said as he nodded at his guard.
“Pelt? Your name is Pelt?” Dolly asked as she turned to face him and took a step in Pelt’s direction. She ran her hands down her sides seductively as she said in a husky voice, “I love pelts as you can see. I love to cover my body in them. Would you like to cover my body with your pelt, Pelt?”
Clove watched in amusement as all the color drained from the Griffion's face, his eyes filled with confusion and fear, and he looked like he was about to either faint, or bolt from the room.
“You’re dismissed, Pelt, thank you,” Destrain said, and Clove could hear the controlled humor in his voice.
Pelt turned and quickly ran from the room. Suddenly, a chuckling Aracas moved in front of the open doors, grabbed both knobs, then pulled back as he said, “He lost a bet.” Then he closed the door completely and they could hear his outburst of laughter, along with a few of the other guards.
Dolly turned to face them with a pout on her lips, but quickly shrugged her shoulders and replaced the pout with a smile. “Oh well, his loss.”
“I think he’s gay too, Mom,” Tobias said.
“Well hell, what is this town made of? All gay paranormals? How in the world is a woman like me supposed to get laid in a town full of beautiful gay boys?”
Clove wrapped his arms around his waist and doubled over laughing as Tobias groaned in embarrassment again, and Destrain stood stone still, looking like he had no idea how to reply.
Damn, this woman was going to bring so much joy and laughter to this house and this town. Clove had a feeling now Tobias was mated and would be settling down in Maddox, that Dolly wasn’t far behind in moving here too.
Once he controlled himself, Clove held out his elbow for Dolly to join him, then led her to the dining area over at the far side of the suite. He pulled out a chair for her, which got him some praise for his manners.
Destrain and Toby joined them and the four of them sat to eat as they explained everything to Dolly, from his and Destrain’s previous life together, to his death and new life, until they met Toby and went off to the pixie realm to mate. They also explained how in that realm time moved slower, as well as how they had just returned five minutes before she came in.
The information about the time difference seemed to freak her out more than anything else they had told her. Long after their meals were finished, and conversation had come to an end, they all stood as Dolly announced that now that she knew her baby boy was safe, she would be leaving.
“No, Mom, why don’t you stay for a few days? I haven’t seen you in months.”
“I know, sweetie, but you need to spend time with your mates and have a good old time getting to know each other. You don’t want your mother hanging around and getting in the way,” Dolly protested.
Clove moved in close and put on arm over her shoulder. “You would never be in the way, Dolly. You’re family now. We have plenty of room here for you to stay, so you can spend some time with Tobias and get to know us more,” Clove said, then noticed Destrain shoot him a murderous look.
Clove wanted to laugh but ignored his mate.
“Come on, I’ll grab your bags and show you to one of our guest rooms. You make yourself comfortable. Our home is yours,” Clove said as he turned her toward the door and lead her from the room, then called out over his shoulder, “Des, grab Dolly’s bag.”
Then Clove and Dolly both burst out laughing as he received a growl in response.
CHAPTER 10
Destrain banged his head on the table groaning, “I’m telling you, the lady is insane. Do you know she had my ballroom changed into an entertainment room? Yesterday I was looking for Norog to go over the guards’ schedules, because Pelt asked for a few days off. I found him, along with ten of my other men, in the damn room doing the chicken dance.”
Illan and Justice burst out laughing. Destrain looked at his friends in exasperation. “You know if I wanted to be laughed at, I would be home talking to Clove about this.”
“Oh, come on, Destrain, lighten up. She sounds like fun, and after everything we’ve all been through lately, laughter sounds really good about now,” Justice replied, setting a cup of tea in front of the pixie king.
“I’ve known you a long time, Des, and her outlandish ways are not the issue. So why not just tell us what’s really up,” Illan stated, sitting in the chair opposite Destrain.
Destrain pushed out his lower lip, muttering, “She doesn’t like me.”
“What?” Justice asked.
Destrain sat up straight, looked at Justice and said in a much louder tone, “She doesn’t like me. She loves Tobias.”
“He’s her son, Des. I would hope she loves him,” Illan stated.
Waving Illan’s reply away, Destrain said, “Yes, I realize that, but she also adores Clove, but when it comes to me, there’s nothing the woman likes. She keeps threatening to pull the stick out of my ass and beat me with it.” Destrain looked at Illan, “I do not have a stick up my ass. I cannot help how I speak, Illan. I have been speaking this way for over three thousand eight hundred and fifty years. It is how I was taught to speak when I was a child, by my birth father mind you. It is how a royal speaks, and damn it, I’m a royal and I would think she would respect at least that much.”
“Des, calm down,” Justice softly said.
“Calm down? My mate’s mother hates me. My mate loves his mother. What if…What if my mate starts hating me too? What then?” Des rattled on.
Illan laughed, saying, “You’re talking nonsense, Des. I don’t know him that well, but Tobias seems like a sweet young man, and from what Aracas has said, you three can’t keep your hands off each other.”
“Besides, you’re mates. Mates always come first. Tobias won’t choose anyone, not even his own mother, over his mates,” Justice stated.
“You know, it could be that Tobias’s mom is intimidated by you, Pop,” Avery said from the kitchen entrance.
Illan smiled. “Well, hey babe, I thought you had to work late tonight at the shelter. Not that I’m complaining.”
Avery went to Illan and kissed him, then did the same to Justice. “I finished early and wanted to get home to my mates.”
Justice asked, “Have you eaten?”
Shaking his head, Avery went to stand. “No, I’ll just make a sa
ndwich.”
Justice stopped Avery from getting up, saying, “You sit. I saved you some dinner just in case.”
Destrain watched as Justice got up and thought how happy he was that his son was gifted with such wonderful men. He and Avery had become close in the years since he learned of his existence, and even if they didn’t exactly have a father-son relationship like he had with Desdain, they were getting closer every day.
“Did you hear me at all, Pop?” Avery asked.
Realizing Avery must have been talking to him, Destrain focused on him. “I’m sorry, I was thinking about something else.”
“I was saying that it isn’t unheard of for in-laws to resent each other. Tobias is her only child and you took him from her,” Avery said just as Justice placed a plate of fried chicken with mashed potatoes and peas in front of him.
Smiling, Avery said, “This looks great, love. Thank you.”
Justice gave Avery another soft kiss, and sat as Avery dug in.
“That’s ridiculous. Clove is also mated to Tobias and like I said the woman loves him,” Destrain replied.
Avery nodded as he said around a mouthful, “Yes, but you are the king of the pixies.”
“So?” Destrain replied.
“It just kind of makes you more of a threat. Your people love and respect you. There is nothing that you can’t give Tobias. So what does that leave her to offer him? You fear that Tobias will start hating you because his mother does, what if she is afraid Tobias won’t need her anymore because of you?” Avery said taking another bite.
“That’s silly. Tobias is her son. Children always need a parent,” Destrain said with a shake of his head.
Justice looked at Destrain. “I remember being jealous of Day for a time.”
“You were? I didn’t know that. Why?” Illan asked in surprise.
“Because he was so focused on his mate, he stopped coming to see me for days at a time. We used to have lunch every Tuesday when he first returned to Crystal, and then suddenly I would go to the diner and he wouldn’t show. It was hurtful. Hell, I haven’t had lunch on Tuesday with my son since he and Day mated. I mean we see each other now, but still, I miss those lunches,” Justice stated.
“When humans find someone, it isn’t unusual for them to focus on each other for weeks, sometimes months, and forget about everyone around them. Now add in the fact that we are shifters and we find the other half to our soul. We want to spend every waking moment with them and fall asleep in their arms. Sometimes we forget about the outside world,” Avery replied.
“Have you talked to Ethan about this?” Illan asked.
Shaking his head, Justice replied, “No, I learned to accept the change in our relationship. Besides, I see him almost every day. It’s not lunch, but it’s still time with my son.”
“Well, I’ll just tell her I’m not trying to steal Tobias,” Destrain said standing up.
Avery laughed. “That won’t work. This is something she is going to have to figure out for herself, Pop. I suggest you spend some time with her and get to know each other. Let her see the kind of man you really are. Once she learns that you are a kind, caring, and loving man, she’ll come around.”
Destrain looked at Avery in horror. “Spend time with her? Like one on one time?”
Nodding, Avery said, “If you want her to start liking you, that’s the only way I can think of to make it happen. Besides, it has to hurt Tobias that you two can’t get along. If you don’t do it for yourself, you might want to do it for him.”
Destrain dropped back down in his seat and smacked his forehead on the table. “Well shit.”
* * * *
Tobias sat in the kitchen with Clove, moving his food around his plate, thinking about Destrain. His mate had looked so upset yesterday when he saw the entertainment room. Tobias had thought it was a good idea when he had put it together, but Destrain had taken one look and turned tail and ran.
“Toby, you need to eat,” Clove softly whispered.
Tobias sniffled, pushing his plate away. “I’m sorry Clover, I’m just not hungry. I’m worried about Dezzy. He really hated the entertainment room.”
“He didn’t hate it. He was just surprised,” Clove replied.
“I wanted it to be a surprise,” Tobias said sniffling once again.
Clove snorted, “Oh, it was a surprise alright. I had no idea your mother could dance, let alone the palace guards.”
Tobias wiped his eyes, muttering, “I didn’t do it for her. I did it for—"
Clove gently squeezed Tobias’s hand. “You did it for who?”
Shrugging, Tobias said, “The guards work so hard to keep everyone safe. They can’t always go to the club or into town, so I thought I could make a place they could go to relax and be comfortable in. Plus, it would help loosen them up a bit. Make them feel at home. When I talked to Rhys, he suggested the ballroom. No one uses it and it’s so big. I figured some pool tables, a bar, dancefloor, music, and a media room would be perfect. A space to call their own. Rhys helped me put it all together. I was just showing them the room when Mom came in and the chicken dance came on. One thing led to another and then Dezzy walked in. He looked horrified.”
“That was thoughtful and sweet, baby. Once you tell Destrain what you’ve just told me, I have no doubt he’ll love it as well,” Clove replied.
Shaking his head, Tobias replied, “No he won’t, and it doesn’t matter. I have Rhys coming by later to put everything back the way it was.”
“Toby, that’s ridiculous,” Clove said.
Standing, Tobias rasped, “What’s ridiculous is me thinking I was king mating material. I love you both, Clover, but Destrain isn’t happy. He hates what I did to his ballroom, I don’t act like a king’s consort should, and he doesn’t like my mom. Not that I blame him, she hasn’t been the nicest to him. I just don’t belong here.”
Clove stood up and took Tobias in his arms, then lightly shook him. “Don’t you dare say that. You most certainly do belong here, Tobias Quincy Walker. You are our mate and that means fate said you are ours. I love you and I know Destrain does too. There is nothing going on here that can’t be fixed. Now I know your mother is a bit—”
“Crazy?” Tobias added.
Clove laughed. “I was going to say different, maybe eccentric, but Toby, she is amazing the way she is. She brings life into this big, stuffy place. I have seen more smiles and laughter in our home since she barreled into it. We need her here as much as she needs to be here, and trust me, she needs to be here.”
“What do you mean? She has a home,” Tobias said in confusion.
“Toby, your mother may have a house, but without you in it, she has no home. She needs to be near her son,” Clove stated.
Shaking his head, Tobias, said, “No way, Clover. There is no way Dezzy will go for Mom moving in here permanently. You know it and I know it. It’s only been two days and he’s already run away from home.”
“He didn’t run away, he needed to talk to Illan about a few things, and when he comes home we will sit and talk about your mother moving here permanently. Des will want exactly what I want and that is for you to be happy,” Clove stated, leaning in and softly kissing Tobias.
Tobias shook his head. “I want Dezzy to be as happy as he wants me to be, Clover. I just don’t know how to make that happen. Mom takes a lot of getting used to. I love her dearly, but I’m not delusional either. She is colorful, opinionated, has no mouth-to-brain filter and just says whatever pops into her head, and she’s protective as hell when it comes to the people she loves and cares for.”
“Sounds to me as if the apple didn’t fall far from the tree,” Clove replied with a wide smile.
Tobias rolled his eyes. “Clover stop messing around, this is important.”
Clove let out a deep breath, saying, “Toby, you need to calm yourself. All your mother and Des need is to get to know each other. Once your mother sees that Des is not a huge stick in the mud, but a loving and caring man fo
r us, as well as his people, she will love him as much as we do. And once Des realizes how much life Dolly brings to the people around her and how happy you are to have her here with us, he will come around as well.”
Tobias was still skeptical but could see how much Clove believed what he was saying. Giving a small nod, Tobias replied, “Okay, how do we make that happen?”
Clove rolled his eyes, saying, “Time, Toby. All you need to give them is time.”
Shaking his head, Tobias quickly replied, “We don’t have time, Clover. Mom is talking about leaving and Dezzy is starting to leave our home just to get away from her. Whatever is going to happen, needs to happen now.”
Clove was thoughtful for a moment then a wicked smile came to his face. “I have a plan. It’s going to take some help from the king’s guard, Desdain, and Rhys. Come to think of it, we might need Dain and his mates as well.”
Tobias gasped, “Why? What’s your plan?”
Giving a sly sexy smile that sent shivers of need down Tobias’s spine, Clove replied, “Just wait and see, Toby. Des and your mother will not see it coming at all.”
CHAPTER 11
Clove looked at the monitor, asking, “Aracas, are you sure we have all the angles covered? I want to make sure now in case things go south.”
“Destrain would never harm a woman, Clove,” Aracas replied.
“Not Des, you butt head—Dolly,” Clove stated in frustration.
“Clove’s right. That woman isn’t functioning on all cylinders. I’m not exactly comfortable leaving our king alone with her,” Pelt said, as he walked in the room.
Aracas laughed. “You’re calling dibs, Pelt?”
Pelt’s eyes widened. “Most certainly not. I’m just saying she is a bit—off.”
Tobias walked into the room, asking, “Who’s off? Oh hi, Pelt. I thought Dezzy said you were taking a few days off?”
Pelt looked at Clove nervously, but Clove only raised his brow. Pelt turned back to Tobias, “Um—well um—I—”
