Breaking the Ice

by B. A. Tortuga

  He climbed up to their home, needing his raven to come in, settle, let him hold on.

  The bathroom was his first stop so he could get the hot water going. It was far warmer in the house.

  He looked around, smiling at the way his Kell had made his house into a home.

  “Where are you, love? I have the shower all heated.”

  “They burned her house. They were going to burn us to death.”

  “Come here? I’m waiting for you.” He needed Kell with him, and he knew they could ride it out together.

  Kell flew in through the window, fluttering wildly.

  “That’s it, baby. Come get warm and clean with me.”

  Kell shook off his feathers, then stood there, filthy and blistered, staring at him.

  “Oh love. Come here.” He held out one hand, changing the water to lukewarm with the other.

  “Uh-huh.” Kell took his hand and stepped into the water with a soft little sob.

  Liam drew him in, hugging him tight. “You were so brave.”

  “Was I? I didn’t feel brave. I feel guilty.”

  “I’m sorry. I know they’re your friends. We’ll help her rebuild. I swear.” Liam didn’t know what else to say.

  “No. No, we’ll stay here. We’re safe here.”

  “Shhh. You’re safe now. I promise.” He rubbed Kell’s back. Their side of the veil was safer in general. He would bet Jaymi would bounce back faster than his lover. Angie had her and the pup, and they would welcome her in.

  “Kiss me?” Kell tilted his face up, and Liam gave what he was asked for, kissing Kell, letting out all his fear and stress. His brave bird—Kell could have flown away at any point, but he had chosen to stay and help.

  He stroked the water gently over Kell’s body, watching blisters wash away. They healed faster when they were well fed and healthy.

  “Love.” Kell clung to him, breathing hard. “Goddess, I was so scared.”

  “You were amazing. So amazing.”

  “I just wanted to take Sadie home.”

  “Of course you did. How did you find her?”

  “She found us. Jaymi said the wolves chased her, and she was at the base of our tree. She was lost for a bit.” Kell sniffed. “Poor baby.”

  “You know Angie’s plying her with baked dog treats now.”

  “Yeah. She’s a hoot. Crazy little dog. She found me, though.” Kell took a deep breath. “We’re okay? You’re all right?”

  “We’re so all right. I love you.” He was just so happy Kell was okay. They had a lot to talk about. With everyone. But none of it was bad, really.

  They had a home, and it was safe and whole, the bunch of them a community that belonged together.

  He rocked Kell under the hot water, their bodies pressed together. Alive. Here and now. He wanted his bird with him, focused on how lucky they were.

  Kell begged another kiss, so Liam gave it. And another.

  Finally his bird dragged him out of the water and toward their bed, both of them still dripping. He grabbed a towel on the way. Hurrying to bed was romantic, but damp sheets weren’t.

  Liam rubbed Kell dry, loving the thick, raven black hair. He couldn’t get enough of this man.

  Kell wriggled and hummed softly. “Tell me you’re going to love on me.”

  “I am. For hours, if that’s what we need.” He rubbed that hair dry, knowing he would get to brush it later.

  “It’s what I need. I was scared, lion. Scared I was going to burn.”

  “Shh. You’re here with me.” Liam laid Kell out on the bed, stroking one hand down his chest and belly. “I came. You called and I came.”

  “You did.” Kell reached up to touch his cheek, and the caress made his eyes cross.

  He swooped down and took Kell’s lips, kissing him good and hard. Kell moaned, wrapping those long arms around him, and he loved that, the way Kell clung to him, held him like he was the center of the earth.

  They rocked together, and he knew this was gonna be fast and hard and messy. They were celebrating the simple fact that they had survived, together.

  Pressing down, Liam let Kell feel how hard he was, how his need was raging now. Kell wrapped those lean legs around his waist, exposing his hole, his sweet ass, ready for his cock.

  “Oh.” Liam groaned, wanting in. Wet. He needed to get Kell slick.

  “Yes. Now. I need you, huh?”

  “Uh-huh.” He used spit. They were both still damp, so spit would ease the way just enough.

  “I’m made for you. Don’t worry. Just take me and prove we’re home.”

  He slicked himself up, taking Kell at his word. Someone needed it rough and ready. Now. It made him feel a thousand feet tall and bulletproof.

  Liam slid his cock right up against Kell’s hole. Then he began to push in. The tiny ring of muscles fought him, but not for long, and he grunted as the tightness scraped his dick.

  They stopped for a moment, breathing together, fighting their bodies. Then Liam moved, in and out.

  “Love.” Kell gasped, squeezed tight, then relaxed around him.

  “Yes. That’s it, baby. Hot. So good.”

  Kell’s black button eyes stared into him, lips parted as he panted. So damn pretty. So perfect. His mate. Who had sent for him, all the way through the veil.

  He pushed in deeper, then eased back, rocking gently. He’d never known anyone who called so loud. It was music to his ears because Liam knew the sounds were only for him.

  “More. More, lion. I need you.”

  “Yes. God, yes.” He was as hard as he’d ever been his balls heavy and full. He grabbed Kell’s cock, pumping the long cock hard and fast, demanding his mate’s need.

  Kell keened, his mouth open as he panted.

  “That’s right. Come for me. I need to see.” He rubbed his thumb over the slit, pushing hard enough to sting.

  Arching up, eyes wide, Kell did just that, giving him heat and seed and love. The tight ass milked his cock, pulling him in deeper.

  Liam grunted, sawing back and forth until he came hard, shouting Kell’s name. He held his bird, staying wrapped around him as they flew.

  They collapsed together, and if there were a few tears, well, who was going to say anything.

  “We’re home,” Kell whispered. “We’re home.”

  “For good, hmm?” He was going to talk to Martin about a co-op of sorts, where only one or two of them had to cross to get supplies…

  “Yes. For good. I waited for you too long to lose you again.”

  “Mmm. Losing. Now we’re even, huh? You found me, and I found you.”

  “Yes. Yes, you saved me.”

  “You were pretty self-save-y.” Liam winked. “Damn, I hope we ran them off for good. They were thinking Mai and Ash and Hali were all there were, I bet. They weren’t counting on bears and mountain lions.”

  “They didn’t even talk. It was like they were… rabid.”

  “Just frustrated, love. Just wanting to do as they were told so they could go home. It’s hell, being the bachelor male, from what Mai says.”

  “Sounds like pack life is hellish, mate,” Kell agreed with a sad little sigh. “At least that pack. Ours is not bad.”

  “Ours rocks.” Liam snort-chuckled a little. “Even if Mai thinks he’s the alpha when we all know that’s Nathan. Big old bear.”

  “Yes. He’s sort of amazing. Us? We’ll just be the happy lovers in our tree. We can be the busybodies.” Kell rubbed their noses together. “Love you, old man.”

  “I love you too, baby. And I intend to laze in that big chair thing. You and the jay can be busy.” He winked. Then gathered Kell to him when his expression went sad. “Tomorrow we start to help her too. I promise, baby.”

  “Yes. I’m so sorry. I was trying to do the right thing.”

  “I bet that house isn’t as important as the dog.” He knew birds liked their things, but if a shifter bonded with a pet, they took it very seriously. “Anyway, we can build her something amazing.”<
br />
  “Yes. A nest of her own. Here. Where she can be safe with Sadie.”

  “Yes. It’s harder there, even without wolves.” Lonelier.

  “She can fly here.”

  Yes, there were a number of the littler birds that lived a quiet life here. Hopefully she would be willing to stay.

  He hugged Kell tight. “You’re my favorite bird brain, though.”

  “I’m yours. That’s enough.”

  Enough. He snorted softly. “That’s everything.”

  Chapter 13

  Kell headed to Angela’s, hat literally in hand, a kettle of soup in the other hand. Liam was on his way; he just had to go find Martin.

  Sadie met him, barking happily.

  “Hey, friend basset! I see you. You look better today already.”

  Sadie spun around, bouncing and calling for her momma. Jaymi and Angela met them at the door, Jaymi wearing a warm heavy, bear-sized sweater.

  “Hey, honey.” He teared up a little, but she just grabbed him and hugged him hard.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay,” she said.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “For what? You didn’t bring them. The wolves—” She looked over to Angie, who was rescuing the soup.

  “Mai, Ash, and Hali, honey.”

  “Yes. The nice wolves. They came to explain. They brought me socks and a coat. People have been so kind, especially Angela. She’s amazing.”

  “Is there anything you need me to try to get from the house?”

  She shook her head firmly. “I don’t need anything bad enough to risk anyone. I have to admit, most of my stuff was lost years ago when I had to move to Glenwood Springs.” She made a face. “Bad breakup. Sadie is the important thing in my life.”

  Kell sagged a little in relief. “We’ll help.”

  “Angela is letting me stay here for now. For the winter. I’m a great baker. I’m going to help out with the pastries.”

  “Oh!” He clapped his hands, making Sadie leap at him. “Maybe it was meant to be.”

  “Maybe!” Angela smiled at them. “Nathan is bringing a load of clothes and such.”

  A flutter of huge wings sounded at Angela’s window, and she frowned before grinning and going to open it. “Mother Owl! Let me get you a robe.”

  Mother Owl settled on the windowsill, blinking at them.

  Jaymi shivered, nodding to Mother, and Kell wrapped one arm around her. “She’s not hunting you, lady. She’s fierce, but you’re not in her sights.”

  “Okay. She’s beautiful.”

  Mother Owl inclined her head, then hopped off the sill as Angela held open a robe, becoming her wizened old human self like that professor witch in Harry Potter.

  “Welcome to Glen Wood, child.”

  “Thank you. I’m sorry to burst in on you.”

  Mother laughed softly. “Nonsense. You’re well come and well met. Come, let’s go in and have some tea and you can tell me everything about yourself and your sweet pup.”

  Sadie was staring at Mother like she was a little frozen. Kell laughed. “Are we well, Mother? Is the veil safe?”

  “It’s closed on the other side for predators, Kell. We have all we can support. They can’t get through. They don’t belong here.”

  Kell breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, I’m glad Jaymi was able to get over here. She needs to be safe.”

  Sadie howled at him, and he crouched down to love on her. “Hey, you little nutter. What’s up?”

  She swacked him with one paw, and he was so glad to have his friend, which made him selfish, he supposed, but he really thought it was meant to be. Jaymi needed to be on this side.

  This was safe. Home. “You’ll like it over here. There’s so many places to run.”

  “I can’t wait. I worried so badly about Sadie.”

  “I swear, I didn’t know they would come. I swear to you.” He felt so bad, and he wanted to beg forgiveness.

  “I know. You didn’t even know I had feathers, Kell.”

  “No. You must have known about me or you would have chased me off.”

  “I did. You seemed so scared, so frantic, but you were kind to Sadie, so I knew.”

  “My mate was missing.” He looked out the window. Then Angie handed him a coffee.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Relax, raven. She’s safe, and she has a den with me.” Angela looked Jaymi over, dark eyes warm.

  “You’re—” Whoa. “Very kind.”

  Mother Owl winked at her, her eyes dancing,

  He almost danced. Look at that. The door jingled, Liam coming in with Martin.

  “Hey, Ang. Mother!” Liam kissed him, then went to give hugs. “Jaymi. Thank you for saving my bird.”

  “Anytime. He’s very kind, polite. A little loud, but that’s to be expected.”

  “Hey!” he gronked. He wasn’t that loud.

  They all laughed and Sadie barked, making Martin jump. Jaymi reached out to him, hugging him. “Thank you for helping us yesterday.”

  “You’re my family. This is my home. Our home.” Martin hugged her back.

  “Thank you.” Jaymi beamed at all of them, and Kell knew it was going to be okay.

  Well, that could be Liam’s arm around him.

  He offered Liam a sip of his coffee, and Liam kissed him again. “Feel better, love?” One golden eyebrow winged up, Liam worrying gently about him.

  “I do. She seems happier than I’d expect.” Jaymi was somehow settled. Maybe it was shock; maybe she was just unhappy on the other side.

  One way or the other, this was a momentous change. “I think Angie likes her.”

  Liam blinked. “Likes her?”

  Mm-hmm… It wasn’t like there was a horny girl bear looking to come onto Angie, was there? Maybe they all heard the call of their mates across the divide. Maybe that’s what drew them to love near the veil.

  Whatever it was, they were here, home, and where they belonged.

  That was enough to keep him happy the rest of his life.

  Epilogue

  Christmas music was playing. The smell of mulled cider filled the air. Kell was… fluttering because their friends would arrive soon.

  He’d even made a special ladder/ramp for Sadie the dog.

  Liam had removed himself to his papasan, cleaning his paws. Bird brain. You’re going to start losing feathers. You know all these people.

  “I know! But this is our first time hosting the holiday party!”

  Mmm. I’ll be good, I swear. He wondered if there was time for some grooming. He thought not.

  Kell fluttered over. “You’re going to have to get dressed soon. I got you a Christmas sweater.”

  Did you? Is it soft? He didn’t care if it was awful as long as it didn’t itch. He licked Kell’s wrist.

  “Of course. No itches for you, lion.” Kell came to snuggle, just for a second, fingers digging into his ruff.

  Thank you, lovely. They had set up a buddy system to cross the veil, no one going alone. Christmas sweaters must be worth it. Then again, maybe Hali had made it.

  It didn’t matter. What mattered was they were home, happy, and all their friends were coming to visit and celebrate.

  Liam stretched. I’ll go get dressed, love. I was just teasing you, since you’ve been so worried they’ll hate everything.

  “Tease.” Kell pulled his tail.

  He showed his teeth a tiny bit, but he would never bite, would never hurt Kell again. Never.

  “Later, lion. You can nibble tonight to your heart’s content.”

  I can. I will. After nibbles with friends. Everything smelled amazing, from meat for their carnivore friends, to spinach puffs for Martin.

  Yes, mate. After. Now, go get jolly, dammit.

  Liam laughed, heading for their bedroom to change into… the most godawful sweater he’d ever seen. But soft. So soft. Kell was bossy, had terrible taste in clothes, and would keep him on his toes.

  He would also take better care of Liam an
d their friends than any of them deserved.

  He couldn’t think of a better gift in life than that.

  End

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  About BA

  Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy's Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds, getting tattooed, texting her grandbabies, and eating Mexican food. When she's not doing that, she's writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. BA's personal saviors include her wife, Julia Talbot, her best friends, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.

  Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has heard the call of the high desert and lives in the Sandias. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery ménages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.

  BA loves to talk to her readers and can be found at http://batortuga.com/.

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