Chapter 4: Page 5

Dewi knocked on Neak’s door, his empty bowl of ice cream in his hand. He hadn’t seen her for two days and he already missed her. Yes, he had been talking to her through her door the last two nights, but it wasn’t the same as seeing her. She brought a certain energy into the pub, making everyone feel welcome and yet taking none of their shit.

And he loved her smart mouth.

“Neak, you there?”

“Where else would I be,” she grumbled as she approached the door. “What can I not do for you, Dewi?”

He snorted. “Funny.”

“I thought so. A Nymph’s gotta keep up her sense of humor.”

“Would you like a bowl of ice cream?”

Neak leaned her back against the door and crossed her arms over her chest. “What I want is to leave my room and get the damn ice cream myself.”

“I know, baby, but how often do you get room service?”

“Each day that I’ve been stuck up here. And did you just call me baby?”

Dewi blinked. Had he? If he had, it just slipped out without thought. “No?”

“Ha!” She turned and pressed her cheek against the door. “You’re a funny Lobo.”

He closed his eyes as the scent of her pollen filtered underneath the door and teased him. He bit his tongue to keep from whining. He could smell her desperate need. “Glad I could make you laugh.”

The Dew Drops flew out of Sabelle’s room and Romie started teasing him, making kissey faces. He narrowed his eyes at the Fairy, but it didn’t faze him in the least. Romie continued his antics, placing the back of his hand against his forehead and pretending to faint. He then went on all fours and scratched at his ear with his back foot, mimicking Dewi in his wolf form. The Lobo made a grab for Romie, but he flew out of reach and continued his teasing.

“Dewi, is everything okay?”

“Romie is about to be eaten.”

“You have to catch me first, Lobo!” Romie blew a raspberry at Dewi.

“What’s he doing? Where’s Milmar?”

“Milmar is sitting on the light fixture by your door and Romie has a death wish.” He grabbed for the Fairy again, but missed. “Would you two go away? Go play with Sabelle.”

“Oben’s putting her down for a nap.” Romie turned around and wiggled his butt at the Lobo.

“Milmar, take your hubby before I sic the Cat on him, or maybe one of the Birds.”

“Come on, Romie.” Milmar flew off the light fixture and grabbed his hubby’s arm, growing tired of the teasing as well. “Let’s go play with Oakie.”

“But this is fun.”

Milmar tugged Romie’s arm. “Do you want me to kiss you or not?”

Romie took Milmar’s hand and pulled him out of the Tree.

“What was that about?” Neak asked, kicking at the floor, angry that she couldn’t have witnessed the antics between the Fairies and the Lobo.

“Romie was causing mischief. Though…”

“Though?” Neak pressed against the door again, thoughts of inviting Dewi into her room flittering through her mind. He’s a Lobo, she thought, he’s a Lobo. Sweet Mother, she bet he was good in bed.

“Milmar seemed frustrated with Romie.”

“Huh. When I was in Sabelle’s room, Romie was acting up, trying to get Milmar to leave and play, and I got the impression that Milmar was growing frustrated with him then as well.”

“Weird.” Dewi pressed his hand against the door, still sensing Neak’s need. Were he unable to control himself, he would be asking her to let him in.

It was a close thing.

Neak rubbed her hand against the door, wishing it were Dewi she was touching. “Romie also didn’t want Milmar to sing some silly song with Sabelle. Something about an old Fairy swallowing animals. There was talk about a bear and a lion.”

Dewi chuckled, though it was strained. “I’ve heard Milmar singing it with her a few times. Romie never seems to participate; he flies off and sulks. I don’t know why, it’s cute and makes Sabelle happy.”

“So then it wasn’t just today that he’s been acting up?”

“It’s possible, but he definitely seemed off today. Why?”

“I was concerned my pollen was having some influence on them what with Romie acting out of character and Milmar…”

“It’s possible.”

“But they’re hubbies, they shouldn’t be impacted.”

“I don’t know if they’re proper hubbies, that they’ve been through any sort of Bonding Rite.” Dewi sighed, his hand hovering over the doorknob. Just ask her. But he couldn’t make himself; she was his friend. “I better start prepping for the evening crowd. If you’re sure you don’t want any ice cream…”

“I’m fine. But explain about Milmar and Romie not being proper hubbies. They call each other hubby.”

“It’s just a suspicion. They ran away from home when Milmar’s father tried to force him to marry Romie’s sister. I don’t know how they could be hubbies; Fairies have some very strict rules about who can perform the Bonding Rites ceremony, but you’ll have to ask them about it if you want to know for certain.”

“If they’re not true hubbies, it’s possible I am disturbing their relationship in some way.”

“They aren’t hovering outside your door.”

Neak laughed. “That would be funny. Pollen-infected Fairies.”

“Then again, neither is Weddle. Maybe Fairies aren’t influenced the same way? Maybe their moods just change. Weddle has been grumpier than usual.”

“Swell.” Neak crossed her arms over her chest, her mood plummeting further, her humor completely gone. “Maybe I’ll have to become serious about finding a mate. I don’t want to go through this again if I can avoid it.”

The Lobo went still. Neak mated? He hated the very idea of it, didn’t even want to think about it. It wasn’t funny, and he already loathed the unknown male. “I’ll talk to you tonight.”

“Dewi… I’ve upset you?”

“No,” his voice was a gruff growl. He couldn’t help the rumbling of his voice. “I’m fine. This will be over soon.” He turned and walked away, before he started demanding to know whom this Nymph was she planned on shacking up with. Because if he knew who he was, where he was, he would have to find him and eat him.

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