Chapter 6: Page 9

Oben had yet to open the pub for the evening, he wasn’t certain if he would or should. With Dewi staying at Neak’s side and Neak being unconscious, it would be just him running the place since it was Meria’s day off—he refused to call her in, she deserved to be courted.

What was one supposed to do when a family member was injured, near death?

Last year, when Renna was in the last stages of Lupine Disease, she wouldn’t let them close the pub. The day she died, he and Dewi got stinking drunk and got their asses handed to them by a Bunny, but they continued to follow Renna’s dictates and never closed the pub. Those first few weeks had been a stay in the Pit, not only did they have to deal with their own grief, but with Sabelle’s as well—losing both her mother and father within a year of each other had been extra hard for the pup. Oben would always feel a debt to their patrons who had understood what they went through and had done their best to bring joy back into the pub.

Neak’s arrival had been their final step out of mourning.

How would they cope if they lost Neak? She had become such an integral part of their family, integral to the pub. What would he do on movie night? Watching the old B movies just wouldn’t be the same without her. Sometimes, when the movie was exceptionally bad, they would turn off the sound and make up dialogue, entertaining themselves for hours. Okay, that was a superficial need on his part, but it was just one layer.

He rubbed his hand over his chest, unable to stand the band around his heart constricting, the feeling of helplessness. Mistress Moon! This waiting was like watching Renna die all over again. There had been nothing, nothing they could do to save her, to stop the pain she had endured in the end. They could only sit there and watch.

To see someone so beautiful and vibrant slowly wasting away…

Hearing Sabelle giggle, he looked over and smiled seeing the Vampyre playing with the pup. He was grateful for Valdo’s company—he had been waiting when Oben rushed inside with Sabelle after Virgo’s attack and followed him inside. The Vampyre knew what it was like to lose family and provided a quiet companionship. Valdo was also keeping Sabelle entertained while he was busy pacing and fidgeting with nerves, sorting through his feelings; Oben didn’t want Sabelle to see him so upset.

Hearing heavy footsteps on the stairs, he looked over and waited impatiently, almost afraid to hope. Sweet Mother, let her be all right.

Codin felt the eyes on him the moment he left the stairway. He braced himself to deal with the other Wair. So far, this trip hadn’t been so bad, having been tentatively welcomed, shared a brief moment of teasing, but that could change—the other Lobo might not be as understanding, he might not even know what the pup was.

Lions by nature were sociable creatures. They usually lived in large, boisterous family units, had extensive lists of friends and were known for throwing extravagant parties. Except, Codin wasn’t welcome in those circles. So over the years, he and Zebben had learned to live a quiet existence in their little home on the edge of the village they protected. Every so often, Luna or one of the other Divinities would send him on an errand, such as this one, where he got to interact with others. He preferred it when he was sent to places where there were mostly Elves, Vampyres, or Dragons, as they rarely judged, most times even welcomed him, but he wasn’t always so lucky.

The only other time he socialized was when the Lunar Council met, but the only one who spoke to him was Luna, especially these last two years. Not every Lunar Knight was on the Lunar Council—he had received his father’s seat after he retired—and he was the only FaieAnimal to hold a seat since their kind had started emerging. He wondered if the pup would fill the remaining seat?

Yubal Wildhope, a Sapphire Faie, had held that seat up until his death two years ago and it had remained empty ever since. Codin thought it quite possible that Yubal was the pup’s father; she was the right age, had the same sapphire hair. The other Faie had turned their backs on Yubal for daring to take a WairWolf as mate. Then the day came when Yubal held his hand out to Codin in friendship. It made sense if after he learned his child was FaieWolf that life had changed, that he had changed, and he wished to make amends. Codin was glad he had accepted the gesture.

Knowing everyone present was anxious for the news, he broke his silence. “Neak is healed, but she’ll need to rest for the next week or so before she can resume her life.”

Oben closed his eyes for a moment in relief, to let the news sink in, to hide the burning tears. Feeling the threat of uncontrolled emotion abate, he looked at Codin, grinning. “That’ll be a challenge.”

“Seeing as she’s a Tree Nymph, and they are well known for their stubbornness, yes it will be.”

“Think Dewi’s up for it?” Valdo looked at Oben, raising his brows, squinting his eyes. He was seriously thinking of putting on his glasses, because it was hard to be inquiring when one was squinting. He was certain Oben would never tell.

“He runs herd on this place, I think he can handle our Neak.” Oben was looking forward to the next few days. He was guaranteed hours of amusement as Neak ran roughshod over his cousin. Maybe he would start a pool to see how long it would take before she returned to work.

Milmar zipped over to the bar. “Dewi wants Codin to have a drink on the house.”

Oben nodded. “Never would cross my mind to charge him. So what will it be?”

“We…”

“I won’t take no for an answer. You healed our Neak, you deserve it.”

“I’m hungry, CS. And I don’t want another damn cracker.” Zebben dove off his charge’s shoulder and flew over to the bar before Codin could say or do anything. “Do you have a Fairy menu, Mr. Lobo?”

“Everything that’s on the regular menu, but the name’s Oben.” Oben placed a laminated sheet on the bar. “While you look at that, what can I get you to drink?”

“I’ll have a lemon soda and CS, that’s short for Codin Suncircle, he’ll have an amber Gnome Ale. Oh, he prefers his ale in a bottle. Don’t know why he likes it in a bottle, but he does.”

“Coming right up.”

“New Fairy!”

Zebben looked at the pup and grinned. “I’m Zebben.”

“Zebbie!” Sabelle clapped. “You don’t look like Milmar and Romie. Your hairs got two colors.”

“I’m a Fire Fairy, we have two colored hair. What’s your name, Puppy?”

“Sabelle.” She held out her fist.

“She wants you to touch fists with her.” Milmar flew up and landed on Belle’s shoulder. “I taught it to her, but she thinks it’s a greeting.”

“Oh.” Zebben flew up and touched his fist to Sabelle’s, laughing. “I’m pleased to meet you, Miss Sabelle.”

“This is Valdo.” Sabelle patted the Vampyre. “He’s a… He’s a…” Her face scrunched as she tried to remember. “A Vampyre!” She looked at Valdo. “That’s right?”

“Yes, Pup, I’m a Vampyre.” Valdo picked up her hand and kissed it, adoring her.

“He’s got pointy teeth. He showed me.”

Codin walked over to the bar and took a seat. When Zebben was hungry, the Fairy became incorrigible. Oh well, he was hungry too and if the Lobo wasn’t going to throw him out, he might as well eat and take up the offer of a drink. He looked at the menu while Zebben greeted the pup. She was indeed FaieWolf.

“Want to share a burger, Zeb?” Codin nodded his thanks to the Lobo as he placed a bottle of his favorite ale on the bar.

“Okay, but no onions this time, CS. I don’t like ‘um.”

“No respectable Fairy likes onions.” Milmar stuck his tongue out, making a bleck face, his hands over his stomach. “That would be like eating an Imp.”

“You’ve eaten an Imp?” Zebben tilted his head to the side.

“Nah, but they have to taste bad. Have you ever smelled one?” Milmar held his nose, but then looked around expecting Romie to agree with him. “Hey, where’s Hubby?”

Valdo picked up his glass of brandy and swirled it around. He answered Milmar since Oben was giving Codin’s order to JoJo and Glynn. “He was upset that you went upstairs. He left to play with the Great Oak.”

Milmar nodded and flew off to search for Romie. He should have had Romie come with him. He found Romie playing with Oakie, but only half-heartedly. When Oakie pegged Romie with an acorn, knocking him to the ground, Milmar flew over to help him up, to dust him off, but Romie pushed him away.

“Go away.” Romie picked up an acorn and chucked it at the tree. Had Milmar thought the other Fairy cute? Cute enough to kiss? Cute enough to snuggle?

“No. Now come back to the pub.”

“Why should I? You like that Fire Fairy more than me.”

“Nuh uhhh. I like you best.”

“Then why’d you follow him?” Since he was still on the ground, Romie kicked one of the acorns by his feet. He didn’t really want to be playing with Oakie. He didn’t like playing without Milmar. Not to mention, the sun was getting close to setting so the light was wrong. That’s how Oakie pegged him; the sun had hit him in the eyes.

“’Cause I wanted to help heal Neak and I wanted to ask him questions. He’s like me, Romie, a Fairy Guide.” He had told Romie the other day what he was when Romie was upset once more about the time he spent with Sabelle. Romie had been choosing to ignore it so far.

“Don’t want you to be a Fairy Guide.” Romie kicked at another acorn.

Milmar cupped Romie’s cheeks and kissed him. “I was born this way, can’t change the way a Fairy’s born.”

“But…”

Milmar kissed him again, not wanting to argue with him. Romie still didn’t understand, he didn’t think he ever would. He just had to enjoy the time he had with his hubby. “Come inside. You can meet Zebben. He doesn’t like onions.”

“No Fairy likes onions.” Romie kissed Milmar this time. “You don’t wanna kiss him do you?”

“No! I only want to kiss you. Come back inside, we’ll have ice cream.”

Romie dug his toe into the ground, gave Milmar a sly look. “My own bowl?”

“A big bowl all for you.” Milmar laughed when Romie grabbed his hand and flew them towards the pub.

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