Chapter 7: Page 3

“Meria, do you have a key?” Fidgen murmured by her ear. 

“No, but we can go around back. Maybe JoJo and Glynn are there and will let us in.”

“Then let’s go see what we can find out.” He took Meria’s hand and started towards the back of the pub, glancing over his shoulder to see if the newcomer follwed them, but she was too busy talking with the Mage. At least Torel would stop bothering Meria for a bit with his mind on the buxom Isabee.

“If they were short staffed tonight, I’m sure they would’ve called me to come in.”

“Not if they wanted you to enjoy your afternoon with me. Everyone seems real supportive of our dating. And if they had some kind of family emergency…”

“But why didn’t they put up a sign other than the one saying closed.”

“I don’t know.”

Coming to the back door, Meria grabbed the knob to see if it was locked. She was a bit surprised that it opened, but then again, maybe the Tree let her in. She and Fidgen entered, closing the door quickly behind them before anyone noticed, not wanting any patrons to barge in the back. JoJo, Glynn and the Forest Fairies were sitting at the table in the corner of the kitchen playing a game of cards.

JoJo looked up and gave the couple a reproachful look. “What are you two doing here, aren’t you on a date?”

Meria shuffled a foot. “We stopped by for a quick bite to eat, but the closed sign was out. Is everything okay?”

“Neak was injured earlier and Dewi hasn’t left her side. Oben’s out front if you want to join him and his guests.”

“Be careful of the rude Fire Fairy out there.” Widdle peeked over the cards in front of her, glowering. “Called me slow.”

“You are slow,” Weddle grumbled. “It’s your turn and you just sit there staring at your cards.”

“At least I haven’t lost every hand.”

Weddle looked at Meria and Fidgen. “She’s just upset ‘cause the Fire Fairy didn’t think she was cute.”

“That’s enough you two.” Glynn glared at the brother and sister Fairies. “Widdle, play your hand. Weddle quit grumbling.”

Meria and Fidgen went through the kitchen and into the pub. Valdo was playing with Sabelle, three Fairies were racing each other around the pub, and Oben was speaking to a man with Topaz hair. Meria stopped upon seeing the stranger, feeling an instant dislike, but Fidgen pushed her forward and around the bar where they took seats.

“You two are not supposed to be here,” Oben admonished.

Fidgen squeezed Meria’s hand when she glared at the stranger. “Easy, pretty bird. He’s like Sabelle, be nice.”

Meria looked up at Fidgen, confused by that. She didn’t dislike Sabelle, so how could this stranger be like the pup. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ll tell you later.” He quickly kissed her and then answered Oben. “We came by to get something to eat after the concert. We were concerned to find you were closed. JoJo said Neak was hurt?”

“Virgo lost her mind and attacked Neak. She’s fine though; CS here healed her. Dewi’s with her now and hasn’t left her side.” Oben motioned towards the Elf and the Sparrow. “CS, this is Meria Chirptrue and her boyfriend, Fidgen Kickdrum. Meria works here part time.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

“And you.” Fidgen shook hands with the other man. He had met one or two like CS before and knew how WairFolk felt about them. He knew Meria felt the distrust or whatever it was exactly that WairFolk felt, but he also knew that she had a kind heart and would change her mind once the situation was explained.

Codin sighed seeing the Sparrow’s expression. “I’m a FaieLion, Miss Chirptrue. I have that lovely distinction of being a hybrid between Faie and WairLion. You sense the fact that I can’t change.” It was his usual explanation—though it was true, he couldn’t change into a Lion—but WairFolk didn’t like freaks of nature such as himself and so was lucky if he could even give the simple explanation. Not that he could say, you hate me because I’m a Lunar Knight.

“Oh. I’m… I’m…” Meria felt like slapping herself. She knew what it felt like to be on the outside and she did her best not to treat others in such a fashion. She offered the healer a warm smile and a hand. “It’s nice to meet you, CS. You healed Neak?”

“Yes, I healed her.” Codin blinked at the change in the Sparrow, surprised that she had bought his reasoning. Unwilling to be rude to the little Bird when she reached out despite her original misgivings, he nodded and accepted her hand, giving it a gentle shake. “She has a couple broken ribs, a broken arm, both now set. She had some internal damage, but that’s been healed. She just needs some rest.”

“Thank you. Neak’s a good friend.” Meria still felt bad for thinking such horrid thoughts about CS. She peeked up at Fidgen, but she didn’t want him to see the guilt, so looked at Oben. “Need me to work tonight?”

“No. You’re on a date and that’s that.”

“Are you sure?” Meria put her head on Fidgen’s shoulder.

“Absolutely. I’ll just put a sign in the door about a family emergency. If no one likes it, tough shit.”

Codin started to slip off the stool he was on. “Zebben and I can head out…”

“No. This is nice. It’s been awhile since I had a night off and I plan to make the best of it. Besides, you and Zebben don’t get much of a chance to socialize.” Oben looked at Meria and Fidgen. “Though you two, you two need to go back to your date. You can work tomorrow.”

Meria searched the Lobo’s eyes. “If you’re certain, because you have a crowd outside, Oben, and one is a female Lobo who’s looking for Dewi. She looks Aristo. She could be faking it, but other than those curves of hers, that watch on her wrist… My mother has the same one; it’s very expensive.”

“A female Aristo Lobo?” Oben narrowed his eyes as he left the bar area and started towards the window. “I wonder what she’s doing here?” It was a low murmur as the question was directed more to himself.

Fidgen brushed a bit of hair off Meria’s cheek and could see the guilt over her reaction to CS in her eyes. He leaned down and whispered by her ear, “It’s okay. It’s a common reaction.”

“But…”

“We’ll talk about it while I walk you home.”

“I still feel bad.”

“I know. My pretty bird is a sweet woman and I love that about her.” He kissed her ear. Fidgen slipped off his stool and then helped Meria down. “We’ll see you then, Oben. It was nice meeting you, CS.”

“Yes, it was nice meeting you, CS.” Meria offered the healer another smile.

The Fairies zipped down and fluttered in front of the couple. Romie crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes. “You two not going to say good night to us?”

“You three looked to be having too much fun to interrupt, but do excuse our rudeness. Meria and I wish everyone good night.”

Fidgen took Meria’s hand and walked into the kitchen, grabbing a quick sandwich before heading out.

Oben’s brow drew together as he wound his way through the tables. A possible Aristo? Here in Oak’s Holm. As he pondered the strangeness of the occurrence, it dawned on him that Kiren might be up to something. Though it was always possible that a female from some other pack had found her way into Oak’s Holm and wished to greet the Alpha. He absently waved to the couple as he continued to the window, not really hearing their goodbyes as his mind was on the mysterious Lobo. Twitching the curtains aside, he looked out and scanned the area for the suspected Aristo.

Seeing her speaking with Torel, he leapt over to the door with a foul oath, shoved open the lock and charged the female Lobo. He grabbed her arm and pulled her outside the fence surrounding the pub.

“What are you doing here?” his teeth were bared, his canines long as he snarled at her.

Isabee tugged her arm away from Oben. “Don’t be mean. I wasn’t mean to you.”

He took a threatening step towards her, his anger riding him. Though his anger was more directed at Kiren than Isabee. The young female was only doing what Kiren bade, too innocent and naive to question the ruling male of her pack. “Why are you here, Issie?”

“I’m here to see Dewinar. Sir Kiren sent me. He says it’s time Dewinar and I mated.”

“Dewi has a mate.” Oben grabbed her arm again and pulled her down the path. “You need to go home.”

“I can’t. Sir Kiren said not to come home unless I was mated with Dewinar. I need to see him.”

“He’s with his mate, and I won’t disturb him. She needs her rest. Now you need to go home.”

“No!” She pulled her arm away from Oben again and crossed her arms over her chest, her face petulant. “I’m here to see Dewinar, it’s time for us to mate. Sir Kiren said so.”

Oben huffed out a breath. Isabee had never been the brightest Lobo in the pack. He took her shoulders in his hands and gave her a little shake. “He’s mated, Issie.”

“But he’s supposed to mate with me,” her voice grew small.

“I’m sorry, sweetie, but he can’t. Even if he could, he loves Neak.”

“Might I be of any assistance?” Torel walked up, an inquiring smile tilting up his lips. He would be willing to comfort the jilted Lobo female.

“No, everything’s fine.” Oben didn’t quite trust the Mage’s intentions. How many times had he seen Torel attempting to pinch Neak and Meria’s butts?

Everyone knew Mages were oversexed individuals, always angling to get laid. How they got any spells done… Well that was something no one knew.

“I would be happy to escort Miss Nightsong to her destination, Oben.”

“This is my destination.” Isabee dashed around Oben and ran back to the pub. “Dewinar!” she howled.

Swearing, Oben started after her when his cellphone rang. He thought of ignoring the call as he caught up to Isabee, but he answered it anyway. It was Dewi. “What can I do for you?”

“Mistress Moon! What is going on down there? Neak needs her rest dammit.”

“I have a handle on it, cousin.”

“Dewinar!” Isabee yelled again.

“Who the hell is that and why she yelling my name?” Dewi looked at Neak, her face pinching. “Better yet, just make whoever it is stop.”

“What would you say if I told you that Kiren sent little Isabee this way, that he had convinced her it was time for the two of you to mate?” Oben grabbed Isabee’s arm and started pulling her toward the path into the village.

“Let go, Oben!” Isabee struggled against the larger Lobo. “Dewinar!”

“Son of a bitch.” Dewi growled. “I can’t believe the bastard did this.”

“I can.” Oben continued to pull Isabee away from the pub. “I’m trying to get her to leave, but…”

“Put her up at the Inn, their best room, and tell her to come back to the pub tomorrow; I’ll talk to her then.”

“Dewinar!” Isabee continued to struggle.

“If you’re certain.” Oben could hear Dewi’s loud sigh over the phone.

“Yeah, I’m certain. She deserves to hear it from me.”

Oben snapped his phone shut and put it back in his pocket. He grabbed Isabee’s other arm and forced her to stop struggling. “That was Dewi. He said he would talk with you tomorrow.”

“Why not today?”

“His mate was badly injured today and he won’t leave her side. Please, Issie. Neak really needs to rest, she nearly died, and all this commotion is disturbing her. He’ll talk with you tomorrow, he promised.”

Isabee stopped trying to free herself and glowered at Oben. She didn’t want to make Sir Kiren mad, he was scary when he was mad, but he didn’t say she had to talk with Dewinar the day she arrived. “He promised, tomorrow?”

“Yes, and as Alpha of Oak’s Holm, Dewi always keeps his word.” Oben offered her his hand. “Come on, I’ll take you to the Inn. Dewi and I will pay for the room. You can take a hot bath and order room service. They have a very nice menu.”

“As long as he promised.” Isabee took his hand and let him escort her. She looked over her shoulder, feeling eyes on her, and saw Torel staring. She looked away and quickened her pace. “I think that Mage is a pervert, he kept staring at my chest.”

Oben laughed. Maybe Isabee wasn’t as dumb as she seemed. “You’re not the first to think so. Wait.” He turned towards the pub and the crowd milling outside. “I’m sorry, folks, but were closed for the evening, family emergency. You’re all welcome to come back tomorrow, we’ll be open then, usual hours.”

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