They dozed off and on together and made love until the wee hours of the morning.It was neveras intense as it was the first time, but they still enjoyed themselves.As soon as the sun started to rise, he got up and closed the curtains to keep the sun out and got back in bed.Olivia was already asleep, and he joined her.
“I’m not as sore as I thought that I’d be.Perhaps it’s because we didn’t kill one another.”Olivia told him that she was sore but not as bad as she’d thought she’d be.“I’m sorry you’re sore at all.I guess we’ll keep trying until we can’t move.”
“No.This is just fine.”They talked about how much they had to do today, but neither of them moved from the bed.Finally, when Olivia was asleep, he got up to go to the bathroom and decided that they might have overdone it a bit.His back and body were sore all over, and he didn’t know if he would ever be the same again.At least he hoped not.He loved being sore after making love with his mate all night.
At one in the afternoon, after making love again, the two of them got up.He was still sore, but Olivia was more so.She said that her feet even hurt.It had been a while, she told him, and she wasn’t used to that much activity.He didn’t tell her that he was happy that he’d made her a little sore.It was like a badge of honor for him.
Taking a shower together, the two of them dressed in comfy clothing.As they were headed downstairs to get something to eat again, Olivia saw that Thatcher had left them a note.Reading it with her, he said that he was going to hang out with Mandy, Edgar’s daughter, for a bit, just to have someone to be with.
“They’re about the same age, aren’t they?”Sidney had to think, but he told her that Mandy was fourteen, almost fifteen.“It’ll be good for him to have someone to hang out with in the family.She’s pretty smart, too, I’ve heard.Maybe they can compare notes on college.It’ll be good for the two of them.”
“Tabby and Edgar own a warehouse that deals in fresh foods.She’s going to retire as soon as she gets pregnant and let Edgar run it.He’s been learning for a while now.”She said that it was great that they could trade off jobs like that.“The only ones that aren’t going to have children right away are Melbourne and Sammy.They both have their own businesses to run, and they like doing it.They have plenty of time if they wish to have children.I’m happy for them.”
“What about us?Did you want to have children right away?”She told him that she did so that there would be a closeness between the baby and Thatcher.“I think he’ll be close to them because he’s that kind of kid.He’s a great kid and will be a wonderful big brother to no matter how many we have.”
They talked about family for a while after lunch.Being that it was so late, they decided to just grill out burgers for dinner.That way, if they wanted anything later, they could have leftovers.Not that he thought they’d have much in the way of leftovers, but he told her that they might.The two of them settled on the couch while whiling away the day.
Sidney’s cell phone rang twice, but he ignored it.If his family wanted to get in touch with him, they knew how.There wasn’t anything important going on today, and he was fine with that.He wanted to spend the day with his mate, and he didn’t care if the others wanted them to come over or not.They were chilling today.
Thatcher was having dinner at Edgar’s home, so he wouldn’t be home.The two of them decided that they’d have their burgers on the grill and watch some television.It was the most relaxing day he’d had in a long while, and he thought that he could get used to doing it again soon.
Chapter 8
Twenty-five years later
Fowler liked being king of the other world.It also afforded him the ability to go back and forth to his home realm as well.He loved going there to see his parents, who had decided to stay in the earthly world so they could see the children.There were plenty of them to see nowadays, what with all his brothers but for Melbourne having them.He could even be counted on to be the fun uncle once in a while.He had six sons to raise of his own and one daughter.She was the youngest of the children and the seventh female child born of a seventh mother just like Storm had been.She’d have magic, as much as her mother did, and Storm was the strongest being ever born.
“What are you doing out here?”He looked around to see who William could be talking to and saw his daughter, Celesta.“Haven’t you been told to stay indoors when I’m outside?I don’t want you making any noises either.I don’t like you.”
He started to go to his daughter’s defense, but was stopped by Morning, Celesta’s great-grandmother.William was her mate and had only been back from the fade for a little while.He’d been causing trouble since, and he’d about had enough of him.
“I don’t like you either.You’re a wiener head.”He nearly laughed at the expression on William’s face, but caught himself in time.Then he drew back his hand to no doubt hit his daughter.“You let that swing, and I’ll turn you into dust.You know I can do it too.I’m that powerful, and you’re not.No one would even miss you if I were to do it too.”
“You lie.”She lifted her chin up and glared at the other man.“You think you’re all-powerful?Well, I know for a fact that you don’t have shit.”
“Then try me.Go on.Try and slap me.It’ll be the last thing you ever do, too.I already don’t like you; killing you won’t be a problem at all for me.I could have your head removed in a heartbeat.”He could see the hesitation on William’s face.“You touch my brothers again, and I will end you.I might be small yet, but I’m more powerful than you are.Stop hitting them, and I will allow you to live.”
“You gonna tell on me?For hitting them?They need to be disciplined sometimes.Your parents certainly aren’t doing anything.”Celesta said nothing but stood her ground.“I’m going to catch you one of these days, and that will be the end of you.I don’t care how much dragon you are.”
“I’m all dragon with just enough vampire in me to know where you are at all times.Remember the last time you tangled with me?I do.I was able to draw first blood.Now I have you in my sights, so you’ll never be able to hide from me.You’re nothing but a pisser, and I can’t stand you.”William looked afraid.“You’d better be thinking about what I told you about not being around us anymore.I’m going to keep an eye out for the other kids, too, now that I know you like to hurt little kids.”
“You’re full of shit.”Celesta just laughed.“I hate you as well.Those other kids will learn that I’m the king about here and—What did you do to me?”He watched William as he bled from his neck.“You little shit, I’m going to kill you.”
William never moved, nor did his daughter.But William was suddenly gone, and Celesta was still standing next to the flower garden.She turned and looked directly at her great-grandma.
“He’s dead.”Morning nodded.“He’ll not bother you at all again, either.Had I known what was in his head, I would have killed him sooner.”
“You’re only six.You’re not supposed to be able to do that.”Celesta asked if she was mad.“Mad?No.Confused, but that’s nothing unusual for when I’m around you.”
“You’re the dragon slayer, aren’t you, my dear.The one that will deal out punishment for your kind.”Fowler looked at his daughter, then at Morning before she answered.
“Yes.I’m much more too.”Celesta turned then and looked at him.“Hello, Daddy.I knew you were there.Are you mad at me?”
“Never.”He didn’t know what to think about his daughter being the dragon slayer, but it had to be right.She’d just killed a powerful being without moving.“Did you remove his head?”
“I did.He’ll be no more.Did you know that he was beating on my brothers and cousins?He was a bad man and hungry for power.”Fowler said he’d not known that he was doing anything like that.“He also tried to kill Momma.She’s smarter than him.”
“She is at that.Are you going to be the real dragon slayer for all time?Will you be held accountable for the deaths that you take?”She told him that she would not, as she was the one who judged them.“You’re so young.How long have you known about being the slayer?”
