“Katie may be hisDestine.” Merek said. He had somehow found himself a beer from the winter box and was gulping it down. Aylwyn emerged behind him, an opened beer in each hand, the drops of water clearly pearling on the glass, proof of its cold, crisp state. He handed one to Col, but Barric snatched it away with one large paw. The blondWaryeorshrugged apologetically, but Miller entered the room with beers for everyone else before a fight could erupt.
“Katie might be yourDestine?” Simon was now openly goggling at Col, and pushing his glasses up.
“She does not yet know of my—of our natures.” Col admitted. Perhaps the beer was indeed a good idea. He took a swig, mostly to let the chilled liquid settle him.
“If Katie is aDestine, then she must be mate-bonded, and without much more delay.” Tybalt’s voice had the calm that Col was missing.
“Well, I’m happy to volunteer if Col isn’t up to it,” Aylwyn was quick to say, with a laugh.
“And I,” Barric growled. Or perhaps the growl was coming from Col.
“I’m joking, dude.” Aylwyn laughed, looking at Col. “Anyone can see you’ve got it bad.”
“Iwas not making a jape,” Barric muttered.
Only a sharp look from theVixarkept Col from leaping at Barric, to rip out his throat.
* * *
“I want Col to keep telling his story,” Brady’s voice was plaintive. But at least it was coming from a boy with teeth already brushed clean, wearing a fresh pair of pajamas, and in between his sheets clutching a stuffed monkey.
His sister was likewise in her bed, holding the toy penguin close to her chest.
In between them was Lily, seated on the very same ottoman that Col had occupied. She had already changed into a cotton t-shirt dress that stopped a few inches above her knees. She didn’t mind wearing the medieval clothes while working at the Faire, but she found that she missed having her legs bare.
“I want to hear more about the Dess -TEEN,” Clover said.
“I’m sure when Col has some time, he’ll come back and tell more of his story,” Lily said to Brady. To Clover, she added, “And then I can hear more about theDestinetoo.”
“But you can tell us about it, since Col isn’t herenow,” the little girl reasoned.
“Well, I can try,” Lily paused to think of what to say. “I imagine that theDestineis like the perfect girl for the boy warrior in Col’s story.”
“I bet she’s beautiful.” Clover breathed.
“I’m sure that the boy warrior thinks she is the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen.” Lily said.You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, Katie Cooper.There was a little leap in her belly at the memory of his voice, that first night they made love.
And to Brady, she continued. “TheDestinealso helps silence the self-doubt in the boy warrior, all the fear and worry that he isn’t good enough, or that he isn’t what his father is trying to shape him to be. And do you know why?”
“Why?” the little boy’s eyes were wide, as he clutched the soft monkey even more fiercely.
“Because he can see in her eyes the mighty warrior he truly is. When he’s with her, he believes that anything is possible. Because when they’re together, everything is. And she reminds him, that life is to be savored and enjoyed, that there’s a reason to do all the things that you’re supposed to do, as long as you are with someone who makes you so incredibly happy.”
“That’s a good story, Katie.” Clover yawned and Lily lifted her blanket to tuck her and the penguin in. She turned to Brady, whose eyes were already closed. She did the same with his blanket, softly brushing back his hair.
He was so peaceful, a little boy asleep. She wondered what Col had looked like, as a boy warrior. At nights like this, in perfect repose, recovering from harsh days of brutal training to become the man that he was, dreaming of that day he would meet hisDestine.
And then the realization swept through her, seizing her heart with a fierce grip. She wished with all her might, that she could be thatDestinefor him.
