“What did your parents do?”
“My mom always sorted it out…she was so good at it. When she was done, we each got what we really wanted even if we didn’t know what it was to begin with. What about you?”
“Me?” squeaked Theo, unsure what Cody meant.
“Yeah, what did your parents do when you and your siblings had disagreements?”
Pain sliced through Theo’s chest at the mention of his parents. No matter how hard he tried to forget, their betrayal still burned within him. How they could send him away was a mystery he still couldn’t solve since there was never an indication they were anything but loving parents. Even now, the disbelief he felt after he awoke in Arald’s prison was something he’d never forgive them for?at least not until he found out the reason why they did it.
But that wasn’t going to ever happen, especially after pooh bear’s reaction to his request to visit them. Nor could he blame Norm for refusing. The fear Theo saw in pooh bear’s eyes made him regret bringing it up. Of course, if the shoe were on the other foot, he might have reacted the same way. Sighing, Theo pushed everything to the back of his mind, accepting the fact that he’d never get the answers he was looking for. Glancing up at Cody, he reminded himself how lucky they were now and that should be enough…would have to be enough. Side-stepping Cody’s question, Theo changed the subject. “When are you leaving?”
“As soon as Mystia and Brady arrive.”
“Do you know how long you’ll be gone?”
“Nope…it all depends on what happens with Remy. I just hope it’s not too long because I’m gonna miss…”
“Your pups!” exclaimed Theo. “Don’t worry, pooh bear and I will take really good care of them.”
Stopping, Cody turned around and looked at Theo intently. “I know you will. That’s what makes leaving my pups easier and I owe you a lot for that; it lets me focus on helping my brother without worrying about Jake and Jessica.”
“You don’t owe us anything,” Theo said softly.
Snorting, Cody said, “Let’s just agree to disagree on that.”
Shaking his head, Theo knew no matter what Cody said, he and pooh bear owed their lives to him.We were so close to being sold and never seeing each other ever again. His body shivered at the thought. Instead, now they were safe, engaged to be married, and looking forward to a life together. Never during those dark days did he ever think it would turn out like it did. Hope had forsaken him and the only thing that kept him going was his pooh bear and Ki. But when Cody and Dylon came to their aid, their nightmare turned into a delightful dream. As Theo saw it, anything he could do to help Cody was the right thing to do. Reaching the playroom, Theo opened the door for his rescuer, smiling at the cacophony of voices emerging from it.
“Why can’t I be a wolf?” asked Galen. “Jessie can.”
“Jessica is a wolf who has magic,” Remy explained.
“I got magic!”
“Me too!” Eamon chimed in. “I wanna be a wolf too.”
Realizing a storm was brewing with the boys, Theo quickly asked, “Who wants a cookie? There are dragons, wolves, and my personal favorite…bears.”
“Me!” clamored Galen and Eamon, rushing over to the table where Cody had set down the tray.
“Okay, which one do you want?” asked Theo, placing a small plate along with a glass in front of each of the boys.
Galen gazed at the decorated cookies, his tongue sticking out the corner of his mouth showing he was having a hard time deciding. Finally, he pointed to the dragon. “I want Finny.”
“Me too. Finny gonna give us a ride, right Gally?”
“Yup. Finny’s a dragon. Do you know that?” Galen asked Theo, before taking a bite of his cookie.
“I do,” Theo said while filling the boys’ glasses with juice. “He’s my friend.”
“You know Finny?” asked Eamon, looking at Theo skeptically.
“Of course he knows Finny,” Galen said, rolling his eyes. “He’s friends with him.”
“Oh…yeah.” Losing interest in Theo’s claim of friendship, Eamon studiously studied his cookie before deciding to eat a wing first.
Chapter 3
Grinning at his brother, Cody bumped Carson’s shoulder. “You got your hands full with those two.”
