“Salad mostly. Although Frito makes a pretty good bean dip.”
“I’d love to,” I said, glad that we’d not have to say goodbye just yet, for I wanted to hold onto the magic of the day for as long as I could. “Just let me grab a quick shower.”
Hiero waited outside by the pool while I made myself ready. My pants would take several nights to repair (if the spiders blessed me) but I regretted nothing. I came downstairs wearing his t-shirt knotted high in the front so that my wings were unencumbered in the back and a pair ofstone-washed jean shorts I’d bought (not stolen) at a thrift store in town. Hiero’s eyes lit up when he saw me. “You’re wearing my shirt.”
“I thought it was fitting, yes. I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to give it back.”
“Keep it. Looks better on you anyway. You seem to have a thing for midriffs and bodysuits.”
I’d caught him looking at my legs and ass as well, but I didn’t mention it. “I like showing off my wings.”
“Well, you look dead sexy whatever you wear.”
I smiled, playing coy. “I’m glad you think so, Daddy. Should I wear something more modest to your family barbecue?”
“Absolutely not. You wear whatever you want, or nothing at all if the mood suits you.” He shot me a rakish grin and patted the back of his bike. I climbed onto his saddle, a seasoned passenger by now, and we took a few winding turns to where his sister Enid lived, tucked into the woods with her two husbands and their children. Pups, the shifters called them, which I supposed made sense. Hiero wanted to put a pup in me, or so he’d said, but it was probably just something that slipped out in the heat of the moment. Silly of me to even imagine it.
There were several shifters I recognized from the bar and around town, as well as a dozen more I did not. To those who didn’t already know me, Hiero introduced me as his boy, and there were enough winks and nods to know they’d received the message. It seemed that I was officially the property of Hierophant Wolfsbane. Pride bloomed within me whenever Ithought of it. To belong to someone as honorable and caring as Hiero was a true gift from the Goddess.
You’d better not screw it up.
I ignored that negative voice in my head as we hit up the spread of food, hungry from the ride. Then Hiero showed me how to play horseshoes. We competed against Frito and his younger brother Frankie who sometimes acted as a bouncer at the bar. I had a bit of beginners’ luck to help us win the game. One of Hiero’s younger cousins challenged him to a wrestling match. I soon learned shifters were fond of wrestling, and Hiero was a formidable opponent. Bare chested and slick with sweat, Hiero slowly maneuvered his opponent into a winning pin. My attention was far more focused on the way his leather pants pulled taut across his muscular ass and the occasional crack of his whip-like tail. What might it feel like to be the recipient of that lashing?
“You’ll have to teach me some of your moves,” I said after he’d cleaned off and rejoined me as a spectator.
“I’d be delighted, though with you, I’d insist we be naked.”
My grin was positively giddy when Enid came around with a baby in her arms. Hiero told her he owed her some babysitting, winking as he did, and I wondered if he might invite me along too. I offered to hold the wee child while Enid made herself a plate of food. I’d only held a baby a handful of times in Emrallt Valley, but the sense of contentment I got from their pure, innocent souls was immense. Baby Caris was happy to observethe various games and matches taking place while sucking on her fist. Hiero watched us with a soft smile on his face.
“What?” I asked, suddenly worried. “Am I doing it wrong?”
“No, you’re doing it exactly right. Can I help that I like seeing you with a pup in your arms?”
“Any old pup will do, huh?” I teased.
He only shrugged, smiling sheepishly, and I could hardly look at him after that.
After a half hour or so, Enid returned to collect the baby and invited me inside for a cup of tea. I marveled at the inside of their cabin, which reminded me of a rabbit’s warren with endless hallways and nooks, the rooms littered with children’s toys and knick knacks in every corner. The wooden plank walls and massive stone fireplace gave the interior a warm, homey feeling. I could imagine mealtimes and games of chase and children running around barefoot and carefree.
“You come from a big family?” Enid asked me.
“No, it was just my parents and me. I always wanted a sibling, but fae children are difficult to conceive. A family this size is a rarity in Emrallt Valley, a true blessing.” It was probably why there were so many rumors about the fae stealing human children. It happened on occasion, but more often we were blamed for human negligence or misconduct.
“We’ve got big families all around,” Enid said with pride, bringing me back to the conversation at hand. “We shifters need our space too though. The general rule of thumb around here is one clan per mountain.”
“I’m sure the children keep you busy. Hiero wants a big family.”
“He told you that?” Enid asked.
“Is it a secret?”
“Not to us. Just didn’t think he’d lead with it. It can be intimidating, you know, coming here, seeing all this.”
It was controlled chaos, much like the bar and town itself, but I loved the excitement and energy and sense of community the shifter clans provided, like one big extended family.
“I think it’s wonderful. Hiero will be a great father. And whoever he decides to start a family with should consider it a blessing every day that they were chosen.”
Enid nodded, eyebrows dipping briefly, before going back to rocking Caris. After she’d laid the sleeping baby carefully in her crib, I followed Enid to the kitchen where she went about preparing our tea. I inhaled the scents of lavender and lemon, watching her work while taking in the children’s artwork on the refrigerator and the many framed pictures hanging on the walls. Their entire house spoke of happy memories, family, and connection. What must that be like?
