“Let’s go get Theo,” Mitch declared and stepped off the bridge.
* * * * *
Theo
He couldn’t move his body. Not a toe, a finger, or his head. Nothing. It was a horrible feeling not having control over his own body. Theo had been through a lot in his life but he’d never not been able to at least protect himself.
Whatever he’d been doused with was effective and Theo was pissed. He had not walked all freaking day just to be thrown in the back of a cart and wheeled to his death. Or whatever the unseelie king had in store for him.
At least Bo and Garrett lay next to him in the cart. The very big cart that was able to hold Theo, a gargoyle, and a troll. Six massive beasts that were terrifying were hauling the cart, huffing steam and growling as the cloaked figures walked along the side of them.
Oh and Steve. Steve was walking too. The little shithead wouldn’t shut up either. He bitched and moaned about walking but he was the only one that was talking. Served Steve right if he got blisters on his feet for being such a douche canoe. Theo was going to take pleasure in watching his mates take care of Steve when Theo told him what Josh’s cousin did.
Although Theo hadn’t trusted Steve from the start. He just didn’t think that Steve was delivering him and Garrett to the unseelie. He thought he had time to decide what to do with the dryad although Theo had been thinking of involving Josh since they were cousins and Theo didn’t know the proper way of dealing with fae. Something he was going to have to learn when he got back home.
He really should have known better. No one in fae should be trusted. Not even the cousin of one of Theo’s newest friends. Not that there was anything Theo could do about being dumped into the cart.
At least Theo’s feet didn’t hurt from walking so ha ha ha to Steve for that.
If Theo was one of the unseelie, he’d demand that Steve shut his mouth. Steve sounded like such an asshole and just kept bitching and bitching. Theo would never be friends with him back in his own realm. In fact, if Theo lived through this, he was going to make sure that Josh knew every single dirty thing that Steve did.
“Portal ahead!” someone shouted.
The cart slowed then came to a stop.
Bywater peered over the edge at Theo. His pale cheeks were flushed. The guy was attractive even if he gave off serial killer vibes. Shame.
“The unseelie king awaits,” Bywater told him.
Hey! Theo could roll his eyes! That was kind of cool. And he totally did that in response to Bywater. It might not be fighting back but it was something.
“Cute.” Reaching over, Bywater caressed Theo’s cheek. “Maybe the king will give you to me as a reward for destroying this generation’s chosen. I have been a very loyal soldier for decades. He is also very generous to his trusted few. I am one of those.”
Huh. If Bywater thought that was even a possibility, then he was as dumb as he was attractive. Theo loved his mates. That was right. He loved his mates so very much. No one compared to his mates. They were perfect in every single way. Dario was so caring and soft with Theo. He made Theo feel safe. Wylder was showing Theo there was always something good around the corner. That it was okay to laugh. Alek was serious about everything and that included making sure that Theo was ready for what was coming. Alek believed in him. And Mitch. Thedemon warrior seemed so hard but he had the gooiest center that Theo had ever seen.
Theo would have said all that if he could freaking talk.
“Opening portal,” someone yelled.
“Let’s go meet a king, little kitty,” Bywater said as he straightened. “I’ll have you purring in my bed soon enough.
Creep! Theo was going to ask Dario to shift and eat Bywater. Did dragons eat the unseelie? He bet Dario would do it for him. Or maybe Mitch would spear Bywater with his sword. Alek had probably learned torture or something crazy with his experience. Wylder would beat him up like he’d done to the bullies at university.
The beasts began to move.
Theo was expecting much the same as when he’d been summoned and pulled through the portal. Instead, there was a pop as the beasts went through. No wind. No flying. He’d just been transported from one place to another. Theo had feared this? Theo snorted. He was going to make Mitch portal everywhere. There was going to be so much ice cream in his future.
Blue surrounded his vision that was so bright that Theo had to close his eyes when they started to water. When he opened them, Theo was staring up at an ornate ceiling. Painted in red and gold, showcasing some weird scenes of…was that sex positions? Those totally looked like sex positions.
His leg twitched and look at that! Theo could move. Grabbing the side of the cart, Theo pulled himself up into asitting position. He glanced at Garrett and Bo but neither of them seemed to be able to move quite yet.
In front of him on a stage was an elaborate chair. Okay, that was totally a throne. Just as ugly and gaudy as the ceiling. Someone there had terrible taste in décor. They could learn something from how nice Dario’s apartments and their individual rooms were.
“Out you come, kitty cat.” Bywater lifted Theo from the cart like he didn’t weigh over a hundred and twenty pounds.
“Don’t touch me!” Theo slapped at Bywater’s hands. Jerk!
Bywater huffed. “You really aren’t dressed for an audience with the king.”
