Col: His Destined Mate

by Georgette St. Clair

  “I can cancel that,” Simon already had his phone out. “I’m going to call Miller and get everything ready. I might hand the phone over to you so you can give him particulars as to what you might need, for yourself and for the kids. Afterwards, I’m going to head back to Rika’s office. I’m sure there’s something we can do about — Rosa, is it?” At Lily’s incredulous nod, Simon continued.

  “— Rosa’s housing situation. Maybe see about making arrangements for her to have a place to stay on the Fairegrounds with the kids, when she’s released from the hospital.”

  His glasses nearly flew off, when Lily hugged him again. He laughed nervously and hugged her back.

  Lily felt a huge weight lifted. And of course the bonus to all of that was that she would see Col again. Each night.

  Until it would be time for her to go.

  Jordy rubbed her eyes. It hadn’t taken her that long to find the footage of herself with Cadmus and with Billy Bob, and delete it. But then again, she knew where to look for it. It was a little bit trickier to do the editing magic in order to camouflage where she had erased the footage. But then Puma did invite her to take all the resources she needed. So she did.

  It would take a sharp eye and an IT genius to spot what she had done, but again, it was only if they knew to look for it. So she was sitting pretty right there.

  Good thing she wanted to look at the rest of the footage anyway. Apparently the owner was interested in “anomalies” and Jordy wanted to know what they were, too. She wanted to see who else came in or out through the staff entrances, and what they were doing. If they were up to something shady, well, from where she was seated she would be literally the first to know.

  So the hours of going through the footage, only fast forwarding when there were the stretches of nothing happening, flew by for her. She got some potential “anomalies” and dutifully printed them out. They were mostly people who she felt didn’t treat her with proper deference, or simply annoyed her.

  There were a lot of people that annoyed her.

  Like TraceyAnn. She captured a lot of photos of her entering and leaving throughout the day. Maybe she had a legit reason for it, but since Jordy didn’t know what it was, she was going to go ahead and label it an anomaly.

  And lookie here. She uncovered some real prizes.

  She got footage of some people letting in friends who clearly weren’t there to “help out” with vending or entertaining. Maybe some were legit, and cleared with Rika beforehand, and maybe some would respond well to Jordy letting them know she was onto them. She wasn’t opposed to getting a few free “samples” or having people owe her favors in return for her silence.

  It was power, pure and simple. It was awesome.

  But then what flashed in front of her screen was the absolute jackpot.

  One of them had to be the person that Cadmus had been looking for that day. They were five huge men, almost a head taller than the dudes they were walking in with. Jordy could make out the features of the owner, Simon, and one other old guy. She could spot from a mile away that the old guy had been in the military, same hair cut — a number six on a Wahl clipper—same way of carrying himself that she had seen thousands of, growing up. She could almost feel the wave of testosterone sauntering in through one of the staff entrances, the same day that she had let Cadmus in.

  This…was big. She printed out some of the best views of them.

  She couldn’t wait to show them to Cadmus.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Trashing that pitiful trailer felt strangely satisfying. It didn’t take long since everything was on the verge of falling apart already, and the cheap furniture was only one step away from the props they used on movie sets to show what a badass mofo the star was. Stuff that fell apart just because the mofo gave them a threatening look.

  But man, it sure felt good. Even if he did have to do it with one hand bandaged up.

  Rey couldn’t find The Rage that the Bitch was supposed to have delivered, but at least he found the premium cut exactly where he had hidden it. He laughed out loud, in the confines of his beat up Kia Santa Fe, at the surprise just waiting for her as she walked into that shithole, the thoughts that must have raced through her mind, when she saw the pretty present he left for her on the bedroom wall.

  Fucking Bitch. Too bad it was only red paint. Next time it would be her blood. Next time…yeah, he was already looking forward to the next time.

  He was hard just thinking about it, as he visualized the terror she must have felt. Did she scream? Did she cry? Yeah, his pants were growing tight, at how her face would twist up and then the tears started raining down. The sound of her sobs — he couldn’t unzip fast enough, pulling his thick erection out with his one good hand. Using all five fingers to wrap around it, he began to move his fist up and down, imagining the fear in her eyes overtaking her, as she moved about the trashed interior of the trailer.

  The terror at the realization that he had been there, and that there was no escape. He would find her wherever she tried to hide.

  “I’m coming for you, baby girl,” he promised, moaning as his release was imminent. He pumped faster, thinking of how next time he’d get to enjoy her fear up close, when he started cutting off bits of her, piece by piece, her screams curling around him. It was exhilarating.

  He called out her name as he came, hard.

  Katie Cooper was actually going to stay here, in the same house, and be here each night, through the night. Col couldn’t believe it when Miller first told them. Even when Simon had followed up, reminding all of them to keep their Shiftwere natures hidden. Especially from the younglings that would be present.

  Clover and Brady had launched themselves right away when they saw him, much to the amusement of the other Bredhren. Barric was loud with his hooting at the two climbing all over Col and pulling at his cotton t-shirt, until the twins saw it as an invitation to jump on him also. And before long, all five Waryeors were taking turns playing with the two kids, even Tybalt.

  Simon had bolted to his office, undoubtedly to work more of his wizardry, but Col did note that he had felt ill at ease with the arrival of the two children. In that, his instincts were still observant. But when Katie Cooper entered, his senses were all inflamed, the scent of her flooding him with the lush promise of florals and the night that they had shared. He ached to taste her anew, and feel her soft curves beneath him. Her beauty was alluring not only to him, and he held himself back from growling whenever the others showed their appreciation of it as well.

  And he held himself back from grabbing her, and branding her plump berry lips with a searing kiss as he had longed to do. He intuited from the other night that she would not welcome it in front of the children, and possibly the others. She took her responsibilities seriously, and he would always show her respect for it.

  But he could take her hand, and press a kiss upon it. And he was close enough to hear the catch in her breath, the quickened beat of her heart. And see the smile on her face that reached him through his hardened Waryeor exterior, unto the very depths of his soul.

  “How are you faring, Katie Cooper?” he asked, in a manner not unlike the gentle-folk with whom he had little truck until now.

  “Quite well, Col.” A wave of her scent reached him, thrilling him, and he caressed his thumb over the sensitive skin of her palm before releasing it.

  “I look forward to our evening together, Katie Cooper,” Barric called out from across the living room. He was holding a laughing Brady upside down over one of the couches, and it was only the child’s presence that stayed Col from lunging at him, teeth bared.

  Katie laughed, an enchanting sound. “Me, too, Barric.” That set off a whole chorus of similar statements from the other Brehdren, with Katie’s pleased responses. Fortunately the noise of those exchanges as well as the shrieks and giggles of the children drowned out the growl that Col couldn’t suppress entirely.

  Or just almost, as Clover cried out, “make that doggie noise aga
in, Col!”

  “You’re in deep doo-doo now,” Aylwyn sang at Col. Both Brady and Clover shrieked at the use of the word “doo-doo”, which they rewarded by tackling the blond Waryeor.

  Tybalt caught Col’s eye from behind Katie Cooper’s back and shook his head silently.

  Col sighed.

  How was it that Katie Cooper’s presence was at once a balm to what unsettled him, and a danger to his self-control?

  Lily couldn’t believe Simon’s generosity. It seemed that he had spared no expense nor effort to accommodate the twins stay, once he had resigned himself to it. Thanks to him, Miller had arranged for a healthy but delicious dinner for the twins, alongside what she and the boys ate. They had loved the kiddie-sized version of the meatballs in their spaghetti, and somehow Miller had even found a way to get them to eat their vegetables without much fuss. They were different colored mini-cakes, made out of vegetables mashed together with cheese. He had winked at her when she asked his secret. And then said “Karen.”

  The name of the Staff Caff worker brought a smile to Lily’s face.

  “She would have loved to have cared for them herself, but she’s got elderly parents at home who aren’t doing too well.” Miller explained. “But for as long as the kids are here, she’ll make sure there’s food for them from the Staff Caff for pickup.”

  Probably after, too, Lily thought. She really did like the way the staff looked out for one another. Or at least most of them did. And that was thanks to Simon, and the environment he had created for them.

  In fact, it probably wasn’t lost on Simon that she seemed to only wear the clothing that was provided by the Faire, or wouldn’t have time to pack anything else since what had happened at the trailer. He had asked Miller to arrange for basic clothing and nightwear for her to wear at the house, along with toiletries that she might need. Lily had changed quickly out of her medieval outfit, and into a v-necked grey cotton tee and denim A-line skirt, happy to be in everyday clothes for a change.

  Miller had similarly provided for the twins, possibly with Karen’s help.

  After dinner, Col walked with her to a separate wing from where the boys were staying, where the room that the twins were to occupy was located.

  All four of them walked into a huge room that resembled a showroom for kids furniture and toys. It was even larger than the room that she had been staying in on the Fairegrounds, and stocked with books and even a screen set into the wall, with a library of kids movies.

  “It’s so pretty,” Clover said, and Brady immediately started running to make a flying leap onto one of the twin beds.

  “Can we sleep in this one?” Brady asked.

  Clover tugged at Lily’s hand. “And you can sleep in that one” she said, pointing to the other bed.

  “I have the room next door, sweetheart.” Lily said, and she glanced at Col.

  He had a grin on his face, and she couldn’t tell if it was at her words, or with the two kids who were now bouncing up and down on the bed that Brady had picked.

  “You mean we each get a bed?” Clover was incredulous with her good luck.

  Lily’s heart melted. Rosa had mentioned that after they had outgrown their used cribs, it had been tough for her to find two used kid-sized beds that wouldn’t be too dissimilar, and then arrange for transport. With the help of Gabe, she got the mattresses that some Ops had purchased and used only once, and set that up for the twins until she could get new beds for them. They shared a bed last night at the motel, but this was probably the first time they had actual “grown-up” beds to themselves in their short lives.

  “Yes, sweetheart—” Before Lily finished, Clover was already launching herself at her bed with a loud squeal. Not to be outdone, Brady followed suit, and the twins started a game of bouncing off of each bed.

  “Children,” Col’s voice cut through, and the two kids miraculously stopped, looking up at him expectantly. Lily marveled at how they responded to well to his authority.

  “You can only have those beds if you use them for sleep.” He looked at Lily, and she nodded encouragingly. “I believe that there are garments for you to wear for sleep, and some nighttime rituals to you must needs attend to.”

  Lily hid a little smile. For some reason, the children were charmed with Col’s quaint way of speaking. Who was she kidding, she wasn’t exactly immune to it either. “Col is right. Let’s see what pajamas you got.”

  “We have new pajamas too?” Clover looked as if she couldn’t believe she could get her own bed and new pajamas.

  Brady was already fishing in one of the colorful dressers shaped like small rocket ships.

  “Can I wear this one?” He had pulled out a t-shirt jersey with constellations printed on them in glow-in-the dark ink.

  “Absolutely,” Lily said, if you wash up and then brush your teeth for a full two minutes.”

  Clover shrieked and ran over to the other dresser, pulling out a t-shirt that had a circus theme on it, with matching leggings. “This is awesome!”

  “Same deal,” Lily couldn’t help smiling at their glee. “Bathroom’s that-a-way.”

  She pointed into the room, where Miller had thoughtfully provided two plastic step stools for the sink, and colorful toothbrushes and glittery toothpaste. The twins exuberantly raced in.

  “Perhaps I should leave,” Col said, but he made no move to go. Lily looked at him, but before she could answer, Clover came running back out. She tugged at Col’s hand.

  “Will you read us a bedtime story after?”

  Lily couldn’t tell who was more surprised, she or Col. He was the first to recover. “I shall stay and tell you a story.”

  “But only if you both wash up, and brush for a full two minutes, not a second less, ok?” Lily added, and then she looked at Col awkwardly, tilting her head in the direction of the bathroom. “I better go help them.”

  “I shall assist you.” Col said, and followed her into the room, where the kids engrossed themselves in showing Col how well they could make the toothpaste foam up.

  In short order, the twins were in their new pajamas, and in between the covers of their new beds. Lily had dimmed the light, so the only illumination was from the soft glow of the bedside lamp that the twins shared. Col had pulled up one of the ottomans in the space between the beds, and his broad form was seated on it, with Lily standing against the wall near Clover’s bed.

  Both kids were propped up against their fluffy pillows, their arms wrapped around a stuffed animal each had picked out of the large selection in the room. Brady’s was a stuffed monkey, and Clover had picked out a cute penguin with huge eyes. It made Lily think of Mr. Calabash.

  Lily suddenly felt an icy stab of worry. Where was Mr. Calabash? She didn’t remember seeing the stuffed bison in the trailer, but then again, she had been preoccupied with grabbing enough clothes for the twins and finding a motel at the time. Did she even bring Mr. Calabash to the trailer?

  Yes, she was certain she did. She had a vague recollection of tossing Mr. Calabash into her overnight duffel. She couldn’t bear to think of losing him, but she forced herself to slow her breaths. Calm herself down. Listen to the soothing sounds of Col’s voice sweep over her. Who would have thought that large hunk of hotness would be so good with kids?

  He was answering their questions patiently about their stuffed animals, something about not having had one himself. She smiled as he asked Clover about the penguin, with incredulity in his voice about it being a flightless winged being living in a land of ice.

  He was doing such a great job, allowing the kids to be “experts” as if he were learning from them. As a teacher, Lily appreciated the natural gift he had with children. Apparently he was skilled at storytelling, too. He continued to be full of surprises.

  “And now, children, I shall tell you a story about a young male, much like yourselves, who lived a very long time ago, during the age of great magic and many battles.”

  “Ooh, magic!” Brady said.

  “Is th
ere a girl in it?” Clover asked.

  “Yes there is.” Col said, in that luscious voice with the accent that hinted at far off places. “A very special one. As you shall see. The young male had been born into a tribe of warriors. There were many such tribes during those times, and perhaps none so fierce as the one in which this male lived in.”

  Both children were listening raptly, as Col continued.

  “ From the time the male was born, there were expectations that he would grow to become a mighty Waryeor. From his time as a mere babe, still in his mother’s arms war chants were sung to him. When he could walk, he was given a small shield of leather and a light wooden sword so that he might learn to always be ready. And when he could hold a weapon, he was trained in the skills of a Waryeor, the very skills that had made his tribe so feared.

  HIs father had been a Waryeor of great renown in his youth, and so he trained the boy each day so that he might surpass his father, and his father’s father.

  The boy would rise each morning before the sun did, and he would train ceaselessly, with time out only for sustenance or for instruction as his father saw fit. He would train again after the evening repast, until it was time to sleep in the modest quarters he shared with the other boys who trained, the other boys whose fathers also hoped for them to fulfill their purpose as great Waryeors.

  And when the boy slept, it was a deep, exhausted slumber so that his body might knit itself and repair all injuries it had sustained during the day. And in the morning he would rise up with the others and begin again.

  The days and nights passed thus, as the boy grew, and became more skilled. He was sustained by his purpose. He dreamed of that day when he would fight for his Queen, the Shining One, the living avatar of their Goddess, She Who Grants Abundance. And he dreamed of the day that he would meet his Destine.”

  Clover’s voice was hushed, almost hesitant to break the spell created by Col’s voice. “What’s a Destine?”