Elyse nodded. Sighing with resignation, she spoke through gritted teeth, “Drink up, boys, you’re doing great.”
The afternoon was spent with Elyse keeping her barflies happily intoxicated while she practiced her cocktail mixing. Mavis had come by mid-afternoon—she was a local flower seller. The woman was like the grandma everyone would love to have. She was little and looked old enough to have served drinks at the Last Supper but had a wit so sharp she could make the drunkest man crumble under her gaze of judgment. Mavis came around every Friday and Saturday night, plus most lunchtimes. She pushed a small flower cart around town, selling to anyone who needed some floral uplifting. She would have a basket prepared with beautifully wrapped long-stemmed red roses and walk into the local establishments selling flowers to lovers as they shared romantic meals. Mavis had told her she would be back later that night. Doug nodded and smiled.
Doug’s mind returned to the woman and her friends who were coming in tonight, and she didn’t want to disappoint them.
After two hours, Ladon had given up looking for Doug. He knew it wasn’t the druid’s normal time to be online, but he had lived in hope today might be different. He wanted to smash him so badly, Ladon could taste it. It was like a pool of lava bubbling in his belly that would only be satisfied one way—on the Warcraft battlefield. Beating V yesterday in the race had been mildly satisfying. It wasn’t hard for him to win against his brothers, but winning was winning no matter the who’s or where’s.
“Ladon?” Payton’s voice drew his attention from the ceiling where he was presently staring. He was laying on the sofa, his arm crooked behind his head as he contemplated the feeling of getting his name back on top of the PvP charts.
Tilting his head, he looked at his brother’s mate as she stood at his door. “What’s up, Pay?”
“Are you free?” she asked as she looked around the room noticing he obviously was doing something because even general room cleaning had been done.
“Depends,” Ladon said with a mumble. He knew whatever Payton said next he would agree to because it was Payton. No one argued with Payton, not even Volos.
“I want you to get dressed and come with me. No questions asked,” she said.
Sitting upright, Ladon looked at her and shook his head in a weak attempt to discourage wherever she was going with this request. “Nope. Nope. Not going to happen.”
“Shhh…” she said as she walked into his bedroom and came out a few moments later with a clean pair of dark blue jeans and a mustard-colored shirt that looked brand new. “Put these on.”
“Whose shirt is that?”
“Yours, silly.” She giggled lightly. “I was shopping for V and saw this and thought it would look amazing on you. So be a good dragon and get dressed, please.” She walked to the door and looked back. “I’ll be waiting out here for you. Don’t make me wait too long.” She vanished around the corner.
“What if I don’t want to?” he called out after her.
“I’ll be forced to dress you myself. That’s something neither of us really need or want to happen.” Her voice traveled back inside, proving she was indeed waiting outside.
Ladon groaned extra loud for her benefit as he pulled his large frame up from the sofa. “Can I at least have a shower first?” he called.
“Please do,” she called back. “I can smell you from here.”
Ladon snickered as he stripped on his way to the bathroom. He had been lucky to get one of the rooms that had a crack in the roof where the water flowed through to a similar crack in the floor. It was like natured plumbing at its best as long as you didn’t mind your shower at a cooler temperature. The water that ran through the rock cracks was chilled, and if you weren’t ready for it, it could give you quite the shock.
Fifteen minutes later, Ladon walked back out into his living area. Payton had come inside and was now sitting on a chair at his small breakfast table. He had done as requested and was wearing dark blue jeans and a long-sleeved mustard-colored button-up shirt, which he had rolled the sleeves up to just below his elbows. The top few buttons were undone to let his ink show. Ladon had even rubbed some wax through his hair to give it that naturally tousled look the ladies all talked about. He sat on the end of the sofa and slid his socks on before pushing his feet into a freshly polished pair of boots, thanks to his brother.
“You look fabulous,” Payton said. “I knew that color would vibrate on you. You really are a warm-colored dragon.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Pay. But even I think I am rocking this shirt.” He got up and made sure his shirt was nicely tucked in, and his black leather belt adjusted firmly around his hips.
“You do. I guessed the size. You’re a bit bigger than Volos.”
“That’s what she said.” Ladon grinned with a cheeky wink.
“Stop it!” She chucked with him. “You know what I meant. You boys are all so large across the chest, not to mention your arms. Buying for you all is quite the challenge.”
“I never asked you to,” Ladon said. But as he saw the flinch cross Payton’s face as if he’d just slapped her, he quickly added, “But I’m so grateful you do. You have impeccable taste.”
Payton nodded. “I do, don’t I?” She smiled. “Okay, you ready?”
“No,” he answered her honestly.
“No is the new yes, didn’t you know?” She took his hand and led him out of the cave and off on an adventure he wasn’t sure he was ready for.
An hour later, Ladon stood out on Belmont Street. The sign flashing above their head said Sykes Bar. “You’re taking me drinking?” He looked at Payton with confusion crossing his face.
“Just follow me,” she said and took his hand once more, opening the door and walked inside.
Ladon followed her. The bar was like most bars he’d been in worldwide. Television screens mounted on the walls all displaying a variety of games and races. A band in the corner was playing some song from the eighties he couldn’t quite put his finger on. There was a general smell of spilled beer, cheap perfume, and sweaty men. This was as far from Ladon’s comfort zone as he could get.
“Ladon,” Volos’ voice caught his attention. Looking over, he saw all his brothers were sitting around a table in the corner along with Kylee and Taryn. They were all staring at him with big smiles on their faces.
“What in all the oceans are you all up to?” he questioned as he walked over apprehensively.
Payton’s hand was on the small of his back, preventing him from turning and running. He had no choice but to continue forward and find out what was happening.
“Happy birthday, brother,” Tor said as he stood and wrapped his arms around Ladon. Clapping his hand firmly against Ladon’s shoulder blade, he nodded. “Seems like only yesterday you were a mere twenty-five.” He looked to V and wiped a faux tear from his cheek. “They grow so fast.”
“You’re a dick.” Kylee pushed Tor out of the way and wrapped her arms around Ladon’s large frame. “Happy birthday.”
“Happy birthday, bro,” Jo said from where he was seated, raising his beer in tribute.
Wyvern reached out to shake his brother’s hand, leaning in to complete the cool move with a shoulder tap. “Happy birthday, Ladon.”
After Taryn had hugged Ladon and wished him best for the day of his birth, it just left Volos, the oldest of the boys. V walked up to him and firmly shook his hand. “Happy birthday, Ladon. I wanted to make sure you knew how much we all need and appreciate you.”
“Not me. You can get fucked by a spikey pineapple,” Jo crowed, before recoiling under V’s intense stare. “Fine…” He stood and raised his glass to the sky. “I appreciate my asshole of a brother for it is him who I like to annoy the most.”
Ladon laughed. “I’ll drink to that, you crazy son of a bitch.”
“I’ll order some drinks. Same again, guys?” Kylee asked. “What about you, Ladon?”
“Beer will be fine. Thanks, Kylee.” He smiled at her sincerely kn
owing the last time he had spoken to her he was a rude prick, and she deserved an apology. He reached out to hold her forearm as she walked past, making her turn to look at him. “I’m sorry. About before…” he spoke quietly.
“Don’t!” She shook her head. “It’s forgotten.”
“But—” he protested.
“Don’t make me drop you on your cute ass on your birthday. I said it’s forgotten, so forget it. Beer was it, birthday boy?”
Kylee was one of the strongest human women Ladon had ever met. If he didn’t know better, you’d swear she had dragon in her blood. “Yes, please,” he replied as he watched her zig zag her way through the crowds to the bar. He returned his eyes to the group, pulling up a chair and taking a seat. “Thanks, guys, this is really… nice.”
“Kylee insisted you needed a party. She chose the venue, organized all the details, and made us all swear upon death to turn up,” Taryn said.
“Even made me traipse around with her as she scouted places to hold it,” Tor grumbled.
“I know it’s not your style,” Tor said. “But she did go to a lot of trouble for you.”
Tor was right, this wasn’t his scene. Knowing someone had gone to this much trouble to celebrate the day of your birth, that was an amazing feeling. Birthday celebrations were very much a human thing. In dragon culture, you had so many birthdays in a dragon’s long-life span, it seemed pointless to celebrate every single one of them.
Kylee came back juggling a tray of drinks. She slid them onto the table. Everyone took theirs and thanked her. “There is a special treat coming for us. This crazy good bartender created the most sublime cocktail I’ve ever tasted, and she is bringing us all one. Am I right, Tor?”
The brothers all looked to Tor as he nodded.
“Never tasted anything like it. Honestly, it’s phenomenal,” Tor replied.
“Wow! You’re a large bunch of lads, aren’t you?”
Ladon turned to look at where the voice had come from. Standing beside Kylee was this short woman with a large pile of bright red curls all bundled on top of her head. Ladon was surprised by the amount of makeup she wasn’t wearing. He assumed all women decorated their faces like clowns on a daily basis, yet, here was this sporty looking pocket rocket with her face clear of anything, and personally, it suited her perfectly.
“Guys, let me introduce you to Doug. She owns this joint,” Kylee said. “She’s also the creator of this amazing cocktail called Dragon’s Breath.”
Elyse found Tor amongst the lads and smiled. “Thanks to you for giving it a name.”
“You named it?” V’s head turned in surprise.
“I know, I’m as shocked as you are. But trust me, it’s the perfect name for it.”
“Who is the birthday boy?” Elyse asked.
Ladon didn’t need to raise his hand because all the others immediately pointed directly at him. “I guess it’s me.” He shrugged.
Elyse gently slid the tray of champagne flutes onto the table. Using the tray like one big saucer, she had placed a few cubes of dry ice around it. She pulled out a syringe from her apron and handed it to Ladon, pointing to the tray. “If you’ll do the honors, birthday boy.”
Ladon looked at the syringe then back at her in confusion.
“It’s water. Just shoot it on the tray, please,” Elyse reiterated.
Ladon did as he was told, aiming the syringe onto the tray letting the water shoot out only onto the dry ice cubes. Immediately, the smoke tendrils started to twist and turn upward and around the glasses containing the emerald to sapphire-colored drink.
A collective “oooh” escaped from all at the table.
V nodded. “I can see where you got the name.”
“Right?” Tor said in awe of the drink. “Wait till you taste it.”
“Birthday boy first,” Kylee said.
Elyse picked up a flute and handed it to Ladon. “Happy birthday.” Leaning in to place a soft kiss to his cheek, she pulled back, her nose scrunched up as if something was weirdly wrong. She looked around and saw Kylee staring at her with a curious tilt of her head.
Ladon took the glass, lifted it to his lips, and he drank some of the liquid which looked so much like his ocean home it was uncanny. His eyebrows pulled up dramatically as the flavor hit the back of his tongue and flowed down his throat. It was like an influx of pure joy into his body. Nothing he had ever consumed felt like that before.
V watched Ladon’s face and grabbed his glass. “I want some of what he’s having.” Taking a mouthful, his eyebrows joined Ladon’s at the top of his skull. A moan of pure pleasure rumbled up from deep in his chest. The others all wanted to share and started to take their glasses. The moans and sighs were like music to Elyse’s ears as she looked at the faces sitting around the table. She couldn’t believe that something she’d created was this amazing.
“Oh my…” Payton finally said.
“Right?” Kylee grinned. “What did I tell you? Doug is a flavor genius.”
“Doug?” It was like a flash of lightning had shot down from the heavens above and straight into his head causing his spine to straighten suddenly with trepidation of who he was actually sitting next to.
“Strange name, isn’t it? But still, she is cute as a button,” Kylee quipped.
His head slowly turned to stare at the small redhead who looked like she was flying high on the love of her created cocktail. Surely, it couldn’t be. There’s no way. Doug was a man, he fought like a man, hunted him like a man, bested him like a man—there was no chance he was a she. Was there?
She caught him staring at her. “You like it?” she asked nervously. Elyse hated appearing anything but completely in control. But this drink could put her bar on the map and her name in the cocktail-making history books. Not too shabby for an orphan from the gutters.
“Do you…” Ladon started to say but stopped.
“Do I what?” she asked curiously.
“Doug is an unusual name for a woman,” he said, trying to sound casual.
She shrugged. “I guess, but it serves me some anonymity. I’m not one for everyone knowing about me. Doug gives me a barrier to stand behind.”
“Like a… shield?” Ladon chose the last word very carefully. Watching for any telltale signs that she might, in fact, be the man he had been hunting online.
Her head tilted causing her messy bun to topple slightly off-center. “I guess so, yes.” She stared at him, his eyes almost matching the blue of the drink she had just created. “Shields are very helpful when battling for your personal safety.” Her words were evenly paced as her mind was working overtime trying to connect the dots.
He suddenly stood, nearly causing the table of drinks to tumble if V and Tor hadn’t balanced them as quickly as they did. “It’s you, Doug,” Ladon exclaimed with complete surprise.
“Nadol?” She giggled as she looked him up and down. “You’re bigger online.”
Ladon puffed up his chest defensively. “I… um… damn!” Running his hand through his hair, his eyes flicking around, he was unsure where to look. “I can’t believe you’re—”
“A woman?” Elyse offered him the word he was searching for. Her lips turned up with sudden distaste. “Typical man. You think that a set of balls means your top dog?” She leaned in close to him. “Let me tell you something, doggie boy. True power doesn’t come from having an overrated appendage.” Turning her back on Ladon, she noticed everyone at the table was suddenly looking at her. “My apologies. Consider the drinks on the house,” she stated and turned to leave.
Kylee reached out to grab her arm. “Nothing to apologize for, Ladon’s being a dick. It’s becoming a habit for him lately.”
Elyse shook her head. “I’m blaming the sugar. Something here smells so sweet, and I gave up sugar four weeks ago. So, let’s just blame that for my outburst and call it a night.” As she turned to walk away, she bumped straight into Mavis. “Sorry, Mavis.” She flicked a look back at the group before returning her gaze to
the elderly flower seller. “Don’t worry about this table, they aren’t flowery types.” She wrapped her arm over Mavis’ shoulder and guided her away from them.
Kylee released her arm and sat heavily back into her chair. She turned to the table and said, “You all heard that, right?”
The brothers all nodded except for Ladon, who was still focused on Doug from his game. The Doug being a woman who owned a bar.
“Here we go again,” V muttered as he finished off his Dragon’s Breath. “Think it’s time to call it a night. As enjoyable as this has been, certain developments now need to be brought into account. My office tomorrow morning, brothers. Not optional.” He looked to Ladon specifically, who simply nodded, oblivious to what had just happened right under his nose, or Elyse’s nose as the case may be.
Kylee was the last to leave, walking up to the bar and sliding five new, hundred-pound notes to Doug.
“Sorry,” Elyse said. “You don’t have to pay, I said—”
“We always pay our way. Don’t be sorry, not yet. There will be plenty of time for sorry later.” Kylee chuckled lightly.
“Huh?” She tilted her head.
“Can I just ask one question?” Kylee asked before she left.
“Sure.”
“What did you smell?”
Elyse’s eyes closed slowly as she revisited the smell, her tongue instinctively came out, and she licked her lips lightly. “The most intense strawberry cheesecake I’ve ever encountered.” She opened her eyes and looked at Kylee with a partial frown appearing. “Thing is, we don’t have it on the menu.”
“Go figure.” Kylee shrugged. “I’ll be seeing you again soon.”
Kylee tapped the bar twice and left without any more words spoken.
Doug was Ladon’s mate, not that either of them knew it yet.
Still, can’t deny the truth no matter how either of them might fight it.
“Can’t believe it happened again, and on his birthday, too.” Tor wondered as he sat to the left of Volos’ desk. It was just him and V as they were waiting for the rest of the brothers to join them.
Submerge (Apalala Clan Book 3) Page 5