Judging from the sullen look the shifter had given him, he would love a chance to get back at Tristan.
Niki and the twins were his greatest loves…and his greatest weaknesses.
As an ancient immortal, he had no need of food, but suddenly he clamored for a tall, ice cold glass of ale. One appeared in his hands instantly. He took an appreciative sip.
“Rough day with the shifters?” Niki dropped a kiss on his cheek and then sat at the table next to him.
“The usual. Where are the twins?” Anxiety stabbed him. Though they were safe here at all times, he still worried.
Fatherhood, he supposed.
“Napping. They had a lovely day, visiting Xavier and Ciara. Sonia needs playmates.”
And Danu only knew what that child taught his children. Too smart for her own good. Probably Keegan and Kara would return babbling how much they adored dragons and wanted to ride atop of Drust as he flew.
Whereas the only one he wanted riding atop the dragon was a certain brunette shifter who happened to possess the Book of Shadows.
Tristan set down his ale and reached for Niki’s hand. “My love, must you visit the ranch at this time? It’s still cold in Montana.”
Niki’s blue gaze narrowed. “It’s usually cold in Montana. I haven’t seen Nia for weeks. Besides, she wants to celebrate the twins’ birthdays, and hers and mine at the barbecue. You know she can’t visit us here. What gives, Tristan?”
“I don’t want you to go.” There, he’d stated it. Man of the house, or wizard of his castle, so to speak.
Right.
“And I say we need to go. The twins have family in Montana they need to get to know.”
“At the age of 15 months?” He scowled. “They’re not even truly talking, Niki.”
The fact that his beloved children were not verbal at 15 months as Sonia was at 12 months bothered him, yet he suspected there was a reason behind it. They were offspring of two powerful immortals.
“Can’t you just Skype with your sister?”
“I miss her,” she blurted out. “I love you and our life here, but I told you, Tristan, Nia and I share a special connection.”
Oh boy. He was in for it now, because arguing with her was not what he’d intended.
Instead, he tried logic. “Niki, the Book of Shadows is in the hands of a mortal and it’s dangerous. I don’t want you going to Montana.”
“Is Lacey in Montana with the book?”
“No,” he admitted. “But… I’d feel better if you stayed home. They’re just … babies.”
“Why? Because you’ll worry too much?” Niki’s expression softened. “Tristan, they are babies, but sooner or later, you have to realize they’ll have their own lives, and make their own mistakes and have to make their way in the world. You can’t protect them forever.”
And that was his greatest worry. Because for a mortal father, the world presented enough threats for children. But for an immortal wizard who made enemies after delivering justice to wayward shifters, the world was downright dangerous. An angry bear shifter could find Keegan and Kara and harm them. A resentful Lupine had fangs that bit and claws that hurt.
“It’s not safe in Montana at Aiden’s ranch,” he countered. “Aiden can’t protect them enough.”
Now Niki rolled her eyes. “Tristan, Aiden has a pack of male Lupines who constantly guard his daughter to protect her. What makes you think he wouldn’t set the same standards for watching over our twins? Even more so, because he knows their vulnerability at his ranch?”
And you think I can’t protect our babes with my powers?”
She flicked a hand and the glass of ale sailed from the table to the counter, and turned into red liquid. Then it returned to his hand.
His nose wrinkled as he sipped. “Tomato juice?”
A flush tinted her cheeks. “I was trying for a Bloody Mary.” She bit her lip as he sipped again and made a face.
Tristan tried to cheer her. “Not a problem, my love. At least it wasn’t blood and you did not mistake me for a vampire.”
Niki flashed her wolf fangs at him. Dear goddess, he loved it when she did that.
“Later,” he said huskily. “When our children are asleep for the night.”
She stared at her hands, as if willing them into claws. “I wish using my new powers was as easy for me as it is to turn wolf.”
He snapped his fingers and the drink became ale again. “You are still learning, my love. Mistakes will be made and that is why as much as I know you would protect our children with the fierceness of your wolf, they are still vulnerable.”
“Even so, our children have their own powers. They are as immortal as you and I, and they have powerful magick, even if they have not shown it yet.”
And there was the true heart of his worry. He should tell her what he’d discovered earlier this week while talking with Danu about Drust’s progress.
Tristan had made it a point to always try to be as honest as possible with his mate, especially regarding their children.
“Do you remember what the goddess told you, Niki, when you made the decision to become immortal and live here with me?”
She nodded. “Danu said I was carrying a boy.
Niki recited Danu’s words. “It is a he, as Tristan predicted. And rest assured, he will be fine, though both of you will have your hands full in dealing with an immortal child who has powerful magick.”
Ah, the goddess who never told him fully what to expect and always kept him guessing. “She did not tell us that you would birth twins. Because Keegan was conceived when I temporarily lost my powers here to beget him, and Kara was conceived shortly after, when I regained my wizard powers.”
Niki shook her head. “Inconceivable.”
As she giggled, he groaned. “No more watching The Princess Bride. I swear, you can quote that movie line for line. I suppose I should count myself fortunate you did not name our little girl Buttercup.”
Her smile faded. “I suppose it is possible to conceive twins on different days. They look identical but there are differences. But what is your exact point?”
He arched a brow. “Do you remember how I gave you all my wizard powers to save your life?”
“Of course.” Her expression softened. “You sacrificed yourself for me, and for our son.’
“And after my fellow wizards gave me the potion to restore me, you and I were equals in power. And then we made love.” He grinned with the memory as she blushed. “For hours.”
“I remember,” she said, blushing harder.
Then her eyes widened as if she realized the implications. “You mean the immortal child we will have our hands full in dealing with is… Kara? She has your powers? And my new ones?”
“And Keegan does not. Though I am sure when he comes of age he will have much magick of his own, because of his linage.”
“This is all so… strange and wonderful. And scary.” Worry clouded her gaze. “Tristan, we have our hands full all right. Two children, one with enormous wizard powers and one who will be an immortal Lupine.”
“Which makes Keegan vulnerable on earth to my enemies.”
He’d hoped that would convince her to delay her visit. But Niki’s expression turned into that stubborn one he knew well. “All the same, I can protect our babies. And so will Aiden and Nia.”
Tristan sighed. “But I can’t help but worry, Niki. Can you not wait and visit later, when I can be with you and the twins? It’s my busy season. I have packs of horny and stubborn shifters to deal with.”
Her large blue gaze grew woebegone. “I suppose, if it makes you happy.”
In making him happy, it would make her unhappy. Tristan made a snap decision, one he knew would rest in his favor, for he had a plan. “Let the twins decide.”
Niki blinked. “Our children, who barely speak? You want them to decide?”
“Yes.” Tristan waved a hand and the pint vanished. “Come, let’s go into the living room and talk a while. I may ha
ve to leave shortly.”
In the living room, Niki picked up the glass globe music box he’d given her for their one month anniversary. Twin girls sat on a bench reading, their heads bent together, replicas of Nia and Nikita at the age of ten. She turned the hand and the music box played “What the World needs now is love.”
The world did need more love, he reflected as she set the box down. Too bad darkness seemed to outshine it these days.
But here inside his home in the afterworld of Tir Na-nog, his loved ones were as protected as the girls inside the globe. Until someone dropped it and it shattered. And all it took for one asshole to drop a bomb on him was for said asshole to hurt the children.
Tristan plopped onto the couch, waved a hand and clothed himself in sweatpants and a black T-shirt. Niki loved him in casual clothing. He patted his lap and she sat, curling her arms around his neck.
Several long, deep kisses later, he finally got around to the talking part. He told her about his long day on earth and she filled him in on details of hers, and what the twins had done.
They were forming complete words and each day their vocabulary increased. A sense of wistfulness filled him. He wanted to be here for every single minute of their childhood.
Obligations called him away instead. But while he was here, and no shifter needed him, he would enjoy his family.
They went into the nursery and saw the children were up, babbling to each other in their separate cribs. His heart turned over as he slid an arm around Niki’s waist and stared at their children. They looked identical, but were not. Both had chubby cheeks, dark blond hair cut short and eyes blue as his beloved mate’s.
“They’re growing so fast.” Niki gave a wistful sigh. “Nia would love to see them and spoil them. You seriously want them to decide about this trip?”
Tristan thought of his plan and smiled. “Yes.”
He went to the cribs and held out his arms. The twins screamed “Dada,” clamoring to be held. He picked up both in his arms and showered them in kisses.
“Who wants to go for a pony ride?” he asked.
“Pony ride, me, me,” Kara called out.
“Dada,” Keegan added.
They had noticed Kara seemed to have more command of language, while Keegan was more dexterous. Keegan had yet to say more than “Dada” and “Momma.”
The twins also seemed to have their own special language, which Niki had told him was the same way she and Nia and communicated when they were younger.
Outside, he carried Keegan while Niki carted Kara.
He shifted into a small Shetland pony and Niki strapped Keegan on his back. Tristan trotted around the small paddock in the back yard he’d created for the twins.
After a short ride, with Keegan screaming for joy as he bounced up and down, Tristan used his powers to unstrap his son, lift him up and float him into the arms of his beaming mother, who sat on the park bench with Kara.
Tristan shifted back into his human form, clothed himself in jeans and a western shirt and plucked Keegan out of Niki’s arms. “Yee haw! Was that fun?”
“Dada,” Keegan shouted.
“Fun, fun,” Kara screamed. “Me next Dada! I want pony ride!”
Keegan grinned at him, showing his first tooth. Marveling, Tristan picked up his tousle-haired son. He was growing so fast. Too fast. He wanted to cherish every single moment with him.
“You liked your ride?”
Keegan nodded, his dark blond hair flying up and down with the effort.
“There’s no place like home, eh son?” Tristan gave Niki a smug smile. “Here, you can have whatever you want, all the ponies you wish to ride. So which place is better, Keegan? Here in Tir Na-nog with Dada or in Montana?”
Then Keegan looked at his sister, who babbled something. His son clapped his hands and nodded.
Tristan’s happy grin dropped a minute later as his beloved son touched his face and spoke his choice.
“Montana.”
Chapter 8
Drust’s mouth burned as if he kissed pure fire. Which was an apt description, he thought ruefully. Lacey was nothing short of volcanic.
She was also stubborn and secretive and not willing to tell him what he needed to know.
Lacey had dodged his question again, and when he’d asked her boss to relieve her from her shift, he’d agreed. But it infuriated Lacey.
“I need the money, wizard. Thanks a lot.”
Again, she was angry with him. But this time, he brooked no disobedience. Instead, he waved a hand and transported them both into her house.
Lacey put a hand to her mouth, looking nauseated. He helped her bend over, instructing her to take deep breaths to let it pass. When she straightened, she looked much better. Except still furious.
“I didn’t invite you into my home, wizard.” Lacey marched into the kitchen and flipped on the light. “I’d tell you to make yourself at home, except my house will probably be foreclosed next week, so don’t get too comfortable.”
Drust noticed some of the furniture was gone, along with one good oil painting that had hung on the wall. He followed her into the kitchen.
“Your financial situation is truly that dire?” he quietly asked.
Lacey braced both hands on the sink, looking ill again. “I put a hefty mortgage on this house with a balloon payment. The balloon was due two months ago.”
“What is this balloon?” So much he didn’t know about the mortal world.
Her hands trembled as she gripped the sink. “Something mortal banks put on a loan to make more money and take advantage of poor people like me with houses and little credit. It expands in the amount you owe until it explodes in your face, like a real balloon.”
Damnit, why had he not known about this? He was guardian of dragons, not only their judge, the wizard who was supposed to help them in their worst hour. When Lacey had told him last year she needed money, he thought it was for frivolous things. Not her home.
It’s because I cannot get a read on her, unlike other dragons. He did not know why this was true.
Opening the refrigerator, alarm filled him. Little food was there, certainly not the red meat all dragons needed once a month to shift. A few cartons of plain yogurt, little more.
“Yogurt?” he asked, shutting the door. “You cannot survive on dairy products. Not unless you eat the cow as well.”
She shrugged. “It fills my stomach. That and the noodles. I did have chicken last night.”
Well, he could take care of this. Drust waved a hand and a kitchen chair slid out. “Sit,” he ordered.
As she scowled, he conjured a thick, raw steak, barely seared on the grill, on a plate, along with a tall glass of a nutrition drink he knew dragons needed when they were run down.
“Sit,” he repeated.
“I thought you came here to find the book.”
“Sit.” Tenacious!
“I am not a dog who performs on command. And I’m not hungry.”
Impatient, he waved another hand and she floated over to the chair and her body plopped down into it. Drust waved another hand and the chair pulled up to the table.
What else? Oh, linens and silverware.
He conjured fine sterling silverware, a steak knife, a blue tablecloth embroidered with gold and blue flowers, and a linen napkin. Lower lip jutting out, she glowered at the plate.
Taking the chair opposite her, he waited. In some things, he had all the patience in the world, especially when he knew the level of hunger Lacey must feel.
The savory smell of grilled steak filled the air, and even though he had no need of food, it tempted even his taste buds. Finally Lacey picked up fork and knife and sliced off a tiny piece. It was a morsel not even big enough to feed a mouse, but satisfaction filled him.
After popping it into her mouth and chewing, she closed her eyes. And then she began sawing at the steak like a starving dragon, taking big chunks and gulping them down.
“Easy,” he murmured, placing his hand over
hers as she chewed. “There’s more. Much more. It won’t vanish.”
As she swallowed, distrust filled her expression. “This isn’t a trick to get me to give you the book? You make my only real meal of the week disappear just as I’m enjoying it.”
He wondered who in the past could have been so cruel to expose her to such things. “No Drink the moonlight juice. It will replenish your lost protein much faster.”
Lacey picked up the glass, regarded it as he’d seen Xavier’s daughter Sonia regard her broccoli. She took a sip and grimaced as much as Sonia had when X tried to feed it to her.
Only Lacey could not spit it out and then wave a hand, turning it to her favorite treat of hot dogs as X’s daughter had.
“This is terrible! It tastes like your old socks.”
Amused, he shook his head. “I do not wear socks. Drink it all, Lacey. It is good for you.”
Muttering something beneath her breath, she drank.
Sensing her humiliation at watching her eat, he conjured another steak for himself, much smaller, along with a glass of the ale Lacey had selected for him at the bar. As he ate small bites, Drust stole glances at his charge.
Hunger satisfied, she ate dainty bites, spearing the steak with her left hand and bringing it to her mouth to chew slowly as to savor each bite. Cobwebs of distant memories swept at him of someone in his quite distant past who did the same.
He dismissed the memory. It mattered not.
“So wizard, why are you being so nice to me? I don’t like you.”
The question, and the admission, stung a little. “I am the guardian of dragons, and you are my charge. You need food, I provide it.”
“Yeah well.” She finished the steak, drained the juice with another grimace and pushed back from the table. “Thanks, but don’t expect me to follow your orders, wizard. Or fall in love with you because you’re an amazing kisser.”
Admiration he wanted. Respect, he required. Love? That did not matter as much, for as a wizard, his job required his subjects obey and respect him, not love him.
Not even if they were as fiery and lovely as Lacey McGuire, whose kiss heated his veins and filled him with desire he had not felt in centuries.
THE MATING CLAIM: Werewolves of Montana Book 14 Page 7