Adding Fuel to the Flames

by Cree Storm

  Rhys pursed his lips and crossed his arms. "You just don't want to get fat alone."

  Twix smiled. "Well, it would be kind of fun to go through this together."

  "Twix, I am not pregnant," Rhys insisted and turned quickly. Suddenly Rhys's head began to swim and the ringing in his ears grew louder and then blackness overtook him. Rhys never felt Day's and Ethan's arms catch him before he hit the ground.

  CHAPTER 15

  Ethan sat looking at the ten long sticks with two pink lines. It was official, he was going to be a father. He had never thought about being an actual father before.

  "I don't even know what to say right now. I never really considered that I could be a father," Day muttered to no one in particular.

  Rhys sniffled. "I didn't even think about it. I'm so sorry."

  Ethan and Day immediately went to Rhys and took him in their arms. Ethan cuddled and soothed his mate, saying, "Sweetie, you didn't do anything wrong. None of us did. This might not be something we expected, but it is not something we regret. Honestly, I think we are all just scared and if we're completely honest, we're all a little dumbstruck. I think the three of us need a few moments to absorb this information so we can start planning for the miraculous event."

  Rhys snuggled closer to Ethan, asking, "You really think this is a miraculous thing?”

  "Oh, I think it is stupendous. I'm not going to lie to you. I'm scared shitless. I've never thought about being a father before. I have no idea what to do, but I know something that makes all of that a moot point," Ethan said quietly.

  "What's that?" Rhys asked as he sniffed and wiped his eyes.

  Ethan placed a soft hand on Rhys's stomach. "I have the two most fabulous mates in the world that are going to help me raise a beautiful baby into an absolutely gorgeous man."

  Day laughed. "Gorgeous, huh?"

  "Well, could he be anything else? I mean, think about it, Day. I have two of the most handsome men as my mates. Our child comes from good stock, it only makes sense," Ethan replied with a smile.

  Day snickered, "You do know he isn't a horse or cow, right? I mean good stock? You could come up with something ...."

  A knock on the door caused them all to go silent, Day asking, "Rhys, were you expecting anyone?'

  Shaking his head, Rhys nervously replied, "No, of course not."

  Slowly Day went to the door. "Who is it?"

  "We are here to see the Seneschal." A deep voice said from the other side.

  Day gave a strange look, saying, "There is no one here..."

  "He means me, Day. I am the Seneschal. Although, people normally call me Rhys. However, that is the term we use in the shimmer for the administration officer for the nobles," Rhys explained.

  Day opened the door and Ethan fell backwards onto a chair as Rhys screamed this high pitch sound, took off running, and leaped into a man that stood at around seven feet tall with long black hair and muscles that were stacked on top of muscles. He then dropped down from him, pushed past Day and leaped into the other man’s arms that was about a foot smaller than the first with long blond hair and turquoise green eyes.

  Rhys was crying, when he ran to the other man again, chanting, "My sweet and sexy. Oh, by the Gods! I swear, I have missed you two more than anyone could possibly miss someone."

  "Hey there, dragonfly, we've missed you, too," the blond man said with a smile.

  Day and Ethan growled low, causing Rhys to turn around. "Oh, you two stop that this instant. Don't you know who they are?"

  Ethan's phoenix came so close to the surface, he could feel the flapping of its wings and the burn of its flames. "Right now, my phoenix doesn't give a shit who they are. However, they do need to step away from my mate, immediately."

  Day snarled and Ethan could see the flash of fire in those beautiful icy blue orbs as well. He went to Rhys and pulled him gently out of the other man's arms. "I must agree with Ethan on this, Rhys. I am doing my best to hold back my dragon, but I am struggling."

  Rhys snuggled into Day's embrace. "I do love my mates, but you both are going to feel silly in a minute."

  "Silly or not, they are not to touch you, Rhys. I think our animals understand our particular addition and they are far more overprotective than usual," Ethan explained.

  Rhys pulled away from Day, then turned to face them. Slapping a hand on his waist and wagging a finger in their faces, Rhys replied, "Now, look here, my father took my guardians away from me once, I will not allow my mates to do the same. Besides, they are your uncles!"

  Day's eyes widened as he looked at the dark-haired man. "You're Uncle Casimir?"

  The dark-haired man smiled wide. "Yes, and it's good to see that my brother can raise a strong son with the heart of a warrior."

  Ethan tilted his head to the side, whispering, "That means you're my mom's brother, Aracas."

  Nodding, the blond man walked to Ethan and hugged him close before Ethan could say a thing. "I am. You look so much like your mother, Ethan. I was heartbroken when Destrain told me of her death. I wish I had been able to see her again, one last time."

  Ethan relaxed and hugged the man back. "She talked about you all the time."

  Aracas pulled back laughing. "I sure hope you didn't believe all the tales. Your mom caused just as much trouble."

  Ethan pulled back, wiping his eyes, saying, "She told me you were a great warrior and protector for our people. She missed you a great deal. I'd sometimes go into her room to ask her something and I'd hear her talking. When I asked who she was talking to, she would tell me she was talking to you. Mom said she told you everything, even mistakes she made. You never judged her, only guided her."

  "Your mom rarely made mistakes, and there are some things that a brother should never be told," Aracas said with a small laugh.

  "I'm not trying to be rude, but what are you doing here?" Day asked.

  Casimir went to Rhys once more and took him by the shoulders. "Regent Dain tells us that you are with child. We are once again your guardians, dragonfly."

  Day went to Ethan and took his hand, squeezing it hard, saying, "That is our job, not yours."

  Another knock had Daytona going to the door. "Who is it now?"

  "Hey dude, open the door, it's fucking cold out here," Jett yelled back.

  Day opened the door, saying, "I thought you guys left?"

  Jett walked in with Zev, Sutton, and Logan, "We wanted to hang out with my buddies for a bit before heading back. Morgan took off like a bat out of hell. He was meeting Angelo at Twixie's for dinner. Your dad and Justice had some business at the new Council building. Finn and Marco wanted to get Twix home so he could rest after such a big day. So, we wanted to see if you guys wanted to go grab a bite to eat at the small restaurant near the bar."

  Sutton smiled at Casimir. "Damn, if all men in Maddox look like that one there, I am so loving the fact that Nick brought us here."

  Casimir's eyes went wide and he looked like he was seeing a three-headed ghost. "Uh, hi."

  Sut licked his lips, and sauntered closer as Casimir backed up. "Are you trying to run from little ole me, my big brave dragon? I sure hope not. Because my little arctic fox would love nothing more than to play chase."

  "Sutton, stop scaring my uncle," Day said with a smirk.

  "Hell, he's been doing that since the day they came to Pennsylvania to help us move to Maddox," Logan said with a laugh then suddenly stopped, gasping, "Wait! Did you say your uncle?"

  When Casimir backed up even further, Sutton's demeanor changed and Ethan could have sworn the man looked let down. "Sut, are you all right?"

  Sutton looked a Casimir once more, then gave a big smile. "Yeah, I'm great. So how about that dinner?"

  Day looked like he was about to decline, but Ethan saw Rhys' eyes and knew their mate wanted to go. "You know, that sounds great. And just so you know, this is my Uncle Aracas and Day's Uncle Casimir. They are Rhys' guardians."

  Day's phone rang just as they were about to leave. "Hey Angelo how are─
─No my dad and Justice went to the Council building."

  Ethan couldn't hear what Angelo was saying, but he could hear his fast talking and anxiousness.

  "Angelo, slow down. What? Who took Manny?"

  Angelo started talking and Day cut him off. "Get to the station. Frankie should be there. Let him know what's going on. Call Vik, too. Have him meet you at the station. Jett and Zev are already here, we'll take off and go looking and Ethan will drive with Rhys to see if he can find any sign of him. Just calm down and go."

  Day hung up, and Ethan quickly asked, "What does Angelo mean that Manny is missing?"

  “Angelo and Morgan were heading home from Twixie's when Angelo had a vision. He said that a really large green man appeared out of nowhere while Manny was walking, grabbed Manny, and disappeared."

  "Did you say a green man?" Rhys asked nervously.

  Nodding, Day replied, "I know it sounds crazy but that's what Angelo said."

  "Manny was taken by a fairy. We need to go find him, now!" Rhys said in horror.

  Casimir and Aracas reacted at the same time, when they grabbed Rhys by the arm. "Let go of me. He's just a child. I have to go and help find him."

  Shaking his head, Casimir replied, "No, Rhys. It's too dangerous for you to go. First of all, a fairy would love to get a hold of you just because you're a royal. However, add in the fact that you are a pregnant royal, and you are like a wet dream."

  Ethan looked skeptically at Casimir. "What does that mean? Why would Rhys be like a wet dream to the fairies if he were caught?"

  Aracas spoke first, "Besides the fact that he is a two for one, a pixie’s magic is greatest when they are with child. They're magic becomes almost supercharged when they're pregnant. That's another reason Dain wanted Rhys to have his guardians back. He will take no chances that a fairy might slip into Maddox and try and take his son and grandchild."

  Rhys tried to pull away from Casimir and Aracas. "No, you heard my mates. They need me to go with Ethan to help look for Manny. He can't go alone, it isn't safe. What if he's attacked by the enemy? I will not have my mate alone in a car while he looks for Manny."

  Sut never looked away from Casimir, as he said, "I'll go with Ethan."

  Casimir drew back sharply. "What? No!"

  Sut raised his brows high as he pursed his lips angrily. "It is clear to everyone here that you are not my keeper nor my boss. I am going with Ethan and unless you can give a very good reason why I shouldn't, I suggest you stay very quiet and leave me the fuck alone."

  Casimir opened his mouth and then closed it. Ethan could see there was some sort of struggle going on here and even though it was confusing, none of them had time to figure out what in the hell was going on. "Look, my best friend's son is missing. Whoever is going needs to go. Casimir, you and Aracas stay with our mate. If he gives you any problems, you have our permission to take him to the local police station, and let Pauly know that I asked you to lock him in one of the cells until we return."

  Rhys gasped, "You wouldn't?"

  Ethan went to Rhys whispering, "I wouldn't want to, but if what your guardians say is true, then to keep you and our child safe, yes I will. Now behave and try to remember, you can't just think about you anymore."

  Rhys pushed out his bottom lip in a pout. "Fine, but when you get back, I better get one of the best blow jobs in history."

  Ethan laughed, kissed Rhys lightly, muttering, "You've got a deal."

  Day kissed Rhys and made him promise to be good, then took off out the door. Before Ethan closed the front door, he heard Aracas saying, "Dragonfly, I meant to tell you, that outfit is just beautiful on you."

  Rhys started swirling in a circle telling him how it was a gift from his mates. Closing the door, Ethan hoped that they made it back to help him out of it so he could give his mate that promised blow job.

  CHAPTER 16

  There had been no sign of Manny or a green man. Angelo and Morgan were going ballistic, and Day couldn’t blame them. Having a child disappear, or taken, was one of the most horrifying things that could happen in one's life. While trying to help, Day started thinking of his own child and how the babe would be part pixie, which meant they would have to remain vigilant for their child’s whole life because of the threat the fairies posed.

  “Day, babe, are you okay?” Ethan asked from beside him and Day felt his mate’s gentle touch on his leg.

  Day turned to look at Ethan and gave him a smile when he saw the worried look on Ethan’s face. He placed his hand over Ethan’s and gave it a small squeeze. “I’m okay, baby.”

  “Then why have we just been sitting here in your truck for the past fifteen minutes while you stare off into nothing, instead of going inside to see our mate? What is it, my love?”

  “We’re going to be fathers, Ethan. I never thought that was possible for us unless we adopted like Angelo and Morgan. But now we are going to have a child. One of our own. It’s not that I don’t want the baby, because I do. I want it more than anything. A child that is made of the love I share with my mates. Besides having you and Rhys and both your love, I couldn’t think of anything better in life. I just never thought that I would be a father because I always knew I was gay. And now with Manny missing, and seeing the pain and worry in Angelo and Morgan, I was thinking about how I was going to keep our baby safe. With not only the fairies and elves out there trying to get their hands on a pixie, but others may also, when they learn how powerful a pixie is. I need to keep you, Rhys, and our baby safe, Ethan. There is no way I would survive if I were to lose any of you,” Day said in desperation.

  Day could see the tears that brimmed in Ethan’s eyes as his mate stared at him with a look so full of love and devotion, that it tugged on Day’s heart. Ethan climbed over the console between them and straddled his lap, then Ethan took his face into his hands and looked deeply into his eyes. “I love you more than words can say, Daytona. I thank the Gods every day for bringing you into my life, and I couldn’t survive without you either. Then the Gods blessed me again by giving us Rhys, and I love him just as deeply and fiercely as I love you. Now the Gods have found it in their hearts to bless me again by making it possible for me to have a child. A child with the two men I love most in this world. As scared as I am about that and for all the reasons you mentioned, I just can’t believe the Gods would shower me with such blessings only to rip them away from me. You won’t be doing this alone, Day. It’s the three of us against the world now and me, you, and Rhys will do whatever is needed to ensure our child’s safety. And you need to remember, this child has a lot of uncles who will kill anyone to protect him or her. And three extremely powerful grandpas. As well as a pixie king as an uncle.”

  His wonderful mate was right. He wasn’t alone in this and Day took great comfort from that knowledge. He slid his hands up Ethan’s thighs and onto his hips. “You’re right, baby. We’re not alone. We have a large family here to back us up. Which only makes me feel even guiltier for leaving while everyone is still looking for Manny.”

  “We’ve been doing everything we could, Day, but with everything going on in both Crystal and Maddox right now we need to get some rest when we can, so that we can keep going. Besides, with all this Salem crap and now this on top of it, when was the last time either of us slept? Three days? We both need some sleep, love, if we are going to be any good in helping. The others have it covered for now. Once we rest and get some food, make sure our pregnant mate is okay and well taken care of, then we can go back so some of the others can go rest.”

  Day knew he had a goofy smile on his face but didn’t care. His mate was so damn smart, and could always calm him and make him see reason. There was no one on the planet luckier than he was to have Ethan and Rhys as his. Day leaned forward and gave Ethan a soft, tender kiss. “Thank you, baby. I needed that little pep talk. Now, what do you say we go inside and check on our beautiful mate? Maybe you can give him that blowjob you promised while I fuck you into the mattress,” Day said mischievously as he wi
ggled his eyebrows.

  “Ooh, I like the way you think,” Ethan purred and kissed Day quickly. He grabbed the handle for the door and opened it, then climbed off Day’s lap and stepped out onto the curb.

  Day pulled the keys from the ignition and followed Ethan out, closing the door. As he hit the fob to engage the locks, a wave of fear raced through him, and his breath caught in his throat. “What if I’m not a good father, Ethan? What if I’m like my father when it comes to our child?” Day asked, his voice cracking with emotion.

  Ethan placed a hand on Day’s shoulder and pulled, encouraging Day to turn and face him. Reluctantly he turned, but wouldn’t meet Ethan’s gaze. The fear in him was very real, and only caused shame to engulf him.

  “In a lot of ways, you are already like your father, Daytona, but not in that way,” Ethan said with conviction as he placed a finger under Day’s chin, forcing him to raise his head and meet Ethan’s gaze. “You are strong and fierce. Extremely protective of those you love, and will stop at nothing to ensure their safety. You are kind and giving, understanding and compassionate. All attributes you share with Illan. But unlike Illan, you, Daytona Sutherlan, lived with Illan as your father and you are well aware of the things he did while raising you and how it affected you. I highly doubt…no, I am absolutely sure you will not do that to our child. Because of what you have experienced you will not do to our child what has been done to you. Plus, you will have me and Rhys there to slap you upside your head and reel you in,” Ethan said teasingly, causing Day to chuckle lightly.

  “And don’t think our little spitfire of a mate won’t do just that to you if you get overprotective. Like you, Rhys knows what that can do to a child,” Ethan added.

  Day leaned down and placed his forehead against Ethan’s, closed his eyes, and just breathed deeply, taking comfort from his mate’s scent.

  “Ethan is absolutely right, son,” Illan said from next to them.