by Cree Storm
“Ethan is absolutely right, son,” Illan said from next to them.
Day pulled back and he and Ethan both turned to face Illan. He stood only a few feet away, with Justice and Avery standing beside him, each holding one of his hands. Day could see the guilt and shame in his father’s eyes. Illan took another step forward.
“I never meant to cause you such pain and grief. I thought I was doing what was best for us as a family and for the dragons as a whole. I loved your mother deeply, Daytona, and when we lost her, I was so overwhelmed with my own loss that I failed to see how much you were hurting. I was so twisted up with the loss of my wife, that I didn’t stop to think that you had lost your mother. Then I was so scared that I was going to lose you, too. You were all I had left, Day, and I needed to keep you safe. I needed to protect you. But I did everything wrong. I forced you to stay by using guilt and doing everything I could to control you. I knew it was wrong when I did it, but my head and heart battled daily over it. My heart always won. Just the thought of you going off to college and not being near made me feel as if I was losing you, too, and I just couldn’t deal with it.”
Illan released his mate’s hands and took the last few steps to Day, closing the distance between them. As Day kept his gaze on his father, he felt Ethan squeeze his hand before he released it, and stepped back.
“I truly am sorry, son, and I hope that someday you can forgive me, but I needed to you to know that it was never my intent to harm you, or affect you so deeply that you would question your own worth as a father. I know you will make an amazing father, Daytona. And the reason I know this is because you were always an amazing son, and are now an amazing man. You are much better than I ever was and I know you will continue to be. I would really like it if we can move forward and find a way past this so that our family can go on growing and being happy. You and the other boys have brought so much to my life and now you all have mates of your own and two of you are expecting. This is a time of celebration for our family. A time to bury the past and move on. I promise you that I will do whatever it takes to bring us back together again like we once were so long ago.”
Day kept his gaze on Illan’s eyes and face the whole time he spoke and Day knew, without one doubt, that everything his father was saying was true, and in a way, that thought had shocked him. Illan was finally owning up to everything he had done, and was willing to do whatever Day said, to make amends and have that loving family back. But this time it would be greater because of what Illan said about their family growing. Each of these wonderful men that have come into their lives only enriching them. He believed in Illan and his words. He believed in the shame and guilt he saw, and knew what he had to do. He had to let go of all the bad memories and feelings and allow Illan back into his heart. He had never stopped loving his father, but he had protected himself from being hurt again from this powerful man by closing himself off and using the anger to deal with Illan. But he couldn’t do it anymore. It was too exhausting and didn’t make anything better. He needed to make things better for everyone involved. Especially for Ethan, Rhys, Avery, Justice, and their new baby.
Day reached out a hand toward Illan and Illan looked at it, hope filling his eyes. Illan reached out and clasped Day’s hand with his own. “I forgive you, Dad. Let’s just move on and begin again, from here,” Day offered.
A relieved smile formed across Illan’s face. Their hands were still clasped and Illan pulled Day forward, wrapping his arms around Day, and hugging him. Day was a little shocked at first, because this was the first time his father had hugged him since before his mother died. But he quickly covered up his shock and returned the hug. It felt good to have his father back. The father he remembered from his childhood. The one who actually talked to him, not growled and demanded.
After a few minutes, they pulled back from the embrace and both smiled at each other. Illan took a step back and was immediately wrapped in both his mates’ arms again, just as Day was by Ethan, as his phoenix mate stood beside him with happy tears in his eyes.
* * * *
Rhys stood by the window and smiled as he watched his two wonderful mates just sitting out at the curb in Day’s truck. He could tell that Day was lost in thought, but then Ethan pulled him out of it. He watched as the two talked for a few minutes and he could see the stress and worry on Day’s face. But then seeing Ethan climb into Day’s lap made Rhys smile again. Others may feel insecure about the sight, seeing as Day and Ethan had already been mates for a few years before Rhys had come into their lives, but he wasn’t. He could feel the immense love his mates had for him every time they looked at him or touched him. Them sharing a private moment didn’t mean they didn’t want him, and Rhys was sure that in their long life together they would each have private moments.
“Are they still just sitting out there?” Casimir asked as he came to stand next to Rhys.
“Yup,” Rhys answered.
“I have to admit, my brother raised a wonderful man in Daytona,” Casimir stated.
“You sound surprised,” Rhys commented.
“I confess, I kind of am. Illan was never one to have much patience. Being the next in line to rule over the dragons was a lot of pressure on him. Our father was tough on Illan when we were growing up. Illan was never allowed to have much fun. He never had a choice in the matter. It was always study, study, study, and train to be a warrior until he dropped into bed every night from exhaustion. I know Day’s mother probably had more to do with the way Day is, than Illan, but there is still a lot of Illan in there. Day’s fierce need to protect those he loves is just like Illan. But his fierce devotion to you and Ethan is Illan, too. Illan loves with everything that he is and I see he has passed that down to his son. Even though he was a pain in the ass and overbearing most of the time, Illan really does only think of protecting his family and his people,” Casimir explained as they both continued to stare out the window.
Rhys turned to face the large dragon and gave him a smile. “Thank you for telling me that, Casimir. With all the tension between Illan and Day, I think I needed to hear that about my father-in-law. To know that, just like my own father, everything they have done was out of love, helps me to understand him more, and allows me to help my mate better.”
“Speak of the devil,” Casimir said and nodded with his chin, back toward the window.
Rhys turned to gaze out the window again and found Ethan and Day now standing on the sidewalk talking, while Illan and his mates walked up the sidewalk and stopped a few feet away. He couldn’t make out what was being said, but he could see the sincerity of whatever Illan was saying.
Rhys’s brows rose and a happy smiled crossed his lips as he watched Day and Illan embrace. He somehow knew they had a new understanding and they were going to be fine. He watched as they each let go and joined their mates again. Then all of them stood there speaking for a few more minutes. Rhys knew his men would be walking in soon and an idea hit him. He smiled to himself from his wicked thoughts and turned from the window.
“Oh, no. I know that look. You have an idea,” Aracas stated with a small chuckle.
“Yes, I do. I know I can’t expect you two to just go away for a few hours so that I can please my men by fucking their brains out, but maybe you could use the deaf spell and make yourself not be able to hear us for the night?” Rhys asked hopefully.
Casimir smirked as he shook his head. “No can do, dragonfly. We need all our senses to protect you.”
“Then maybe I will use a silencing spell around our bedroom so that you can’t hear us,” Rhys stated, almost like a petulant child.
“Fine, but don’t be surprised if we come knocking every ten minutes or so because we can’t hear anything and need to ensure you are okay,” Casimir added.
Rhys’s brows went high as his jaw dropped open. Then his face turned angry as he pushed out his bottom lip in a pout. He crossed his arms over his slim chest and stomped his foot. “You wouldn’t?” he whined.
“Oh, yes w
e would,” Casimir replied as he too crossed his arms over his chest.
They stared at one another, each using their eyes in defiance, willing the other to back down. Finally, a mischievous thought came to him and Rhys smirked at his big protector. “Fine, then have fun listening to me scream in ecstasy all night. Words like, Yes, Day, more! Shove that big, fat, co―”
“Okay, okay. Enough. You win. Put a silence spell around the room, but you have to promise to put a protection spell around it as well after Day and Ethan enter. And make sure that only Aracas and I can breech it, just in case,” Casimir agreed.
Rhys smiled victorious. “Sure thing, big guy. Now if you will excuse me, I need to go get ready for some hot monkey sex with my mates,” Rhys stated, then turned and headed to his bedroom.
CHAPTER 17
“Oh, my fucking gods, Day, yes! Don’t stop! Every time you slam Ethan with that big cock of yours, he swallows my cock down his throat and his muscles grip me so tight!” Ethan heard Rhys scream out, and it made him chuckle around the delicious shaft in his mouth.
Rhys really tasted incredible. So much so that Ethan just wanted to suck his cock all night. He felt Day’s fingers grip his hips tighter, and knew that Rhys’ words only turned his big mate on even more. Day loved dirty talk in the bedroom and Ethan knew he was about to get the pounding of his life.
Day pulled his hips back, his cock sliding from his hole until just the tip remained, then slammed back inside, filling him completely and hitting his pleasure gland. Ethan moaned deep, loving the feel of Day inside him.
Day went wild and started to power into him and Ethan’s mind was lost in the bliss. A whimper came from above him and Ethan realized he had stopped his ministrations on Rhys’ cock for a moment as he enjoyed what Day was doing to him. His own cock was hard and throbbing, and he could feel the pre-cum leaking down the side. He needed release so bad, but wanted to make sure Rhys found his first.
“I need to come, baby, but I want Rhys to come first,” Ethan said to Day using their mental link.
Day thrust back into him hard and Ethan gasped around the cock in his mouth. But Day didn’t pull back out. He released Ethan’s hips and wrapped his strong, thick arms around Ethan’s chest and pulled him up and back.
Rhys’s cock slipped from his lips as Ethan was pulled upright onto his knees and found himself sitting on Day’s thighs with his cock still balls deep inside him. He heard Rhys cry out his objection from the loss of Ethan’s mouth, but Day quickly cut him off.
“Climb up here and ride Ethan, baby. Wrap those gorgeous legs around us both and hold on for the ride of your life,” Day instructed between clenched teeth.
Ethan opened his eyes and watched Rhys scramble to stand over him. As Rhys moved closer, Ethan licked his lips again from the sight of Rhys’s pretty cock right in his face, leaking with need. But before Ethan could wrap it in his lips again, Rhys was lowering himself.
Ethan felt Day’s large hand grip his shaft right before Rhys’s tight hole pressed against the tip, then spread open, allowing Ethan’s cock to enter him. A shiver raced down his spine and Ethan shuddered. He needed both his mates in the worst way.
“Take me, sweetheart. Sit on my cock and take all of me inside you. Fuck yourself with my cock and come on me,” Ethan panted breathlessly.
Rhys slid down further until Ethan felt Rhys’s balls press against his pelvis and Rhys was sitting on his thighs. “I got you, baby, so stretch out your legs in front of you and hold onto our beautiful pixie. Rhys, wrap your arms around Ethan’s neck and your legs around us both, then hold on,” Day instructed.
They both did as Day said, and Ethan loved the feeling of being encased by both his mates. It made him feel like they were completely surrounding him as they loved on him. He felt Rhys’ cock press between them as moisture hit his stomach.
“Now hold on, my loves!” Day groaned, then began to pound into Ethan again from beneath him.
The motion cause Ethan to bounce on Day’s lap, in turn causing Rhys to do the same on his. The feeling of one mate inside him, while he was inside the other was too much pleasure to bear. Ethan held Rhys tighter to his chest with one arm as he raised the other, placing it up behind him to grab the back of Day’s head, holding him locked in place as well. Ethan buried his face in Rhys’ neck and began to nibble and suck up the side, loving the taste of his man.
Day picked up his pace and began to pound into Ethan again. Then Rhys started to bounce on his cock and Ethan was lost. The sensations too much. “Yes! Fuck! Yes! Fuck us, Day! Ethan’s big cock feels so good buried deep inside me! Fuck us, love, and make Ethan and I blind with bliss!” Rhys called out at the top of his lungs.
Ethan couldn’t agree more. He needed to feel Rhys contract around his cock as he came as much as he needed to fill his pixie mate’s ass with his seed as Day filled his hole with his. The sensation of all of them coming together, claiming one another together engulfed his thoughts and Ethan moved with Day, slamming up into Rhys. He was a little worried about Day being hurt seeing as they were both sitting on him and he was fucking their brains out, but he loved the position. Thoughts of all the different positions they could explore as a triad filled his head and Ethan wanted to stay in their room for days to try them all out.
“Fuck!” Rhys screamed a moment before Ethan felt Rhys’s muscles clamp around his cock, strangling his cock, and wetness spread between their bodies. It was just what Ethan needed to push him over the edge into his own orgasm, and he convulsed between his mates as his own release shot from his cock, and his seed filled Rhys’ ass.
“Fuck yes!” Day ground out through clenched teeth behind him and pressed his head against the back of Ethan’s. Then he felt Day’s release fill him, bathing his insides, and Ethan felt whole. He hadn’t realized he wasn’t complete before Rhys came into their lives, but now he knew it had been there. This new feeling of wholeness engulfed him, and Ethan knew he had finally made it to the one place he would forever be eternally fulfilled. Right here with his mates.
* * * *
“So, what are we doing here?” Sut asked as they walked into the deserted club.
“The renovations on this place are finally done and Destrain would like the grand opening to be this weekend. We need to check all the fire alarms, escape routes, and sprinkler system and make sure they are all up to code and in perfect working condition. Once we sign off, then the building inspector can come in and approve the club for business,” Nick answered.
“So, should we spread out?” Logan asked.
“Yes, but stay in teams. Sut, you and Logan start in the back rooms, while me and Onyx start up here,” Nick replied.
“Yes, sir, chief,” Sutton and Logan answered together, then turned and headed toward the back of the building.
"Hey Chief, are Day, Ethan, and Rhys moving to Maddox now and joining the pixie's shimmer or are they staying in Crystal with Illan's clutch?" Devonte asked.
"From what Day told me, they already live on county lines and so they're going to remain there. This way Day can remain with his clutch, Ethan stays with his blaze, and Rhys continues on with his shimmer. Destrain's mating gift was to enlarge their home since Aracas and Casimir will be staying there with them." Nick explained.
Gage laughed, "Yeah, and Illan and Justice gave them their old bed. I found that one odd."
"Not if you knew why they did it," Nick replied with humor.
"Is Rhys going to keep working at the club, now that he's pregnant?" Gage asked.
Shaking his head, Nick replied, "Rhys is not a business owner, he's the Seneschal. That means he goes into a new business and fixes it up, hires a manager, then goes onto the next. I think his next project is an antique store. He's also the one that approves business licenses for the towns people and if I understand everything correctly, Rhys has brought in a real estate guy that will monitor who is allowed into our town. He's supposed to be pretty tough to get past. I don't know the guy, but I'm sure glad that Jett and
Illan gave us the approval we needed."
"Not to keep beating a dead horse, but are Day, Ethan, and Rhys the glue to the three guardians of the paranormal?" Devonte stated.
Nick looked at Devonte confused. "What are you talking about, Dev? I've been around a long time and never heard of guardians of the paranormal."
Shrugging Devonte replied, "My dad used to tell me stories, as a child. He would tell me about a time that the dragons, pixies, and phoenix would once again be joined and the paranormal world would begin to be reborn and grow. However, before that could happen, the ties that bind the three must be rejoined."
Gage gasped, "That must be what Angelo's vision meant just before Day and Ethan first met. Angelo said that great evil was coming and we would have to fight. With their joining I wonder if that means that this evil is here and an even bigger battle is about to be fought?"
Onyx sighed. "I don't know, but I just hope that I'm not expected to have two mates. I don't want one, let alone two."
Nick softly laughed. "Onyx, we cannot control fate. We get what we get. Dain said that pixies always had two mates and although other species get two on occasion, it is not that way for us all."
Onyx snorted, "Yeah, well I hope that fate moves past me and onto someone else. I really don't want one."
Shaking his head, Nick let out a deep breath before saying, "Let's see what you have to say about that when the time comes. Now let's get to work."
Nick and Onyx started in the bar area and worked their way around the large club. After a little over an hour, Onyx made his way to the coat check room as Nick moved to the entrance vestibule. He opened the ladder and slid it by the wall, waiting for Onyx to join him before he climbed up to check the sprinklers. Just as he got all his gear ready, Onyx stepped through the club door and came to him.
With Onyx holding the ladder for support, Nick climbed up and began inspecting the sprinkler. Behind him he heard the front door open but paid it no attention. Since they had started working a few people came in with deliveries, so he ignored it.