Tiny Treasure (Eternal Flames Maddox Book 4)

by Cree Storm

  King Suneth crossed his arms, and stood with his head held up high. "If you will allow, my people and I can help. Gargoyles are the best alarm system in the world. I would tell you that we are pretty much indestructible, but until I get my crown back, that isn't exactly true."

  "What does your crown have to do with anything?" Destrain asked.

  "My crown has a jewel on it that was blessed by fate herself. As long as I have that gem, we can only die if we are in our stone form and only if they cut off our heads," King Suneth explained.

  "Damn, so you're screwed. We're in the summer months and that means a lot of vulnerable time. Maybe we can put you in one of the abandoned places and some of us can watch out for you?" Day suggested.

  The gargoyles laughed and King Suneth smiled. "That won't be necessary, but thank you. It is a myth that we turn to stone with sunlight. We shift just as you or any other shifter. The only difference is that there are times we have to go into molting. That's the time when we choose to turn to stone and recharge ourselves. We don't do it all at once, but it must be done on occasion."

  "Thank you, King Suneth. We accept your offer. Now, let's finish this meeting and then we can get out of here," Illan suggested.

  Destrain sat at the table with Nick and the others started to leave. Illan suddenly called out, "Oh, and Day!"

  "Yeah, dad?" Day called back.

  "I need you to remove Jett off the shift list until further notice," Illan said with a smile.

  Jett gasped, "What? Why? I'm really sorry I fucked with you earlier, but don't take away my firehouse."

  York could see the mirth in Illan's eyes and here it in his voice. "Oh, I'm not removing you as a firefighter. However, as you said, the landscaping needs some work here, and I'm thinking you will make a great landscaper. See you in the morning."

  CHAPTER 8

  York was so proud of his little mate that he had a hard time keeping the smile from his face as he took Timmy’s hand and escorted him out of the council building, following the others. He was not only proud that Timmy stood up and spoke in front of all those people, but that he had stood up for Illan. Sure, his dragon king could be difficult sometimes, and a hard ass, but he was that way for a reason.

  For all of them. To keep them safe. York always had suspected that that’s what made Illan tick, but he wasn’t completely sure until his little mate stood up to a room full of huge warrior types and put everyone in their place. And for what? For someone he liked and respected. And wasn’t that just the cream on the top of this fucked up ice cream Sunday?

  Timmy liked Illan, thus York believed it’s where the cute pet name came from. Lonny. Just thinking about his little Timmy calling the biggest, baddest dragon of them all Lonny, and Illan not eating him, made York want to laugh out loud. And it seemed Illan had no problem with the name, and maybe even liked it if the look on his face when Timmy said it was any indication.

  Then the biggest and most important reason he felt his body fill with pride was because of his mate himself. He was so proud to have Timmy as his mate and just wanted to parade him around Crystal and Maddox as he told everyone they passed, “Yup, that’s right, this stunning creature is all mine. So keep your damn hands to yourself and your eyes in their sockets.” Timmy was his. All his. And damn if fate hadn’t smiled down on him.

  As they exited the building, York followed his leader and friends toward the parking lot, where he was sure one of them would give him and Timmy a ride back to his apartment in Maddox.

  “Timothy?” King Suneth called out from behind them.

  Timmy stopped dead in his tracks, and York looked down at his mate. Worried by how pale Timmy suddenly was, York turned toward the gargoyle king, ready to do battle as he gently pushed Timmy behind him.

  “I’m very happy that our Timmy has found a wonderful, brave mate such as yourself, but you can relax, I wish Timmy no harm, dragon. It has been so long since we have seen him and I just wish to talk with him.”

  York felt his mate’s small hand touch his arm and he turned his head. Timmy gave him a beautiful, loving smile, and York’s heart just melted onto the ground like hot butter. “It’s okay, Yorkie.”

  York moved aside to let Timmy move forward, but he wrapped his arm around his mate’s shoulder and pulled him close. Sure, he didn’t get any bad vibes coming from the gargoyle king or his men, and he didn’t sense his mate being in distress, but he wasn’t taking any chances with his most precious gift. He was keeping Timmy close.

  King Suneth moved closer, a broad, friendly smile on his face, and knelt down on one knee when he got to within a few feet of them, putting himself at eye level with Timmy. “We are so happy to see that you are safe, Timothy. We have been worried sick about you. When Juddan said you looked scared and ran, we came after you but couldn’t find you. We searched for so long, and the whole time I just kept praying to our goddess to watch over you and to not let you fall into the hands of Fallon, or one of the other evil entities of the world.”

  Timmy fiddled nervously with the nest in his hands, careful not to drop it, as he looked down at the ground and shuffled his foot. “I’m sorry I ran, Sunny. I was just so scared that after I hurt Asbuth, and then I tried on your crown, that…I…”

  “I was okay, squirt,” Asbuth said with a smile as he ran a hand over his bald head. “I lost all my hair, but as you can see, I liked it so much, I decided to keep it this way. It’s a lot better than that bush of hair I had. Now it’s no fuss, no muss.”

  “I really didn’t mean to hurt you, Butchi. I know I should have been more careful with that torch, but I really wanted to do that flambé for Sunny and show him I found a new recipe. I never should have tried it with you being so close,” Timmy replied shyly.

  Asbuth moved a little closer and knelt on one knee beside Suneth. “I know you didn’t mean it, little one. We all do. I know sometimes we growl and grumble, but it’s mostly been for your own safety. We worry that you may hurt yourself someday and that would kill us if that happened.”

  “And in all honesty, it sucks to be hurt during some of your…mishaps, but none of us ever blamed you, Tim man. We always know you mean well and that you don’t have a mean bone in your body. And like Asbuth said, we worry more about your safety,” Canuz said.

  Timmy looked down shyly again, and as he shrugged a shoulder, he whispered. “I’m supposed to be one of you, but we all know I’m not. You’re all big and strong, and I’m…this little runt that can’t control his powers and only ends up getting in your way.”

  Suneth reached out and gently took Timmy’s hand. “Timothy, you have always been one of us and you will always be one of us.”

  “Lonny said I’m one of him now. I mean, not a dragon of course, because as amazing as sex was, and let me tell you, it was the bomb, boy can my mate do these wonderful things with his tongue―”

  “Um, Nugget, I don’t think they really want to hear about out sex life,” York said, interrupting Timmy. All the gargoyles chuckled.

  “I don’t know, I think I want to find out the rest of this story and the amazing things you can do with your tongue. Sounds like our Timmy is having a grand old time,” Canuz said.

  Timmy suddenly turned a light shade of pink that York found adorable, as he looked up at York with those pretty gray eyes. “I’m sorry, Yorkie. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

  York cupped Timmy’s cheek as he gave him a soft smile. “You didn’t, my precious mate. It’s just that maybe our private time, can remain private. Just between me and you.”

  Timmy then gave him a bright smile. “Okay, Yorkie. I like it just between me and you. It’s like our own little secrets and no one else gets to join us or know about it.”

  York chuckled lightly, and so did the gargoyles. “Exactly.”

  “Okay,” Timmy replied happily, then turned back to face Suneth. “Lonny said that now that I am mated to Yorkie, that I am now one of them. I know that sex,” ―Timmy whispered the word sex real low― “with my
mate didn’t change me into a dragon, but now that I am one of them, does that mean that I am not one of you anymore?”

  Suneth chuckled as he gave Timmy a smile. “Illan is right to a point, Timothy. Now that you are mated to one of his dragons, you would be considered one of his clutch, or in this case Wyndingo’s, and have the same rights and privileges as any dragon or mate of a dragon, and they would be fiercely protective of you, just like we are. But you will still be one of us, my dear boy. You are a gargoyle and you will always be part of our family. And as such, that means that your mate is also now a part of our family and chimera. “

  Suneth looked up at York as he stood, then held out his hand. York followed suit and held out his, shaking King Suneth’s hand. “Welcome to the family, York. I can see already that you are a worthy mate of our Timothy. We will always be there if you need us. All you have to do is call on us. You have the solemn oath of my people and myself as their king.”

  “Thank you, King Suneth. I look forward to getting to know you. All of you. Timmy has already shared some stories of you with me and I know how much he respects and loves all of you. I will do my best to make sure Timmy is safe and happy.”

  “I know you will,” Suneth said, then turned back to Timmy. “And you. You are not the runt of the litter, and with time and patience, I have always believed that you will be able to control your powers, as well as your coordination. I always wanted to start your training with the others but was afraid that I would be pushing you too soon. But, now that I have seen that you have been out in this world on your own for three years, I think that I have done you a disservice by waiting so long, and I think you can handle it. So, if it is okay with you, we would like to start training you properly in the ways of our people.”

  Timmy’s eyes opened wide and were full of excitement as his body seemed to buzz. York thought Timmy might jump right out of his skin. “You mean it? I can start learning how to protect like the rest of you?”

  Suneth chuckled again. “Yes, Timothy. But know this, like everyone else, we start from the bottom up. First thing, you’ll train with your gargoyle brothers to learn how to fight and defend yourself, and others. And as you train with them, you and I will meet weekly to start working on controlling your powers.”

  Timmy was so excited he leapt at Suneth and wrapped his arms around the king’s waist, hugging him tight. “Thank you, Sunny. I know I will never be as big and strong as you or Juddan, or Sylux, or Nuzan, or…”

  “I think he gets the picture, squirt,” Asbuth said, laughing. “And none of us expect you to get big like we are. But size doesn’t always mean strength, Timmy. The humans have a saying, “Watch out for the small ones, because they can sneak up on you and do some real damage.” And that is what we will teach you, buddy. To work with what you have and be the best gargoyle you can be. If you understand that it won’t happen overnight and will take time, me and the boys are more than happy to finally start training you.”

  Timmy nodded his head so fast, York was surprised he didn’t give himself whiplash. “Yes, yes, yes! Thank you. All of you. Isn’t it great, Yorkie?” Timmy asked as he released Suneth and turned back to him, grabbing York’s hand. “Is it okay with you? Can I start training with my chimera?”

  “You don’t need my permission, Nugget. We are mates, which means we are equals, and you are a grown man who can make your own choices. I only wish that you do talk to me about things and that you always think about your safety first. Because if anything were to happen to you, I don’t think I would survive it,” York replied as he cupped Timmy’s face gently.

  “Thank you, Yorkie,” Timmy said shyly and rubbed his cheek against York’s hand. York couldn’t take it anymore and need to feel his little mate’s lips again. York bent down and picked Timmy up, and Timmy let out a very cute squeal as he did. Timmy wrapped his arms and legs around York, and York mashed their lips together, needing to taste his mate in that moment more that he needed air.

  After a few moments of York devouring Timmy’s mouth as he explored every inch of it with his tongue and Timmy gave back as much as he got, he could hear a few snickers and cat calls, then a cough from Suneth. As much as York didn’t want to let go of his mate, he was reminded they had an audience and knew he would have to wait to take his mate’s body again once they got back to his apartment.

  York slowly ended the kiss and pulled back from Timmy, but he refused to release him, or place him back on his feet. He had his Timmy in his arms and he was keeping him there for as long as he could get away with it.

  “I know you both want to go home and have some time alone. Get to know one another more, but if I could ask one more thing before you go. You said you left my crown on the highest point in Crystal, but no one has seen it, Timothy. How long ago was the last time you saw it there? And where would that somewhere be?” Suneth asked.

  CHAPTER 9

  It had been a wonderful night. After they left Sunny and the others at the council building, he and Yorkie jumped in a really big car they called a Hummer with the big dragon Wyndingo. He drove them back to Yorkie’s apartment where his mate had been so sweet.

  First, Yorkie had taken him for a walk around Main Street in Maddox. Timmy really liked it, but he found it too busy, too noisy. He wasn’t used to having so many people around. He already loved his Yorkie, and this is where his mate lived, so Timmy thought to himself that he would have to find a way to enjoy living in Maddox.

  As they strolled along the town square, Yorkie stopped them at a Chinese Food place and ordered them dinner to take back to his apartment. He had been so excited. One, it had been a long time since he had eaten and was starving, and two, he had never eaten Chinese Food that was made in a restaurant before. Usually Qavez and Canuz would make Chinese on their nights to cook and Timmy had tried to learn many times, but he always ended up doing something wrong. Like the time he tried to make spring rolls. How was he supposed to know you didn’t put actual springs in the rice wraps? He had put lots of cabbage and shrimps and figured they would help the springs go down. But Ozcog was not happy when one of the springs got stuck in his teeth and Sunny had to pull it out. He only bled a little.

  The food Yorkie had bought them was so good and he told Timmy that Chinese was his favorite. Timmy just wanted to take some of it apart and try to figure out how he could make it at home for his Yorkie someday. After that, his mate taken him into the bathroom, where they had a nice shower together. Timmy never knew that showers could be so much fun. And so pleasurable. When Yorkie dropped to his knees and took his hard shaft into his mouth, Timmy thought his head would explode from pleasure. Then after Yorkie had taken him in the shower, Timmy felt like one of those Chinese noodles and was suddenly very tired.

  Yorkie dried him, then picked him up and carried him to his big bed, laying Timmy down in the center on that deliciously comfortable mattress. Yorkie turned off all the lights and made sure everything was locked up, then he joined Timmy in bed, pulling him close and wrapping his big body around Timmy’s back and held him. He had never felt more comfortable, or safe in his life.

  It was strange though, because as tired as he was, he couldn’t fall asleep until Yorkie had joined him. Then suddenly all his energy vanished, he cuddled into Yorkie’s embrace, and within seconds drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

  That is until around three in the morning, when a loud crash sounded outside, making Timmy sit up out of a deep sleep. He sat listening, hoping it hadn’t been someone breaking into Yorkie’s apartment, but then another bang and crash came and Timmy knew it was coming from outside. He pulled away from Yorkie and slid out of the bed, his body trembling from fear of what he might find once he looked outside. Slowly, he had made his way over to the window and peered outside to find a large truck rolling down the street below. It stopped at each building and long arms came out from its side, grabbing onto garbage cans, then lifting them up into the air, dumping them into the truck, then the arms would lower, putting the cans back on the
ground, before the truck would move on.

  Timmy breathed a sigh of relief and turned to go back to bed and his Yorkie, but a new noise sounded behind him. A loud squealing siren blared, making Timmy jump again. He spun back to look outside, but couldn’t find the source of the noise. Suddenly arms wrapped around him from behind, and Timmy melted against Yorkie’s large bare chest, loving the feel of his mate against him.

  “What are you doing out of bed, Nugget?” Yorkie asked, then kissed the top of his head.

  “There was a strange noise and I came to see what it was, but it was just a garbage truck. Then there was a loud squealing siren that sounded like a fire horn, but I don’t see a fire.”

  “That was the fire horn, sweetie. Nick and his guys are on tonight on that side of town.”

  “You don’t have to go?” Timmy asked hopeful.

  “Nope. It’s my night off. I have the next three off actually, so that you and I can get to know each other,” Yorkie replied, then placed a gentle kiss on the side of his neck.

  “Do you work in the same firehouse as this Nick, or a different one?”

  “Nick is the co-chief of the Maddox Fire System. He and Wyndingo. You met Nick already. He’s the bear shifter on the council.”

  “Oh, yes. I remember him,” Timmy said as he nodded.

  “Well, Nick and his guys are in the firehouse on that side of town,” Yorkie pointed toward the right. “And me, Wyndingo, and the rest of the guys are in the firehouse over on that side of town,” York continued as he pointed to the left. “Sometimes, when a fire is big enough, both houses get called in to work together.”

  “I didn’t realize Maddox was so big. I mean, I knew it was much bigger than Crystal, but I didn’t realize it was this big,” Timmy said nervously.

  York pulled back from their embrace and turned Timmy around in his arms until they were looking at one another. “Is everything okay, nugget? You sound a little scared.,” Yorkie asked, and Timmy could see and hear his concern.