The Manx Cat Guardians Boxed Set

by J P Sayle

  The large white cat snarled and bared his teeth. “I know why you’re here. How you forget we can read your mind, is beyond me,” he huffed grumpily.

  Connor’s brows rose. “Erm, sorry.”

  “Max, I can’t hear you, but you behave yourself,” Brad stated, his finger wagging in Max’s direction, a stern expression on his face.

  Laughter tickled the back of Connor’s throat at how badly Brad failed at being stern. Keeping his gaze fixed on Morgana, who remained watching them, he spoke, “I think maybe it’s time we all had a chat about what is or isn’t going on. This guessing game? I’m so over it, Morgana.” When Morgana lowered her head to her paws in defeat, Connor sighed at Brad.

  “Why don’t you both come inside, and we can sit and talk about this,” Brad encouraged the two cats still sitting in the garden.

  Connor burst out laughing at the two cats who simultaneously rolled their eyes at Brad’s cajoling tone. “I’m sorry… but… the duel eye rolls.” He couldn’t finish, his body shaking. The laughter caused tears to roll down his face, and he rocked back and forth as the cats sailed past him, noses in the air.

  Once he had himself under control, Connor wiped his cheeks and sat down at the table. Brad sat next to him, his eyes twinkling with mirth, but he said nothing as he held Princess on his lap.

  “Can you hear Princess?” Connor asked, trying to figure out how to do this without excluding the smaller man.

  His eyes alight, Brad asked, “Will you promise not to say anything if I let you in on a secret?”

  Intrigued, Connor nodded.

  Brad exchanged a look with Princess before he spoke again. “Yes, but only since she came back from the Otherworld.” He shrugged. “But we don’t talk about it.” Not elaborating further, he carried on, “I felt left out before, knowing that Aaden and Greg could hear Max. Though Stuart and Joe can’t hear any of the cats, though I’m not sure why. I did wonder if it was because they never owned one. More like they borrowed Princess while I was on holiday.” Brad shuddered and clutched at Princess.

  Connor laid a hand on his shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze. Joe had explained recently about when Brad was on holiday. Princess had been shot while trying to protect Stuart from Joe’s crazy ex. It had been touch and go until Max had used some of his magic to save her and subsequently ended up bound to Princess eternally.

  It would seem, this was when things had gone awry for Christina. If Connor had it right, Christina had come to coax Max into letting her take over Princess’s soul. Only no one at the time, bar the king, had known that it wasn’t possible. It had been a shock to both Christina and Princess.

  “How do you want to do this? I can ask questions and then relay the answers, or could Princess tell you, so I don’t have to repeat it all?”

  Brad glanced at Princess again before he said, “Princess will tell me what Max or Morgana is saying. You go ahead.”

  On that, Connor worked through the list of questions he had. “How did you find out Christina is… how did Nick put it… free of a spell that bound her?”

  “Why do you need to know this? It’s not going to make any difference,” Max said, his gums peeling back.

  “Stop it, Max. It’s a genuine concern. Answer the man’s question,” Morgana argued.

  The white cat shifted his bicoloured eyes, firing a warning at Morgana.

  Spotting the look Max threw at Morgana, Connor held up his hands. “For pity’s sake, can we just get to the answers part without fighting first?”

  On a low growl, Max talked. “Long before me, it would seem that Christina was born. How long I’m not sure. But her birth is surrounded in secrecy. The only thing I know for sure is that the previous king used his magic to shield Christina, though from what I’ve no clue. In doing this, he blocked her real power.” Max’s body shuddered, and his hackles rose. “There was no one, it would seem, who knew about how the spell could be broken. The old king was wily and didn’t tell anyone he’d cast the spell, using his own blood to seal it.”

  The silence in the kitchen was deafening as both Connor and Brad sat with what Connor was sure were matching “what the fuck” expressions. Max ignored them, continuing to weave a picture of secrecy and lies.

  Ellie

  Skipping through the street with Gemma on his arm, Ellie babbled with excitement. “There has to be a shop that will have just the right outfit for me. I have to look good if I don’t want to embarrass Connor in front of his students and work colleagues. I’ve never been invited to something so important before.” He glanced at Gemma, pulling on her arm when she lagged behind him. “I don’t even know where to start,” he wailed, his gaze firing from one shop window to the next as they walked down the main street of Douglas.

  There was a long drawn-out sigh before Gemma answered him. “Listen, Ellie, I get you’re excited, but just slow down a minute. Do you even know what you want to buy? The way you’re dragging me down the street says you do. But the way your head looks like it’s about to spin around three hundred and sixty degrees like the woman in the awful film where she pukes green vomit everywhere, I’d say you’re clueless right now.”

  He came to a stop, his brows rising. “What on earth or you going on about, head spinning and green vomit. We’re here to buy me some suitable clothes, not talk about shit movies.”

  Gemma’s finger tapped on the end of his nose, and she gave him a pitying look. “Let’s stop for a minute, regroup, and decide where it’s best to start.”

  The urge to argue with her died when her face said it would get him nowhere. “Allllll right,” he said, stomping his foot.

  He let her lead him to a shop that, from the outside, didn’t appeal to him. But he kept his mouth closed, knowing throwing a paddy would make her want to stop helping him. The fact that he’d woken her after her nightshift in a panic when he’d struggled to see anything he liked online and he was still breathing was a miracle.

  “This shop has great shoes, and they might offer other surprises. So stop sulking and let’s work on building you an outfit from the feet up.”

  Not seeing the logic in what she was saying, he huffed out an exasperated breath.

  When her eyes narrowed on him and her hands moved to her hips, he gave her a sheepish smile. “Sorry. I just want everything to be perfect.”

  “It will be. I promise, Ellie, we’ll have you looking a million dollars by the time I’m finished with you.” The sparkle in the depth of her eyes worried him a little, but he was sidetracked by the shop assistant.

  “Can I help you with anything?” the cute guy asked with a polite smile.

  Before Ellie could get a word out, Gemma charged in.

  “Yes, you can. We are looking for a sexy pair of shoes for my friend. They have to be suit friendly. So no fancy bits on the top that might catch on his trousers.” She sucked her lower lip between her teeth for a moment. “A boot might be better? Let’s just see what you have in size…”

  Ellie interjected, “Seven.”

  The guy nodded and wandered off towards the back of the shop.

  With Gemma now searching through the racks of clothes, Ellie took his time to explore the shop. Realising that a lot of the things on offer weren’t actually half-bad, his stomach unclenched. There were some lovely bright colours mixed in amongst the dark, drab clothing.

  Should he be his usual bold self, or would Connor prefer him to dress down? There were so many dark colours that Ellie felt his mood sour. The excitement at finding the right outfit fizzled out like a sparkler.

  What did Connor expect from him? He had never complained or mentioned anything about what Ellie liked to wear. They had been on several dates where Ellie dressed up in his brightest clothes, and not once did Connor comment. Did that mean he didn’t like them or that he did?

  Seb had never approved of what he’d picked out for himself. Daddy’s not like that. Ellie argued with himself.

  “Whatever has you frowning like that? You were practically danc
ing with excitement a few minutes ago. What’s wrong?” Gemma asked, her face clouded with concern.

  After the run-in with Seb, Ellie had kept his word and told Gemma everything, though after a quick chat with Greg, he’d held back all the stuff about witches and talking cats. The least he spoke about that, the better. The ugly feeling in his stomach whenever he thought about what could happen to him or Connor was enough to make him cringe.

  “Do you think Da… Connor would mind if I wore my usual bright clothes?” He kept his gaze lowered, pretending interest in the clothes rack next to him, praying she didn’t notice his near slip-up. The last thing he wanted was to out Connor, especially not in public. Though Connor said he didn’t mind Ellie calling him that, there was still the need for discretion. And as much as he loved Gemma, he wasn’t ready to share that part of his life yet.

  “I think he’ll love whatever you wear. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. It’s like you hung the moon and the stars just for him.”

  There was a distant look in her eyes, followed by sadness. “Doesn’t your boyfriend look at you like that?”

  Her small shoulders hunched, but she offered him a bright smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “He wouldn’t notice if I danced around naked with whipped cream slathered all over my body.”

  The visual was a little too much for Ellie’s overactive imagination, and he shuddered. “Pleaseeeee. Did you have to say that?”

  “What? It’s the truth. He doesn’t see anything unless it’s one of his toys,” she said, sighing.

  The return of the shop assistant stopped her from saying more as she grabbed the boxes he held. Ellie gave the guy a shrug when he glanced at him with an alarmed expression. “You get used to her, eventually.”

  “Ouch,” Ellie moaned, jumping back before Gemma could land another punch. “Stop that.”

  “I will if you stop being an ungrateful urchin.”

  Ellie glared at her, but she was paying him no attention. The boxes were lowered to the floor where she knelt, rooting through them.

  He peered over her shoulder and nearly got headbutted for his efforts when she rose with a gorgeous grey boot clutched in her hand. Sidestepping the hand she shoved in his direction, Ellie knocked into the shop assistant. A heated flush rose up his face as he apologised, “I’m sorry. I was trying to avoid being beaned on the head.”

  The guy rubbed at his arm, offering a smile. “It’s okay, sir. It happens sometimes.”

  Gemma, oblivious to what was going on around her, asked, “What do you think of these?” The grey of the boot caught the light and gave them a purplish sheen.

  “The colour is gorgeous. Let me try them on. But I have no clue what will go with them,” Ellie answered, his hand pausing as he reached for the boot.

  “There is a beautiful suit in a deep purple out the back. We might have it in your size,” the shop assistant said, his eyes sweeping down Ellie’s body as if sizing him up.

  Again, he had no chance to answer before Gemma jumped in. “Oh, yummy, purple. Can you go and see what sizes you have.”

  Ellie ground out, “I’m a size twenty-six, depending on the cut.”

  When the guy roamed off again, he glared at Gemma. “I can talk for myself, you know.” Not waiting for a reply he strode off to find a chair to try the boot on.

  Three hours later, he sat and sipped at the hot chocolate Gemma had bought him. He was sure his credit card was never going to recover from the hit it had just taken. The suit was beautiful, just like the shop assistant had said, and went with the boots perfectly. The guy also managed to find a shirt of the same colour as the boots that, when the light caught it, shimmered from deep grey to purple. He’d fallen instantly in love with the outfit, and it overrode all common sense.

  “The outfit is perfect. Stop worrying about how much it cost,” Gemma stated as if she’d read his mind. “Connor is going to have a heart attack when he gets a load of you in that suit.”

  “Okay, okay. You’re right. I do look hot, don’t I?” Ellie preened, not able to stop himself as he remembered how the shop assistant couldn’t take his eyes off him when he strolled out of the changing room to show Gemma.

  “Where is the ball being held? You never said.”

  At Gemma’s question, his brows rose. “You know I never thought to ask. I think Connor mentioned a hotel, but I can’t be sure.” He gave her a concerned look. “Does it matter where it is?”

  Gemma gave him a reassuring smile, “No, babe, I just thought I could come and snap some pictures of you and Connor together, is all.”

  With an excited squeal, Ellie forgot about taking a sip of his drink. “Would you do that? Come and take some pictures.”

  “Of course. I’m off on Saturday, and I have no other plans this Easter weekend.” Her face dropped, and disappointment clouded her eyes before she turned to look out the window they were sitting next to.

  Leaning forward, Ellie placed his glass down and put his hand on her leg. “Do you want to talk about it? You don’t seem very happy.”

  Her gaze moved back to him. “There isn’t much to say. I’m just in a funny mood, is all. Ignore me. I don’t want to put a dampener on your happiness.” There was a silent plea in her eyes for him to drop it, so Ellie picked a safer topic to talk about.

  After they’d finished in town, Gemma dropped him off at Connor’s. Grateful that Brody agreed to give him the day off so he could go shopping, Ellie glanced at the front door, then at his bags. He hadn’t mentioned to Daddy his plans for the day. His palms grew sweaty. Should he have mentioned them?

  There were so many differences between Seb and Connor, and his actions today pulled him up short. When he assessed how he was feeling, Ellie’s face split into a wide grin. Connor was like light to Seb’s dark, and with that came the knowledge that no matter what he did, Connor would treat him as he always did: with love and affection.

  His heart swelled, and his hands tightened around the plastic handles of the bags he held. Hesitating at Connor’s front door, Ellie eyed it as if seeing it for the first time. He chewed his lip between his teeth. When had Connor become his home, his safe place? The place where there was no longer worry tinged with every decision he made. Where he could just be himself without being judged?

  So lost in thought, at first he didn’t notice the door opening until Connor stood staring at him with concern written all over his face.

  “Daddy,” he cried and dropped his bags, launching himself at Connor, his emotions leading the way.

  When Connor’s strong arms clasped him tightly, he buried his face into his chest, inhaling the all familiar scent that was wholly his Daddy. Then Ellie released the pent-up breath he’d been holding. His chest heaved with the emotions riding through him. They rode over all his past hurts and replaced them with love a so bold it hurt to breathe as his eyes glittered with unshed tears. He lifted his mouth for Connor to kiss him. A kiss he gave without question.

  He melted against Connor. The kiss was so soft it left him feeling as if he was the most precious thing in the world. He wasn’t sure where he began and Connor ended. They seemed to meld together and become one. The kiss was endless, yet not nearly long enough when Connor stopped.

  “Daddy, why are you stopping,” Ellie gasped, his chest fluttering with a thousand tiny butterflies.

  “Sweetheart, we’re standing in the doorway. And with what I want to do to you, you don’t want someone catching us.” Connor chuckled while he released him, putting some distance between them.

  With a huff, Ellie blew his fringe out of his eyes and reached for the bags he’d dropped. It was then that Connor seemed to notice them or rather the amount of them.

  His brows rose. “You look like you’ve been busy, sweetheart.”

  Doing his best not to squirm, Ellie squeezed past Connor and walked into the hall. He gave a nonchalant shrug, keeping his gaze averted. “It’s just something for Saturday.”

  When Connor laid a hand on his shoulder and encourage
d him to turn, Ellie sagged. “You’ve been shopping. Did you go with one of the boys?”

  There was genuine interest on Connor’s face, and that allowed the tension that came from nowhere to release as fast as it came. “No, I went with Gemma.”

  Connor asked if he’d had fun and carried on chatting as if this new concept wasn’t blowing Ellie’s mind. Daddy loves me.

  He grinned at the not-so-subtle voice reminding him what he knew, deep down in his soul, and went to unpack his bags. Life couldn’t get any better than this, could it?

  Connor

  On hearing the car pull into the drive, Connor went to see who it was. The smile lighting his face dropped when Ellie made no sign of coming into the house after Gemma drove off. The expression he wore while he stood staring at the door left Connor chewing his thumbnail. Too impatient to wait but more than a minute, he’d gone and opened the door. Then the bags and guilty expression explained what the problem was.

  For a moment, Ellie looked hopelessly lost, but he knew better than to laugh, so he worked at keeping a straight face. When Ellie’s shoulders moved from under his ears and he became relaxed enough to head up the stairs with his bounty, Connor’s gaze narrowed on his retreating back and the bags he carried.

  Ellie brought his shopping to his home, not to his own house. He’d come here with them. Connor’s hands balled when they shook. His mouth engaged before his brain got back online. “Do you want to move in with Daddy?”

  His breath backed up in his lungs when Ellie stopped halfway up the stairs. The long seconds it took for Ellie to swing back around felt like an eternity. His chest shuddered as he released the pent-up breath.

  “Oh, yes please, Daddy,” Ellie responded with awe, his feet already moving back down the stairs. His eyes gleamed with wetness.

  Connor’s eyes shone as he struggled to keep it together, hands clasping together when Ellie stopped in front of him. Ellie’s silver eyes turned to liquid metal, shimmering as his lashes fluttered and the bags he held dropped to the ground with a thud.