Bound To The Enemy Eternal Flames Maddox 3
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Dain had never felt better in his life. Tired, yet so alive at the same time. A peace like he had never experience before washed over him, filling him, and Dain just wanted to stay right here forever. A strong hand touched his cheek and Dain opened his eyes, seeing Kerrick leaning over Rune, and looking right at him. “Are you okay?” he asked.
Dain was more than okay. He was now complete. “I am wonderful. Thank you, mates. Thank you for being patient with me, and not giving up on me. Thank you for loving me. I could feel your love for me and each other when that light shone over us.”
Dain stopped for a moment and took a deep breath. He needed to say the words. He needed his mates to hear it from his lips. They deserved nothing less. He looked deeply into Kerrick’s eyes. “I know we still have a lot to learn about each other, but I know we can work out whatever differences we all have, and come together stronger. I know this, because I love you. I don’t know exactly when it happened, but I can’t lie or deny it. I love you, Kerrick.” Then Dain looked down and met Rune’s hopeful gaze. “And I love you, Rune. I can never repay all the sacrifices you made for me, for us, but I can spend the rest of my life and beyond honoring you and your sacrifices with my truth and honesty. And I love you both.”
“I love you too, Dain Shadowfox.”
After they each declared their love for one another, then shared the first of what Dain knew wouldn’t be the last of a sloppy three-way kiss, and it was wonderful. They settled down, wrapping themselves around each other and let sleep claim them. Tomorrow was a new day. The first day of the rest of his life with his mates, and Dain couldn’t wait for this new chapter to begin.
EPILOGUE
Rune stepped through the portal with Dane, Kerrick, Wyndingo, York, Dallas, and Illan. "You need to let me go in there and talk to him. I swear, he is not evil or working with Fallon. Timmy is just a scared young man that wants nothing but to be cared for."
"He turned that Vambat into stone, Rune. If he is not working with Fallon, then we need him to help us take the man out of our lives." Illan insisted.
Rune pursed his lips, and turned to Illan, "I understand that, Illan. It's one of the reasons I agreed to bring you here to get him."
"What's the other reason, my love?" Kerrick asked.
"Timmy is too good of a man to live his life so alone. I always worry that he will be harmed while I'm away. He is an innocent, Kerrick. More so than anyone you might meet. Timmy doesn't have a mean bone in his body." Rune replied.
Red eyes peaked out the window and Rune saw them widen. Sighing, he knew he couldn't put this meeting off another second. Bad things seemed to happen when Timmy got scared.
"You are not going in there alone, Rune." Dain said fiercely.
Rune looked at his mate, smiling. Dain had been as good as his word in the week they had made their mating official. He, Kerrick, and Rune had taken that time to make love, talk, and even run some new experiments that might help them with the fight against Fallon.
When the Counsel had approached Rune about bringing Timmy in to talk with them about joining in the fight against Fallon, Rune had refused. Illan had demanded as the head of the council that Rune do as they ask or be put in a cell for endangering the paranormal world. Dain had stepped in and went toe to toe with the man, telling him that if he or any of the council threated Rune again, he would use his right as mate to challenge the Dragon leader.
Justice had calmed Illan as Destrain did the same to Dain. Rune looked at the council, explaining that Timmy was not a threat to anyone and would never make a good warrior because of his docile nature.
The council then started questioning Rune about Timmy. Nick had asked Rune what Timmy was because he gave off no scent. Justice asked how long they had known each other. Ezra asked Rune how they had met. Question after question was asked, and Rune, always protective of the little man, refused to answer anyone.
Then Baldwin came to Dain, talking about the rise of the new order. The pixies that had banded together and tried to kill Destrain in the pixie realm. Vik had run a search on Dwarden's cell phone and Destrain's men were able to pick up several others working with Fallon to murder their king.
During the questioning of the prisoners, they had found out that the new order was not a thing of the past, but growing in numbers. Now, the council had no idea who was a traitor and who was not.
Dain and Kerrick had spoken to Rune about Timmy and convinced him that Timmy needed to be brought closer to them so he could be protected. If one of the unknown threats informed Fallon of Timmy's ability, the Fairy leader would not think twice, he would attempt to kidnap and use Timmy, willing or not.
So here he stood, unsure of what was about to happen. "Just give me a few minutes to explain things to him, please. I told him we would be coming, but he is scared and alone. I just need a few minutes to talk to him."
Dain's look became even more tender, "Go. Do what you must, just be careful."
Rune’s sad smile tugged at Dain’s heart, but he and let him walk to the old cabin door, alone, "Timmy, it's me, Rune. I'm coming in."
Walking in, Rune could see the broken up interior, but it was decorated and made to be kind of homey. A round wood cable reel sat in the middle of the room, covered with a sheet Timmy must have picked up somewhere. Smaller wood logs were sitting around it for seats. Pinecones surrounded a small birds’ nest with little blue eggs inside.
Hanging on one of the rotting walls was a large tree branch with limbs forming an intricate and beautiful design. On another wall was a frame made out of twigs, with colorful leaves and dried flowers in the center.
Timmy's soft nervous voice could be heard in the farthest, darkest corner, "I know it isn't much and it isn't as pretty as what humans have, but I did my best."
"Timmy, it is all beautiful. Come sit at the table with me." Rune said quietly.
A shuffling sound let Rune know that his friend was doing as he asked. Sitting on one of the logs at the table, Rune waited for Timmy to join him.
"Would you like a drink? I have water. It came from the small brook down the hill, it's not much, but it's cold." Timmy asked before sitting.
Shaking his head, Rune answered, "No, Timmy. We talked about this day. I'm sorry, my friend, but we don't have time. I don't know how long before Illan and the others come in here."
Timmy gasped, "Why are they here, Rune? I told you I don't want to leave my home. Is it because I hurt that thing attacking you? I only wanted to help you."
Rune clasped his hand on Timmy's and squeezed, "Thank you for that, my friend. You risked your life for mine and I will not forget your actions. However, as I already told you before, in doing so, you made the others aware of your presence. They want to talk to you."
"To punish me?" Timmy asked.
Shaking his head, Rune replied, "No, Timmy. They have questions about who you are, where you're from, and they want your help in the fight against Fallon."
Timmy's eyes went wide and Rune could see them starting to grow redder. Quickly, Rune looked away, "Timmy, you need to control your fear. No one is here to harm you. I promise. They just want to talk."
Timmy's shoulders slumped and he looked down, "Can I come back here when they're done talking to me?"
Shaking his head, Rune replied, "No, Timmy. It isn't safe."
Timmy slowly raised his head, his chin shaking, and his dark grey eyes were now swimming with tears. Rune could see the man was trying to speak, and when he finally did, he rasped, "But this is my home. It's my first real home since I left on my own."
"I know Timmy, but Fallon could find you and hurt you. When you are finished with the council, you will come and live with Dain, Kerrick, and I." Rune replied.
"I'm so happy you finally got your mates, Rune. You've worked so long and hard to get your mates and now you have them, but you know I can't do that. You know there are people after me. I can't put you and your mates in danger like that." Timmy replied sadly.
The door opened and Timm
y gasped, jumping up and running to the corner of the room. Rune turned, ready to defend the little man, when Dain and Kerrick walked in with Wyndingo closely behind him.
Rune felt exasperated, "I told you I needed time."
"We don't have time. We have to go. Baldwin called, Nick was interrogating another man they just picked up and Fallon is on his way here for Timmy." Wyndingo explained.
Rune could hear the little man behind him gasp and just knew that he was getting more and more terrified. However, before he could say anything, Wyndingo turned and gave an order to one of his men, "York, get Timmy and take him to the council building with Rune."
"Yes, sir." York said, walking in and going towards the corner Timmy hid in.
Rune went to warn York, but things just seemed to happen faster than Rune's mouth.
York suddenly stopped and his mouth dropped open as Timmy whispered, "Mate." and York began to turn grey and harden to stone. Timmy immediately dropped his head, muttering, "Oh, crap."
The end
Reading order of the Eternal Flame Series by Cree Storm & Maggie Walsh.
Burning Desire, Eternal Flame 1
Rising from the Ashes, Eternal Flame 2
Courting the Phoenix, Eternal Flame 3
How to Claim Your Dragon, Eternal Flame 4
A Higher Calling, Eternal Flame 5
Fear of Discovery, Eternal Flame 6
Adding Fuel to the Flame, Eternal Flame: Maddox 1
A Bite to Remember, Eternal Flame: Maddox 2
Phoenix Rising, Eternal Flame 7
Bound to the Enemy, Eternal Flame: Maddox 3