“Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. O’Malley,” Mary Jo Renfro greeted as Dev and I entered some form of pastel hell.
The Hideawhile Bideawhile Bed and Breakfast was a rambling Victorian with a large porch and vaulted ceilings. It was also painted pink. The lawn was a meticulously groomed piece of green surrounded by the wild Ozarks. Unfortunately, the lovely lawn was covered in statuary one can only find at the finest of home improvement stores and probably a local Walmart. There were several Venuses, countless cherubs and angels, and I spotted a couple of well-placed garden gnomes. I’d hoped the inside would be better, but I was disappointed.
Our proprietor, and unknowing mark, was a small woman in a long khaki skirt and a fussy button-down shirt. She wore comfortable shoes, and her non-descript brown hair was in a ponytail. I noticed her necklace, a silver angel. It was a theme of the B&B. Little angel statues littered every available space. I especially liked the ones where a giant angel loomed lovingly over a small town. I’m sure the purpose was to show the angel protecting her charges, but I just wanted the angel to start stomping out the little town like a big old heavenly Godzilla.
“We’re so happy you made it,” Mary Jo was saying. “We were getting a little worried about the two of you. We didn’t want you to miss our little cocktail hour.”
Dev smiled, a smooth expression guaranteed to melt the heart of any female within a hundred yards of that high-wattage charm. “We’re thrilled to be here, Mrs. Renfro.”
Mrs. Renfro actually giggled. “Oh my, you’re an exceptionally attractive man, Mr. O’Malley. You should make quite the splash in our little community. All the girls will just be swooning.”
Dev slung his arm over my shoulder and pulled me close. “Unfortunately, I’m off the market. My lovely wife and I just got married. I’m afraid I only have eyes for her. You know how newlyweds are.”
“I do, indeed.” Her voice had a girlish affectation to it. “You’re a lucky woman, Mrs. O’Malley, to have snagged such a handsome man.”
She gave me a once-over, obviously wondering exactly what I had done to deserve him since I wasn’t in his league.
Dev was the lucky one because he was still alive. I thought several times about murdering him during our brief car ride. He’d been sullen and silent throughout the trip, refusing to answer my questions. When I’d ask about the possibility of children left behind in his sithein, I’d been told to mind my own damn business. I really couldn’t wait to get to our room so I could let my boyfriend know exactly what my damn business was.
“I am lucky. It took a lot to get this one pinned down, let me tell you.” It hadn’t. I’d managed to pin him down the first night we were together, and he’d been happy to do it. I sighed with what I hoped was a look of longing. “I think we’ll skip the social hour tonight, Mrs. Renfro. You understand, right?”
We were supposed to be newlyweds after all. It was supposed to be our first night of wedded bliss.
“Now, honey,” Dev replied. “We don’t want to be antisocial. We’ve waited this long. We can wait a few more hours.”
I quietly brought my entire body weight down on his big toe. I was rewarded with a muffled groan. Dev had never waited for anything in his life. I especially didn’t like the fact that our hostess was now looking at me like I was a sex-crazed maniac, and Dev was some poor man at my mercy. Dev was going to find out later tonight that I didn’t have any mercy.
An elderly man took our bags while Dev signed us in, and then we were shown into the parlor where cocktails were being served from a small tray. The backwoods version of cocktails was a little different than what Dev and I were used to.
“Where’s the vodka?” I whispered as I looked around the room. This was supposed to be a place frequented by honeymooners. Dev and I were easily the youngest people in the room by forty years.
“I don’t know,” he whispered back.
“Let me introduce you.” Mary Jo pressed a tiny glass of something that vaguely resembled wine into my hand. “Sherry. It’s your honeymoon. Live a little.”
As pissed as I was at Dev, I smiled up at him because this was a story we would tell for a very long time. He graciously took his tiny glass and let his free hand cup my waist. We were introduced to three other couples. The Milmans, the Ruckers, and the Bells. Dev smoothly managed to mingle, putting everyone at ease. It wasn’t long before we were seated for dinner, and Dev had all eyes on him. It was where he felt most comfortable. As I watched him converse with the older couples and our host, I was struck by how polished he was. Sometimes it was easy to see that he was the son of a queen. I rarely thought about it, but Dev’s upbringing more than likely consisted of a lot of training in courtly practices. I spent enough time with Fae creatures to know a little about their culture. Royalty in the faery world kicked it old school. There was no democracy. The queen’s power would be absolute, until someone killed her or she gave her throne to one of her children. I wondered if Dev was the oldest. Had he been promised a throne only to have it taken away when they discovered his mortality?
“How many children are you planning?” the blue-haired woman I thought was the new Mrs. Bell asked. She and Mr. Bell had recently married after her husband of thirty years had kicked the bucket last spring. It hadn’t taken me long to realize this place was popular among the geriatric honeymoon set. They might have mentioned that on their website.
“Oh, now, Mrs. Bell,” Dev replied, his voice all teasing seduction. I rolled my eyes as several of the women actually sighed. “That’s the kind of thing that sorts itself out. My wife and I will be willing to accept any babies we’re blessed with.”
“But don’t you think we should talk about any possible kiddos?” He needed to know this conversation wasn’t finished. “It’s too important to just leave it up to fate.”
Mary Jo Renfro vigorously disagreed with me. “You just have to have faith, Mrs. O’Malley. You have to trust in God. He knows best. I’ve been blessed with four little ones, each a gift. I’m sure you and your husband will have beautiful babies.”
I was still wondering if my “husband” already had beautiful babies. Dev swiftly moved the conversation to a thrilling recitation of Mr. Rucker’s passing of a kidney stone. I glared at Dev the rest of the meal.
* * * *
We finally made it to the “Seraphim Suite” a few hours later. It was a monstrosity of love. The bed really was a heart completely decked out in ruffles and more pillows than any two people could ever use. The evening had been a complete bust with the exception of planting a few bugs that I was pretty sure would only catch more of Mr. Rucker’s health horror stories. I was tired, having driven all day, so my plan was to get some sleep and start snooping tomorrow.
After I settled one little issue.
Dev stretched out on the frilly bed. He looked out of place in this room. I couldn’t help but think of his condo. That was Dev’s natural habitat. The mixture of nature and the sleek lines of the city perfectly defined Dev. He looked silly surrounded by ruffles and lace. He turned on one side and rested his head in his hand. He patted the bed beside him and gave me that smile. It was the one he had when he knew he was getting some.
“No.” I turned away and started shoving clothes in the ornate dresser.
“What is that supposed to mean?” He asked the question as though no woman in his life had ever said no to him when he was trying to seduce her. It was a viable possibility.
“It means that I’m not sleeping with a man who thinks his children are none of my business.” I pulled off my sweater and jeans and exchanged them for sweat pants and a tank top.
“Zoey,” came that silky smooth voice as he walked up behind me. His arms surrounded me, and he pulled me back against him, letting me feel every bit of what he was offering. It was a substantial offering. “This is a stupid fight. This is exactly what Daniel wanted to happen. Come to bed and we can play a game. You can be the reluctant virgin bride, and I’ll teach you everything you need to know, sweetheart.”
It would be so easy to let him pick me up and toss me down and envelop me in his unique magic, but I was falling in love with the man. I couldn’t risk my heart on a man who just wanted me in bed and not in any other part of his life. “No, Dev. You can either open up and talk, or we can spend a nice evening sleeping with no touchy touchy.”
“I don’t take well to ultimatums, darling,” Dev replied, his voice harder than I’d ever heard it. “I wish you a good night’s sleep.” He undressed, sparing me not a moment of his breathtaking body. He slid under the covers and turned away from me. “Now I know why Daniel’s pissed off all the time. Being married to you really cramps a person’s sex life.”
He managed to get to sleep, but I couldn’t force myself to get into bed. I knew what would happen. I would end up cuddling with him, and I didn’t want that right now. I wanted to keep my righteous indignation fully stoked.
An hour passed and then two, and I decided it was time to get a little work done. It was past midnight. I doubted the other three couples were real big into the nightlife. I got my story straight. If I got caught, I was searching for the kitchen because I needed a glass of water in order to take my medication. Surely this crowd understood the importance of medication. I just intended to get really turned around.
I slipped thick socks on my feet because it was cold, and for the same reason added a sweater. I was careful about not waking Dev as I slipped quietly into the hallway.
There are a couple of necessary skills to perfect when your chosen profession is thievery. The ability to move silently is right up there at the top along with a certain moral flexibility and the patience to put up with wearing a lot of black. While other fathers tossed a baseball with their kids or carted them to dance class, my dad taught me his profession. I learned to walk almost silently a long time ago, and the skill came in handy this night. I shut the door behind me and stuck as close to the wall as I could. Unfortunately, the floors were wood. Carpet or anything with a pad is best at covering sound. When you find yourself dealing with hardwood, your best bet is staying near the wall. This minimizes creaks and groans. I also had stretched carefully before starting out, paying careful attention to the joints. You would be surprised how loud an elbow can be when it pops, and if you’re cold it just might. It’s better to stretch out all the kinks before starting.
There were three rooms on the second story. Dev and I were in the largest. All of the rooms were dark now. I passed by the Ruckers and could hear one of them snoring loudly. The paintings on the walls were all of angels. Mary Jo Renfro was really into angels. It begged the question why Felicity hadn’t been able to work her charms on the proprietor. It also gave me an in when it came to engaging the woman in conversation. Once I got someone talking about their favorite subject, they tended to give things away without thinking about it.
I made my way down the stairs, again sticking close to the wall.
I had already seen quite a bit of the first floor. There was a frilly foyer that led into the parlor, where I’d learned I really didn’t like all liquor. The dining room was large, with a nice-sized table covered in white lace. Mary Jo had cleaned up. Everything was pin perfect neat. There were two bedrooms on this level, and I would have to find a way to search them tomorrow. There had been talk of a backgammon tournament. It would serve Dev right to have to spend an afternoon playing board games.
Then, there it was, right off the kitchen, a little door. It could have been a little laundry room or maybe a pantry, but I seriously doubted it. This one had a brand new shiny lock. I smiled in the darkness. I really liked locks. They were like big neon signs pointing the way to treasure. A shiny lock was one big X marking the spot.
The light in the kitchen came on, and I whirled around. Maybe I wasn’t as good as I thought I was since I hadn’t heard anyone at all.
“Oh, it’s you, Mrs. O’Malley.” Mary Jo wore a long robe that probably covered an old-time nightgown. I wondered where Mr. Renfro was and those four blessed children.
I smiled and held up my hand. “So sorry to get you up. I was just trying to find the kitchen. I forgot to take my antacid. Boy, if I miss one pill, my reflux can be ferocious.”
“You should pray about that,” she said piously as she got me a glass of water. “Your husband seems like a nice man.”
“Yes,” I agreed because supposedly I had just married him. I should think he was nice.
She nodded, a glazed look coming over her. “He has a glow about him. I noticed that the moment I saw him. He’s a special one.”
I swallowed the antacid and passed the glass back to her. It really was an antacid. In my line of work, stomach issues can be a hazard. “This is a really nice place.”
Mrs. Renfro smiled as she immediately washed the glass, dried it and put it in its place. “It’s my labor of love. My husband lives out on our farm. That’s what pays the bills, of course.”
“And your kids? Are they on the farm?”
She looked confused briefly, but then her face settled into that passive smile. “Yes, my babies. They live with their father. I get out to the farm at least three times a week.”
I took a deep breath because she was just full of creepy goodness. There was nothing in her manner that should have had my crazy-ass bitch meter going wild, but it still was. Then there was the fact that Felicity’s information pegged her as a witch. She didn’t seem like a witch to me, but I would know more after I got into that little room. “Thanks. I should get back to my husband.”
“Of course, dear,” she said absently. “Men have their needs. We just have to think of pleasant things while we lie there.” She shuffled off and the light went out.
I made my way back up the stairs, not bothering to hide my steps. I had what I needed. I would find a way into that little room and hopefully it would yield up my treasure. It had been a while since I used my trusty lock-pick set, but I was itching to give it a try. I closed the door behind me. When I turned, I had to stifle a scream. There was a shadow hovering right outside my window. I almost woke up Dev when I realized who it was.
I parted the filmy curtains, and Daniel gave me a wave. Seeing Daniel flying was magical to me. He looked so carefree floating outside my window. Though Daniel hadn’t aged a day since he was twenty-one, the heavy mantle of responsibility often made him look older. Now he had that mischievous gleam I remembered so well. I turned the handle, and the shutter-like window swung open.
“Zoey,” Daniel said softly, holding out his hand. “Come out and play. You gotta see this, baby.”
“What?”
Daniel shook his head. “Nope. Seeing is believing. Come on.”
I stepped up onto the window seat, and Daniel pulled me into his arms. He cradled me to his chest and then we were flying. I held on for dear life because I’d only done this once before, and I was definitely not used to the sensation. Daniel seemed surer of himself this time. He veered past trees and soared over them. The night wind whipped through my hair, and I managed to open my eyes. I looked up at Daniel. He grinned down at me. I was glad to see he finally understood there was an upside to his undead status.
I relaxed in his arms and let myself enjoy the view. It was cold, but Daniel was warm against me. He must have fed well because I could feel his heart beating, and it only felt that strong when he was full of blood. I suspected that certain tabloid publications would be making their way to this part of the world soon to investigate a rash of bovine exsanguinations.
“Look down, baby,” Daniel said in my ear.
We were flying above a field, and I looked down to see several large animals running, their big bodies defined by the moonlight. They ran in a pack and seemed to be playing. I strained to see the details. Daniel floated over to a group of trees and settled himself on the high branches of an enormous oak. He set me down once he found his footing. I leaned forward. It was easy because I knew whatever I did, Daniel would be there if I made a mistake. I stared down on the pack and realized what I was looking at.
Razorbacks. They were enormous. The large pigs were, at the very smallest, a hundred and fifty pounds. The largest was likely two fifty. I counted twelve. Some of the pig were chasing each other, nipping and playing with affection. Then three much smaller pigs came into view. These were obviously babies. They jumped over each other, tumbling and snorting as they played.
“Oh my god, Daniel, are those what I think they are?” My breath caught at the thought.
“Werepigs,” he replied. “I saw them earlier tonight. It’s a full moon. I thought they were going to chase down Neil and eat him. I’ve never seen that wolf run so fast. One minute he’s sniffing the air talking about how good bacon is gonna taste, and the next his tail is between his legs and he’s hiding behind Chad. I had some fast talking to do, baby, or our wolf was going to be serious slop.”
“You talked to them?”
He nodded. “I’m glad I ran across them. I’ve been trying to make inroads with the two-natured. If I’m going to take on the Council, I’ll need allies. They don’t really know it yet, but it’s their war, too. I can bring us together, Z. I can make this work.”
“Is that why you’ve been pairing up stray wolves with your baby vamps?”
Daniel grinned. “Justin told me you found out about that. You scared the hell out him, by the way. When you think about, it makes sense. Neil and I made sense. We’re stronger together than we are apart. Angelina’s happy. Justin’s happy. I don’t see the problem.”
“I think Neil’s dad sees the problem.” Daniel was messing with some very long held traditions. Some of the members of the supernatural world would not let go of those customs so easily.
“Yeah, I’ve been having problems getting the local pack to recognize me. I don’t think they’ll be coming around anytime soon since you castrated their alpha.”
I made no apologies for that. “He’s an ass.”
“Yes, he is, but if you happen to get pissed off at the local werepanthers, try to contain yourself. I’ve managed to work out an alliance with their alpha. If you shoot his balls off, it might kill my deal.”
“I’ll try,” I said with a smile. “But I can’t promise anything. I have a taste for it now.”
Daniel laughed, pulling me close and looking into my eyes. “You are the cherry on top of my crazy cake, you know that, right? I love every crazy-ass inch of you.”
“Chad talked to you, didn’t he?” I figured the new vamp might be giving his boss advice on the romance front. I was just surprised Daniel listened.
“Chad is a smart guy. He was right. I was stupid to think you were just using Dev to get back at me. And I’ll admit I was pretty sure Dev was using you because he likes the adrenaline rush of sleeping with someone forbidden. That wasn’t the way he sounded when he talked to you earlier today. He sounded serious. I’m not willing to give you up without a fight, Z. I love you. You’re my world. Dev might not be a complete asshole. He might care about you, but Dev will never love you the way I do. I’m going to fight him every inch of the way. I’d say it’s working because your little honeymoon suite reeked of sexual frustration tonight, baby.”
“That’s not something to be proud of, Danny. I have feelings for him. I don’t know that it’s going to go anywhere. I don’t know that I’m anything to him but a good time.”
“I stand ready to kill him at your earliest request,” Daniel offered with a grin that told me he was happy to hear that news.
I laughed. “Don’t you dare.”
“Fine,” he conceded. “I’m gonna win, Z. We’re meant to be together. In the end, I’ll win. So heavy relationship discussion over. Do you want to run with the pigs?”
I looked down at the field. They were free and happy. Daniel knew there was nothing I loved more than a crazy experience I could hold in my heart. “Hell, yeah!”
Daniel pulled me back in his arms and flew us down to the field. He let us float to the center and landed gently. I ended up slightly behind him. I stayed where I was because this was where Neil always stood during formalities. I wasn’t sure how formal this would get, but I knew Daniel was going to be negotiating with this pack and there were rituals involved. Daniel looked back at me curiously, then pulled me to his side. “You stand beside me. Always.”
The pack stopped their run. They all turned toward the interlopers. The largest of the razorbacks came forward and a smaller pig followed behind him. The rest sat back on their haunches, content to watch the action play out. The two pigs that had come forward changed, their forms slipping back into human so smoothly I knew they were unquestionably the alphas.
“Your Highness,” the male said. He was naked but I expected that. I was getting used to the two-natureds’ liberal views on nudity.
Daniel nodded. “Jasper, this is Zoey Donovan.”
“Your mate?” The alpha’s eyes slid over me in an assessing manner that had nothing to do with sexual interest and everything to do with politics.
“My queen,” Daniel corrected.
Jasper nodded and his female came forth. “This is Hillary, my mate.”
Hillary was a larger woman. Her face was set like she expected me to reject someone like her. It wasn’t a surprising attitude. Those in the vampire world tended to be arrogant and disdainful of those not. I was going to have to change those attitudes. It was the first time I realized I actually could help Daniel in a capacity that didn’t involve blood or sex. I smiled my brightest smile and walked forward with my hand out. “Hello, Hillary. I’m so pleased to meet you. Please call me Zoey.”
Hillary’s lips curled up, and when she smiled she was quite lovely. “Pleased to meet you, Zoey.”
I looked at the little pigs whose tails were shaking with excitement. “Are they yours?”
She looked back, her face glowing with pride. “Two of them. My sons, Bobby and Chris.”
“They’re adorable,” I said, smiling down at the piglets.
Jasper held his arms out. “Your Highness, we can talk about alliances tomorrow. Tonight the moon is full and we run. Your wolf might not be welcome, but your queen is.”
I looked back at Daniel, who watched me with a quiet satisfaction. Jasper and Hillary took their forms once more and we ran. I frolicked with the babies, loving the way they licked my face and rolled in the grass. I played in the moonlight with the pack until the sun was almost up. Daniel was content to watch.
When the pack began to move on, Daniel picked me up, and with a nod to the alpha, took off. I leaned my heavy head against his chest, perfectly content with my evening.
I stepped back through the window and felt the air rush away as Daniel left to find his daytime resting place. I tried to move quietly, but Dev was sitting up in bed looking at me. I was surprised he didn’t look angry. There was just a weary sadness to his face. It was not an expression I had ever seen on Dev before.
“Can you come to bed now?” he asked softly.
I thought we should talk. I thought I should explain. He looked at me like he’d lost something, and there was nothing I could say to that. How did I explain that I loved two men? How did it ease him to know I didn’t want to give up either one?
My expression must have given away my inner turmoil because Dev pulled back the covers. “No talking, Zoey. No explanations are needed. Just come to bed, unless you no longer want to even share a bed to sleep with me.”
I tossed the sweater on the dresser and stripped down to the tank and underwear. Dev gave off an enormous amount of heat, and I knew no matter how cold the room was, I would be warm under the covers. I slid into bed even as dawn was breaking. Dev started to turn away from me but I wedged myself close to him. Though he was upset, his strong arms wound their way around me and hugged me to his chest. Despite his earlier protestations of sleeping better alone, Dev always ended up draped around me whenever we slept together. He preferred to sleep in a tangle of arms and legs.
“Was he good to you tonight?” Dev asked quietly.
“Yes.”
“All right, then,” he said and then his breathing took on the steady slow beat of sleep.
I let his warmth surround me and sank into sleep myself.