Chapter Six
Theo
It was hot. And his head hurt. Actually, his entire body ached.
Theo rubbed his eyes, slamming his elbow into someone who grunted in response. Huh. The mattress under him was soft, comfortable. The last thing that Theo remembered was fighting his brother.
Brother.
It seemed so foreign to even think that word.
Theo had a brother that had tried to kill him. Had killed his father and mother. Hated Theo for even existing. In a little over a day. Had it only been a day? That seemed impossible. A day changed everything in his life.
“Are you awake, little one?”
He froze before jerking up in bed. “Dario?”
Sitting with his back to the headboard, his golden dragon mate smiled at him.
It was Dario! And he was the most beautiful sight that Theo had ever seen. He scrambled to roll over as Dario lifted him onto his lap. Theo ran his hands up Dario’s chest and settled his palms onto Dario’s shoulders.
Staring at his mate, tears filled his eyes. “It’s really you.” He dug his fingers into Dario’s flesh just to make sure he wasn’t imagining it.
“It’s okay, little one. It’s over.” Dario used his thumbs to wipe away Theo’s tears. “I’m here. We’re all here and you are home.”
The door opened behind him and Theo glanced over, excited to see who was walking in. Theo needed his mates. He’d been so scared. Terrified that he’d be lost in the fae realm forever.
He wasn’t lost.
The décor of Dario’s master suite was a soothing reminder that he wasn’t just with his mates but also back in the human realm. In Dario’s apartment where Theo loved to be.
“The mate bond is working again, because I knew our little shifter was awake and brought him a treat,” Wylder announced, strolling into the room.
They must have been home for some time as his mates were dressed in their most comfortable lounge clothes.
In fact, Theo had been changed into a pair of sweats and another of Wylder’s hoodies.
Which probably explained why he was so hot, especially as he’d been placed under the covers of the big bed as well.
Dario wore a pair of black silk pants and a tight white T-shirt.
Wylder strolled in, wearing loose basketball shorts and his typical tank top. Mitch was back to his human form.
His human form!
Theo had seen his demon warrior.
He remembered now. His mates had arrived where the cells had been. They’d helped Theo pull back the magic. They might not have saved him, yet Theo was certain he wouldn’t be there without them.
Mitch, though. As attractive as he was in his red and black checkered lounge pants and black T-shirt, Theo would love for Mitch to feel comfortable enough to be in his true form.
He licked his lips as the bond pulsed with familiarity and love.
Mitch chuckled. “You’ll notice that he brought two bowls. One for himself as well.”
“Bowls?” Oh! He missed what Wylder had said but there were two bowls in his hands. Theo was starving. Famished. It had been forever since he’d eaten. Or drunk anything.
Wylder was grinning so wide. “A double scoop of mint chocolate chip with extra chocolate sauce, whip cream, and two cherries for our little shifter.”
Immediately Theo’s excitement dimmed at Wylder’s words.
“What’s wrong?” Dario rubbed his back. “I thought that was your favorite. I had Fergie stock up so we could spoil you rotten.”
Theo shook his head. He loved the fact that his mates wanted to spoil him. Except, they didn’t really know him. How could they when Theo didn’t know himself any better? “It is my favorite. I appreciate it. But…I’m not a shifter. Not anymore. Or not…ever…”
“Hey!” Wylder climbed onto the mattress beside him and passed one bowl to Dario before sitting crossed-legged, facing Theo. “You’re magical too. That’s cool. But you’ll always be our little shifter. Nothing will change that.”
Maybe it should. Theo wasn’t just magical. He had unseelie blood running through his veins. He needed to tell his mates everything he learned. Except he was missing a very important piece. “Where’s Alek?”
“I’m right here,” Alek replied, entering the bedroom. “I was finishing a phone call. I also grabbed you some water. You need to hydrate.”
Theo nodded. “I have a lot to tell you.”
“Which you will totally do as you eat the ice cream that you earned.” Alek winked at him.
It did look good. And his tummy rumbled. Plus, Theo really deserved that dang ice cream. “Okay.”
“Good, because I hate melted ice cream.” Wylder took a big bite of his own.
Theo turned to grab his own bowl but Dario was already holding up the spoon to Theo’s mouth. Opening his mouth, Theo accepted the bite.
It was cold and minty and fresh and just the best thing that Theo had ever tasted. He swallowed and opened his mouth for another bite. Dario was right there with a big scoop.
As Dario fed him and Wylder enjoyed his own bowl, Mitch sat behind Wylder with one arm around his waist but the other was on Theo’s knee. Alek walked around the bed to sit on the other side. He passed out the bottles of water before he laid a hand on Theo as well.
His mates.
Connection.
Bond.
Fated.
Theo sniffed again. How was this his life?
A destiny that included four amazing men.
Theo didn’t feel worthy of his mates. Less so now that he knew a little more of where and who he came from.
Even as he enjoyed his treat Theo wondered what his mates would think about Bramley and what Theo had learned.
“Enjoy your ice cream,” Alek told him. “We have plenty of time to talk.”
“Do we? What if—” No one was more aware of how things could go wrong. Theo had been worried about all the wrong things. He’d thought his life had been hard before but that was nothing compared to what Theo feared about his future.
“It’s all going to be okay,” Dario said as he offered another bite. “Just eat for right now. You’re safe.”
Safe. No, he wasn’t. Instead of arguing, though, he opened his mouth for another bite.
Wylder offered a spoonful to Mitch, who accepted then made a face.
Theo snorted, nearly choking on his own treat. “Not good?” Theo teased.
“That is the worst thing that I’ve ever tasted,” Mitch complained.
“I can’t believe you even tried it. There is a reason Dario and I said no,” Alek said, amusement lacing his words.
“I didn’t think it would be that bad,” Mitch argued.
“I’ve gotten a cavity just feeding this to Theo,” Dario joked.
Well that just meant more for him and Wylder. And Theo was going to make sure he was full of all the ice cream! Fergie might even have to go out and get more. That was how much Theo deserved the ice cream.
He’d nearly been killed by his own freaking brother!
Eventually the bowls were empty and Alek had helped Theo drink an entire bottle of water.
“Better?” Dario asked while rubbing Theo’s back.
Theo nodded. He was still hungry. Food could wait. They really did need to talk.
“Where would you like to start?” Wylder asked. “Because I have so many questions. And I am dying to find out what happened to you, dude! You were fucking glowing. And your eyes—”
Dario cleared his throat, cutting Wylder off.
“There was so much that happened. First, where’s Bramley?
The unseelie king?” It was hazy yet Theo thought Mitch had captured him.
He hoped that Mitch caught him and dragged him straight to hell.
Not that Theo knew if that was even possible but his mean brother totally should spend some time in hell.
He’d probably make friends with demons anyway.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get him. I’m sorry, wildcat, but he portaled away,” Mitch told him quietly.
No! Theo started to shake. If Bramley was still out there, then Theo was still in danger. All of them were! Bramley had said after he killed Theo and his friends that he’d go after his mates. Theo couldn’t allow that to happen.
“Shh,” Dario soothed.
Theo rubbed his cheek against the softness of Dario’s shirt. He needed the comfort of his mates as he explained the truth about his family.
“It will take him time to recover. You did quite the number on him,” Alek said.
That didn’t mean much. Not when Theo was sure Bramley would never stop coming for him. “What if he summons me again?”
“He doesn’t have the power,” Alek replied.
Theo shook his head. “He had a summoner working for him.”
“A summoner?” Alek exchanged a look with Mitch that didn’t fill Theo with confidence. “Do you know who?”
Theo nodded. “Yeah. His name is Bywater.”
“I don’t know him, but I’ll ask Mah or Tate. They should have a list of fae that they’ve run into,” Alek said. “But a summoner needs blood.”
“They had some,” Theo revealed.
“How?” Wylder demanded.
“When I fell on the steps of the dorm, I scraped my palms and knees. That’s where they got it.”
“The first summoning would have used that up. We just have to be very careful to make sure no one has access to your blood again. At least until Seb figures out a way to guard us against summoning,” Alek told him.
Theo gripped the amulet around his neck. “This didn’t do me a lot of good. Steve betrayed me. Walking me right into Bramley’s arms.”
“Wait! Who’s Steve?” Wylder asked.
“Maybe you should start from the beginning,” Dario suggested.
Rubbing his eyes, Theo tried to put his thoughts in order. He and Garrett…Garrett! “Where’s Garrett?” Theo demanded.
“With Josh,” Dario answered. “They decided to go home with Alek’s fathers for the night.”
“How long was I asleep?” He felt terrible forgetting about his friend. And he hadn’t said goodbye to Bo or Aurelia.
“Ten hours,” Mitch answered. “The energy that it takes to wield magi,c especially when you’re not used to it, is draining. You needed the rest.”
“But I didn’t get to say goodbye to Bo or Aurelia.” He cleared his throat. “The troll and the brownie. They were nice to me.” Theo considered them both his friends. And as it had always been hard for him to connect with others, friends were important.
Dario smiled down at him. “You’ll see them later.”