Chapter 34
Tudor was waking up from his deep sleep; he internally yawned.
He wasn’t sure how much time had passed or what he had missed while he’d been in his deep sleep.
He tried shifting back, but nothing happened.
I need more rest then, he grumbled to his gargoyle.
He hoped Alex was around, as he missed him like crazy. Alex, love, can you hear me?
Suddenly Alex appeared next to him. “I hear you, sweetheart. Did you have a good rest and are you close to shifting back?”
I had a good deep rest but can’t shift back yet. My gargoyle is being stubborn which isn’t very nice of him as I really want to shift back and hug you.
Alex wasn’t sure if touching Tudor in his stone form would work, but he touched Tudor’s stone leg, and Tudor fell silent. “You obviously still need rest. Hopefully you’ll take better care of yourself now, so you won’t need to rest this long again”
I promise that next time I’ll be sensible and rest how long have I been resting?
“Nearly forty hours,” Alex said. “Bubo has been out here with you the whole time. I’ve popped off occasionally.”
Bubo beeped.
You went to a biker bar a real biker bar how exciting maybe one day you can take me there as well.
Alex patted his leg. “I did. I was trying to find the rogue island. Let me fill you in on everything that has happened since you came up here, and there is a lot.” Alex explained it all to Tudor.
And you’re sure Puff and our dragon family are safe and better have Ajax and Dr Palmer checked them over is Silver really safe now? He asked in concern.
“I promise, sweetheart. You can see for yourself when you shift back.”
It’s probably just as well I was resting and didn’t know what was happening I wouldn’t have stopped worrying about them all I’m not even sure I would have left their ward until everyone woke up it must have been distressing for their mates.
Alex tapped his leg. “Breathe, my darling. We were all glad you missed it. We knew they would wake up, just not when, so that helped a little. Did you know my evil brother tried to push me off the roof?”
Tudor chuckled. What did you do to annoy him?
“Excuse me, oh mate of mine. I didn’t do anything to annoy him.”
Bubo beeped.
Alex shot the golden owl a look.
So you missed me and had a pity party and because of that your twin decided to push you off the roof but Zeus saved you thank goodness Zeus did save you as that fall could have broken something.
Alex patted his leg again. “Yeah, the last time Bay did that to me, I broke my leg and shattered my arm; thankfully Asclepius fixed me right up.”
I'm glad you were saved from more limb breakage I had a thought earlier about the farmer selling off some of his land we should see how much money he would want for the whole farm.
“That’s a good idea. I’ll talk to Dane later and ask him to investigate it. I’ve started looking into who attacked and killed Maddy’s family.”
That’s a good idea as they might still be looking for Maddy I’m glad her parents are here it will be good to hold a funeral for them and have them buried close.
Alex patted his leg. “It will be good.”
You should go and carry on your search I’ll probably still be here when you get back.
Alex looked at him. “Are you sure, sweetheart? I can stay by your side and keep you company.”
No love we need Maddy safe you go and do what you do best and I’ll try and hurry my gargoyle up plus Bubo is here keeping me company.
“Okay, sweetheart,” Alex said, kissing his stone cheek. “Be back as soon as I can.”
Be safe
“Always,” Alex said and vanished.
Bubo beeped.
I miss him already but we need Maddy to be safe thank you for staying by my side you don’t need to you know.
Bubo beeped.
Thank you.
Battle and his team walked to the lower garden, pulled there by the scents of BBQ. Battle spotted Zeus, kneeling down chatting to a Kieran who looked sad. Not wanting to intrude, he changed direction and walked over to his cousin.
“Hey Freddie.”
“Batty. This is Jaxton, one of my demon bodyguards. Jaxton, this is my cousin Battle, Zeus’ mate. How was training?”
“It was good. We saw Maletayah’s steel wings. They’re amazing.”
“Then I can’t wait to see them.”
“Why the BBQ?”
“Atticus’ family turned up for a rescue mission,” Frederick replied. “He missed a check-in with his brother and the family came to rescue him.”
“Families,” Battle said with a grin that suddenly dropped off his face. “How are we going to explain our mates to the family?”
Frederick laughed. “Who knows, but Blake said we could invite them here.”
“That’s a thought,” Battle replied. He turned to look at Zeus, who was still with Kieran. “Young Kieran looks upset.”
“Ares went to his home to collect more of his things and bring his family here to be buried.”
“Poor thing.”
Han appeared next to them. “Hello, friends.”
Frederick and Battle said hello and then introduced him to Jaxton.
“It’s nice to meet you, Jaxton. Frederick, I saw Hades before I came here. He’s tied up but will be here as soon as he can.”
“Thanks, Han.”
Han looked at Battle. “I’ve been searching for Sapphire and Steel on DVD and finally found it.”
“Wow, I’ve not seen that in forever,” Battle said.
“I remember that,” Jaxton said. “The one with David McCallum as an interdimensional protector, or something like that, all named after elements”
Hans nodded. “That’s right.”
“I’ve never even heard of it,” Frederick said.
“Such a good show. Joanna Lumley was also in it. Shame about the ending though,” Battle put in.
“I thought we could have a show night, and you guys could come over and watch it,” he looked at Jaxton. “You are very welcome to join us. Frederick or Battle can tell you when.”
Jaxton smiled. “Thanks. I’d like to see it again.”
“See what? Am I invited?” Zeus asked, joining them.
Battle smiled at him and took his hand. “Hey boo. Han has invited us to watch Sapphire and Steel.”
“You’re always welcome, old friend. You know that,” Han replied.
“Excellent, then I shall supply the treats. But first,” Zeus pulled Battle into his arms and kissed the stuffing out of him.
Battle wrapped his arms around his mate, not caring there were others around and happily kissed him back.
Slowly they drew apart. Zeus’ golden eyes looked tenderly at him. “I missed you today.”
Battle laughed and pulled back. “It’s not as if you didn’t come and see me.”
Zeus touched his cheek. “I know, but they weren’t long visits.”
“It’s good to see you happy, brother,” Hades said, appearing beside Frederick.
Zeus turned and looked at him. “How could I not be happy? Have you seen the mate I’ve been blessed with?”
“We’ve both been blessed,” Hades said, taking Frederick’s hand.
“But now, Battle and I need to leave; Athena has invited us to dinner.”
“She invited us as well, but I declined as,” he waved his hand around. “BBQ.”
Everyone laughed.
“Well, enjoy. We’ll catch you all later. Come, my love.”
“See you later,” Battle managed to get out before he and Zeus vanished.
They appeared in Zeus’ bedroom. Battle grinned. “Not that I’m complaining about being here, but what about dinner with your daughter?”
Zeus pulled him closer. “We have time.”
Battle smiled at Zeus and touched his cheek, overcome with emotions. “I love you, mate of mine.”
“And I you, my most beloved mate,” Zeus leant forward and kissed him. Using his magic, he stripped them both, and they appeared on the bed where Zeus made love to him.
A few hours later, they arrived at Athena’s apartment. Zeus shocked Battle when he knocked on the door.
“You know how to knock?”
Zeus laughed. “I do. It’s just quicker my way.”
Athena opened the door as he was talking. “Don’t believe him, Battle. He just turns up to see what we’re doing.”
“I just care so much,” Zeus said, looking perfectly serious.
Athena and Battle both looked at him, then burst out laughing.
“Sure, boo.”
“Come on in. I invited Hephaestus to join us.”
They walked in, and Battle saw a man standing by the sofa. He was holding a walking stick and wore strange, thick boots.”
Zeus saw him and smiled, walking straight over to him. “Hephaestus,” he said, pulling him into his arms.
Hephaestus hugged him back. “Father.”
Zeus pulled back. “Come and meet my Battle.”
Battle stepped forward.
“Battle, this is my son, Hephaestus. Hephaestus, meet my fated mate, Battle Barbuda.”
Battle smiled. “It’s lovely to meet you and slightly surreal.”
Hephaestus laughed. “Thank you. It’s lovely to meet you as well. I have a gift for you. I’m sorry I’m only giving it to you now, but I’ve just finished making it.”
“Oh wow, thank you,” Battle said.
Hephaestus held his hand out, and a sword appeared. It was three feet long of shining silver metal; the handle was shaped like a cross, with a green stone in the middle.
Hephaestus handed it to Battle, who took it reverently. Battle gasped as the green stone brightened for a moment.
“This is amazing, thank you.”
“This sword will cut through anything and everything and will never dull. The stone in the middle is a mind stone; it will come when you call it.”
“Really?” Battle asked.
“It will. Let me have it for a moment and walk to the other side of the room.”
He handed the sword back to Hephaestus and walked to the far wall.
“Now call your sword to you. Just think of the sword coming to you.”
Battle grinned and thought of his sword. The next moment it flew out of Hephaestus's hand and into Battle’s.
“Oh wow. Thank you so much,” he said, walking over and hugging him. “This is amazing.” Battle pulled back and looked at Zeus. “Look at my amazing sword; it’s completely stunning.”
Zeus looked at him and smiled. “It is perfect,” he said, looking at his son. “Thank you for this. I was going to ask you to make something special for him.”
“Good, now that’s out of the way, let’s eat,” Athena said.
Dinner was coming to an end when Battle had a thought. “Hephaestus, do you know where your spear is? If not, can you describe it to me?”
Hephaestus frowned. “I have no idea where it is. Why do you want it?”
“A demon is trying to find it to kill all you gods and the three paranormal kings. He wants to use it to start a war. Needless to say, none of us want that to happen.”
Hephaestus held his hand out, and a small wooden spear appeared. He handed it to Battle. “It looks like this, but in gold and about four feet long. It has these markings on it.”
Battle studied the wooden replica. “Thank you, now we know what to look for.”
“It can shrink down to that size,” Hephaestus pointed to the wooden spear.
“Got it. Hopefully we’ll find it first.”
“I can look for it as well. Everything I make has my energy in it. I can follow it and try and locate it.”
“You’ve made a lot of things,” Athena pointed out.
“I didn’t say it would be a quick search.”
Battle raised his goblet. “Good luck.”