Chapter Seven
Dex got up and got dressed. “Well, that was fun.”
Etienne kissed her lips as he settled a silk shawl around her shoulders. “The fun is just starting. Tosh and I have discussed things while you were in and out, and my house will be suitable for a pack house.”
She grimaced. “Fine. But on the way home, I want to go to the shoe room. I need to know it’s okay.”
He smiled brightly.
Tosh smiled at her.
“What?”
“You called it home.”
“Oh, shoot.”
Etienne laughed. “We are going to try very hard to make it homey for you.”
“But I can still go to the shoe room?”
Tosh laughed. “Yes, we can.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Fine. Can we go now?”
Etienne said, “Don’t you want to spend more time with elves?”
“I have one that I am taking home, so I am good. Besides, it’s late, and I don’t want to wake Regis’s daughter.”
They nodded, and when she was ready, Etienne picked her up and carried her out of the room while Tosh led the way.
They went down to the main floor, and Tosh led them into the kitchen. There were several elves sitting and having coffee, including an older couple.
Regis looked over and frowned. “You are taking her home?”
Tosh nodded. “She needs quiet and privacy. We need to figure out the arrangements for our pack.”
Dex smiled. “But, first, I have to check on the shoe room. I have been worried about it.”
Avor frowned. “Shoes?”
Tosh smiled. “Dex is the shoe doctor of the Aquilar Ballet. She can bring a shoe back from the dead. It’s like magic.”
Everyone in the room laughed softly.
Regis paused. “Do you know where Ira can take some classes? She’s been itching to do some girly things with other little girls.”
Dex grinned. “I know of three instructors in the city. They can tell you what is needed, and she can audit classes to see if she likes them.”
They exchanged phone numbers. Dex checked her phone and had a message from someone named Hatcher. “Brexel has two young alphas, and Lya has one. They might be interested in dance classes as well. It helps with muscle building and body control.”
Regis blinked. “Someone sent you a message?”
The older man looked over and grinned. “Hatcher. She gets flashes when something crosses her life. She and Ax also took ballet for a number of years.”
Dex smiled. “My half-sister, Wizard, is also a dancer. Her grandparents thought it was a good idea for her to learn balance because she was growing so fast. That’s where we met the first time. After that, they couldn’t keep us apart.”
Regis smiled. “She explained. She’s very proud of you.”
“I am proud of her.” Dex smiled.
Etienne chuckled. “And I am fascinated by the world that Dex is reflected in, but tonight, we set her mind at ease, and then we begin organizing our pack.”
Dex shrugged. “I get to keep working for the ballet, so that’s a good thing. Where did the others go?”
Regis said, “Ford called, and he needed some kind of clearances for videos. Hatcher went along as transport.”
Dex looked at the people and saw dark djinn in the mix. This really was a magical place.
They made their farewells, and she was carried out to a car and tucked in, belted, and then they were off to Etienne’s place. Maybe she would finally understand what he did for a living.
“Why did you take me to the new palace?”
Tosh said, “Because we wanted you away from the hospital, and there might have been someone here who could heal you. There wasn’t, but the queen now knows about you and Wizard, so that is good.”
“Why is it good?”
“She can send help, and it can arrive fast.”
She smiled. “So can Wizard. Her friend Ax helped her and worked on the video for Emery. Without him, I would have tried to drive to the hospital and might have blacked out and hit a ditch or worse.”
Etienne’s fingers flexed on the steering wheel. “We will get him something for the holidays.”
Dex looked at him and tried to figure out what he meant. Five minutes later, they pulled in through gates that swung open, and then there was a long drive to a large manor house.
“Oh. Wow. Family estate?”
“Nope. Well, not yet.” He smiled.
The blush Dex felt sweep through her was hot. “Hey, weren’t we going to the shoe room?”
“Tomorrow morning, after you have uninterrupted sleep.”
“Hmm. So, you are manipulative.”
“Honey, I am exhausted. Tosh as well. We haven’t rested since we first arrived at the hospital.”
Dex looked at them and winced. “Right. Sorry. I guess I am the only one who has been set to nap.”
Tosh chuckled. “We promise to take you around tomorrow as soon as we have gotten more than ten minutes of sleep.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Tosh touched her shoulder, and she nodded.
They pulled up near the front doors, and she waited in the car while Tosh and Etienne left before they extended their hands to hers.
She unbuckled and took their hands, walking with them to the house. Etienne unlocked the door and ushered her inside.
As they walked inside, he thumbed his phone, causing lights to flick on inside the enormous structure.
She looked around and said, “So, not a school teacher.”
Etienne laughed and said, “Bedroom is on the second floor. The bed in that room is a pack bed and where we are going to sleep tonight. It takes a bit of effort to get used to, and we may as well start tonight. Tosh and I are definitely tired enough to fall asleep on a rock.”
“Let’s hope that it doesn’t come to that.” Dex smiled. “We can discuss other stuff in the morning or the middle of the night. Whenever we get up.”
Tosh chuckled. “Nice to know that you are realistic about it.”
“Yeah, well. When Vin was little, Dad would tell him all about having a pack of his own, how it would be nice and safe and secure, that he would be cared for and pampered. I am not in for the pampering, but I really liked the idea of being safe for obvious reasons.”
Etienne made a soft noise.
“I am also really looking forward to sex.”
The alphas on either side of her tripped.
She snickered. “You didn’t think I was just in it for the cuddling, did you? You, gentlemen, have your nap, and then we will discuss things in the morning.”
Tosh said softly, “We are going to link tonight before we sleep.”
“What’s a link?”
He chuckled as they left the stairs and turned left toward the hall that followed a gallery over the great room downstairs.
“It is a braid of any length with one strand per participant in the link. Ours will have a standard three. There is one set of five who had to watch an online tutorial.”
She giggled.
“Then, blood is rubbed across each braid, and it forms a link that allows us to draw on each other at any time. It also lets us keep tabs on you.”
“Not creepy at all.” Dex smiled.
Tosh smiled. “When the braids are done, the link is done.”
She looked at Etienne. “Back of your neck okay?”
He smiled. “That will be fine. It will be short.”
“I can work with small details. I put sequins on pointe shoes for a living.”
He grinned, and they made it to the furthest room. He opened the door, and the room inside was already bright.
“So, this is the pack room. It was designed for six or eight, but I think it will be fine.”
Dex looked at the bed. “Wow. One of you get combs for braiding, I am gonna dive into that bed.”
She laughed and kicked off her shoes, diving onto the bed and laughing madly as she bounced around. The bed was huge.
The thud of a body next to her sent her flying into the air. There was a laugh, and then Etienne caught her, but there was something different about him.
Dex stared at the black skin. “When did that happen?”
“After I turned fifteen. My dad talked me through it and showed me how to keep my other face in place.”
Tosh laughed. “Dr. Aquilar is one of us?”
Etienne snorted. “Yes. And my mother is as pale as Dex.”
Dex blinked. “Oh, so it makes your initial rejection a little weird.”
“I didn’t know you had two faces.”
Tosh held up a comb. “Ready?”
“Yeah, brain is still spinning through every interaction with Etienne with a new context.”
“Well, come to the edge of the bed, and we will get your link done, and then you can do us.”
Dex grinned as Etienne shifted with her in his arms. He walked on his knees to the edge of the bed and sat with his feet dangling and her in his arms.
Tosh grinned. “Your father was from the Stronghold?”
“He said he escaped about three hundred years ago and has been a doctor ever since. His original occupation was as some kind of thief or lock picker. When I asked how he made his money, he would just smile.”
She snickered. “That does sound like him.”
Etienne smiled. “You like the old coot.”
“Yes. He and your mother have been kind to me since I got the job. He knew something was up with my family and that I needed to be independent. So I became the shoe doctor, and I was good at it.”
Tosh smiled. “She really is. Her careful help in getting the dancers the right shoes. Very few foot injuries in our dance company, and comfortable feet can dance longer.”
Etienne grinned. “Good. I like knowing where she is.”
“And despite what people think, I don’t have a foot fetish. I just like to make sure the shoes work. Dancing on your toes is tricky enough.” Dex smiled.
Tosh chuckled and looked at Etienne. “Find a lock of hair that you will wear your bond on.”
Tosh combed Dex’s hair and said, “Choose your lock.”
She reached behind her ear and grabbed an inch of hair behind the pointed appendage. She held the lock. “Do you want me to braid it? I am pretty quick.”
Tosh grinned. “Please. I didn’t suspect your hair was this long, given your other form wears it braided back.”
She laughed and took the hair, divided it, and rapidly twisted it into a braid that got longer with every passing second. She tied it off, and it hung to the end of her ribs.
Tosh smiled. “Do me.”
“Where do you want it?”
He held out a short lock behind his ear that matched hers, and she twisted it quickly into a braid, tying it off with one of his own hairs.
Etienne grinned. “Me next?”
She sighed and leaned back so she could get a grip on the hair he had segmented out, and she tutted. “Yours is going to be tight as hell.”
His grin expanded. “Don’t tease.”
Dex snorted and braided the short segment of hair, tying it off the same way. She held her finger toward Etienne. “Bite.”
He nipped her finger hard enough to draw blood, and she rubbed the blood down the tiny braid, and then did the same to Tosh. When they exchanged marks and then worked their fingers down her braid, she felt the door of connection swinging open.
She exhaled. “Oh, I get it now.”
Tosh kissed her shoulder. “I get it now as well.”
Dex turned toward Etienne when the roiling wall of lust and longing eased into her. She whispered, “He got it as well.”
Etienne wrapped his arms around her and buried his head against her neck, kissing softly.
The contrast between his emotions and his actions made her shake.
Tosh chuckled. “I feel the same, but I am just older and have more control.”
Etienne growled softly. “So, now we will get ready and go to bed.”
She shivered as the words whispered against her neck. “Can I borrow your toothbrush?”
He shuddered.
Tosh grinned. “Etienne, take her to the bathroom and show her around. She will need to know where she’s going.”
Etienne stood up with her in his arms, still nuzzling at her neck. He showed her the pack shower that would fit them all and had several heads to get everywhere.
The toilet and bidet were in a separate alcove, and the three sinks would make for accessibility.
She looked at the three sinks. “Why did you buy this place?”
“Because my mother told me over and over that there would be a pale-haired omega and another alpha. So, the house is for three.”
“The bed is for six.”
“You haven’t...”
“I haven’t. I need to brush my teeth.”
He sighed and slowly set her on the floor. He opened the cupboard behind the mirror and got out the toothpaste and toothbrush. She looked at him and paused before meeting his eyes in the mirror. “Out.”
He blinked. “What?”
“Out. I am going to be bending into the sink, and that isn’t really something I want that lust of yours to deal with right now. Shoo.”
He looked at the counter and her, and she heard a roar. Then she just pushed him out of the bathroom and closed the door. His shock was in the link, but she quickly whirled and brushed her teeth.
She used the toilet, washed her hands, washed her face, and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked tired, and the guys were exhausted.
She sighed and loosened her clothing, heading back into the bedroom. Dex rocked back on her heels. Etienne was back in normal alpha form and wearing boxer briefs. Tosh was just standing up after removing his own clothing. Boxer briefs for him as well.
She walked to the bed to remove her dress, and then paused. “Can I get a tee or something to sleep in?”
Etienne smiled. “Caught that, did you?”
He reached into one of the shop bags and handed her a column of black silk.
“Oh. Fancy.”
Etienne laughed. “Not really. I am really looking forward to showing you fancy.”
She finished unzipping the dress, unsnapped her bra, and pulled the gown over her head.
Tosh snorted in amusement. A moment later, the fabric whooshed down to cover her hips and thighs, delicate straps holding it in place on her shoulders.
The dressed dropped, and she peeled off the bra under the silk.
When her clothes were in a heap, Tosh cleared them away and straightened them.
Etienne hung them up in a wardrobe with roses carved into it.
She saw a number of dresses hanging in there and said, “You know I work with dye and glue and hammers, right? I need pants.”
Etienne chuckled. “You can get your own clothing from your apartment, or we can get it for you.”
“I will decide tomorrow. Tonight, I just want to sleep.”
Etienne nodded. “Of course. Hop on up. You sleep in the middle.”
She sighed and climbed onto the bed. Tosh went to her left and Etienne to her right. It took them a lot of squirming around, which had the guys groaning and then offended at her laughing. But then, they each wrapped an arm around her, and they slept.