Chapter 25
Blake, Baylan and Frederick walked into the dragon’s ward and saw everyone except Puff and Brook awake and laughing together.
“You all look like you’re having fun,” Baylan commented.
“We’re not. This is strictly a no-fun zone,” Ash said, grinning. The smile fell off his face. “Did you see the shaman?”
“I did. Frederick and the Generals shared that delightful encounter,” Blake replied.
“And what a lovely chap he is,” Frederick said dryly.
“Did you tell him to stick his request for sanctuary up his arse?” Ash asked.
“I didn’t phrase it quite like that, but he knows his days are numbered,” Blake told him.
Frederick laughed. “He told the Generals to think up creative ways to kill him.”
“Nice,” Oz said. “Serves him right.”
“We could hang, draw and quarter him,” Puff said, opening his eyes.
“Finally,” Mateo said, bending down and stroking Puff’s cheek.
“We thought you were going to sleep the day away,” Atticus said, kissing his hand.
“Is everyone awake?” Puff asked, starting to sit up.
Mateo and Atticus helped him.
“Everyone is awake except for Brook,” Blake said, walking to the side of Puff’s bed and putting a hand on his leg. “Welcome back.”
“Thanks,” he said, moving to the side of the bed and standing up. He went and hugged everyone, then Atticus and Mateo. He turned around and leant against Mateo, who had his arms around Puff. “So, what did I miss and who do I want hung, drawn and quartered?”
“The Hayes Pack shaman,” Blake said, filling Puff in on their meeting.
“Then that death is too nice for him,” Puff said.
“Wait, being hung, drawn and quartered is too nice of a death?” Cade asked.
“I’ve never heard of that. How does that work?” Forrest asked.
“It’s actually drawn, hung and quartered,” Atticus said, moving to stand by Puff and Mateo, taking Puff’s hand.
“The accused's legs were tied to a hurdle then they were dragged by horse through the streets to the place of execution. The dragging was designed to rip the skin off their backs, shoulders and head. They were then hung by the neck until they were almost dead and then cut down. They were then castrated and disembowelled; their organs were burned in front of them. They were then beheaded and their body chopped into four pieces. Or in some instances each limb was tied to a horse and rider, and the four riders went in different directions and ripped the limbs off.”
The children’s mouths dropped open.
“And you think that death would be too nice for that shaman?” Tobin asked in surprised disgust.
Puff nodded. “Yeah, we don’t have any horses.”
“You could always strip his skin off first, like all his skin,” Cade suggested.
“We can put all killing suggestions to the vote when Tudor finishes resting.”
“Thank goodness Tudor slept through all this,” Puff said with a sigh.
“I think we’ve all said and thought that. He’ll be upset enough when he wakes up and finds out,” Blake said.
“Once Brook wakes up, I need to see if my cousin has replied and if he managed to find out what the email says.”
“Alex and Donavan went to see if they could find the island's whereabouts, but all they know is it’s somewhere in the Pacific Ocean,” Baylan said.
“We’ll find it,” Puff said, full of confidence. “Is there any food? Bob and I are starving.”
“Under the cover there,” Oz said, pointing. “Your tea is in the travel mug.”
“Wait, Puff,” Peyton suddenly said. “You can talk.”
Puff laughed and nodded. “I can; that sleep helped my throat as well.”
Mateo and Atticus let Puff go, and he sat back in bed, cross-legged, as Atticus pushed the bedside table closer and Mateo took the cover off the food.
“Talk amongst yourselves,” Puff said happily, biting into a sausage.
“I need to get back to things, but I’ll be back later to check on Brook,” Blake said.
“I’m off to spend time with Alex, before he tries to do something stupid again,” Baylan added.
“And I’m off to a meeting,” Frederick said.
“Puff,” Henry said happily, having floated through the wall. He rushed over to Puff and pulled him into a hug.
Atticus took the travel mug Puff had just picked up from him before Puff could drop it, and Puff hugged him back.
“Hey, Henry.”
Henry pulled back. “I’m so glad you’re awake.”
“Me too, Henry.”
“Where have you been, sweetheart?” Nick asked.
Henry moved to his side. “I sat with Alex and Tudor for a while, then watched the children on the obstacle course,” he said, looking at Baylan. “I think Alex needs you.”
“I was literally just going to him. I’ll see you all later,” he said, kissed Blake’s cheek and vanished.
He reappeared on the roof, next to Alex. He sat down beside his twin, both their legs dangling over the roof edge.
“I knew I would miss him. I just didn’t think I would miss him this badly,” Alex said softly.
“Tudor feels the same way when you’re called away. He tries to be happy, but we can all tell he’s not. I miss Blake when I’m called away, and I know he misses me. Demi, Ashton, and Cade all missed their mates while they were recovering.”
Alex sighed. “I know, but I’m having a pity party here, thanks very much.”
Baylan laughed and nudged his shoulder. “Baby.”
Bubo beeped, and Baylan laughed.
“Hey!” Alex exclaimed. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
Bubo beeped some more.
“You tell him, Bubo,” Baylan said, still laughing.
“Fine, I’ll stop the pity party,” he plastered a fake smile on his face. “See, I’m happy. Happy, happy, happy.”
“Sure,” Baylan said, pushing him.
Alex caught hold of the roof edge. “Careful, you almost made me fall.”
“That’s what I was trying to do,” Baylan said, looking totally unrepentant.
Alex glared at his brother. “That’s just mean.”
Baylan shrugged. “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve pushed you off a roof, and anyway, it would take your mind off missing Tudor.”
“But the last time you did it, your brother broke his arm and his leg,” a voice said from behind them.
They both turned around and saw Zeus standing behind them.
“They were only little breaks,” Baylan protested.
“Still hurt though, and my arm was shattered. Thank goodness for Asclepius,” Alex said.
“Indeed,” Zeus said, looking down at the twins. “We don’t need any more broken bones. Everyone has enough to deal with.”
“Fine, little brother is safe,” Baylan assured them both.
“Did you want us for something, or are you just missing Battle?” Alex asked.
Now it was Zeus’ turn to sigh as he sat on the roof with them. “Yes, I do miss my Battle. He’s busy training, but I saw you, Baylan, trying to push your brother off the roof, so I thought I’d intervene.”
“And I thank you for that,” Alex said gratefully.
“How are your mating party preparations going?” Baylan asked, hoping to cheer Zeus up.
Zeus beamed. “It’s almost all ready. Hera took over the planning, saying I wasn’t allowed to organise my own mating party. But we need Demi and Hades to have their parties first. I don’t want to steal their thunder.”
“That’s understandable,” Alex said. “I’m glad you’ve found your mate, pops.”
“Me too. The fates certainly blessed me with Battle. He is everything I ever wanted in a mate.”
“The fates are good like that,” Baylan said. “Can you imagine being fated to someone you dislike?”
“Thankfully we never have to find out,” Zeus said. “Right, now I’ve saved Alex from shattered limbs, I’m away. Be good boys.”
Zeus vanished before either could answer.
“Good times,” Baylan said with a laugh.
“Me breaking limbs was a good time?” Alex asked him, looking shocked.
“Our childhood in general.”
Alex chuckled. “Yeah, but having the gods as our family, there is no way it would have been normal. I still think blowing up Zeus’ throne was the best.”
“No, it wasn’t,” Zeus’ voice boomed over them.
The twins just laughed.