Chapter 35
Tudor could smell the scent of BBQ and really wanted to shift and join them, plus the smell of food was making him feel hungry. He checked in with his stubborn gargoyle. Can we shift back yet do you smell all that lovely BBQ food is just right there you want some too right?
I guess we could shift back, his gargoyle said.
Tudor felt the shift take over and smiled. He stood up and stretched. The next moment, Gentzen shifted back.
Tudor looked surprised. “Did you stay with me the whole time you didn’t need to.”
Gentzen touched his arm. “I told you I would. But now, BBQ.”
Tudor laughed. Hey love I’m back
Alex suddenly appeared on the roof. “Finally,” he said, pulling Tudor into his arms and kissing the stuffing out of him.
Gentzen left them to it and went in search of food.
Slowly they pulled back.
“I’m so glad you’re over resting,” Alex said softly.
Tudor grinned. “It was the smell of BBQ that made my gargoyle shift.”
“And here I thought it was because you missed me,” Alex teased, playing with Tudor’s hair.
Tudor laughed. “Of course I missed you Alex I love you but I’ve not eaten for a few days and I’m starving plus I want to see everyone and see for myself that they are all alright.”
Alex bopped him on his nose. “Okay, sweetheart, let’s go and eat.”
“Wait,” Tudor said, looking at Bubo. “Hi Bubo come and rest on my shoulder and thank you for staying with me.”
Bubo beeped and flapped his wings, settling on Tudor’s shoulder.
With a thought, Alex brought them to the lower garden where Blake and Baylan were talking with Frederick, Hades, Han and Jaxton.
“Tudor, welcome back,” Blake said when he saw him.
Tudor went around and hugged everyone.
“Tudor, this is Jaxton, one of my demon bodyguards. Jaxton, this is his majesty, King Tudor Brown of the gargoyles and all flying shifters, and Bubo,” Frederick introduced.
Jaxton bowed his head. “Greetings, King Tudor, Bubo.”
“Just Tudor and please don’t bow we’re all family here I hope you are settling in well if you need anything please let us know.”
Alex touched his arm. “Breathe, my darling.”
Tudor nodded.
“Stay here, sweetheart, and I’ll get us some food.”
“Thanks,” he looked at the group. “I’m glad everyone is awake now Alex filled me in on everything that is a lot of happenings in a few days but I’m glad Silver and Brook are safe.”
Baylan touched his arm. “Breathe, Tudor. Yes, a lot has happened, and we have more people moved onto the pack lands. We can introduce you to them later.”
Bubo beeped, flapped his wings and took off.
“He’s gone to see the children do you know he stayed by my side the whole time I was resting he didn’t need to do that.”
“Tudor,” he heard someone call.
Tudor stopped talking and looked around and saw Puff hurrying towards him. Tudor moved close and pulled Puff into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re awake.”
Puff pulled back and smiled. “Thanks, and I’m so glad you’re awake. Did you have a good rest?”
Tudor nodded. “I did thank you I’m well rested but hungry Alex has gone to get us some food but you look sad are you okay can I do anything to help?”
Puff patted his arm. “I’m okay. We went to help the triplets collect more of their things.”
“Alex told me he and Baylan did the same for Maddy and Ares did the same for Kieran it’s so sad but we need to give Maddy and Kieran’s parents lovely funerals.”
Puff patted his arm again. “And we will. Have you met Atticus’ family yet?”
Tudor shook his head. “No I’ve not been here long and was just saying hello to Blake and the others but I would love to meet his family.”
Puff patted his arm. “Alex is almost here with your food. Eat first and then I’ll introduce you.”
Tudor turned and looked at Alex, carrying two plates of food. He smiled happily when he saw him. Mateo was walking next to him, carrying two plates of food as well.
“We are so lucky,” Puff said to Tudor, watching Mateo walk closer.
“We really are,” Tudor agreed.
“Tudor,” Henry said happily, appearing in front of him and pulling him into a hug. “I’m so happy you’re awake. I came and sat with you while you were resting.”
Tudor happily hugged him back. “Thank you for that I hope you weren’t too bored.”
Henry patted his back and then pulled back. “Nope, I just chatted about anything and everything.”
“Here you go, sweetheart,” Alex said, handing a plateful of food over to him. “I’ll get drinks in a minute.”
“Thank you love,” he said, taking the plate.
Mateo passed a plate to Puff. “Henry, do you want this plate?” he offered, holding it out.
Henry shook his head. “I’ve not eaten since I woke up dead. I sometimes miss food, especially when it smells this good.”
“Sorry Henry would you rather none of us ate in front of you we didn’t mean to upset you but we can eat when you’re not around.”
Henry touched Tudor’s arm. “Take a breath, my friend. You don’t need to not eat around me. If it upset me, I’d stay away at meal times; I’m fine not eating, honestly.”
“Okay,” Tudor said, sounding relieved and tucking into his food.
Maletayah walked over and joined Frederick, Han, Hades and Jaxton, carrying a plate of food each.
“Have you had BBQ before?” Frederick asked him.
Maletayah shook his head. “No, but I find I rather like it.”
“There is a BBQ restaurant in the underworld. The food there is amazing,” Jaxton said. “This is almost as good.”
Frederick looked at Jaxton. “I need to go to that restaurant. We should have a trip there. Han, Maletayah, you’re joining us.”
Maletayah looked a little uncertain. “Thank you, but I need to protect Battle when he is here.”
“That’s easy enough to fix,” Hades said. “Battle can come with us.”
“My cousin will love that,” he said, looking at the angel. “So, will you come?”
Maletayah smiled. “Then I will, thank you.”
“Han?” Frederick asked.
Han smiled. “I will do, thank you.”
“I see Tudor has finished resting, come and I’ll introduce you both,” Frederick said to Maletayah and Jaxton.
Tudor had finished eating and now had a drink in his hand when Frederick and Hades, Han, Jaxton and Maletayah walked over to their group.
“Tudor, welcome back,” Hades said.
Tudor pulled Hades into a hug, and he laughed. Tudor then pulled Frederick into a hug and pulled a surprised Han into one.
“How was your rest?” Han asked, pulling back.
“Long so long and I’m glad it’s now over it sounds like I missed a lot while I was resting some of which I’m glad I missed.”
Alex rested his hand on Tudor’s back, and he stopped talking.
“Sweetheart, meet Maletayah. He is the leader of the warrior angels sent to protect Battle. He also taught me how to use a sword when I was a lot younger.”
Maletayah laughed. “I did indeed.”
“And this is Jaxton, one of the demons protecting Frederick. Gents, this is King Tudor Brown of the gargoyles.”
“Do we bow or not, sire?” Jaxton asked, smiling at him.
“Oh no please don’t no one should have to bow to me I’m just me and we’re all pack mates here well family really have I welcomed you both to the family I think I have but if not welcome and please just call me Tudor.”
Alex tapped his back. “Take a breath, my darling.”
“So, no bowing, got it,” Maletayah said with a grin.
“Tudor, apparently warrior angels are better with the sword than gargoyles,” Frederick told him, grinning.
Tudor gasped and the others laughed.
“We’ll have to test that theory don’t you think we can find the best gargoyle here and they can prove you wrong I’m sure everyone will want to watch that don’t you think?”
Alex patted his back.
“You’re right, Tudor,” Puff said. “Everyone will want to see that.”
“I can’t wait. It’s been a long time since I’ve shown off my skills,” Maletayah replied, smiling.
“Wait until you see his steel wings,” Frederick said. “I caught a glance of Maletayah earlier flying with them.”
“I can’t wait until I see them,” Puff said. He looked at Tudor. “Want to come and meet Atticus’ family?”
“Yes I want to check on Atticus I know everyone has said you’re all fine but I want to see everyone.”
Puff slipped his arm through Tudor’s. “We’ll see you later.”
“You will,” Han said.
Tudor waved, and Puff led them away. Alex and Mateo joined them.
“The gargoyle king is a happy chatterbox,” Jaxton commented.
“He is. He also doesn’t have a mean bone in his body,” Hades replied.
“Maybe one of my warriors should shadow him,” Maletayah said.
“He has some personal guards that shadow him,” Frederick told him. “He’s fine on the pack lands, but maybe if he leaves the grounds one could go with him.”
“I can arrange that. I’ll talk to Tudor and his protectors later,” Maletayah said, watching Tudor and Puff walk away.
All three kings were worthy of his and his angels' protection, and protect them he would.