Chapter 40
Blake and the others were standing in the soldiers’ compound, outside the newly created guard block, meeting the council guard’s commander, General Oscar Thompson, and his second, Commander Atlas Kent.
“Do you have everything you need, General?” Blake asked after introductions were made. The general was a wolf shifter; the commander was a Golden Eagle. There was something about the general that made his wolf sit up and pay attention.
“I do thank you, your majesty. The rest of my men will be arriving tomorrow. In total, I have one hundred and fifty guards coming, but I can have more here if needed.”
Puff looked at the general; for some reason, he felt nervous. Bob came forward.
Be ready for anything.
Blake glanced at Puff and gave a barely there nod, indicating he’d heard Bob’s warning.
Puff stepped forward.
The general looked at him, hatred in his eyes. Quick as anything, Thompson pulled his sword out and slashed out at Puff.
Maletayah grabbed Puff and shielded him with his steel wings before the sword even finished coming out of its scabbard.
The general’s sword hit the steel wings.
The commander pulled his sword, pointing it at the general, when Mateo growled and leapt at Thompson, batting the sword away and taking the general to the ground, Barden close to the surface.
No one attacks our mate. Barden said angrily.
Mateo’s hand shifted into his dragon claws and stabbed his claws into Thompson’s chest, ripping out his heart.
Mateo stood up and dropped the heart on the ground.
His claws retreated. He turned and saw Maletayah with his wings still around Puff. “It’s safe,” Mateo called.
Maletayah’s wings opened, and Puff stood there looking stunned.
“Wow, that was so fast. Thank you, Maletayah. Your steel wings are amazing.” He looked at Mateo and took a step forward. “Thank you, my guardian.”
Mateo pulled Puff into a hug and Puff wrapped his arms around him.
Commander Kent stood there looking shocked.
“What the actual hell?” Blake demanded.
The Commander put his sword away. “I apologise, King Puff, King Blake.”
Blake looked at the Commander. “Is this going to happen with all the council guards?”
The Commander shook his head. “No. I was surprised when the general volunteered to come here. It’s a well-known fact that he hates dragons.”
Puff moved out of Mateo’s arms and looked at the commander. “Do you know why?”
He shook his head. “No, sorry, but I can try and find out.”
Puff shook his head. “No, don’t do that. He can no longer hurt me or any dragon again.”
“It looks like you have just got a promotion commander you are now the general of the council guards,” Tudor said. “You should also join our war council.”
Blake nodded. “That’s a good idea. Maletayah, can you show General Kent around and meet all those on the War Council.”
Maletayah nodded. “I can do that.”
“Wait, promotion?” The new general asked in surprise.
Blake touched his shoulder. “Do you accept?”
The General nodded. “I do, thank you. I’ll get someone to remove his body.”
“No need, I can do that,” Puff said, and the body and heart vanished.
“We really need that pub,” Alex said.
Tudor moved to Puff’s side and hugged him. “Are you okay that sword got very close to hitting you.”
Puff patted his back and pulled away. “I’m fine. I honestly didn’t see anything after he started pulling his sword out. Maletayah had me wrapped up safe in his steel wings before I could even blink.”
“Thank you,” Mateo said to the angel.
Maletayah nodded. “General, let me show you around and meet the War Council members.”
The general saluted and followed Maletayah.
“We’ll be off,” Mateo said. “We need a moment.”
Blake nodded. Puff and Mateo vanished, appearing in Mateo’s bedroom, and moments later Atticus joined them, pulling them both into his arms.
"What happened?”
Puff and Mateo filled him in.
“Thank goodness for Maletayah and our guardian,” he said, kissing their heads. He suddenly grinned as he pulled back. “You know, in the olden days when a knight slew the evil one, the knight was rewarded with a kiss.”
Puff laughed and blushed a little. “Well. It was actually Maletayah who saved me.”
Atticus laughed as Mateo scowled. “But I ripped his heart out.”
Puff tilted his head as if he was thinking. “I suppose I could reward you for that.”
Mateo pulled him into his arms and kissed the stuffing out of him, wrapping his arms tightly around Puff.
Puff submitted to the kiss and happily kissed Mateo back.
Slowly they drew apart. Puff moved his hand and touched Mateo’s face. “Thank you for killing him for me.”
Mateo gave him a gentle smile. “Barden and I will always kill anyone who attacks you.”
“And I’ll hold you while our guardian kills them,” Atticus said.
Puff grinned. “You should reward him now,” he said, moving out of the way.
“Yes, why don’t I,” Atticus said, stepping closer to Mateo.
Mateo laughed and pulled Atticus into his arms, kissing him.