Page 37 of Beyond Fate

Jax tilted his head slightly. “Realize what?”

Her lips curled in. “Nothing, Mr. Nippy Nose.”

Damon thought for sure Jax was going to have a fit. He had been teased in the past about his name. Jax Frost. But Jax didn’t look upset. There was actually a smile in his eyes. “You’re still not going to look at anyone, brat.”

“Fly to your room so we can get to the house without you seeing our manhoods,” Kalen interjected.

“Manhoods?” Elvine’s laugh was light and jovial. “You don’t have to use such names for your cocks, Papa Frost.”

Jax snarled. “Stop talking to my dad about…them.”

“Cock, penis, boner, chub, willy, wiener—”

“Elvine!” Jax and Kalen said at the same time, both seeming flustered with her.

“Prunes,” Elvine said before she flew off.

“It’s prude!” Jax shifted and took off toward the house.

Damon brushed aside Casimir’s hair then kissed his temple. “I’ve got you, nékah.” He scooped Casimir into his arms. Crap, the guy weighed a ton.

“Need help?” Kalen smirked. “You look like you’re about to throw out your back.”

If Casimir hadn’t been completely naked, Damon might have taken his dad up on his offer. Technically, they were all naked, but Casimir was his mate, and Damon’s wolf snarled at anyone holding their nude warrior. “Thanks, but I got it. And, I appreciate what you said to him.”

Kalen smiled warmly. “It’s the truth, son. Now get your mate home before you blow your back out.”

Damon grunted. “Hopefully I don’t drop his heavy ass.”

Kalen chuckled as he shook his head.

With a smirk, Damon expanded his wings and flew toward the house, thankful his mate would be okay. Now that his dark magic had been restored, if any more guardians tried hunting Casimir down, his mate could obliterate them.

* * * *

Kalen watched as Damon took off with Casimir, thankful the fae would be all right. He’d given everyone a scare. “I can feel your presence,” he said as he watched his son land and walk into the house with Casimir still clutched in his arms.

“You’re one of the few who can,” Aldrin said as he materialized right next to Kalen. “I felt the moment Casimir’s powers were restored.”

“Does my family have anything to worry about?” Kalen had to be cautious. Despite growing very fond of Raidh, Elvine, and Casimir, his boys would always come first if there was a threat living under his roof.

Their family now had two Unseelie mates. Kalen had even given Elvine a bedroom since she was underfoot so often and, honestly, had started looking at her as a daughter figure, but the fact still remained that all three were dark fae.

Kalen wasn’t going to lie to himself. That made him a little more than nervous. Elvine and Raidh were sweet, and Casimir was honorable, but one fit of rage or accidental mishap could destroy what Kalen loved more than his own life.

His boys.

That was why he’d implemented a strict rule about no magic use in the house. He was only erring on the side of caution.

“Within your family, no,” Aldrin said. “All three Unseelie adore and respect you, Kalen. They would defend you and your sons with their last breaths.”

Which only reminded him of when Raidh had actually taken his last breath. Kalen had been terrified Jaytee would become reckless and seek out a way to die in order to join Raidh. At the time, Kalen had thought Damon dead and couldn’t bear to lose another son.

That night still haunted his dreams. So did Damon’s conversion. Kalen loved his sons fiercely, no matter if they were now different, but to see the way Damon had come out of that ancient sleep, appearing like a monster… Kalen closed his eyes for a brief second. His family was having too many close ones lately.

“What’s heading our way, Aldrin?” Kalen wanted to be prepared.

“I may have created the universe, but that doesn’t mean I always have foresight,” Aldrin replied, turning to face Kalen. “Casimir is much stronger now that his dark magic has been restored, but two thousand years of solitude can damage anyone’s sense of self-worth. He deeply respects you, Kalen. I’ve already shown you what he’s been through, so remember that he still needs guidance and reassurance from a father figure.”

---