Well, fuck.
Chapter 23
King
The family roomhad been set up like one large slumber party. Elyse and Marc had run back to their place and picked up their queen-sized blow-up mattress for Sky and me, which was set up right in front of the couch, with enough room to get around easily.
Cassi and Carli had shown up after they closed the café armed for battle and for comfort. They’d brought multiple handmade quilts that they said had protection spells sewn into the fabrics. Before dispersing the blankets around the rest of the room, they’d created a nest for Booker where he’d be sleeping on the couch.
Chance had pulled other pillows and blankets from the rooms in the manor, as well, since they were all staying. Sky and I might be the only ones who could go into the Dream-veil and meet Booker there, but the rest of our family would do whatever they could to make sure this ended tonight and that we all returned safely.
Malcolm spent the rest of the day with us, and he and Marc had hit it off. I couldn’t see auras or anything, but there was no question that the two older men were kindred spirits.
Cassi and Carli had also brought different crystals and herbs. I was pretty sure that I’d seen all of those same things in Elyse’s shop, but Elyse and Gran had beamed at the wives for showing up and bringing parts of their own practice along with them. No matter what, it meant a lot to all of us that even without really knowing us well, they were just as invested as we were in tonight’s outcome.
I didn’t totally understand what was happening, but the gratitude I felt for these people—both alive and dead—bolstered my spirit.
While Harry, Buck, and Scotty kept a steady flow of drinks and snacks coming from the kitchen, I sat with my pops and Jetty. My grandfather’s memories were more intact than he’d originally made it sound like, but he was having trouble accessing what happened when it came to the vanquishing parts of his and Gran’s past adventures. Malcolm wondered if it had something to do with me taking my place as his descendant and Dreamwalker heir. Whatever, that was a problem for another day.
Catching Sky as he came down the hall, I grabbed him around the waist and swept him into the bathroom. He giggled as I shut the door firmly and backed him against it, bracketing him in with my larger body. “How are you doing?” I asked, cupping his face.
Sliding his hands around my middle, he admitted, “I’m a little nervous, but I’m ready to do whatever it takes. It helps knowing everyone will be back here holding space for us.”
As promised, Gran and Elyse had spent the afternoon training Sky. Chance and Booker stayed with him, learning, encouraging, and supporting him. Sky hadn’t wanted Ego to be stressed out, so he sent him out to the pond with Stevie and Trixie. Ego had taken his guitar, saying he’d do his version ofpraying for the night ahead, and I saw him out there strumming away and singing to the spirits.
“We have a lot of support.” Leaning in, I kissed him softly, then whispered against his lips, “You can do this.”
He pushed into me, tightening his arms around me. “Thank you. I just hope I don’t let you or Booker down.”
“You won’t.” And I knew he wouldn’t. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that he’d nail this. If not tonight, then tomorrow or the next night. We weren’t abandoning Booker now. “We’ll figure this out.”
Sky pulled back and reached up and gripped my chin. “You get us there, but don’t forget, you have to stay back, big guy. I’ll never forgive myself if something happens to you in there.”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m not leaving your side.”
His eyes narrowed like he didn’t believe me, and honestly, I wasn’t sure if I did either. We had no idea what this mimic creature would look like, but I wasn’t letting it anywhere near Sky or Booker once we could see it.
“I’m going to hold you to that,” he said, sliding his hand along the back of my neck and tugging me down for another kiss. I licked inside his mouth, savoring this minute of closeness when someone pounded on the door, making us both jump.
“What’re you doing?” Ego asked, loud and teasing.
“Are they in the bathroom together?” Chance tried sounding scandalized, but his voice was threaded with laughter.
“You’re just jealous that my man pulled me in here to maul me,” Sky yelled, winking at me before turning and opening the door.
Feeling my face flame red, I slid past them and ran straight into Jetty, who stood in the middle of the hall with his arms folded over his chest and a quirked eyebrow. “Whatcha doing in there, buddy?”
“Is this coming from the guy who’s been caught sucking his boyfriend’s dick in public spaces around the house several times?”
Jetty’s eyes widened, and he slapped a hand over my mouth. “Are you out of your mind?” he hissed. “Chance’s parents?—”
“Are well aware that Harry has caught you boys with your pants down on more than one occasion,” Elyse said, strolling down the hall toward us with a smirk on her face.
Chance groaned. “Mom. Why?”
Elyse snickered, cracking me up. It was a welcome moment of silliness, leaving me feeling lighter and more optimistic. Tonight was nothing but another step forward in our journey.
We all took turns throughout the day running to our perspective homes for whatever we needed. After changing into my gray sweats and a white t-shirt, I walked back into the family room and stopped short. Other than a hanging Tiffany lamp in the corner, all the lights had been turned off, but the room glowed brightly from the candles distributed around the room.
