Chapter 5

A few feet away from Worth, two children—a snowy owl shifter and a fairy—shrieked with delight as they chased each other around the splash pad. Since the moment they'd arrived at the amusement park, Orion and Zarasha had been ecstatic. Worth wondered if the pair would be exuberant until the minute the park closed or if they'd tire at some point. Given their age and the innumerous things for them to do, Worth would bet the entire D'Vaire fortune that the kids wouldn't be ready for a nap until they were teleported home.

"Do you think they will get more excited after we visit the cake bar?" Xakiok asked, a hint of trepidation in his bright pink eyes.

"I don't know how that's possible. If their excitement grows, they will probably explode," Corwin Acwellan-D'Vaire told the fairy. Unlike many of the other elves in their family, Corwin wasn't interested in the big roller coasters, so he'd opted to hang out with Worth's little group to keep their numbers even for rides.

"I don't remember ever having that kind of energy," Oliver mused as he leaned a little closer to Worth.

Tightening his arms around his mate, Worth smiled. "It's wonderful to see them so happy."

Xakiok nodded, and Worth didn't miss the flash of guilt on his face. For probably the millionth time, Worth begged Fate to bring Xakiok's other half to his side. Perhaps finding his mate would send Xakiok on a journey of self-discovery and he'd find a way to forgive himself.

Even if Zarasha hadn't gone through her miraculous transformation back to a little girl, Xakiok would still deserve to release the remorse he clung to so fiercely. Like everyone, Xakiok was worthy of happiness. As long as Xakiok denied himself such an integral part of who he was and continued ignoring the well of magic that had gone unused for most of his life, he'd remain unfulfilled.

"Oliver," Orion shouted as he rushed toward where the adults were standing.

Zarasha was on his heels, and her magic spiraled out to dry herself and Orion. "We want to ride a roller coaster," she informed them.

"Can we start with the one in the kid park?" Corwin asked, a mixture of hope and dread in his blue eyes.

With a nod, Zarasha took his hand and squeezed. "The big ones are way too scary to start there. I'll decide if I want to try one of the adult ones after we go on the kid one. But you don't have to go on anything you don't want, Corwin."

Although the last thing Worth wanted to do was let go of Oliver, he did so and plucked his phone out of pocket to bring up the park map.

"The walk isn't far," Worth informed the group, then put his device away and laced his fingers with Oliver's. "It's to the right."

"Yay," Zarasha said, dashing off in that direction with Orion.

"Stay where we can see you, please," Oliver called to the pair.

"We will," Orion promised, his smile bright.

"I'm not sure who I expect to jump out of the bushes and grab them, but better safe than sorry," Oliver muttered.

"I think we need to limit your time with Brogan," Corwin teased.

"Agreed," Worth said. "But you do look cute when you're worried over them, Owliver."

Oliver rolled his eyes. "I have a question for you, Worthington."

With a glance at the many signs placed around, Worth assured himself they were still heading in the appropriate direction. "Yes?"

"How are you going to fold all of you into the cart of a child's roller coaster?"

"As you're already aware, I have a great deal of flexibility," Worth replied with a knowing smile for Oliver. A happy little wave of lust swam through Worth at the promise in Oliver's bright yellow gaze. The snowy owl was an incredible lover, and Worth was happy to prove his bendiness at any opportunity if it meant being with Oliver.

"A little demonstration couldn't hurt," Oliver replied softly.

"Have no fear, Owliver, I will undress for you and twist myself into any position you wish the moment we are alone."

Corwin's sandals hit the ground loudly as he sped up his walking pace. At his side, Xakiok did the same as the pair rushed after the children.

"I think we scandalized them," Oliver said.

"Hardly our fault. Blame Fate. She's the reason they remain alone and lack their other halves. If they had a mate as delightful as mine, they would be far too busy flirting to be freaked out by our exchanges."

"True, but we could also save our conversation for later."

"Really, where is the fun in that?" Worth asked with a smirk Oliver leaned up to kiss as they came to a halt at a small roller coaster in bright shades of purple and green.

Since the park was closed to everyone but the guests the Emperors had invited, the line for the kiddy coaster was ridiculously short. Within moments, Worth folded himself into the small seat and stifled a curse as his knee smacked into the metal cart.

"Made for dragons," Worth tsk ed. "Not hardly."

With a chuckle, Oliver took his hand as the cart lurched into motion.

"This is so exciting," Zarasha yelled as they took the first hill. The roller coaster moved fast enough to whip the wind through Worth's nearly shoulder-length locks, but it was pleasantly tame. To Worth's delight, both Zarasha and Orion were having the time of their lives. It was not a very long track, and far too soon for the children, the roller coaster slid under the covered area near where they'd boarded.

Worth kept an eye on everyone as they disembarked, and he reached out to rub Corwin's back. The poor elf was a bit green around the gills.

"No more coasters for you," Worth told the elf, who offered him a reluctant but grateful smile.

"Can we go get cakes, then ride the coaster again?" Orion asked.

"Is that okay with everyone?" Oliver inquired.

Xakiok grinned. "Yes, but Corwin and I will watch you guys."

"Maybe we could take some pictures," Corwin suggested.

"A perfect solution," Oliver replied. "We passed a pizza place with elven options on our way, let's get some lunch before we stuff ourselves with cakes."

"Okay, but we have to hurry," Zarasha insisted. "If Dra'Kaedan is already there, we may not get any cakes."

"I'm sure they made plenty extra for the rest of us," Worth mused.

No one in the group appeared convinced, but Worth herded them toward the pizza place not far from the coaster. Surely, someone had warned the orcas about Dra'Kaedan's penchant for sweets and they had baked accordingly. If not, Worth feared that even skipping pizza wouldn't guarantee them any cakes.

∞∞∞

"Come on, B," Venerable Knight Samson Osdraconis-Daray coaxed as he hurried a step ahead of his mate, Skeleton Lord Brynnius Darayvipera. The brown-haired sentinel scowled and refused to move his gray boots any faster despite the way Samson tugged on his hand. At the sentinel's side, the black pug Samson had asked Chander to resurrect for Brynnius kept pace with her owner. Brynnius had changed her into a collar with cupcakes on it for the day, and she proudly trotted with her chin held high.

"Sammy, we don't need to rush," Brynnius complained. "Praxis told us they would have the cakes available for hours."

"Yeah, but you know Dra'Kaedan headed straight there once they started putting desserts out, and I want to try every option. If we don't get there quickly, he'll devour everything. Maybe you'll get some new recipes."

"If you are so worried, why don't you teleport there?"

"Good idea," Samson said and pulled away from Brynnius. The fallen knight closed his eyes, and seconds later he was in the center of the park, which he'd already scouted in anticipation of desserts.

"Hey, kid, where's Brynn?" Roman asked.

"He'll be right here," Samson replied, his mouth watering in anticipation of deliciousness.

Thanks to the incredible baking Brynnius did nearly every night, Samson had grown addicted to cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and anything else his mate whipped up. Despite being much larger than the Grand Warlock, he couldn't keep up with his consumption. That was why Samson had insisted on skipping the ride the group of Darays he and Brynnius had enjoyed the park with thus far had planned on finding next.

As predicted, Dra'Kaedan was planted next to a long table, and his tongue was pressed to his top lip as his hand hovered above a selection of small cakes. The plate he held was already half full of treats. Samson strode up to the warlock and cleared his throat loudly to get his attention.

"What?" Dra'Kaedan asked without glancing up.

"I'm expecting tips. What have you sampled so far? Anything I should definitely grab or skip?"

Dra'Kaedan shook his head. "Skip nothing. This is my second plate, and everything I've had is yummy. They better give Brynn these recipes. I need these in my life again."

"Okay, cool," Samson replied, snagging a plate from the end of the table. Before Samson could put anything on his dish, he caught sight of Rafe. The High King was nearby and loading up on white cakes. "I guess Rafe found the coconut."

"Yep."

"Where's your mate?"

Dra'Kaedan finally lifted his head, and one blond brow rose. "Honestly, where do you think? He's saving me a seat at a table. Did you think he'd actually let me walk around an amusement park protected by as many layers of magic as our house by myself? Don't be ridiculous."

"Usually he's at your side, helping you balance a few plates."

"Yeah, I don't think he wants to be around food," Dra'Kaedan snickered. "I can't keep the idiot from getting on rides. At this point, I think he's emptied his stomach of its lining. I've already decided I'm probably going to have to put him in stasis in a few hours or he's going to keel over. Where's Brynn?"

Samson glanced behind him, fully expecting to see the man he loved, but the wyvern shifter was absent. His overprotective dragon shrieked loudly in his head, and Samson clenched his teeth for a second to wrestle control from the beast, who was ready to shift so they could find Brynnius.

" Shit ," Samson said.

Dra'Kaedan's navy gaze widened. "Did you lose Brynn?"

Since Samson's dragon was roaring, Samson didn't bother to answer and just shook his head. Brynnius was supposed to have teleported after him, so where was the sentinel he adored? Without remorse, Samson handed his plate to a confused warlock and set off to find Brynnius.

He teleported to the section of the park where he'd left Brynnius, but there was no impressively built sentinel with glowing daggers at his sides. Annoyed with himself for assuming Brynnius had followed him, Samson walked toward the cake bar he'd left at a fast clip. Samson's dragon growled incessantly, which did nothing to help Samson's mood.

Nothing was more important than Brynnius. Not to Samson or his beast. He caught sight of Brynnius ahead and heaved a giant sigh of relief.

"Brynn," Samson shouted and took off in a jog to get to him.

Brynnius turned and narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

The moment Brynnius was in reach, Samson tugged him close for a hug. Thankfully, their closeness quieted the irate dragon that shared his soul.

"I can't believe you teleported to the cakes," Brynnius muttered.

It was on the tip of his tongue to remind Brynnius that it was the sentinel who'd come up with the idea, but Samson refused to make such a silly thing an issue.

"How am I supposed to enjoy cakes without you?" Samson asked, brushing his lips with Brynnius's. The little pug jumped onto Samson's leg and yipped, so he bent to pet her head. "Sorry, Princess, I didn't mean to leave you and B. Can either of you forgive me?"

"You apologized to Princess, not to me," Brynnius replied, his lips pursed.

Trying not to be amused at how prone sentinels were to grudges, Samson hid his smile and stood again.

"Please accept my most sincere apology," Samson pleaded. He added a soft kiss for good measure.

"It wasn't that far of a walk. I didn't expect you to teleport, but I accept your apology."

"Thanks, B."

"Were there any cakes left?" Brynnius asked as Samson took his hand and led him toward the center of the park Samson had left behind to locate the sentinel.

"As a matter a fact, yes. Dra'Kaedan was only filling plate two."

"I told you he couldn't eat everything," Brynnius grumbled.

"That's because a sentinel is always right."

"Something I wish every fallen knight remembered in our interactions."

Samson chuckled. "Perhaps someday we will advance to the higher life form that is the sentinel."

"Will you help me try to get recipes for the good treats?"

"Of course. We'll have Dra'Kaedan's help too. So far, he hasn't tasted anything he doesn't consider delicious, and he swore he needs you to bake everything again for him."

"Then we should hurry to start tasting things ourselves."

With a roll of his eyes, Samson decided not to mention that he'd already had a plate in hand until he'd realized Brynnius hadn't bothered to teleport. Samson picked up the pace to match the sentinel's suddenly swift stride.

"Of course, B, whatever you want."

They made it to the entrance of the food court area where the cake bar was set up, and Brynnius stopped to face Samson.

"I'm glad you like sweets as much as I do," Brynnius confided. "I like experiencing new things with you."

Needing to hold him close, Samson pulled him into his embrace. "There is no one else on this planet I'd rather be with than you."

"Something you might remember when you teleport away next time," Brynnius teased.

"I adore you, Skeleton Lord."

"I love you too, Sammy."

Thrilled with life, Samson heard another dragon growl in his head, but this one was pure pleasure. Nothing was right in his world unless he and Brynnius were in perfect accord.