27. Freedom and Family

ALDRICH

I am free. I am actually free. Unbidden tears start streaming down my face. I pull Clover to me and kiss her velvety soft lips, sparks igniting in me as I feel something snap into place, like a piece of my soul that’s always been missing was just found.

I look down to see a golden beam connecting me to Clover. I laugh, deliriously happy, as I pull her in for more. My hope, my desire, my freedom, and now my mate.

“Thank you,” I whisper against her lips.

I lose track of everything but her until someone clears their throat behind us.

“Welcome back,” Fitz says.

“This almost doesn’t feel real. I am so happy you’re here with us!” Clover says as she squishes my face.

“If I did not have a bleeding wound on my side, I would pinch myself to test if I was really here,” I say, going for a smile. It turns into more of a grimace as sharp pain runs through my side, reminding me that I have a giant cut above my hip. I clutch my side. Women think scars are sexy, right? I hope Clover won’t hate it, because this will not heal right.

“I can pinch you,” Mip quips.

I’d snark back at the little beastie, but I am too happy at the moment, so I just chuckle.

“You are taller than I thought you’d be,” Kushim comments.

“And you’re just as snobbish on this plane as you were on the other,” I retort, giving him a shit-eating grin.

“You want me to heal it?” Fitz says as he crouches by my side, inspecting the gash.

“If you think you can, then by all means.” I say.

We all watch as Fitz shimmers. Sparkly lights twinkle, then a mini unicorn appears in his place. He lowers his head and shakes his horn above me. The rainbow sparkles that fall from his horn touch my skin, and it stitches itself together.

“So pretty,” Clover says

I let my subconscious thoughts get the better of me, and I reach out and touch his horn. Fitz stomps a hoof on my foot and snaps his teeth at me. He quickly shifts back and flips me off, huffing.

“I apologize, mate. I couldn’t control myself.”

“No one but Clover touches the horn,” Fitz says, pointing between me and Kushim.

“Think of all the fun we could have, though.” Kushim’s eyes gleam with excitement at the prospect.

“Oh, that sounds fun. I am so down for that. Dibs on being the jelly in that sexy sandwich!” She squirms in my lap, and I lick my lips. I can finally taste her.

My hands roam gently over her bare arms, enjoying the goosebumps that chase my touch. I don’t need to look at the other two to know they are just as keyed in to her every move as I am.

“I really hate to burst the sex tussle that’s about to happen in the middle of these old catacombs with realms knows what nastiness is around, but what are we gonna do with this?” Mip says, patting at the old jar he’s sitting on top of. Clover really did make Blobby into a cute little bastard. A bastard that’s currently sitting and watching us from his little black and purple body.

“He looks so cute now. You sure we can’t keep him?”

“No, you can’t keep the Blobby… ugh… Morfran’s remnant. He tried to eat everything. He ate your family! He tried to eat you!” Mip squeaks, for once being the voice of reason.

“But he’s not gonna be hungry anymore now that he is in that tiny little body.”

The little doll leans slightly too far back and does a little floppy roll. Clover coos at it.

Oh no, we’ve lost already. We’re totally bringing it with us. It’s written all over her face, and her eyes are practically glowing with desire to take care of the thing. I glance at the other two, and we meet each other’s eyes at the same time. I raise a brow as if to say we okay with letting her have this?

Fitz tilts his head to the side and gives a partial shoulder shrug, like he’s saying do we have a choice?

Kushim shakes his head, then juts his chin in her direction in an I am not saying no to that face kind of way .

Unanimously, we sigh.

“Fine, but we will make it a little habitat to stay in until we deem him safe.”

“But what if he gets lonely?”

Fitz raises a brow.

“Fine. You’re lucky I like you guys bossy,” Clover says as she grabs the jar. “You hear that, Blobby? You get to come live in Suisy with us!”

Kushim grimaces and says, “Living in Suisy?”

“Well, obviously. I can’t move into the town. It’s all creepy and void-y. The only snacks around are at the diner, and it’s so far away! Not to mention that horrible road.”

They all shudder at the mention of the road.

“Oh, we should go meet the diner owners before we leave for a photo op!” Clover says. “And the motel people! That bed was very soft, and it smelled so nice!”

“You don’t need photo ops anymore, love,” I tell her as I stand, moving to her side.

“Oh, you’re right,” Clover says, pinching her lips as if she can’t decide if she is happy about that.

“We could take a picture together. Just us as a family,” Fitz offers.

“Yes, yes! Let’s do that,” Clover says, excitement lacing her voice. “Quick! Back to Suisy. We can take it right now. It’ll be our perfect epic battle photo!”

We climb out of the catacombs, passing a skeleton, and ducking through a small, round door. What did they get up to while I was in the other realm?

The closer we get to Suisy, the more tired I get. By the time Clover gets everything set up, the sleep deprivation hits hard. She’s positioned us on her perfectly arranged cushions and is fussing with Mip’s hat. Of course he had to have a hat…

I suppose fighting for your life as you’re split between two realms really will wear a person down. I manage to stay awake as Clover moves us into different positions on her bed so she can get the perfect family photo. Our cutie pins it to the center of the wall before turning back to us.

Fitz pulls her back to the bed, and I happily pull her away from him and onto my chest as both Fitz and Kushim try to squeeze in.

“I love you guys,” Clover says as I drift off to the calming heartbeat of my perfect mate, safe and home, at last.

The End … for now

Thank you for reading!