HI,
Today is the Thirteenth day, the mid-point of the A to Z April Blogging
Challenge and today’s chapters starts with the letter M. Enjoy and remember let your imagination soar as you read.
Julia
UNRAVELING
© Julia Matthews April 2015
* * *
Story Disclaimer * * *
This is an
Adult Only Story. If you are under the age of 18 please leave the website.
This is
also a M/M Fantasy Romance Story.
* * * Story Disclaimer * * *
Moments
The
three of us walked about half a mile before we found TeaLeaf standing under
Jag, who was still in his blue mist form. TeaLeaf’s eye glistened with tears
and his face looked defeated. The black cloud that usually hung over a Demon
Deliver was grayish. All of those things were painful to see, but the pleading words
were the hardest. It was something I never expected from TeaLeaf. The man was
renowned for his composure under pressure and killing abilities. No one, not
even his closest friends saw a weakness in him.
“Is this
still the spell?” Sham whispered in my ear.
“Don’t
think so. Think we are invading on a private moment between . . . Damn”
“Vain?”
“They
are helpmates. Why didn’t they tell us?”
“You
didn’t know?” Beau leaned his head against my arm.
“No. We
knew they were lovers.”
“I
assumed your mother was his helpmate.” Sham grinned. “You mom was a beautiful
woman.”
“TeaLeaf told me they were helpmates when we
were talking.” The fabric of my shirt ruffled as Beau shook his head. “My life
sucked and was hard, but Stone never once minded me being gay, nor did his
warped thinking make me feel like I had to hide myself.”
“Did
TeaLeaf explain why he felt he had to?”
“Yeah.
Sucks for him, but I told him he had no reason to punish himself.”
I looked
down at Beau, wondering what his comment meant. I wasn’t going to ask, because
it seemed like TeaLeaf’s discussion with Beau was a father and son moment. One
long overdue. Too bad Sham didn’t catch onto it as quickly.
“What’s
that mean?”
“TeaLeaf
and my mom were married because of an arrangement. Neither cared about each
other. Both were doing their duty. Jag knew this and agreed to it as long as
they saw each other as much as possible.” Beau tugged me over to a tree and
leaned against it. “My mom and him weren’t close. Couldn’t stand each other
most of the time, but never faltered in making sure their families saw a happy,
loving relationship. I wasn’t created by normal methods.”
Beau’s
grin was a light among TeaLeaf’s grayness surrounding the area. I hadn’t
realized Beau and TeaLeaf had such an indepth conversation, but it sounded as
if the two of them made some kind of peace with one another.
“My mom
had someone cast a Insemination Spell.” Beau laughed. “Kind of funny sounding,
but hey, the humans done it all the time.” He waved his hand. “Anyway, the
families were thrilled about me. So was my mom and TeaLeaf. Jag was even.
During the pregnancy TeaLeaf was sent on a mission and my mom was killed.
TeaLeaf felt responsible for not protecting the woman carrying his child. When
he came back and found me I was running around in the yard playing with a dog.”
Beau chuckled again. “I never had a dog that I can remember. Anyway, TeaLeaf
said I was smiling and laughing. He feared his job would once again bring
misery to me, so he let me stay where my mom thought I’d be safe. He might not
have loved my mom, but he trusted her to make the best decision and felt he had
never once done so.”
“He
blamed himself for your mom’s death.” I wouldn’t have thought such a thought
would’ve passed through TeaLeaf’s mind. Made sense though. TeaLeaf’s job had
invaded his home. Stolen his child’s mother. Costed him two years of his son’s
life and ultimately all of his son’s childhood.
“He
blamed himself for a lot of things that weren’t his fault. I think . . .” Beau
rubbed his chin. “I know you four are close, but I think Jag is the only one
who truly knows TeaLeaf.”
“You are
right.” I sat slipped in behind Beau and wound my arms around him. “Helpmates
are connected in a way no one else could understand. Each year they remain
together the stronger their bond becomes. I can’t wait to feel such a large
scaled connection with you.”
“God,
Vain, you’re going sappy on my ass.” Sham nodded towards TeaLeaf. “Jag’s
changing.”
“I shot
Sham a finger and kissed Beau’s cheek. “Think TeaLeaf is going to need your
strength until Jag is awake. You up for it?” I knew he was, my concern was if
he would openly show it. His words had held admiration and forgiveness, but
showing such outwardly is way harder than people realize.
“Odd as
it sounds,” Beau pushed away from me, “I kind of understand the spot he was in.
Might not be ready to call him dad, but I’m ready to let the past lie.”
I took a
deep breath and smiled at him. “Go help your family then. Sham and me will be
right behind you.”
I
watched him walk to TeaLeaf as TeaLeaf scooped Jag into his lap. Beau sat down
in front of them and the two of them fell into another private conversation.
“Your
helpmate is strong.” Sham said.
“Yep.
He’s had to be.”
“It
wasn’t suppose to be that way. TeaLeaf was getting reports from a human and a
Bear Shifter friend of mine.”
“Who
were they?”
“Chief
Parker and Officer Swift.”
“Both
were compromised?” It didn’t seem logical. Bear shifters were loyal to their
friends. “Chief Parker’s a bear shifter. Did he know who Beau was?”
“Yes he
is and no he didn’t. He was to watch over him and report in. I’ve been getting his
reports. I spotted no irregularities in them. Promise.”
“Then he
betrayed your friendship?” I shook my head. “Doesn’t fit.”
“It
doesn’t. I’ve printed out all his email to me.”
I lunged
at Sham and gripped his shirt. “You had him reporting by email?”
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