Chapter Seven

 

Several days had passed since Tulip had learned of her freedom, but she had yet to leave the house. Vaughn had gone to the store an hour ago and she hated being in the house alone. Her father had returned to the fae realm the same night he’d appeared in her life and she hadn’t heard from him since. It worried her, but she reasoned that time felt like it passed differently in the fae realm. He probably hadn’t realized that days had gone by since she’d heard from him.

The wards on the house not only protected her, but kept her from communicating with other fae. She’d accept the protection though, even if it meant she couldn’t speak to her father or get a message to him. It was a small price to pay. The doorbell rang and she crept close to the front door, trying to peer out the curtain. Fae. Acting braver than she felt, she opened the door, but made sure to stay inside the house, where she was safe.

“What do you want?” Tulip asked.

“My name is Thistle,” the woman said. “I came to let you know that your father is being banned from the fae realm. Your mate told the council that Cedar is your father, and I know he did it to save you, but now they know he slept with a dark fae. It’s considered treason.”

“They’re only banishing him, and not executing him?” Tulip asked to clarify.

“He’s being evicted from the realm later today. I’m not sure where they’ll drop him in the human realm. His powers aren’t being stripped, not completely, but he will have less power than he does now. They don’t want to leave him completely defenseless, but he won’t be able to transport himself back to the fae realm.”

“If you see him, please tell him that he’s welcome here. Vaughn and I will be happy to help him assimilate to life amongst humans and other paranormals.”

Thistle nodded. “I’ll get a message to him. There’s one other thing.”

“What? He’s not been hurt, has he?”

“No, nothing like that. I was actually hoping your pack might accept another fae. I’ve grown tired of life in the fae realm and would like to make my home here. I’ve met all the light fae and my mate isn’t among them. You found yours in a wolf pack. I hoped that maybe mine might be here too,” Thistle said.

“It’s not up to me to accept someone into the pack. You’d have to speak with one of the alphas.”

“I’ll reach out to them. Thank you, Tulip. I’ll make sure your father knows he’s welcome here. I can’t promise he’ll show immediately. He may be embarrassed over being cast out. You know how male fae can be.”

Tulip nodded. “Thank you for coming here.”

“I hope to see you soon.”

Thistle’s magick swirled around her and she vanished off the porch. Just as Tulip was going to close the door, she saw Vaughn’s truck pull into the driveway. Leaving the safety of the house for the first time in days, she went to help him unload the groceries. It felt wonderful being in the sun again and she breathed in the fresh air.

“Was that a fae that just disappeared?” Vaughn asked as he gathered some bags from the backseat of the truck.

“She wants to live with the pack. And she gave me news of my father. He’s being cast out.”

“Because of what I said?” Vaughn asked. “I never meant to get him into trouble. I only wanted to save you and our child.”

“I don’t blame you for what happened, and I doubt he does either.”

“He’s welcome here, if he needs a place to stay. There are four bedrooms on the second floor. Only one has furniture in it right now, but he’s welcome to it. I thought we’d make one of the other rooms a nursery.”

“Thistle said she’d let my father know he’s welcome here. I didn’t think you would mind him staying with us for a little while. At least, until he gets adjusted to life in this realm.”

“Not at all. He’s family.” Vaughn smiled. “Now, let’s get the groceries put away and we can make sure the guest room is ready for him. I’ll go get anything he might need in the bathroom up there. Do fae shave?”

“Yes. Although, they usually use magical blades. I’m not sure if he’ll be allowed to bring one with him or not.”

“I’ll stock anything in there I think he might need. I’m sure he’ll use magick for a lot of things, but if he wants to do things the human or wolf way, he’ll have the items ready.”

They finished putting the groceries away and went upstairs. Tulip stripped the bedding from the bed and carried it downstairs to wash while Vaughn went through the bathroom and made sure there were towels and such up there. When the guest bedroom and bath were finished, Tulip stepped outside and tried to reach out to her father. There was a tingle down her arms and a hint of magick in the air as she called to him. Her back was on fire where her wings had once been.

She searched the area, in hopes her father would come, but everything was still and calm. The only smell of magick in the air was her own. She felt Vaughn’s presence a moment before he placed his hands on her shoulders. His touch was comforting. Tulip turned and snuggled against his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. Knowing her father was being cast out made her worry for him. They’d talked a lot the day he’d stayed with her, and she’d learned a lot about him. He was an older fae, but he still had a long time left to live. Would being in the human realm kill him?

“You’re worried,” Vaughn said.

“It’s been a long time since he spent time in this realm, for more than a day or two anyway. He’s old, Vaughn, even by fae standards. What if being cast out kills him? I just got him and I’m not prepared to lose him already.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Cedar said from behind her. “I may be old, but I’m not dying anytime soon.”

Tulip turned and ran to her father, throwing her arms around him. Thistle stood beside him and they both had a packed bag at their feet.

“You’re staying here too?” Tulip asked her.

“I’ll find a place to stay, but I hoped I could meet with your alpha here. Cedar will need to speak with him too. Now that he’s part of this realm, he’ll need protection from the pack, if enemies come after him.” Thistle looked at Vaughn. “Will you call the alpha?”

“I’ll see if Connor will come. Gabriel is busy.”

Thistle nodded and Tulip invited them both into the house. It only took fifteen minutes for the alpha to arrive, with the pack enforcer on his heels. Ramsey was an imposing figure standing well over six feet. She’d met him briefly, but Tulip had to admit the man gave her shivers. Vaughn had explained that if someone broke pack law, Ramsey dealt with them. That was one wolf she wanted to make happy.

“I understand we have some fae wanting to join our pack?” Connor asked as he stepped into the living room.

“I’m Tulip’s father, Cedar. I was cast out of the fae realm and would like to live in Ashton Grove to be near my daughter.”

Connor shook his hand. “As family, you are certainly welcome to join us. I understand you’re staying here with Tulip and Vaughn, but if you decide you want help finding other lodgings, a friend of the pack runs a real estate company. He could help you find something to purchase or rent. Do you have funds?”

Cedar smiled. “I have all of my earnings for the last four thousand years, but I’ll need to transfer gold into whatever currency is used here.”

Connor’s eyebrows rose. “Four thousand years? Never mind. I don’t think I want to know. You don’t look a day over forty.”

“We age well,” Thistle said. “I would also like to join your pack, in hopes I might find a mate among you.”

Connor circled Thistle. “How do I know you don’t mean harm to anyone in my pack? You’re light fae, correct?”

“Yes, alpha,” Thistle said.

“And the light fae just tried to kill one of my pack members. Tulip was a part of our family when they put out the order to bring her in dead or alive. How do I know you weren’t part of that?” Connor asked.

“I can only give you my word,” Thistle said. “I’ve never wanted to harm any living being. Even though I worked in the palace, when the royals were taken, I wouldn’t participate in the torture and incarceration of the dark fae. It goes against everything I believe in.”

“I’ll take your word on it for now, but if there is even a hint of trouble out of you, you’ll be asked to leave.” Connor looked at Ramsey. “And he’ll be the one to administer any punishments.”

Thistle swallowed audibly and nodded her head, obviously as intimidated as Tulip felt around Ramsey. He seemed like a perfectly nice wolf, but she had no doubt that punishment would be swift if someone broke the rules or endangered the pack.

“Welcome to the Ashton Grove pack,” Connor said. “Where will you stay for now?”

“I don’t know, alpha,” Thistle said.

“There’s an apartment available in the pack owned complex. It comes fully furnished.  Until you’re able to transfer your funds into our currency, I’m sure we could stock the kitchen and bathroom.”

“How do we transfer our gold into cash?” Tulip asked. “Assuming the light fae didn’t drain my account.”

“If they did, it would have been put back when you were exonerated,” Thistle said.

“I don’t make a lot,” Vaughn said. “But I’m able to take care of you, and any children we have.”

Tulip placed a hand on his arm. “I want to help. I know I don’t have much to offer in this relationship, so please let me do this. It may not amount to much, but maybe it would help buy things for the baby.”

“If it means that much to you, then we can get your gold transferred to cash and put it in an account. But I only want you to use it for things you want, or things you want the kids to have. Like their college fund or something.” Vaughn kissed her. “I’ll contact the sorcerer tomorrow and see what needs to be done. Maybe he can handle it for all three of you.”

“Thank you.” She hugged him tightly and rested her head against his chest.

“Are those apartments available for men too?” Cedar asked. “I don’t mind staying with Tulip and Vaughn for a few days, but perhaps I could move into one for a month while I get things set up here.”

“I’ll see what can be arranged,” Connor said. “If you need anything, Vaughn knows how to reach me.”

The alpha and enforcer left.

“Does the big one ever talk?” Thistle asked.

“Ramsey?” Vaughn smiled. “He talks plenty. Maybe he thought giving you the silent treatment would be more intimidating.”

“It worked,” Thistle said. “Was I supposed to follow the alpha to that apartment?”

“I’ll call a friend and have him help you get settled. I would let you stay here, but I only have one furnished guest room.”

Thistle looked around. “If you’re certain I wouldn’t be imposing, I could decorate the room I’m allowed to use. You’d be free to keep whatever I create for future guests.”

Vaughn motioned to the stairs. “Take the room next to the one that’s already furnished.”

Thistle picked up her bag and went upstairs, leaving them alone with Cedar. He seemed uncertain as he gazed around the room. Tulip walked over to her father and took his hand, their magick sparking between them in a burst of colors.

“We want you here,” Tulip said. “But if you’d rather move to one of the apartments, we’ll understand.”

“I’ll stay as long as you want me to,” Cedar said. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go get settled in. Do you mind if I make the room a little more to my taste?”

“Make yourself at home,” Vaughn said.

Cedar picked up his bag and went upstairs.

“So, mate, I went from living alone to having three fae under my roof.” He smiled. “And I couldn’t be happier.”

“Vaughn, there’s something I should tell you. It was something I realized when you went to meet with the council, but I’ve been too scared to say anything. I was worried you might not feel the same way.”

“You can tell me anything, Tulip.”

“I love you,” she said.

His smile broadened. “I love you too.”

Tulip placed a hand on her belly, then took Vaughn’s hand placed it there as well. “This child is going to be blessed. He or she will have the love and support of the pack, as well as my father. Thank you, for claiming me and making me a mother. My life was uncertain and lonely before I met you. The moment I looked into your eyes, I felt a connection.”

“I’m sorry I was a little slower to respond. I let my hatred for your people cloud my instincts. Once I settled down, I think my beast knew you were our mate. I’m glad you came here. You’re my perfect match in every way, Tulip, and I will love you for the rest of my life.”

“I think my dad and Thistle will be busy for a while. Why don’t you show me just how much you love

me?”

Vaughn lifted her into his arms. “Gladly.”

He carried her off to their bedroom, closing and locking the door behind them. Tulip reached out with her magick to seal the room as an extra precaution. Vaughn stripped both of them of their clothes and eased Tulip down onto the bed. He placed a kiss against her belly and murmured a greeting to their child before spending the next hour making love to his mate. Tulip couldn’t remember a time she’d felt more cherished or loved in her entire life, and she looked forward to many more days and nights spent in his arms.

She didn’t know what the future of the pack would be, but for now, she’d found her happily-ever-after, and she intended to hold onto it with both hands.