Chapter 5
Dreama didn’t want to leave the bed, but there were tasks that needed to be accomplished before the NPC ban was back in effect and that included taking Roi home so he could pack. She was still unsettled about him giving up his job, family, and friends for her, but he was determined. There seemed to be no other option, and it wasn’t as if she had a great idea for how they could live in NPC. Living in NPC for her, though, would mean never seeing her father again and also part of the reason she worried that Roi might resent her. He would be leaving his parents behind.
She finished drying her hair and put the hair dryer away, and then she moved into the bedroom and found Roi looking at the communicator watch that he’d been given by the security team in NPC.
“Something up?” she asked as she pulled a pair of ankle boots from the closet and sat down next to him on the bed.
“Just checking in with Rhys. Merri’s dad is stable after the surgery and in recovery.”
“I’m glad to hear it. It must be terribly hard for her to have this whole other life that she can’t share with her parents because they’re human.”
“At least our families will understand our choices,” he said. “I’m ready to head home and pack. I’ve sent a message to my parents to let them know I’m stopping by with news.”
“I hope they like me.”
“Why wouldn’t they? You’re my fated mate.”
“I know, but still…you’re leaving NPC because of me.”
“They’ll understand.”
She exhaled and looked around her room. “I’m ready when you are.”
Roi stood and pulled her to her feet. Wrapping his arms around her, he smiled down at her. She could see his beasts in the golden flecks of his eyes, and she couldn’t wait to see what he looked like when he shifted. Her mouth turned down when she realized that her home’s location wasn’t ideal for a shifter to keep his nature secret.
“What’s that frown for?” he asked, touching the corner of her mouth.
“This house is in the city. You won’t be able to shift. Do you have to shift on a certain day every month?”
“I can shift whenever I want. We can find a private home somewhere. Charli has a cabin in the mountains. Maybe she’d let us use it until we can find someplace to live on our own.”
“I just want you to be happy.”
“Trust me, baby, I’m very happy.”
Dreama went onto her toes and kissed him. Then she transported them to his room in the barracks. He’d explained to her where he lived, which allowed her to take them right to his place. Roi’s space consisted of a single room with a large closet, a big bed in the corner, and a tall dresser.
“The unmated quads live on this floor,” he said, as he went to the closet and pulled out a large, black duffel bag. He unzipped it and pulled out a second smaller bag. He set both bags on the bed.
“Where do they live when they’re mated?”
“The builders build cabins for mated couples. We’ll walk to my parents’ home after we stop in to see SC.”
She nodded. Her nerves made her stomach quiver. She wanted his parents to like her and not be angry that she was taking Roi out of the city to live. Pushing her anxious thoughts to the back of her mind, she walked toward the closet and took his clothes off hangers, leaving his uniforms and packing only his casual clothes, while he packed the items from the dresser. When they were finished, both bags were stuffed full and waiting on the bed.
“Are you as bothered by cold as humans? I’m not too susceptible to the cold because of my shifter nature.”
“I must be similar to your kind because it doesn’t bother me too much.”
“That’s good. I love the snow because of my beasts.”
She took his hand as they walked out of the room. “Then we’ll find a place to live where you can enjoy it.”
“As long as you will, too.”
“Oh, I think as long as I have you help keep me warm, I can be happy in a blizzard.”
They stepped out of the barracks and into the bitter cold. There hadn’t been an opportunity to look around before because Dreama had transported right into Santa’s home, but she paused for a moment now and stared. Everything was white, and not just the snow – all the buildings were white, and the old-fashioned signs that hung from several of the larger buildings were white, too.
“Toy Factory,” she said, reading one sign. “Is that really where they make toys?”
“Yep. We can pop in there after we see SC and my parents, if you’d like.”
“I don’t want to use up any time visiting with your family, though.”
“It’s no problem. We’ve still got lots of time.”
They followed a cobblestone sidewalk past a bar, which Roi said a lot of unmated males and females went to. The path led them to a large cabin. Roi knocked on the front door, and Santa’s voice boomed from inside, telling them to come in.
Roi helped her off with her jacket and then hung both of theirs on a coat rack. He took her hand and led her into the family room, where Santa and Mrs. Claus were sitting.
Mrs. Claus smiled and said, “Welcome back. We heard that Merri’s father is doing well. Have you spoken to your father yet, Dreama?”
“No. I was going to do that after we talked to Roi’s parents.”
Santa said, “I think we can cut to the chase. If time weren’t an issue, we could talk all night, but since the clock is dwindling and my lead reindeer is in the human world, let’s get to the meat of things.”
Mrs. Claus rolled her eyes. “We could still chat.”
Roi said, “No, he’s right. Dreama and I want to spend some time with my parents before we go back to her place to drop off my things, and then we must return Rhys and Merri home before we leave again. I’m resigning my post as the Cupid position so I can live with Dreama.”
Dreama’s heart cracked a little. She still couldn’t believe how easily the decision had come to him. But she knew that if the positions were reversed that she’d choose him and NPC if she could. The problem was that she was a magical creature, and that fact couldn’t be changed.
“I’m sorry,” she said, looking at Roi.
“Why are you sorry?” Mrs. Claus asked, her gentle voice putting Dreama somewhat at ease. “You should never apologize for finding your fated mate. If anything, we’re the ones who should be sorry because the ban prevents you from living here.”
Dreama opened her mouth to protest, but Santa let out a growling sigh. “I can’t lift it. I’ve been over this with my wife ever since the situation came up. If I lift the ban, then any magical creatures can come in whenever they like. Which may not be an issue on its own, but if I were to need to put a ban in place again, you wouldn’t be able to live here. You could have children who would be exiled, too. It’s just…not feasible.”
“We weren’t asking you to lift the ban,” Roi said. “Dreama is my mate, and I’m going where she is. I’d live on the moon if necessary.”
Mrs. Claus smiled, her blue eyes twinkling. “Of course. That’s how fated mates should feel.”
They talked for a few more minutes and said their goodbyes. Roi promised to stop by for a final farewell before the twenty-four hours were up. As they walked to his parents’ home, Roi said, “You look upset. I hope you know that I’m not worried about anything but making sure we get back home before the time is up. If I got stuck here and you weren’t here, I’d go batshit crazy.”
She smiled. “That’s pretty crazy.”
“You know it.” He pulled her to a stop, and she turned into him, relaxing into his hug. “See, baby? See how good we are together already? Like I’d give this up for anything. You’re worried about how I’ll feel away from my family and friends, and the only thing I can say is that when this time is up, I get you, and that’s worth whatever hardship or heartache comes on its heels. It’s not as if I’m never going to talk to my parents again.”
She sniffled and smiled at him. “Technology is a grand thing.”
“It is. And because of it, we can stay in touch as much as we like with the people in NPC. It’s enough for me because your sexy self is going to be my side. So promise to stop worrying about what’s here.”
“I promise to try. I’m the lucky one. I don’t have to give up anything to be with you except half of the bed.”
He chuckled and brushed a few strands away from her face. “Gorgeous and all mine. I’m the lucky one.”
When they knocked on his parents’ cabin, the front door swung open swiftly and a male and female stood in the doorway, both wearing broad grins.
“We saw you two talking outside, but didn’t want to interrupt. Come on in. It’s a cold one today!” the man said, stepping aside so they could enter.
The house smelled like fresh baked bread and sweet cream, and Dreama’s stomach rumbled. Roi took her coat and handed it to his dad along with his own, and he hung them in a narrow closet.
Roi smiled at her and then at his parents. “Dreama, these are my parents, Rod and Genevieve. Mom, Dad, this is Dreama, my fated mate.”
“Oh!” Genevieve said. She hugged Roi tightly. “I’m so happy for you!” Then she hugged Dreama.
Even Mrs. Claus’s amazing hug couldn’t compare to the sweet warmth that emanated from Genevieve’s embrace. Genevieve loved her son, and every ounce of that affection was poured into the hug she gave to Dreama. She had no memory of being hugged by her own mother, and the genuineness of Genevieve’s action made tears spring to Dreama’s eyes.
“Oh, dear, did I say something wrong?” Genevieve asked as she held Dreama at arms’ length and let her gaze pass over Dreama’s face.
“No,” Dreama said, wiping under her eyes. “Not at all. I was just thinking that you have a wonderful hug.”
“Oh,” she said and smiled. “Thank you.”
Rod cleared his throat noisily and then hugged Dreama swiftly. “Welcome to the family, Dreama.”
Her eyes stung again, and Roi put his arm around her and said, “Baby, it’s going to be okay.”
“I’m not usually this emotional. It’s been a long day already,” she said.
“Come sit down so we can talk. I think there’s more news aside from you two being fated mates. Am I right?” Genevieve asked.
“Yes,” Roi said.
Rod said, “Let’s sit and talk.”
Dreama and Roi sat on the couch, and his parents sat on a matching love seat. Roi took Dreama’s hand and said, “Dreama’s father is Sandman.”
His parents’ brows both rose. His father glanced at his mother and said, “But Sandman isn’t allowed in NPC. If you’re able to be here now, does that mean you’re human?”
Dreama shook her head. “I’m powerful like my father, which makes me a magical creature by Santa’s definition. Because of Merri’s family emergency, he lifted the ban for only me for twenty-four hours. That time is fast dwindling, and then I’ll be locked out of NPC permanently.”
Roi squeezed her hand. “I’m going to go with her.”
Genevieve gave them a watery smile and leaned against Rod, who put his arm around her. “Of course you are. She’s your fated mate.”
“How much time do you have?” Rod asked.
Dreama twisted her wrist to look at her watch. “About thirteen hours. But we have to meet Rhys and Merri at the hospital where her dad is and bring them home first, so a little less than that.”
Rod was silent for a moment, and then said, “With the quads finding their fated mates, it was just a matter of time before you found yours, Roi. And to be honest, it always seemed like a probability that one of you might find your fated mate and need to leave NPC to be with her.”
“We’re sorry you’re leaving, but also not sorry, because you found your mate and that’s nothing to be upset about,” Genevieve said.
Dreama looked at Roi, and he smiled at her. He said, “I told you they’d like you.”
“We’re family now,” Rod said. “We’ll stay in touch, and we’ll come visit on Christmas Eve, too, if you don’t mind.”
“Oh, yes! Grandbabies to spoil!” Genevieve stood and opened her arms to Dreama.
“Thank you,” Dreama whispered as she embraced Genevieve.
“Oh, honey, for what?”
“For being so kind.”
“I’m sad that my only son is leaving, but I’m happy he found you. I’ll just cry in private later.” Her gentle smile made Dreama feel warm from the inside out.
Roi joined in the hug. “Oh Mom,” Roi said. “You’re both amazing. I hope that Dreama and I are great parents like you are.”
“I’m sure you will be,” Rod said.
“If you’re hungry, I have dinner ready,” Genevieve said.
“That would be wonderful,” Dreama answered, leaning against Roi and hugging him tightly.
“I’ll help set the table,” Rod said, following his mate into the kitchen and leaving Roi and Dreama alone. The only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire in the fireplace.
“I told you they’d like you.”
She leaned back. “I like them, too. They’re so sweet.”
“Let’s eat. Then we’ll go talk to your father.”
“Then you’ll be in the hot seat,” she said.
“I’ll be my most charming self, and I hope he’ll love me.”
“I know he will because you’re my fated mate.”
Roi brushed his lips over hers. “I don’t know how I managed without you in my life. You’re amazing.”
“I’m in good company.”