Page 7 of Convincing His Little Bee (K!nktober #2)

SEVEN

Staring at the assembled platter in the small kitchen area of his suite, Tor scrubbed his hand down his face.

He had taken a chance leaving the fae alone.

For several minutes, he hadn’t heard them move as Tor gathered breads, cheeses, meats, and fruit to feed his fated.

When his ears picked up the sound of movement, Tor froze, knife poised above the bread. He listened with complete focus.

Will the fae leave? Try to flee again? His heart raced, his inner beast restless. Hearing the rustle of fabric and the soft groan his little bee let out, Tor could tell they had settled into the chairs of his bedroom. Immense relief washed through Tor.

He told his inner drakonid that they would respect his fated’s wishes.

The logical side of Tor understood the fae had not been treated kindly.

Tor knew he would never forget the small amount of time they already had together, even if his fated demanded to go home.

Because Tor would keep his word, he would help the fae leave if that’s what they wanted.

But for now, he had to figure out how to prove himself.

Armed with more food than the little fae could consume, plus several beverages, the drakonid made his way into his bedroom. He set the platter and drinks on the table between the chairs.

“Have whatever you like.” He grabbed some bread, cheese, and a cup of water for himself before sitting in the chair across from the fae. Tor knew his large presence must be intimidating to the tiny creature, so he relaxed his muscles, holding his body in a non-threatening manner.

Hesitantly, the fae unwound themself and leaned forward to grab a few pieces of food. Tor didn’t know how long the fae had been in the hands of the goblin, and while their clothes looked dirty, they didn’t appear malnourished or injured beyond what the cuffs had caused.

“Should we start with full introductions? I’m Torranock Nerrix, drakonid.” Tor introduced himself; the fae eyed him warily while nibbling on some cheese.

“Jascinto, pollinator Fae. He/him.”

“How did you end up in The Crimson Reaches, Jascinto?” Jascinto. Mine . The name rolled off his tongue smoothly. His cock ached in his lap as he imagined using it with the fae pressed under him. He gulped down more water, shifting to keep his groin hidden.

Jascinto shrugged. “Came with some friends.” Clearly not interested in sharing. “How did you end up at a trafficking auction?” The fae fired back, picking at the pile of food in his lap.

“I was…investigating.”

“Are you with the authorities or something?” Jascinto drank down some sweet berry wine, one of Tor’s favorites.

“Or something…”

“You’re not redeeming yourself by being vague. If you don’t want to prove you’re worth staying for, I can leave.” Jascinto shrugged again.

Tor sat up, almost falling off his chair as his beast urged him to not let his fated leave. “Please, stay. I’m not good at this.” He sighed. “I’m not really sure how to show you who I am…”

‘What’s out there?” Jascinto pointed toward the door Tor had gone through to get them food.

“More of my rooms and then the rest of the house.”

“Show me.”

“You want a house tour? That will convince you?”

“No idea. But sitting on our asses isn’t doing it.” Jascinto finished his wine, brushed crumbs from his lap, and started toward the door without a backward glance.

Getting to his feet, Tor’s long legs made up the distance between them before the fae made it to the next room. He stayed a few steps behind as the fae pulled the heavy door open and entered. It wasn’t anything impressive. A sitting room with a small kitchenette.

Jascinto wandered the space. His delicate fingers touched fabrics, glanced along the edges of books, picked up trinkets. Scent marking the space, Tor didn’t think his little bee realized he did it. The scent marking told anyone that entered that Tor was taken, Tor was his .

Fuck . Tor’s chest ached with the need to hold his fated…The sound of a door opening pulled his mind from the fantasy it wanted to create. Jascinto peered out into the dark hallway beyond the main door.

“Wait.” Tor hurried over, pulling the door open wider for the fae. “I’ll show you my home but you must stay quiet.”

“Why? Got scary hellhounds that’ll attack?” Jascinto used his wings to flutter out into the hallway. The sconces lit by drakonid magic were dimmed this time of the night. Most of the household creatures were asleep.

“Depends who you awaken.” Tor teased with a wink and a smile. He received a raised brow in response. The fae waited for him to lead the way. The hallway was wide and tall, leaving them enough space to remain several feet apart.

Tor led Jascinto down the hall, opening doors to the empty bedrooms that surrounded his own.

They were for family. He didn’t have anyone but his pack, and while he absolutely considered every single one of them his family…

Tor had no blood relatives. Most of the rooms surrounding his own remained empty.

Jascinto wandered into one, exploring the bedroom and bathroom. After that he peeked inside the others, content to view the empty space without entering.

Leaving the family wing, Tor guided Jascinto toward the main staircase, intending to show off his office, and then go to the gardens perhaps. The little bee would like the garden, right?

“Is this a castle?” Jascinto paused at the top of the stairs, hands on his hips, wings flitting behind him.

“Um…It is home.” Tor shrugged. Honestly, he didn’t know what a castle was beyond a word from the Earth realm. Is my fated fond of human things? Tor hadn’t kept abreast of human knowledge in the last several hundred years. He’d have to brush up on things if his fated had an interest in it.

“Who the motherfuck are you?” Jascinto squinted at him, his gaze filled with doubt.

“Alpha Tor! Alpha!” The voice of a young child echoed from below. Tor leaned over the side of the stairs to see Elle bounding down the hall.

Her long brown hair was a mess of tangles, her black nightgown bunched up around her knees as she turned the corner and dashed up the stairs. The leathery demon wings on her back couldn’t quite support her weight yet but they whipped behind her as she ran toward him.

Tor knelt to meet her and she collided with him. He stood, holding the little demon to his chest where she buried her face and sniffled. “What are you doing up, sweetheart?” Tor took note that Jascinto listened but stayed back.

“I had a nightmare, Alpha! I had to find you.”

“Me? Not your mama or papa?” Tor rubbed a hand down the girl’s back, pulling tangles from around the small horns on her head.

One of the night guards, Kellan, rushed around the corner, coming to a halt at the bottom of the stairs when he saw Elle in Tor’s arms. He winced, leaning against the railing.

“You’re so strong!” Elle shouted, pulling back to look up at him. “You can defeat anything! My nightmares can’t be defeated by cupcakes or wood!” She gave him a look that told him in her little brain, he was the idiot for not understanding.

“I see. But don’t you think they’ll worry if they wake up and you’re gone?” Tor started walking down the stairs with the girl in his arms, giving a pat on the back to Kellan as he passed.

“Tell her parents I’m taking her for a warm drink. I’ll bring her back to bed,” Using his Alpha powers, Tor spoke to Kellan through their pack bond. The younger boy nodded and set off down the hall.

“But Alpha!” Elle dragged the word out with a whine and another sniffle. “It was so scary!”

“You’re safe now, Elle Bell. Want to tell me what happened?” He took the quickest route toward the kitchen. Tor knew his fated followed behind, hanging on every word he spoke to the little girl.

Elle took a deep breath, ready to bare her soul. “I don’t remember.” She confessed with a heavy sigh.

A snort and a giggle came from behind them at her confession. Elle jerked her head to look over Tor’s shoulder. “Who are you ?” She said with awe in her voice. The girl had never met a fae before, but had read about them in books.

“My name is Cin.” Cin? Not Jascinto? Tor peered over his shoulder at his fated. The man had one hand in front of his mouth as he giggled, his eyes warm as he gazed at the small demon girl.

“Why are you here?” Elle asked, leaning her chin on Tor’s shoulder to keep talking to the new creature. Tor finally reached the kitchens, keeping Elle in his arms as he gathered a cup, pre-mixed tea for sleep, and some milk.

“I’m…getting to know your Alpha, I suppose.

” Jascinto answered. The fae perched on a stool just inside the door, his feet swinging in the air since they didn’t reach the floor.

Fuck, he’s adorable. Not only the way he looked but how he’d soothed his rough edges as he talked to Elle.

The abrasive, doubt filled fae had been replaced with a giggly, kind one.

Elle hummed. Tor used a pre-spelled stone to heat up the tea and milk before setting the girl down on the counter.

“Drink your tea, Elle Bell.” Tor instructed, turning to lean his hip on the counter so he could look at both Elle and Jascinto. She did as instructed, sipping the warm drink and making a yummy sound. Jascinto giggled again and Tor couldn’t stop the smile on his face.

Elle wasn’t the youngest of his pack but for some reason she had attached herself to him in a way the others hadn’t.

They all were affectionate and loved when he gave them attention.

Everyone knew she often snuck out of lessons or away from her parents to spend time with her Alpha.

Tor knew her mama and papa would prefer he discourage the behavior but he just couldn’t.

The air around Elle rippled with magic, her eyes shining a bright silver as her gaze darted between Jascinto and Tor. “Alpha!” She shouted, her wings jittering with excitement.

Tor chuckled, “I know, sweetheart.” His smile hadn’t ever been so wide and Elle clapped in excitement.

“What just happened?” Jascinto asked. He had seen Elle’s magic but clearly didn’t know its meaning.

Elle laughed, clinging to Tor’s arm and nuzzling against him, mingling their scents. “I can see your colors!”

“My…what?” Jascinto tilted his head.

“She can read auras.” Tor explained, pointing at the half empty cup. “Finish up, you need to get to bed.”

“Will you tuck me in and check for monsters, Alpha?” Elle continued drinking.

“Of course.” He placed a kiss on her head, right between her tiny horns.

“All done!” She smiled at him before letting out a large yawn right in his face.

“And all ready for sleep, I bet.” He set the mug down and hoisted Elle back into his arms. She cuddled close, looking over his shoulder again. Her body lay limp against him, her breathing slowly evening out as he walked.

Tor exited the kitchen, Jascinto following after. “So pretty.” Elle murmured as the air rippled around her again.

“What’s pretty?” Jascinto asked softly from behind, no doubt watching as the girl’s eyes changed to silver again.

“Your Alpha rope. Prettiest ever .” She gave another yawn and Tor felt the magic around her fade. Within seconds, Elle gave a little snore, asleep in his arms.